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MPG clears illegal markets in Auki

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Premier of Malaita province, Elijah Asilaua.

BY SAMIE WAIKORI

The Malaita provincial government (MPG) has since last week cleared illegal market vendors in Auki town.

The exercise was in response to a seven-day notice issued by MPG that lapsed two weeks ago. The exercise promotes MPG’s clean-green campaign and ensure Auki town is properly organised.

Premier Ellijah Asilaua said, “Last year, we launched the green campaign and we continue to uphold the objectives of the campaign.

“The ultimate goal behind the campaign is to transform Auki into greater city, as MPG is working toward.

“In light of that, MPG issued the notice – encouraging vendors to go back to designated market facilities in Auki.”

In enforcing the notice, Asilaua said MPG security personnel and members of RSIPF in Auki have demolished illegal market vendors in Auki town.

These include smoke and betel nut markets, cooked food and others.

Asilaua added the exercise will continue until illegal market activity in Auki is done with.

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Wale lashes out at gov’t over lack of support to DPP & police

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LEADER of Opposition Matthew Wale has lashed out at the government following reports of lack of commitment in supporting our law enforcement agencies.

Mr Wale made this statement in response to a media report in the Island Sun recently that quoted the Director of Public Prosecution Andrew Kelesi saying his office does not have the finance to run trials.

Mr Kelesi said some trials had to be vacated because of lack of finance.

The Opposition Leader said in light of the many high collar finance related cases this revelation is worrying indeed.

“This is a red flag and with revelations in recent audit reports, many more investigations and auditing to follow and many allegations of corrupt practice popping up, it only kills any public confidence that people might have in the system to address serious crime,” he said.

Wale said the Ministry of Justice must address this issue with urgency and support the DPP office.

He said this would ensure trials proceed, but most importantly to also build capacity to be able to deal with white-collar crime/allegations.

The recent concern raised by the DPP further confirms reports from within RSIPF that police are also handicapped logistically and financially to support its work.

The Opposition Office was reliably informed that RSIPF are also facing similar problems like DPP.

“My office was informed that there is either little or no government support for police to carry out their work effectively. Major investigations have either been stalled or delayed due to insufficient logistical and financial support,” he said.

The Opposition Leader said investigators and prosecutors play a crucial role in the judicial system and Government support is needed if we are serious about addressing this matter.

Wale said substantial investment should be made in law enforcement agencies such as the police and the judiciary so they can carry out their work effectively.

He said public confidence in the judiciary and police also depends on the quality of service through the Government’s support.

MALAITA STEPS AHEAD

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Ground breaking ceremony for Auki Road Network Rehabilitation Project today marks significant milestone in infrastructure development of the province

The ground breaking ceremony for the Auki Road Network Rehabilitation Project will take place today at the Auki Primary School Field, marking a significant milestone in the infrastructure development of Malaita Province.

Funded by the People’s Republic of China, this project represents a key component of the comprehensive strategic partnership between China and the Solomon Islands.

The Ministry of Infrastructure Development, in a statement yesterday said, “This project is rooted in the government’s National Transport Plan (NTP) 2017-2036, which advocates for a systematic approach to transport infrastructure, prioritising accessibility, safety, and efficiency to foster social and economic growth.”

The groundwork for this project began with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in October 2023, followed by an exchange of notes facilitating feasibility studies and design work in December 2023.

The final road survey was successfully completed last year, laying the foundation for this upgrade.

This road rehabilitation involves the existing 9km-plus main road, stretching from Kilu’ufi Hospital on the northern side of Auki Town to the Kwaibala Bridge on the southern side. In addition to this, it will encompass 16 vital road networks within the growing town.

One of the key aspects of this project is the use of high-quality materials. It features asphalt concrete pavement with a thickness of 50 millimetres, ensuring durability.

“This infrastructure upgrade aligns with the Government for National Unity and Transformation’s (GNUT) policy to develop and maintain safe, reliable, resilient, integrated, and sustainable land and maritime infrastructures.

