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PNG insurer Trans Pacific enters SI market with Tower Insurance takeover

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Trans Pacific Assurance Limited Chairman Michael Sullivan (second from left) with some of the distinguished officials that attended the launching on Monday night.

BY NED GAGAHE

A leading Papua New Guinea owned insurer Trans Pacific Assurance Limited has expanded its operation into the Solomon Islands with the historic acquisition of Tower Insurance last Monday.

Trans Pacific announced its groundbreaking takeover of Tower business in Solomon Islands on Monday 29th January 2024 at a ceremony held at Heritage Park Hotel.

In a statement Trans Pacific Group CEO Philip Tolley expressed great excitement describing the move a “a significant achievement for our business.”

“Trans Pacific is to be in Honiara at last, and how grateful we are for the work done by our predecessors Tower Insurance, to establish a business in Solomon Islands forty years ago.

“And grateful the present Tower management for passing the baton onto us and trusting Trans Pacific. The customer base built up over so many decades.

“Thanks to and a special welcome to the good people in Central Bank of Solomon Islands for the assistance in this transition. The skilful understanding is appreciated.

“The brief history of Trans Pacific reveals the PNG owned organization with many familiar names present today, our Chairman, Mr. Michael Sullivan and our Directors. Established 10 years ago, Trans Pacific is now the largest of 18 insurers with an annual premium in the region of SBD$250 million.

“Our business is both on predicting customers of providing marine casualty, medical and property insurance. Our rapid growth has been driven by constant desire to make a difference to service delivery to those customers.

“We are fully committed to delivering the same quality to the people of Solomon Island. We are delighted that Diana and the new team of and Melinda are transitioning to Trans Pacific to continue the highest service delivery standards that they are known for and can only see this lifting with the support of the wider Trans Pacific team based in Port Moresby.

“We look forward to being able to bring to Solomon Islands the quality of product and service for which we have become famous in Papua New Guinea. We firmly believe that as “the Intelligent Insurer” no one in our region can match what we offer to our clients, and I am excited to now be expanding that experience to our Melanesian neighbours.” Mr. Tolley said.

In his remarks at the ceremony, Trans Pacific Chairman Michael Sullivan thanked Tower for the 40 years spent in Solomon Islands.

“I am delighted that their existing Honiara team members are joining the Trans Pacific family. This is an exciting time for Trans Pacific and we look forward to welcoming many Solomon Islanders as clients in the near future”.

He said expanding into the Solomon Islands market is in parallel with the important goals of the Melanesian Spearhead Alliance formed in 1983 including the strengthening of trade and the fostering of closer economic and technical co-operation between member states.

“Special thank you to you our Chief Regulator, the Governor of the Central Bank of Solomon Islands, Dr Luke Forau.

“Trans Pacific is indeed a successful company established almost ten years ago is the second largest insurer in Papua New Guinea but in fact, now the largest general insurer in Papua New Guinea.

“Trans Pacific has made the reputation of being interest in its client’s needs directed to developing solutions to its client’s insurance problems. We have the solutions, we like to think of ourselves as being commissioned client focused, economical.

“In PNG our partners regularly and consistently ranked Trans Pacific as number one in terms of market, for product knowledge, services and responsible servicing, the insurance mind.

“We are the PNG market leader in the motor, marine workers compensation, public liability and commercial and domestic product, we want to bring this expertise to the Solomon Islands.

“This is a particularly important cross order acquisition for one.

“For us, Solomon Islands being our first overseas investment will be very important. We intend to bring to the Solomon Islands great success. Success, not just for us, but a success for our customers.

“A change in ownership of one of the Solomon Islands, three largest insurers is and should be an important day for the Solomon Islands.” Mr. Sullivan said.

Welcoming the Trans Pacific to the Solomon Islands, Governor of Central Bank of Solomon Islands (CBSI) Dr Luke Forau welcome the move by Trans Pacific.

