RICK Houenipwela is attending the 10th Australia Solomon Islands Business Forum in Australia for the first time in his capacity as the Prime Minister of Solomon Islands.
Returning from a successful 49th Pacific Islands Forum in Nauru last week, PM Hou is one of the speakers in the two days forum which begins this afternoon in Brisbane.
He is expected to speak on the sustainability of the business partnership between the two countries despite the change of leadership in the Australian Federal Government.
The forum which gets underway at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre marks 40 years of Australia Solomon Islands business partnership.
This partnership has given Australia business opportunities in areas such as infrastructure, services, tourism development, sustainable forestry, agri-industry and fisheries.
According to co-organisers Australia Pacific Islands Business Council, the partnership offers Australia’s mining companies to be positioning themselves for possible growth in the mining sector in gold, nickel and bauxite.
“Construction of a new undersea fibre-optic communications cable will shortly commence between Australia and Solomon Islands and will provide additional business opportunities when it is completed in late-2019.”
Other speakers in the forum includes, Minister of Development Planning and Aid Coordination, Jeremiah Manele, Minister of Mines and Rural Electrification Bradley Tovosia and Advisor to Governor’s Office of the Central Bank of Solomon Islands Dr Luke Forau.
The Australia Solomon Islands Business Forum, hosted by the Australia Pacific Islands Business Council in partnership with the Solomon Islands Chamber of Commerce and Industry, brings together senior Australian and Solomon Islands business and government representatives to hear and discuss information on current issues relating to doing business in the Solomon Islands.
Last year this event was held in Honiara, Solomon Islands, and attracted over 150 participants.
NEW Caledonia, another Melanesian island nation in the pacific, has shown interest to expand its investment presence in the country.
This is according to Prime Minister Rick Houenipwela following his meeting with the President of New Caledonia, Mr Gael Yanno.
Mr Houenipwela and President Yanno meet during the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) meeting that recently concluded in Nauru.
He said during their meeting they discussed investment and New Caledonia indicated its eagerness to make cooperation with this country like it did in Papua New Guinea and Vanuatu.
President Yanno conveyed to Prime Minister Hou that their investors are keen to invest in this country.
Prime Minister Hou said the indication from President Yanno is good as another Melanesian country wants to do business here.
PNG is the only Melanesian country that has a strong investment presence here.
New Caledonia is probably new. Its notable investment is the newly setup BRED Bank.
New Caledonia, known for its flourish tourism sector, is interested to invest in the tourism and fisheries sector.
In the area of fisheries, New Caledonia has its own company that do purse seine fishing and it processes its own tuna an area Prime Minister Hou says this country can learn from.
WITNESSES who are summoned by prosecution to witness on cases for trial should always available whenever a trial proceeds.
Principal Magistrate Fatimah Taeburi yesterday told prosecution that the court can only stand down cases to allow a lawyer to be available or for lawyers to sort out issues, but not to wait for a witness.
She made the comment in court when prosecution sought a short adjournment to allow the witness to be available in court before the trial resumes.
The witness is summoned by prosecution to testify in court and the court can order for the witness to be remanded in custody, Ms Taeburi said.
This is in relation to the case against John Ross and others.
The trial began on Friday last week. They started with the charge of intimidation – there are witnesses summoned by the prosecution to give evidence in regards to the charge of intimidation.
The men have other charge of false pretence and will call witnesses in regards to charge after they are finished with the intimidation charge.
Designated market area for Guadalcanal women at Alligator opposite Hell’s point.
THE women of North East Guadalcanal are once again calling on Guadalcanal Members of Parliament (MPs) to provide a good market space for them.
A woman from Tathiboko says the women from West to East Central Guadalcanal are the ones that also provide fresh produce for the citizens of Honiara but lacks the proper space to sell their produce.
She said the women from Guadalcanal usually travel long distances in odd hours only to be provided a space that is not conducive for them.
She said the call had been made a long time already, but their MPs have not been able to address their plight.
She said women from Guadalcanal continued to face the same problem over and over again when they come to Honiara to sell their produce.
“We want a space where we can be able to sell our produce free from fear and intimidation.”
She said most times they are being bullied into selling their produce for less than what it is worth by the Honiara market venders.
In response, Member of Parliament for East Guadalcanal, Bradley Tovosia says the women from Guadalcanal must try to be more aggressive.
