BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

A significant number of young people participated in the voluntary clean-up initiative at Mataniko River on Saturday.

The clean-up effort, aimed at removing debris from the river, commenced at 8 a.m. and concluded at 1 p.m.

In addition to the youth, the initiative attracted a diverse group of dedicated volunteers from the Non-Government Organization (NGO), Honiara City Council (HCC), students, and community members from Honiara.

To improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the operation, the river was divided into designated zones: Zone 1 stretched from the river mouth to the Rainbow Shop, Zone 2 from the Rainbow Shop to the old bridge, and Zone 3 from the old bridge to Number 3, reaching as far as the Tuvaruhu area.

Each zone was equipped with a boot for waste storage, which was weighed before being transported to a rubbish bin vehicle for disposal at Ranadi.

The clean-up, which focused on eliminating plastic waste from the Mataniko River, saw participants utilizing boats to retrieve plastic bottles, butane gas canisters, and other debris.

The collected waste was subsequently transported by the Honiara City Council to the Ranadi dumping site in East Honiara for proper disposal.

By Loretta B Manele

A drunken person was arrested by police in Tulagi for damaging the counter of a canteen at Salesapa village, Central province on 17^th Nov.

Police Commissioner Mostyn Mangau said the incident happened on 13^th Nov around 10 am in the morning.

During this time, the suspect was drunk and entered the victim’s private area without consent.

He then threw half a brick towards front of the canteen that was attached to the dwelling house of the victim causing damage to the counter of the canteen.

The motive behind this issue was that the suspect disagreed that the complainant delayed his payment.

This matter was reported to the police and the suspect was arrested and is being dealt with by the police.

Mangau said issues like this comes back to us people in the sense that we must have an understanding that it’s better to approach each other when we have any disagreements rather than resorting to drinking alcohol and taking the laws into our own hands while under the influence of alcohol.

By Loretta B Manele

The Prison Fellowship Solomon Islands’ (PFSI) Angel Tree program brought smiles to the children of inmates yesterday at the Rove Correctional centre.

They received bible teachings from the Child Evangelical Fellowship Program, entertainment and later Christmas presents.

This program aims to connect inmates with their children through Christmas gifts.

Gabriel Bate’e, president of PFSI whilst speaking at the occasion said the primary purpose of the Angel Tree program is to foster and heal the relationships between an inmate and his or her child.

He stressed that children of inmates are often overlooked, forgotten, rejected and scorned by society.

Bate’e however, pointed out that children should not be punished by their parents’ mistakes.

He said the program provides the opportunity to demonstrate the tangible love and compassion of Jesus Christ to children and families in need and to help restore damaged child-parent relationships through the separation caused by imprisonment.

Chris Bwekuli, who represented the office of the police commissioner and executive voiced that a simple gift can remind a child that they are seen, valued and loved.

He added that it can also remind a parent that they are not alone in their journey toward redemption.

Inspector Jimmy Aega, RISPF Director for programs and rehab acknowledged PFSI for their support of the Angel Tree program.

“We would also like to extend our deepest appreciation to Prison Fellowship Solomon Islands (PFSI) for their ongoing support of the Angel Tree Program”

He said through their dedication and effort, they have been able to provide gifts and bring smiles to so many faces.

“Your work makes a tangible difference in the lives of these children and we thank you for your steadfast commitment to this cause”

BY INDY MAEALASIA

The Fire and Rescue Service of the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) will soon receive three fire trucks to enhance services across three provinces.

In a contract signing earlier this week between the Fire Service and the Japanese Embassy in the Solomon Islands, Japan will provide USD 89,705 to procure second-hand vehicles. These trucks will be allocated to Western, Guadalcanal, and Malaita provinces.

Donated by Japan’s Firefighters Association, Japan’s Ambassador, Miwa Yoshiaki, expressed his hopes that the vehicles would be put to good use by the communities. He emphasized Japan’s deep interest in fostering strong community commitment, stating, “We are looking forward to seeing the successful completion of this project in the near future, resulting in a stronger relationship between Japan and the Solomon Islands.”

Director of Fire-Supervising, James Ketaru, described the assistance and donation as a “milestone” for the Fire Service.

