Solomon Island USP - Fiji celebrate 33rd Independence.

Celebrations to mark the 33rd independence anniversary in the University of the South Pacific has been very good and quiet.

Local reports from Fiji also live prod cast the events on TV and radio .

The celebrations has been peaceful and enjoyable for everyone in Suva and as far as Lautoka.

The highlight of the events His Excellences Mr Moses Mose is the the Guest of Honor and alot of cultural entertainment was also highlight the events to mark the country birthday for the past 33 years.

This are the cultural performance that participate during the celebration at Laucala campus.

1.) Temotu Student Association
2.) Maasina Student Association
3.) Guadalcanal Student Association
4.) North Malaita Student Association
5.) Central Malaita Student Association
6.) Makira Student Association
7.) Western Student Association
8.) Choisoul Student Association
9.) Isabel Student Association
10.) Central Ngela Student Association
11.) Avaiki Student Association.

Obama congratulates us

UNITED States President Barack Obama has congratulated Solomon Islands and its people on the occasion marking the 33rd anniversary of independence.

In a statement to the Governor General and the people of this country yesterday ahead of the celebrations today President Obama said Solomon Islands and United States as two pacific nations are linked by the interest they share and challenges they face.

He said based on the shared issues, US is looking forward to strengthen that relationship in the years ahead.

“We look forward to continuing to deepen the ties between our two countries in the coming years.

“Please accept my warmest wishes on the anniversary of your independence day,” the President said.

The President’s message came as Solomon Islands welcome the United States back following the visit by the Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Kurt Campbell more than a week ago to Honiara.

source: solomon star

GOVERNMENT HOUSE DEFENDS DECISION IN REFUSING THE APPOINTMENT OF A MP AS CABINET MINISTER

In brief: The Government House has defended the Governor General's decision to refuse the appointment of North Malaita M-P as a Cabinet Minister saying any action by the Governor General on the matter could be regarded as contempt of court.
The Government House has defended the Governor General's decision to refuse the appointment of North Malaita M-P as a Cabinet Minister saying any action by the Governor General on the matter could be regarded as contempt of court.

The North Malaita M-P was reportedly re-appointed as Fisheries Minister but Governor General Sir Frank Kabui had refused to facilitate the appointment by oath.

North Malaita MP, Jimmy Lusibaea was sentenced to imprisonment for two years and nine months but was awarded an early release by the Parole Board and the then Police Minister James Tora via the Correctional Services Act.

In a letter to the media, the Government House Deputy Private Secretary Rawcliffe Ziza says while section 33 of the constitution requires the governor general to act on the advice of the Prime Minister in appointing ministers - the member of parliament appointed must also be free from any legal disqualification stipulated in the constitution.

Mr Ziza says while some lawyers hold the view that the total amount of remission earned reduced his sentence to less than 6 months imprisonment, other lawyers are of the view that the remission simply reduces the time served in custody and does not reduce the original sentence passed by the high court.

The latter would also argue that only the court of appeal can reduce the sentence and that the parole board is not a court of law to change high court decisions without appeal to the court of appeal.

Mr Ziza says only the high court can decide which of the views is the correct one, adding that the issue is now before the High court.

He adds that the government house is interested in the outcome of the case because it will clear the way for further action by the government house and would also set a precedent for the future.

He says in the meantime, the government house cannot act as it's action might be regarded as contempt of court.

Source : SIBC

EUROPEAN UNION CALLS FOR PROPOSAL

In brief: The European Union office in Honiara has called for Non-State Actors in Development in Solomon Islands to submit proposals for grant awards this year.
The European Union office in Honiara has called for Non-State Actors in Development in Solomon Islands to submit proposals for grant awards this year.

The office says the proposals must be presented by Non-State Actors and should aim at promoting an inclusive and empowered society in Solomon Islands.

It says priority will be given to actions that strengthen the capacity of non-government organisations and civil society organisations to address disparities to social services.

