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Guadalcanal province elects speaker

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Re-elected Provincial Speaker Peter Aoraunisaka.

BY INDY MAEALASIA

THE Guadalcanal Provincial Assembly re-elected Peter Aoraunisaka as its provincial speaker yesterday.

Th election which took place at the provincial headquarters saw Aoraunisaka as the highly favoured candidate with an overwhelming 19 out of 20 votes.

Following the close of nomination at 4pm, Tuesday 7th, four (4) candidates were officially nominated for the position they were: Robert Feratalia, Peter Aoraunisaka, Daniel Donua and Jacob Kinai.

Provincial Assembly Clerk, Edward Juvia who oversaw the election announced the following votes for each candidate.

Peter Aoraunisaka: 19 votes

Robert Feratelia: 1 vote

Daniel Donua: 0 vote

Jacob Kinai: 0 vote

Aoraunisaka was sworn in to office at 1 pm in a small ceremony which was witnessed by the MPAs and staff members.

Addressing them promptly after the ceremony, he expressed gratitude to the MPAs “Thank you all honorable members for the trust and the confidence you have displayed in the election of the speaker. Truly, it shows the overwhelming support for me to work alongside all of you to work together”.

Prior to his re-election for the 10th Assembly, he was initially elected as the provincial speaker in 2019 to 2024 and also served as the Member of Provincial Assembly (MPA) for Birao Ward in 2014-2019.

According to GP statement, the nomination and election for the Deputy speaker is likely to be on Monday 13th.

The newly elected speaker will be presiding the election of the new premier which is scheduled for Friday 10th at 2pm.

Appointment process for Governor-General next

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Governor General Sir David Vunagi

BY CAROL-ANNE SULEGA

IN the Solomon Islands, the appointment of the Governor-General is a procedure distinct from electoral processes, according to official sources.

Contrary to popular election procedures, the Governor-General is appointed by the Monarch – King Charles III, following the recommendation of the Prime Minister of the Solomon Islands.

This appointment is made after careful consultation with relevant stakeholders, including the Prime Minister and other key officials.

Once appointed, the Governor-General assumes the role of the Monarch’s representative in the Solomon Islands, undertaking ceremonial, constitutional, and diplomatic responsibilities on the King’s behalf.

According To the Solomon Islands Constitution, it stipulates that the term of the Governor General is five years.

Sir David Vunagi commenced his term as Governor General in 2019.

As such, the position of Governor-General is not subject to electoral contests but rather follows established protocols and procedures outlined in constitutional frameworks.

12th Parliament’s first sitting date determined by constitutional provision

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Solomon Islands National Parliament

BY CAROL-ANNE SULEGA

THE Solomon Islands Constitution mandates the convening of Parliament within a reasonable timeframe following a general election, according to a statement released by government officials today.

As per constitutional guidelines, the newly elected members of Parliament are expected to gather for the inaugural sitting to undertake various formalities, including taking oaths, electing a Speaker, and initiating parliamentary proceedings for the new term.

While the specific date for the first sitting is subject to determination by the Governor-General, the process typically unfolds within several weeks after the conclusion of a general election the election of the Prime Minister . This timeline allows for essential administrative arrangements and ensures a smooth transition into the new parliamentary term.

Further updates on the scheduling of the first sitting of Parliament, will be announced by official sources including the National Parliament of Solomon Islands (NPSI) and communicated to the public.

Residents express concern over inconsistent rubbish collection in Mbokonavera 1

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BY NED GAGAHE

The residents of Mbokonavera one have voiced their dissatisfaction with the irregular and unreliable rubbish collection services in the area.

This has resulted in pile of rubbish along the roadside in the community sparking health concern.

An elder of the community took to the media yesterday to vent the community’s frustration after witnessing almost months without rubbish collection in the neighbourhood.

The resident stated that the inconsistent pickup schedules and inadequate service provision has become a normal routine for HCC waste management.

“It’s now almost a month that HCC rubbish collection has been stopped.

