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Man fined $19,000 for brewing kwaso

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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THE Central Magistrates Court in Honiara has fined one of the accused, who was arrested on Tuesday this week for the illegal brewing of kwaso in Namuruka area, West Honiara, $19,000 on Wednesday.

Provincial Police Commander Honiara City, Chief Superintendent Alfred Uiga says, “The defendant was arrested and charged for the offence of restrictions on making liquor contrary to section 50 (2) (b) of the Liquor Act.

“He was taken to the Central Magistrates Court in Honiara where he pleaded guilty to the charge. He was ordered to pay a fine of $19,000 by October 26, 2018 and in he fails to pay the fine, he will go to prison for two years.

“There are other means where we can generate income for our families rather than resorting to these kinds of illegal activities.

“Nowadays we are facing issues of anti-social behaviour in our communities such as common nuisance, drunk and disorderly assaults, and many more.

“They are all alcohol related issues.

“It is time we stand together and fight against kwaso in our communities.

“Report to police anyone in your community who you know to be cooking kwaso so that they can be taken before the Court.

“Let us all work together to curb this kind of illegal activities.”

–POLICE MEDIA

Commonwealth ranks Solomon Islands 76 on youth political participation

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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UNDP Country Manager Azusa Kubota and Minister Freda Tuki launch the Solomon Islands Youth Status Report 2018

BY LYNTON AARON FILIA

UNDP Country Manager Azusa Kubota and Minister Freda Tuki launch the Solomon Islands Youth Status Report 2018

THE Commonwealth’s Youth Index ranks Solomon Islands 76th globally for youth political participation and 70th in terms of youth civic participation.

This is out of the globes 195 countries.

This was revealed by the United Nation Development Programme Solomon Islands Country Manager Ms Azusa Kubota during the launching of Solomon Islands Youth Status Report 2018.

Kubota said if the nation wants to boost its economy, foster positive change and meet the 17 SDGs which are aimed at bringing prosperity to all by 2030; then it must engage youth politics and youth civic participation.

She said youth in Solomon Islands face similar challenges to their counterparts across the region such as lack of access to equality and affordable education and health services, unemployment and various types of discrimination.

“Youth have identified problems that hinder progress in their own communities but they have also come up with solutions to those problems using their experience, knowledge and fresh ideas,” she adds.

Kubata said UNDP under the United Nations Peacebuilding Fund Project in Solomon Islands is currently working to provide platforms for dialogue and empowerment to help youth across the country act as agent of change.

Minister for Women Youth Children and Family Affairs Freda Tuki said as Solomon Islands embarks on the new set of SDGs and national development strategy, it is important to recognise young people’s role as key stakeholders in achieving these goals.

She said today’s young generation will inherit and drive the future development of Solomon Islands.

On Wednesday, August 22, UNDP launched a Solomon Islands Youth Status Report 2018 which describes the challenges to youth participation in Solomon Islands.

Also proposes means of inclusion from the community to the national level.

The report was compiled by Dr Anouk Ride.

PS fisheries refutes Solomon Star allegations

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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THE Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources, Dr Christain Ramofafia has refuted claims in the Solomon Star alleging him and his director’s involvement in the recent beche-de-mer saga.

Responding to the articles carried in the Solomon Star Issue nos, 6967, 6968 and 6990, Ramofafia said the allegations alleging him and the director’s involvement and teaming up with beche-de-mer exporters were inaccurate and plainly wrong.

“At no time did we entertain or collude with the exporters as claimed by the Solomon Star reporter Mr Aatai in his articles.

“Our actions on all legal cases with regards to the beche-de-mer saga and all other legal cases involving the Ministry for that matter, were guided by legal advices tendered to the Ministry of Fisheries by the Office of the Attorney General.

“If we have erred, we have erred according to the AG Advices tendered to us.”

Ramofafia stressed that the office of the Attorney General’s position on this particular case was, it needed the High Court to resolve the question of whether regulation 13A of the Fisheries Regulations had been repealed, despite an earlier position it had taken that it had been.

He revealed that from the high court ruling they now know that regulation 13A is still in force.

However, he stressed that according to an advice received from the Office of the Attorney General, this matter is not settled as yet, as the High Court ruling is now being appealed to the Court of Appeal by the beche-de-mer exporters.

“We want to let the public know that at no time did we have acted outside the advices tendered to us by the Office of the Attorney General and we have no intention of doing so given that the Office of the Attorney General is the Chief legal advisor to SIG which includes the Ministry of Fisheries as well. In the case before us, we will be guided also by the ruling of the Court of Appeal.

“We further wish to inform the public that contrary to Solomon Star reported Mr John Aatai’s claims, we have cooperated with the Office of Director of Prosecution and Police in providing all information relating to the case between the exporters and the Crown.

“We also wish to inform the Public that the Ministry of Fisheries under our leadership will continue to do its best to bring revenue to the country and its people from the harvest of its fisheries resources.”

As reported by Mr Aatai in Solomon Star earlier in the year, the total revenue secured by the Ministry of Fisheries in 2017 is about $339 million, a Ministry contribution that is second only to IRD and Customs and the highest ever secured by the Ministry of Fisheries.

