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Call on HCC to inspect buildings within City boundary

Written by
Jennifer Kusapa
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City Clerk for HCC Justus Denni.

BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

The Honiara City Council (HCC) is being called out to address the huge numbers of sub-standard or semi-permanent buildings in the capital.

Many of these buildings were reportedly built without prior permission from the HCC and do not meet HCC building standards.

Honiara City Clerk, Justus Denni, recently highlighted that any building built within the city’s boundary must obtain approval from the Council.

He said within the Honiara City Council (HCC) they have the Local Planning Scheme committee to look into applications seeking permission for construction of buildings within city boundaries.

He said failure to secure such approval could result in the demolition of unauthorised buildings.

However, concerns have been raised that contrary to Clerk Denni’s statements, Honiara city is saturated with sub-standard buildings.

A Honiara resident Stanley Nohe gives an example, pointing out existing structures along the Mbokona Road, particularly those situated opposite the six-storey building at Point Cruz.

The concerned resident questions HCC whether those buildings were erected with proper approval from the HCC.

“HCC should clarify the public on these issues because most buildings built within the HCC boundaries, I doubt it they got approval from the council,” Nohe said.

He pointed out that not only were these buildings constructed without proper authorisation, but they also fail to meet the necessary construction standards, being labeled as semi-permanent structures.

In accordance with the Honiara City Council ordinance, individuals intending to erect buildings are required to submit two copies of detailed plans for each floor, sections of each storey, and elevations of the building.

These plans should be drawn in a clear and intelligible manner, adhering to a scale of not less than one inch to every eight feet.

The ordinance serves as a crucial framework for ensuring that all construction within the city complies with safety and quality standards. Failure to adhere to these guidelines not only violates city regulations but also compromises the structural integrity of buildings, potentially endangering occupants.

Therefore, Nohe said the lack of action by the HCC in addressing the unauthorized structures along Mbokona Road and other areas within Honiara town boundary raises concerns about the effectiveness of the council’s monitoring and enforcement mechanisms.

He said Honiara residents are left questioning whether the HCC has the capacity to safeguard the city’s urban landscape and uphold the standards set by its own ordinances.

Agovaka seeks 5th term with Central Guadalcanal constituency

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Hon Peter Shanel Agovaka

BY INDY MAEALASIA

THE Ownership, Unity and Responsibility (OUR) Party, candidate Peter Shanel Agovaka for the Central Guadalcanal Constituency is seeking his fifth term in parliament.

Agovaka was accompanied by OUR Party Wing leader, Caretaker Prime Minister, Manasseh Sogavare, Deputy Wing Leader, Bradly Tovosia and Candidate for Gizo Kolombangara, Jimson Tanangada during the OUR Party’s launching for the Central Guadalcanal Constituency at Henderson.

Whilst delivering his speech, Agovaka touched on how land ownership is an important issue in Guadalcanal and assured voters that land restitution will be prioritised if he and the party retains majority seats in the next parliament.

“A policy we want to focus on if this party (OUR) comes back, is the policy of land restitution; recognising landowners of Guadalcanal particularlyy in Honiara, Lungga-Tenaru and other areas the government has taken without recognising the indigenous landowners,” Agovaka said.

Agovaka emphasised that OUR party unlike other political parties is about achieving their vison.

 “We just don’t talk, it isn’t a dream, it is our vision and we have achieved a lot of our visions,” he said.  

He alluded that the initial formation of the OUR Party came about after the ethnic tension to find ways to solve political issues, land problems, and other socio-economic issues.

Reflecting on Central Guadalcanal’s contribution to the national economy, he reminded the audience of the current developments hosted in the constituency.

“We Central Guadalcanal we stood the test of time, we play an important role in the country’s economy,” he said, alluding to the contribution to the continuous development of Tina Hydro, Gold Ridge and parts of GPPOL.

He assured the audience that OUR Party is one of the most capable political parties to lead the country forward.    

“This is our party. We will steer the ship for the betterment of our people and our country,” Agovaka assured.  