“The rubbish collection just stopped for no reason, and we don’t know when it will resume again.

“I call on the HCC waste management responsible for picking up rubbish to come and collect rubbish at Mbokonavera 1.” The resident said.

Meanwhile, this outcry highlights the pressing need for improvements in waste management infrastructure to ensure a cleaner and healthier environment for the community.

Attempts to get comments from waste management division of the HCC yesterday was unsuccessful.

Case against 43-yo man accused of defiling 7-yo boy mentioned in court

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BY ROMINAH FAKA

The case of a 43-year-old man charged with sexual intercourse with a child under the age of 15, a male child aged seven years old, was mentioned at the Magistrate Court yesterday.

The accused, who cannot be named to protect the identity of the victim, is on police bail and appeared in court yesterday.

Yesterday was the case’s second mention where prosecution informed court that the accused is yet to confirm his legal representation.

However, a defence counsel present in court said he was the legal representative allocated from Public Solicitors for the accused.

Defence said it is yet to receive disclosures from prosecution.

Prosecution said it needed time to compile its case, since it had just received outstanding documents on Tuesday this week.

Court adjourned the case for May 15, where the suspect is expected to take his plea.

Prosecution alleged that the suspect on an unknown date between August 1 and December 31, 2020 committed the crime on the victim.

The incident reportedly took place at a house in Talise, Central Honiara.

The victim’s mother was reportedly doing the laundry outside the house, when the accused approached the boy and told him to follow him into the bedroom.

Once inside the room, the accused allegedly instructed the child to take his clothes off.

The accused then committed the offence on the boy.

Prosecution adds that while the accused was performing the act on the boy, the accused had a knife with which he used to threaten the boy not to make a sound, otherwise he would cut the boy’s neck.

Following the incident, the boy reportedly experienced problems which include soiling himself unexpectedly and bleeding.

Later, the boy finally told his mother what the accused had done to him.

The matter was reported to police on January 8 this year.

On April 3 this year the accused was formally arrested after an investigation was conducted.

Office of Director of Public Prosecution act for the crown and Bobby Harunari act for the accused.

Sentencing for former BSP teller on May 29

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BY ROMINAH FAKA

The sentence against a former Bank South Pacific teller who had admitted to stealing is expected to be delivered on May 29.

Tessa Solenone Rore pleaded guilty in the previous hearing to two counts of larceny by servant and one count of forgery of certain documents with intention to defraud.

Yesterday prosecution and defence gave their mitigation statements to the court.

Crown highlighted to the court the Victim Impact Statement (VIS) from the BSP where they suffered loss as there was no recovery of the money the accused had stolen.

Defence emphasised the early guilty plea by Ms Rore which saved court’s time and resources.

Defence also highlighted Rore’s remorse for her action, adding that she had written an apology letter to the bank manager on August 10, 2020, two days after she was suspended.

The delay in the case proceeding was also touched on by defence as a mitigation factor for court to take note of.

Defence counsel also sought court for her to file a sworn statement for her client and served it to prosecution before close of business yesterday.

Court adjourned to May 29 for sentence.

Bail was extended for Rore.

The allegation said Rore was employed as a Money Gram Teller at the Bank of South Pacific Limited (BSP), Central Honiara branch, since April 16, 2015.

The allegations against the accused arose when BSP customers made an enquiry to the bank about suspicious withdrawals and deposits in or from their personal bank accounts in 2020.

The accused was removed from the till and the BSP Operational Risk Unit conducted an internal assessment.

It was discovered that the shortage amount from the till was around $422,737.40.

The accused took out money from the till or drawer, which resulted in cash shortages and she would do withdrawals from customer’s accounts to balance the till at the end of each business day.

Prosecution further states, on the next business day, she would deposit the money back to the customer’s account from the till.

The total amount the accused stole was more than $500,000.

It has been discovered that the accused had done these fraudulent transactions on 40 customers’ account since April, 2020.

