By Mike Puia

OWNER of Kavuare dance spot in the Kakabona area in West Honiara, Charles Keku, has been elected as paramount chief of the Tandai House of Chiefs.

The installation committee of the Tandai House of Chiefs confirmed it is planning to hold an instalment ceremony for Keku of Haubata tribe and his deputy, Mariano Mele, at Tanagai school ground on April 21.

Mr Keku collected 19 votes out of 26 votes casted by members of the Tandai House of Chiefs to take up the responsibility.

The election of Keku follows the swearing-in of 27 chiefs into the Tandai House of Chiefs. These chiefs represent five main villages inside Tandai land, the land known for playing host to Honiara city.

Secretary of the installation committee, Michael Ben, confirmed they are pushing to set their house of chiefs in order before the Guadalcanal planned land summit takes place.

Mr Ben said with the election of Keku, they hope he will also attend the summit representing the Tandai House of Chiefs.

It is understood Keku had tried in the past to get into this position.

When asked what responsibilities expected of the paramount chief position, Ben said they have no guideline spelling out the responsibilities of the paramount chief but it generally requires the person in-charge to know the culture and norms of Guadalcanal, has knowledge in solving problems within the tribe and with other tribes and ensuring that Tandai land is well looked after.

This paper was unable to get comments from Keku following his election.

The installation committee plans to present a Talina, high valued traditional shell money, to Keku while Mele will be presented with a Malona, shell money of traditional importance to the province.

BY GEORGE MANFORD

AUKI

THE Anglican Church of Melanesia has been given the green light for its planned national secondary to be built in East Malaita.

According to the diocesan secretary of the Anglican diocese of Malaita, Mr Anthony Maelasi, “the acquisition process has already been done and we are waiting for the national budget to be passed during the June budget sitting later this year from the national government.

He said the school is a national project from the national government for Malaita province under the Anglican Church of Melanesia (ACOM).

This year’s budget from the national government is for the feasibility study and the detail design of the buildings.

So far a fundraising task force is already set up in Honiara to raise funds in support of the school establishment and other means.

The land title of the parcel of land is already with the ACOM for negotiations with the land owners for the outright purchasing of the land, hopefully after the Easter break in few weeks’ time.

POLICE at Auki in the Malaita province have arrested two men in their 40s for allegedly being involved in a break-in of a shop in Auki Town on March 18, 2018.

It is alleged the two men with two others entered the shop at night time and stole about twenty 20kg bags of rice.

Malaita Provincial Police Commander (PPC), Superintendent Timothy Apaesi says, “My investigators have recovered all the stolen twenty 20kg bags of rice believed to be from the said shop.

“The two men arrested have been formally charged and released on bail yesterday to appear before Auki Magistrates Court at a later date.

“I appeal to people in Auki and surrounding communities who may have information about the alleged stealing to come forward to police and provide information.”

Auki Police Station can be contacted on phone number 40132.

–POLICE MEDIA

By Gary Hatigeva

IN Parliament on Monday, Prime Minister Rick Houenipwela proposed with doubt the government’s hopes to introduce the Draft Bill on the Federal Constitution in the next set of Parliament sittings around June or July this year.

The Prime Minister revealed this when responding to the Member of Parliament for Aoke/Langalanga, Matthew Wale who questioned the Hou-led government over its policy regarding the status of the draft.

The Aoke/Langalanga MP also asked if the draft bill is ready, and when parliament will expect to receive the much talked about document.

Island Sun understands that the former government under Manasseh Sogavare’s leadership was very instrumental in driving the draft federal constitution in its initial stage.

The Democratic Coalition for Change Government in its heavy involvement also put in a lot of resources including funds to see the proposal is realised and preparations with hopes to bring it to parliament this year, but the leader was ousted before it was finalised.

However when questioned, Prime Minister Hou explained that his government chose to adopt the former government’s policy framework on what is being said to be a key area and has also taken the initiative to recommit full resources into its near final stage.

