THE Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) has commended public for their patience while the country’s national politicians continue to resolve the current political situation following the motion of no-confidence early this week.

“There has been no major incident to disturb the normal law and order and peace in this country and we are thankful to the public for their patience. But we must not take the situation lightly,” says Commissioner of Police, Matthew Varley.

Police continues to monitor the situation closely with a major operation underway in Honiara including visibility patrols in and around the city as well as static security duties at the two hotels that the national politicians are accommodated in.

“Police will not tolerate any anti-social behaviour, any illegal activity or any threats of violence that would impact on the safety of our citizens or the safety of our politicians and derail the political process underway to elect a new prime minister.

“This is good prudent policing operations for the security of this country and our hope is that the process will take place without any disturbance.

“Police will continue to visit various communities in the city, meet with the community leaders and MPs to explain to them the importance of members of their communities and constituencies maintaining law and order and remaining calm during this time.”

With the election of a new Prime Minister scheduled for Wednesday next week, Police will be mounting another visibility operation leading up to that time and around Parliament on the day.

“We want to encourage members of the public both in Honiara and throughout the provinces to go about their normal business as usual and to allow our national politicians to resolve the situation,” says Commissioner Varley.

Police appeal to anyone who have information on anybody who might be planning to disturb the peace to contact their nearest police station or call the police emergency toll free number 999.

–POLICE MEDIA

SURVEILLANCE over Temotu seas for reported unknown vessels has come up empty.

In response to MFMR and FFA request, a French aircraft from the French Navy based in Noumea, New Caledonia, conducted a reconnaissance flight over sea areas in Temotu on Wednesday this week but could not locate vessels of interest in the area.

Acting on reports of sightings at night by people living in communities on Vanikoro, Nupani and Duff islands of vessels coming close to the shore and isolated reefs, the Ministry of Fisheries (MFMR) headquarters in Honiara requested the Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA) for assistance.

The French Guardian aircraft from the French Navy was requested to carry out surveillance mission over Temotu Province.

However, the surveillance flight which originated from Henderson International airport could not locate the vessels of interest in the area.

A fisheries compliance officer, Ms Lindsay Keliara who accompanied the French crew said the three-hour surveillance flight covered sea areas of interest but there was no sighting.

She said it may have been that the blue boats which the islanders in Temotu have sighted may have gone away from the country’s territorial waters as the reports came in late.

“It’s been eight days already and it is highly likely the vessels may have gone already,” she said.

Despite failing to locate the vessels, Ms Lindsay said the surveillance flight is an eye opener for her as a compliance officer at the Ministry of Fisheries.

“This is an example of how we can all work together to curb Illegal Unreported Unregulated activities within our waters,” she added.

Meanwhile, the Acting Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Fisheries Mr Ferral Lasi said effective coordination between the provinces and the Ministry of Fisheries is a great challenge but ‘we will pursue this as we go forward to ensure sighted vessels are apprehended’.

–MFMR PRESS

BY LYNTON AARON FILIA

ROYAL Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) calls on the public to maintain normal business activities while the country heads towards next week’s election of a new prime minister.

The election for a new prime minister is set for Wednesday next week, and Honiara citizens are encouraged to stay calm and continue with their normal routine and allow politicians to handle the situation.

Meanwhile, police commends public for the peaceful period throughout the no-confidence motion to now.

Police will continue patrols for next week’s election and a high visibility operation on the election day.

RSIPF Commissioner Mr Mathew Varley said, “Police will not tolerate any anti-social behavior, any illegal activity or any threats of violence that would impact on the safety of our citizens or the safety of our politicians and derail the political process underway to elect a new prime minister.”

BY MAVIS NISHIMURA PODOKOLO

CONCERNED locals are calling for the removal of MV Tomisi, a ship which has been anchored just off Yandina port for more than a year.

A concerned woman from Russell Islands, Central province, Ms Rosemary Fagi, calls on whoever owns MV Tomisi to remove it before it causes any damage to the surrounding environment.

