ALL schools under the Honiara City Council Education Authority have been urged to submit the $ 100 registration fees for students.
Chairman for HCC Education Authority Cr Alfrence Fatai made the call following noncompliance by some of the schools.
“I want to remind all school heads and administration to comply with what has been endorsed in accordance with the 2018 budget ordinance of the Council.
“Since the second semester is about to begin, I strongly advise those who are yet to pay to come forward and do so,” he said.
The Chairman added that failure to comply will result in actions taken by the HCC Education Authority, with schools responsible.
He said it has already been passed and endorsed under the ordinance and should not be disregarded, but to be seriously adhered to.
It is understood that most of the schools under the HCC Education Authority have yet to pay up the fees.
ONE of the Commissioners of the Solomon Islands Electoral Commission (SIEC), Mrs Taeasi Sanga, has urged Registration Managers (RM) and Registration Officers (RO) to be honest when carrying out the voter registration exercise.
The SIEC has commenced training for RMs and ROs in Honiara on Tuesday.
Speaking at her opening remarks, Sanga said the voter registration process is the most important part of the electoral process.
She said the issue of eligible voters’ names missing in voters list can cause many problems.
She said there are places where voters who did not find their name on the voters list and reacted by burning or damaging ballot boxes or boycott the election process.
Sanga said this usually happen when people found out that their names are not in the voting list.
She said missing of names in voters list only stir anger among people toward the Electoral Commission.
Commissioner Sanga said usually their Commission takes the blame for anything that went wrong with the voters’ registration and list.
She reminded participants attending the training that they now work for the Electoral Commission and the Commission have every trust in them.
Sanga said if RMs and ROs do not carry out their work properly it will backfire on their Commission.
She said the role that RMs and ROs do will be tempting but they must stick to the rules.
“Just be honest, I think that’s the right way of putting this,” Sanga said.
PRINCIPAL Magistrate Augustine Aulanga has convicted the former RSIPF traffic Director in the Honiara Magistrate Court yesterday.
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.
In 2016, he held a title of a Police Superintendent and was the Operation Manager for Honiara city.
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 a 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 between 3rd of June to 31st of August 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 denies the fraudulent conversion of the money. He remained silent and called no evidence for his case. He ardently emphasized 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.
“I am mindful of the legal requirement that even if the defendant remains silent, the onus is on the prosecution to prove its case beyond reasonable doubt. If there is any doubt, the defendant must be given the benefit of that doubt.
“As I have mentioned earlier, the contested issue in this case is; whether or not the defendant has fraudulently converted part of the $24,000. In considering this issue, the following are the pertinent questions the court needs to consider. First, whether he converted part of the $24,000 to his own benefit. Second, if so, then whether or not he did so fraudulently and that is; (a) without the consent of the Solomon Islands government (b) knowing that he has no such consent (c) not honestly believing that he had any claim of right to the part of the money and (d) whether or not he intended to permanently deprive the Solomon Islands government of the part of the $24,000”, Magistrate Aulanga said.
Magistrate Aulanga said before addressing the question, it is pertinent for to make a finding on how much money out of the $24,000 has been used by the defendant for the police operations or its rightful purposes as established by the evidence.
“In my view, these receipts look so fishy and very suspicious. Despite they have the business stamps, they are not convincing, questionable and utterly dubious. They are simply against the logic in issuing of receipts to customers in any business transaction. No reputable businesses like Professional Taxi Services and Technology Plus would do receipting in such manner.
“Another serious matter is this. I have noted that receipt exhibited 20 and 21 were issued by Professional Taxi Services and Technology Plus. These are two different business entities altogether. A closer look at their receipt numbers will show that they both used the same receipt book. Leaf 29 (0465729) of the same receipt book was issued by Technology Plus while leaf 74 (0465774) was issued by Professional Taxi Services. Under no circumstances this could happen in any business.
“Two different business entity cannot use the same receipt book. One must be different. Viewed in this, the inference I can draw here is; these are false receipts made up by the defendant himself to suit his own malevolent purpose”, Magistrate Aulanga said.