The grant award would be given to non-state actors whose work contribute to the sustainable development of local communities, preserve the traditional and historical culture of Solomon Islands and take action, defend their rights and take part in political debate.

The overall indicative amount available under this Call for Proposals is 450-thousand Euros.

The maximum amount of any grant awarded may not be lower than 50-thousand Euros nor exceed 200-thousand Euros.

The duration of actions to be financed should be between 12 and 36 months.

The deadline for submission of proposals is Thursday 28th July this year.

An information session on this call for proposals will be held at 10 a-m Monday next week at the EU-funded "Non-State Actors Support Programme" conference room, Chinatown, Honiara.

Source : SIBC

Man and wife

Prince William and Kate Middleton have been pronounced man and wife at Westminster Abbey.

Some 1,900 guests watched the couple exchange their vows, with many millions watching at home.

They left the Abbey, with Kate Middleton now the Duchess of Cambridge, amid cheers from thousands of well-wishers lining the procession route.

They made their way to Buckingham Palace where there was a buffet reception for 650 guests.

Despite the risk of showers, the pair travelled in an open-topped 1902 State Landau carriage for the procession, which was used by Prince William's parents for their wedding in 1981.

The church service ran smoothly but the prince did struggle to place the wedding ring on the duchess's finger.

Following a long tradition, the ring has been fashioned from Welsh gold given to Prince William by the Queen.

After the couple said their vows, in which she did not promise to obey William, the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Reverend Rowan Williams, declared: "I pronounce that they be man and wife together, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen."

They spent a private moment together with their families, as they signed the marriage register.

The duchess, who managed to keep her wedding dress a secret, is wearing an ivory and lace gown by Sarah Burton at Alexander McQueen. The prince is wearing the red tunic of an Irish Guards colonel - his most senior honorary appointment.

Well-known faces have been spotted at Westminster Abbey, including singer-songwriter Sir Elton John and his partner David Furnish, former England rugby coach Sir Clive Woodward, and former England football captain David Beckham and his wife Victoria.

Actor Rowan Atkinson, a close friend of Prince Charles, Prince Harry's friend Chelsy Davy and film director Guy Ritchie were also present.

UK Prime Minister David Cameron and his wife Samantha, Australian prime minister Julia Gillard, former British PM Sir John Major, and current Home Secretary Theresa May are among the politicians present.

The Solomon Islands Governor General Sir Frank Kabui and Lady Kabui are representing the country at the wedding.

Source: SolomonStar

Suibaea promises decentralization

MALAITA Premier Edwin Suibaea has reiterated his government decentralization policy to the people of AGAM on Friday.

He said his government will undertake a reform to spread development to all parts of Malaita.

“We have created a regional framework when five regional ministers were appointed,” he said during the visit to Central Kwaraea.

“The five ministers will be posted to the five regions, Malaita Outer Islands, Southern, Northern, Central and Eastern.

“We believe in decentralization because it’s the power base of the region,” Mr Suibaea said.

He said the reason for the reform was because people’s voice was not heard in the higher level.

“We planned to create a regional assembly as well,” he said.

“This is to allow you people to take part in the assembly and voice your concern.”

Source : Solomon Star News

Govt builds numbers..

SIX Opposition members joined the Government yesterday.

They were former leader of Opposition and MP for Fataleka Steve Abana, former leader of the Official Independent Group in Parliament and MP for Temotu-Vatud Clay Forau Soalaoi.

The others are Ricky Houeniopwela (Small Malaita,) Andrew Hanaria Keniasia (East Are ‘Are,) Connelly Sandabatu (North-West Choiseul) and Peter Tom (West Kwaio).

A well placed source told the Solomon Star the five members resigned after Mr Abana relinquished his position.

“They wanted to show their dislike to the Opposition member who was behind Abana’s removal,” our source said.

“Their move is not to spoil the Government but they want to contribute to the development of this country.”

In a meeting with the six MPs at the Prime Minister’s office yesterday afternoon, the Prime Minister Danny Philip welcomed the six MPs.

