THE ruling into the case of former Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Police National Security and Correctional Services will be made today at the Honiara Magistrate Court.
This is the case against Edmond Sikua who is alleged of corruption offences.
Mr Sikua was charged in relation to the allegation on December 22, 2016 for allegedly awarding government tenders worth $630,436.50 to Beeds Investment, a company registered and owned by his two daughters.
Prosecution alleged Sikua is by default the chairman of his ministry’s tender board.
The allegation said between December 18, 2015 and August 29, 2016 Beed Investments responded to calls for tenders and was awarded business contracts for service delivery to the Ministry of Police, National Security and Correctional Services on seven different occasions.
The Ministry of Police, National Security and Correctional Services have made payments of $630,436.50 to Beeds Investments for these services.
Prosecution further alleged that Sikua used his position of power and influence within the Ministry of Police, National Security and Correctional Services to manipulate the tendering process for his own and his family’s pecuniary advantage.
Sikua is the third public officer to have been arrested by Janus, since the establishment of the joint taskforce.
Office of the Director Public Prosecution appears for the crown in court.
PNG national wounded during break-in, police hot on trail
POLICE at Henderson in Guadalcanal province are investigating a wounding incident involving a Papua New Guinea (PNG) national working at the City Mission Rural Training Centre, Lungga, East Honiara on October 30, 2018.
Provincial Police Commander (PPC) Guadalcanal Province, Chief Superintendent Evelyn Thugea says, “The incident happened in the early hours of October 30, 2018 when a group of boys allegedly cut the compound fence of the City Mission Rural Training Centre and entered the residential area.
“The victim woke up realising there was a break-in so he went out and chased one of the suspects.
“It was alleged that during that chase a suspect who stood at a nearby dark corner came close to the victim and pushed the spear through his jaw and out on his right neck.”
The victim has been admitted at the National Referral Hospital in Honiara and is in a stable condition.
Thugea says, “Break-in within residences is one of the concerns for Police. Police is trying its very best to combat such activities from happening through its ongoing operational activities including organised patrols.”
She appeals to anyone who may have any information to come forward and assist police with the investigation.
“Such offences usually increase during the period leading up to Christmas because people will be travelling back to their homes for the festivities and would like to make money through the sale of stolen properties.
“I want to advice the residents of Guadalcanal Province to always store their valuable properties in a safe and secure place.
“Secure your property. Lock your gates and doors.
“When you are going out for a long period of time, ensure you inform a trusted neighbour so they keep a look out for strangers who loiter around.”
The defending champion of the Auki Futsal Challenge, New Settlers Futsal Club.
BY ROMULUS HUTA
The defending champion of the Auki Futsal Challenge, New Settlers Futsal Club.
ORGANISERS are anticipating a bigger Auki Futsal Challenge at the end of this year compared to the previous two editions since inception in 2016.
Challenge Coordinator Paul Mae told SunSPORTS yesterday that they are expecting up to 32 teams for the men’s competition.
The challenge will also feature a women’s component and nine teams have confirmed so far.
“We expect more teams to register and confirm participations in the lead up to the competition.
“For the men’s we have 23 so far and big interests are coming. Our target is 30 or 32 teams.
“Three teams from Honiara and one overseas-based have already confirmed their participation. But we expect a bigger participation figure this year and it’s going to be exciting,” Mae expressed.
The Auki Futsal Challenge has been scheduled to run from December 15 to 22 at Aligegeo Court with the theme ‘Promoting Women in Sports’.
Last year, New Settlers Futsal team was crowned the champions after defeating Kingstone in an action-packed contest.
According to Mae, the challenge began in 2016 and was initially restricted to futsal clubs and teams in and around Auki and Bati Futsal from Fiji was the only club from outside.
Mae added a year later, it grew bigger in the second edition following interests shown by teams from Honiara.
“The idea was to build and nurture the confidence of local clubs.
“In the 2017 challenge the first Honiara club to be invited was G Camp Futsal, the reigning Wantoks Cup Champions and a Honiara futsal powerhouse.
“The participation of G Camp Futsal at the challenge raised the profile of the event and drew huge crowds. Not only that, it also raised the level of local players, as they use the opportunity to measure up against Kurukuru reps and Honiara based players.
