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Warrant of arrest issued for female co-accused in illegal drug case

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BY ROMINAH FAKA

Court has issued a warrant of arrest for an accused in a case involving attempt to smuggle illegal drugs out of the country.

Beatrice Umea did not turn up in court yesterday, and prosecution applied for the warrant, saying that Ms Umea had known about the court date.

Umea and her co-accused, Etekia Kauai, are facing charges of attempting to smuggle illegal drugs out of the country.

Prosecution informed court yesterday that Mr Kauai was in court, and that he had come after he received summons.

Kauai also told court that he already has a legal representative.

Court suspended the case to April 12 for plea and warrant of arrest to be executed on Umea. 

Bail for Kauai was extended.

The two are charged in relation to an allegation on June 19, 2019 at the Henderson International Airport.

Prosecution alleged Kauai packed eight packets of marijuana inside a speaker in 20cm by 20cm plastic bags. This was taken to the airport, where Umea was on check-in duty for Solomon Airlines.

It was further alleged that Kauai took the package to Umea and she accepted the package as unaccompanied luggage, but tagged the package to a passenger whom she had already checked in.

When the package went through screening, suspicion arose and the speaker was unscrewed and the packets of marijuana were found.

Police then arrested Umea and Kauai and charged them jointly for one count of attempting to export a dangerous drug under the Dangerous Drugs Act.

Public Prosecutor Steward Tonowane is appears for the Crown and Mr. Hite for the accused Kauai

Investigation into Marau murder case of October 2023 yet to complete

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BY ROMINAH FAKA

Investigations into a murder case at Marau, south east of Guadalcanal, in October last year is yet to complete.

Constance Manepania is charged with one count of murder. The maximum penalty is life imprisonment.

The case was heard on Wednesday 3rd April.

Prosecution had informed court in the previous hearing that the file had been transferred to the Henderson police for further investigation.

Henderson police also told court then that they had gone to Marau on March 12 and during their investigations they found some new developments to the case.

Prosecution also told court they are expecting a co-accused to be involved in this matter, though, this will be confirmed when the investigation is completed.

Investigators have collected 20 statements. The outstanding documents yet to be filed include the autopsy report, photo album of the autopsy, crime scene album and the record interview to be signed by the accused.

Court adjourned the matter for April 9, instructing both parties to ensure the outstanding documents are available by then. Prosecution was also instructed to provide defence with full disclosures.

Remand warrant for Manepania was extended.

Police alleged October 8, 2023 late in the evening, the deceased and some of her relatives boarded a canoe to an island called Ravi within the Marau area to sleep over for fishing during the night time.

Next day at about 8am, the deceased and two other relatives boarded another canoe to the mainland to collect food and water for the group on the island.

When they reached mainland, they dug some swamp taro, refilled some containers of water.

At about 4pm the deceased and the other girls loaded their canoe and departed for Ravi Island.

About few metres from the mainland the deceased complained that her body was not feeling good, and was afraid to go to Ravi island, so she decided to stay back on the mainland.

The other girls left the deceased along the shore so that she could walk back home.

The deceased then left Tawanikeni village along the sea shore back to her village Kompa’u.

Prosecution alleged that it was on her way back to her home village that the accused attacked her.

A witness who was on his way along the airport that day heard a sound of a crying person. When the witness got closer to where the crying sound came from, he saw Manepania holding a bush knife in his right hand.

Manepania led the witness to where the deceased was lying unconscious then he stepped onto the deceased’s forehead and squeezed the neck of the deceased until she stopped breathing.

After that Manepania demanded and ordered the witness to take the dead body down to the sea and sink it.

The accused allegedly threatened the witness to carry out this act, saying he would cut the witness with the bush knife if he did not comply

Police at Marau received a report of the incident on October 10, 2023, when villagers around Marau area saw the deceased’s body washed ashore in front of the Conflict Lodge.

Jonathan Auga appears for Crown and PSO for act for Manepania.

Details of Jiangsu-Malaita provinces sister-relationship

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Samie Waikori
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BY SAMIE WAIKORI

JIANGSU province through the Embassy People’s Republic of China in Honiara formally established a historic sister relationship with Malaita province of Solomon Islands in Auki.

A MOU to officially seal this relationship was signed and the two provinces will begin to work on areas of mutual interest under the partnership.

And in pursuant to guidelines of the communique to establish relations between the two provinces, they have reached consensus through consultation and friendly relations to promote exchange, cooperation and facilitate better understanding and friendship between people of the two provinces.

The two parties agreed on the following matters.