He says most times the women from Guadalcanal are being bullied because they are too quiet and timid.
“You have to be aggressive like them too. You must stand up for your right. Aggressive in the business sense is what I meant,” he said.
At the same time the Guadalcanal Provincial Secretary revealed that construction work is still ongoing for a market place for the women from Guadalcanal.
He said currently there are two areas allocated for the market place for Guadalcanal women.
One in the Western end of Honiara and the other is at Henderson, just past the Alligator Bridge.
He said Guadalcanal province will be putting out notice for tenders soon so that construction work can start.
He also clarified that money for the market projects are from the Provincial Capacity Development Fund (PCDF) in the Ministry of Provincial Government and Institutional Strengthening and not from Guadalcanal provincial government or the National Members of Parliament.
“Once this is complete, women from both ends of Guadalcanal can be able to sell their produce at the market house. This market house is for Guadalcanal women only and owned by the Guadalcanal people,” he said.
The problems the women from Guadalcanal raised ranges from harassment, accommodation, market space and sanitation.
In the Guadalcanal provincial gender equality and equal participation in development amended policy 2016 – 2019, there is optimism for improved economic status of their women, girls and boys.
This is not only in the informal sector but also in the formal sector.
This policy sets the framework whereby the provincial government and the national government can work in alignment to improve the economic status of the people of Guadalcanal.
PRINCIPAL Magistrate Augustine Aulanga has adjourned the case against Solomon Habatia to tomorrow to allow for the defence lawyer to appear in court.
Yesterday both the prosecution and defence submitted their sentencing and mitigation submission, however the lawyer representing the accused did not turn up because he was sick.
A lawyer from the Public Solicitor’s Office who appeared on instruction of his colleague told the court that he cannot further assist the court with regards to other issues.
Public Prosecutor Freliz Fakari said that adjourning the case to Thursday is fine to allow the defence to submit his view in terms of sentencing the accused first before waiting for the outcome of the application at the High Court.
The accused, after he was convicted, appealed his conviction, however that application is yet to be heard.
This is the case of Charles Solomon Habatia a former traffic director who was charged and tried for one count of conversion, contrary to section 278 (1) (c)(i) of the Penal Code.
After his conviction by the Magistrate Court his defence lawyer appealed Habatia’s conviction to the High Court and thus the Magistrate Court is waiting on the decision of the High Court before can proceed on in sentencing Mr Habatia.
His case is in relation to an incident occurred n 2016 when he was the Operation Manager for Honiara city and by virtue of his position, he was responsible for the formulation, coordination and management of police operations of various departments or units in the Honiara city.
Before June 2016, he applied for Solomon Islands government money in a form of special imprest of $24,000 from the Ministry of Finance and Treasury. The application was approved and the money was raised and paid to the defendant. It was purposely to fund police operations within the Honiara city.
Prosecution in their allegation said that he did not use the whole of the $24,000 for the police operations. Instead, he fraudulently converted and used part of it for his own benefit. This occurred from June 3 to August 31, 2016.
The prosecution said the accused retired the money in a spreadsheet and attached a number of receipts obtained from individuals and business entities.
In the imprest retirement, he outlined certain transactions for various police operations under different departments like; the Liquor Unit, Criminal Response Unit and Naha Police.
However, the Heads of these departments were not aware of such engagement or transactions. Those receipts in the prosecution’s case were false.
They were produced by the defendant to deceive the Solomon Islands government in the retirement of the money.
Meanwhile the defendant denied the fraudulent conversion of the money. He remained silent and called no evidence for his case.
He ardently emphasised in his closing submission that he did not receive the money at all and further denied any wrong doing on his part.
He argued that there was no evidence to prove the allegation and therefore, he should be acquitted.
But the court found him guilty after the trial was conducted and convicted him as charged.
CHIEFS from Auluta in East Malaita, Malaita province, have welcomed the government’s proposed Traditional Governance & Custom Facilitation Bill 2018.
President of the Auluta Council of Chiefs, Rocky Tisah, said the bill is timely as traditional leaders need to be empowered to do their work in these times.
The bill, designed under the Ministry of National Unity, Reconciliation and Peace, provide for the recognition of traditional governance system, amending the Provincial Government Act 1997.
The proposed law, now before the government, looks to empower and allow tribal chiefs and traditional leaders to participate in decision making on social and economic matters of the country.
It looks to provide a framework for the promotion and preservation of traditional norms, protocols, values and practices.
