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Man pleads guilty to stealing 16 pkt cigarettes, intimidating market vendor

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BY MELVILLE TITIULU

A man has pleaded guilty to stealing 16 packets of cigarettes and intimidating a market vendor at Savo Market last year.

Justine Kimo, 27, of Kakabona, North West Guadalcanal pleaded guilty to one count of Simple Larceny, contrary to section 261(1) of the Penal Code (Cap. 26) and one count of Intimidation and Molestation, contrary to section 231(1) of the Penal Code (Cap. 26) at the Central Magistrate Court on Monday this week.

Complainant Thomson Surasi, 42, was working as a market vendor at Savo Market, West Honiara.

It is alleged that on December 1, 2025, between 4am and 5am, the complainant was asleep inside his betelnut market stall at Savo Market.

The defendant approached the stall and took 16 packets of cigarettes from the shelves. He then left the market area.

Nearby vendors informed the complainant when he woke up.

While the complainant and other vendors were discussing the theft, they saw the defendant walking past the market area.

The complainant and several bystanders confronted the defendant and accused him of stealing the cigarettes. This led to a tense exchange between the parties.

The defendant picked up a stone and threw it in the direction of the complainant. The stone did not strike him, but the complainant ran away in fear.

Police attended the scene soon after and arrested the defendant. He was then taken to White River Police Station for further investigation.

Prosecution told court the 16 packets of cigarettes were never recovered and that a reconciliation was not held to resolve the matter.

After the defendant entered his guilty plea, the matter went straight for mitigation and sentencing plea.

Aggravating features include, firstly, that the defendant was intoxicated at the time the offence was committed.

Secondly, that the complainant was asleep when the defendant stole those 16 cigarette packs and was intimidated by the defendant.

Thirdly, that the defendant has previous convictions for the offence of burglary.

Prosecution recommended a custodial sentence for both 10 years subject to courts discretion to reflect the seriousness of the offence.

Defence in response, said the defendant is a law abiding and has potential to be rehabilitated and intergraded into society.

Defence proposes that the court use a proportionate principle of sentencing where previous records be weighed. That each case be decided on its own merit and that individual and societal factors should be considered.

Defence said the defendant has taken an early guilty plea, and that saves court’s time and resource.

Secondly, that his client genuinely felt remorseful for his actions.

Thirdly, the defendant is the sole breadwinner for his family, a father of three children, with eldest in grade 6 and has an unemployed wife. He is a taxi driver.

Defence said if his client was given a custodial sentence that would really hit hard on his household.

The matter was adjourned for mention for Monday, March 2 for sentencing.

In the meantime, Bail was extended for the defendant.

Constable Sam Gii from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecution represents the complainant while Harry Luahiti, senior legal officer of the Public Solicitors Office represents the defendant in this matter.

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WEAK AND EXPOSED

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Customs calls for stronger border enforcement powers to fully tackle Methamphetamine and illicit drugs entry problem

BY NED GAGAHE

Solomon Islands Customs and Excise call for enhanced border enforcement capacity, warning that tougher drug laws must be matched with stronger operational readiness at the country’s ports and maritime entry points.

Appearing before the Bills and Legislation Committee yesterday, Supervising Comptroller John Lagi said Customs supports the proposed amendment to Section 39(2)(a) of the Dangerous Drugs Act under the Dangerous Drugs Amendment Bill 2025.

However, he said that effective implementation will depend on improved intelligence, training and interagency coordination.

Mr Lagi told the committee that intelligence-led targeting will become increasingly important, particularly given the geographic vulnerabilities of the Solomon Islands.

With dispersed islands, extensive marine borders, and numerous informal shipping routes, Lagi said border surveillance must be strengthened to prevent the country from being exploited as a trafficking route.

“As the primary border control authority, Customs plays a central role in detecting and prohibiting illicit drug importations,” he said.

He said that enhanced inspection at ports and maritime entry points would be required to support the amended legislation.

Mr Lagi said there is need for closer operational coordination with the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions to ensure investigations and prosecutions meet the higher threshold expected under tougher sentencing provisions.

Customs has recommended the development of clear implementation guidelines and joint operational planning ahead of the law’s commencement.

Given the severity of the proposed penalties, Customs warns that evidence handling standards must be strengthened.

He said strict chain-of-custody procedures will need to be enforced to safeguard prosecutions, particularly in cases involving large-scale trafficking operations.

The Supervising Comptroller said that officers must be prepared for more complex court proceedings and heightened scrutiny of investigative processes.

