THE Asian Thien Seng Wong alleged of human trafficking has been released on bail yesterday.
He is released on bail awaiting his trial in relation to his case.
The court upon releasing the accused imposed strict bail conditions which he is expected to abide by.
This is the case of 55-year-old Mr Wong from Malaysia, an employee of a Malaysian logging giant Earthmovers, and he is facing count of human trafficking under the section 77 of the Immigration Act 2012.
He was accused of carrying out internal human trafficking for the purpose of sexual exploitation between November 30, 2015 and January 2016.
Prosecution alleged that he had a sexual relationship with a 13-year-old girl in 2015 up until 2016.
The alleged incident occurred at a logging camp in Isabel province where the accused was working as a manager at the logging camp at the time of the alleged incident.
Prosecution said the father of the girl was also working at that logging camp.
The camp belongs to Jubilant Development Logging, an offshoot of Earth Movers logging company.
That logging company has a camp in Isabel as well as in Vella La Vella.
It was alleged the accused started living with the girl at the Isabel logging camp.
He also took the girl with him when he was transferred to the camp at Vella La Vella.
The accused was arrested after a joint operation made up of police and immigration officers investigated the matter following a media article.
The office of the Director Public Prosecution appears on behalf of the crown on the case.
DEALINE for the nomination period given to Gizo Kolombangara constituents to nominate candidates for the By-Election is closing in.
The 14-day nomination period started on April 11, 2018 and will close at 4pm tomorrow, April 25, 2018.
The Office of the Solomon Islands Electoral Commission (SIEC) wishes to advise constituents and intending candidates of Gizo Kolombangara constituency, of the looming deadline.
SIEC in a press statement advised that completed nomination forms must be received with a non-refundable nomination fee of $2000, not later than the deadline.
“All contesting candidates must file their nomination with the Returning Officer no later than 4pm Wednesday, April 25,” the statement said.
Nomination forms can be collected from the Office of the Solomon Islands Electoral Commission in Honiara or from the Returning Officer, Mr Christian Siale, in Gizo.
SIEC encourages constituents and intending contestants to file their nomination well away from the closing time to avoid any disappointment of their nomination being rejected because of non-compliance with the law.
“Filing your nomination much earlier will allow you to correct any errors that would have ruled your nomination invalid if found to be incomplete by 4pm, April 25.”
SIEC added that a draw will be conducted at the close of nominations to determine the standing of candidates on a ballot paper.
This ballot paper draw will determine the order in which names of candidate will appear on the ballot paper and it is important that intending candidates or their agents are there to witness the draw.
Any candidate who wants to withdraw his/her candidacy for this by-election can do so before Saturday April 28, 2018.
His Excellency the Governor General Sir Frank Ofagiro Kabui officially proclaimed Wednesday, May 23, 2018 as the date for the Gizo Kolombangara By-Election.
The people of Gizo Kolombangara Constituency in the Western Province have had no national parliamentary representative since November 30, 2017 when their elected member of parliament lost his seat in a successful election petition against his election to the 10th Parliament.
SIEC would like to advise people of Gizo Kolombangara constituency, to continue to listen to SIBC and Radio Happy Lagoon, as well as other media outlets including SIEC’s Facebook page for updates regarding important activities in the lead up to the By-Election.
One of the forgotten roads which has just about 5 percent or less in its value as a road and if no work is done on it soon, could lose its status completely. This
is the same to many other roads around Honiara.
By Gary Hatigeva
HAZARDOUS potholed roads across Honiara including those in most urban centres in the provinces are ‘forgotten’.
With little or no attention set on a lot of the feeder roads in suburbs and residential areas in and around Honiara City, people are beginning to question whether the government through responsible authorities still have ownership or direct responsibility over them.
These are some of the scathing views and frustrations many residents have raised regarding the status of a lot of their roads.
Frustrations have pointed towards what many described to be continued deterioration of most feeder roads, which are slowing turning into drainage access for running water when heavy rain falls.
A visit to the St Nicholas School goes to prove what have been highlighted, and a lot of those residing around the area especially parents and staff who use the access on a weekly basis, are concerned over the conditions of roads, which is believed to have already caused problems to most of their vehicles.
Meanwhile, a follow up with the Honiara City Council only to be referred to the Ministry of Infrastructure Development (MID) as all repairs and maintenance of all roads come under their rehabilitation programs.
Road coming down from the St. Nicholas College inside the Central Honiara Constituency.
However, with no allocation in this year’s budget for any road maintenance or repairs, people are beginning to question the system and MID over its capacity to look after these roads, which they believe received more attention when responsibilities came directly under the HCC.
“MID surely has a lot of bigger projects and contracts to worry about and should therefore give it back to the City Council through its responsible divisions to look after the issue of maintaining and repairing all feeder roads.
