BY BARNABAS MANEBONA

PUSHING to introduce a Rural Training Centre (RTC) at the Russell Islands is one of the provincial education tasks according to Central Islands Premier Hon Patrick Vasuni.

The CIP Premier said this during outlining the provincial education activities and programs for 2018.

He said plans for the education development of the province cannot be materialised if there is lack of co-operation between all stakeholders.

“Quality education can only be achieved through mutual co-operation by the National Government and Provincial Government including support from teachers, parents, guardians and education Officers,” said Hon Vasuni.

ROAD users in Honiara and all throughout the provinces are urged to think safety during the current wet season when travelling on the roads.

Director of the Traffic Department of the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) Inspector, Brian Surimalefo makes the call in the midst of the current bad weather being experienced throughout the country.

“Safety on the road begins with all of us, whether you are a vehicle driver or pedestrian it is always our duty to think about others’ safety.

“As drivers, we must concentrate taking into consideration the state of the roads as a result of the bad weather. Furthermore, we must not create extra lanes just because the traffic is slow but exercise some patience.

“Pedestrians are also encouraged to take care when walking along the foot paths. Do not play along the roadsides and always remember due to the wet weather the roads are slippery.

“Drivers in the provinces are reminded to take extra care as sometimes you have to drive across streams and rivers with no bridges. Check how deep the water is before attempting to cross any waterway.”

–POLICE MEDIA

BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

THE hearing of evidence into the case of a Japanese national alleged for procuration of children for sexual commercial purposes has resumed at the High Court yesterday.

The accused is faced with 15 counts in relation to incidents that occurred in 2016 in Honiara.

The Public Prosecutor Sirepu Ramosaea in her opening remarks before calling the prosecution witnesses said the accused is a Japanese and is been charged with 15 counts of offending under the Penal Code on amended Sexual offending Act 2016.

She said police made an investigation following information they received that the accused engaged in sexual activities taking photographs of children believed to be of Solomon Island girls or children.

Police then searched his hotel room and seized several items including a sonny-laptop belonging to the accused.

The prosecution said in the laptop police found photographs of naked children procuring for commercial and sexual purposes for him.

He pleaded not guilty to the charges and a trial date was set.

The first prosecution witness Angela Nandu told the court yesterday that when she saw the defendant taking photographs of children at Karaina sea front on a Saturday in 2016 she never suspects that anything bad would happen.

Prosecution witness said that on a Saturday in 2016 she was at the seaside doing her laundry when she saw the accused taking photos of children swimming in the sea.

The witness said she asked the accused on what he was doing and he said that he worked at the Ministry of Health at the Environment division and what he is doing is just part of his job.

“I also asked him where is he from and he told me that he is from Korea”, the witness said.

The witness also said that after he took photos he shared Lollies to the children.

Yesterday the prosecution only called two witnesses and the trial will continue today.

A private lawyer Michael Pitakaka represents the accused.

BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

THE Pre-trial conference (PTC) into the case against a suspended police officer alleged for a traffic related offence occurred last year has not been conducted yesterday.

This is due to the prosecution and the defence lawyer not preparing the required PTC documents.

This is the allegation against a police officer Moffat Manelusi for crashing a police vehicle in November last year.

The Prosecution said the accused was a police officer at that time of incident when he crashed the police vehicle into a tree at a road side at the King George school area.

He however denied the allegation in his last appearance in court which was then adjourned for PTC yesterday.

Mr Manelusi is currently facing charges of reckless & dangerous driving and careless driving in relation to the incident on November 10.

DEAR EDITOR, judging by a recent news article in the Solomon Star, complete with a photograph of the landscaping and beautification work done by Solo Enviro Beautification (SEB) Charitable Trust, it is clear that our thanks are due to the SEB team for the lovely gardens that now surround the US Monument on Skyline Ridge.

Ms Sue Mackie the Director and Manager of SEB was quoted in the Solomon Star article as saying of the work at Skyline.

“This is the most visited memorial in Honiara, hundreds of people sign the visitor’s book each month to come and visit this place,”

Mentioning the work of SEB, Ms Mackie added.

“Our services have already been established in the recent past years since the organisation became an independent NGO in 2007.

“As charitable trust, however, the ability to undertake the improvements and beatify parts of Honiara is largely dependent on funds available.

“SEB is reliant on sponsorship of corporate companies that placed sign boards on roundabouts and at sponsored locations and also those who donate directly to the organisation.

“Our goal is to continue to enhance and beatify the urban centres of Solomon Islands through the planting of roadside tress, landscape gardens, parks and recreational areas.

“As a result, we have recently upgraded the Children’s Park at Rove with a grant from the NZ government, through the HCC together with a public toilet.

“And the addition of several benches and further new equipment sponsored by SEB the area has become a popular meeting and resting place”.

Ms Mackie added the SEB provides an appealing and attractive urban surroundings for residents and visitors.

She said a new management team has arrived with considerable experienced skills in both the green business and administration and finance.

“With the ultimate goal of planting thousands of trees in and around the urban centres in Solomon Islands, SEB is always looking out for opportunities to turn small parts of the city into green parks.

“The vision of a town, which has plenty of green shady spaces, is one which will lift everyone’s spirits and make us all proud to live in Honiara.

“For overseas visitors, the provision of seating, shade trees and attractive planting at tourist sites leave a happy memory of the country as they pass through our shores.

“Meanwhile, we are all waiting anxiously for the major road construction work to be completed and we will continue to provide more green plant landscaping and many trees along the route from Henderson to White River,”Ms Mackie said.”

Thank you SEB and keep up your excellent work in continuing to green and beautify the national capital.

Please help the charity with generous donor support.

Yours sincerely

FRANK SHORT

DEAR EDITOR, I recently made a renewed appeal for new and second-hand clothing for the many orphans and elderly widows in the care of the Hearts of Hope (HOH) Charity on Malaita.

My appeal on Linkediin and on my website brought two responses today and necessities giving the potential donors the postal address to send the clothing to reach HOH.

Could I kindly request the HOH Charity representative to send me the address which I will forward.

I can be reached via the link on my website – www.solomonislandsinfocus.com or by email – [email protected].

Yours sincerely

FRANK SHORT