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DRUGS INTO THE SEA

Written by
Jennifer Kusapa
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Confiscated Methamphetamine. Photo credit - POLICE MEDIA

Police claim confiscated Methamphetamine haul destroyed

By JENNIFER KUSAPA

Police have announced they have destroyed the Methamphetamine haul, confiscated in Honiara late last year.

Police Commissioner Mostyn Mangau confirmed this yesterday during a press conference.

Police Media also shared photos to the media as proof, showing the haul and officers in the process of dumping the drugs into the sea.

Responding to questions in regards to the illegal drugs, on the delay in their destruction, Mr Mangau explained that the police had to ‘adhere to proper formalities from authorities’ and ‘ensure that all necessary paperwork was completed before the destruction could take place’.

Mangau confirmed that the Methamphetamine was taken from the Post Office and from a location at the Ranadi area late last year.

He said police have no proper details on the value of the drugs, adding that the seized drugs were of ‘small quantity’.

Commissioner Mangau also said no arrest has been made, and that investigations are ongoing.

When questioned about the potential impact of the destruction on court evidence, Mangau said the destruction was carried out due to the hazardous nature of the drug.

He added that police had adhered to all processes and procedures before the destruction was made.

He said necessary measures, including arranging for proper documentation and photographers for court proceedings, were taken care of.

Mangau denied any involvement of senior officers that could have contributed to the delay in the destruction process.

He clarified that the drugs were kept under secure custody, separate from the exhibit office.

Mangau pointed out that Solomon Islands serves as a transit port for drugs, emphasising the seriousness and danger these items pose to youths and the community.

He urged people to collaborate closely with the police and authorities to address this issue effectively in the country.

Methamphetamine is also known as ice or crystal meth. It is a highly addictive psychostimulant drug. Its use can be life-threatening. It is banned in a number of countries.

Abusive usage of meth is said to lead to long term risks which include high blood pressure, heart attack and stroke. This is reportedly despite the user being without any initial heart problems. Meth can severely damage the liver and kidneys, also to the point of causing death.

Suspect in accident which killed foreigner last year yet to be charged

Written by
Jennifer Kusapa
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BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

The suspect into the traffic accident which led to the death of a Cook Islander pilot after the Pacific Games last year is yet to be charged.

Police Commissioner Mostyn Mangau confirmed yesterday that the 20-year-old male suspect in the fatal accident that occurred in Honiara on December 3, 2023, has not yet been charged.

Mangau responding to questions during the press conference yesterday on why the three-month delay to the case, said investigators are still awaiting for the doctor’s report and photographs from the Forensic department.

Last year, the morning after the official closing of the Pacific Games in Honiara, a traffic accident occurred which led to the death of a man who was of Cook Islands and Samoan descent.

The man was said to be a pilot serving in PNG, and had come to the country to meet his brother, who was a leading official of the Cook Islands contingent to the 17th Pacific Games.

The suspect was arrested and later released. Police said he was not formally charged as the necessary documents were still pending.

Police in earlier reports said that at the time of the incident, the vehicle was traveling eastward at a high speed, and the suspect was allegedly under the influence of alcohol.

The vehicle reached Saru beach, veering off the road and colliding with the rail on the outer side of the low lane, causing the vehicle to be propelled back onto the high lane. Despite this, the vehicle maintained its speed and hit the middle island at St Nicholas junction. Subsequently, the vehicle jumped and struck the outer rail of the low lane again, resulting in a twist that led to the unfortunate collision with the deceased.

Approach this election with an open mind: Anisi

Written by
Mavis Podokolo
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Chief Electoral Officer Jasper Anisi. Photo supplied.

BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO

THE Chief Electoral Officer for Solomon Islands Electoral Commission (SIEC) has urged eligible voters and general public to approach this upcoming election with open minds, consideration and respect.

Anisi echoed this in a press conference following the Proclamation and Election Notices for the 2024 Joint Election held this week in Honiara.

“But with this privilege comes responsibility. We must approach this election with open minds, thoughtful consideration, and respect for the diverse views and opinions of our fellow citizens.

“We must engage in civil dialogue, listen to different perspectives, and ultimately make our choice based on what is best for our country as a whole,” he said.

Anisi urged each and every one to educate themselves on national issues, research the candidates and participate in the democratic process with enthusiasm and dedication.