“This year we are looking forward to more of that, as more Honiara based clubs will make their way across the Indispensable Strait to Auki Town.
“As the Auki Futsal Challenge draws closer, all eyes will be on the current title holder.
“The question this year is, will they defend their title? News is, all the teams around Auki Town and Honiara are now preparing for the challenge.
“Kurukuru target man George Stevenson is taking a star studded side over to Auki comes December.
“HFA side CY Strikers will be travelling to Auki as well. Also, last year’s semi-finalist USP Bati/Wantoks will be bringing a much stronger side this year after going down to Kooline Futsal in the Vodafone International cup final in Fiji last month.
“This year’s challenge is going to be exciting!” Mae assured.
Meanwhile, clubs who have shown interests so far for the men’s are are Ailako, Kingston, Deadsand, Realas, DFC Warriors, Wantoks Futsal, New Settlers 1 & 2, Wantoks Futsal (Fiji), Honiara-based team, CY Strikers, Borders, GB United, Sanctus, Benedictus, Dawn Force, Shatorus, Auki Eels, Ambu Youth, Mataks, F-Ridge, Brothers, Central Coast and Mid-Sea Futsal.
For the women’s, they are Ailako, Kingston, Realas, Borders, Sanctus 1 & 2, DFC and Auki Eels.
The list will be updated once in the coming days and weeks leading up to the competition.
POLICE Commissioner Matthew Varley has revealed yesterday that Royal Solomon Islands Police Force will deploy three officers to Papua New Guinea for the APEC Leaders’ summit.
Mr Varley said the RSIPF will be deploying a team of three specialised Forensic Police officers to APEC next week from November 5 to November 20, 2018 to cover the crucial period of the leaders’ summit.
He said the RSIPF Forensic team is widely recognized around the region and in the pacific in the areas of specialized Forensics disciplines particularly in areas such as crime scene investigation, chemical finger print development and also Disaster Victim Identification.
“We are sending three officers based on discussion with the Police Commissioner of PNG Royal Constabulary Gari Baki invitation and our officers will be there to support and work alongside our colleague and counterparts from PNG,” Varley said.
Varley also said RSIPF is ready to support friends and partners from PNG should anything gone wrong RSIPF are able to provide the RSIPF Forensics laboratory on standby in Honiara if there was any requirement from PNG to send any exhibits or material for any advanced work and examination.
He confirmed that one female is among the teams that will be going to PNG for the APEC.
The three team officers will be heading off early next week and wish them all the best success in representing Solomon Islands and the RSIPF at the world stage, Varley added.
TAIWAN’S Acrobatic Troupe have arrived yesterday for their performance in the country this week and next week.
They were welcomed by officials from the Taiwan Embassy in Solomon Islands with a welcoming cultural performance by a panpipe group from Are’are.
The group consists of three females and four males with their team leader, the Director Secretary of National Taiwan College of Performing Arts Mr Wang Hsueh-Yen.
According to Taiwan’s Embassy, the Acrobatic Troupe has been performing extensively around Taiwan and its offshore islands.
They have also been frequently invited by government to perform abroad in many countries, the Embassy said.
“Since then their performances have earned excellent reviews worldwide and have effectively promoted folk arts and cultural exchanges around the globe.”
The Taiwan Acrobatic Troupe of the National Taiwan College of Performing Arts was founded in 1990.
Currently, they are the only official acrobatic arts and stunts performing group in Taiwan.
The troupe consists of a number of young artists who have received stringent training for more than eight years.
Since its inception, members have dedicated themselves to perfection and promotion of both traditional and ethic culture and grassroots arts’ aesthetic values.
Their main stage will be this Sunday November 4 at the Maranatha Hall, 2pm – and it’s free
During the show, there will be different types of performances known as Massive Transformation, Martial Arts Rings, Revolving Craftsmanship, Acrobatic Skills, Climbing ladders, Great harvest and Fanny bowls.
PREMIER for Makira province is urging the Solomon Islands Government to increase its budget allocation for Early Childhood Development and Primary Health Care in Solomon Islands.
Premier Stanley Siapu made the call to SIG during the National Early Childhood Development forum held in Honiara recently.
He said SIG should increase its budget allocation for Early Childhood Development and primary health care should be higher than for tertiary level.