“A Ministry that engages itself in corrupt practices would never have secured such revenue for its people.”

–MFMR PRESS

Supervising Police Commissioner speaks out against kwaso

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0

BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

SUPERVISING Police Commissioner Juanita Matanga has again called on public to refrain from selling kwaso to earn a living.

Speaking at the Commissioner’s weekly media conference yesterday, Ms Matanga said that there are many ways people can earn an income for living and resorting to kwaso should not be one of them.

She said that this week police raided two venues in relation to Kwaso production; one at Namoruka West Honiara and at the Fishing village Central Honiara.

A total of five suspects were arrested.

Matanga said everybody must stand together to speak out against kwaso, this sort of behaviour must be prevented.

“I want to make this call in support of the PPC Honiara City that we must all stand as one people in discouraging such behaviour in our communities.

“If communities and families work together such behaviour will be prevented.”

Matanga strongly urges people not to wait on things to happen before reacting, everybody must act now before it is late to discourage kwaso brewing and consumption.

She said that some reports reaching police on incidents of assaults and disorders in the communities was as a result of kwaso and people must be responsible as police cannot fight alone to end kwaso in this country.

Search for rape suspect on Goodwood incident still on

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0

BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

POLICE are still searching for the suspect in the alleged rape incident which occurred at the Goodwood area.

Supervising Police Commissioner Juanita Matanga urgeS the people who reside at the area to report to the police if they have any information regarding the incident.

She said a five-year-old was raped at the Goodwood area and police are yet to identify the suspect on the case.

“If someone saw that someone has been leading the five year-old last week at the Goodwood area must report to the police.”

Matanga condemned the incident and said that in the past weeks there were many cases of alleged rape on very young children from ages four to six, and ‘this is very serious’.

She said that everybody in the community should respect each other especially children and girls, and sexual abuse is sickening the Solomon Island’s community and must be stopped.

Police yet to confirm status of Renbel suspect

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0

BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

SUPERVISING Police Commissioner Juanita Matanga says that police is yet to confirm on whether or not the suspect arrested in the recent gruesome machete attack is mentally or not.

Responding to questions asked during a press conference on, Ms Matanga said there were speculations that the suspect is mentally ill, however she says those speculations will have to be proven by a psychiatrist.

Matanga said that the accused was arrested by police and was transported to Honiara with the assistance of the Australian Defence Force and is currently remanded in custody.

Matanga said investigation is continuing.

She also said that the suspect also is injured himself during the incident.

She also acknowledges the support made by the HMAS Australia for their resources used during the operation to transport the suspect and also the victims of the incidents.

Teacher absenteeism on the rise in Western province

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0

BY ALFRED PAGEPITU

GIZO

TEACHER absenteeism is becoming a problem in the Western province, it is reported.

Speaking to Island Sun on Thursday, a group of parents affected by the problem say their children attend some of the schools in the province, and each of them face the same problem.

Spokesperson for the group, Mr Benson from Kolombangara, says it is worrying that teacher absenteeism is experienced in all the schools that their children are in.

This he says is a reflection of how serious the problem is in the province.

They are calling on education authorities, both national and provincial, to seriously look into the matter and address it.

“It doesn’t make sense in keeping teachers that cannot perform in higher academic level but hold on to teaching posts as secured source of income earning while the students leaning continue to be victimized at their home soil.

“I would like to call on teachers around Kolombangara Island who cannot be able to uphold the integrity of the teaching profession with poor working attitude to resign and giving replacement spaces for other potential teachers who can do better to teach our children.

“I would like to urges Western Education Authorities and Church include school administration to monitor and visit schools within Kolombangara Island to see some weakness that continue to abuse leaning of our children in communities.”

Why waste $20M?

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0
Parliament

Gov’t called on to justify $20M Terminal Grant against low Development Budget

 

THE Solomon Islands Social Accountability Coalition (SISAC) is calling on the Government to rationalize its commitment of the Terminal Grant to MPs at the end of parliament term that will be charged against tax income.

SISAC members feel that such a huge payout is an excessive benefit for Members of Parliament who are already enjoying luxurious benefits and tax free salaries despite continued financial struggles in the public sector and a National Budget that is heavily dependent on donor money.

In the 2018 Development Budget only $9 million was allocated for the Ministry of Health and Medical Services, $18 million for the Ministry of Education and Human Resources Development while the Ministry of Women, Youth, Children and Family affairs suffered the biggest cut with a budget of just $500,000.

The $20 million terminal grants is an unreasonable allocation and undermines all the development priorities and the commitment of the government towards its citizens.

Joe Oge, SISAC member and Chief Commissioner of the Solomon Islands Scout Association, says youth developments have been totally ignored.

“While 400,000 young people in Solomon Islands are allocated only $500,000 as a development budget, our MPs are getting $400,000 each,” says Mr Oge.

“SISAC understands that the Terminal Grant is a constitutional obligation, however our leaders and our government must put the interest of the citizens first.”

