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Court refuses strike-out application on petition against Baegu/Asifola MP

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BY ROMINAH FAKA

The application to dismiss the election petition case against the Member of Parliament for Baegu/Asifola Constituency Makario Tagini has been refused by the court and will proceed to trial.

The ruling of the application to strike out the election petition which filed by the respondent Tagini and his lawyer was delivered yesterday by Justice Howard Lawy.

The petitioner Talifilu filed 13 grounds of election bribery allegations against the respondent Tagini.

However, on August 13 the petitioner amended the petition and living out the three grounds which leaved only 10 grounds against the respondent which three being dismissed yesterday and seven proceed to trial.

Respondent Makario Tagini and petitioner Celsus Talifilu were candidate in the General Election in April 2024. Respondent successful candidate. He received 2391 voters, 144 more than the petitioner.

Lilly Ramo representing the Petitioner Celsus Talifilu and L&L Lawyers represent respondent Makario Tagini.

Petition against Sogavare adjourns

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BY ROMINAH FAKA

THE election petition against the Member of Parliament for East Choiseul Manasseh Sogavare has been further suspended for a later date for reallocation of a new judge to preside over.

The matter was listed before court on Tuesday this week purposely to determine whether to set a hearing date for the Respondent’s application to strike out or to set directions for the respondent to file his defence.

However, Judge Augustine Sylver Aulanga returned the file to the Registrar of the High Court to be relallocated to another Judge.

The petitioner David Qurusu and his lawyer filed on May 29 this year six allegations of election bribery against Sogavare.

Five of the allegations are claimed to have been committed by the respondent through his purported agents, while one is alleged to have been made by the Respondent himself.

On July 29, 2024, the respondent through his lawyer, filed an application to strike out the petition on the basis that it is frivolous and vexatious and that the alleged grounds are insufficient to amount to election bribery.

Later on August 27 the respondent filed an amended application to strike out, adding non-compliance with court orders as an additional ground for the strike out, since court directions were not complied with the petitioner.

L&L Lawyers represents the petitioner Qurusu and Rano & Company represents respondent Sogavare.

Equipped for Pacific and beyond

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Lorima Dalituicama (centre) and two fellow graduates. Photo credit - USP

USP’s BA Communication & Media programme sees first alumni – Lorima’s story

BY IRWIN ANGIKI

Lorima Dalituicama has two reasons for celebrating USP’s September 2024 graduation.

First is his successful graduation. Second, Lorima is one of the first two students to graduate from USP’s new dynamic Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Communication and Media programme.

BA Communication and Media combines journalism with linguistics and management & marketing, and allows the student to specialise in any area of choice.

The vast range of possible field of choice include environment, health, inclusive education, marine science, nutrition, Pacific arts & heritage, Pacific policing, social work, tourism, and more.

It is perfectly relevant for careers in the various media and PR/Comms fields. Today, the latter is in high demand as communication is realised as an important cross-cutting factor to an organisation’s success.

At a time when Pacific voices need to be heard on the global stage, Lorima is grateful that the University of the South Pacific (USP) ‘recognises the timely need to roll out this programme for our Blue Pacific’.

Let’s hear Lorima share in his own words how the programme has equipped and placed him well on his way in his career.

Question: Can you give a little background of yourself, entering the BA Communication & Media programme?

Lorima: I was a full time employed part time studying student under this programme. I initially started my journey at USP in the Degree in Journalism & Politics programme as it was the closest available qualification back then, relevant to my profession. However, in my final year, the new BA Comms & Media programme was introduced at USP, I immediately switched programmes as it was the very qualification I needed that matched not only my role at work but my career plans as well.

Question: What are the highlights for you in the programme?

Lorima: As a working student and someone who’s been in the Communications & Media profession for a few years, I am grateful to the University for recognising the timely need to roll out this programme for our Blue Pacific. There are many communicators and media professionals in the Pacific region who have been bravely fighting hard over the years to ensure our Pacific voices are heard, who have been raising our Pacific issues, sharing our Pacific stories which have impacted decisions at the global stage and yet still struggle with paying their bills, because the profession isn’t recognised enough for its fair value. With this programme now available, communications & media personnel can now continue with their passion whilst at the same time, are at ease because they now have the opportunity to receive qualification, ultimately fairly paid work.