MPG committed to revitalise Fote, Dala agriculture centres

Written by
Samie Waikori
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Premier for Malaita Province Hon Fini

BY SAMIE WAIKORI

MALAITA provincial government is committed to a proposal with Solomon Islands National University (SINU) to revitalise Dala Farm Centre and Fote Agriculture Technical School.

Caretaker premier of Malaita province Martin Fini made the assurance in his speech during a visit by President of IFAD Alvaro Lario and his delegation to Gwounaoa community in Malaita province on Saturday.

He said his caretaker government is promoting the initiative to revitalise Dala and Fote Agriculture centres to host SINU in Malaita province.

Fini said the idea for the initiative is to absorb better education for the current and future generations of Malaita and Solomon Islands that will pave way for people to engage in agribusinesses in the country.

He said the fulfilment of the initiative will promote self-reliance; income generating and address urban drifting especially for Malaitans to Honiara and across the country in search of employment.

“We strongly value agriculture sector as our main industry for economic growth to create more employment opportunities and income in value adding and downstream processing.

“Ensure there is safe and healthy setting for everyone to enjoy small scale trade and better activity in agriculture and the food processing sector in its commercial value chain,” Fini said.

He said as Malaita province is striving to create a greater Auki commercial centre, the initiative will be a boost for more Malaitans to engage in agribusinesses and activities.

Fini said this will ensure there is a participative, sustainable, progressive and enjoyable commercial Auki centre for five regional, social and economic corridors in Malaita.

He said Malaita provincial government will continue to pursue the initiative with SINU to see the fulfilment of the proposal in Malaita province.

BACK IN AUKI

Written by
Samie Waikori
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Kiluufi hospital

More free services for one week by China medical team

BY SAMIE WAIKORI

THE China Medical Team Solomon Islands is back in Auki to offer more free medical service to the public there.

This is their second visit to Auki after their previous one around early December 2023, where a number of free clinical services were offered to the public at Kilu’ufi hospital.

During their previous visit, the team provided free medical services including clinic laboratory, urology, cardiology, nephrology and acupuncture.

For this visit, the team will provide free clinical services on urology, cardiology, nephrology and acupuncture at the Kilu’ufi hospital.

The team arrived on Monday this week and first visited the administration and wards within Kilu’ufi hospital.

According to their schedule, the team will attend only to referral cases from within the hospital – on Tuesday and Wednesday.

On Thursday, the team will hold an outpatient check-up for the general public at the hospital, ahead of their return on Friday to Honiara.

Malaita’s provincial government (MPG) described the visits and free medical services provided as a milestone to bolstering health services in Malaita province.

This initiative to have the China medical team visit Auki and provide free medical service was made possible by MPG.

MPG in endorsing the initiative said it is looking forward to similar visits to the province in the future.

In a statement last year, Director of Malaita provincial health, Dr David Danitofea highlighted the need for such initiative to support medical services in the province.

He said it is a privilege to have these specialist doctors provide needed services on areas of their specialties to the people of Malaita province.

Danitofea said Kilu’ufi is a general hospital so general practices are offered although with limited specific services.

He thanked the team and looks forward to closer partnership with them to address some of the health needs of Malaita province.

     Man facing multiple sex charges to take plea

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BY ROMINAH FAKA

Magistrate court has summoned the defence lawyer who represents accused Samuel Ariki to write to the court and explain his reason for not providing proper instructions to the PSO counsel who appeared in court yesterday, and for not complying to court directions on the last occasion to obtain instructions from his client to prepare him for plea yesterday.  

Ariki is charged for five counts of sexual intercourse with child under age of 15 namely 11 years old.

Yesterday court session prosecution updates the court, the investigation already completed however, only one outstanding document is yet to be collect from the victim which is the birth certificate.

Therefore, crown sought a seven days’ adjournment for prosecution to obtain the outstanding document which is the birth certificate of the victim and to serve it to the defence counsel.

Court adjourns to March 8 and instructed the prosecution to complete the memo before the next mention date and defence counsel to get instruction from his client and prepared him for plea on the next mention date.

Prosecution alleged Samuel Ariki inside his kitchen at Haleta village, Big Ngella, Central Province on an unknown date between 1st of January 2022 and 31st of December 2022, he did have sexual intercourse with the victim (Juvenile) age of 11 years old of the time of incident.

