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PM Manele vows to pursue safe return of Siwainao sisters

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PM Manele

BY NED GAGAHE

Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele said he raised the issue of the Siwainao sisters during his meeting with Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape on the sidelines of the 53rd Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) Leaders Meeting in Tonga.

Prime Minister Manele made this statement during a press conference upon his return from Tonga on Sunday.

He emphasized the importance of the issue and stated he would “pursue that further” with Prime Minister Marape.

“We are doing all we can to ensure that happens,” Manele said when asked if he believes the girls would soon be reunited with their father, Dr Jack Siwainao.

“I did raise that with him (Marape). Our High Commissions in Moresby and Fiji are also involved. I will follow up with another call to Prime Minister Marape. Our Foreign Minister is attending an event in Port Moresby from 6 – 9, September 2024 and will also follow up on this matter. It is very important, and we are doing everything we can to ensure that it is resolved,” Manele added.

Before the PIF meeting, Prime Minister Manele had assured Parliament he would address the issue with his PNG counterpart.

This followed a request from MP for East Are’are Peter Kenilorea Jr., in Parliament who had urged Manele to raise the case of the two girls, Mercy Aninono Siwainao and Cinderella Aroahia Siwainao, with Prime Minister Marape.

Mr Siwainao, father of the two girls, has been campaigning since 2022 for their safe return after the death of his Papua New Guinean wife. The girls were reportedly forced to unlawfully change their identities and are alleged to be in the custody of a senior government official in PNG.

Siwainao had previously appealed via social media for the assistance of the prime ministers of both Solomon Islands and PNG to help bring his daughters back to Honiara. As of now, there has been no progress on this front.

Govt willing to work with private sector: PM Manele

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BY INDY MAEALASIA

Prime Minister, Jeremiah Manele has expressed his government’s willingness to work with the private sector to drive development.

At the 13th Australia Business Forum, Manele highlighted that building “public-private partnerships” is a “key mechanism” for advancing essential development in the country.

“We are actively seeking to collaborate with the private sector on infrastructure projects, social services, and other areas with joint efforts that can yield significant benefits,” he said.

Manele emphasized that such partnerships allow the government to utilize the private sector’s expertise and resources, while jointly managing the risks and rewards associated with growth.

The Prime Minister also made an open invitation to the investors at the forum to explore opportunities for partnership in variable energy, infrastructure, fisheries, agriculture, and tourism.

“Together we can achieve more than we could individually, creating lasting impacts for our economy and society,” he noted.

With the Solomon Islands expected to graduate from the least developed country status in 2027, Manele stressed that maintaining this status and ensuring sustainable growth will depend on these partnerships.

“We have the mission, the resources, and the determination to achieve this, and to ensure sustainable growth, but we cannot do it alone. We need your active engagement, the private sector, both locally and internationally to realize our goals” Manele added.

Dragon pub murder case further adjourns

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BY ROMINAH FAKA

The case involving an off-duty police officer killed at the Dragon Pub in the Kukum area in May of this year has been further adjourned for September 10 for mention.

Yesterday court made directions for co-accused James Solomon Kai’ lawyer to appear on September 10 with the prosecutor to set a date for hearing of the long form preliminary inquiry (PI) for Mr Kai.

Paul Daoburi, 35, and his co-accused Kai, 21, were charged with murder.

The allegation alleged that the deceased and his colleague, along with the colleague’s wife, went to the Dragon Pub on the night of May 16 for drinks.

Some times between 12am and 1am an argument broke out between the deceased and a group of men, following an assault on his colleague wife in which a bottle was allegedly smashed against her head causing her to fell to the ground unconsciously.

It was alleged that during the course of the argument the deceased took out and applied a pepper spray on the group of men he was arguing with at that time.

The deceased was later dragged out of the Pub by an off-duty security accused Daoburi, where the deceased was attacked by a group of more than 10 men outside of the Pub.

The allegation further stated Daoburi joined in the attack, using a snooker cue stick with which he used to beat the deceased’s head multiple times.

The second accused Solomon Kai with nick name Solo allegedly attacked the deceased using a bottle.

A policeman who arrived at the scene intervened and took the deceased laying bleeding on the floor into a taxi to National Referral Hospital (NRH) where he pronounced dead.

