HONIARA City council (HCC) says there will be no by-election for ward-12 this year.
HCC explains that its decision not to hold by-elections is because the council will be dissolved in December this year.
This was revealed by HCC office in an exclusive interview yesterday following concerns raised by ward-12 residents over past weeks.
“At the moment we are preparing for the election coming up, so for the ward 12 by-elections, for now will not be possible, choose your new member for council’s election coming up,” HCC Office said.
Council Office clarified that it was HCC who asked the Ministry of Home Affairs to give them funds of $155,000 to conduct the by-election.
However, result was negative, and it turn out HCC was requested to use the service grant which is a different grant allocation.
Chief Steve Firibae, an outspoken leader from the ward 12 constituency, had earlier called on the Honiara City Council to clarify what has happened to funds meant for the by-election.
He had claimed that the HCC had misused the fund.
He also adds ward 12 had been neglected for almost three years and people want to know its grant allocation yearly and requested if an audit is conducted.
Chief Firibae said, “There are lots of young people who do nothing, so I think it is better for young people to apply for the ward grant and done something worthwhile for their lives.
“But at this point of time, we did not know where the ward grant is, what has been done to it, and we want the City Major and City Clerk to explain to us.”
THE case of former Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Infrastructure Development Henry Aife Murray will again be heard today in the Honiara Magistrate Court after it was adjourned yesterday.
The case came before the court yesterday for sentencing and mitigation submissions.
However that was not done yesterday as the defence will be making an application for ‘stay’ on the case in regards to sentencing, and court adjourned the case for today so that the lawyers can sort out the documents before submitting.
Mr Murray was charged with 14 counts of official corruption contrary to section 91(a) of the Penal Code Cap 26.
He was initially charged with his wife but after the trial was conducted, court found the wife not guilty of the charges.
Murray was charged in relation to an allegation relating to a series of offences alleged between 2014 to 2017 in relation to multiple payments of motor vehicle hire charges to a company that police alleged was registered to him and his wife.
The allegations said that the value of those payments is estimated to the excess of 1.1 million dollars.
Prosecution alleged that the payments were allegedly made through cheques and electronic fund transfers, which were deposited into their ANZ account under the name of Krash Transport and Marketing.
L & L lawyers are representing both defendants while the office of the Director Public Prosecution is prosecuting the case.
AN arson case had to be adjourned yesterday because the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) has not responded to a memo.
The court was told yesterday that DPP is yet to respond to the memo, which is related to the accused men who were charged with arson.
Public Prosecutor John Zoze said all other disclosures in regards to the charges have already been sent to the defence lawyers.
Zoze also sought a short adjournment on the case to allow the DPP time to consider the memo.
However, the defence lawyer said that the medical report is yet to be provided.
But Mr Zoze said there were two medical reports of the two victims provided previously to one of the lawyers at PSO.
This is the case against Belia Samson Fredric, John Kemabule, Michael Belande and Peter Rande.
The men were charged with arson in relation to an incident which occurred early this year.
A lawyer from the Public Solicitor’s Office who appeared for the accused men also informed the court that the accused were ready to take their plea but since the prosecution needed more time they had no objection to any adjournment.
Principal Magistrate Jim Seuika then adjourned the case to May 18 for the accused to take their plea and also for the DPP to consider the memo sent to him.
MEMBER of parliament for
Rennell and Bellona, Dr Kaitu'u Tautai Angikimua
Renbel MP Agikimua accused of lying about his stand over mining on Rennell
BY BARNABAS MANEBONA
MEMBER of parliament for Rennell and Bellona, Dr Kaitu’u Tautai Angikimua
MEMBER of parliament for Rennell and Bellona is accused of being ‘two-faced’ over the issue of mining in Rennell.
Concerned constituents of Renbel alleged to Island Sun that MP Dr Kaituu Agikimua presents himself to be against mining operations on Rennell, but in reality has signed his land over to be mined.
Agikimua had earlier published an ‘explanation’ publicly via Facebook page Forum Solomon Islands International (FSII) on April 21, 2018, which implied that he is against mining on Rennell.
However, early this month, documents surfaced which challenged Agikimua’s self-claimed stand against mining in Rennell.
A letter, addressed to the general manager of Bintan Mining company and copied to the attention of the Director of Mines, dated November 26, 2017, showed the MP as a co-signatory allowing mining operations into his land.
This revelation has led constituents to question the integrity of their MP, saying he is claiming to be a champion in the people’s fight against mining in Rennell but in practice, he is actively allowing mining to continue.
Agikimua, in his FSII statement, had blamed the Lilo-government for hastily signing Rennell over to be mined, and detailed his efforts to stop mining in Rennell, which he claims were futile because the government had ignored him.
“I raised this mining issue at all levels, in caucus cabinet and in parliament. No one listen as the government (Lilo) approved the mining to go ahead and the LOs signed up to have their land mined.”
He concluded with the all-too-familiar cliché of passing-the-buck over to landowners to be the frontline against mining: “The only way to stop the mining continuing is, LOs not to sign up with Bintan/APID. The mining will continue as long as APID has a legal ML and LOs sign up to have their land mined.”