The proposed legislation also aims to provide a framework for the institutionalisation, management and regulation of traditional governance systems.
Once enacted, it will enable the traditional governance system to become part of the formal governance system with the intention of preserving the customary governance system.
Tisah said the government must make the bill a law as this is required by the national constitution.
He said at present traditional leaders are powerless and only an act of parliament will bring back the powers traditional leaders have.
Chief Tisah said for 40 years traditional leaders have been ignored the important role they play particularly in the rural areas.
He said passing the bill is an urgent matter.
Tisah said the bill shown be ready so that provinces that are ready can proceed and go with it in the own style of ruling.
THE court is yet to set the date for trial on the case against former Member of Parliament, Hypolite Taremae.
Appearing in court yesterday, defence lawyer Anderson Kesaka told the court that defence intends to call 52 witnesses in relation to the two charges against his client.
He said that they will cross examine all witnesses that is why they wanted to call all 52 witnesses.
Meanwhile Principal Magistrate Fatimah Taeburi said that 52 witnesses on two charges is too much, and ordered that the list of witnesses be trimmed.
She said that prosecution should specify the issues relating to the two charges.
Ms Taeburi then grant another adjournment to allow the prosecution narrow down the issues and for both counsels to trim down the list of witnesses for the trial.
Taeburi said on the next occasion all issues should be sorted out and trial date should be set.
The case then was adjourned to September 25 for mention.
This is the case against the former MP who has pleaded not guilty to the charges against him and a PTC has been set he was arrested for allegation of misappropriation of fund in 2011 and 2013.
The allegation said Mr Taremae has misappropriated more than $200,000 for reafforestation project for Central Makira Constituency.
He was arrested and charged with conversion late in May this year.
Office of the Director Public Prosecution appears for crown while Anderson Kesaka is representing the accused.
A company that could turn the shipping needs of the nation into a thing of the past is being put together in Honiara, awaiting a formal roll-out of its operation.
Ocean Sky Pacific Ltd has been incorporated, but its shareholder/directors are unwilling to disclose any information that could prove prejudicial to the participation of their foreign partners.
Island Sun has confirmed with Company Haus that Ocean Sky Pacific Ltd was locally incorporated on 12th August this year.
Its main business activity is Transportation. The company’s directors and shareholders are:
Benjamin Riiga -20;
Elton Pola – 20;
Osmond Mesepitu – 20;
Ringo Russel – 20; and
Bitibule Kaehuna – 20
Mr Kaehuna is an associate of Rano and Company, Barristers and Solicitors. He was the contact person for the group, according to Company Haus.
He told Island Sun on Tuesday the company is not trying to compete with existing ship operators and owners.
“We are simply trying to address the transport needs of people, particularly in the rural area. In doing so, we believe we can complement any shortfall in terms of service delivery,” Kaehuna said.
The other person who submitted the application on behalf of Ocean Sky Pacific Ltd is a Mr Robert Wao. His mobile phone was switched off when Island Sun was trying to contact him.
Kaehuna denied the company was to support candidates in the upcoming National General Election (NGE) early next year.
“No, no. That is not our intention at all. We are apolitical,” Kaehuna said.
Asked whether rumours sweeping Honiara about the company’s USD15 million funding, which is now with the Central Bank of Solomon Islands (CBSI), Kaehuna said there are things he was not allowed to discuss.
“Funding is one of those areas,” he said.
Kaehuna also refused to discuss any funding arrangements with overseas investors.
Solomon Islands take on New Zealand in table-topping clash
BY ROMULUS HUTA
Charles Mani and Raphael Le’ai ‘Rafa’ will lead Solomon Islands against New Zealand this afternoon in the OFC Under-16 championship Pool A contest.
AN exciting showdown awaits football fans as 2018 OFC Under-16 Championship host nation Solomon Islands take on New Zealand in a much-anticipated and a mouth-watering clash 3pm this afternoon.
With a roaring capacity crowd expected to fill up the Lawson Tama Stadium end-to-end, the outcome of this crucial contest determines who will lead Group A points table in the campaign for the semi-finals.
Solomon Islands and New Zealand share three points each at the top of the table following their respective opening wins over PNG and Vanuatu on match day one. However, differences in goal calculations pushed the home side down to second spot sitting below the visitors.
