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Fang’s case today

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

THE case of a Honiara business man alleged of involving in corrupt activities will be mentioned in court today.

The accused on the matter, James Fang, is the owner of Fangs Shop and other businesses in Honiara.

Fang is facing a charge of Forgery and Uttering in relation to incidents which occurred last year.

The charges stem from an extensive enquiry into the legitimacy of a document emailed to the Inland Revenue Division.

The document was a letter purporting to have been authored by a Government Minister, authorizing the waiving of $14,000,000 in tax payable to the Government of Solomon Islands, through the Inland Revenue Division of the Ministry of Finance & Treasury.

Investigations revealed that signature on the letter were not that of the Minister.

MOU on Ugi wharf this week

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Premier of MakiraUlawa province, Hon Stanley Siapu.

BY SAMIE WAIKORI

A MOU will be signed this week paving way for construction of the wharf on the island of Ugi in Makira-Ulawa province.

Premier of Makira-Ulawa, Hon Standley Siapu told this paper in an interview the MOU will be signed between MID (on behalf of national government), landowners in Ugi and the provincial government of Makira-Ulawa.

He said as long as the MOU is signed, work on the wharf will commence as preparation for the project is well underway on the project site.

Siapu said MID has issued out tender for the project and anytime soon the tender will be awarded to the contractor.

He said the wharf poses to be a great achievement for the people on the island and the province as it will contribute one way or the other to the development of the province.

The provincial leader however urged the people in Ugi or those who will benefit from the project to take great care of the facility after it is completed.

He also appealed to those on the island to work hand-in-hand with both national and provincial governments in any future development for the island.

Siapu said his government is in full support of any form of development in the province, and they will continue to work with people to ensure there is tangible development in the province.

He urged the people in the province to open up their resources saying it’s the only way for development in the province.

Siapu reiterated that partnership in development is very important and they must work together to achieve development

MID couple case in court today

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

THE case against the former Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Infrastructure Development and his wife will be mentioned in court today for interim mention.

The trial date into their case was already set last year for February 21 to March 21 this year.

Henry Aife Murray is facing 19 counts of official corruption contrary to section 91 (a) of the Penal Code and Rose Murray is facing 19 counts of false pretence contrary to section 308 (a) of the Penal Code.

They were charged in relation to an allegation relate 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 the PS and his wife.

The value of those payments is estimated to the excess of 1.1 million dollars and as a result of that they both face a range of serious charges.

The couple appeared at the Honiara Magistrate Court and apart from the cash bail other strict conditions also applied on both the accused.

That they must surrender all passports (official and personal), Surrender any or all keys, access cards, identification cards to the offices of Ministry of Infrastructure Development (MID) including telecommunication devices, cellular phones laptop computers, motor vehicles, passwords and pass codes and uniform items provided to him by virtue of his contract of employment as Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Infrastructure Development; Not to approach or enter Office buildings belonging to the Ministry of Infrastructure Development or Ministry of Finance & Treasury; To reside at their current residential address situated at East Kola Ridge, Honiara; Not to interfere with Police witnesses; Not to contact any person directly or indirectly employed by the Ministry of Infrastructure Development or the Ministry of Finance & Treasury; Not to leave or travel out of Honiara or Guadalcanal Province without the consent of the court and to report to Naha Police Station every Mondays and Fridays between 8am – 4pm.

Leslie Kwaiga from L & L law firm represents the couple while Florence Joel from the Office of the Director Public Prosecution appears for the crown.

Condition of SolAir’s airbus may put passengers at risk

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Milton Ragaruma
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SolAir’s CEO Brett Gebers

BY BEN BILUA

THE Solomon Airlines’ A320 airbus has been operating without maintenance and proper inspection, it is revealed; SolAir’s CEO Brett Gebers has denied this.

A well-placed source says the airbus has never undergone proper maintenance and checks as required by the international aviation laws.

There is a procedure for an airbus to undergo checks in certain periods, and the checks are called A, B and C.

“Aviation Law requires that an Airbuses must undergo check (A) after 400-600 flight hours or 200–300 cycles, Check (B) every 6-8 months and Check (C) 20–24 months.

“I don’t think the Airbus A320 has lived up to these checks.

“If you remember they had both the Dash 8 and the Airbus on a C-check last year and the company went broke to try to get both aircrafts back,” the source says.

The source adds that the failure of Solomon Airlines A320 to undergo these important processes is a concern.

It is understood that commercial aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) is an essential requirement to ensure that aircraft are maintained in pre-determined conditions of airworthiness to safely transport passengers and cargo.

And, according to insiders, the incidents in Brisbane (last week) and Tarawa last month is an indication that the airbus has been overused without proper maintenance and checks.

