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PM to grace Renbel 32nd second appointed day

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BY SAMIE WAIKORI

Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele will join the people and government of Rennell Bellona province to officially celebrate the province’s 32nd Second Appointed Day next week in Rennell Bellona.

He confirmed this in a press conference on Friday, July 18, 2025, highlighting the significance of reinforcing relationship between provincial governments and the national government.

Manele said last year, he received a similar invitation from Rennell Bellona government, but was unable to make it due to overseas engagement.

“The invitation came again for this year and I believe it’s important that I attend to it.

“Next week, I will travel to Rennell and Bellona province to join them on their 32nd appointed celebrations,” he stated.

Manele said as the province celebrates this special day, its time to reflect on its achievements, resilience and contributions to the country’s development.

He stated that the national government greatly values the contributions from provinces and assures to continue to strengthen connection with them.

“It’s important that the connection between the national government and the provincial government is there.

“We value the contributions of our provinces, whether big or small,” Manele said.

He mentioned that provinces are agents of national government under the 1997 Provincial Government Act and the connection will always be maintained.

The PM thanked the provinces for the critical role they play at the provincial level for working together with the national government to provide and deliver services to people.

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SIMA put in reforms

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BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

The Solomon Islands Maritime Authority (SIMA) has implemented reforms to improve safety management in vessels.

SIMA Director Thierry Nervale said this aims to improve safety management for vessels, crews and passengers.

“One that is very important to us is what we call here safety management,” he said.

Nervale explained that this is the way the shipping company and the crew on board manage safety.

“Which is typically to understand it easily. Having procedures when you embark the passengers, during the voyage, and how you take care of the passengers, the cargo. How you manage the navigation and where the vessel is going, how you manage the weather, and so all of this to be in a system, written system, where you have procedures,” he said.

Nervale added that this is to be implemented by the company, the crew, and the ship master.

“So, it’s something that we have been working on,” he said.

Nervale mentioned that they have also started delivering training for the crew, developing their management system on board and implementing it.

“Then the next phase will be to conduct some audits on how they implement the system,” he said.

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PM explains adjournment of parliament sitting to August

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BY SAMIE WAIKORI

Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele has explained the adjournment of the current parliament sitting to 4th August.

Speaking to the media during a press conference on Friday, July 18, 2025, he said he adjourned the current sitting of Parliament on Monday, 14th July, to Monday, 4th August 2025 to allow the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) to look into the 2025 supplementary appropriation bill.

Manele added that this is to allow time for the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) to carry out its inquiry into the 2025 Supplementary Appropriation Bill.

He emphasized that this reflects GNUT’s ongoing commitment of due process and parliamentary scrutiny, as key pillars of transparency in how public finances are managed.

Manele said his government is also preparing to present the 2024 Supplementary Appropriation Bill which regularises government spending for last year.

On the same note, he acknowledged the chairman and members of the Bills and Legislation Committee (BLC) for their continued efforts, particularly in reviewing the National Building Standards Bill.

The PM stated that this is an important piece of legislation that will strengthen the safety and resilience of infrastructure across the country.

He said the BLC report on this legislation or bill is ready and they will look into it when parliament resumes on the 4th of August, 2025.

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Maeana community lauds World Vision 

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By RODRICK DESURI

AUKI

Maeana community in Malaita Province has applauded World Vision for selecting them among five other communities for the five-year Regreening project. 

Chairman of Maeana community, Aaron Ida expressed that they were not expecting such good news.

“I want to thank World Vision and welcome the project, especially as it is now starting to roll out. We didn’t expect this, but it’s a blessing that we were selected,” he said.

Ida said the Regreening project will help them a lot, especially in addressing social, environmental, and economic challenges that have really hit the country. 

He added that for many years they have been applying for such projects from the government and aid donors, but all were thrown away in the bin.

“We applied many times, but we never had any luck. Our hopes were thrown away,” he said.

Meanwhile, World Vision Solomon Islands facilitator and project coordinator, Kelly Housiho, highlighted that this project will benefit the whole community if they work together with World Vision.

Housiho said they will regularly visit the communities every month to provide essential training. The World Vision team will also move to Kwa’a community next week to roll out their project.