  • The two parties, with respect to the principles of free will, equality and friendship are willing to facilitate exchanges and cooperation in a variety of fields at all levels, including economic and trade, agriculture, education and livelihood improvement for common development.
  • The two parties would play an active role in facilitating trade cooperation. Tradable and exportable commodities and products from Malaita such as coconut, cocoa, tuna, fish, beche-de-mer, seaweed and others will be exported to Jiangsu.
  • The two parties would leverage the role of China-Pacific Island Countries Agriculture cooperation and demonstration centres as a platform to conduct cooperation with Malaita, providing technological support in agriculture and training of agriculture professionals (in areas of scientific research, and assessment, quality control, product development, management and skill development) to Malaita.
  • The two parties would strengthen educational cooperation. Jiangsu would offer government scholarship such as “studying in Jiangsu” to train professionals in trade (business/finance), production, industries/infrastructure, health (pharmaceutical/medicine), fisheries and agriculture from Malaita.
  • The two parties would promote exchanges in areas related to people’s livelihood (including climate change and natural disaster response). Jiangsu would provide people in Malaita with essential support and assistance for human security, sustenance and maintenance.
  • Jiangsu Foreign Affairs office and Malaita provincial government office as designated officials contacts of the two parties, would be responsible for coordinating resources to implement the matters and activities articulated in this MOU.

According to the signed document, the MOU enters into effect on the date of signature and will be valid for five years. If neither of the parties calls for termination six months before the expiration date, this MOU would be renewed resultantly.

The MOU was worded in both Chinese and English languages and both texts equally authentic.

Gizo Market Manager raises key concerns for women in Western province

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Mavis Podokolo
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Moffat Maeta

BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO 

Market Manager for Gizo, has brought forward significant concerns that he believes demand the attention of the incoming government.

Moffat Maeta highlighted several crucial issues during an interview with Island Sun urging the new administration to take prompt action.

He said one big problem is that there aren’t enough chances for women and young people in Western province to learn new skills.

“For example, we have many local crops like root vegetables that could be made into different things and sold abroad, but we don’t have many people who know how to do that,” he said.

Maeta mentioned another important thing that needs focus on – changing how  people think.

“Changing our mindset is important, especially here in the Western part of the Solomon Islands. I strongly believe that the government can do things to help young people think differently. This can help them make better choices for themselves, their families, and their communities instead of getting involved in things they shouldn’t.

“So, I really believe that if we have women in Parliament and leaders who thinks like leaders, we can solve these problems,” he said.

He then asked all women young people in the Western province to vote for candidates who have ‘leadership mindset’.

SINCE COLONIAL DAYS

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Historic project launched to create Solomon Islands’ address and postcode system

BY MORRIS NAFU

The Solomon Post has officially launched the Solomon Islands National Postcode and Addressing System Project with the aim of introducing the country’s first-ever national address and postcode system.

The project was inaugurated at the Solomon Post office with the presence of all its stakeholder representatives yesterday.

The event marks a significant milestone since the inception of a postal services in the country during the colonial times and through the independence era to date.

The National Addressing and Postcode system is designed to enhance planning and service delivery of essential address information.

It is expected to facilitate effective planning development, efficient postal service delivery, identification of delivery offices and areas, identification of delivery points and arrangements for post boxes, automation, presorting of mail according to defined postcodes and addresses, and adoption of ISO standard mailing codes.

These developments will enable the Solomon Islands to have a presence on e-commerce platforms.

During the official launching ceremony, Caretaker Minister of Communication and Aviation, Peter Shanel Agovaka emphasised the project’s significance achievement in implementing the policy of the Democratic Coalition Government for Advancement (DCGA) in the postal and logistical sector.

He noted that the absence of a postcode and national addressing system had been identified as a setback to economic growth in the Solomon Islands, particularly in the context of global electronic trading and the digital era.

“The introduction of alphanumeric postcodes aligned with current administrative and national numbering codes is expected to enhance the efficient delivery of integrated global trading, customs requirements, payment modes, shopping cards, e-shops, transportation, and logistics.

“Additionally, the implementation of the National Addressing and Postcode system will provide addresses for residential houses, communities, and even roads and footpaths, will be given names and we will finally enjoy the benefit and ease of services at our door step,” said Agovaka.

Overall, the Solomon Islands National Postcode and Addressing Development Project signify a significant step towards modernising postal and logistical services in the country, aligning them with global standards and facilitating economic growth and digital integration.

MFMR acknowledge media’s role

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BY INDY MAEALASIA

THE Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources (MFMR) has highlighted the crucial role the media plays in promoting transparency, accountability, and communication regarding marine resource management.

Acknowledging the significant contribution of the media, MFMR Deputy Secretary Corporate Services, Patterson Lusi emphasised the importance of disseminating information to communities and the wider world.

“Their efforts in disseminating information to communities and the wider world are crucial for fostering understanding and engagement in marine resource management initiatives,” Lusi said in his speech at the launch of the Solwata Blo Iumi Campaign recently.