“The project aims to significantly improve transport systems and connectivity to basic services and strategic investment locations, thus promoting economic development for the province,” the MID statement said.

The ceremony will be attended by esteemed guests, including key guest speaker Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele, China Ambassador HE Cai Weiming, and officials from the China Embassy; Minister of Infrastructure Development Manasseh Maelanga; provincial leaders of Malaita Province; contractors; and distinguished delegates.

China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) has been awarded the contract for this comprehensive road upgrade. This segment of sealed road has seen numerous enhancements made by various construction teams since its initial development by the Public Works Department in the 1990s. In 2009, it was upgraded as part of the Asian Development Bank’s Post-Conflict Emergency Rehabilitation Project by the Kitano Group. Subsequently, in 2015, Dalgro conducted further upgrades, followed by temporary maintenance repairs by Zed Construction in 2024.

CCECC has already dispatched two shipments of materials and established a campsite at Aligegeo Provincial Secondary School. In accordance with the agreement made with the Malaita Province administration and the education authority, this camp facility will be transferred to the school upon the project’s completion. Additionally, the company is currently recruiting over 50 local workers for initial stages of the project.

Licensed vessels dominate IUU fishing

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BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

A study undertaken to quantify Illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing in Pacific tuna fisheries highlighted that licensed vessels continue to dominate IUU fishing.

Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA) Director of Fisheries Operations Division Mr Allan Rahari said the study was undertaken by FFA in 2016 and further updated in 2021.

“The study did highlight one key area of significance to the region, and that is IUU estimates continue to be dominated by authorized or licensed vessels engaged in unreported fishing,’’ said Rahari.

“So, this is a key finding and has shaped some of the strategies to address IUU fishing. The focus is on unreported fishing,’’ he said.

Speaking during a side event at the Honiara summit, Rahari said that unlicensed fishing remains an issue.

“So mainly incursions of small-scale Southeast vessels into the EZs adjacent to Southeast Asian countries, Indonesia, Philippines, and so forth,’’ he said.

He said that estimates of illegal transshipment have declined, but monitoring and control are works in progress to strengthen the validation of transshipment volumes.

He said that one of the key messages from this study is the need for a stronger Monitoring, Control and Surveillance (MCS) arrangement in FFA members’ EZs to be mirrored on the high seas.

“There is a need to ensure that the rules that are applied in EZs are applied on the high seas so that the stuff that’s been managed, the rules apply consistently across both the EZs and the high seas. A key IUU risk for the Pacific is unreported fishing,’’ he said.

He said that while other IUU risks are equally important, the focus of existing strategies and key activities is to address unreported fishing.

He said that activities implemented to address this risk within the region includes implementing electronic reporting and electronic monitoring tools, strengthening analytical capacity at national and regional level, undertaking quality boarding inspections both at sea and in port, strengthening cuts reporting requirements under national laws, and strengthening catch monitoring during transshipment at sea and landing.

“These are some of the activities currently being undertaken in the region to address the issue of unreported fishing,’’ he said.

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Health scandal trial to begin next week

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BY ROMINAH FAKA

The health scandal trial which was supposed to begin on Monday this week was further adjourned for March 10 after prosecution made an application in court earlier this week.

Reasons for seeking an adjournment include the prosecutor being sick, and financial problem which the Office of Director of Public Prosecution (ODPP) is facing in which there is no funds available for Crown to pay the witnesses’ airfares/seafares, rent accommodations for them while attending trials and receive daily allowances.

Defence counsel Jim Seuika who represents defendant Robert Manu objected to the application for adjournment.  

Meanwhile, defence counsels Jennifer Happily who represent Dalipanda, Rochella Pama represents Maena and Mr Taupongi who represents Hatigeva conceded to the short adjournment for prosecution’s recovery and trial to proceed later this week.

Court granted adjournment and directed the trial to begin Monday, March 10 and prosecution to seek funds from the government to bring the witnesses for trial.