The homeside, chasing one of the much-coveted two allocated spots for Oceania in next year’s FIFA Under-17 World Cup in Peru, know it is a must-win game for them. A second win will certainly mean putting one foot in the semi-finals. The same goes for seven-time champions New Zealand.
With few hours remaining on the clock, this matchup had already boiled up talks from the two opposing coaches.
“We expect a difficult match against New Zealand,” Solomon Islands under-16 coach Stanley Waita said.
“I don’t know much about the New Zealand team but as we all know, they’re the powerhouse in Oceania.
“My boys will be prepared to take on the junior All Whites, especially playing in front of our home fans.
“We’ll work on what we can do to play against New Zealand but we are on for it.”
Waita feels there is more pressure playing at home soil and will be treating this encounter more special than any other of their run-ins.
Waita said the first win on Sunday against PNG had eased down the pressure that weighed in heavily upon his shoulder and is strongly focussing on today’s assignment.
“In pool game situations, I need to calculate well how we’re going to go taking into considerations the makeup of the other pool.
“I would like to finish the pool at the top. Therefore, we need to come out with a win in Wednesday’s game against New Zealand, which would be a good thing for us.
“I want all home supporters to go behind the team.
New Zealand captain Campbell Strong will lead the junior All Whites against Solomon Islands today.
“I urge all supporters to come out in numbers when we take on New Zealand on Wednesday (today).
“I’m a Liverpool fan and when you go to Anfield, there’s always a 12-man Liverpool. The 12th are the supporters. So supporters, please come out and let’s play with 12-man on Wednesday against New Zealand,” Waita appealed on Sunday.
On the other hand, New Zealand coach Jose Figuiera has had the opportunity to watch Solomon Islands take down PNG on Sunday and already knows what to expect.
Figueira is no stranger to the usual big game atmosphere at Lawson Tama Stadium having been here during February and March this year with his club Team Wellington for the Oceania Club Champions League’s Group D competition.
“Yeah, it’s a good opportunity for us to start off with a win and be able to watch our next opponents and you know, probably what we expected in front of a good home crowd support, and the quite exciting attacking Solomon Islands team.
“I think for sure leading into the second game pose a few problems for us so you know, we’ll be doing our homework and our preparations so that we can still do what we want to do on the pitch.
“We have recovered over the past days and will have a light training in the morning (today) before the match.
“After reviewing our first match and the Solomon Islands game, we’ll look to select a team from there and put in the players we think will cause them problems and it won’t necessarily be the same team. But I think the team that played in the first game had a very good start and definitely put their hands up to be selected again,” the Englishman added.
The two-member Solomon Islands delegation which includes Nihal Seneviratne and Casper Pule pose for a group photo with senior officials of the global paralympic body.
THE head of the Oceania Paralympic Committee (OPC) has congratulated Nihal Seneviratne upon his recent election as the new president of the Solomon Islands National Paralympic Committee (SINPC).
OPC President Paul Bird issued his congratulatory remarks when he met with Seneviratne at last weekend’s International Paralympic Committee Gathering held in Madrid, Spain.
Mr. Seneviratne attended the event onbehalf of SINPC and was accompanied by his organisation’s General Secretary Casper Pule.
The OPC president was delighted to see Solomon Islands join the Oceania delegation which includes representatives from Australia, New Zealand, Fiji and Vanuatu for the Madrid meeting.
Mr. Bird said that the big delegation is to ensure the Oceania Region had a strong voice at this key international event.
Mr Bird added: “This is a great start for representatives of the newly elected SINPC Board to engage and contribute on the international stage.
“Our focus in Oceania has been to develop and demonstrate effective governance of our NPC’s through an inclusive approach, which will lead to confidence in the organisation from Government, National Sports Federations and sponsors.
“I am delighted with the knowledge, experience and capability demonstrated by the newly elected executive of the SINPC and I’m confident that they will provide the effective leadership required to raise the standard and opportunity for Para Sport athletes in the Solomon Islands.”
Meanwhile, the Madrid 2018 IPC Membership Gathering brought together more than 200 representatives from National Paralympic Committees, Regional Organisations and International Sports Federations to discuss the future directions of the Paralympic Movement.
During three days of meetings and workshops, the newly elected President and Secretary General from SINPC had the opportunity to share their views and opinions on key areas that will form part of the next IPC Strategic Plan due to be published in 2019.
Mr Seneviratne and Mr Pule are due back in the country on Wednesday.