In contrast, the letter which was published in one of Renbel’s Facebook fora, paints a different picture of Agikimua. He is a co-signatory with five other landowners of the Tehakamagoku land, Central Rennell, in the letter, which states: “We the undersigned are remnant and true traditional customary landowners of the said land (Tehakamagoku).
“We have met recently on a very important meeting and had unanimously resolved to consent our land to sought after a better agreement with your company to mine our land.”
Concerned Renbel public, responding to the revealed documents in social media, have decried the Renbel MP as ‘lying to the people of Renbel and Solomon Islands’, and being of ‘double standard’.
Speaking to Island Sun on condition of anonymity, a senior figure in Honiara’s Rennell community, says, “We accept Honourable’s [Agikimua] explanation about how hard it is to just simply stop mining in west Rennell. However, what we don’t accept is that he paints himself as siding with the people of Renbel against mining and pursuing their plight, and even advising people [landowners] not to sign land over to mining companies, when he had in fact signed his very own land to be mined. That is totally unacceptable.”
Another concerned Rennell woman, speaking on anonymity, says, “We feel betrayed because we had thought the MP [Agikimua] was with us against mining in west Rennell. The letter showing his signature is making us lose hope. He should just come out clear in the first place. If this letter had not surfaced, we would still be fooled into thinking that he [Agikimua] is with us against mining.”
Meanwhile, Renbel’s Constituency Development Officer (CDO) Mr Timothy Johnston, who is reportedly a very close relative of MP Agikimua, confirmed the letter’s authenticity on Facebook, however defended it as a means of protecting their land.
“We signed up this solidarity Agreement to protect our land and if it is mining, it will not repeat the story of logging,” said the CDO, referring to logging activities during the past on their lands being not dealt fairly.
“Anyway, I am going to revoke our tribe’s signatures now and our land will not be mined by any one and Bintan. Anyone who tries to touch our Land, it will like touching the apple of the eye of our Tribe. Let there be no miscalculation.”
Island Sun had contacted MP Agikimua to gauge his comments over the issue. He texted saying that his side’s explanation over the mining at Renbel has already been detailed on FSII.
When the paper attempted to interview him at his office yesterday, he sent word through his receptionist telling Island Sun to go and see the Minister of Mines instead.
THE report has been passed by the Temotu Provincial Assembly and is now with the Boundary Commission in the national level who has approved the recommendations.
According to provincial secretary, Mr Alan Sepe Agassi, Premier David Maina was responding to the people of Anuta during his visit to the island last week when they requested to become a separate ward on the basis that they have not benefited from ward grants for many years.
He added that the Premier’s presentation of the taskforce report on the ward boundary recommendation for Anuta Island to be a separate ward in the province received a jubilant round of applause.
Agassi mentioned that the island’s spokesman expressed that it is very exciting to have the provincial leader present, describing it as a rare occasion for them which they are very happy about.
He also stated that the spokesman said that the Premier’s effort to visit such a remote place is a clear testament of his concern and seriousness to involve them in the affairs of the province.
The provincial secretary said that the delegation was welcomed with a traditional dance, performed by eight warrior dancers singing traditional tunes only distinct to the islanders.
He noted that after being garlanded, they were then led to meet Anuta’s second chief, Chief Ti Kainanga.
Respecting the island’s tradition, Agassi said all members of the delegation crawled to pay respect to the chief and to be accepted to the island.
He furthered that Maina and his delegation presented two gifts to the chiefs and received traditional mats.
Agassi said that the island is made up of a 300-plus population remotely located with a rough and dangerous landing area.
He stressed that a clinic was built in the past but was destroyed by cyclone and since then has never been replaced.
“On the education service, there is a primary school on the island where all children attend. Higher classes are obtained at Tikopia and other schools in the province.
“Special consideration in terms of design is important for both Tikopia and Anuta. This, the province will approach the government to design such infrastructure services to reflect island features as they have proven durability against strong winds,” said Agassi.
Premier, second from left with chiefs and provincial PS second from right.
BY LORETTA BRIGIDIA MANELE
Premier, second from left with chiefs and provincial PS second from right.
TEMOTU Premier David Maina has been hailed a champion by Tikopia’s Chief John Arikitafua for his visit to the island on May 8, 2018 which also marks the Temotu provincial government’s 35th anniversary.
This is according to provincial secretary, Mr Alan Sepe Agassi who accompanied the premier as part of his 28-member delegation.
He expressed that Maina was congratulated by Tikopia’s second chief, Chief John Arikitafua who expressed that the visit is a first for them.
“We have never experienced a premier of the province visited us and your coming brings joy in our hearts as one people in the province and we fully appreciate your presence,” he said.
Agassi said that before they gathered to meet with the people of the island, Maina and his executive held a small discussion with the chiefs on the possibility of an outright purchase of a piece of land on the island for health services.
He noted that the chiefs expressed preference for a lease arrangement rather than an outright purchase.
All the more, Agassi said that the island chief’s council will make further deliberation on it before informing the province of its determination on the matter which the executive will make a final decision on.
