BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

THE case against men charged for an armed robbery incident will appear again in court on January 29 for mention.

This is in relation to the case against Richard Rurai, Ramo Stanley, Farobo Ben, Faiga Junior David and Nathaniel Junior Erick who were charged in relation to the incident.

Police alleged that the four accused were masked and armed with a knife when they attacked two Asian men as they were about to enter the BSP bank.

One of the Asian businessmen was struck with a knife and also shot from sling, the court was told.

Police said Rurai admitted in his interview that he, Eric, Faiga and Ramo had planned the robbery.

Police said he admitted having several meetings with the other accused days before the robbery and that they shared some of the money.

Police said only $200,000 has been recovered.

By Alfred Sasako

FORMER North-West Guadalcanal MP, Siriako Usa has reacted angrily to reports that a logging company operating on his land in the Kakabona area, west of Honiara, is doing so illegally.

“We are legitimate and legal,” Mr Usa told Island Sun in an exclusive interview yesterday.

The former politician was responding to a front page article published by Island Sun newspaper yesterday. In it, an unnamed company was reportedly operating illegally in the area, causing environmental damage to the waterways and a popular beach for picnic goers.

Usa yesterday named the company as New Ocean (SI) Ltd, which the Tabilo Timber Sawmilling has sub-contracted to harvest the 1,000 hectare concession which covers Lacho, Adichichi, Poitamani, Kokaleku, Poihue, Kuburokota Loma and Bisi Customary lands.

Under a subcontracting arrangement entered into between New Ocean (SI) Ltd and Tabiro Timber Sawmilling, Usa is the Licensee. The arrangement was approved by the Ministry of Forest and Research and executed on October 16, 2017.

“Pursuant to Part 4 sub-section 10(za) of the Forest Resource and Timber Utilisation (Felling Licenses) Regulation 2005, as directed, approval is granted for subcontracting arrangement made between New Ocean (SI) Ltd and Tabilo Timber Sawmilling under felling licence A10707.

“This approval means that New Ocean (SI) Limited is authorised to carry out the harvesting functions under felling Licence A10707 (which) covers Lacho, Adichichi, Poitamani, Kokaleku, Poihue, Kuburokota Loma and Bisi Customary Lands, in Guadalcanal Province.

“Please note all other functions remain unaffected,” according to a letter signed by Lucy Takaoa of the Ministry’s Licensing Unit. The letter is dated November 14 last year.

“If there’s any illegitimacy in what we are doing it would be caused by the Ministry, not us. We have followed the processes to the letter,” Usa said.

“This is not an overnight project. We have worked on this for the last 10 years. It is linked to a housing scheme for land owners.”

On the matter of environmental damage to the waterways and the popular picnic beach, Usa said it was a non-issue.

“Officials from the Ministry of Environment and Conservation visit there almost every day of the week and they have not raised any issues with us,” he said.

New Ocean (SI) Ltd’s director, Alan Ngu told Island Sun yesterday the company has done everything in accordance with the requirements of the law.

Mr Ngu yesterday announced that his company would commence a housing scheme for the land owners of the Kakabona concession in March this year.

The company has done a similar scheme for landowners in the Tangarare Area, also on West Guadalcanal.

BY JARED KOLI

THE travelling and general public have been warned that continuous rain will be experienced in the coming days.

Following heavy rain warning number-one issued yesterday morning, by the Solomon Islands Meteorological service (SIMS), The National Emergency Operation Centre (NEOC) has issued a Heavy Rain And Flooding What To Do Information enforced for all provinces.

“This heavy rain will likely to cause flooding to creeks, streams, major rivers and drainages. People living in or close to these areas are strongly advised to seriously take safety actions.

“Village leaders and families must listen to your radio for emergency information – SIBC, FM,HF radio, and make sure your neighbours and vulnerable people have received this advice and move to safe location when it is required,” it says.

It says people living close to rivers and shorelines must take extra precaution measures.

