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Forau raises caution on risks in SEZ Bill

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BY NED GAGAHE

Governor of the Central Bank of Solomon Islands (CBSI) says the Special Economic Zone (SEZ) Bill 2024 needs to be reviewed to ensure safeguards are in place to prevent Solomon Islands from becoming a haven for money laundering and illicit financial flows.

Appearing before the Bills and Legislation Committee, Governor Dr Luke Forau expressed concerns regarding the potential risks of money laundering in the Bill’s present form during the Committee hearing last week.

Mr Forau while acknowledging the bill’s noble intention to support the country’s development, warned that Solomon Islands is not isolated and must be cautious about the risks involved in global trade.

Forau emphasised that while the bill aims to foster economic growth, it could inadvertently open doors for money launderers, especially those from advanced economies.

“Money launderers are everywhere, and they have vast amounts of money—drug dealers, for instance, possess millions, even billions of dollars.

“They can use this window to come and clean their money under the guise of legitimate businesses,” he said.

The Governor also raised concerns about the provisions in the bill, particularly regarding the repatriation of funds.

He suggested that such flexibility could make the country more vulnerable to illicit financial activities, particularly money laundering and potential terrorist financing.

“If the SEZ continues with separate regulations, it may pave the way for money launderers, as it would allow them to repatriate proceeds without scrutiny,” Forau warned.

He further pointed out that with the country’s relatively underdeveloped status, it is crucial to ensure that the regulations do not inadvertently attract harmful activities.

Forau concluded that there is a need for a review of the bill to ensure safeguards are in place, to prevent the Solomon Islands from becoming a haven for money laundering and illicit financial flows.

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National building standard bill to be passed soon: MID

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The Architecture and Building Management Services Division (ABMSD) of the Ministry of Infrastructure Development (MID) has announced the anticipated passage of the National Building Standard Bill later this year.

This legislative milestone is set to transform the landscape of the country’s construction sector, a statement by MID yesterday said.

Philip Baura, director of ABMSD, shared his optimism regarding the bill’s potential impact.

“The passage of this act will significantly bolster our division’s capacity to address the long-standing challenges faced by the construction industry,” he said.

Baura highlighted the legislation’s importance in enhancing safety standards across government buildings and private residences.

“It will also establish guidelines for construction on provincial lands and commercial and privately owned properties that serve public interests.

“This act empowers us to effectively regulate the construction industry, equipping us with the necessary tools to enforce compliance.”

The proposed legislation introduces minimum standards carefully tailored to the local context, prioritising safety and quality, the MID statement said.

Following its approval, a one-year transition period will be implemented, allowing ABMSD the opportunity to identify and rectify any ambiguities within the law, the statement said.

“Our long-term vision is for this act to lay the groundwork for establishing a dedicated building authority that will govern the construction industry,” Baura said.

In addition, the bill advocates for a collaborative framework involving the government, the Honiara City Council’s planning division, the provincial government, the Building and Construction Working Group under the Solomon Islands Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SICCI), the national planning board, and other key stakeholders. This collaboration is aimed at promoting a cohesive approach to construction regulation.

Upon the bill’s passage, ABMSD plans to deploy building inspectors to provincial centres nationwide, ensuring robust oversight of ongoing construction activities, the MID statement said.

The legislation will also enhance the capabilities of the MID’s construction material laboratory, ensuring that all local and international construction projects meet the minimum certification standards before any building structures commence.

Baura highlighted his division’s ongoing work to present the drainage bill for parliamentary proceedings in the near future.

Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele reaffirmed last week that the National Building Standard Bill will be tabled in Parliament this year, assuring SICCI members of the government’s commitment to advancing the country’s construction standards.

PTC for 3 people charged with false pretence in court today

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BY ROMINAH FAKA

Pre-Trial-Conference (PTC) into the case against three people charged with false pretence for recruiting people for seasonal work in Australia will be heard at the Magistrate court today.

Yesterday the matter came to court for PTC however defendant Joe Rex Raukaniu informed court he was yet to obtain a business licence from the Honiara City Council (HCC).  

Rex Raukaniu sought three working days from the court which court refused as the matter had been adjourned since March 4, and that the defendant and his lawyer should have addressed any issues during the course of adjournment.

Therefore, court made directions for the defendant to collect the necessary documents from Honiara City Council by yesterday and PTC to commence today.

Rex Raukaniu is charged separately with two counts of false pretence.

Rex Raukaniu together with Elsie Vamily Nagive and Shirly Fa’aitoa are charged with one count of false pretence.

Police alleged on two separate occasions of an unknown date in February, 2023 Rex Raukaniu together with his two agents informed two separate complainants that they were agents who recruited workers to Australia for seasonal work.

