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Fresh drinking water supply for North West Choiseul

Written by
Ofani Eremae
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Community Reps Provincial Reps and VIP Guests at the hand over ceremony in Taro.

The people of North West Choiseul welcomed the handover ceremony to mark the completion of SITCo’s project Splash in their area which provides them access to clean water. The project whilst funded by SITCo is done in partnership with YWAM who provide the technical expertise as well as training to the villagers for ongoing maintenance.

Access to clean water is a basic human need, yet many remote communities around the world still lack access to this essential resource.  SITCo has completed seven such projects in 2023 alone in Loboro, Niukiki, Moli Camp, Moli Station and Mamarana in Choiseul and in Naurua and Wai’e’e in Malaita Province.

Left to right. Mark Lerch (YWAM chief Engineer Minister of Finance Margaret Eleanor SITCO Project Splash Manager Mark Filimonstev (SITCo GM)

The recipients of Project Splash in North West Choiseul expressed their sincere gratitude during the handover ceremony on Friday 15th of December. Chief Lemeus, who represented the villagers said they used to fetch fresh drinking water out of springs in the sea. “Now we access to fresh drinking water from the multiple taps that Project Splash has provided us in front of the comfort of our houses”.

Mark Lerch from YWAM who is the project specialist commented, “It was difficult to find fresh water catchment in a lot of these areas, but the team did a great job in drilling in higher locations where they can find good water catchment for the communities”. “It is rewarding to see the end result as the villagers enjoy having fresh drinking water at their doorsteps for a change” Mark added.

Minister of Finance Hon. Harry Kuma who was the Guest of Honor at the ceremony thanked SITCo for their ESG initiative that proved to be a blessing for his people. “I, myself who grew up in Molevanga as a child, would join the village kids to go and fetch water during the day” the Minister said. Other villagers also expressed their gratitude and explained how they never had access to fresh drinking water for so many years. Also Present at the hand over ceremony was the MPA Hon. Samson Takubala and the Provincial Secretary Mr. Geoffrey Pakipota. MPA Hon. Takubala acknowledged in his speech that this is such a great gift to the recipient communities.

General Manager of SITCo Mark Filimontsev, during the handover ceremony, said that it was a privilege for him and his team to be in Taro to see for themselves the way that Project Splash has touched so many lives. SITCo has a grand ambition to provide access to clean drinking water to more than twenty thousand people who are deprived of these necessities due to remoteness and capacity issues. ESG sits high as a priority for SITCo, as part of the BAT Group ambition to deliver positive social impact to local communities.

–SPLASH MEDIA

Warrant of arrest for couple accused of indecent act

Written by
Ofani Eremae
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BY ROMINAH FAKA

A warrant of arrest has been issued for a couple accused of indecent act after they failed to attend two of their court hearings.

The husband is facing two counts of indecent act and the wife is facing one count of indecent act.

The matter was called in the Honiara Magistrate Court yesterday before Principal Magistrate Fatimah Taeburi but both accused were not present.

Defence told court she had received all disclosures from prosecution and that both of her clients were ready for plea.

Court adjourned the case for January 31 for review of the warrant. 

It is alleged the victims are sisters who were aged 13 and 15 during the time the incident, which was on April 16 last year, in Honiara.

Allegations say the husband showed his private parts to the two complainants at their residence. The wife had reportedly encouraged her husband to commit this act.

Public Solicitor Office represents the Defendants and Office of Public Prosecution appears for the Crown.

Part-heard case against 2 cops returns to court Feb 12

Written by
Ofani Eremae
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BY ROMINAH FAKA

The part-heard case against two police officers accused of assaulting a 17-year-old male at the Central Police station Watch-house has been moved for February 12 for interim mention.

Lawrence Moli and John Tautai were charged each with one count of assault causing actual bodily harm. Both pleaded not guilty to the charges and a trial was conducted last year. 

Prosecution had completed its case last year and it is now the defence’s turn.

The lawyer for both defendants told the court she will only call the two defendants to testify by telling the court their side of the story.

Defence also told court that it did not have any issue with the part-heard trial resuming on March 11 this year.

Court directed that for the interim mention of February 12, both defendants are excused from attending, however, they are required to attend the second interim mention which is set for March 7.

Bail for both defendants was extended.