In the month of August 2020, the accused was officially terminated from her employment.

Jonathan Auga of DPP Office act for the State and Emy Rusi of PSO act for the Accused.

HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL NEXT WEEK

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The last major high school basketball tournament was back in Honiara was in 2021 finals between Selwyn College and KGVI. Picture supplied.

…. SIBF Prepares to Kick Off High School Basketball Competition 2024

BY ELTON LONARATHA JNR

THE much anticipated high school basketball competition for this year will kick off next week on the 19th of May 2024.

The Solomon Islands Basketball Federation (SIBF) confirmed the final meeting for the competition will be conducted tomorrow between members of the federation and school sports staffs.

“The federation is proud to announce the launch of the SIBF High School Basketball Competition 2024, set to kick off on May 19th, 2024.

“This exciting competition will showcase the talents of almost 250 young basketball players from nearly 10 to 12 participating schools in Honiara.

“Featuring both boys’ and girls’ divisions, the SIBF High School Basketball Competition (HSBC) 2024 will see a total of possibly 20 teams vying for glory throughout the competition from May till June/July 2024,” SIBF confirmed.

SIBF also confirmed that ahead of the competition’s commencement, they will organize a final meeting with interested school sports masters or representatives tomorrow, Friday, May 10th, to solidify draws and pool assignments.

“This initiative aims not only to foster healthy competition among the youth but also to serve as a catalyst for the development of basketball in the Solomon Islands.

“By providing a platform for young athletes to showcase their skills, the competition encourages physical activity, teamwork, and sportsmanship among participating schools,” SIBF added.

MOONWALKERS CROWNED CHAMPIONS

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Moonwalkers Floorball team. Photo credit - NYRICK ZUNA

.. USPSI Bullets FC Triumph in B-Playoffs

BY ELTON LONARATHA JNR

FLOORBALL Federation Solomon Islands (FFSI) has ended the 2023/24 season competition with presentation of awards held straight after the final playoffs on Tuesday evening at the Friendship Hall.

Moonwalkers FC claimed the champions of the A-Playoffs by beating Uncles FC 5-2 in the final, while USPSI Bullets FC claimed the champions of the B-Playoffs by beating Ha’arosia FC 12-1 in the grand final.

Prizes were awarded to the winning teams, thanked to Palm Sugar Crafts Market Cafeteria and King Solomon Hotel for sponsoring great prizes for winners of the 2023 season.

FFSI President Adam Olofson told SunSPORTS that it’s been an amazing season of floorball, adding the new season is expected to be filled with more fun and excitement because more clubs will be expected to participate.

“I would like to thank our two local sponsors for their generous support for floorball.

“We have finally ended the 2023 season that started last year and was later moved to this year following the hosting of the Pacific Games.

“We got eight clubs competing in the 2023 season and two of the clubs were terminated for walk-over,” Olofson said.

He added that the federation is enforcing tight regulations for teams affiliated with the federation in terms of competition.

“We also set aside tough regulations for the clubs, and if they do three walk-overs, the federation will issue a warning and if they continue to do walk-over matches, the federations will disqualify the teams from competing in the season.

“This season, the two teams that got disqualified in the middle of the season, are Marist FC and Unix FC.

“Both teams can play in the new season because they are not banned from the federation,” Olofson explained.

He further revealed the annual registration fee for clubs is $500.00 and all affiliated clubs must register before competing in the new season.

“This includes the new clubs wishing to compete in the new season.

“While looking forward to the new season, the main challenge is sponsorship.

“We need to secure more sponsorship to be able to support the federation with its program because we want to run our programs at the Friendship Hall,” he added.

Floorball is a sport similar to Ice Hockey, so when fewer teams are competing, there have to be two playoffs to determine the best of seven.

Otherwise, if there are more than eight teams, the competition will go straight to a single playoff to determine the overall champion.