Magistrate Aulanga said the accused knew very well that it was given to him for that purpose, yet he made a conscious decision to use it for purposes other than what it was intended for.
He did not have any bonafide claim of right over that money since it was special imprest money. His action therefore deprives the Royal Solomon Islands Police as an agent of the State or even the Solomon Islands government as whole from the intended police operational services that money was committed or allocated for.
“In the absence of permission or approval from MOFT, is this not fraudulent conduct? I don’t think so, and therefore, I am satisfied that the vast array of evidence presented by the prosecution has overwhelmingly showed that he had a fraudulent mind when dealing with the money and therefore, converted part ($21,700.00) of the money to his own benefit.
“I find the prosecution has proven its case beyond reasonable doubt and accordingly convict the defendant, Charles Solomon Habatia, as charged”, Magistrate Aulanga said.
PM tells Health minister Dr Tautai and his PS to pull up their socks
By Alfred Sasako
Health Minister Dr Tautai Agikimua Kaituu (Left) and Permanent Secretary for Health Ministry Dr Tenneth Dalipanda
PRIME Minister Rick Houenipwela has told a news conference in Honiara that he has written “strongly worded letters” to the Minister of Health and Medical Services, Hon Dr Tautai Agikimua Kaituu and Permanent Secretary Dr Tenneth Dalipada urging them “to pull up their socks.”
A “breakdown in management” was found to be responsible for the acute shortage of life-saving drugs at the National Referral Hospital. The shortage has also affected clinics and health centres operated by the Honiara City Council.
“It’s a strongly-worded letter,” he told the morning news conference on Thursday.
“I had to call the Minister of Health to return to Honiara on Saturday when I found out he was in his Constituency,” the Prime Minister said.
The Prime Minister’s revelation of talking tough comes a chorus of public support for both men to be sacked grew in intensity.
It is believed the Executive of the Democratic Alliance Party (DAP) has also weighed in, urging the Prime Minister to sack the two men.
A former worker at the NRH Medical Store told Island Sun on Thursday the whole procurement system was “intentionally allowed to collapse” by those at the top echelon of the Ministry of Health and Medical Services.
“What happened today is what they had in mind. They wanted to bring the whole system into chaos,” the man who wished to remain anonymous told Island Sun.
“There was nothing wrong with the procurement system. What is wrong is the fact that orders and payments would simply gather dust at the Office of the Permanent Secretary.
“I was once pulled up by an acting Permanent Secretary as to why drugs and other medical supplies were not being purchased when supplies were almost nil. I simply told them that as Manager of the Hospital’s Drugs’ store, I had already sent in the paperwork, which was later found to be gathering dust while the Permanent Secretary was attending conference after conference overseas,” the man who spent 34 years in the Public Service said.
“In the end I became a scapegoat and was subsequently suspended. I have been out of work for three years now but thank goodness, the Public Service has thrown out my suspension because the reasons for the suspension did not stand up to scrutiny.
“I am grateful that I am being reinstated,” he said.
“But this is not the point of my story. I believe the Prime Minister must now take the appropriate steps in removing both the Minister and his Permanent Secretary.”
Prime Minister Hou made a personal visit to the National Referral Hospital
PRIME Minister Hou made a personal visit to the National Referral Hospital and National Medical store to see for himself the situation.
Earlier in the morning he had a Conference with mainstream Media and revealed that as of Thursday 19 July 2018, stock level of essential drugs at NRH are as follows:
(a) 30 percent of essential drugs now in stock compared to only 10 percent three days earlier on 16th July.
(b) 32 percent of essential drugs available but in low stock compared to 48 percent three days earlier and
(c) 38 percent are out of stock compared to 48 percent earlier.
Stock levels at National Medical Stores as of Thursday 19th July are:
(a) 34 percent essential drugs now in stock
(b) 27 percent essential drugs available but in low stock and
(c) 39 percent are out of stock.