“Your voice matters, your vote counts, and together, we can build a brighter future for all.

“So, mark your calendars, spread the word, and prepare to make history on 17th April 2024, because this is the first time Solomon Islands will have a Joint Elections. The election timetable now commences,” he said.

Anisi adds by encouraging everyone to show the world the power of democracy, the strength of unity, and the resolve of a nation determined to shape its own destiny.

MWYCFA reviews national youth policy 2017-2030

Written by
Samie Waikori
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Ethel Sigimanu.

BY SAMIE WAIKORI

AUKI

THE Ministry of Women, Youth, Children and Family Affairs is reviewing the National Youth Policy 2017-2030.

This follows the first phase or the first six years of implementation.

This is to ascertain challenges and achievements of the first phase which will pave the way for the implementation of its second phase.

The review is headed by a team from MWYCFA, where a two-day consultation was held with various stakeholders in Auki, Malaita province from Monday to Tuesday this week.

Mr Methodius Iapara from MWYCFA said the review was supposed to have been done last year, but was postponed due to the Pacific Game.

He said the review began this year and is nearing completion with most provinces having been covered.

A consultant on the NYP review, Ethel Sigimanu, said, “Through the review, we will learn from challenges, shortfalls and achievements encountered in the first phase and prepare for the second phase of the policy.”

Sigimanu said after the consultation, a report on the review will be submitted to MWYCFA to deliberate on and absorb into the next phase of the policy from 2024-2030.

Francis Samo, Malaita province youth coordinator thanked the MWYCFA and described the review as significant toward the success of the NYP 2017-2030.

“As an office that had played important role in implementing the National Youth Policy 2017-2030, lot of challenges had faced in the implementation of the policy in the provincial level.

“One major among them is budgetary and proper coordination to implement the policy, especially in its first phase.

“We hope, these areas and other important areas raised by implementing stakeholders during the review are capture as preparation is now for the second phase of the policy,” he said.

Samo said Malaita province, like other provinces is looking forward to working closely with MWYCFA to implement the next phase of the NYP, from 2024-2030.

World Vision holds youth exhibition in Diula village

Written by
Samie Waikori
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Group photo of youths with WVSI and NZ delegation at Diula during the Youth Exhibition on Tuesday this week. Photo credit - WVSI

BY SAMIE WAIKORI

WORLD Vision in Auki, Malaita province held a youth exhibition for 20 communities the organisation is working with in north and east Malaita on Tuesday this week at Diula village, North Malaita.

The exhibition programme comes under the World Vision’s Youth Social Entrepreneurship Development (YSED) project and is funded by the New Zealand government.

Managing the project for Malaita province is Robert Firidede, who highlighted youth empowerment as an important element of the entire project.

He said the exhibition is purposely for youths to showcase their skills, products, services and initiatives achieved as part of their engagement in the project.

“Normally, such events are designed to provide youth with perfect platform to present their products and services at its best.

“The event is unique as it offers a place to capture qualified clients face to face, apart from displaying their products and other learning characters.

“Also, as part of the programme is to explore and experience that as being youth, they are the leaders for tomorrow,” Firidede said.

He said during the programme youths learnt important concepts such as;

  • Interact and learn from each other
  • Learn from quest speakers in different areas affecting the society
  • Encourage youth and continue with initiative developed
  • To promote their talents and skills or service
  • Showcase their groups’ small generating activities
  • To experience the culture of being responsible, developing self-confidence, trust, respect and discipline as ambassadors of their youth groups
  • To promote recognition of youth importance, work and decision-making participation in the society.

Firidede said a key element of the project is youth empowerment to play active roles in community development and to become good citizens.

And in that, he said mindset and behavioral change is a key message for the youths.

Firidede thanked the youths for their participation in the programme and realising their importance in contributing positively to their communities and homes.

He said this is what the project is about – to see youths playing active roles in supporting leaders in their communities.

Your voice matters, and your vote counts: SIEC

Written by
Jennifer Kusapa
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Chief Electoral Officer Jasper Anisi. Photo supplied.

BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

Voters are being urged to choose the right people to represent them in parliament come polling day, April 17.

Chief Electoral Officer Jasper Anisi, during a press conference with the media on Tuesday, highlighted that voters must educate themselves on issues, research the candidates, and participate in the democratic process with enthusiasm and dedication.