General Secretary of the Development Services Exchange (DSE), Jennifer Wate says the entitlements act needs to be revisited and the credibility of the Parliamentary Entitlements Commission (PEC) must be put into question.

“We want to question the government on their stand on this issue. What are their priorities and how significant does the entitlements stand over national issues?”

Ms Wate says SISAC supports the call made by Transparency Solomon Islands (TSI) who last week called for the government to tax MPs.

TSI, who is also a member of the SISAC alliance, is concerned that the Terminal Grant will forego government revenue worth millions and is simply unfair for Solomon Islanders who are struggling to make ends meet with huge PAYE tax cuts.

SISAC insists that $20 million can be better spent on pressing development needs such as improving education, health facilities, addressing unemployment of young people and essential service provision to citizens of Solomon Islands.

SISAC raised three major issues;

  • Government spending tax payer’s money in an irresponsible manner and prioritising self-serving grants to MPs over development need must be rationalised by the government to its citizens.
  • Having members of parliament in the PEC is a clear conflict of interest. The entitlement’s commission for MPs needs to be an independent body to make transparent and accountable decision on the entitlements of MPs. PEC is not independent from MPs and the government.
  • Twenty million dollars of terminal grants to MPs in addition to all other benefits is contrary to the prevailing economic situation of the country. SISAC urges constitutional revision around the entitlement of MPs.

SISAC will put forward a written submission to the Constitutional Review Committee calling for amendments to the entitlements of MPs.

SISAC is made up of members; Transparency Solomon Islands (TSI), Solomon Islands Development Trust (SIDT), Development Services Exchange (DSE), Forum Solomon Islands International (FSII), Young Women’s Parliamentary Group (YWPG), Solomon Islands National Scouts Association (SINSA), Honiara Youth Council (HYC), National Youth Congress (NYC) and Oxfam in Solomon Islands (OiSI).

The aim of the coalition to promote inclusive development and enhance democratic governance and accountability among government and civil society institution in Solomon Islands.

–SISAC PRESS

Implementation of MWYCFA polices and Act hindered

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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MWYCFA group photo

BY MAVIS NISHIMURA PODOKOLO

MWYCFA group photo

THE implementation process of the Women’s division policies and Act under the Ministry of Women Youth Children and Family Affairs (MWYCFA) have been hindered by some ‘bumps’.

This was reported by Freda Tuki Soriocomua, Minister of the MWYCFA at the recent opening occasion of the Solomon Islands National Women’s Leadership programme in Honiara.

Tuki voiced the encountered challenges in implementing these policies and act rises from different aspects.

“These including having few staffs working at the women’s division, geography of our islands – scattered, transportations difficulties, not enough funds to implement women’s activities, traditional and cultural perception on women as a leader, not enough support to family care centre, not enough support to Christian care centre,” she said.

However if these challenges are being addressed there wouldn’t be any delay in fulfilling them (policies and ACT).

The delayed implemented policies and Act are the National gender equality and women’s development policy 2016- 2030 (GWED 2016- 2020). It is an overarching policy frame work achieving gender equality and women’s right in Solomon Islands IT have seen (7) policy outcomes.

Also the Solomon Islands Women, Peace and security National action plan 2017- 2021, National Policy to eliminate Violence against women and girls 2016 to 2020 and the Family protection act 2014.

Exclusion of women from the political domain a challenge to political engagement  

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0
Dr Alice Pollard

BY MAVIS NISHIMURA PODOKOLO

Dr Alice Pollard

EXCLUSION of women from political and decision making positions has been a challenge to active political engagement in Solomon Islands, says Dr Alice Pollard.

Mrs Pollard said the exclusion of women from political leadership and decision making positions is a serious and critical matter for all.

“Our absence at the key Political leadership speaks volumes, it is our core business and that is why we are sitting here today,” she said.

Pollard said the story of the Solomon Islands Political history shows that women’s political journey is one struggle, yet of persistence and remaining hopeful.

She said figures have shown that women’s political participation is low, it stated that we have only had four successful female candidates in our story and currently four successful female provincial members of three different assemblies.

“Our absence at these key political leadership positing means that our voices cannot be heard and therefore we are not involved in any debate on issue that affect our lives, issues that are dear to us women will not be placed are priority issues on any governments agenda and also indicates that the budget of attending to women’s issues receives low priority and low resourcing,” said Pollard.

She said it also means that women are ill-informed about government service’s and its program in which sometimes women become recipients of second hand information and poor power sharing and unequal decision-making which is thus pro males.

Pollard adds, the way forward to address these challenges is women must first deal with their ‘selves’.

“Change must first begin with us, we need to change our lenses. Change your lenses and put on a new pair of lenses. The way we see only men to be fit for the public domain or public space and we see women to be for the private domain needs to be changed today.

“Because our discriminatory perspective of women and men affects our choice of candidates and voting patterns,” she said.

Pollard said women are also fearful to participate due to the way they see their selves as unfit, uneducated, don not have funds or bring negative of their selves.

“Therefore I encourage us to work together and support each other in a new way with a new vision and rally together, actively participating together on issues that deeply concerned about women and get involved,” said Pollard.

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