“We have seen improvements in the stock of levels of essential drugs resulting from receipt of some of our orders over the past week – but no where near improvement”, PM Hou said.
Meanwhile 1.4 million Amoxycillin capsules, 90,000 Procaine penicillin injections, 60,000 Benthazune Pencillin injections, 2,000 Atropine sulphate injections and 500 Ketamine injections will be airlifted from Brisbane on Friday 20th July 2018.
Again Hou reiterates that this is NOT a funding issue. There is money for the drugs. The process is what has delayed the supply of medicines.
Member provincial Assembly for Avuavu Ward and Minister of Sports
Patrick Koeolia (second from right) making the hand over of balls on Wednesday..
Picture Taromane Martin.
G-CUP end of August
By Taromane Martin
Member provincial Assembly for Avuavu Ward and Minister of Sports Patrick Koeolia (second from right) making the hand over of balls on Wednesday.. Picture Taromane Martin.
THE Guadalcanal Football Association (GFA) has started handing out soccer balls to coaches from each of the wards that took part in last month’s level one basic coaching course.
GFA Assistant Sports Coordinator Mr Francis Loxie said the aim is to give the coaches motivations to kick start preparations in hosting their league and teams for the proposed Guadalcanal Cup happening end of August.
“The balls were requested by province and GFA to be given to each of the ward participants who took part in the recent two weeks level one grass roots coaching course,” Mr Loxie explained.
“We wanted to issue each of the 27 coaches’ two balls each so they can go back to their wards and organise leagues to select their teams in preparation for the upcoming GFA Ward inter championship next month.
“I also want to urge all ward members because the province second appointed day is next month and some of the wards for example like Birau Ward will be hosting their soccer competitions to mark the day.
“Therefore I urge all provincial ward members to kindly assist their ward teams and organisers for the competitions,” he said.
Meanwhile Mr Chris Saeni said he is thankful to GFA for the assistance and looks forward to hosting their league soon to select players for the G-Cup.
“I want to first of all thank GFA for the balls. Already word has gone out to our boys back home and next week we should meet to start preparations.
“Thank you again to GFA for the donations and we look forward to competing in the upcoming G-Cup next month,” he said.
The handover ceremony yesterday was done by Member for Avuavu Ward and provincial Minister for Sports Honourable Patrick Koealia at the provincial Head quarter building at Rita Eleven.
THE draws of the 2018 Emerging Nations World Championship (ENWC) were released Monday this week.
The ENWC is a world rugby league tournament held for Tier Two and Tier Three Nations and this year will mark its third edition which will take place across three Sydney venues in Australia starting on October 1.
Solomon Islands is classed as a Tier Three Nation by the International Rugby League Federation and therefore will only play against Hong Kong and Turkey in the Pool matches scheduled for October 1 and October 7, respectively.
With a total of 11 nations taking part, teams were drawn from Europe, Asia and the Pacific, split in three pools.
The countries have been placed into two pools of three teams and one of five, based on their current world ranking.
Solomon Islands was drawn into Pool C along with Hong Kong, Turkey, Poland and Japan.
The top two nations from Pools A and B will contest the World Championship, whilst those in Pool C will compete alongside the ones eliminated from the Championship for the Trophy and Bowl competitions, thereby giving every side four games.
Head of the ENWC organising committee, Tas Baitieri, commented: “We have specifically grouped the nations according to their experience so that all players can enjoy great competition at the correct level and with proper regard for their welfare. I would like to thank the Rugby League International Federation for their support of this great festival of Rugby League.”
“Seeing this array of nations from across much of the globe competing in a rugby league championship shows the vibrancy of the international game,” said RLIF CEO Nigel Wood.
“One of the RLIF’s strategic aims is to continue to grow the sport as the demand for it increases, and as these nations continue to develop so will their domestic leagues. I have no doubt many will eventually take their place in qualifications for future Rugby League World Cups.”