ODPP appears for the crown and PSO for Daoburi and HOF Law Chambers for Kai.

Hearing of strike-out application on MP Mahaga’s petition set for Sept 6

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BY ROMINAH FAKA

Court has adjourned the hearing of application to strike out the petition case against MP Trevor Mahaga for September 6.

MP for Gao Bugotu, Mr Mahaga is facing a petition by former MP Samuel Manetoali.

Mahaga’s legal team have applied for a strike-out on the petition.

Hearing for the strike-out application was scheduled for Monday this week, however, the Attorney General’s chamber did not serve its submissions until Monday.

The Attorney General’s chambers represents the second respondent – the electoral commission.

Manetoali’s lawyer sought time from the court to respond to the second respondent’s submissions before proceeding to the hearing of the strike-out application.

Manetoali filed two allegations against MP Mahaga – bribery and breaching the electoral act.

Manetoali also filed six allegations against electoral officers.

Mahaga’s legal team applied for the strike out to the petition. One of their reasons is that Manetoali’s petition does not specify which section of the electoral act Mahaga allegedly breached, therefore the petition is deemed frivolous and vexatious.

Mahaga is also the Minister for Environment, Climate Change and Disaster Management and Meteorology.

L& L Lawyers represents Manetoali and Rano and Company represents MP Mahaga and Attorney General represents Electoral Officers as second respondent.

Court remands 20-yo male accused of attempted rape

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BY ROMINAH FAKA

Court has remanded a 20-year-old male accused of attempting to rape a 11-year-old girl on August 20 this year in Tangarare, West Guadalcanal.

Prosecution on Monday this week told court reasons for remanding the accused include – possibility of absconding by the accused, possibility of interfering with police investigations, likelihood of re-offending and the serious nature of the alleged offence.

Court adjourned the case for September 16 for mention.

Police alleged on August 20, the victim, her brother, her aunt and uncle and their children including the defendant were at the victim’s uncle’s house having dinner.

After dinner, they watched a movie on the defendant’s phone.

While watching the movie, the victim fell asleep while the others continued watching.

Allegations said the victim’s brother woke her up and told her to go and sleep upstairs.

She woke up and left, but instead of going upstairs, she went and slept in a hammock under the house

Allegations said that the accused went and did sexual activities on the victim while she slept, and bit her on the neck causing injuries to her.

The uncle and aunties later reported the matter to police and the defendant was arrested and charged.

The incident reportedly occurred at Hauale village, Tangarare, West Guadalcanal.

Office of Director of Public Prosecution appears for the crown.

Trial on man accused of forgery set for September 16

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BY ROMINAH FAKA

Trial on a man accused of forgery and larceny is set to begin at the magistrate court on September 16.

Wilson Menateti is charged with one count of forgery of title of land and one count of larceny of document relating to government employment.

The case was heard in court yesterday where defence confirmed having received the draft Pre-Trial-Conference (PTC) from prosecution Friday last week.

Defence sought a short adjournment for September 5 in order to finalise the PTC with prosecution before submitting to court.

Allegations said Menateti on an unknown date between January 1, 2015 and September 1, 2016, at Honiara, forged a document of title to lands belonging to the complainants with intended to defraud them.

Again, it was alleged on an unknown date between January 1, 2015 and September 1, 2016 at Honiara Menateti stole the whole document of title of lands to the property of the same complainants.

Steward Tonowane from Office of Public Prosecution act for the crown and L&L Lawyers represent Menateti.

USP Linguistics’ seminar series continues today with focus on language and education in the Pacific

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BY IRWIN ANGIKI

The Language Matters in the Pacific seminar series continues today (Wednesday, Sept 4, 3pm Solomon time) with focus on how the mainstream education plays a role.

Among the panellists is Solomon Islands’ former Minister of Education Lanelle Tanangada, hailed for successfully passing the historic Education Bill 2023.

The series is hosted by the University of the South Pacific’s (USP) Linguistics department of the School of Pacific Arts, Communication and Education (SPACE).

The series is so far being hailed a huge success in bringing Pacific languages into the conversation, with the inaugural seminar on August 7 focusing on media and its role in usage, promotion and preservation of language throughout the region.

