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NOCSI LOOKS TO PROVINCES

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NOCSI President, Martin Rara. (1)

BY PETER ZOLEVEKE II

As the challenge in finding sports venues in Honiara continues due to the country’s preparations for the hosting of the 2023 Pacific Games, NOCSI is turning to the provinces for support.

In an interview with SunSPORTS this week NOCSI President Martin Rara said they have been taking initial steps in identifying potential sites in the provinces to hosts athletes training and competitions to prepare Team Solomon for the Pacific Games 2023

NOCSI had done a provincial site assessment since 2020 on six provinces and they have identified Malaita, Western province (Tuna Park) and Central Island province.

Rara confirmed three provinces as potentials candidates to host the athlete’s preparations as the wait for the completion of sports facilities in the capital also continues.

“Since most training grounds have been occupied for the construction of facilities in Honiara and seeing the borders are yet closed to travel now we are reaching out to the provinces,” Rara said.

“What that has been done since last year as to preparation of athletes is that seeing that borders have been closed from allowing our athletes to train overseas now the current move now is prepare within the country,” says Rara.

“Identifications done now are three provinces that are able to accommodate Team Solomon preparations through some sports.

“Few small patches needed for very basic facilities available on the ground that were left behind during the Solomon Games facilities can able to accommodate our athletes now as we continue to wait for the High – Performance center and other facilities to complete.

He says NOCSI will then meet with national sports federation (NFs) with its assessment report before the deployment of its athletes.

“So the options NOCSI will pass on the NFs to look at what they have according to their programs to design their programs fitting for the provincial facilities.

“The focus on the identification of sites for Team Solomon before the message to be passed on to the national federations for them to actually deploy teams, hosts championships to the places, so a report will be finalized after on the assessments and this is where NOCSI will draw out what sports to be allocated to which province.

Meanwhile, the Chinese Embassy Ambassador Li Ming has assured that with the country’s bilateral ties China will support Team Solomon athletes to train in their country.

“NFs now will have to get their competitions going on these identified provinces to come up with their team so that those selected in each federation will make up the numbers to go to China,” Rara says.

EELS ARE CHAMPIONS

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Taromane Martin
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Henderson-Eels-FC-Head-Coach-Eddie-Marahare-celebrates-after-winning-his-first-TSL-title-as-coach-for-Eels-yesterday.-Eels-defeated-Southern-United-FC-8-0.-Picture-Peter-Zoleveke-II

By Taromane Martin

Henderson Eels FC are the new champion for the Telekom Soccer League (TSL) after handing Southern United FC another heavy defeat yesterday.

Eight unanswered goals saw the Eddie Marahare coached side pick up their 16th win in the season as they grabbed their first TSL silverware.

Golden boot race leader Joses Nawo gave Eels the lead 2 minutes into the game before golden boot contender Raphael Lea’i doubled the lead 17 minutes later before winning a penalty kick for Nawo to grab his second goal from the spot.

Southern first choice goalkeeper was sent off just before half after committing two unnecessary yellow card fouls on Lea’I, leading up to that penalty.

Leading three goals up Lea’i made it 4-0 when second half resumed. Second half substitute Augustine Waita made it 5-0 before Nawo completed his hat trick with a chip over Southern second choice goalkeeper.

Unselfish play from Hudson Felani also allowed Lea’i to complete a hat trick as Nawo and Lea’i turned the game into a race for the golden boot award.

Chances were there for both players to add to their tally; however, it was Waita who scored the last goal to see Eels finish with 8 goals and win the TSL title with 50 points.

After two seasons in second place, Head Coach Eddie Marahare says he is happy and that winning their first TSL title has brought him new confidence.

“For any coach in Solomon Islands, winning the TSL is always one of the objectives. For myself as a coach why I decided to come to Eels was because I knew football is not entirely based on the technical side of the game,” Marahare said.

“Looking at the management and the support the club had, I was sure that if I came with my technical output, I can achieve what I want as a coach.

“Those two years were not wasted because I joined the club in 2018 and then early 2021, I manage to win that so I’m very proud not only of myself but also for the club.

“I’m happy we manage to win the title today. For the club I’m happy because after two seasons we were consistent in maintaining second spot until we manage to finish top this season.