Former finance controller Stephen Dalipanda, former Senior Accountant Randy Hatigeva, former Health Procurement Officer Robert Manu and former Accounts Officer Dalcy Maena were charged jointly with two counts of false pretence.

Manu who is charged separately with four counts of Official Corruption was convicted of using his position to expedite and authorise payments to Eroba Shipping totaling up to $1,608,371 by passing the proper procurement procedures in exchange for large sums of money that were deposited into his personal bank account.

Manu was sentenced to two years suspended sentence for corrupting receiving $195,000 in exchange for facilitating payments to a shipping company.

Private local contractor Tigi Sekele, who is also charged in connection to this health scandal, is waiting for his trial.

Sikele faces three counts of false pretence.

The prosecution alleged he fabricated invoices and submitted them to the MHMS to claim the services done.

It was alleged he received three payments worth over $1million to his company for the freighting of materials, which were never done.

The prosecution alleged those payments were done because the defendant fraudulently submitted a fabricated invoice to the MHMS on each occasion between April 2013 and June 2013.

Theses former health workers allegedly caused a total sum of $1,594,935.10 to be paid to a ghost shipping service called the Joke Shipping Services.

The two shipping agents John Biliki and Wesley Poloso of Eroba Shipping Service and Joke Shipping Service defrauded the Solomon Islands Government for approximately $7.3 million.

Taxi driver, Poloso, was already convicted and jailed for two and a half years in 2014 for receiving $1.5 million of the fund.

The matter of the owner of the other alleged fake shipping agent, Biliki was discontinued in 2019 in the High Court after he died from an illness.

These millions of dollars were from the Solomon Islands Government and aid donors to support and improve rural health services.

The prosecution alleged that the defrauding of these monies severely affected implementation of health projects in the rural areas.

John Wesley Zoze prosecuting and Jim Seuika for Manu, Happliyn for Dalipanda, Taupongi for Hatigeva and Pama represent Maena.

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Trial completed for 2016 case involving govt ministries and police over dolphin

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BY ROMINAH FAKA

Trial into the case against the ministry of environment (MECDM), ministry of fisheries (MFMR) and the police (RSIPF) was completed yesterday.

This civil case was filed in 2016 by the late Dr Baddley Anita, owner of the Solmarine Mammal Breeding Centre.

First defendants are the MECDM and MFMR, and the second defendant is the RSIPF.

The trial was conducted before Judge Augustine Aulanga at High Court, where lawyer for the claimant called one witness, the daughter of late Dr Anita to testify in court.

The Attorney General’s Chamber which represents the first and second defendants called one witness who is the Director of Fisheries.  

The lawyer for the claimant claims that the destruction of claimant’s property at Bungana, Gella way back in 2016. The destruction of property was done by the MFMR and police.

The Claimant said that the MFMR and police did not have the legal authority to do the actions of destruction of the claimant’s property. Thus, the Solmarine Mammal Breeding Centre claimed for the damages and destruction the defendants caused to their property on October 29, 2016.

The claimant seeks the court for $31,819,591.03 for the damage the defendants caused to their property in 2016 for raiding and destruction of their dolphin captive breeding facility on Bungana Island, Central province.

The claimant’s claim is for damages caused and other losses. The regulation was declared null and void by the High Court in 2018.

In response to the claimant’s claim the MECDM and MFMR argued that the destruction was authorised by Fisheries (Prohibition of Export of Dolphins) Regulations 2013.

The matter was adjourned to April 17 for oral hearing on the parties’ closing submissions.

Court also directed the claimant’s lawyer to file written submissions with case authorities by March 25 and the defendants’ lawyer to file written submissions by April 5.

The Solmarine Mammal Breeding Centre captive breeding programme was 100 percent indigenously owned and operated, was initiated in 2009/2010 and was fully operational from 2011.

Officers from the MFMR and police in Honiara raided the facility and released 27 dolphins kept in pens by Solmarine.