Prosecution alleged that officers Moli and Tautai assaulted a 17-year-old boy at the Central Police Station, Watch House on the Christmas Eve of 2020.

The complainant had been brought to the police station by his father, who was also a police officer, because the complainant was drunk and had caused nuisance at their residence.

Public Prosecution office appears for the Crown and Public Solicitor Officer appears for the defendants.  

Case against men accused of planning terror acts to return in court Feb 29

Written by
Ofani Eremae
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0

BY ROMINAH FAKA

The case of two men accused of conspiring to commit acts of terrorism has been adjourned for February 29 for interim mention.

John Damusi and Moses Su’u are charged each with one count of conspiracy to commit felony, namely arson, contrary to section 383 and 319 of the Penal Code.

They are being accused of having planned to damage key infrastructures in Honiara.

Prosecution informed court yesterday both defendants were excused from appearing in court and their bail was extended.

Prosecution and defence also informed court that they have no issues with the trial date being set for April 8.

Both defendants are represented by PSO lawyers and the defence counsel for defendant Damusi told the court he will reallocate the file to another PSO lawyer.

Principal Magistrate Fatimah Taeburi instructed that the reallocation must be done quickly before the trial commences.

Police alleged that Damusi and Su’u participated in a scheme aimed at causing damage to various government national projects and critical infrastructure within Honiara.

Police say between March 17 and May 6, 2023, at Hammock Beach, North West Guadalcanal Damusi and Su’u conspired with others to commit a felony, namely arson.

The matter was reported to the police and both accused were arrested and dealt with accordingly.

DPP appears for the Crown and PSO appears for Accused Damusi and Su’u.

STOP PRANK CALLS

Written by
Ofani Eremae
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Saint John's Ambulance Service Solomon Islands CEO Michael Andrew.

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of St John’s Service warns of prank calls

BY INDY MAEALASIA

CHIEF Executive Officer (CEO) of Saint John’s Ambulance Service Solomon Islands, Michael Andrew has warned the general public from using their service’s toll-free number to make prank calls.

“Please don’t use the line as a prank call, we have received so many calls a year, we can only respond to people with genuine emergencies,” Mr Andrew said.

The CEO made the appeal during the official handover and blessing of two donated ambulances at the St Barnabas cathedral yesterday.

Responding to an estimated thousands of calls each year, Andrew said they do not have the time to deal with such prank calls.

A clinician of St John’s, Dickson Ngeobuli also described a prank call they usually receive.

“Sometimes they would call the ambulance and say there is an emergency here you need to come and take them to the hospital but when we reach the location, we ask around but there is no one,” he said.

He discouraged people from such behaviour and to understand that ambulances are specifically used to save lives.

Apart from making the appeal, the CEO encouraged the general public to contact them via their toll free number for genuine emergencies only.

“If you require an ambulance in a life threating emergency, you could call the toll-free number 111 or 911 for an emergency ambulance,” he added.

Teacher pleads not guilty to rape

Written by
Ofani Eremae
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0

BY ROMINAH FAKA

A teacher has pleaded not-guilty to the count of rape.

The teacher is being accused of having raped his niece, a juvenile.

Prosecution told court yesterday the case was filed on November 8 last year.

The defence lawyer told court that the case will be transferred to another lawyer, thus sought an adjournment.

Court adjourned the matter for January 24. Bail for the defendant was extended.

Prosecution alleged that the victim is a juvenile, at the time of the offence she was 16 years old and in Form-three. Report said the victim was residing with the accused when the incident occurred.

The allegation said the suspect was 42 years old and is related to the victim as her uncle. He is the eldest brother of the girl’s late father.

He is a teacher by profession. The girl had come to Honiara and lived with the suspect (her uncle) in January 2023 after her father died.

On August 25, 2023 around 10pm the suspect was drunk and alone in his room.

His wife was not at home, because she was not happy with the suspect drinking.

It was alleged, that night the suspect called out to the alleged victim to fetch him some water.

The girl did as asked and brought a bottle of water to the suspect. He then allegedly suddenly pulled her hand and she fell to the floor.

Her uncle allegedly took a cloth and shut her mouth with it, and told her not to shout, if she did, he would kill her.

Court heard that the girl struggled to escape but could not, and the suspect raped her.