“As a coach this gives me confidence in what I’m doing with the team and I thank all the players for responding and executing every time during training and in our games this season.

“Thank you also to the club owner, Hudson Wakio and Advance Technology, our fans for all the support given towards the team in achieving this historic milestone for the club and my career as coach,” he adds

With one game left against outgoing TSL champions Solomon Warriors FC this weekend, Coach Marahare said this is a must win game despite already having the title in the bag.

“We will not take that game lightly. They are the defending champions so we will have to prove why we are the champions,” Marahare said.

Man who fooled for money gets 4 years

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Jennifer Kusapa
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BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

A man who had been going around luring people to give him money for overseas investment and in return of huge profits has been sent to jail for four years.

David Tuita Lafuia was sentenced by the court yesterday after he pleaded guilty to nine counts of false pretence on February 19, 2021.

The accused lied to nine individuals and obtained a total amount $27,000 through his cunning actions.

Deputy Chief Magistrate Ricky Iomea who presided over the case said assessing the facts of the case, the accused had pre-meditated the and pre-planned to steal money from the victims.

“This is not a spur of the moment incident but the defendant had taken time to plan this, the offences were repeated and committed over a period of time until it was discovered,” Iomea said.

The accused’s action has put nine different individuals and probably their families in a very difficult financial positions at the time and may take time for them to recover from it, Iomea said.

He said the lies and deceitful tactic used by the defendant clearly demonstrated the work of a pure con man, taking advantage of the situation and fooling the individuals and rob them of their hard-earned money.

“I agreed with the prosecution that this type of offending appears to be prevalent,” Iomea said.

Iomea said the society has no place for people who go around conning others in order to earn money therefore, a deterrent sentence is called for.

“This is a shameful and lazy way of earning an income. Only lazy people resort to this kind of behaviour, I say this because in society, notwithstanding difficult economic situations such as the one presented by COVID-19, there are still genuine ways of earning money to keep one survive.

“Societies disapproves and will not tolerate such behaviour. The court has a duty to ensure that such people are isolated from the community. It must impose a sentence that serves as punishment and deterrence. The sentence that will be imposed should also send the message clear to likeminded other that those who follow suit will face the same consequences,” Iomea said.

This is the incidents that were occurred on different dates of last year in Honiara.

The first incident occurred on June 26, 2020 where the accused called the victim on her mobile phone and introduced the network to her. They had a conversation and introduced to her about an investment he joins namely Barrack Trade Investment Network BTIN and is located in London United Kingdom.

The accused told the victim to give him a sum $1500 and he will complete the remaining amount to reach the required amount of $5000, he told her that she will get an interest of $84,000 after 10 weeks, having heard what the accused have said the victim gave him the money, the victim was also told that she will receive a confirmation through email about the payment, after 10 weeks there was no email or payment received.

DCM Iomea said five incidents occurred on five different people in the month of July on different dates and time and obtained $13,500, from those four victims, he promised then that they will get their money after 10 weeks, that promise was never happen.

The other three incidents occurred in the month of August 21, 2020, the three-victim met with the accused at Water Lilly, he told them about the investment, in which they were convinced and a total of $15,000 was given to the accused, the victims waited for their profits on the dates promised to them but they did not receive any email or any payments since then.

Public Prosecutor Vernon Taupongi appears for the crown while Emy Rusi of the Public Solicitor’s Office represented the accused.

MAL applauds CoL quick action to retrieve land for Biosecurity work

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Biosecurity officer, Jack Susulu read the notice of resumption pinned up at the main access gate that Excellent Resources Management Limited heavy machineries and vehicles use to enter through the Biosecurity land

Quick action by the Commissioner of Lands (CoL) Mr Alan Mcneil to take back the land at Ranadi sold by Honiara City Council (HCC) to Excellent Resources Management Limited, an Asian Company, for Biosecurity work is highly commended.

This followed a request by the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAL) to resume the land for biosecurity waste disposal.

MAL expressed the gratitude after a Notice of Resumption was served by CoL to the new owner, Excellent Resources Management Ltd this week (Tuesday, March 16).

The Notice of Resumption dated March 16, 2021 and addressed to Excellent Resources Management Ltd reads:

“Dear Mr Lam,

“I refer to Grant of Fixed Term Estate (“FTE”) over Parcel 192-010-033 (“the Grant”) dated 26 September 1986 to Honiara City Council. This FTE was subsequently transferred to your company.