Late Dr Anita had a licence to operate the facility, which was issued by the Environment Division. Central Province had also issued Dr Anita a licence to operate in the province.

But MFMR authorities said the caging of the live dolphins was against the Fisheries Act.

MFMR’s regulations prohibit any export of dolphins, therefore any person who catches for sale and retain in captivity for sale, exports any live dolphin or operates a dolphin holding facility for the purposes for sale or export, commits an offence and is liable for a fine under this Regulation which is $500,000 or imprisonment for two years or both.

Rano and Company Law firm acts for the claimant and Attorney General’s Chamber acts for the 1st and 2nd defendants.

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$3k bail for man alleged in gold dust case

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BY ROMINAH FAKA

A man alleged in the case of stolen gold dust has been granted bail by the magistrate court.

Max Gura was ordered to pay a cash bail of $3,000 on Friday last week.

He is also being released under strict bail conditions.

Court adjourned the matter to March 14 for Pre-Trial- Conference (PTC).

Gura and co-accused Miriam Keni Sasau are charged together with one count of simple larceny and one count of possessing police property.

The allegations were raised in relation to an incident which occurred on September 24, 2024 when the prime suspect, who is still at large, allegedly stole 8992.10 grammes of gold ashes.

Police alleged on September 26, 2024 Gura transported the prime suspect in his vehicle to escape police and concealed him at his village in Guadalcanal.

The allegation said Gura allegedly received a portion of the stolen gold ashes from the prime suspect and his wife after he dropped him off at his hideout.

Later on, Sasau sold a portion of the gold which she allegedly collected an amount of $160,000 and returned the money to her husband Gura and the prime suspect.

The prime suspect then gave Gura and his wife Sasau $10,000.

In November 2024 the prime suspect allegedly escaped to Auki and handed the remaining gold ashes to Gura who would find a gold buyer for them.

Gura reportedly sold the stolen gold ashes, portion by portion.

Police later discovered Gura had bought a number of vehicles and shared them among his family members. He also allegedly bought three door Rav4 and two-tone vehicles and Hilux which were shipped to Auki.

Gura and Sasau also allegedly bought a piece of land at Tasahe B and were building a home on that land plot.

On December 5, 2024, police executed a search warrant at Gura and Sasau’s residence in Lungga.

Police found a small bottle containing several grammes of gold ashes, a cash of $6,317.60, small medicine-like plastic for storing and weighing gold ashes which contained remaining gold ashes, dark blue RSIPF Cargo Pant, one RSIPF Fire Service-EMT dark blue long sleeve station wear, one 511 blue tactical pant and one black OST rain coat, the properties of the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF).

Both defendants were arrested and charged accordingly.

Police Prosecutor Department is prosecuting the case and Donation Houa of PSO acts for the defendants.

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Case of Tobacco boss adjourned for March 17

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BY ROMINAH FAKA

The case of the general manager of Solomon Islands Tobacco company has been adjourned for March 17.

This is for prosecution to update the court regarding a memo the defence had sent to the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

Yesterday defence told court it had received full disclosures from prosecution, however the DPP has not responded to a memo sent on February 11 to state whether it will accept it or not.

Prosecution thus sought a 14-day adjournment for DPP to respond to the memo.

Defence also informed court its client will be traveling out of the country on March 12 and return on the 16th. So, the bail conditions for the defendant remained suspended and he is required to appear on March 17.

In meantime, court directed counsels to communicate and settle any issues.

Prosecution charged Darren John Corby with one count of Restriction of Advertisement of Tobacco Product contrary to section 4 of the Tobacco Control Act 2010.

Prosecution alleged on August 31, 2024, the Solomon Islands Tobacco Company Limited held a product launch event at Cowboys’ Grill Bar and Restaurant, Kukum, Honiara. 

They were introducing their new product, Pall Mall Blast and various business agents and representatives attended the event.