Lagi also flagged the need for capacity building within the organisation.

This includes specialised training for frontline officers, updates to standard operating procedures, and possible revisions to the list of prohibited drugs under the Customs Act to ensure alignment with the amended legislation.

If enacted, the amendment would significantly increase maximum penalties for serious drug trafficking offences and introduce life imprisonment as a sentencing option.

He said the operational upgrades it has outlined are essential to ensuring that stronger penalties translate into effective enforcement at the border.

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Mining, logging dominates Choiseul hard talk forum

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BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

Mining, logging and poor consultation with landowners dominated discussions at the Choiseul Province Hard Talk Forum held yesterday ahead of today’s 35th Second Appointed Day celebrations.

The Hard Talk Forum was held yesterday the Auditorium of the National Museum in Honiara.

The forum brought together four key speakers; Ruth Liloqula, Nelson Kere, Dr Jones Gabu and Bauro Koraua who shared strong views on natural resource management and rural development challenges facing the province.

Transparency advocate Ms Liloqula said that while mining and logging may bring revenue, landowners must be properly consulted before any agreements are signed.

She said poor consultation processes have continued to create division, mistrust and disputes in communities in Choiseul.

Mr Kere also shared similar sentiments, questioning whether resource developments are delivering long-term benefits to ordinary people.

He said many landowners still lack clear information about contracts, environmental impacts and royalty arrangements.

Dr Gabu highlighted the environmental and social consequences of extractive activities, warning that unsustainable logging and poorly managed mining operations could undermine the province’s future.

He called for stronger governance, enforcement of laws and genuine engagement with customary landowners.

Mr Koraua, a business man in Choiseul acknowledged the importance of development but said it must be balanced with protecting land rights and ensuring benefits reach communities.

He urged the provincial government to improve consultation mechanisms and strengthen monitoring of resource and companies before conducting operations.

The speakers also raised concerns about gaps in education, health services and agricultural support while mining and logging were the dominant issues.

They further said that revenue from natural resources should translate into improved schools, clinics and farming assistance and major infrastructure development in the province if proper consultation has been done.

The forum concluded with calls for transparency, accountability and meaningful landowner participation and unity as Choiseul marks its 35th Second Appointed Day today.

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Choiseul community in Honiara holds ‘Hard Talk’ forum

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BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

The Choiseul (Lauru) Honiara-based community gathered yesterday for a high-level forum to reflect on the province’s progress and challenges ahead of today’s 35th Second Appointed Day celebrations.

Chairman of the Lauru Honiara-Based Community, Mr Shepherd Lapo, told this paper that today’s programme will commence at 9am with the raising of the Solomon Islands national flag and the Lauru provincial flag, followed by keynote speeches and cultural entertainment.

The event, term as a “Hard Talk” forum, brought together chiefs, elders, women, youth and children of the Lauru community residing in Honiara and served as a platform for open dialogue on key issues affecting the province as it marks 35 years since achieving second appointed status.

Today’s official celebration will take place at the Auditorium of the National Museum in Honiara under the theme: “Celebrating our unity, honouring our journey, and embracing our future.”

The forum featured structured 10-minute presentations from invited speakers, followed by a moderated panel discussion and an open question-and-answer (Q&A) session with the audience.

Key speakers included respected community leader Ms Ruth Liloqula, youth representative Mr Nelson Kere, senior government officer Dr Jones Gabu, and prominent Lauru businessman Mr Bauro Koraua.

Discussions focused on major development challenges facing Choiseul Province, with mining and logging emerging as dominant issues.

The speakers also highlighted ongoing concerns in education, agriculture and health services.

The speakers said there is need for stronger unity, responsible resource management and collective action to ensure sustainable development for future generations.

“As we celebrate 35 years of unity and progress, let us rise with renewed purpose,” Dr Gabu said during his address.

Speakers urge the Lauru community to honour the struggles and achievements of the past by shaping a future that safeguards the interests of their children, the province and the country.

The 35th Second Appointed Day marks an important milestone for Choiseul Province, celebrating its governance journey and reaffirming its commitment to unity and development.

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SHOWDOWN IN HONIARA

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Solomon Kings set for home test in OFC round 4

BY RICHARD MENANOPO

Oceania Football Confederation has confirmed that Round 4 of the OFC Pro League will be staged at the Solomon Islands National Stadium in Honiara from March 14–19, setting the stage for a crucial week of elite club football on home soil.

The regional body announced in a brief post that “Round 4 of the OFC Pro League is locked in for the National Stadium in Honiara”, with matches kicking off on March 14.