It was alleged that Rex Raukaniu took $2,500 from the first complainant and together with Elsie and Shirely took $2,300 from the second complainant.

Upon receiving the amount, they told the two complainants that they would update them on the status of their names for the seasonal work.

However, the two complainants waited but no response from the accused regarding the seasonal work updates as promised.

Selwyn Vaike is prosecuting and PSO acts for the defendants.

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Man gets 10 months for unlawful wounding

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BY ROMINAH FAKA

Court has sentenced a man to 10 months’ imprisonment for cutting his wife’s hair extension and injuring her head.

Allen Sam, 36, received his sentence on March 11 by Principal Magistrate Emily Z Vagibule Pakoa.

In delivering sentence court highlighted the aggravating factors which were the breach of trust as the defendant and the victim are husband and wife, use of weapon – a small pocket knife, defendant being under the influence of alcohol and the incident occurring at night time.

Mitigating factors included early guilty plea saving court’s time and resources, first time offending, cooperating with police and the defendant being the sole provider for his family.

Principal Magistrate Pakoa in delivering sentence told Mr Sam to accept that he must bear the consequences of his actions or decision making because of his arrogance forced towards the victim. 

“As people must understand that taking law into your own hands sometimes results in very tough position to either pay fine or prison.”

Court considered a starting point of 16 months imprisonment adding nine months for aggravating factors which equaled to 25 months. Court deducted five months for guilty plea, 10 months for other mitigating factors.

The head sentence for Sam is 10 months, to be backdated from when he was remanded.

Court facts said during the night of December 31, 2024, Sam and the victim went to Cowboys Grill club to celebrate the new year’s eve countdown.

At around 2am, the accused and the victim got separated inside the club. After that, the accused went searching for the complainant, first inside the club and outside in the parking lot, but could not find her.

The accused went outside again and this time he saw his wife standing beside a blue Caldina, which was driven by her ex-boyfriend.

The defendant approached the victim (wife) after seeing her standing by her ex-boyfriend’s car and asked her why she was standing there. She told Sam that she had told her ex-boyfriend to drop her off at home but he could not do so because someone was inside the car.

The defendant and the victim went back into Cowboys Grill and at 3am they returned home.

When they arrived home, Sam questioned the victim about why she was gone for about two hours.

The victim did not reply positively which caused the defendant to get angry and grabbed the victim’s dress, which she tried to escape but he grabbed the victim’s hair extension and used a pocket knife and cut the victim’s hair which resulted in an injury to her head.

When the defendant saw the blood from the victim’s head, he let go of her and she fled to the White River Police Station, where she was assisted and taken to the National Referral Hospital for urgent medical treatment.

She was admitted immediately due to the severity of her head injuries.

Public Prosecution office for acted for the Crown and PSO for defence.

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Court acquits 2 accused of exporting dangerous drugs

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BY ROMINAH FAKA

The Magistrate Court has acquitted two people who were charged with exporting prohibited drugs.

Prosecution had failed to provide sufficient evidence, and to provide beyond reasonable doubt the charges against the two defendants.

The judgement was delivered on March 7 by Deputy Chief Magistrate Ricky Iomea.

Beatrice Umea and Etekia Kauai were charged separately as principal offenders with one count each of export of prohibited substances, contrary to section 4 (2) of the Dangerous Drugs Act (Cap 98).

Both denied the charge and the trial was carried out before Deputy Chief Magistrate Ricky Iomea.

The trial was to address the identity of the individual who submitted the bag at the check-in and determine whether Beatrice Umea had knowledge that the bag or box held the prohibited substance marijuana or Indian hemp.

Crown called six witnesses and tendered four exhibits.

In delivering judgment Iomea said prosecution’s case against Mr Kauai relied heavily on the allegation that he was responsible for bringing the bag containing a Bluetooth speaker to the check-in counter. The speaker after passing through the screen machine, was unscrewed and found to contain eight sealed plastic bags filled with marijuana.

Court said prosecution failed to provide evidence of CCTV footage from the check-in-area, which could have clarified who exactly presented the bag for check-in. Without this footage, the identity of the people who brought the speaker remains uncertain.

“Court also finds it deeply troubling that the prosecution, despite having the originally been in possession of the CCTV footage during the initial trial, has failed to manage and retain the CCTV. The prosecution no longer had the CCTV footage in their filed. This lapse in handling critical evidence raised serious concerns about the diligence and preparedness of the prosecution in this type of case,” Iomea said.  