Charles Mani and Hamilton Pao are eager to help Solomon Islands qualify into its first FIFA World Under-17 World
Cup. Picture by Benz Newman
Duo enthusiastic to help Solomon Islands qualify into first under-17 world cup
BY ROMULUS HUTA
Charles Mani and Hamilton Pao are eager to help Solomon Islands qualify into its first FIFA World Under-17 World Cup. Picture by Benz Newman
TWO members of the national under-16 soccer squad are keen on helping Solomon Islands attain a maiden qualification into the FIFA Under-17 World Cup.
Meet Charles Mani from Malaita and Hamilton Pio from Western Province.
The16 year olds are two of the more than 20 players in the squad who are training under coach Stanley Waita in preparation for the OFC U-16 qualifies in Honiara come September.
Mani is very excited with the opportunity given to him by national selectors.
Mani earned selection after an outstanding performance for Malaita Province in the Youth Solomon Cup Under-19 hosted earlier this year.
Initially received a call to join the national under-19 squad, the young lad who hails from Lau/Mbaelelea Constituency had to be moved down to the under-16 side due to age factor.
“I played in the national under-19 competition this year and that’s how I got selected.
“But due to age factor, the coach had to move me down to join the national under-16 team.
“It’s their decision but I’m happy about it because I will get to play with players at my actual age group,” says the striker who also plays for Telekom S-League outfit Malaita Kingz.
“I’m very excited about this selection.
“This is an honour and an opportunity which comes with a huge responsibility.
“The competition we are training for is the qualifiers for next year’s Under-17 world cup.
“If we make it through the qualifiers and qualify into the world cup, this would come as a dream come true for me.
“I’m confident to say this as a member of the host nation team that if we play according to plan, we will qualify into the world cup,” the fifth form student at Naha High School, said.
Since teaming up with the training squad months ago, Mani admits to have learnt a lot from his coaches and other senior players.
“The trainings we went through over the past months and weeks helped me a lot. I learnt a lot from our coach. This level is very different from the level I’m used to it.
“A lot of hard trainings were put to us and we’re improving day by day.
“There are some days where I had to seek God for guidance through prayers so that he can help me excel in representing my country,” the speedy forward said.
Like Mani, Hamilton Pao is one of the players selected into the under-16 squad after impressing selectors when as the team captain, led his home provincial side to triumph in the Youth Solomon Cup Under-16 competition held in January.
During the Youth Solomon Cup, Pao was employed as a striker. But upon his selection, he finds himself playing in a new position on the right wing, as recommended by coach Stanley Waita.
“I’m privileged to have earned a place in the squad.
“I have a very big dream which I would like to see materialized.
“The under-16 championship this year in Honiara would be huge.
“There is the FIFA Under-17 world cup waiting for us. If we do well, we might see us rubbing shoulders with all of the world’s best in the world cup at our level.
“Like any footballer, the world cup is the biggest stage of all football competitions and I don’t want to miss out as well.
“But we have to take each game as they come and have to win matches in the qualifiers first,” the sixth form Beulah School student, said.
“As someone who came a long way from home in Western Province, I see my selection as a very big opportunity for me.
“It has been my aim all along that I must earn selection and it actually paid off. I’m so fortunate.
“Over the past months, the trainings we’ve been through helped us a lot.
“I’m a proud Solomon Islander and I really look forward to wearing the national colours during the Oceania qualifiers.
“We also need a lot of support inorder to get to the world cup. We cannot do it by ourselves. If the home fans rally good support behind us, we can get there,” the soft-spoken winger said.
The OFC U-16 championship will run from September 9 to 22 in Honiara.
The two top winners emerging from the competition will qualify into the next year’s FIFA Under-17 World Cup in Peru.
Solomon Islands was drawn in Group A with New Zealand, PNG and Vanuatu.
In Pool B are Samoa, New Caledonia, Tahiti and Fiji.
The national under-16 squad will leave for Japan next Wednesday to undergo a 16-day training camp before returning to Honiara next month.