For Solomon Islands champions Solomon Kings FC, the round presents a golden opportunity to capitalize on home advantage in front of local supporters.

The Kings will open their Round 4 campaign on Saturday, March 14, when they take on Auckland FC at 7pm. The clash is expected to draw strong interest, with Auckland among the competition’s heavyweights.

They will then wrap up their home fixtures on Thursday, March 19, against Australian side South Melbourne FC, again scheduled for a 7pm kick-off.

Both matches will be played at the National Stadium in Honiara, marking another milestone for the country as it continues to host major regional sporting events.

Other Round 4 fixtures will see clubs from Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu and Tahiti also in action across the four match days, but local attention will firmly centre on the Kings as they aim to strengthen their standing in the competition.

The OFC earlier highlighted the journey “from Melbourne to Honiara”, underlining the league’s growing reach across the Pacific and Australasia.

Meanwhile, local football followers have already begun voicing hopes for strong crowd support, noting that a packed stadium could provide the lift needed for the Kings against two formidable opponents. Calls have also been made for affordable ticket prices to ensure students, families and grassroots fans can fill the stands and create a true home atmosphere.

With continental football returning to Honiara, all eyes will be on Solomon Kings FC as they look to make their home matches count and fly the national flag high in front of their supporters.

Photo: OFC Media

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Education office taking shape in Gizo

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BY BEN BILUA
Gizo

THE construction of Western Province’s new Education office in Gizo is progressing well, bringing renewed optimism for the province’s education sector.

Workers were actively engaged at the site when Island Sun visited yesterday, with visible progress indicating that the long-awaited project is steadily moving forward.

Speaking to Island Sun, an officer with the Western Province Education Division, Mr Willy Etupioh, said the new facility will not only enhance the appearance of Gizo but also strengthen the operational capacity of the province’s education services.

He said the office is expected to play a vital role in supporting the transition of the education system in line with the country’s new education legislation.

An agreement document obtained by this paper shows that D.G Building Construction Company is implementing the project.

The project is funded by the Ministry of Education and Human Resources Development (MEHRD) as part of the 2025 Education Provider Plan.

A total of SBD800,000 has been allocated for the full project, covering initial groundwork through to completion of the building.

Construction was previously delayed last year due to financial challenges, but work has since resumed and officials are hopeful the facility will soon be completed and ready to serve teachers, students and education stakeholders across Western Province.

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Powerlifting secures 2026 registration

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BY RICHARD MENANOPO

As momentum builds across sporting codes towards structured development and stronger governance, Powerlifting Solomon Islands (PSI) has secured its 2026 registration with the National Sports Council (NSC).

The NSC Board confirmed the registration this week, making PSI the seventh federation to formalize its status under the Council’s 2026 framework.

In a press statement, NSC Media described the milestone as “an important milestone in national sports governance and athlete development”.

With registration confirmed, PSI now gains immediate access to key benefits, including complimentary use of national sporting facilities and the High Performance (HP) Centre for national squad training.

“Powerlifting Solomon Islands now has access to world-class facilities to train national squads and develop future champions as part of their 2026 NSC registration”, a recent NSC statement said.

The framework also allows the federation to nominate senior and junior squads in both men’s and women’s divisions under the national athlete development pathway. NSC further noted that “emerging athletes will be supported through selection of at least one junior squad per gender”, with selections based on recent competition results.

Beyond athlete preparation, the registration strengthens governance compliance and funding eligibility. Registered federations may apply for the NSC Governance Grant of $10,000 and other funding support, subject to compliance and availability. A governance recognition certificate will also be issued to formally acknowledge PSI’s compliance.

“This registration reflects NSC’s ongoing commitment to sustainable athlete pathways, stronger governance standards and supporting federations to compete on regional and international stages”, NSC Media said.

PSI joins a growing list of federations that have completed registration for 2026, including Floorball, Cricket, Football, Hockey, Tennis and Athletics — signaling a nationwide push towards more structured and accountable sports administration.

With access to improved facilities and formal governance backing now secured, Powerlifting Solomon Islands is expected to intensify preparations for upcoming Pacific and international competitions, positioning its lifters to carry the Solomon Islands flag onto bigger stages in the years ahead.

Photo: Supplied

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Kings ride wave of support

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BY RICHARD MENANOPO

Solomon Kings FC captain Philip Mango has credited the overwhelming support from the Solomon Islands community in Melbourne as a driving force behind the team’s determined victory on Sunday.