“I know what was going on during our Brisbane – Honiara Flight in December.

“Officials told us that the tyre of the plane were at fault, but according to my investigation, the real issue was the plane’s emergency lights.

“Aviation officials from Australia want the plane grounded due to the issues but it was said the top officials within Solomon Airlines want the plane to take the flight to Honiara.

“This is risky as I’m concerned,” the source says.

Island Sun is told the carrier has been operating without emergency lights as the plane’s power supply is unable to charge the batteries to foot the emergency lights.

And, the issue painted a bad image for Solomon Airlines and that some international visitors are aware of the report and no longer trust SolAir.

Chief Executive Officer of Solomon Airlines Mr Brett Gebers has rubbished the reports saying that queries sent to him were ‘full of vague incorrect terminology’.

He said the aircraft underwent a “C” check from March to May 2016 and has since had daily, weekly, and 6 “A” Checks.

Gebers said the airbus is due to have another “C” check at the end of February this year.

“All checks are set out in the Airbus and our manuals of procedure.

“We would not be so stupid as to operate without having carried out the required checks and without repairing the defects as we would be contravening the legislation and possibly invalidating our insurance,” Gebers retorts.

PAs could be halved

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Office of the Prime Minister

BY CAROL-ANNE SULEGA

THE Office of the Prime Minister and Cabinet is undergoing a restructure of the Prime Minister’s Private Office and reviewing all positions in line with the new structure.

The Prime Minister Hon Rick Hou previously told Island Sun in an exclusive interview prior to the election of the Prime Minister that should he take up office and become the new Prime Minister he would do a major cutting of Political Appointees (PAs).

The paper since then has been doing a follow up to this statement querying what has been done so far and how many PAs there are to date.

The Prime Minister Hon Rick Hou’s Press Secretary, Mr Douglas Marau told the paper yesterday that the Prime Minister has already taken the initial and necessary action to instruct for terminations of all previous contracts.

“He has issued further instructions to restructure the whole organisation of the PM’s private office, and then to review all positions in line with the new structure,” Marau said.

It is estimated that this exercise would cut previous positions by 50 percent from nearly 60 positions.

Island Sun was told that this matter is now before Government Caucus to be dealt with accordingly.

Caucus will then issue an official statement on this matter as soon as it has been concluded.

Doom’s day prediction

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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By Alfred Sasako

IT is not new, nor is it the first group to have predicted a Doom’s Day scenario. But the leader of a group calling itself the Kingdom, said to be located at Fulikafo or Bethel, near Maoro village south of Auki, Malaita’s Provincial Capital, has told its members that January 16 is the day non-members would perish with all their earthly belongings.

It is not known how many people are involved in the Kingdom movement, which many have described as a cargo cult movement.

And there are numerous accounts, which could not be independently verified.

One suggests that the ground where they are standing would open up, swallowing every non-member with all their worldly possessions on Tuesday, January 16, 2018.

Cult members on the other hand would not perish. Instead, they would be rewarded with new houses, to be built by crew members of a foreign ship, due to arrive in Auki today (January 16).

Activities of the Kingdom movement had gone viral on social media in the past two weeks after a government former Communications director, Alfred Maesulia, posted the story.

The crew of the foreign ship would build new houses for followers of the movement. It is not known how long this would take. Those who have spoken to Kingdom members said the construction of the new houses would not take long.

“White women would then be provided to serve as house girls in the new houses,” according to another account of the Movement which has attracted many village people.

“The promises of white men serving the ordinary village people as well as millions of dollars have attracted many ordinary people to join. Some have sold their properties including roofing irons supplied by Members of Parliament, while others have sold their houses both in Honiara and in Auki.

One large house for example was reportedly sold for $20,000 in the past week as members were allegedly encouraged by their leader to dispose of their earthly possessions.

That has made authorities on Malaita worried. Should nothing happen today (16 January) the consequences could be dire especially for the leader of the movement.

“There will be a lot of disappointments once the doom’s day prediction never eventuated,” observers said.

Auki police are watching the situation closely.

Malaita Premier Peter Ramohia told Island Sun yesterday he was aware of what is happening but added police are keeping an eye on the situation.

“It is becoming big news here in Auki. It is interesting to hear the people in this movement are expecting we will be having a new currency after the 16th January.

 

“I am truly concerned about this situation and I hope things will still be normal and not (end up) in some unwanted situation,” the Premier said.

“Police are more worried about what would happen after 16th January.”

Many similar movements both here and abroad have made similar predictions in the past but none came to fruition.

Many disappointed followers later committed suicide as they were left with nothing after selling their possessions.