It was further alleged that during the lunching, Company officers did a presentation during the launch, the promotional staffs conducted promotional activities, including a detailed slide presentation and promotional video footage, highlighting key features of the Pall Mall Blast product.

The presentation allegedly focused on the unique qualities of Pall Mall Blast, particularly its berry menthol flavour capsule, which distinguishes it from other tobacco products in the market.

It was also alleged that the video captured setting during the lunching involving promotional activities, such as displayed of promotional materials such as banners and promotional cigarettes boxes depicting the new brand package inside the restaurant. 

The promotional video of the product was alleged to be repeatedly played on a large video screen for people to watch.

The Tobacco Control Act 2010 prohibits advertising or promotion of any tobacco product. 

On December 10 last year, John Corby was invited to the NCID Rove Police Head Quarter where the allegation was put to him and he was charged.  

Mr Lepe of Sol-Law Lawyers represents the defendant while Jonathan Auga is prosecuting the case.

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Failure to properly manage marine resources is not an option

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BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

Failure to properly manage marine resources is simply not an option, stressed Ms. Moss-Christian, Executive Director of the Western & Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC), during the Honiara Summit.

Ms. Christian stated that the cooperation among members of the Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA), particularly through subgroupings such as the Parties to the Nauru Agreement (PNA) and the South Pacific Group (SPG), along with their collaboration with other WCPFC members, has been a key factor in maintaining healthy fish stock levels in the Pacific.

She emphasized that what makes WCPFC’s mission truly special is the vision of Pacific leaders that inspired its creation.

“These leaders foresaw a future where science and cooperation would safeguard not only fisheries but also the livelihoods and traditions of our people,” she said.

“Their forward-thinking spirit reminds us that sustainable management is as much about preserving culture as it is about managing resources,” Ms. Christian added.

She noted that WCPFC has built upon this vision of strong collaboration, benefiting from the contributions of non-SIDS members, including Japan, the U.S., and Korea, whose expertise and commitment have played a crucial role in achieving shared goals.

She also highlighted the pressing challenges posed by climate change and illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, warning that if left unaddressed, these issues would put immense strain on fishery resources.

“The rapid advancement of digital technologies and artificial intelligence (AI) is also reshaping the way we manage fisheries. This era of information will challenge our organization to be more transparent, more forthcoming with data, and ultimately, more effective,” she said.

“Looking ahead, our mission remains clear: protect our fisheries, support our communities, and honor the visionary legacy that gave birth to the WCPFC. This isn’t just about setting regulations—it’s about upholding a promise to the people who depend on these waters every day,” she concluded.

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FSM stands with the Pacific for sustainable fisheries resources

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BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

Achieving SDG 14.4 requires sustained cooperation among Pacific nations, development partners, and stakeholders, said Elina P. Akinaga, Minister for the Federated States of Micronesia’s Ministry of Resources and Development.

She stated that FSM stands with its Pacific neighbors in calling for stronger regional cooperation, enhanced monitoring, and greater recognition of Pacific nations’ sovereign rights over the region’s fisheries resources.

“We must work together to secure fair access to fisheries resources, strengthen monitoring and enforcement mechanisms, and maximize economic returns while safeguarding the integrity of our fisheries,” she said.

Akinaga emphasized that through the FFA, the Pacific’s collective efforts have demonstrated strong leadership in achieving SDG 14.4.

“Now, we must push further—securing equitable access to fisheries resources, expanding value-added fisheries development, and ensuring that the benefits of our ocean resources remain in the hands of our people,” she said.

“As we move forward, let us continue to build on our shared vision—a resilient Blue Pacific Continent where our fisheries are not only protected but also provide lasting prosperity for generations to come,” she added.

She reaffirmed FSM’s commitment to sustainable fisheries and the importance of regional collaboration in achieving shared goals under SDG 14.4.

“As custodians of some of the world’s richest tuna stocks, we in FSM recognize that ensuring the sustainability of these resources is not just an economic imperative—it is a responsibility to future generations,” she concluded.

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