Question: How helpful were the staff and the resources provided in the programme courses?

Lorima: The programme is still very new and I believe that it is going to grow and evolve in the coming years, especially with a wonderful and dedicated team behind it. The staff have been very helpful and supportive in my journey, and always available to provide advice and direction, which as a working student is something I truly appreciated.

Question: If you were to promote the programme to a prospect student, what would you say?

Lorima: As an indigenous Pacific Islander, I think it is important for Pacific peoples to be communicating, telling our own Pacific stories, because we live in the realities of these issues. To have the BA Communications & Media programme now in our very regional institute is an opportunity for more Pacific islanders in the communications & media field or any other prospective student to leverage our Pacific voices even more, and into important decision making spaces that affect our development and livelihoods.

Question: What’s next after your successful graduation?

Lorima: My career plan actually involves continuing on to higher studies. I am one of those students who’ve had to spend some time really looking for a career pathway. I’ve studied and dabbled a bit in a totally different industry but my passion for storytelling, especially sharing about our Pacific issues has led me to this path and I feel it’s right for me. So, I hope to be able to still continue being involved in the development and strategic communications work.

Programme coordinator and senior lecturer in the Linguistics department Dr Fiona Willans shares that the programme is gaining momentum.

Two Solomon Islands students are among the current enrolment.

“There are currently 45 students enrolled on the programme. Of those 32 are from Fiji, with only 13 from the other countries of the region.

“When we first started, we attracted quite a few experienced media professionals who didn’t have a degree and wanted to upgrade their qualifications.

“It was initially hard to attract school leavers, because they seemed unaware of the main job opportunities available in communication but this is starting to change now, and we are now getting the majority of our students in through school visits and open days,” Dr Fiona said.

USP, a pillar regional institution, successfully graduated 1,147 scholars in a memorable ceremony spanning two days from September 5-6 with three separate sessions.

An honourable milestone was also witnessed as 701 females graduated, making up 61.12 percent of the graduates.

Petition on Savo Russell MP returns to court September 30

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BY ROMINAH FAKA

The election petition case on Member of Parliament for Savo Russell Constituency Oliver Salopuka has adjourned for September 30 for setting of date for application to strike out the election petition.

The matter was mentioned in court on Monday this week where Judge Augustine Aulanga informed the court that he will reallocate the petition file to another judge.

During the hearing the first respondent Salopuka’s lawyer filed and served their application to strike out the election petition in court, whilst the Attorney General who represents the second respondent inform the court that they also file their application to strike out the election petition against the electoral officers by close of business yesterday.

After the hearing, court make directions for the second respondent (Attorney General) to filed and served their application by close of business yesterday and petitioner to respond to the first and second respondent applications by close of business on September 24.

The respondent Salopuka ground for strike out the petition was based on no reasonable cause of actions.

Petitioner Dickson Mua and Peter Osike filed nine grounds of bribery against first respondent MP Salopuka.

Petitioners also file eight grounds against the chief electoral officer, election manager and returning officer for breaching the Electoral Act. L&L Lawyers represent the petitioners Dickson Mua and Peter Osike and A S Willy Law Office represent the respondent, Oliver Salopuka.

Health applies new security measures at medical store

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BY NED GAGAHE

The Ministry of Health and Medical Services is enhancing security with the recent installation of CCTV cameras at National Medical Stores.

This move is part of new resolutions implemented by the ministry last week to mitigate the risks of unauthorized removal of medicine.

Speaking in Parliament on Monday, Minister for Health and Medical Services Dr Paul Popora Bosawai revealed that he had recently ordered the dismissal of several health officers in the provinces suspected of stealing medicine.

The Minister also stated that a staff member suspected of theft has been reassigned from the National Medical Stores and is now under further supervision at the ministry.

Mr Bosawai also disclosed that, as of last week, the office space for National Medical Store staff is now separate from the National Medical Store warehouse. Previously, staff and medical goods were housed in the same location.

The Minister informed Parliament that there is now restricted entry and access to the National Medical Store, along with the provision of staff lockers to prevent personal bags from entering the main warehouse.

“National Medical Stores has tightened its security protocols with 24/7 security at the facility,” said Bosawai.