Meanwhile, the order of presentation for the 2023 season saw as follows:

A-Playoffs finals:

1st Moonwalkers FC

2nd Uncles FC

B-Playoffs Finals:

1ST USP Bullets FC

2nd Ha’arosia FC

Red Cross commemorates 160 years of service

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BY MORRIS NAFU

Today Solomon Islands Red Cross joins with the International Red Cross and Red Crescent movement in commemoration of international World Red Cross Day.

The International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement is celebrating its 160 years of providing humanitarian action both locally and internationally since its founding in 1863. The movement continues to strive to remain relevant in a changing world of competing humanitarian demands which are continuously increasing.

This year’s World Red Cross Day will be celebrated with the theme ‘Keeping Humanity Alive’ which highlights the unwavering commitment of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement in ensuring human dignity is respected at all times and that human lives are placed at the forefront of the Movement’s work.

In a press statement, the Secretary General of the Solomon Islands Red Cross Society Chris Hunuapauro said this year’s theme is significant to its core seven fundamental principles, which is the principle of humanity.

“The theme ‘Keeping Humanity Alive’ for this World Red Cross Day this year truly signifies our core principle of humanity, where the Movement exists to serve humanity, ensuring human lives and dignity is respected even amidst chaotic circumstances. It is only when we have this principle that we will truly care to make sure we serve every human being, wherever they are and whatever situation they may find themselves in,” Mr Hunuapauro said.

SI red cross highlights its commitment of beacon of hope to the hopeless  and must remain so for those who are in distress.

“The Red Cross emblem does not only symbolize the resilience of our volunteers and staff but also the access the movement has to communities and the passion they have towards serving vulnerable people within communities across the world,” the statement said.

“In the past months, in conflicts that are happening now, many of our volunteers lost their lives however this does not deter the spirit of our many volunteers who continue to remain steadfast in their commitment and passion to serve people in making sure they live and persevere,” the statement said.

Election for Premier of Isabel set for May 16

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BY NED GAGAHE

In accordance with a circular from the Ministry of Provincial Government and Institutional Strengthening (MPGIS), the election for Premier of Isabel Province has been confirmed to take place on May 16, 2024, at 9:00am.

Assistant Clerk Ford Alpheus, in a public notice yesterday, outlined the important dates leading up to the election.

The newly elected Members of the Provincial Assembly (MPAs) were sworn in on May 6, 2024, setting the stage for the much-anticipated election of the new premier.

According to Standing Order (SO) 42, nominations for the Premier will open on May 14, 2024.

The election itself, as per SO, 41, is scheduled for May 16, 2024, at 9am.

Prior to the Premier election, the election for Speaker on SO,19 will be held on May 13, 2024.

Nominations for the Speaker, as per SO, 10, are set to open on May 8, 2024.

Furthermore, the Deputy Speaker’s nomination and election, following SO 26, will also take place on May 16, 2024, at 1:30pm.

Additionally, the appointment of the Provincial Public Accounts Committee (PPAC), as outlined in SO 201, will occur on May 16, 2024, at 3pm.

This paper understands that two rival camps have already vying to form the next government that will govern the affairs of the province for the next four years.

Caretaker Premier Rhoda Sikalabu when contacted yesterday declined to comment when asked if she will be vying for the Premier position again.

She said the decision for a candidate to be nominated to run for the Premier’s position is a collective decision which her fellow MPs would made collectively.

She said this decision will be made known to the public after the election of the Provincial speaker on May 13.

As of last week, Rhoda’s camp which comprises mostly of former executives are camped at Diocese of Isabel (DOI) Resthouse.

On the other hand, the other camp led by MPA for Buala ward Allan Diamana claimed they already have the numbers to form the next government.

With the backing from nine MPAs, consisting of seven newcomers and two former members, Allan emerged as front runner for the premier’s post.

However, Allan’s candidacy will be confirmed when nomination open on May 14.

As the province awaits further developments, all eyes are now fixed on Buala, where the province’s 16 MPAs will elect the premier of Province on Thursday, May 16 at 9am.

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