“And indeed local residents may well remember that local roads used to be kept in a far better condition.
“This was when Honiara city council acted as the Highways agency for this area and spent the grant funding in areas where local knowledge and experience helped on deciding where limited funds could be spent.
“Since MID took this function away from HCC, the state of our roads has gone from bad to worse, we are now seemingly almost forgotten,” one resident expressed when interviewed regarding this issue.
One of the forgotten roads which has just about 5 percent or less in its value as a road and if no work is done on it soon, could lose its status completely. This is the same to many other roads around Honiara.
A lot of those interviewed from different suburbs around Honiara have also shared similar sentiments, saying that despite the impact of the recent bad weather, most of the feeder roads experiencing the same situation, have been left in a poor condition, something many agreed have been there for years.
“Our roads and pavements here in Honiara and in the provinces seem to be deteriorating and while I appreciate we’ve had difficult weather, it’s no excuse.
“While this may well be an issue of cuts in funding to local authorities due to decisions from the national government, the issue of potholes and road deterioration is not something that only pops up yesterday, it is a matter that continued to haunt us every day for the last 10 years, especially those of us using vehicles to move around these roads,” a resident from Vura also expressed
In addition, another St Nicholas resident who also asked not to be named however claimed that members of parliament who are seen as the last hope into solving these issues through their ever growing influences and being recipients of machineries for road projects are hopeless.
He said most the parliamentarians use these bad roads almost every day, which is a very unfortunate affair, because they have intentionally chosen to turn blind eyes on them.
“This is because they too are gambling with the people for favour and votes within the election circuit, using a lot of these affected roads as their black jack,” the disappointed resident shared.
The St Nicholas resident interestingly recalled and claimed that the last time he remembered repairs were done to their road was before the last election, and has been ignored to date.
“And I hope it is not repeated this time round knowing that elections are just around the corner, but I urge the general public not to be fooled or deceived by these tricksters with their dodgy political games.
“We only hope that the responsible authorities start getting their acts together and do their job, because we don’t want to see politicians becoming road experts again.”
LOCAL music sensation, Samson Saeni, who is better known as Sharzy, will travel and perform in Vanuatu early next month in an effort to raise money to support fight breast cancer in the Pacific region.
Pati Potts of Papua New Guinea will join Sharzy on this tour. They will put on a one-day show at Korman Stadium on May 5.
The Vanuatu concert is the first of a Pacific region tour Sharzy plans. Tickets for this show have been sold like hot cakes in Port Vila.
Sharzy said his intention to stage the Pacific tour follows the passing away of his wife of breast cancer last year.
He said after the passing of his wife he came up with a plan to tour every country in the region and perform to raise money to support breast cancer programmes in the region.
He said Vanuatu was chosen as the first country for this planned regional tour since he found out that the country has no equipment to diagnose cancer.
Sharzy is still working on how he will organise a corporate dinner to raise money for the same purpose.
He said he has grown mature in the music business and he has reached a point where he wants to support a cause.
The award winning musician said fighting breast cancer is the first cause he is taking on.
Sharzy said Fiji and Papua New Guinea are the next two countries after Vanuatu.
“I initiated this idea and it got a lot of positive feedbacks. As for artists that wish to join in this programme, it depends which artist is interested as for me, I am going,” Sharzy said.
Sharzy will leave for Vanuatu on May 3 and return to the country on May 9.
Officials attending the official launching of Bethlehem’s Bio-gas project.
BY LYNTON AARON FILIA
Young people demonstrate Bio-gas usages.
THE Bethlehem Chapel Youth (BCY) ministry launched its bio-gas project on Thursday April 19, 2018.
The Bethlehem Chapel Youth Ministry is a faith-based youth group located at the Tuvaruhu community just along the Mataniko River.
It became officially registered under Honiara City Council-Youth Division in July 2016.
Through this registration, BCY established a partnership with Oxfam Solomon Islands.
On Thursday last week, BCY with youth stakeholders in the country launched its bio-gas project which emphasises innovative aspects to address environmental problems especially organic wastes through approach of anaerobic respiration reaction.
BCY Ministry youth leader Dr Joel Iio said they are excited with such achievement which is a result of young people’s innovation to change their community.
He said they have faced many challenges when constructing the bio-digester.
“It has been noted that nearly majority of materials used were different materials for different purposes but modified to serve the purpose of the bio-digester,” Iio said.
The elder for BCY ministry Mr Bobby Kelly said the youths are doing their part in saving the environment.
Mr Kelly who has been supporting BCY youths all along through the construction of the bio-gas system.
Speaking on behalf of the Honiara Youth Council, HYC coordinator Mr Bobby Siarani congratulated the BCY ministry for their fine achievement.
