POLICE officers in Honiara City have arrested a 28-year-old man in relation to a robbery incident that occurred at Ranadi in East Honiara on Friday, September 7, 2018.
Provincial Police Commander Honiara City, Chief Superintendent Alfred Uiga says, “It is alleged that on Friday, September 7, two armed men entered a Chinese shop at Ranadi in East Honiara armed with a bush knife.
“It is alleged that upon entering the shop one of the suspects pulled out a long bush knife and threatened to kill the shop owner and his employees. The shop owner and his employees all escaped from the shop.
“It is alleged that the suspects then went over to where the cash box was located and stole all the money and later escaped in a waiting car.
“The same night the shop owner reported the matter to the police and an investigation was carried out leading to the arrest of the first accused in the early hours of the next day [September 8, 2018].
“The accused will be dealt with accordingly and taken to court for remand applications.
“The second suspect is currently on the run. I want to appeal to those who might have any knowledge about the incident to come forward and assist the police with its investigation into the matter.
“I would also want to thank my hard working officers for the job well done resulting in the quick arrest of the one of the suspects. Let us continue to work together with our communities for a safer and peaceful Honiara,” says PPC Uiga.
THE trial into the case against men alleged of counts of intimidation and false pretence is continuing at the Honiara Magistrate Court.
Yesterday the police officer who was the victim of intimidation was scrutinised by the lawyers representing the three accused men.
Serah Karani a lawyer representing the accused, Nelson Maeta, questioned the officer saying that on occasions prior to the investigation and arrest of Mr Maeta the police officer had made contact and visits to the accused at a house at Sun Valley.
Ms Karani also puts to the officer that he calls and asks for money from Maeta to buy beer.
The police officer responded that at no time did he asked for money to buy beer from the accused but he visits him at a house in Sun Valley because there was an investigation already established.
The police officer also told the court that he never received any money from the accused persons.
It is alleged that between November 1 and 30, 2011, the two accused and other men obtained more than $300,000 by selling the victim fake gold bars.
Police alleged the men approached the victim, Hypolite Taremae, who is the former Minister of Truth Reconciliation and Peace, at his office at Anthony Saru Building.
Police said that the men went to see the alleged victim with the intention to obtained money through false pretence and also lure him into believing their made-up stories.
The men and others allegedly told Mr Taremae that they were from Weather-coast in Guadalcanal. And in the coming days a reconciliation ceremony will take place in their village but they did not have enough money.
It was at that time they showed a picture of a gold bar to Taremae which they claimed to be in their possession, Police said.
They allegedly said they have some gold bars which were stolen by the former Guadalcanal war-lord Harold Keke that was taken from the former Ross Mining during the height of the ethnic tension.
The men also allegedly showed Taremae a certification letter from the Director of Mines that confirmed that the gold bars were gold and worth six million dollars.
Having heard from the accused and seen all the documents, Taremae was convinced.
Then on various occasions between July and November 2011, the accused men allegedly handed Taremae three gold bars in return they received $300,000.
The victim however, later found that the men lied to him and he took the “gold bars” to a dealer who confirmed they were fakes.
The bars were made from lead metal and painted with gold colour paint.
It was also alleged that the men threatened the case officer who was investigating their case that they will shoot him with a gun.
The allegation further said that the men claimed that they still have guns and will hunt for the case officer everywhere and will kill him.
JAPAN has indicated its eagerness to recruit more locals to work in Japan.
In a press conference yesterday, Prime Minister Rick Houenipwela said he had a meeting with Japan’s parliamentary vice Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Iwao Horii, and they discussed a new bilateral agreement on labour mobility.
Prime Minister Hou has just returned from the 49th Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) meeting in Nauru.
He called the conference to provide an update on the meetings he had whilst attending the PIF meeting.
Hou said Japan is in shortage of labour and it is keen to get locals to work in its construction and hospitality sector.
He said currently they are working on an agreement that would pave the way for this to happen.
“The new agreement on labour mobility with Japan will be ready in the coming weeks for signing,” the Prime Minister said.
He said Japan is interested to recruit people who already undergo training in tertiary learning centres like Rural Training Centres (RTCs), the Solomon Islands National University and Don Bosco.
PM Hou said locals who are selected will not train in Japan but work.
He said companies in Japan that are interested to recruit locals will request the number of workers it needed and those selected based on criteria will go straight and do internship and language before they commenced work.