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Man accused of burning houses in Betikama still without lawyer

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BY ROMINAH FAKA

A 31-year-old man accused of setting two houses at the Betikama Settlement area on fire is still without a legal representative.

Benjamin Maefa is charged with one count of arson and appeared at the Magistrate Court on Friday, July 18, 2025.

Prosecution updated court that one outstanding document yet to be obtained is a printed photo album.  

The court has adjourned the matter for August 1, 2025 and has also directed the Public Solicitor Office to allocate a lawyer for the defendant during the course of adjournment.

According to the police, the incident occurred on May 20, 2025, between 6pm and 7pm in Betikama settlement, Guadalcanal.

It is alleged that the defendant while intoxicated, set fire to two houses, one being his own and the other, belonging to his father-in-law, the complainant.

Police further alleged that on the day of the incident, the complainant and his family had travelled to Belaha Village in Central Guadalcanal.

Maefa was told to check on some workers who were supposed to cut timber for him. But instead, he was later seen at the scene of the fire by three witnesses.

The witnesses stated that Maefa was the only person present during the fire and was seen holding a can of beer.

Although no one witnessed seeing him starting the fire, it is alleged that Maefa admitted to burning down the houses when he returned to the complainant and his family.

The defendant later left the scene with his wife and son.

He was arrested on May 22, and charged with arson.

Georgina Oroi appears for crown on behalf of Irene Mae.

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Green Valley murder case still under investigation

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BY ROMINAH FAKA

Investigation into a murder case involving a 27-year-old man accused of killing a victim at Green Valley is still ongoing, as police are yet to obtain the outstanding key evidence.

Dyson Rausi is charged with one count of murder, which carries a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.

The case was first mentioned in the Magistrate Court on Friday, July 18, 2025 following the defendant’s remand.

The prosecution updated the court that the two outstanding documents yet to be obtained are the forensic photographs and the autopsy report.  

The duty defence counsel told the court that the Public Solicitor’s Office will be taking over the case and requested a fourteen-day adjournment to allow time for a lawyer to be assigned to the defendant.

The matter is adjourned to August 1, 2025, for further mention.

Court made directions for the prosecution to liaison with the police investigator to collect the outstanding Autopsy report and Forensic photographs and served disclosures to the defence.

According to the police, the incident occurred around 5am on June 30, 2025.

The defendant allegedly attacked the deceased after accusing him of practicing sorcery.

The deceased was using the restroom located in a separate building from the house, when his daughter and landlord heard him shouting.

The landlord and daughter of the deceased went to see what happened, they reportedly saw the defendant kicking the deceased abdomen and head.

Despite their attempt to intervene, they were unable to stop the attack.

The defendant was alleged to wearing a pair of safety boots at the time.

The deceased was rushed to the National Referral Hospital (NRH), where he was later pronounced dead.

Rausi fled the scene but was arrested on July 2, and formally charged the next day.

Georgina Oroi appeared for the Crown and Alice Silas for the defence.

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Court hears no case to answer submission in bribery case

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BY ROMINAH FAKA

A No Case to Answer (NCTA) submission from defence on a police officer accused of bribery in connection with a separate case involving stolen gold ashes was heard in the Magistrate Court on Friday, July 18, 2025.

The defence counsel submitted NCTA submissions that there is no case to answer, arguing that the prosecution had failed to present sufficient evidence during the trial to support the charge.

Following the submission, the court adjourned the matter to August 1, 2025 for ruling on the NCTA.

The court also directed the prosecution who failed to appear in court to file a written response to the NCTA submission by Tuesday next week, July 22.

Allen Noni faces two counts of bribery, contrary to section 122 (a) of the Penal Code. He pleaded not guilty.

The trial commenced June 30, 2025 before Principal Magistrate Emily Zazariko Vagibule Pakoa.

Prosecution called three witnesses.

Prosecution alleged that on November 8, 2024 at 3.32pm, the defendant sent a text message to the complainant, stating that he wanted to meet in person. They later met at around 7.30pm at the Town Ground area, Honiara where Noni allegedly gave $10,000 to the complainant.