The ship was last known to be offloading copra at the port before settling in for its yearlong anchorage.

Locals are not aware of any arrangement for the ship’s presence.

Speaking to Island Sun yesterday, Fagi stresses that it is a serious matter for locals, who fear for their environment’s welfare.

“We call on the responsible shipping company and owner of MV Tomisi to quickly consider the matter and address it seriously because spilling of oil are now seen floating on the surface of the sea near Yandina wharf and slowly spread out by weave and current.

“The spilling of oil might cause wide range of impact in the marine environment and it can be portrayed as environmental disaster. Also might cause serious distress to the marine ecosystem and those of us that live near the contaminated coastline in regard of food supply.”

She said the ship’s position also hinders free ship movement into and out of port.

Meanwhile, in an attempt to locate the owner of the vessel, Island Sun found out from the Solomon Islands Maritime Safety Association (SIMSA) the ship is not registered with SIMSA, and that ownership of the ship is a mystery.

POLICE in the Rennell-Bellona Province are investigating an alleged arson incident in the Kavau area on Rennell Island during which two permanent buildings and a security house belonging to a logging company were burnt down on November 5, 2017.

It was alleged the incident occurred as a result of a land dispute between the logging company, Samlinsan Limited and land owners.

No arrests have been made so far.

Provincial Police Commander, Rennell-Bellona Province, Macfretch Tesuatai says, “My officers have attended the report and continuing our enquiry into the serious matter.”

“I appeal to the land owners concerned and the company to try to resolve the dispute peacefully and ask for community support in giving more information to Tingoa police about the burning incident,” says PPC Tesuatai.

–POLICE MEDIA

BY CAROL-ANNE SULEGA

WITH the date set for Wednesday next week for the election of the Prime Minister, the country’s political situation remains unpredictable with its number-lock.

Those in the Heritage Park Hotel Camp that consists of the remnant members of the Democratic Coalition for Change Government (DCCG), confirmed to Island Sun last night that they are still maintaining their number at 30.

Parliamentary Wing Leader of the Democratic Alliance Party (DAP) and Member of Parliament (MP) for Small Malaita, Hon Rick Hou, is the group’s candidate for the Prime Minister (PM) post following the fall of the now caretaker Prime Minister Hon Manasseh Sogavare in a motion of no confidence.

MPs within the HP camp told the paper last night that there is still much sensitivity in reorganising portfolios to make up a new Government following the boost done by the Democratic Alliance Party and Solomon Islands Peoples First Party regrouping with the remaining 23 members of the DCCG.

This sensitivity has been agreed to be put aside until after the set date to elect a new Prime Minister on Wednesday next week.

Hefty work will be lined up once a new Government comes into office.

This will include merging of party policies and priorities.

The paper was also told in confidence last night that the camp at Honiara Hotel that consists of the MPs that defected from the Government are offering high profile portfolios to six members from the Heritage Park Hotel camp to lure more numbers.

The country’s political arena has always been an unpredictable one and anything could happen over the next few days prior to the election of the PM on Wednesday next week.

This could result by pulling strings in the number lock.

These next few days will also be a test for all Members of Parliament who are now caught in the toss whether national interest comes first and foremost when it comes to dealing with the nation’s affairs and integrity or self-serving personal interest.

BY SAMIE WAIKORI

POLICE Commissioner Matthew Varley says they are providing very close police presence at the two political camps.

Varley said tight security by police around Honiara Hotel and Heritage Park hotel is to prevent disturbances or provocation to the already sensitive political and social situation.

“Each location has patrolling officers and standing guards supplementing private security that are in place in the hotels. But on top of that we have some officers that are in a proximity to response.

“And they are there for anyone who may come to interfere with the peace and security of the hotel. Obviously at the hotels there’s a number of a senior politicians at both sides staying in the locations.

“Obviously we don’t want to be locking down hotels in terms of burdening guests staying there, but we have a strong police presence on the ground and police to response.”

Varley said this is a normal security precaution, adding it is important for people to know that police has not suggested risk to public safety.