Mr Siapu said the government’s current budget for ECE is not enough to sustain children’s learning capacity due to poor classrooms, not enough teachers and other relevant resources.
He said investing in the sector will help prepare children at an early stage for their social and intellectual development.
“I think I would rather see that from now on budget for early childhood development should be bigger than other areas and more investment should on early childhood trend rather than we spent more on Tertiary education.
“The highest budget of Ministry of Education and Human Resource Development should go towards its early childhood programme then followed by primary, secondary and tertiary, and that should also apply to primary health care.
“I believe that investment in areas of early childhood will lays the foundation for later education in life to prepare children for employment or to run a business as they move on.”
Undersecretary for Ministry of Finance and Treasury Mr Norman Hiropuhi said SIG’s biggest budget allocation now is on the Ministry of Health and Ministry of Education.
However, there is no impact seen in rural communities across the country, he adds.
He said if the government through such forum might understand better ways of investing in children to come up with policies to put resources or coordinate resources might address the trend.
At the same time increase share of budgets towards early childhood education in relation to other things like tertiary education, he said.
Mr Hiropuhi said currently MEHRD is a sector who has biggest budget allocation which has way well more than other Ministries but most go towards tertiary sector.
But it will be government’s decision whether they want to change the policy, he adds.
“Through this kind of forum and awareness, I believe there will be eventually some change in policy with regards to allocations towards early childhood development.”
According to MEHRD’s report 2017, there is an imbalance in expenditure between education sectors.
Expenditure for tertiary sector is $425 million for 2,756 students while ECE + Primary + Secondary $ 224 million budgeted for 216,137 students.
For ECE alone, the budget allocation is $ 1,955,050, Primary $52,831,680 and Secondary $71,716,376.
Australian High Commissioner to Solomon Islands Roderick Brazier.
BY GEORGE MANFORD
AUKI
Australian High Commissioner to Solomon Islands Roderick Brazier.
ON Tuesday this week the Australian government handed over two classroom buildings, one ablution block and four (4) rotamould water tanks to Alota’a primary school in a short handing over ceremony in Auki.
The building including the water tanks are funded by the Australian government through RAMSI and was facilitated by the Member of Parliament for Aoke Langalanga Mathew Wale.
In a statement during the official handover programme Australian High Commissioner to Solomon Islands Mr Roderick Brazier said this is the first time for a local Member of Parliament to work closely with the Australian government for such initiative regarding projects for schools.
“I thank Hon Mathew Wale for a job well done with the Australian government through negotiation towards the implementation of this infrastructure project.
“The Australian government is looking forward to assist in some more areas concerning the development of this school in the near future.”
Brazier urges the students of Alota’a to feel responsible and to take ownership of the facilities as their gift from the government of Australia.
During the official handover, MP Wale thanked the Australian government for their support towards Alota’a primary school.
Wale added that a new science laboratory will be also funded next year which he says will be ‘one of the most outstanding laboratories in any school within the country’.
“We want to produce best science students and even scientist out from this school.
“Teachers, students and the parents of this school (Alota’a) to work together and look after this school well especially our new funded facilities donated to us by our friends from Australia.
“The betterment of this school depends on our commitments, dedication, corporation and our responsibility by looking after these buildings.”
Another building which contains four (4) classrooms.
BY GEORGE MANFORD
AUKI
Head Teacher of Alota’a primary school Michael Maelanga.
ALOTA’A school are full of gratitude with the Australian government for their newly received school buildings.
Teachers, students and parents of Alota’a school witnessed the official handing over of the three new buildings for Alota’a primary school earlier this week in Auki.
Speaking during the official handover programme Head Teacher of Alota’a primary school Michael Maelanga salutes the Australian government for a wonderful gift – donating and funding three buildings for the school.
Mr Maelanga said the three buildings include two classroom buildings, one ablution block and four (4) rotamould water tanks.
He said both buildings contain 12 rooms which will accommodate three quarter of the students from all grades in the primary sector.
“Alota’a is the only primary school so far that benefited from this project under the Australian government through Australian federal police and through the MP for Aoke Langalanga, Mathew Wale.
“On behalf of the school board, teachers, students and parents of Alota’a primary school we are proud to receive this gifts freely from our donor partner the Australian government.
“Our responsibility is to look after this precious gift where I believe it will last this school for more generations to come.