The next morning, August 26, 2023, the girl packed her clothes and went to her aunty’s house at Rifle Range.

On September 22, 2023, the matter was reported at the Sexual Assault Unit, Rove Police Headquarter where investigation was carried out.

On November 7, 2023, the suspect was formally arrested.

DPP appears for the Crown and Private Law Firm appears for the accused.

Case adjourned for Chinese company accused of importing meat

Written by
Ofani Eremae
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0

BY ROMINAH FAKA

The case against a Chinese company accused of illegally importing meat into the country has adjourned for February 7 for mention.

Chinese company COVEC-CO JV CO, Ltd is being accused of breaching the country’s Biosecurity regulations by importing meat products without a valid import permit and documentations to import meat products into the country.

COVEC- CO-JV CO Ltd is being charged with one count of importing prohibited article into the country which contrary to the Biosecurity Act of Solomon Islands.

The defence lawyer informed the court yesterday that she yet to receive full disclosures from the prosecution.

Court directed prosecution to serve all the disclosures before January 19 to the defence counsel. Bail for the defendant was extended.

It was alleged that on April 12, 2023 Biosecurity Solomon Island officers (Seaport Operation) of the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock confiscated concealed meat products illegal imported into the Solomon Islands after conducting a container inspection at the Custom Kings warehouse in Henderson.

The allegation stated that the inspection officers observed products with no visible indication of proper country of origin labeling. This caused them to further investigate and inspect the whole consignment and found that the importer, COVEC-CR JV CO Ltd, breached the country’s Biosecurity regulations by importing the meat products without a valid import permit and documentations to import meat products into the country.

The cartons of goods were concealed inside a shipping container with no visible indication of proper country of origin labeling. All the products were from China.

The illegally imported products included pork meat which is still under Biosecurity ban and other meat products prohibited under Biosecurity laws from importation into the country.

Office of Public Prosecution appears for the Crown and private law firm appears for the defendant.

BDM BAN CONTINUES

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
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Rinah Mark, the legal officer of Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources, explained the beche de mer ban process to people of Lord Howe in Honiara yesterday.

Ministry of fisheries and marine resources maintains prohibition on beche-de-mer harvesting

By EDDIE OSIFELO

The Ministry of fisheries and marine resources (MFMR) is upholding its ban on the harvest of beche-de-mer.

This is light of appeals by the people of Ontong Java, Malaita province’s outlier atolls to have the ban lifted.

MFMR reiterated its prohibition on the harvesting, possession, landing, receiving, buying, selling, or export of any species of Beche-de-mer (BDM) during a meeting with the residents of Ontong Java in Honiara yesterday.

This ban, effective on September 1, 2022, was officially declared in the Gazette of Prohibited Activities (Fishing and Possession of Beche-de-mer) Order 2021.

Addressing a large gathering in the Lord Howe settlement in Chinatown, a compliance officer from the Ministry emphasized that there has been no official communication in the media regarding the lifting of the ban.

Any rumors suggesting the ban’s imminent removal this month or the next are baseless, he warned.

“There is a specific procedure in place to lift the ban,” the officer explained.

“The presence of a research team in Lord Howe signals the beginning of the procedure, aimed at assessing the stock of Beche-de-mer. If the research team determines that the stock is healthy, the Ministry will submit a report to the Cabinet for consideration to lift the ban.”

Rinah Mark, legal officer of the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources, underscored that the primary objective is to manage marine products.

She disclosed that, since the last opening, scientific reports revealed a significant reduction in the size of Beche-de-mer, with approximately 80 percent of sea cucumbers depleted.

“Based on these findings, the Ministry will present a report to the Cabinet to sustain the ban,” she stated.

Mark outlined the procedural steps to lift the ban, indicating that the Director, with the advice of the Cabinet, holds the authority to lift the ban based on scientific research findings.

“This is a national ban, applicable not just to Ontong Java but to everyone in the Solomon Islands,” she clarified.

Despite the ban, residents of Ontong Java voiced concerns over illegal harvesting, alleging the involvement of Chinese business individuals supported by local Chiefs.

A compliance officer acknowledged these concerns, revealing that the Ministry, in collaboration with the Police, had submitted a $1.6 million budget last year to address illegal harvesting in Ontong Java.

“Unfortunately, the budget was dropped due to the government’s focus on the Pacific Games in Honiara,” he said.