Meanwhile, Trans Pacific is proudly 100 percent PNG owned and operates from its Head Office in Port Moresby. Over the last decade, Trans Pacific has grown to be the most significant PNG General Insurer with annual premiums exceeding the equivalent of SBD $225 million.

Its broker partners consistently rank it as the highest in the market for product knowledge, service, and claims paying appetite. It is a market leader in Motor, Marine, Workers Compensation, Public Liability and Commercial / Domestic Property.

Aqorau optimistic 2024 full staff

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Ofani Eremae
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Solomon Islands National University (SINU) Vice Chancellor Professor Transform Aqorau.Photo supplied.

BY NED GAGAHE

Professor Transform Aqorau, SINU Vice Chansellor is optimistic that SINU will begin this year with full complete staff.

In his personal reflection for 2023, Aqorau said last year the institution has been without substantive Deans for some of the faculties for most part of the year.

He said this is largely due to suspension and non-performance.

However, he said the national university has just completed the process of recruiting Deans for most of the faculties.

“We have just completed the process of recruiting Deans for the faculties and that has been very important, remember that 2023 we have been without substantive Deans for some of these faculties for most part of the year largely to suspensions and non-performance.

“But we now in control of the process and have been able to complete the recruitment process so I’m really looking forward to starting the new year with the full complemental of staff.

“As required by the SINU Council, SINU is also advertising the position of Pro-Vice Chancellor Corporate and Pro-Vice Chancellor Academic.

“These two are very important positions too that are coming up and I hope that we would be able to fill them with competent people.

“In terms of reforms, I expect and hope that we would have a revamp investment arm for this year where some of the cost centres are generating their own revenue.

“I came from a background where we have to earn our own salary in the PNA before I came here. So I’m very much used to the idea of operating as commercial.

“We have a certain components of the university that are commercial and therefore I expect that we would have the reforms necessary for us to be able to put this business and investment arm on a different pedicel.

“Also I would like to see PhDs and masters’ program develop this year.

“Not only that but, I would like to be able to see more reviews of our academic programs.

“We have to review all our academic programs then we will be working on the accreditation that is important.

“Let me just explain, accreditation is not just a simple process of a plan, it’s the documentation, and they will come and evaluate the whole documentation, plus the qualification of the staff, and everything.

“So that is why it is important because that process will then inform us about the staff having to go overseas for further training.

“So they will come and access all of that before we can have considered, and I want us to do with both in Solomon Islands and Australia standards.

“Working with this new group called the Australia Volunteers Associations will be doing that for all of our programs.

“I hope to see more research collaboration and reforms in 2024.” Aqorau said.

Case of double compelled sex returns to court tomorrow

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Ofani Eremae
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BY ROMINAH FAKA

The case against a man accused of taking a video recording of a male and a female he had forced to have sexual intercourse returns to court tomorrow.

The incident is said to have taken place in November last year at the hillside near the Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA) compound.

Tomorrow’s court session is for the defendant to take his plea.

Charles Manaba is charged for two counts of compelled sexual intercourse.

In the last court hearing the defendant was only charged with one count of compelled sexual intercourse, however, prosecution filed an additional charge of compelled sexual intercourse as there are two victims.

The defence lawyer asked for an adjournment as she needed time to discuss with her client and obtain instructions as to where his client stand regarding the two counts.

Bail for the defendant has been extended.

Police alleged on November 19, 2023 at the Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA) hillside area in Honiara, Manaba took a video of the female and male after forcing them to have sexual intercourse in front of the camera.

The video clip shortly went viral on the social media platform Facebook.

The matter was reported to police and the accused was arrested and charged accordingly. DPP appears for the Crown and PSO appears for the Defendant

Case against Chinese business woman on intimidation charge returns today

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Ofani Eremae
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BY ROMINAH FAKA

The case against a Chinese business woman will return to court today after it was adjourned yesterday due to no interpreter being available.

The Chinese businesswoman is being accused of intimidation and molestation.

The case was mentioned yesterday but since there was no Mandarin interpreter, it was adjourned.