He then outlined that work on the draft have completed but only awaits final work on its structure and costing.

He said following the change in government, most work and personnel involved also left and they are in the process of engaging specialists to work on finalising the costs and financials involving components and stages in the process of finalising the document.

He added that there were some setbacks in the technical areas and works on the draft as the important person in-charge had passed away, living a gap for the government to fill up and the government is currently searching for experts to fill the gap, to see that these segment of the document is also finalised.

He further added that there are other small areas in the draft that need thorough attention and his government is working to see that they are fulfilled.

This includes final editing of the document, which involves amendments and corrections to be made on where necessary.

Hou then stressed that while it is also the government’s strong conviction and eagerness to see that the draft federal constitution sees the lights of parliament before the 10th parliament is dissolved, the timing and progress of the document to meet deadline is outside of his control.

He can only hope that those involved and set to be part of the finalization can see the urgency of it (draft federal constitution) to be completed.

The PM’s response on time and progress control over the proposal received mix reactions from members of the opposition and independent groups who felt the Prime Minister is not being true to what he said about the urgency of the draft.

They also suggested that the Prime Minister is not doing enough to ensure works into the draft federal constitution resumed to allow for the final stages to be completed.

Independent MP and Chairman of the Bills and Legislative Committee (BLC), Matthew Wale pointed out and suggested that it is sad programmes and components involved in the draft bill is costing the country a lot of money and yet the Prime Minister turned to ignore all these and seemed not to have control over its progression.

Because so much have already being pumped into its initiation up to where it is now, taking up so much from the last three major government budgets, Wale suggested that the Prime Minister re-strategise and ensure he has full control over the flow of work into the proposal, at the same time put more emphasis on those involved to ensure tax payers’ money being poured into it for the last three years are not wasted.

BY GEORGE MANFORD

AUKI

RELATIVES of a young girl who was found dead in the Auki Traveller Lodge on Christmas Eve are not happy with the delay in police and Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) investigations regarding the case.

This comes after a media release that police are still waiting for a feedback from DPP regarding the medical report of the deceased.

Speaking on behalf of the relatives, John Bitalau questions why the investigation is taking long.

He insists that the result of investigations should not take long because the medical report has already been submitted.

“How long would it take for DPP to review file to assess evidence?

“We are not happy and satisfy with the delay of investigation report. We want the police and director of public prosecution to explain why it takes very long for results of police and medical investigation report.

“We understand that it should not take very long for investigation because police have already aware of the incident,” Mr Bitalau said.

He adds that at the moment some of their relative members are not happy and are proposing ideas to take the law into their hands once the delay continues.

“Some of the relatives are not satisfied, and since last week they stated to get angry demanding police to update the process of their investigation.

” If police and DPP continue to delay the investigation report we may take law into our own hands,” Bitalau said.

According to a recent media report on the 9th of this month (last week) a medical report was received by police and sent to DPP for review.

However police are still waiting on DPP’s review of the file to assess the evidence.

It is understood that investigations are still ongoing and no arrest made yet.

By Mike Puia

KOA Hill-Saua community yesterday apologised to the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) over the recent attack on its officers.

The apology is in relation to an incident in the community last Friday where members of the RSIPF Police Response Team (PRT) were stoned by youth members in the community while they were carrying out a raid on a home that was producing illegal spirit (kwaso).

Two members of PRT were injured as a result. Both injured officers were at the reconciliation ceremony.

Leaders of the community, Charles Fakaia and Robert Lilimae, brought traditional shell money and presented them to the PRT officers and to their department. They also expressed their contrition for what their youths have caused them.

Provincial Police Commander (PPC) for Honiara City, Chief Superintendent Alfred Uiga, told the brief ceremony at the central police station that they are happy that leaders of the community took the initiative to approach the police to settle issues relating to the incident in a traditional way.

“Police has an oath not to accept compensation over injuries sustained during their line of duties. Koa hill-Saua community leaders have insisted so we accept it. I think it’s proper that settle issues in a Melanesian way,” Mr Uiga said.