“Your voice matters, your vote counts, and together, we can build a brighter future for all.

“So, mark your calendars, spread the word, and prepare to make history on April 17, 2024, because this is the first time the Solomon Islands will have a joint election.

“The election timetable now commences,” Anisi said.

He said April 17, 2024, is a pivotal moment in our democratic process, a time when everyone has the opportunity to exercise their freedom and make their voices heard.

Meanwhile, during the opening of the new Solomon Ports Jetty early this month, Caretaker, Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare also highlighted that the election is in the next couple weeks and it is time for voters to exercise their constitutional rights to elect representatives at the national, provincial, and Honiara City Council levels.

“I ask all of us to choose wisely and remember that whoever we select is going to represent us in the next four years, so we have that very serious responsibility, and we leave that to the wisdom of our people under the democratic process,” Sogavare adds.

ENDS//

WVSI, NBSI hand over WASH project to Numbu

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NBSI Trustee John Sullivan (Right) and WVSI Director, Jimmy Nadapdap(Left) cutting the ribbon.

BY INDY MAEALAISA

WORLD Vision Solomon Islands (WVSI) and the National Bank of Solomon Islands (NBSI) Health and Welfare Trust officially handed over the Covid-19 Health Improvement and Community Awareness Project to Numbu Clinic, North East Guadalcanal on Tuesday.

The project involved the instalment of a 3000 litre Rotomould Tank outdoor and two hand washing basins at the clinic’s maternity room, outpatient waiting area and additional tanks around the main village.

The project was initially delivered to align with the government’s national response to limiting Covid 19 pandemic.

While delivering his remarks, WVSI Director Jimmy Nadapdap reminded the community that practising good hygiene is vital regardless.

“When we talk about Covid 19, we are not talking about inviting Covid 19 back. We are learning from that experience to not repeat that because with or without Covid 19, a good hygiene is very important,” Nadapdap said.

Nadapdap who avidly travelled across the Solomon Islands realised that WASH project like the one in Numbu Clinic is lacking and hopes the project will strengthen the health system in the community and the clinic’s capacity.

Nadapdap commented that the project also demonstrates WVSI’s commitment.

“This is also telling the commitment WVSI has so I am very happy here. I know the project will benefit 2000-3000 people in Numbu.”

Though the WVSI is heading the implementation of the project, Nadapdap also extended his appreciation to the Numbu community for their resilience in contributing towards making the project a success.

NBSI Trustee and main donor, John Sullivan also expressed his gratitude and his satisfaction for investing funds in such rural project which is usually overlooked by the government.

As the project comes to its completion, Director Nadapdap said he is hoping to work with the Numbu community in the future to prioritise health.

“Let’s look forward for a future where health and well-being continue to be at the forefront of our collective effort and together we have already demonstrate the power of collaboration, I am confident that this positive invite will continue will resonate for years to come.” 

Local journalists undergo election reporting training

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Workshop participants discussing among themselves.

BY INDY MAEALASIA

Media personnel from media outlets around Honiara are currently undergoing a workshop on election reporting in preparation to provide exclusive media coverage of the upcoming 2024 National General Election

The five-day workshop was made possible through the BBC Media Action and the Media Association of Solomon Islands (MASI) under the phase-2 of the BBC Media Action’s ‘Strengthening the Media’ project.

The workshop commenced yesterday with a good turnout of both experienced and new media personnel across print, radio, digital and television media outlets.

This year’s NGE is historical as it will be the first ever joint election in which voters will cast their ballots for the National Government, Provincial Assembly and the Honiara City Council.

In-depth Solomons’ Journalist, Georgina Maka’a who has a wealth of experience in previous election reporting is looking forward for the election.

“I think it will be an interesting one especially for journalists, we have not experienced the coverage of joint election, I am looking forward this year and it is also an opportunity to see how journalist can report on such election,” Ms Maka’a said.

Speaking on the importance of such undertakings MASI President, Georgina Kekea hoped that it will assist journalists in their election reporting by giving a voice for citizens and to influence decision making.

4 livestock officers on meat inspection training in Australia

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Third from left; Lottie Vaisekavea, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock with the four Livestock officers from Makira Ulawa, Malaita, Guadalcanal, and Honiara who will leave to Australia for the meat inspection training.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAL) has sent four Livestock officers over the weekend to train in Queensland, Australia to become meat inspectors.