Today’s seminar expands on a priority outcome of the 2023 meeting of the Council of Pacific Education Ministers, which is that ‘indigenous knowledge, culture and language should be embedded in curriculum development, teacher training programmes and delivery’.

The panel is comprised of some of the region’s experienced educators and policymakers who will discuss what the 2023 priority outcome means in practice.

“We discuss the rationale for incorporating Pacific languages throughout the mainstream education system, focusing on both pedagogical benefits (children learn best when they understand what their teacher is saying and when they are able to participate actively in the classroom) and cultural benefits (education remains relevant when it fosters a deeper connection with culture, heritage and identity),” the seminar’s flyer statement said.

“We also discuss how to ensure that languages such as English and French are also learnt effectively, aiming to move the discussion beyond the perceived choice between local and international languages.”

Former Education Minister Lanelle Tanangada is looking forward to today’s seminar.

“I look forward as a panelist in tomorrow’s seminar to share on the importance of language use in the Solomon Islands and elevate the fact that ‘Language Matters in the Pacific’,” Mrs Tanangada speaking to the paper yesterday said.

“Focusing on the question ‘How do we embed Pacific Languages throughout mainstream education?’ it is of great importance for the Pacific region to add voices in a combined effort to support the 2023 CPEM outcome statement.

“Further to that it is high time that we have our younger generation have a deeper appreciation for their mother tongue, the language that speaks their identity.

“I also look forward to learning from other speakers in the Pacific region share their countries experience in how Pacific Languages are embedded throughout mainstream education.”

The illustrious all-female panel include:

Elaine Lameta – Director of Education, Tokelau

Lanelle Tanangada – Former Minister of Education, Solomon Islands

Helen Tamtam – Literacy Advisor, Curriculum Development Unit, Vanuatu

Ariteri Botibara – English Curriculum Officer, Curriculum Unit, Kiribati

Ainslie Chu Ling-So’o – Former Language Specialist for the Ministry of Education, Samoa

The zoom link is: https://usp-fj.zoom.us/j/89323389854?#success

Password: @FU#b4qEc

More details on how to access the seminar, including the zoom address and password are available in the ‘Language Matters in the Pacific’ facebook public group https://www.facebook.com/groups/153791638300698 

Dragon pub murder case returns to court September 2

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BY ROMINAH FAKA

Trial against two men accused of murdering a police officer at the Dragon Pub in Honiara earlier this year is expected to be heard on September 2.

In the previous hearing Paul Daoburi and James Solomon Kai pleaded not guilty to the murder charge against them.

The lawyer for Mr Daoburi elected long form of Preliminary Inquiry (PI) to be conducted, the lawyer for Mr Kai is yet to elect which form of PI for his client.

Court than suspend for Monday next week for prosecution to prepare the committal deposition for long form of PI elected by Daoburi’s lawyer. Remand for both accused was extended.

Allegations said the deceased and his colleague along with the colleague’s wife, had gone to the Dragon Pub on the night of May 16 for drinks.

Sometime between 12am and 1am an argument broke out between the deceased and a group of men following an assault on his colleague’s wife in which a bottle was allegedly smashed against her head causing her to fall to the ground unconscious.

It was alleged that during the course of argument the deceased took out and applied a pepper spray on the group of men he was arguing with.

The deceased was later dragged out of the Pub by an off-duty security, accused Daoburi, where the deceased was attacked by a group of more than 10 men outside the Pub.

The allegation further said Daoburi joined in the attack, using a snooker cue stick with which he used to beat the deceased’s head multiple times.

The second accused Solomon Kai with nick name Solo allegedly attacked the deceased using a bottle.

A policeman who arrived at the scene intervened and took the deceased laying bleeding on the floor into a taxi to National Referral Hospital (NRH) where he pronounced dead.

Paul Fanasia appears for Crown and Daniel Kwalai for Daoburi and Ferial Taki of HOF Law Chambers represent Kai.

153 students graduated with certificates in various fields

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A graduate with her certificate in carpentry.

BY INDY MAEALASIA

IN a significant milestone for the Australia Pacific Training Coalition(APTC) Solomon Islands, 153 students have graduated with certificates in various fields.