Uiga said police is doing its work in communities to ensure communities are free of problems.

RSIPF’s Director of National Prevention Centre, Solomon Sisimia, said raiding illegal activities is a normal work of the police and it is doing this work everywhere in the country.

Mr Sisimia said anywhere there is illegal activity, police presence must be expected.

He said they hope to engage leaders of the community to establish a crime prevention committee.

He said there are opportunities where police can help bring programmes into communities to help youths.

Sisimia said this is an area they hope to explore with Koa hill-Saua community.

Representative of the Central Honiara Council of Chiefs, Hardy Fiuramo said police is the only authority mandated by law to maintain peace in our communities.

Mr Fiuramo said it is illegal to take the law to one’s own hand and try to confront police officers while they are doing their work.

Mr Fakaia, who represents Koa Hill-Saua community, said often parents of the community are ones who bear the impact of the actions of their youths.

He said most in their community supports the idea to make a turning point for the community.

Fakaia, who has been residing in the community for about 18 years, said he hopes the new relation they want to forge with the RSIPF will lead to the formation of by-laws in their community to help their community organise itself.

He said they will slowly deal with any illegal issue in their community.

Fakaia admitted it will take time to get their community fully organised as most people in their community are unemployed.

“We have plans on how we can address issues in our community. We are thankful to have started a relationship with the RSIPF,” Fakaia added.

POLICE in Auki, Malaita province are investigating the death of man in his 30s after he allegedly fell off from a vehicle at Kwa’are Bridge near Anokelo, West Fataleka in the Province on March 19, 2018.

It was alleged the deceased was under the influence of alcohol and was one of the 13 passengers sitting behind the vehicle loaded with fuel drums.

It is alleged that when the vehicle bumped into a pot-hole, he fell off onto the road and was injured.

He was then rushed to Fouabu clinic, but unfortunately they could not save his life. 12 others on the vehicle were fine.

The deceased’s body was taken back to his home village for burial.

Malaita Provincial Police Commander (PPC), Superintendent Timothy Apaesi says, “This is an unfortunate death and our prayers are with the family of the deceased at this time of their bereavement.

“I would like to remind the good people of Malaita Province about the safety messages including the safe loading of vehicles and boats; and do not drink alcohol whilst travelling in vehicles or boats.”

–POLICE MEDIA

By Mike Puia

LEADERS of Wanderer Bay and Tangarare Ward on Guadalcanal Province have expressed their dissatisfaction on a motion of no confidence announced against Premier Anthony Veke.

Gledal Sesehala, Member of Provincial Assembly (MPA) for Talise Ward (Ward 8), is said to move a motion against Mr Veke when the province’s full assembly meets this Friday.

Speaking on behalf of the west Guadalcanal leaders, former MPA for Wanderer Bay, Justin Pascal, said they are concerned about the implications the motion will have on the province and its people, and are therefore calling on the mover of the motion to consider withdrawing it.

Mr Pascal said the timing of the motion is their main worry and the fact that it will threaten the education of many Guadalcanal children.

He said if this motion goes through it will affect the provincial budget and will in turn affect hundreds of students in various learning institutions who are sponsored by the province.

Pascal said the timing of the motion will likely risk the province from benefiting from government grants like the Provincial Capacity Development Fund (PCDF) which is administered by the Ministry of Provincial Government and Institutional Strengthening.

He said they are also of the view that the planned motion offers an unwelcomed situation for the provincial administration

Pascal said it could also obstruct the passage of the provincial budget.

He said the likely picture where a new government will draw up a new budget on March 28 and 29, and have a new provincial public accounts committee deliberate on the budget and pass it before April is “impossible”.

“I ask the mover of the motion to withdraw it. The time for the motion is not right and there is no time to implement a new policy,” Pascal, a key player in the province’s politics, added.

There is confidence in the current government that it will defeat the motion. MPAs in the current government have signed black and white to see the current administration continue its work to its natural completion.