“We have restricted entry and access to the National Medical Store and provided staff lockers to prevent personal bags from entering the main warehouse. As of early last week, we have installed CCTVs both inside and outside the warehouse to monitor potential risks of theft.”

The Minister also stated that CCTV installation will be extended to the National Referral Hospital.

“At the National Referral Hospital, we are implementing structural measures to minimize access to the pharmacy’s stores. Additional measures will soon separate drug storage areas in the hospital wards from staff lodges and changing areas. Similar to the installation of CCTVs at the National Medical Store, we will extend this security upgrade to the NRH Pharmacy stores,” Bosawai said.

“The Ministry is developing policies and standard operating procedures to restrict inappropriate access and prescribing rights at the NRH, as well as at Provincial Hospitals, with plans to extend these measures to all health facilities,” the Minister added.

Petition strike-out by MP Waneoroa to be heard on September 16

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BY ROMINAH FAKA

The election petition on Member of Parliament for North Malaita Daniel Suilea Waneoroa has adjourned for September 16 for hearing of the application to strike out the petition.

On August 11 mention was for the court to check with the parties in relation to court directions on the previous hearing, whether the counsel’s compliance with the court directions.

The petitioner Jimmy Lusibaea filed a total of four grounds against the respondent Waneoroa (two of which is bribery, one tampering and one unlawful voting).

And for second respondent the electoral commission which represented by Attorney General Chamber, Lusibaea filed two allegations against them first, for pampering of voters lists and second petitioner claimed presiding officer give ballots papers to cash multiple votes during the election.

The respondent lawyer filed an application to strike out all the grounds against Waneoroa.

Respondent lawyer claimed the allegations filed by the petitioner is frivolous and vexatious as it cannot sustain the case at trial.

Daniel Suilea Waneoroa is the newly elected Member of Parliament for North Malaita Constituency.

L& L Lawyers represent Daniel Suilea Waneoroa first respondent and Attorney General Chamber represent second respondent and Taupongi Law Practice represents the Petitioner Jimmy Lusibaea.

Minister Bosawai apologises for medicine shortage, pledges to act

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BY NED GAGAHE

Minister of Health and Medical Services has apologised citizens who has been victimized by this medicine and consumable supply shortage and pledges to fix the medicine shortage crisis.

Speaking in Parliament on Monday Minister Paul Popora Bosawai stated that he will work hard to ensure the medicine supply shortage returns to normalcy.

“Before I conclude I wish to give us an illustration to think about before I took office and when I took office, let’s think about the water supply system the tank is empty and all the pipelines have leakages and therefore, I am fixing the leakages before I refill the tank so that you get the good flow rate and as well as the volume at all our health facilities.

“So, just recently, I have ordered the immediate terminations of some of our staffs that steal medicine from our provinces and I will continue to ensure to fix all the leakages of the supply chain of our medicine and then I think we will fix this issue.

“I as the minister with wish to sincerely apologized to our people across Solomon Islands who have been victimised of this medicine and consumable supply shortage.

“I will work hard to ensure we have a normalcy of supply by ensuring to fix the leakages and then financing to refill the tank.”

Meanwhile, the Minister called on everyone to be responsible.

“I call on every person responsible along the supply chain that are outside my Ministry’s jurisdiction to treat payments of medicine as an emergency and please act responsibly as you must know that you are part of serving lives,” Bosawai said.

Court strikes out petition case against MP Freda

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BY ROMINAH FAKA

The High Court has struck out the election petition case against the Member of Parliament for Temotu Vatud Constituency Freda Tuki Soriacomua.

The ruling was delivered on September 11 by Judge Augustine Sylver Aulanga in High Court.

In delivering the ruling, court dismissed the four allegations of bribery that the petitioner Angella Doris Tahani filed against Tuki.

Maito’o Hauirae who represented Tuki told the Island Sun outside of the court room that the respondent grounds to strike out the election petition are; the petition was served to the respondent Tuki inside the National Parliament building which breached the Parliamentary Privilege.

The second grounds for strike out is that the petitioner came to court with unclean hands, as the person who made the sworn statement for the petitioner, his text messages issued to court shows he kept on asking money from the respondent Tuki, which means petitioner came to court with bad motive or unclean hands.