On November 12, 2024 the defendant and the complainant met again at Henderson area, where Noni allegedly bribed the complainant with another $20,000.

The total sum of $30,000 was allegedly given to the complainant by Noni to prevent the lead investigator from investigating an accused in another case involving stolen gold ashes.

Jeremy Oiofa from the Office of Director of Public Prosecution acts for the crown and Donation Houa from PSO is representing Noni.

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Strong wind warning for Temotu & Makira remains

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BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

A strong wind warning is still current for waters of Temotu and Makira provinces.

This is according to strong wind warning number thirty-two issued by the Solomon Islands Meteorological Service at 4:00 pm on Friday, July 18, 2025.

The SIMS statement said that the situation is that a general easterly trade wind flow persists over the country.

Southeast winds of 20 to 25 knots are over the waters Temotu and Makira provinces is also expected.

According to the SIMS, seas will be moderate to rough with moderate southeast swells 2.5 – 3.0 meters.

The SIMS urges people in these areas to take precautionary measures, as such strong winds have the potential to impact lives and properties. 

Sea travellers are also urged to consider safety actions, as such winds can produce dangerous wave conditions, hazardous to small boats.

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WAVE WATCHING

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-PM Manele confirms being aware of stirs within government to move a third motion of no confidence

-We are monitoring the 3rd wave – Manele tells press conference

BY SAMIE WAIKORI

The Government for National Unity and Transformation (GNUT) is monitoring any possible Motion of No Confidence against them, according to Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele.

The PM made the statement in response to a front-page article by Solomon Star Newspaper this week titled; “The Third Wave Remains Alive”.

Speaking in a press conference on Friday, July 18, 2025 he said they heard and are aware of this third wave or a potential MONC and they are monitoring it.

According to Solomon Star, as per an insider they obtained information on the possible MONC, the third wave is described as the next attempt to topple the GNUT coalition at any cost to the nation and the people.

Those who are planning the third wave or this final attempt, as described by Solomon Star, are going to throw everything and anything to get rid of the ruling government.

The article stated what has been happening behind the scenes since the defeat of the last attempt to get rid of GNUT is ugly and is being communicated through exchanges at the highest level.

It added that it has pre-occupied the leadership of GNUT, giving little or no time at all to pursue policy initiatives for economic development, the article reads.

The article went on and shared information gathered from its sources that the People First Party (PFP) had held number of meetings in the past two weeks to discuss its strategies for moving the third wave forward.

Alleging that East Fataleka MP Rex Ramofafia will be the candidate for the Prime Minister’s job, while Harry Kuma and Jamie Jency Vokia will join in the third wave. However, was denied by the MPs.

There is also a mentioned of numerical strengthen that the PFP – the party alleged by the article to have behind the third wave is with 14 MPs and gears to get two more.

This will give them the number, as they will join with 13 MPs on the Opposition bench to topple the current GNUT coalition government.

“We are monitoring the third wave. We’ve heard about it ,” PM Manele said.

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Catechist formation training completed in Buma

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By RODRICK DESURI

AUKI

The 12 weeks of spiritual training and formation for catechists in Block 2 at the Buma Pastoral Training Centre in Malaita Province has successfully come to an end. 

This program is the second after Block 3, which the Diocese of Auki organises annually for people who want to join the ministry of catechism, study the Bible and preach the gospel. 

A total of 180 catechists, including their spouses and children, as well as pre-seminarians from the 12 Catholic parishes in Malaita Province attended the program.

Director of the Buma Pastoral Training Centre, Fr Charles Taloi Kwai said the three-month formation program aims to form the catechists in their spiritual well-being. 

Meanwhile, he said the main message he shared with the catechists during the closing ceremony was about “hope”. 

Kwai said many good things can be achieved through having hope in God’s grace.

“I want to encourage the catechists to have hope, as hope can lead and bring you to the glory of God and strengthen your faith,” he said.

Topics covered during training included: Reconciliation, Holy Eucharist, Confirmation, Holy Orders, Anointing of the Sick, Matrimony, Family Life, and Matthew’s Gospel.

Kwai also urged catechists to take what they learned from training and preach the blessings.

The closing ceremony ended with a feast.

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