“In fact, Japan plead to get people in thousands and thousands,” Prime Minister Hou said.
He said youths who missed out in secondary schools will have the chance when this program took off the ground.
PM Hou said it is clear from the labour mobility agreement this country signed with Australia that this country is disorganised.
He said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and External Trade has been tasked to ensure this country is organised to take advantage of these agreements.
Hou confirmed part of the government’s effort to get this country organised is an expansion to be done to the MFAET.
He said a Technical Advisor from New Zealand is putting a framework on what needs to be done.
Part of the country’s preparation is a plan to host a labour mobility conference in Honiara next month.
Prime Minister Hou said all preparations should be completed this year so that by next year the country reaped the benefits of the labour mobility schemes it has with other countries.
It is going to be a huge conference and first of its kind. Pacific leaders are expected to attend this conference.
THE case against the former Member of Parliament for Central Makira Constituency Hypolite Taremae will be heard again today at the Honiara Magistrate Court.
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.
THE man alleged of killing another man on June 17 is still without a lawyer.
Public Prosecution told court that investigations are completed and disclosures are being prepared to be served to the defence.
The case then adjourned to September 24 to allow for the accused secure a lawyer.
This is the case where police alleged that the accused, Malcolm Folia, stabbed another man to death over a joke made in relation to the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
The allegation said on June 17 this year the accused, deceased, and their friends were drinking alcohol at Koloale area in Honiara.
While they were drinking beer, they were all talking about the World Cup and were making jokes about the teams they support.
They allegedly would argue over the teams but did not take the argument seriously.
During that time, the deceased was hungry and told the boys that he will go to his house to eat and will return to them.
It was further alleged that after the deceased left, the accused and the boys continued on to joke about the World Cup teams as the deceased and the accused are supporters of Brazil.
All of a sudden, the accused allegedly punched one of the boys and then attempted to punch another who tried to calm him.
The accused then allegedly told the boys to wait for him while he went to his house to take a knife to stab anyone of them.
Having heard that, the boys allegedly moved to another location by a Mango tree after the accused left.
The boys were still sitting under the Mango tree when the accused return with a knife.
The accused was allegedly seen attempting to stab himself when one of the boys tried to take the knife away from him.
Prosecution alleged that it was at that time that the deceased arrived and tried to help one of the boys to calm the accused.
It was at that time that accused Folia stabbed the deceased with the knife on his right chest.
The deceased left the group and walked back to his house.
He was taken to the National Referral Hospital but died that same night.
PM Hou explaining the significance of the shell money necklace which was presented to the Taiwan deputy foreign minister on Monday.
PM Hou explaining the significance of the shell money necklace which was presented to the Taiwan deputy foreign minister on Monday.
PRIME Minister Rick Houenipwela has welcomed Republic of China (ROC) Taiwan’s reassurance and strong commitment to support Solomon Islands for the 2023 Pacific Games.
Taiwan’s deputy Foreign Minister Szu-Chien Hsu reassured Prime Minister Houenipwela of the Taiwanese Government’s support when they met at the Office of the Prime Minister & Cabinet (OPMC) yesterday.
Minister Hsu said the draft plan of the main stadium has already been prepared and is ready to be forwarded to the Solomon Islands Government for review and approval.
He explained that the next step is for the plan to be endorsed by the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) and the constructing company before work will commence.
Prime Minister Houenipwela said the Pacific Games remains a priority project for the Government for the next 5 years.
“We want to showcase to the region that we can pull off such a major regional event and I am positive we can do it,” he said.
He said work is currently progressing behind the scene and he is optimistic that a tangible outcome should be signed off before the end of this year.
Meanwhile, the Taiwan deputy Foreign Minister has also assured the Prime Minister of Taiwan’s support in the areas of rural development, health, agriculture and education.
“Solomon Islands remain an important friend and our biggest out of the six allies in the pacific islands region,” he said.
Prime Minister Houenipwela in response has acknowledged the continuous support Taiwan has rendered to Solomon Islands in all sectors.
“We must continue to enhance the people to people relationship between our two countries especially in the areas of sport and culture,” the Prime Minister said.
The Prime Minister also noted that the medical doctors and specialists sent to the country every year has benefited thousands of rural people in Solomon Islands.
“These are the programs that we must continue to increase,” he said.