Leslie Simao, Director of the National Criminal Investigation Department (Supervising), emphasized that harvesting Beche-de-mer during the ban is a punishable offense.

He urged individuals with evidence of illegal harvesting to report such activities to the police for appropriate action.

Simao emphasized the collective responsibility to protect Beche-de-mer for future generations.

Apart from that, the residents have agreed to convene and strategize on addressing the ongoing food shortage in Ontong Java.

Urgent need for public toilets in Tulagi Market

Written by
Jennifer Kusapa
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0

BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

MARKET vendors at Tulagi Central Islands demand the province pay immediate attention to the absence of public toilets at the Tulagi Market.

One of the regular market vendors informed this paper that ever since the market house was built, there has been no proper water or sanitation for market vendors.

And due to the absence of a proper facility, vendors resort to paddling out to Bangai Island just to relieve themselves.

“It is disheartening that our people lack access to basic amenities such as toilets and running water in such a central location.

“The situation not only raises concerns about hygiene but also highlights the lack of essential infrastructure in our provincial capital market. Vendors, who contribute significantly to the local economy, should not be subjected to such  inconveniences, the vendor said.

Therefore, the vendors call on the provincial government to prioritize the construction of proper facilities in Tulagi Market. This includes the urgent establishment of public toilets and the provision of clean, accessible drinking water. It is essential that our provincial capital, representing the heart of our community, uphold standards that reflect our commitment to the well-being of our people.

The market vendor also calls on Tulagi voters to choose the right leaders in the upcoming election, as previous leaders never addressed those issues.

Meanwhile, a former ward member for Tulagi ward said there was a toilet being built there, but the problem is the usage; people never use those facilities properly, which is why there have been no toilets ever since.

This paper was unable to call the Head of Division of the Tulagi Council for a response.

Aqorau reiterates zero tolerance for corrupt practices at SINU

Written by
Ofani Eremae
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0

BY NED GAGAHE

Solomon Islands National University Vice Chancellor Professor Transform Aqorau says under his leadership the national university will continue to fight against corruption.

In the second edition of his personal reflection for last year, Aqorau said he will ensure that SINU continues to operate under a corrupt free environment for the benefit of this institution, staff, students, and the country as a whole.

“We have a higher responsibility to each other and for the country. Under my administration, we have zero tolerance for corrupt practices here at SINU. SINU in 2023 has lost a lot of well qualified staff due to corruption and dishonest practices.

“It’s a shame to see high qualified people who should have done better and lead by example did the opposite. SINU is our only national university and every staff who served under this institution should serve with integrity and to the best of their ability and not the other way around.

“SINU under my leadership will continue to fight against corruption to ensure SINU operates under a corrupt free environment for the benefit of this institution, staff, students, and the country as a whole.

“Let me start by saying, no one wants to invest in an institution where corruption is rife. SINU is the highest education institution in the country and if we do not address corruption here there is no hope for the country.

“If we want to see SINU grow, and if we want others to invest in this university, and if we want donors to help us, and to get the quality that we would like for our future thought leaders of Solomon Islands in the program and kind of degree we offered, we really need donors onboard and donors would not want to invest in an institution where corruption is rife.

“I recognized we cannot do it on our own that others must help, meaning SINU can only grow with the support of others. We need their intellectual horsepower, but we also need the money that they must bring in.

“I’ll just give you an example, if we want to get Australia and New Zealand level qualification, we must bring in New Zealanders and Australians to come and help us with the accreditation to their standards. They are not going to come if they knew corruption is rife here, that is why I recognized that for us to be able to do accreditation and ranking, getting and addressing corruption in this institution is a priority and a must.

“In addition to that, SINU is the highest education institution in the country, if we don’t address corruption here there is no hope for this country and that is why we must demonstrate in this institution where young people are coming to learn. So that when these young people complete their studies, they will go away with the values and spread good governance of ethical and critical thinking throughout the country. That is why I want to make sure that we SINU must work against corruption.

“I do realize no one is perfect, we all have our weaknesses, but as an institution we can do something good, and that something good that we can do is going to be good for the country. We want to see thousands of students who came through SINU to propel more to the nation with the value of good governance, the value of ethical leadership, and the value of critical thinking and become the agents of change in this country.

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