Moreover, he mentioned that the chiefs’ secretary on their behalf and of the people of Tikopia spoke of how grateful they were for the visit, referring to it as a demonstration of how concerned and willing the Premier and his team are in recognising the people of Tikopia which makes them feel part of the province.
Agassi furthered that the secretary also voiced some of the issues facing the community which are the priority of having their provincial clinic rebuilt, water supply support for parts of the community and for an establishment of an economic growth centre nearer to them so that they could easily sell their marine products.
Minister Maneniaru addresses government strong support towards implementation of the FAD programme to 16
constituencies in the Solomon Islands.
BY LYNTON AARON FILIA
Minister Maneniaru addresses government strong support towards implementation of the FAD programme to 16 constituencies in the Solomon Islands.
SOLOMON Islands Government strongly support the Fish Aggregating Device (FAD) programme funded under the Secretariat Pacific Community as it addresses country’s policy objective C.
Minister for Fisheries and Marine Resources Mr John Maneniaru said the current government strongly supports development of the FAD programme in the country.
He said the FAD programme spells out the current government policy objective C which states, ‘to improve and strengthen contribution of small-scale fishing alleviation’.
He also adds it addresses government’s priority areas such as food and nutrition security and socio economic benefits for fishing communities where the FADs will be placed.
Maneniaru said FADs, or locally known as rafters, will help in protecting reefs and improving marine biodiversity which is related to the Sustainable Development Goals.
He said now with the availability of the rafters in 16 constituencies, people will no longer travel long distances in search of fish, and lessens fuel expenses.
He said SPC’s assistance through the FAD materials is a classic positive impact to the livelihood of rural fishing communities in the Solomon Islands.
“As for the management of our coastal fisheries resources, people can now fish around FADs and cut down on fishing activities in the reefs, giving it time for reef fish population and other reef habitat to recover,” Maneniaru said.
With the new rafters, Maneniaru urges communities to respect and cherish them, and if anyone found destroying any rafter will face heavy penalties, according to new Fisheries regulation.
FOOD gardens of Sariana and Bobokuana (Sabo) communities at Northwest Choiseul have been destroyed by heavy rain creating floods and landslides.
According to Mr Nerio Ulemiki the media coordinator for Christ the King Parish at Voruvoru, root crops were washed away by heavy floods and also they were being covered by landslides.
“Sabo communities call on the Natural Disaster Management Office (NDMO) to advice the Choiseul Provincial Disaster Committee in assessing the damages caused and provide relief supplies to the affected families,” said Ulemiki.
Meanwhile for Choiseul province from the Solomon Islands government meteorological services division yesterday, the outlook for today will be fine apart from a few showers and isolated thunderstorms.
DJ Dirty Fingerz pose for a photo during his performance at Heritage Park. Photos by Daniel Kakadi
BY LYNTON AARON FILIA
DJ Dirty Fingerz pose for a photo during his performance at Heritage Park. Photos by Daniel Kakadi
DJ Dirty Fingerz made a stunning double performance with his hiphop and RnB vibes to celebrate Mother’s Day at the Heritage Park Hotel on Friday and Saturday.
Saturday was described as the best night with mothers counting down the clock to mark the mother’s day celebration.
DJ Dirty Fingerz, also known as Brendan Chan on Saturday put on the best DJ performance with combination of appealing dance soundtracks – the island beat, hip hop and RnB.
His sounds made mothers and others attending the show jump off their seats and own the dance floor, singing and cheering happy mother’s day.
Chan also did a performance alongside DJ Walton, a well-known local DJ known for his mixture of Island, hiphop and RnB.
Combination of both artists rocked the dancing floor on Saturday night till late, and it was observed that everyone present had the time of their lives.
The whole night ended peacefully with everyone enjoying the party because there was no arrest and unlawful behaviour from the public who were using the HP premises.
Dirty Fingerz’s show event in Honiara, particularly club HP is part of his Island Night tour with South Pacific artists.
In a nutshell, Dirty Fingerz has done what it takes to make the party matter to the general audience of Honiara, as a young role model in the soundscape of pacific music industry.
DJ Dirty Fingerz has set his sights abroad as he strives to bring his Pacific flavours to international dance floors.
Chan said he was inspired when meeting Dr Dre, a world renowned DJ in the United States and DJ Mustard, an American record producer, record executive, actor, DJ and rapper.
He met both in their studio which then eventually build Mr Chan into the DJ scene of becoming recognised regionally and internationally.
THE media coordinator of Christ the King Parish at Voruvoru, Northwest Choiseul, said their 2018 Financial Year Budget will cover costs of running the parish programs for both spiritual and physical aspects of parishioners.
In his report, he said by looking at the sources of income, the finance committee will engage the parishioner’s activities to fulfil the new budget.
The finance committee of Christ the King Parish at Northwest Choiseul recently held its finance meeting at Sariana Zone.
“In their meeting chaired by the Parish Treasurer Lawrence Kodakana, they deliberately went through the parish 2017 Financial Year report and came up with the 2018 parish Financial Year Budget. The total budget allocated for this year is SBD$218,227,” said Mr Ulemiki.