“We have been looking forward to witness the success of the bio-gas project since it has been submitted through proposal and presentation.
Officials attending the official launching of Bethlehem’s Bio-gas project.
“We encourage young people and youth groups in Honiara to venture into innovative approaches to solve some of our social issues.
“Not only that this can be seen as a form of development for our society especially when it comes to new technology such as the bio-gas.”
Representative from Oxfam Solomon Islands Mr Neil Nuia expressed his excitement about the success of the bio-gas project.
He said they have been waiting to witness the lighting of the bio-gas system which has been heard about for the past six to seven months.
Nuia adds witnessing the success of the project is also a success for Oxfam as a donor partner to the project.
The Youth Desk of the Honiara City Council Mrs Mary Tuhaika acknowledged the BCY’s commitment towards youth development in Honiara.
She said such initiative is a combined effort from young peoples’ commitment, passion, drive and the technical know-how of their elders.
“BCY’s innovative project is a huge success and a realisation of youth potential, when given relevant support,” she adds.
The Bio-gas project of Bethlehem Chapel Youth funded by Oxfam Solomon Islands under the Statim Faia project.
BY LYNTON AARON FILIA
The Bio-gas project of Bethlehem Chapel Youth funded by Oxfam Solomon Islands under the Statim Faia project.
THE Bethlehem Chapel Youth (BCY) ministry is focusing on expanding its project to rural areas, targeting environmental and sanitation aspirations.
A youth group at Tuvaruhu named Bethlehem Chapel Youth Ministry, which is a community faith-based group, looks at expanding its successfully launched bio-gas project.
BCY Ministry youth leader Dr Joel Iio said BCY Ministry currently is focusing on expanding its project especially by introducing the bio-gas system to rural areas.
He said their initiative will directly address environmental and sanitation issues.
Iio explains the Bio-gas technology contains organic wastes (leftover household food, poultry and piggery manure) which produce methane gas for cooking.
The bio-gas technology has been developed and used way back in ancient Persia, when ancient scholars discovered flammable gas produced from rotting and decomposed vegetables.
To date, the bio-gas technology and the concept of bio-gas has been introduced in various third world countries as well as developing countries.
However, it is not common in the Solomon Islands and the knowledge of producing a bio-gas system is not available locally and the model produced by the BCY ministry will be the first of its kind to be locally produced.
The BCY ministry took the initiative through the Oxfam Statim Faia project to do a youth experiment of producing bio digesters that will produce methane gas for cooking.
“As a result, the experiment proved successful as we are able to produce methane gas for cooking which actually produces flames,” Iio said.
OWNER of the Advance Technology has clarified speculations alleging his new business complex is on sale with intentions to contest in the upcoming National General Election.
It has been debated between people of East Are’are in Malaita province and customers that Hudson Wakio, Managing Director and owner of the Advanced Technology, plans to sell the newly opened commercial complex – ATL building.
It is discussed that Advanced Technology proposes to sell it at $48 million, while its development expenses stands at $24 million.
It is noted that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFT) had shown interest but was turned down by cabinet due to internal matters related to the current Member of Parliament for East Are’are, Mr Andrew Manepora’a.
A spokesman, who requested anonymity, said Cabinet turned down the proposal because it’s very costly.
Also it is said Mr Wakio wants to compete in the upcoming national election, and that the money from the sale is meant to cater for logistics, campaign expenses and other related matters.
In response, Wakio said he is not intending to run in the upcoming National General Election or interested in politics but is willing to support a particular candidate he believes has a heart for people of Solomon Islands.
He said currently he supports Peter Kenilorea Junior who is an intending candidate who will contest for the East Are’are constituency in Malaita province.
“I am not interested to try to run for politics now or in next 10 years or so but if I wanted to, I’m 100 percent sure to win because people of East Are’are wants me more than anyone and whoever I support people will follow me,” Wakio said.
With regards to his commercial building, Wakio explained he has no intention of selling it but it’s the Solomon Islands Government that needs a building to house MFAET and an international organisation in the country.
“So they choose ATL because it is a four storey building which has enough space,” he adds.
Wakio adds, “I accepted MFAET’s offer not because of the intention to just sale it or any issue with bank or external issues but it is because I see it as an opportunity as such amount will never come often.”
It was reportedly MFAET’S plan to purchase because their current office complex’s owner sold it at $38M.
The Ministry is said to be looking at three options, which are Sea King building cost around SBD$30 plus million and ATL building is at SBD$45M not the 48M, he explained.
Wakio explained $48M is a valuation of SIG but his offer is $45M, and value to ANZ bank is $43M, and currently it is reduced to $40M by a Singaporean evaluation.
“Why I put $45M because $40M value is only for the house but not including the new extension which is currently underway,” Wakio said.