“In accordance with Clause 3 of the Grant, the Grantor (Commissioner of Lands) has the right, on giving one month’s notice in writing to the Grantee, to take back such portion of the land that may be needed for roads or other public purposes. Since the FTE has been transferred to you, this right of resumption can be exercised over your FTE.

“The whole of Parcel 191-010-033 is required for the purpose of biosecurity quarantine incinerator. As such, I am hereby giving you one month’s notice that the FTE over this parcel is to be resumed for this public purpose. You are required to do all things necessary to allow the Grantor to take back possession of this land.

“Compensation will only be paid for actual loss sustained in respect of improved land, otherwise compensation is not payable if the land has not been developed.

“Thank you for your cooperation in this regard,” end of notice of resumption.

The issue of the sale made headlines in the media last week with heated debate on social media platforms by citizens after MAL publicly condemned HCC’s disrespectful action to sell off the piece of land that housed MAL Biosecurity Incinerator without consulting MAL.

The land is used by Biosecurity for destruction of all garbage remove from international vessels and aircraft coming into Solomon Islands.


Excellent Resources Management Limited heavy machineries. The machines have to drive/pass through the Biosecurity land to get to the main road.

Permanent Secretary Mrs Ethel Tebengi Francis said the prompt action taken by Commissioner of Lands on MAL’s request to resume the land at Ranadi for biosecurity work is welcoming news for her ministry (MAL), so she on behalf of MAL thanks the Lands Commissioner for seeing it fit to take this action.

She said the piece of land is crucial to biosecurity treatment and disposal work as it serve public interest and the national security of the country during this Covid-19 pandemic as wastes from flights into the country poses a huge threat.

Director of Biosecurity of MAL, Francis Tsatsia earlier said, “It’s a requirement that Garbage of this sort must be offloaded and incinerated as biosecurity risk is very high. Normal garbage for incinerator in this premises are plants and plant products and animal and their products.

“The area is best suited for BSI operation. It’s away from residential properties and has good security fencing. MAL has invested a lot of money for treatment facilities of imported products not meeting SI standards. The area was to house the first abattoir in the country but the house was not completed and well suited for an abattoir so was then decided to be used for waste disposal thus the incinerator so MAL has been using this land for over twenty years. Facilities here include a building for chemical storage, a room for animal product treatment and an incinerator for general garbage disposal.

“This operation is not only protecting Solomon Islands from further incursion of pest and diseases through garbage remove for foreign vessel and international aircraft but also has been a revenue earner for the Solomon Islands Government by way of fees and charges as well as safeguard Solomon Islands from the risk of new pest and disease coming in to the country Biosecurity regulated risk items.”

–MAL PRESS

Slow police investigation adjourns Rennell murder case

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Jennifer Kusapa
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Death in Paradise

BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

The case into last month’s killing incident in West Rennell has been adjourned since police are yet to complete investigations.

Prosecution told court yesterday that investigation into the killing at Avatai village is yet to be completed.

Prosecution said police investigators will travel to Rennell today for further investigation into the case as only partial disclosures have been obtained.

Therefore, further adjournment was granted and the case will be mentioned again in court on March 31, 2021.

Meanwhile the court was also informed that the accused is still without a lawyer to represent him with his case.

This is the case of Ashley Ghapuika who is alleged in the murder incident of a 28-yr-old male person on February 15, 2021.

The allegation said that the deceased and his uncle were in their kitchen at Avatai Village in west Rennell trying to light a roll of cigarette.

It was when the deceased was trying to light his smoke, when the suspect entered the door of the kitchen with a long bush knife and walked straight to where the deceased was standing and allegedly cut the deceased once on the back of his neck.

It is believed the deceased was not able to defend himself due to the sudden attack. The suspect later went outside from the kitchen and walked away with his bush knife full of blood.

The deceased was rushed to the Tigoa mini-Hospital in West Rennell in a vehicle but was confirmed dead by the nurse in charge.

Violent man gets two and half years jail time

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BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

A 23-year-old man has been sentenced to two years six months for wounding two victims on dates in 2019 and 2020.