In a pulsating encounter played under torrential rain, the Kings held firm to secure all three points — a result that has lifted them one place up the standings into third position.

From the moment the players stepped onto the pitch, it was clear they were not alone.

A sea of Solomon Islands flags, loud cheers and the familiar chant of “Go Solo Go” echoed around, creating what Mango described as a feeling of home away from home.

“I would like to thank the supporters who came out in numbers today to support us boys”, Mango said in his post-match interview.

“By looking at the supporters’ turnout today, it really motivated us players to do our best because they spent five hours just to travel and watch us playing here today. So, we would like to give back the victory to them”, he added.

The Kings responded with intensity from kickoff, dominating possession and combining well in attack before finding the back of the net for the opening goal.

Mango admitted the fans’ presence played a major role in that fiery start.

“We were motivated by our fans”.

“There were a lot of combination plays because they were cheering for us, so it’s a positive for us”, Mango said.

Despite the difficult conditions and the setback of having Atkin Kaya sent off, the Kings showed resilience and composure to protect their lead. The downpour did little to dampen their fighting spirit as they defended bravely and denied their opponents any opportunity to draw level.

The victory not only demonstrated the squad’s growing maturity but also highlighted their ability to grind out results under pressure — a quality that could prove vital in the remaining Melbourne fixtures.

Mango said hearing the supporters chant brought back memories of playing at Lawson Tama.

“It feels like we were back in Honiara,” he said. “I really appreciate how they supported us”.

The captain admitted the team was surprised — but deeply grateful — for the large turnout from the Solomon Islands community.

“We never expected the big Solomon Islands community to turn out today, but it’s a good number”, Mango added. “I simply want to thank them for their continued support towards us boys”.

With the Kings now sitting third on the table and building momentum, Mango calls on supporters to continue backing the team in their upcoming matches.

The message from the captain was clear: the Kings will keep fighting — and with the community behind them, they feel right at home, even thousands of kilometers away.

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Falake community gears towards completion of Japan-funded mini-hydro project

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By RODRICK DESURI 

Auki 

The Falake community in West Kwara’ae, Malaita Province, is gearing up to complete its mini-hydro project at the end of this year. 

The project is funded by the Government of Japan.

The community has faced many challenges along the way during the project’s making. 

Falake community chairman, Constantine Etemani, said they treated the challenges as stepping stones in achieving their goals. 

He believes challenges can lead to effective decisions in planning for successful outcomes. 

“We can’t deny it, in any development aspect, there must be challenges throughout. But we hope and believe that challenges can make great contributions to successful outcomes,” he said.

In the meantime, Etemani said the project represents light, hope and progress for their community.

He said the project will improve their standard of living and other priorities, support households and businesses, enhance quality of education for their children, and strengthen essential services within the community.

He said that the project has demonstrated how sustainable development and environmental protection can be achieved.

“This project needs community commitment and time.

“This project will benefit our entire community, improve our standard of living, support each household and business, and also enhance the quality of education for their children,” he said.

Funded by the Japanese government through its Grassroots and Human Security Project, the project is a SBD $2.5 million micro-hydropower project in the Falake community.

This initiative aims to provide sustainable, reliable energy to the community and support local economic growth through infrastructure development.

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Japan funded project creates opportunities for Falake community

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By RODRICK DESURI 

Auki 

The Japanese-funded Sustainable Forest Resource Management (SFRM) project has created many opportunities for Falake community in West Kwara’ae, Malaita Province. 

The SFRM Project is a technical cooperation initiative funded by the Japanese Government through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) in partnership with the Ministry of Forestry and Research (MOFR). 

The project began in 2017 with the goal to improve forest management practices and provide alternatives to conventional and unsustainable logging. 

Falake community Chairman Constantine Etemani, during the Japanese team’s visit to Falake on Thursday, February 19, said the forest is their life, identity and future.

He said the SFRM project has provided his community with tested, implemented, and documented practical approaches to sustainable forest management.

He said that during the project, they contributed to setting national policies and directions for their forest management.

He also said that they developed community bylaws and strengthened the governance system.

“Component one consists of livelihood management, which focuses on improving the well-being of people through sustainable income activities, food security, and responsible use of natural resources.

“Secondly, there is forest resources management, which focuses on protecting, conserving, and sustainably managing our forest resources for present and future generations,” he said.

Piggery and poultry, sustainable forest resources management, and mini-hydro are the three top projects funded by the Japanese government through its Grassroots and Human Security Project.

Under this project, the community has completed piggery and sustainable forest resources management and is now making progress with a mini-hydro initiative.

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