With the launch of initiatives such as the Solwata Blo Iumi Campaign toolkit and its distribution nationwide, a participant of the toolkit launch workshop expressed the need for media coverage to document the impact the toolkit will have on coastal communities and the resources.

“We need the media to document how we will carry out workshops and awareness in the communities so that people have a fair knowledge on how we are trying to manage these resources,” Apunepara Haamwaora Natural Resource Association’s operation manager, Reginal Watesau told Island Sun.

More so, Mr Watesau hoped that upon his return to South Malaita, he would be able to help a lot of other coastal communities apart from his own.

Respect each other despite political differences: PPC Kili

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Samie Waikori
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PPC Lesly Kili.

BY SAMIE WAIKORI

MALAITA PPC Superintendent Lesley Kili has called on Malaitans to embrace each other despite differences in their political affiliations.

The call was made following a recent arrest of a man who allegedly obstructed a candidate – with the use of force, from campaigning in one of the villages in Aoke Langa Langa constituency.

He said the man supported a particular candidate and did not want other candidates to campaign in his village.

Kili referred to the action as a crime in itself, and appealed to Malaitans to refrain from such action or other actions that would impede election processes.

He said the country upholds principles and values of democracy including freedoms of speech, assembly, choice, but within the perimeters of the law.

Kili said this is why candidates must be allowed equal opportunities to campaign without any form of obstruction.

He said the choice of who to vote is an individual right, and candidates also play significant roles through political campaigns that could decide the choice.

Vella retired public servant calls on candidates to address women issues

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Beverly Aaron

BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

A retired female public servant has called on candidates to recognise the issues affecting women.

Beverly Aaron of North Vella La Vella constituency has urged candidates to always consider women’s concerns when they come into power.

She emphasised that while the choice ultimately lies with the people, whoever wins should prioritise women’s issues without fail.

Issues affecting women are significant and leaders should not neglect addressing them.

Ms Aaron, who retired a year ago, noted that in her community former MPs had addressed the water issue, but proper sanitation still needs attention.

When asked about her views on women being candidates, she said that any woman aiming to successfully contest the National General Election must understand the issues in rural areas.

Female candidates must invest more time with the people and treat everyone equally to secure victory in the election.

Aaron said in her constituency, putting women into power will take some years as people’s mindsets need to change, while women can contribute to positive change, the mindset of voters must change.

She emphasised the need for cultural and mindset shifts among rural populations before women can achieve success.

She also stressed that even if a capable woman contests but fails to recognise or be kind to the people during her lifetime, rural support will be lacking.

Despite the challenges, she urged voters, especially women, to make informed choices on April 17.

She emphasised that it is the responsibility of everyone in the village to make wise decisions when it comes time to vote.

3 men plead not guilty to multiple counts

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BY ROMINAH FAKA

Three men accused of multiple charges pleaded not guilty at the magistrate court.

Saverio Mate, 25, Lency Raga, 40, John Longatabo, 28, were all charged jointly with two counts of arson and one count of assault causing actual bodily harm.

Prosecution sought seven days’ adjournment for it to complete the Pre-Trial-Conference (PTC) documents.

Court extended the remand warrant for Longatabo and bail for Raga and Mate.

Court instructed the parties to file the PTC before close of business on April 8 before coming back to court on April 9.

Prosecution alleged that on October 12, 2022, the defendants were alleged to be part of a group of men that went and asked compensation from the complainant at Kakalu Village, West Guadalcanal.

They claimed the complainant had stolen their live pig and demanded he gave them some money if not they would return and burn down his house.

Later, the defendants went and set fire to the complainant’s two dwelling houses.

Steward Tonowane of DPP act for the Crown and PSO act for the defendants.

Police applaud peaceful Easter on Malaita

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Samie Waikori
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PPC Malaita, superintendent Lesley Kili.

BY SAMIE WAIKORI

AUKI

Malaita police commander Superintendent Lesley Kili has thanked communities across the province for the peaceful Easter celebration.

Kili made the acknowledgement following zero report of incident and arrest during the Easter weekend.

“The behaviour shown by people in the province illustrated their respect to Easter and that they celebrated it with its true meaning.

“I must thank the people of Malaita, who are in the province for this wonderful behavior and urge them to continue with this good behaviour.

“This is what we should have to treat all events whether religious or public events with respect and honour,” Kili said.

He thanked community leaders and their people for the synergy toward such achievement which had supported police in their work.

Kili on that note called for similar behaviour during the national elections on April 17.

“As known, the country will go to poll on April 17 and I urge Malaitans to continue with the similar good behavior during this national event.

“This is so that the event is administer accordingly and those will participate in it to do so freely without fear of any potential threats,” he said.

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