He told them that as PM and head of the NCRA Government he had accepted all of them into the Government without any reservations.

“As national leaders we are all entitled to make our own decisions but the bottom line is the country,” he said.

The Solomon Star understands the PM is likely to replace some of his ministers in the Government with these Opposition members.

Also some of them are likely to be appointed on State Owned Enterprises boards.

It is unclear whether the latest move will affect the motion of no confidence submitted by the Opposition group.

Source: SIBC

GUADALCANAL PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT CONCERNS ABOUT HONIARA MARKET WORKERS

The Guadalcanal Provincial Government is calling on the Honiara City Council, HCC, to address the problem of overnight stay at the Central market premises.

The Guadalcanal Provincial Government is calling on the Honiara City Council, HCC, to address the problem of overnight stay at the Central market premises.

Guadalcanal Province Deputy Premier, Andrew Rayboy says it has come to the stage where daily market the majority of them women from East and West Guadalcanal are being harassed and sworn at by Honiara City Market employees.

He says responsible authorities including HCC, the GP and the police deal with swearing and other forms of harassment to those who stay overnight at the market.

Mr Rayboy says whatever regulations that the HCC imposes on Guadalcanal people must also apply to people from other provinces.

He says the Guadalcanal Province is aware of the unemployed from many squatter areas surrounding Honiara City who have become permanent stayers at the market buying and reselling produce brought in from Guadalcanal farmers.

Mr Rayboy says these groups are treating the main market as their trade post daily and they must be removed.

Source: SIBC

Amicale become TVL champions for second time

The Reds were crowned Telecom Vanuatu Limited (TVL) Premier League champions for the second time in their history after beating Yatel on Tuesday afternoon at Port Vila Stadium.

Amicale took charge from the opening minutes, scoring two goals in the first half through Solomon Islands international Moffat Deramoa and homegrown midfielder Jean-Robert Yelou.

After the break, Yelou again got his name on the scoresheet while Fenedy Masauvakalo and Jack Wetney helped themselves to a goal apiece to complete Amicale's 5-1 victory. Yatel's sole strike came from striker Remy Kensi just before the final whistle.

Club administrator Marcellino Barthelemy was delighted with the title win but felt it was far from a perfect performance.

"I am very proud of our boys," he said. "They played with passion and strength but did not perform as well as they have over the last few weeks."

"We participated in a training camp the week before the O-League final here in Port Vila and maybe that contributed. We missed a couple of chances early in the match but I must say that we are happy to be champions again."

The result means Amicale have now qualified for the National Soccer League and will be part of the O-League again next year if they can fight off the challenge of four of Vanuatu's other top club sides to become national champions.

They will play Spirit 08 in the national league this Saturday at Port Vila Stadium before flying to New Zealand on Wednesday to take on Auckland City in the second leg of the O-League final on Sunday.

The winner of the 2011 O-League will qualify for the FIFA Club World Cup, to be held in Japan during December.

MP COMMENTS ON DONOR FUNDING

Member of Parliament for East Choiseul,Chairman of the bills and legislative committee and opposition member Mannaseh Sogavare said there are rooms for improvement on how donor funds are effectively used and controlled.

Speaking today in Parliament, Mannaseh Sogavare said national leaders play an important role to ensure effective control over the use of donor funds.

He said national leaders should put their foot down and take serious leading roles as to where and how aid money is being put to use in the country.

Mr Sogavare said, to achieve this, a series of development plans must be developed.

He however said that the main issue is what to develop and by whom.

Mr Sogavare said, the adoption of a long term plan is important to avoid a quick fix solution.

source: SIBC

PM SAYS SOLOMONS READY FOR TRADE WITH MSG MEMBERS

Prime Minister Danny Philip has said that Solomon Islands is ready to trade with other Melanesian Spearhead Group members under the revised, MSG, Trade Agreement.