Team from the Agriculture panel during the Youth peacebuilding innovation forum in Auki
BY GEORGE MANFORD
AUKI
IN response to the need for new approaches to address social issues, more than 200 young people from across Malaita province were in Auki to attend the Youth Peace building Innovation Forum last week.
As Solomon Islands have a young population with a median age of 19.7, youth is critical to reinforcing peace and achieving sustainable development in the country.
The three-day Youth Peace building Innovation Forum is aimed at helping young peace builders and change makers develop solutions to challenges in their communities through social entrepreneurship and innovation.
In opening the forum, Deputy Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare said the path to making an impact on society is mired in obstacles.
“Never give up. I encourage you to develop a warrior attitude in your journey to success,” Sogavare said.
He also shared his own struggles and achievements in becoming a national leader.
“If you’re a school dropout and feel inadequate, you just need to look at the man standing in front of you now and talking to you — welcome to my world,” he said.
“This man dropped out of school at Bita’ama not completing Form 4.”
Captain Lyndah Tito (right) with one of the UNDP officers during one of the sessions at the Youth peacebuilding Innovation forum.
The forum in Malaita is the first provincial follow-up to the inaugural Youth Peace building Innovation Forum held in Honiara last year. The UN Peace building Fund (UNPBF) project, jointly implemented by UNDP and UN Women, organised the forum in partnership with the Ministry of Women, Youth, Children and Family Affairs and the Youth Division of the Malaita Provincial Government.
To highlight entrepreneurship, 2018 Samoa Youth Co: Lab winner Esmeralda Lo Tam explained how personal setbacks and passion ultimately helped her create an athletic equipment and apparel business.
She encouraged participants, including 11 teams who will pitch their social innovations on Thursday for a chance to win seed funding, not to forget their vision.
“In your homes and your villages, your families, no matter how far you go in life, always remember why you started,” Ms Lo Tam said.
“You’re here for yourselves, you’re here for your family; most of all you’re here to do your little piece for your country, and also in the wider picture, for the Pacific.”
Coordinator of the Young Entrepreneurs Council Solomon Islands, John Wopereis, spoke about how youth can help revitalise the country through social enterprises and small businesses.
Participants also heard from provincial government officials on the importance of crafting policies that support youth development and empowerment.
The discussion followed the provincial launch of the Solomon Islands National Youth Policy 2017-2030 and the Strategic Framework for Youth Development and Empowerment in Solomon Islands, which were launched in Honiara last month.
In her remarks at the opening of the forum, UNDP Solomon Islands Country Manager Azusa Kubota emphasized the need for stakeholders to continue collaborating to encourage youth to become a source of peace and development solutions.
“The three-day forum itself will not solve all the challenges that young people face,” Ms. Kubota said.
“It is an important step, however, to illustrate their achievements and their potential and to inspire innovative solutions to longstanding issues.”
Solomon Airlines, Heritage Park Hotel and Bemobile supported the Youth Peace building Innovation Forum, which will close on Thursday.
Team from the Agriculture panel during the Youth peacebuilding innovation forum in Auki
The UNPBF project aims to support peaceful and inclusive transition in Solomon Islands, jointly implemented by UNDP and UN Women in close collaboration with the Prime Minister’s Office, the Ministry of National Unity, Reconciliation and Peace and the Ministry of Women, Youth, Children and Family Affairs.
Team from the Agriculture panel during the Youth peacebuilding innovation forum in Auki
Mothers and children suffer heat, lack of water & sanitation facilities at registration centre
BY GEORGINA KEKEA
THE lack of sanitation facilities have been raised by those frequenting the registration booths in Town Ground.
While the registration process is being carried out smoothly, mothers and the elderly have complained about the lack of water and sanitation facilities.
An electorate from Baegu/Asifola says it is disheartening to see mothers and their children bearing the heat to carry out their democratic right to vote.
He says the process is an important one for the country, but the government fails to meet the needs of the people.
He said most of the mothers have no choice but to bring their children with them to the registration centre.
“The Registration Officers (ROs) are outnumbered. How can you expect one person to meet the demand of more than a thousand electorates each day?
“Some electors have been here the whole day but still have not been able to get their names registered because there are so many people.”
The senior electorate from Baegu/Asifola says this is why a lot of people are seen to be camping in the Registration area.
He said most have been there since the registration process commences last week. However he said only two days last week was allocated for Baegu/Asifola.
“Registration for Baegu/Asifola should be carried out daily and not twice a week as has been seen last week.