And the final grounds, the petitioner did not specify the section of the electoral act.

Freda was re-elected on April 17 for Vatud constituency and later on she sworn in as the Minister for Ministry for Women, Youth, Children and Family Affairs.

Tuki return for the second term as the Minster for Ministry of Women, Youth and Children and Family Affairs.

Tuki is one of the election petition cases that is strike out in High Court.

Maito’o Hauirae of Peter Teddy Law Practice represent the respondent Freda Tuki Soriacomua and DBL Lawyer represent petitioner Angella Doris Tahani.

National consultation needed for Pacific Policing Initiative: PM Manele

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BY NED GAGAHE

Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele has highlighted the importance of conducting a “national consultation” on the Pacific Policing Initiative (PPI) to deepen understanding of its core pillars and strengthened national ownership.

The PPI, a major regional effort aimed at boosting collective peace and security across the Pacific Islands, is backed by Australia.

The Australian government has committed around AUD $400 million over the next five years to support the initiative, which includes developing new Policing Centers of Excellence in the region.

This initiative is designed to align with the Pacific Islands Forum’s peace and security goals outlined in the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent and builds on recent experiences with the Solomon Islands International Assistance Force (SIAF).

“At the Forum Retreat, we endorsed the initiative in principle, as was the decision of the cabinet. However, the consensus was that while the leaders endorsed the initiative, we still need to undertake national consultations,” said Prime Minister Manele.

The Prime Minister emphasized that the national consultations are essential as the country reviews its national security and border strategies.

These consultations will help identify gaps and determine how the PPI can be integrated into the country’s strategic framework.

“We will conduct further analysis to determine the best approach for engaging with the PPI during the development of the implementation arrangements as requested by leaders,” he added.

Additionally, Prime Minister Manele noted that during the Forum, the MSG Leaders discussed the 2015 MSG Framework for establishing an MSG Police Unit, which aligns with one of the proposed pillars of the Pacific Policing Initiative.

Auki Passport office thrives

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BY SAMIE WAIKORI

Just 25 days after the opening of Auki passport office during the Malaita 2nd Appointed Day celebration last month, the first batch of 24 Malaitans have already received their passports.  The second batch consisted of 28 applicants who expect to receive their passports next week.

A great beginning for the newly established office, as it indicates thrives for this much needed service in Malaita province.

And with these 52 passports, the Auki Inland Revenue has collected an approximate SBD51,000 from the service, which is another contribution into the national coffer.

Thus, this is just the beginning and Auki passport office expects well more than applicants received so far, over the coming weeks and months.

Premier Elijah Asilaua, PS Eric George, Senior Immigration officer in Auki, Mr Selwyn Ramoni and his staff, Mr Micah Aaisango joined the first batch of recipients with their passports in a photo session.

The photo session aimed to highlight landmark accomplishment of the undertaking in the partnership between national government through Ministry of Commerce, Industry, Labour and Immigration and the people and provincial government of Malaita.

“Since the establishment of the passport office, Malaitans expressed gratitude to both the provincial and national government for this great undertaking.

“One of the common sentiments shared by people coming to office is the service is cheap here rather than going to Honiara which is expensive and also causes economic pressure on relatives,” Ramoni said.

He said this is however one of the aims to establish passport office in Auki.

Ramoni also said that while supplement services such as police and medical clearance, ID photos and declarations are offer in Auki, the service is much cheaper for people.

He said although the office is just a month into service, demand for the service is high as they are receiving piles of applicants after the first and second batches of applicants.

Provincial Secretary of Malaita province Mr Eric George acknowledged GNUT through the Ministry of Commerce, Industry, Labour and Immigration for seeing it fit to decentralize this needed service to Malaita province.

He said Malaita provincial government will continue to work in close cooperation with the national government on other areas of development on the service for the province.

Premier Elijah Asilaua also expressed gratitude on behalf of his government to GNUT and MCILI for this milestone undertaking which is now materialize for Malaitans.

“I am so happy to see the achievement made by Auki passport office so far, and more to come as my government are working on supplementary support to the service.

“My advice is the passport is now at our doorstep and I urge Malaitans, who may have need of the service to make great use of it,” he said.

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