The accused man is Junior Daoga of Malaita province and he committed the offences at White River, west Honiara.

Principal Magistrate Fatimah Taeburi in her sentence said the accused is not a man of good character. He had prior criminal convictions in 2017; he was convicted in the Magistrates Court for common assault and malicious damage and there should be specific deterrence considered in this case.

“This prisoner must be taught that it is wrong to resort to violence, he must learn that people who use weapons to cause harm and fear to others and cause damage to property will be punished, we live in a society with other people, we must learn to respect other people and their properties, only then can we peacefully co-exist,” Ms Taeburi said.

The prisoner pleaded guilty to two counts of unlawful wounding contrary to section 229 of the penal code.

The first count was in relation to an incident on August 30, 2019; he met the first victim at a market stall at Tasahe B in Honiara. He left the market and went back to his home. Upon his return to the market stall after a few minutes, he asked the victim about some rumours; it was at that time he hit the victim on the head using a weapon called nunchaku. The victim fell unconscious and sustained an injury to his head. The victim was admitted at the National Referral Hospital; he released after two days.

Magistrate Taeburi said it was strange there was no medical report presented in court by the prosecution to describe the extent of the injury sustained by the first victim.

“I cannot convict the prisoner for unlawful wound in count one. I am also satisfied that the circumstances of the offending in count one proves all the elements of the offences of unlawful wounding. Although the counsels have conceded in the agreed facts that the victim in count one, sustained an injury, there is no medical evidence or any other material to describe the extent of the injury sustained, without medical evidence, I cannot be certain that the injury sustained by the victim in count one satisfies the definition of a wound as provided in the penal code,” Taeburi said.

Therefore, she convicted the accused on count one on a lesser offence of assault causing actual bodily harm contrary to section 245 of the Penal Code

The second count relates to an incident on November 8, 2020; the prisoner met the second victim at Whiteriver in Honiara, he enquired about the whereabouts of his girlfriend, and there he stabbed the victim on the chest with a scissors.

The victim was also taken to the National Referral Hospital, the medical report showed that he sustained a wound of one centimeter to the left side of his chest, he was given some antibiotics and released the same day.

Court took into account his actions that he was armed on both occasions and used dangerous weapons to cause harm to both victims, he struck both victims at vulnerable parts of the human body. He hit the first victim on the head with a nunchaku and he stabbed the second one on the chest with a scissors.

Magistrate Taeburi imposed a sentence of one year for count one and one year six months for the second count. The sentences are to be served consecutively, therefore a total sentence of two years and six months imprisonment is imposed.

Court also made direction that period spent in custody to be considered.

Right to appeal within 14 days.

Free medicine to kava farmers on Malaita

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Samie Waikori
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Solomon gold kava is the best quality kava now in the world

BY SAMIE WAIKORI

AUKI

KAVA farmers in Aisiko and surrounding communities on Central Kwara’ae have received free medicine supplies last week in Auki.

The support was provided by Dr Wale Tobata on behalf of the Solomon Organic Kava (SOK) group in Auki to kava farmers.

President of the Malaita Provincial Youth Council, Philip Subu who also played a major role in kava development in the province, said the supply was part of SOK’s social support to kava farmers.

He said the initial plan was to support kava farmers in the province, but to begin with, it started with a few communities in the central kwara’ae constituency.

Subu said the support is to ensure farmers get medicines when needed and to stay healthy to drive the kava development in the province.

He said the support was provided to Aisiko and nearby communities of Aitolo, Ngalingaki, Namosalade and other catchment areas.

Subu said health workers, especially nurses in the area will look after the supply and make prescription to farmers during medication or when needed.

He said as one of the kava advocators in the province, he thanked SOK group for the support towards kava development in the province.

Subu said SOK is a local group established in Auki to advocate and support development of the kava sector on Malaita province.

Church leaders told to show unity ahead of election

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Samie Waikori
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BY SAMIE WAIKORI

Auki

A member of the South Seas Evangelical Church (SSEC) in Sikitae, Auki has called on SSEC leaders to put aside personal greed ahead of the upcoming election of the church’s new bishop.

The church member who wishes to remain anonymous made the call following experiences in the past in electing leaders to lead the church.

He said the election is expected for this week and SSEC members must pray for the election of a leader who is after God’s own heart and will.