Speaking at the 18th meeting of the MSG leaders on trade and economic issues today, Mr Philip said that Solomon Islands has recently endorsed the revised MSG Trade Agreement and the relevant legal notice has been issued to give effect to the Agreement.

But he said there is a need to implement the revised MSG Trade Agreement by all MSG members.

Mr Philip also urged fellow MSG leaders that improved trade and increased investment opportunities are essential ingredients for our respective countries to prosper and grow in the coming years.

He said there is also an urgent need for MSG members to conclude at the earliest possible opportunity the MSG Framework Treaty on the Protection of Traditional Knowledge and expression of culture.

Prime Minister Philip said n order for the MSG to survive into the future as a vibrant and relevant regional body, leaders must guide and provide leadership to officials and the Secretariat to ensure the MSG remains pragmatic and responsive to the needs and aspirations of members.

source: SIBC

MALAITA PROVINCE PASSES BUDGET

The Malaita Provincial Assembly has passed a budget of about 15 million dollars for the 2011-20112 financial year.

Gabriel Riotarau reports from provincial capital, Auki that the Provincial Assembly passed the budget Tuesday this week.

He quotes Provincial Secretary, Harold Leka as saying that the recurrent budget is about nine million dollars and the province expects to spend about eight million dollars during the financial year.

Mr Riotarau says the Malaita Province's development budget is just over six million dollars.

He says, Malaita's budget has a surplus of just over 344-thousand dollars.

source: SIBC

Kurukuru OFC qualifiers squad named

in Solomon Islands since this team will be bearing the hopes of the country in the attempt to qualify for the FIFA Futsal World Cup which will be held in Thailand in 2012.

The 2011 line-up is not very different from the 2010 team that clinched the 2010 Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) Futsal Championship title in style in Suva with wins against all their opponents including a 21 – 2 drubbing of minnows Tuvalu.

This time, however, the regional champions are aware of the preparations of their opponents and pressure is mounting from teams like New Zealand, Tahiti and Fiji who are eyeing the opportunity to steal the title away from the 3-time winners and represent Oceania in Thailand.

The two (2) goalkeepers Paul Huia and David Lafai have both retained their place in the team and so have 9 other players including captain Elliot Ragomo and forwards Micah Lea’alafa and Jack Wetney who are vital to the strength of the Kurukuru side.

The only new player in the squad is Samuel Osifelo who replaces Jenan Kapu who has been struggling with injuries in recent months and has been rested so that he can recover fully before returning to training.

Osifelo is new in the sense that he was not in the last 3 teams that represented Solomon Islands in the OFC championships but in 2008 he was among the players that brought the country to its first FIFA Futsal World Cup so his experience and ability with the ball are well shaped.

Source: SIFF

Historic Health Deal Signed

The signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) by the Minister of Health and Medical Services of Solomon Islands Hon. Charles Sigoto and his Vanuatu counterpart Hon. Steven Don Ken signifies an important milestone between the two Melanesian countries.

The MOU will now allow the Vanuatu Government to start recruiting Solomon Islands nurses to work in Vanuatu.

A total of 25 nurses will travel to Vanuatu this year as soon the Vanuatu Government finalizes their recruitment and travel arrangements.

Under the arrangement, the nurses will work on contract for three years before the next 25 nurses will be recruited as replacements on three year contract basis.

Minister Don Ken said Vanuatu is facing a critical nursing shortage which impacts negatively on health services to its more than 200,000 population for the last 10 years.

"I am proud and very pleased to sign this agreement on behalf of the Government and People of Vanuatu which is very important for our country's health sector".

"I would also like to thank the Government and People of Solomon Islands for listening to our cry for help in terms of nursing assistance," Minister Don Ken said.

He added that the response by Solomon Islands to provide nurses to work in Vanuatu shows the heart that Solomon Islanders have for their brothers and sisters in Vanuatu.

Solomon Islands Health Minister Charles Sigoto who is a nurse by profession for 30 years said the signing of the partnership is the beginning of greater things to come for the benefit of the two countries.