“I applaud the government and the people of Japan for your continuous support,” he remarked.

Ketaru emphasized that the donation is timely, as some of the vehicles are experiencing mechanical faults, making it difficult to respond to emergencies in a timely manner.

“But with your generous donation, it will help alleviate and boost fire and emergency responses to the expected standard, thus saving lives, protecting government properties, business houses, and the properties of the people of Solomon Islands,” he said.

Ketaru also expressed his appreciation to the Japanese government and its people for their support.

“I acknowledge and salute them for this generous gift,” he added.

BY INDY MAEALASIA

FAUABU Rural Health Clinic in Malaita Province is set to receive a much-needed ambulance, a significant boost to improving emergency healthcare services for the local population.

Earlier this week, a contract was signed between the Japanese Embassy of the Solomon Islands and representatives of Fauabu Clinic, which will allow Japan to fund the logistics and shipment of the second-hand ambulance, amounting to USD 31,346.

Japan’s ambassador, Miwa Yoshiaki, announced the honor of supporting such a project, emphasizing that it will improve the lives of the people.

“This project is a very good example of how the people of Japan can cooperate with the people of the Solomon Islands for its development, and we believe this gift will have a positive impact,” Ambassador Miwa said.

Situated in West Fataleka, Fauabu Clinic is one of two health centers managed by the Anglican Church of Melanesia (ACOM) and is estimated to serve 6,000-7,000 people.

A key challenge currently faced is transporting patients in critical condition safely to the provincial hospital, Kilufi.

“The need arises when referring patients in critical conditions to Kilufi,” Oeta said. He pointed out that patients usually travel on public transport but, at times, are unable to make it.

“We have been losing lives along the way,” he remarked. However, with the recent signing allowing Japan to come on board, Oeta expressed his hopes of seeing positive changes.

“It is a great relief for the clinic,” he said. “It is not just a vehicle, but a life-saving piece of equipment that will save lives in that area.”

Chairman of the operating officer of ACOM, Pete Pitia, expressed his appreciation to Japan for the timely assistance and pledged to work closely with the Japanese government.

By Loretta B Manele

Police officers in Tulagi arrested two chiefs from Salesapa village in Central province for demanding money.

According to Police Commissioner Mostyn Mangau, the arrest was done during police patrol in Small Ngella on the 17^th of this month.

It was alleged that the two chiefs were drunk and approached the victim and his family and demanded SBD $10,000 for compensation.

The two suspects demanded money from the family because one of the sons of one of the family members had an affair with a girl.

These chiefs claimed that the girl was pregnant so they were drunk and went to the family and demanded money from them.

However, there was no proof of pregnancy as reported by the medical authority so the two suspects were arrested and will appear court at a later date.

Mangau appeals to elders in communities, especially to chiefs as well as church leaders and community leaders to deal with such matters using our traditional practices.

“As a chief demanding compensation is not a good look in our culture. As chiefs we are the ones to solve such matters according to our traditional practices rather than taking the law into our own hands and demanding our people to pay compensation.

I urge our community leaders to try and apply our cultural ways of sorting out such matters”

By Loretta B Manele

Police in Auki arrested a 30 year-old male for the rape of a person with disability in West Mbaelelea in Malaita province.

According to the police press conference held yesterday at Rove Police headquarters, it was alleged that the suspect led the victim to the bush between July and November this year and had sex with the victim on several occasions.

The victim’s auntie noticed changes in the victim and took her to the clinic for a pregnancy test which came back positive.

She then reported the matter to the police and the police have arrested the suspect.

He was charged and is set to appear in court at a later date.

The victim is under the care of Kilu’ufi hospital.

Police Commissioner Mostyn Mangau referred to this case as a sad incident because as a person with disability, the victim and other people with disabilities should be all respected by our communities.

“We have values and elders in our communities and parents should teach their children to respect people with disabilities.

Today it may be someone else’s child that is having that problem, tomorrow it may be any of our children that may have that similar problem”

He stated that as a Christian country, we should show people with disabilities more respect.

Mangau urges people to treat people with disabilities in their communities with respect.