SIDCCG remains committed to Malaita projects

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Deputy Leader of the Official Opposition and MP for Small Malaita Hon Rick Hou.

BY CAROL-ANNE SULEGA

THE Solomon Islands Democratic Coalition for Change Government (SIDCCG) says it is still strongly committed in progressing projects on Malaita.

This was a statement in response to Island Sun queries to the Office of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (OPMC).

Island Sun questioned the current Government’s continual focus on Malaita projects and how much will be achieved in the remainder of its short tenure.

The paper’s queries were sent to Mr Douglas Marau, the Press Secretary to the Prime Minister Hon Rick Hou.

“In this regard, the reprioritisation exercise currently embarked upon by the SIDCCG consists of current major development projects such Bina Harbour Fish Factory and identified infrastructure projects in road transportation and the aviation sector, which can be delivered during the current period,” the PM’s Press Secretary said.

He then added that this is in line with the PM’s announcement in his maiden speech in reference to the SIDCCG Budget for 2018 which will be reflective of immediate short term goals that are achievable in the remaining months of the 10th Parliament.

Island Sun was then told that this would become clearer when the 2018 Budget is finalised for the upcoming Budget session in March.

Optic fibre cable project may kick off this year

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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FIJI BOOSTING TEACHER NUMBERS

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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DEAR Editor,
“The Fiji government says it aims to increase the number of teachers by 150 each year under its 20-year National Development Plan.
 
“The Fiji Times reports the announcement was made by the Education Ministry’s senior education officer, Pene Aropio, during public consultation on Fiji’s first Draft National Employment Policy on Wednesday.

“Mr Aropio said the aim was to increase the number of teachers posted nation-wide each year.

“The school curriculum would also need to change so students would be taught skills to better prepare them for future careers, he said.”

Copyright:  Radio New Zealand International   (All Rights Reserved)
Yours sincerely
Frank Short

Bad omen for 2018

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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MP for Small Malaita Hon. Rick Hou is being nominated to run for PM onbehalf of the DCC Group

Government uncovers move to topple Prime Minister Hou, masterminded by senior minister

BY ALFRED SASAKO

THE Government may have smashed an internal plot to topple the two-month-old government of Prime Minister Ricky Houenipwela, insiders have revealed.

A senior government minister is linked to the plot, which officials uncovered about two weeks ago, insiders said.

They said the move might be linked to the non-payment of $50 million for the Hell’s Point waste land, east of Honiara.

Attorney General James Apaniai advised the Manasseh Sogavare government against making the payment ordered by the High Court, arguing the land could be repossessed under the 2014 amendment to the Land and Titles Act 2014 with minimal cost to taxpayers.

However, the previous government ignored the advice.

Instead, it unsuccessfully sought to borrow the money from one or two State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) including the Solomon Islands Ports Authority (SIPA) last year.

It is understood Prime Minister Hou has put his foot down on the payment, a move which has reportedly angered the senior minister who allegedly was the mastermind of the plot.

“It is obvious some people are desperate. But because the various sources for easy money have been blocked they’ve decided to use politics,” one insider familiar with the plot told Island Sun.

In the plot, a senior government minister allegedly approached former deputy prime minister, now Opposition Leader Manasseh Maelanga to team up with his former DCC leader, Manasseh Sogavare, in the bid to oust Prime Minister Hou.

Mr Maelanga reportedly declined the overtures.

“The Opposition is aware of what is going on but it chooses to remain neutral for a number of reasons. Reason number one is the fact the next election is just around the corner. What would voters think if we jumped again,” an Opposition insider said.

“The second is that the time is far too short for anyone to do anything. The Opposition would simply continue to discharge its Constitutional responsibilities until the next election,” the Opposition insider said.

Solomon Islands is due to go to the poll in March next year.

The plot has placed Prime Minister Hou in a dilemma, given that he’s aware the master-mind of the plot is a senior minister.

Earlier, speculations were rife that Hou was receiving advice on whether to sack a senior minister for allegedly causing instability in the two-month-old Solomon Islands Democratic Coalition for Change (SIDCC) government.

Hou became Prime Minister following a successful no-confidence motion sponsored by the Opposition last December.

A day later, Hou’s party, the Democratic Alliance Party (DAP) stunned the nation by opting out of a new coalition. Instead, DAP joined what was left of the Democratic Alliance for Change (DCC) Government.

Sogavare subsequently demanded and received two portfolios – the Deputy Prime Minister as well as Minister of Finance and Treasury – a move many had predicted could prove to be a headache for the new SIDCC partnership.

The SIDCC government coalition is made up of largely the Kadere Party, the Democratic Alliance Party (DAP) and other remnants of the DCC coalition which includes the People’s Alliance Party (PAP).

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