"I am very much grateful as a nurse myself that the enhanced cooperation between our two countries has began with the nursing profession," Minister Sigoto said.

He added that there are plans at government to government level in place for further collaboration between the two countries in terms of health services.

The signing ceremony was made in the presence of the Minister of Foreign Affairs Hon. Peter Shanel Agovaka and senior officials from both Governments of Solomon Islands and Vanuatu.

Minister Don Ken and his delegation will leave Honiara today

Source : SolomonTimes

MEDICAL STUDENTS IN CUBA AND ALLOWANCES

Authorities in Honiara say Solomon Islands medical students studying in Cuba should already be getting their allowances.

Dr Cendrick Alependava told the Public Accounts Committee hearing this morning that Solomon Islands Ambassador at the United Nations Collin Beck has travelled to Cuba with the students' allowances this week.

Dr. Alependava says all 74 medical students studying in Cuba will have been given their seven months allowances this week by Ambassador Beck.

The plight of the students were highlighted in the media and press in the past days, prompting the government to act quickly.

Dr Alependava told the committee that difficulty in sending money through to Cuba has been one of the reasons for the delay of the students' allowances.

He said the ministry of health is working closely with foreign affairs to ensure this problem does not happen again.

He further added that the health ministry is planning to send a further 26 students to Cuba.

Source: SIBC

UNION GIVES ULTIMATUM TO GOVERNMENT

The Public Employees Union, SIPEU, and the National Teachers Association, SINTA, have given the Government until Monday next week to respond to the payment of Public servants outstanding benefits.

The notice was issued to the Government on Monday this week after a meeting held earlier this month and it has until March 21st to respond.

The Solomon Islands National Teachers Association's Industrial Relations Officer, Johnly Hatimoana, says they have highlighted the Long and Dedicated Service and the Cost of Living Adjustment of 11.5 percent in their demands.

Hatimoana told SIBC News they are hoping the Government will agree to change the interpretation of Long Service Benefit so that a person upon redundancy,retirement or resignation receives his whole payment at once.

Source: SIBC

MSG LEADERS TO MEET IN FIJI NEXT WEEK

All Melanesian Spearhead Group leaders have confirmed their attendance at the meeting scheduled in Suva at the end of this month.

Fiji Sun reports say this means Prime Minister Sato Kilman of Vanuatu, Prime Minister Danny Philip of the Solomon Islands, Sir Michael Somare of Papua New Guinea and representatives of the Kanak Socialist National Liberation Front F-L-N-K-S of New Caledonia will attend.

Prime Minister Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama will chair the meeting.

Fiji’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Ratu Inoke Kubuabola was in Port Vila yesterday to brief Vanuatu’s Foreign Minister, George Wells and Prime Minister Sato Kilman of the status of preparation for the MSG Leaders Summit.

Speaking from Port Vila, Ratu Inoke told Pacnews both the Vanuatu leaders are looking forward to coming to Fiji at the end of the month.

This would be the second occasion that Fiji is hosting the MSG Leaders summit. The first was in 1997.

Founded in 1986, the MSG is made up of countries in the Melanesian region – Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu and the FLNKS in New Caledonia.

Ratu Inoke also confirmed that all MSG Leaders have agreed to invite Indonesia and Timor Leste at this year’s summit.

Source: SIBC

WESTERN AND CHOISEUL PREMIERS FACE NO CONFIDENCE MOTIONS

A series of No Confidence votes are expected in a number of provincial assemblies next week.

In Gizo, Western Province, a notice of a no confidence motion has been filed against the Provincial Premier George Solingi Lilo.

Assembly Speaker Jackson Piasi confirms the motion will be first on the agenda when the Provincial Assembly starts it's meeting next week.

The notice of the motion was filed by the provincial member for ward 15, Munda, David Kera.

While grounds for the motion against Mr George Solingi Lilo have not been made known, the Speaker,Mr. Piasi says such a motion under standing orders require seven days written notice to the speaker before it is presented in the Assembly.

