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

Move Away From "Cargo Mentality," says Abana

Opposition Leader, Steve Abana, has urged individuals and informal Malaita Movements to move away from the "Cargo Cult" mentality as development talks between Malaita and Israel representatives continues in Auki.
Opening the Malaita Economic Development Planning Conference in Auki, Mr Abana said the proposed Israeli-funded Malaita Economic Stimulus Package is not a "windfall of cash" to be given to Malaita.

He made the call in view of fresh misleading stories and beliefs circulating around Malaita that Israel will rescue Malaitans with cash handouts and boat-loads of cargo.

He instead clarified that the Israeli assistance package is aimed at "improving the livelihood of Malaitans that are renowned for their spirit of hard work."

He said under the arrangement, Malaita is now dealing with people "well renowned throughout the world for their hard work, ingenuity and survival."

The Conference will conclude its second day today.

A document to guide the stimulus package is expected to be discussed, developed and drafted throughout the conference.

It will be officially launched at the close of the workshop on November 10.

"BREAKING NEWS"-World Cup Debate at Binaboko Lodge

As the World Cup in South Africa draws closer there had been a hot hitted debate at the binaboko lodge yesterday. This all started from a comment made by Sammy. L, saying that Argentina will win this years world cup. This lead all those who are present at the time to share their thoughts of who will hold the World cup Trophy on the 11th of July.
Boys like Nicky, Miky, Bobby and Elj support the Brazillian team. William Siake on the other hand is the only one supporting Australia so far. While Sammy, Kevin and non other than Mr. Ian Kua are die hard funs of Argentina, Stanly going on to support Holland and Thomson going for England.

From their discussion a resolution had been passed that no individual will support two teams. If your team doesn't manage to go further in the world cup stages that person is not allowed to support any other team. This debate went on as far as trying to justify commnents been made, which had abit of history looming in, with those well versed with their teams history arguing strongly to make room in the debate for their team in this years World Cup.

Currently a list of names matching which countries individuals are supporting is pinned up at the lodge. If you are interested then you are most welcome to join, but remember only one TEAM.

I think a question that we're all asking now is WHO WILL BE THIS YEARS W-CUP CHAMPS?

Ans: For now only time will tell... or "wat na ting-ting blo u"?...ma story kam boys..Justus,Feka and Presley and every trops lo Fiji what na comment blo ufala aboutim world cup debate......

Source : ERNEST HALUMAE

RSIPF Commissioner Commends Breakthrough Arrest

Royal Solomon Islands Police Force, RSIPF, Commissioner Peter Marshall has praised the combined efforts of the RSIPF National Criminal Investigations Division (NCID) and RAMSI PPF Advisors working in Malu'u, North Malaita, after the arrest of John Irobene Taloi in the early hours of yesterday morning.
At approximately 5.45a.m, Taloi was apprehended not far from the Malu'u Police Post without incident and was charged with offences including the attempted murder of a RAMSI PPF Advisor, relating back to an incident in May, 2005.

Taloi has also been charged with Going Armed in Public, Discharging a Firearm in a Public Place, and Unlicensed Possession of a Weapon.

Commissioner Marshall stated that this arrest has been brought about by three months of intensive investigations lead by the RSIPF NCID.

"I am extremely pleased with this result as we now have an offender who has been wanted for a number of years for some very serious offences off the street and awaiting trial," said RSIPF Commissioner Marshall.

"All members involved with this arrest should be commended for their instinct and ability to affect a flawless arrest of the offender without incident and it is also a credit to the intelligence work done by RSIPF NCID," he said.

A warrant for Taloi's arrest was issued after an incident that occurred on 21 May, 2005, where it is alleged that Taloi pointed and fired a firearm at a RAMSI PPF Advisor and RAMSI Military Personnel.

Taloi has been lodged in custody pending an appearance in the Solomon Islands Magistrate Court today.


source: SOLOTIMES

Hekari still celebrating after historic win

Hekari United FC arrived home in Port Moresby yesterday as heroes after becoming the first Papua New Guinea side to qualify for the O-League Final.



Hekari celebrate win (Photo: Post-Courier)
The champion club side grabbed top spot in Group B after a comprehensive 4-1 victory over sister club Marist FC in Honiara at the weekend, bettering their efforts from last season when they finished one point behind group winners Koloale FC.

Coach Jerry Allan says he is now looking forward to playing Waitakere United.
“They’re just like us. They have top players, so do we. We will take them on,” said the Solomon Islander.

Hekari’s inside knowledge of Solomon Islander players proved a huge help against Marist at Lawson Tama Stadium on Sunday.

The Papua New Guineans were on top from the outset, utilising both their left and right flanks to challenge the home side.

A defining moment of the match came when Marist forward Abraham Iniga was taken off the field for medical attention after a sickening head clash. He was out for almost 10 minutes during which time Hekari bagged 2 goals.

The first came from Alick Maemae who hammered home a rebound in the 18th minute. Less than 2 minutes later Hekari had their second from Henry Fa’arodo who connected with a perfectly timed cross from Maemae on the left.

Matters were made worse for Marist when Maemae got his second after breaking through on the left to score from just outside the 6 yard box on the half hour mark.

Marist coach Patrick Miniti looked to strengthen the defence with Michael Sira coming on for Simon Tova but unfortunately it wasn’t enough for the Solomon Island club champions who conceded another goal five minutes later. This time it was Fijian import Pita Bolatoga who latched on to Maemae’s cross and finished well.

Marist improved in the second half but could only manage a consolation goal in the 80th minute when Commins Menapi muscled his way past Gideon Omokirio to score from close range.

Hekari’s success is a testimony to the hard work of players, coaches and owner John Kapi-Natto and his wife.

The club was formerly known as Souths United FC and started off in the Port Moresby Soccer Association Division 3 in 2003 before eventually making the premier division.

Changing their name to Hekari, the club started to dominate the domestic scene including the recently introduced National Soccer League (NSL).

They qualified for their first O-League in 2009 by winning the NSL but fell just short of qualifying for the final.

For the 2010 O-League, team management realised the need for experience and top players from the region.

Kapi-Natto recruited several Solomon Islands internationals and he believes this has been the key to a successful season.

“This was the missing link — the skills and experience from the international players combined with PNG players,” Kapi-Natto said.

The rest was history and the dream came true after seven years of hard work.


source : OFC