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