Mr Piasi says the speaker must also be satisfied that no similar motion has been moved in the previous 12 months.

He says the motion shall be dealt with first before any other assembly agenda or as per order paper during the Assembly meeting.

The Western Provincial Assembly starts it's 2011-2012 Budget Meeting next Tuesday March 22.

Further down West in Choiseul Province, the Premier Jackson Kiloe is likely to also face a motion of no confidence when the Provincial Assembly meets next week.

Choiseul province's Clerk to Assembly Chris Makoni says the motion was filed by the member for Wagina ward Peter Tobire.

Mr Makoni says the only reason for moving the motion is lack of confidence in Mr Kiloe's leadership but no further details were provided in the document submitted to the provincial speaker this week.

He says the motion will be tabled during the upcoming full assembly and budget meeting scheduled for next week.

Source: SIBC

MILLIONS FOR PUBLIC SERVANTS LONG SERVICE BENEFIT

The Public Service Ministry has allocated six-point-four million dollars for its new and reformed long-service benefit formula.

Permanent Secretary Ishmael Avui told the Public Accounts Committee this morning, the new formular includes a 26-pay period plus the number of years served in public service.

Last year's allocation for this item was 780-thousand dollars.

Avui says the new long service benefit package is a retention measure and a measure to encourage loyalty to public service general orders.

Mr Avui made his presentation on the second day of the Public Accounts Committee hearing today, which covered another five ministries.

They are: Public Service Ministry, the Office of the Auditor General, Office of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, the National Parliament and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, External Trade and Immigration.

The hearings continue tomorrow with seven government ministries.

They will include Education and Human Resources; Justice and Legal Affairs; Commerce, Industry and Employment; Lands, Housing and Survey, Infrastructure Development; Communication and Aviation; and Forestry.

Source: SIBC

SIG-SPONSORED STUDENTS AT USP CHALLENGED TO DO BETTER

Solomon Island Government sponsored students studying at USP in Suva, Fiji have been challenged to do their best in their studies this year as it costs the government millions of dollars to provide them with scholarships.

USP student Rickson Bau reports from Suva that the head of Solomon Islands High Commission in Suva, Moses Mose, made the challenge at a combine church service yesterday.

Mr Mose said the government spends 70-thousand dollars and 110-thousand dollars respectively each year for each student attending USP Laucala Campus and the Fiji School of Medicine.

SIBC News understands that more than 200 students were awarded government scholarships this year to study in Fiji, Papua New Guinea and other regional tertiary institutions in the Pacific. This includes both In-Service and Pre-Service awards.

Mr Mose told the students that they must use the opportunity they are given as they are more privileged than many who also struggled to get a scholarship.

Meanwhile, Solomon Islands Students Association, SISA, President David Diosi said the task now is for students to use the learning opportunity they have.

He said SISA want to less scholarship terminations or even no terminations this year.

The SISA president said his executive together with the National Training Unit’s representative in Suva will collaborate to ensure students’ academic performances improved this year.

The combine church meeting organized by SISA was attended by Mr Mose and family, Solomon Islands teaching staff at Laucala Campus and Suva-based working Solomon Islanders.

source: SIBC

EU PROVIDES BUDGETARY SUPPORT TO SOLOMON ISLANDS

The European Union will provide 2.8 million Euro to support Solomon Islands budget that will contribute to building resilience and adapt to the effects of climate change on the economy and country.

Prime Minister Danny Philip signed a programme for the help at a regional conference for the Joint Pacific-European Union Initiative on Climate Change in Vanuatu yesterday.

The conference was to provide political guidance to launch the implementation of the Joint Pacific-EU Initiative on climate change.

A statement from the Ministry of Environment says the conference is important for Solomon Islands participation with other Pacific Islands as climate change is crucial development obstacle.

It says these obstacles can be seen in the intensity of cyclones, unpredictable rainfall patterns, extreme weather patterns such as storms and floods that causes damages especially on the shorelines and land that impact on lives of the people.

source: SIBC