The opportunity is funded by the SI Agriculture Rural Transformation (SIART) project.

It will ensure that the project meets its objective; the livestock sector will also have the required capacity to service the sector.

MAL Permanent Secretary Lottie Vaisekavea congratulated the four officers and urged them to be good ambassadors.

“Be a good ambassador of yourself, family, sector, and Country. Be proud of who are and who you are becoming.

“You are the face of the Solomons’ 21st century agriculture. Please work together and encourage one another during your studies.

“We are looking forward to your success, and your return to serve our Livestock subsector and SI. More will follow your footsteps.

“Your steps are important to facilitate and ensure SI and MAL can continue to evolve the livestock sector and make import substitution viable, feasible and practical.

“This will allow the sector to also position and posture international standards towards new market opportunities.

“However, to get there we have to ensure our food standards are safe and secure before we step out.”

He added that the entire MAL staff are behind the team during their training.

In appreciation of the training opportunity in Australia, Carlos Fa’alimae, Malaita provincial livestock officer thanked MAL and SIART Project for having confidence in him and his three colleagues and he assured them that they would do their best to successfully complete the training.

–MAL PRESS

Kalenga CHS hosts consultation with community leaders to formulate school’s development plan

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Community leaders including women and youths of Sepi and Suva showed solid support for Kalenga CHS during consultation to develop school three years development plan.

BY NED GAGAHE

At a historic occasion on Sunday 11th February 2024, the Kalenga Community High School (CHS) in Bugotu, Isabel Province hosted a successful consultation with the community leaders of Sepi and Suva to gather their contribution towards formulating the school’s three years development plan.

The consultation was organized by school administration.

It ended with strong backing from the leaders including women, chiefs, youths and students pledging full support behind the school to advance the school’s infrastructure development aspiration.

The school’s new Principal Mr. John Kaba expressed gratitude, welcoming the solid collaboration between the communities and the school as a step in the right direction.

Mr. Kaba said formulation of the school’s development plan is crucial to address the development needs of the school.

He said the current administration under his leadership, believed on collaborative approach, one that promotes inclusive participation by all stakeholders and community is one of the primary stakeholders to advance the schools development agenda.

“Our main focus is to formulate a school development plan that will solve the much-needed infrastructure development that the school currently face.

“Also, to engage community with the school development as they have all the resources to move such development

“We believe it is the way forward in school development, to spend money on school needs, to give the communities the sense of ownerships and setting the school’s priorities right.

“Our aim is to promote and market our school to the rest of the world and seek donor support to assist the school.

“As leaders in the communities, we value their contributions, the consultation was used as an opportunity to recognize their efforts and show them the importance of their ideas and contribution towards the school.

School Principal Kaba used the occasion to thank the communities for their attendance which he described as a reflection of mutual dedication to see the school advanced its aspiration.

“Yes, it was a great success because, we manage to get the much-needed information from their discussion and contribution

“We were able to collect data to formulate the three years school development plan based on much needed areas.

“Leaders are very happy because it’s their first time to have such consultation and have their ideas and contribution heard they feel being part of the formulation to draw up the school development plan. Also, it broadened their knowledge and understanding on how a community high school setting is like.” School Principal Kaba said

A senior teacher at the school, Mr. Johnson Bako said, infrastructure development at the school is a pressing issue faced by the school in this modern age.

He said the demand for modern building facilities and equipment is a long overdue need of the school.

Mr. Bako stressed that school has faced a huge challenge, from rundown buildings, delayed renovations on staff houses, dormitories and classrooms.

“This is detrimental to the welfare and learning of students and teachers. There should be a conducive learning and teaching environment for students and teachers.

“With this in mind, this three years development plan is necessary. We need a comprehensive plan to get us there, in order to archive our vision.

“Participation of the communities is crucial to ensure that we are on the same page.

“It reflects the shared vision to see enabling environment for the teachers and students to enjoy education.

“We look forward to work collaboratively with the communities for future engagements.” Mr. Bako said

Kalenga CHS was established in the 1980s a Primary School, accommodating students in two major villages, Sepi and Suva.  In 2009 the school introduced first form 1 and in 2018 it introduces first form 4 with lack of preparation for the introduction of form four especially the infrastructure development. This year it accommodates around 220 students from form 1-5.

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