Meanwhile, Advanced Technology is currently undergoing major improvement with additional extension which comprises of a new IT room, phone shop, vehicles parking area and other business matters.
This new expansion will make enough space for Advance Technology officers and service deliveries to their valued customers when completed.
DEAR EDITOR, last week, several women from communities surrounding the Aaliua Taiwan Technical Mission farm in Central Kwara’ae were given farming and technical advice to add to their own practical knowledge of local farming practices.
The manager of the mission, Samson Hsu, reportedly gave the women detailed advice on the three vital aspects of farming, namely nutrition, water and adequate sunlight. Mr. Hsu also gave guidance on crop rotation, fertilization and soil quality.
A similar Technical Mission exists in Swaziland where Taiwanese instructors give similar, practical advice on farming methods and procedures to local people.
From my knowledge of the Taiwan Technical Mission’s work in Swaziland, I can say how beneficial the mission’s work has been to improving the quantity and quality of locally grown food crops, including strawberries.
Taiwan’s assistance to farmers in the Solomon Islands, especially in the rural areas, is important to helping rural people cope with food production at a time when climate change is thought to be responsible for changing weather situations that affect the cultivation and harvesting of stable foods.
I hope the ROC Government will continue to help rural communities in the Solomon Islands in practical ways that have tangible and positive outcomes for the people generally considered to be struggling to make ends meet.
DEAR EDITOR, more than 20 years ago when I worked in the Solomons, I frequently raised concerns about waste disposal, littering and rubbish in Honiara and coined the phrase, ‘Civic Pride’ as being a necessary element to motivate and encourage its citizens to properly dispose of their garbage and to ensure the city environment was clean and pollution free.
Judging from the comments of the Deputy Prime Minister last week when he participated, along with other volunteers, in cleaning-up the beach at the Yacht Club, I rather gather that not much has changed in the intervening 20 years since I left.
Mr. Sogavare was quoted in one local newspaper as saying that rubbish or waste management and marine pollution are depressing formidable challenges.
The Deputy PM went on to say, “I must admit we in Solomon Islands have a very long way to go. Just look around Honiara and you can see litter especially plastics everywhere, along the roads and streets, in the drains and waterways, drainage system and along our beaches and seashores.”
Much could be achieved if only people would dispose of their rubbish properly in bins provided by the Honiara City Council and desist from polluting the streets, rivers, waterways and streams with plastic bags, plastic bottles and plastic of all kinds, from wrapping to containers.
Perhaps the HCC does not yet provide enough bins and, should that be the case, more should be supplied, and extra efforts put into stopping vandalism of municipal property, often the reason for there not being enough rubbish disposal bins on the streets.
Papua New Guinea has just introduced legislation, following the lead set earlier by Vanuatu, in banning plastic bags and similar moves are being considered in other small Pacific nations.
Many in the Solomon Islands have said banning plastics at home should also be given consideration, but enforcement of such a ban might need careful study if indeed legislation was to be examined.
In March this year, New Zealand’s Deputy Prime Minister, Winston Peters, signaled that the New Zealand Government would invest more time and resources in being a “true partner” to Pacific Island countries. He mentioned in particular NZ requiring making global efforts in curbing the inundation of plastic waste.
He commented that it was important to reduce the amount of damaging waste in the Pacific arising from New Zealand’s use of plastic and the lack of adequate waste management systems was sorely evident throughout the Pacific He explained that New Zealand was looking to assist Pacific Island countries with better waste (management).
It could be opportune for the Solomon Islands Government to seek New Zealand advice and possible assistance, following on Mr. Peter’s words, to improve local waste management systems and procedures.
First and foremost, however, people at home must be more concerned about disposing of their personal garbage with an eye to a cleaner, healthier environment and the concept of ‘Civic Pride’ in their national capital and indeed throughout the Solomon Islands.
DEAR EDITOR, I have also shared the same concerns raised by Mr Dausabea regarding the significant increase of NPF management salaries.
This is too much and quite alarming for NPF to pay that huge salary package for its managers, hence the board must be crazy and out of its mind to endorse such incompetence financial management decision.
There are bigger issues which NPF needs to immediately address and one of the major ones is lack of maintaining its properties conditions in order to sustain its physical structure and improve its book value.
Furthermore, there is no further improved innovation of investments strategies and accomplishments.
Besides, as Solomon Islander, I don’t want to see NPF go down the same pathway of the former Development Bank of Solomon Islands (DBSI).
So sad to say that the action taken by NPF board and management is just like a shadow or copy paste strategy which killed off DBSI forever.
NPF board needs to make decisions based on its duty of care and due diligence to act and protect the interests of NPF, its members and stakeholders.
PM Hou and Minister of Finance must act and intervene asap to save our Provident Fund’s lifesaving scheme.