(LEFT - RIGHT) Western Province President of the Council of Women Ms Reddy Solomon and the President of the
FAMOA Women’s Council Mrs Maria Goretti Kotaru.
Women launches policy document
BY ALFRED PAGEPITU
GIZO
WESTERN province Women’s Empowerment and Transformation Policy for Development was officially launched in Gizo, Western Province yesterday.
Women leaders from all 26 wards in the province and women’s organizations in Gizo, and representatives from UN Women/ UNPBF, the Western Province Government and the Ministry of Women, Youth, Children and Family Affairs witnessed the launching.
This is a very proud moment for the women of Western Province, having their own Women’s Empowerment and Transformation Policy for Development. A policy that provides clear direction for the province to address issues affecting women and girls, and their participation and inclusion in development in the province.
Presidents from ward 1 to 16 whom participating at the Policy launching
Speaking at the launching ceremony, Hon Oelyn Muala said this policy comes about because of the high regard the Western Provincial Government has for women.
“I wish to thank my predecessor former Minister for Women Hon. Leong Mamu, for the initiative to develop this policy; and the support and commitment throughout the whole process of its consultation and eventually its endorsement by the previous government.”
(LEFT – RIGHT) Western Province President of the Council of Women Ms Reddy Solomon and the President of the FAMOA Women’s Council Mrs Maria Goretti Kotaru.
“I want to acknowledge the contribution by women and men from the following communities that were identified and consulted; Seghe in the Marovo lagoon, Ugele, Munda, Gizo, Vonunu, and Maleai in the Shortlands,” said Mrs Muala.
Muala said the wide consultative approach ensured this policy is well informed especially the participation of rural women and men to ensure fair representation of voices contributing to the policy.
“I want to also thank the chiefs, village elders, church leaders, women leaders, women groups, youths and families for offering your time and contributions that has provided the direction for this policy”.
Western Province Women Desk Officer Ms Lisi Wong said Women in Western Province marks another milestone and history in its own making.
The women’s policy was endorsed by the Western Province Government in May and supported by UN Women through the UN Peace building Fund (UNPBF). Other partnering stakeholders are the Ministry of Women, Youth, Children and Family Affairs and the Ministry of Provincial Government and Institutional Strengthening.
THE International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources, Oceania Regional Office, in partnership with the Governments of Austria, Italy, Luxembourg, and Spain, has supported Sirubai Voko tribe Association, with solar project.
Sirubai Voko tribe Association at Pusiju village, Vella la Vella Island, Western Province has praised the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources, Oceania Regional Office, in partnership with the Governments of Austria, Italy, Luxembourg, and Spain with this small grant.
Henry Kaniki told Island Sun Gizo yesterday the title of the project is; Pusiju Community Copra Buying Solar Project.
Mr Kaniki said the main aim of this project is to create economic opportunity for local people to meet their needs whilst sacrificing their forest for conservation.
He said the small grant was up to USD 20,000 and it was targeted for energy focused project on community micro-enterprise development and conservation nature and providing nature based solutions to development challenges.
Kaniki said Sirubai Voko Tribe Association (SVTA) is a community based organisation from Pusiju village, Vella La Vella Island that was initiated by the community themselves.
Meanwhile team leader Mr Tapera Bird of Superfly Limited says his team is very excited about the partnership.
He said his company is glad to see sustainable development happening in very remote places such as Pusiju community.
Also speaking on the occasion, Chief of Sirubai Voko Tribe Caleb Bukiri acknowledges the support received from IUCN.
“This has become a history for my people”.
Mr Bukiri said the project will not only support the people of Sirubai Voko Tribe but will also benefit the entire community of Sirubai region.
“Over the past years we have received partners (NGO), donors, Government Ministries, Church leaders on our shore thus this project will also benefit the general public”.
Also Mrs Keithy Tovakera, expressed her gratitude towards the project as it will empower the women and girls in creating livelihood activities that will in return meet the needs of their family.
The project is expected to be officially launched at the end of this year and SVTA is hoping to get the donor and relevant partners to the project site to witness the project success.