The ceremony which took place at the South Sea Evangelical Church(SSEC) Thursday, saw students awarded with qualification in technical and vocational courses, these include, agriculture, construction, carpentry, commercial cookery, hospitality, and International Skills Training(IST). 

Minister of Education, Tozen Leokana in his keynote address,emphasised the impact of TVET on employment and the economy.

“TVET is crucial for the Solomon Islands Sustainable Development and empowering individuals with essential practical skills for the public and private sectors which drives our current economic growth. Not only that, but TVET programs have proven instrumental in bringing the out-skilled gap fostering entrepreneurship and enhancing employability among our youth” Leokana said.

He stressed that TVET equip graduates will skills and experience that can land them job locally and internationally.

Leokana expressed gratitude to the Australian Government support through APTC.

“I would like to extend my thanks to the Government and people of Australia for the financial support provided through the training” he remarked “Without the much needed fund, it will not have been possible to accelerate human resource development in the country” he added

Leokana also congratulated the graduates for their achievements, “On behalf of the Solomon Islands government, I would like to congratulate the graduates of the APTC program who have successfully completed their courses”

“Today is your great day. It’s a day to celebrate with your families and friends. A day you have been waiting for since you start commencing your training. Best of luck for your common future and your career” he added.

From simple passion to thriving side-hustle: Jason Gagame’s photography journey

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    Photographer Jason Gagame photo by Jason Gagame photography Facebook Page.

    BY INDY MAEALASIA

    WHAT began as a passion for photography has now blossomed into a thriving side-hustle business for Jason Gagame.

    The fourth of five children, Jason hails from northern Malaita and is a self-taught photographer based in Honiara.

    Jason’s interest in photography developed while pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree in Law and International Affairs at the University of the South Pacific (USP) in Fiji, which he completed in 2020.

     “During my time at university, after going to the library for studies, I would surf online and watch numerous tutorials on YouTubes and getting inspiration from professional photographers. I would spend countless hours looking through magazines and books,” he recalled.

    Armed with his first Canon camera, Jason sought to refine his new skills and techniques through every available opportunities

    “After studies or on the weekends, I would go out and get pictures of just anything” he said.  “I would attend contemporary arts events occasionally held at the university and just snap photos,” he stated.

    As a beginner, Jason focused on perfecting his skills rather than earning money.  “I began without having interest in money basically doing it out of my passion. I just wanted to learn more about photography” he explained.

    His efforts began to pay off as he gained recognition for his work online and started receiving small gigs During holidays in the Solomon Islands, Jason volunteered with various organizations, which occasionally led to paid work.

    However, his journey hasn’t been without challenges “To be honest, being in the photography business is one of the most expensive business, this is because of the equipment used in the whole process of photography,” Jason noted.

    He also faces difficulties managing client expectations. “People have different expectations, like they think pictures you take on mobile phones are the same quality with those taken on professional cameras which is totally different,” he said.

    Additionally, Jason emphasized that photography is incredibly time-consuming, “It is Time consuming, a lot of hours I do work is not paid hours that I entirely commit too. Whenever clients ask for discount is a big challenge” he said.

    Jason provides photography services for a variety of events, including weddings, individual sessions, corporate events, and travel photography. He has been contracted with companies, Non-Government Organization and Sports Federations. 

    “Entirely based on info given by clients, and the packages I offer, I provide them with a final package and work according to it” he explained.

    Due to the nature of the side-hustle business, delivery times typically range from three to five working days, or up to one or two weeks for busier periods, depending on client communication.

    Despite these challenges, Jason’s passion for photography keeps him motivated, “I think what keeps me going is the passion I have for photography. Overtime, I have learned a lot on what it takes to be in this business,” he added.

    He emphasized that his business has open many doors of opportunities,” It took me places, meet people I thought I will never meet and allows be to create networks”. 

    Describing himself as “not much of a talker”, he finds comfort in pictures where he can be creative and freely relay the message he wants to share with others.

    “I won’t stop here and hope to grow big and be able to inspire other young photographers. I want to give them hope to always believe in themselves and pursue their dreams” Jason added.

    To view some of Jason’s magnificent work, visit his Facebook page, ‘Jason Gagame Photography’.

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