The church member said it is obvious some leaders are working behind the scene to direct those under their regions and associations to cast their votes for candidates they prefer to become the next leader of the church.

“These people have their own agendas and motives to gain power to use the name of the church for their personal gain.

“All church leaders must be vigilant as they will be coming into the camp to devour and deceive you from voting the person that God has predestined to be the next leader of the SSEC,” he said.

The church member said SSEC is going down a road where the church has never experienced before and most of the church’s infrastructures are running down.

He said the SSEC educational institutions are deteriorating and even the spiritual life of the church is also growing cold because of the absence or lack of vision for the spiritual awakening of the church.

“We need a leader who will embrace the church with love and unity and not a leader that fragments the body of Jesus Christ by their self-indulgence and wrong ambition.

“We do not want unethical practices in the church,” the church member said.

He said a classic example happened in one of the regions in the SSEC where the regional office first appointed and formed its regional executive before electing the regional superintendent.

“In other words, the successor was preselected by his predecessor and all his cronies before the actual voting took place,” he alleged.

He said according to church procedure the regional superintendent is the first person to be elected, before he/she appoints his executive.

The member stressed that the church is not an avenue to play political games, but a place people can seek God’s guidance and wisdom to lead the church.

Alarming coral bleaching in Marovo Lagoon: study

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Marovo lagoon. PHOTO: UN PHOTO

BY BEN BILUA

GOVERNMENT’s institutions have demonstrated lack of capabilities in research and welfare of the country’s environment and are depending on International Non Government Organisations to provide necessary information.

This was demonstrated in the current coral bleaching event which is affecting coral reefs in Marovo Lagoon, New Georgia and Vungunu Island.

Earlier this year, World Conservation Society (WCS) with the help of local conservation group in Western Province found coral bleaching events raising alarm for proactive respond.

Three months since the event occurred, Ministry of Fisheries states have not received any formal report.

Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, Disaster Management & Meteorology states that they have received reports through WWC and Community Conservation Rangers but unable to do further intervene due to lack of capacity.

“This report was received by the Ministry and we have to depend on our Partners (WCS & WWF) on ground for verification. As well any Fisheries Officers in the Western Province,” Deputy Director Conservation, Josef Hurutarau said when contacted yesterday.

He said the coral bleaching event occurs due to increasing temperature and that it’s a natural cause which is quite difficult to address.

“I think this reporting is a natural cause of increasing temperature which might result in the coral bleaching.

“So I am coming from the angle of verification or reliability of such causes as reported. This is why we have to depend on Partners to provide such reports,” Hurutarau said.

He said addressing the issues is beyond the ministry’s capabilities and capacity as it is a natural cause.

“If it is caused by some anthropogenic activities (developments) then we can easily intervene/assist.

“In this case, I would say it will be very difficult to address the issue of rehabilitating coral etc,” Hurutarau said.

He said coral bleaching is a global issue and of equal concerns for Gov’t, NGOs, communities and he is hoping there are ways to compensate such natural damages.

Information sharing important: Dr Alec

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BY BEN BILUA

MANAGER of Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) Dr Alec Hughes says institutions and organisation need to share important information that would help establish better understanding on environment threat and to make sound decision towards environment issues and mitigation strategies.

In an interview with ABC, Dr Alec emphasized and encourages environment warriors to work together in terms of research ahead of the global climate conference which will be held later this year.

“The important message is, if we continue with the business usual approach without taking the necessary steps to eliminate global emission then bleaching event will become frequent leading to reduction in biodiversity of our shallow water reefs ecosystems.

“So with that in mind, I think it is important to note that later this year our global leaders will be meeting at the global climate conference,” he said.

Commenting on Wildlife Conservation Society’s operation in Western Province, Alec said, WCS will continues to work with Community Conservation Networks to improve land management practices in effort to reduce potential torrential base run off that can damage coral reefs and fisheries that are depended on coastlines downstream.

He said WCS, World Fish Centre and Local Marine Management Network have established a policy analysis and roadmap for greater conservation activities not only in Western province but through our Solomon Islands.

Alec said the policy analysis highlighted the need for more focus on regulating and monitoring extractive industries such as logging which is prevalent in the Solomon Islands.

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