“When evacuated take only essential Items like radio, mobile phones, torch, knife, food, water, important papers, important medicines

“Store drinking water in sealed bottles as water supply may be interrupted (eg Dirty or supply cut off), do not allow children to play in the rain and on flood raising water or drainage systems.”

Motorists are advised to take extra care when travelling in wet, slippery and flood areas

“Make sure you have your lights on and drive at less than 40km per hour speed, beware of water covered roads and bridges, and do not attempt to cross rivers and large streams of unknown depth.

Mariners are advised to be extra caution when planning or travelling out in the sea

“Avoid travelling at all if you can. When going out in the sea, always inform someone of where about you are going and your expected time of travel

“Take extra fuel, puddles, life-jackets, torch-light, spare batteries, water and some food when travelling,” it says.

The warning stated that heavy rain can cause flash flood, river flood or low lying areas and coastal flooding.

Prolong heavy rain can cause landslide and mudslides. Heavy rain can also create very low visibility and if it goes with strong winds then it can also cause rough seas reiterating that people are advised to take extra care.

The heavy rain and flooding what to do information is current until a cancellation of the Heavy Rain warning is issued by the SI Meteorological Services.

BY BEN BILUA

SOLOMON Airlines is reported to be losing revenues on the domestic operation.

Auditor General’s Office 2016 report found that there is lack of control on sales by outer station travel agents.

Discussion with Airlines Management found that these agents gave unauthorised discounts on ticket sales as well as no sale tickets and that the issues had been identified by finance when reconciling the ticket sales.

“These differences (expenses) are charged to the agents but no action is taken to recover these balances,” the report stated.

In compiling their investigation the Auditor General Office notes that there is an increased risk of fraud in ticket sales from outer stations especially since no action is taken to recover the difference from the agents.

Two recommendations has been put forward to address that issue. One is Solomon Airlines Management should implement proper control around sales made by outer station travel agents and two, Solomon Airlines Management should also establish a strong debt recovery team to ensure billed amounts are recovered in a timely manner.

To address the issue, Management of Solomon Airlines had established an Agent Coordinator and Assistant Agent Coordinator/Cashier position but recruitments were done in May 2017 to ensure proper controls around sales were made by outer Stations.

Aged Debtors are now reviewed every Monday morning by Finance Leadership team prior to it being send to Management since May last year.

BY MAVIS NISHIMURA PODOKOLO

HONIARA City Council (HCC) has ordered six more restaurants to close down yesterday following inspections.

HCC Chief Health Inspector Mr George Titiulu said restaurants which have received temporary closure notice have increased from four to six.

He said the temporary notice issued was a good means for restaurants to start complying with HCC‘s regulations.

“Having the inspection done will enable all restaurants meet the daily need of consumers on each of their daily basis and also will help HCC to have reports of restaurants within the capital to link with HCC licensees section.

“Also will enables HCC to identify and aware of which restaurants have continues its services deliveries and which one have closed,” said Titiulu.

This initiative has made HCC to file accurate reports regarding restaurants at the end of each day and as well as additional verbal explanations.

The re-inspection of the initially closed restaurants began yesterday soon after they have worked very hard to meet regulations.

Titiulu said closed restaurants will begin operating again soon after the final clearance to reopen is done by HCC.

BY ROMULUS HUTA

The National Olympic Committee of Solomon Islands (NOCSI) has re-assigned Lysa Wini-Simeon for the Chef de Mission role for ‘One Team Solomon’ at this year’s Commonwealth Games in Australia.

NOCSI President Martin Rara confirmed this to SunSPORTS yesterday.

The former national women’s basketball player was also the Chef de Mission of the Solomon Islands contingent to last month’s 10^th Pacific Mini Games in Port Vila, Vanuatu.

Rara said Lysa was reappointed to the role of the Chef de Mission due to her outstanding performance during last December’s Pacific Mini Games.

Mrs Wini-Simeon is the current Secretary to the Solomon Islands Athletics Commission (SIAC) and the news of her appointment will relayed to the other national federations this week.

The Commonwealth Games will be held in Gold Coast from April 4 to 15.

Solomon Islands will represented by 11 athletes across five sporting codes.