“The failure to retain and produce the CCTV footage had not only weaken the prosecution case but had also deprived the Court of the best available evidence to determine the truth. The absence of this footage has left the identity of the person who checked in the bag entirely unsubstantiated, a deficiency that lied squarely at the feet of the prosecution. Such mismanagement of evidence undermines the very foundation of fair trial and is wholly unacceptable,” Iomea said.  

For defendant Umea, prosecution argued that her actions in engaging in conversion with the person presenting the bag, tagging it to another passenger without their consent, and accepting the bag despite the fact that the presenter was not a traveling passenger indicated she had knowledge.

Court delivered that a review of CCTV footage could provide valuable insight into the situation at the check-in area at Henderson International Airport at the material time, particularly by reviewing the reaction and conduct of the defendant Umea. If she appeared unconcerned or took no action, it might suggest that she did not view the behavior as suspicious. Thus, a review CCTV footage could provide insight into the behavior of the defendant at the time she was approached at the check-in area by the person presenting the bag, how long she had interacted with that person and at which locations at the departure check-in of the airport.

Therefore, court delivered that the absence of the CCTV footage makes the prosecution case weak. As for the court to be satisfied that the defendants attempted to export or facilitate the export of a prohibited drugs from the Solomon Islands, prosecution must prove beyond reasonable doubt, through words and actions, that the defendant Umea had possession and knowledge of the drugs. In this case prosecution failed to do so.

Therefore, court acquitted Umea and Kauai from the charge of exporting prohibited drugs.

Jonathan Lui Auga acted for the prosecution and Jennifer Happlyn for Umea and Delilah Kukura Fagani for Kauai.

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Tulagi health workers urged to deliver quality care

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BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

Central Island Province Health Director Lorraine Satorara has called on her nurses and doctor to play their role as service providers within the New Tulagi renovated hospital.

Mrs Satorara said that the new transformation would enable their health workers to work in a safer, more efficient and modern environment.

“It is an exciting moment for all the Ministry of Health staff of the hospital here in Tulagi. It is a joy and a sign of gratitude that we are gathered to witness the official handover of the newly renovated Tulagi Hospital,” she said.

She said on Friday last week in Tulagi that it is a milestone and achievement that reflects a collective collaborative commitment to improving the health services in the central province.

“To the Provincial Health Staff, your hard work, commitment, and passion for delivering quality care to ensure that services are provided. Today, we have received a great gift from the World Bank, the Ministry of Health and the Government of Solomon Islands. Let us remember that we are here to deliver service,” she said.

“We are the backbone of this hospital. Doctors and nurses and all the support staff, it is important that we continue to play our role as service providers within this hospital,” she said.

She encourages all the health staff, provincial leaders and community to take ownership of the hospital to ensure that they continue to maintain and serve its intended purpose for the future generations.

“Let us work together to safeguard and maximise the impact of this investment for the health and wellbeing of our people,” she said.

Satorara also recognised the significant renovation which was made possible through World Bank funding and constructed by Super Construction Limited.

“We deeply appreciate those who have played a part in making this project a reality,” said Satorara.

She also acknowledged the presence of the health minister and Permanent secretary, the premier of Central Province, and the MHMS representatives.

“Bringing you here today is to ensure that you connect with us and expand the services here.”

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We have every reason to be thankful: Premier Salini

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BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

The people of Central Islands Province (CIP) and surrounding communities in Tulagi have every reason to be thankful and celebrate.

Central Island Premier Michale Salini echoed this on Friday last week when his province officially took ownership of the province’s newly renovated Tulagi Hospital.

He told delegates and his people that the Tulagi Hospital was one of the few health facilities built by the colonial administration before independence.

He said that it was not until the early 90s that a mini-hospital was built by the Government, and it took another 30-plus years to get to where it is today.

“Although it took that long we have been very patient and hoping that one day it will come, and that day is finally here. Thank you to those who made it all possible. That is why we have every reason to be thankful and celebrate,’’ said Salini.

“As a Premier of Central Province, your presence for gracing this momentous occasion for the handing over of the renovated and the new look Tulagi Hospital means a lot to me and my people,’’ Salini said.

He said that accessing quality health services is a basic right of every Solomon Islander, including his people in Central Islands.

“The occasion that we witness today is a testament to the Government’s commitment to that basic right. That is why me and my people are so proud and happy this morning,’’ he said.

Premier Salini also appealed to the Health Minister and his permanent secretary to ensure that other services for the people of CIP are provided.

“Please ensure that all the services are provided here. I know this is yet another big step that needs to be taken to ensure that the beautiful facility we have here is fully utilised,’’ he said.

He said that the successful completion of the Hospital demonstrates what can be achieved through working together.