“If we only have two days a week for us to come and do our registration, it will not be enough.”
He said a lot of those to be registered are mainly those that have just turned 18 and those that have decided to come back to Baegu/Asifola to vote.
Meanwhile another electorate from Baegu/Asifola also support the call for government to find a suitable location for such a process to be carried out.
“It does not look good on the government when people come for such an important activity in the country, but there is no proper water and sanitation facilities for them.
“This is a national issue. Government cannot leave people like this.”
He said government should at least provide sanitation facilities for the people.
He said the people have no choice but to wait in line for their turn to register.
Most times the need to visit the toilet seemed to be a setback for the electorates.
He said with the amount of people queuing for registration, he is also skeptical the process will be completed within the timeline allocated for this process.
“How on earth will we expect two computers to match the thousands of people here to register?
“I don’t know if the timeline provided for the registration process will be enough. There are so many people and not much workers and computers. Of course such facilities as water and sanitation must be provided for the people.”
Most of the people spoken to at the Registration centre are those that have decided to switch constituency.
Some are mainly there to support other electorates from their constituency to register.
AS a way forward to get jobs is to be able to read, write and use digital technologies.
“By addressing these issues now and learning throughout life, we will have a stronger SI for us, our children and our communities.”
Speaking with the paper, Mrs Sarah Houkura, a school teacher from Tuvaruhu said that a lot of students are lacking literate, thus with such a programme hosted is of a valuable, as it helps students to involve as well learn new ideas and knowledges about the importance of literacy, with especially writing and reading.
“Writing enables a person to put ideas into focus with more thought and clarity, because unlike speaking, we are able to take our time when stating what we want to communicate. We can be more selective in our choice of words as well considering the tone of the language we are using,” she said.
She adds, “helping someone to read and write effectively or acquire the basic math skills so many of us take for granted, improves the future of everyone in society. Literacy is also a critical to economic development as well as individual and community well-being.
“The need is to ensure that the workforce has a strong foundation in essential skills such as reading, writing, and working with digital technologies.”
Also speaking, Mr Prince Dan, a form 1 student said that, the hosting of the Literacy programme is an opportunity as he finds it interesting and as well he has learnt a lot more new information valuable towards their academic career.
John Hati, a form 2 students from Tanagai too said that, the programme is very interesting and whilst shared that it is very important as it helps them as well give an over view to the students on how important is them to be able to know how and improve in reading and writing.
In relation, Literacy is one of the most important skills when it comes to our personal growth, culture and development. It is even more important today because of how our economy and society are changing as around the world, governments, businesses and people are becoming more and more connected by digital technologies.
WITH goals to create safer maritime routes, managed in accordance with international instruments and best practice in recognising that there is a scope for significant improvement in safety at sea, with respect of both international ferry and cruise activities, the Independent Financial Associates Network (IFAN) in support for the SPC is currently involved in an undertaking its support of a programme in the South Pacific, that was designed to improve the level of Aids to the Navigation services.
Initially presented to 13 targeted countries – Cook Islands, Kiribati, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Marshall Islands, Niue, Nauru, Palau, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu – at the Transport Officials Meeting held in Suva, Fiji in November 2015, the two-phase project was commenced in April 2016.
While Solomon Islands was chosen as the pilot country for this project, whilst, the in-country visits to the conducted with the accreditation process of SPC as Aids to Navigation Training Organisation is now in progress with the objective of delivering the Level 2 AToN manager course 2018.
In relation to, South Pacific Community (SPC) provides a regional resource of specialist technical expertise that will strengthens, or supplements, regional and the national capacity. It also designed and, with the support of IFAN, has started implementing the Safety of Navigation project, ultimately aiming to support the economic development of shipping and trade of Pacific Islands Countries and Territories (PICTs).
From the outset, the main challenge facing the project was identified as being the lack of awareness of the importance of Aids to Navigation systems in the target countries. In addition, limited capacity of managers and technicians and, in almost all countries, an absence of AToN policy and regulation to support process, procedures and resources were additional hurdles to be overcome. SPC is focusing on enhancing and raising awareness of sustainable development of AToNs through in-country visits and capacity-building programmes.
In the meanwhile, the agreement to fund Phase II and the allocation of resources to phase II was from the review of the 2016 planned activities which completed a 92.5 percent effective rate and hence, IFAN have approved based on the phase I reports.