Rano private law firm which represents the defendant informed the court that they are ready for trial, however, the issue is Chinese interpreter availability.

Court was also told that the High Court head of interpreter division is still to find a Mandarin interpreter, which was also a problem last year.

Sun Yuan Yuan is charged with one count of intimidation and molestation. She has pleaded not guilty.

Police prosecution told the court he will call three witnesses for the trial however, one of his witnesses is outside of the country.

Therefore, Crown told the court that if that particular witness is not available anytime this week, the crown will make an application for other alternative ways to conduct the trial whether through zoom or he will made an application to cancel that particular witness for grounds of unavailable witness.

Police alleged on August 4, 2023 at Mass Corner Restaurant, Capital Park, East Honiara in the Guadalcanal Province the defendant intimidated and molested the complainant, a Chinese man.

The matter was reported to the police and the defendant dealt with accordingly. Police Prosecution Department appears for the Crown and Private Law Firm appears for the defendant.

Armed robbery case returns tomorrow in court

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BY ROMINAH FAKA

The case of two men accused of armed robbery has been suspended for January 24 for interim-mention.

Chris Yambeyabbi and Eddie Maki are charged jointly with armed robbery regarding an incident which allegedly took place on December 23, 2022 at the engineering department office of the China Harbour Construction at King George Six Area.

Both defendants pleaded not guilty to the charge.

The trial was set to commence on March 11 this year.

Matter will be heard in court tomorrow Wednesday, January 24 for interim-mention; parties in carriage of the file are to attend to the court or provide instructions to the court, informing the court whether they have issues or not regarding the trial commencement.

Bail for both defendants have been extended.

It was alleged that Maki was armed with an axe and Yambeyabbi a home-made pistol.

They allegedly entered the office and threatened the Managing Director of the Engineering Department of China Harbour Construction with the pistol before escaping with valuable items worth $11,000.

Police arrested Yambeyabbi on January 10 and located the home-made firearm and some other items which police believed were used to make home-made firearm.

Also prosecution alleged both claimed the defendants used threatening violence with firearm, possession of firearms and ammunition.

Office of Public Prosecution appears for Crown and Public Solicitor Office appears for Defence.

HIGH SWELLS

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Jennifer Kusapa
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High swells causing beach erosion

-Low-lying communities across country report unprecedented sea water inundation

-Makira communities hit hard, survivors share experience

BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

A series of high swells is causing havoc in low-lying coastal areas and atolls across the country facing the northern side of the country.

Several reports are on social media including some low-lying coastal communities in Malaita.

In Makira, several communities are reporting unprecedented inundation of sea water as high swells penetrate nearly a hundred metres inland.

A woman in one of these Makira communities, Anna Hadi, spoken to via telephone yesterday, said waves washed into their village, marking the first time they have encountered such powerful waves.

“It was a frightening experience; some elderly people moved to higher ground for safety,” Ms Hadi said.

She added that the entire community remains on high alert, ready to relocate to higher ground if the continuous high waves persist. Ms. Hadi said.

Meanwhile, the Solomon Islands Meteorology has been consistently providing updates since last week regarding the high swells.

A swell advisory is currently in effect for low-lying islands, including Ontong Java Atolls, Dai, Ramos, Sikaiana, and the northern coastal areas of Choiseul, Isabel, Malaita, Makira, and Temotu provinces.

Moderate northerly swells (2.5 to 3.5 metres) originating from the northern parts of the Solomon Islands waters are expected. Coastal inundation is a potential risk in low-lying areas, islands, and atolls. It’s important to note that these swell height estimates do not account for the enhancing effects of local sea currents and tides.

Mariners and residents of low-lying islands, specifically Ontong Java Atolls, Dai, Ramos, Sikaiana, and the northern coastal areas of Choiseul, Isabel, Makira, Malaita, and Temotu, are strongly urged to take precautionary measures. These swells pose significant threats to lives and properties.

Fresh drinking water supply for North West Choiseul

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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

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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

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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

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Ofani Eremae
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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.

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