“My good people of Central Province, having such a project like this doesn’t come very often. That is why I am calling on all of us to look after this beautiful facility so that we can continue to use it for many more years to come,’’ said Salini.

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$140k to help youths in Malaita

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BY SAMIE WAIKORI

The Australian government through DFAT has supported 14 young people in Malaita province with SBD140,000.

Each youth received $10,000 to implement various youth projects in their communities.

The funding was made possible by Australian government through the Australia Solomon Islands Program Support (ASIPS), supported by Malaita provincial government through Malaita Provincial Youth Council (MPYC).

In an interview yesterday, Malaita Youth Coordinator, Mr Francis Samo confirmed the support, after a training to capacitate the youths to implement the fund was held last week in Auki, Malaita province.

He said the training focussed on leadership, advocacy and project grant management. The training also equipped youths with proposal writing, entrepreneurship and other skills necessitating the implementation of the projects.

Samo explained the purpose of the funding is to support young people in Malaita province with economic empowerment projects.

“The 14 youth recipients, whom represented youth associations from five regions of the province will go back and plan the execution of the fund.

“The programme is relatively on income generation project, which also covers climate change and other important areas of advocacy that require participation of youths in the province.

“The timeframe of the programme is six months and will review to see the next step of the funding support,” he said.

In a statement from Malaita Issues, Provincial Secretary (PS) of Malaita province, Mr Eric George acknowledged Australian government through DFAT for its commitment to empowering young people in Malaita through the funding support.

George said that the funding support will benefit young people both in Malaita and Solomon Islands.

Meanwhile, he also expressed the ongoing commitment of Malaita provincial government to youth employment and economic empowerment in the province.

Malaita Provincial Government Minister for Youth, Women, and Sports, Hon John Sugono also acknowledged the youths and urged them to share what they learned during the training.

“Do not sleep on what you have learned. Take it back to your wards and put it into practice,” he said.

The program marks a milestone in MPYC’s effort to equip young people with skills and resources needed to lead and advocate for community development in Malaita Province.

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State Funeral to be held for Late Sir Francis Billy Hilly

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Former Prime Minister and Senior Statesman the late Sir Francis Billy Hilly KCMG will be accorded a State Funeral scheduled for Wednesday, March 19.

Sir Francis passed on in Honiara on March 10 at the age of 77, a statement from the Government communications unit yesterday said.

Sir Francis was a pioneer politician who was the Prime Minister of Solomon Islands from June 18, 1993 to November 7, 1994.

He represented the Ranongga/Simbo Constituency in the National Parliament from 1976 to 1984 and represented the constituency again from 1993 onwards.

The body of the late Sir Francis will lie in State at the National Parliament Chambers from 8am to 1pm tomorrow for public viewing by dignitaries and members of public.

The Official State Funeral Service will follow at the Wesley United Church in Central Honiara from 1pm onwards.

The body will be transported for burial at his home Island of Ranongga, Western Province after the funeral service, the statement said.

Good return from value-added products

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BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

The Solomon Islands government generated $60 million last year 2024 from copra value-added products.

The Commodities Export Marketing Authority (CEMA) Director Mr. Simon Chottu said that 7000 metric tons exported last year was copra, while 4000 metric tons was in the form of oil.

“That was the good indicator of last year’s data, where 100 million generated for the economy was from copra. From the 100 million, 40 million was from copra and 60 million was from oil, value added products. 7000 metric tons of copra were exported, and 4000 metric tons were for oil,’’ said Chottu.

Speaking to Island Sun in an interview, Chottu said that CEMA’s intention going forward in its revitalization is increasing the volume of value-adding both domestically and internationally.

Mr Chottu said that while the country exports a low volume of value-added products, it generates high returns compared to normal copra export.

She said that although a high volume of copra and cocoa comes from farmers, it usually declines when it comes to export.

“The demand for value-added products increases in the domestic market, and in terms of volume, value-added commodities are also high, reducing the export of copra because we have domestic companies in the country who are involved in value adding.

“In that way, we see a good return although low volume is exported, compared to high volume of copra export, the low volume of oil has higher return. That is the same situation for cocoa,’’ he said.

He said that CEMA would support farmers to continue production and encourage private sectors looking at a refinery to engage in value-added products.

 Mr Chottu said that while CEMA is incapable of doing itself due to lack of proper infrastructure and equipment, CEMA look to utilize the private sector.

“In terms of export, yes, demand is out there for us to export, but we need to increase volume.  Rehabilitate plantations, clean up plantation etc,’’ he said.

He said that it is one thing the CEMA called on MAL to work closely together to support farmers.

“About 70% of value-added product was exported and 30% circulated in the domestic market,’’ said Chottu.

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