“Students should make use of these buildings in a better environment for our children in these newly funded buildings.
“We acknowledge the Australian government, Australian federal police and MP for Aoke Langalanga for making this project possible.”
Another building which contains four (4) classrooms.
SOLOMON Islands Maritime safety Administration (SIMSA) clarifies that they have not specifically disqualified Ngella’s vessel through its Act or Regulations.
In fact, they are still waiting for the famous ‘Vaka Motor’ shipowner to go forward and have the vessel registered with the Authority.
SIMSA’s clarification comes as a response to a statement from a heavy debate currently on Ngella’s famous social media forum ‘The Ngella Forum’ (NGF) over the purchased ship for Ngella Constituency stating that the reason as to why the vessel is not servicing the province is because the marine disapproved of it to operate as a cargo or passenger vessel.
According to SIMSA, waiting for the shipowner to go forward and have the vessel registered with the Authority is so that they can permit its operation whether as a cargo or cargo/passenger vessel.
“Those representing shipowner approaching this office soon after launching CIP’s vessel have been clearly guided on the process and requirement of registration however to date, the vessel remains to be placed on the Ship Register meaning not yet being registered,” said SIMSA.
To watch out for, SIMSA gives the warning that if the ‘Vaka Motor’ is seen operating, then its operation is illegal.
From inside sources of Ngella Constituency’s Office, response revealed that Ngella’s Constitution Office is aware of the Marine laws and such and since having problems with its test runs and not yet fully facilitated with marine requirements is why the ‘Vaka Motor’ is not yet registered.
Another Parliament term heading to conclusion and Ngella’s famous accused ‘Vaka Motor’ is pointed to have never served its Constituency at all.
This time striking debate over the ‘Vaka Motor’ again after two years since its existence, it is demanded for the Member of Parliament (MP) for Ngella Constituency Hon Bartholomew Parapolo to tell the truth once and for all over the exact amount of the little double engine landing craft speedboat.
With response over this demand, sources within Ngella’s Constitution Office replied standing ground that “Ngella Constituency bought the ‘Vaka Motor’ for $4.5 Million from Oceanic Marine.
“It is not like the Constituency Office went and bought it with hard cash, what Ngella Constituency’s Office only did was to go and collect the ‘Vaka Motor’ after all arrangements were done through the government,” said Ngella’s Constituency’s Office.
Attempts to contact the Director of the Central Project Implementation Unit (CPIU) Division under the Ministry of Infrastructure Development (MID) was not possible yesterday to further query on the actual amount of the ‘Vaka Motor’.
However, SIMSA’s opinion going in line with many Ngella Constituents has it too that the $4.5 Million amount purchased on Ngella’s vessel can easily be determined whether or not justifiable worth the vessel and its equipment.
ABOUT 35 participants from organisations working in the water, sanitation and hygiene sector in Solomon Islands came together for a three-day Gender and WASH workshop that started in Honiara on October 30.
This workshop is jointly organised by UNICEF, RWASH and CARE. The workshop emerges from the recommendations made from a study of the gender and WASH issues in Solomon Islands.
The study was conducted by UNCIEF with the help of CARE International and involved a review of present WASH policy environment, programme implementation and practices on the ground.
This gender assessment of the rural WASH sector was done, with the intention of understanding, and improving, gender and social inclusion in rural WASH programming in the country.
The study was designed to identify and understand WASH-related gender disparities in WASH.
The Under Secretary of Ministry of Health and Medical Services, Dr Nemia Bainivalu opened the workshop for the participants.
Speaking at the occasion, he said that Gender is imperative to achieving WASH results, and there is a need to continually modify and improve policies and practices around involving women.
“This training is important to build our collective understanding on ‘how’ we engage women ‘what’ needs to be done to get women into WASH decision making.”
Ms Mamita Bora Thakkar, WASH Specialist, UNICEF emphasised that ‘Gender’ is not an option or not a choice any more.
“We need to ensure that women become a part of all decision making around WASH, especially in communities, to achieve sustainable WASH outcomes.
“However, the capacity to do so is limited, because of poor understanding of women’s needs and perspectives,” she mentioned.
This workshop is focussed on building WASH sector capacity to address gendered barriers to achieving equal outcomes for women, men, boys’, and girls’ in WASH programmes.