Again, on the 28th of October 2023 accuse Ariki did have sexual intercourse with the same juvenile victim at the same location Haleta village, Ngella.  

The matter was reported to the police on the 23rd of January 2024 and accused was arrested and remanded in Rove.

Office of Public Prosecution appears for the State and Office of Public Solicitor office appears for the defence.

Larceny by servant trial set for June

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BY ROMINAH FAKA

TRIAL into the case of a woman charged with Larceny by servant is set for June 17 at the Magistrate court before Principal Magistrate Elma Veenah Rizzu Hilly.

Maddlyn Hamara is charged with two counts of larceny by servant contrary to section 273 (a) (i) of the Penal Code.

On the previous occasion Hamara plead not guilty to count-1 and plead guilty to count-2 of the charge.

Yesterday’s session the prosecutor told the court she will not be available in June for the trial because she has a trial at the High Court. So, she informed the court she will liaise with DPP practice manager to reallocate the matter to another prosecutor to take up the trial on June 17.

Crown informed the court it will call two witnesses for the trial.

Court directed the defence counsel to file a proposal for plea bargain and communicate with the prosecution regarding the count-one not-guilty plea since there is a room for negotiation.

Court adjourned to March 11 for parties to update the court on their position in relation to the plea bargain negotiation on count one. Bail for defendant Hamara extend.  

Prosecution alleged that Ms. Maddlyn Hamara at Honiara in Guadalcanal Province, on the 15th of July 2023, being employed in the capacity of a clerk did steal a chattel to wit ten (10) yellow Casino Gaming Chips worth SBD $ 1,000 each belonging to her employer namely Coral Sea Casino.

Again, on the 19th of July 2023 Hamara being employed in the capacity of a clerk did steal a chattel to wit four (4) yellow Casino Gaming Chips worth SBD $ 1,000 each, belong to her employer namely Coral Sea Casino.

Office of Director of Public Prosecution act for State and Office of Public Solicitor act for defendant.

New Year murder case adjourned, assault cases go to trial

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BY ROMINAH FAKA

Trial into the case of Zane Taisia Gegeu and his co-accused Brendon Kakai who are charged jointly with assault causing bodily harm is set for April 15.

Both defendants pleaded not guilty to the charge, and the defence lawyer for Mr Kakai sent a proposal to prosecution negotiating the charge to be reduced to that of common assault.

On Friday last week the case was called in the magistrate court for interim-mention.

Kakai’s lawyer told court that prosecution has accepted his proposal, hence, Kakai is now charged with common assault, while Mr Gegeu faces assault causing bodily harm.

Kakai’s lawyer told court he was yet to finalise the agreed facts and to inform Kakai about the amended charge before he takes his plea in the next mention date.

The crown will call four witness, defence for Gegeu will call two witnesses and defence counsel for Kakai will call one witness.

Court suspended the matter to Friday this week for Kakai to take his plea and for his lawyer to finalise the facts.

Meanwhile, Gegeu is charged separately with one count of murder and one count of driving without valid licence.

His case was also mentioned in court on Friday last week, where prosecution told court he was unable to compile the case file because he was just allocated the case.

Prosecution told court he had just received additional disclosures on February 21 and is yet to serve it to Gegeu’s lawyer.

Prosecution sought an adjournment since there is still three outstanding statements to collect.

Court adjourned to March 1 for possible Short-Form Preliminary Inquiry (PI).

Remand warrant for Gegeu was extended.

Regarding the assault charge, it was alleged that on January 1 this year, early in the morning, Gegeu and Kakai assaulted the complainant without any lawful reason.

Prosecution alleged that Gegeu took a bottle of Solbrew and hit the complainant’s head with it, causing blood to come off from the complainant’s forehead.

The complainant went and reported the matter to police the next day.

Regarding the charge of murder and driving without valid licence, prosecution alleged that Gegeu between 3 – 5am on January 1, 2024, drove a vehicle through the Supreme Casino second boom gate known to be the Eastern side and then made a quick turn heading back in the westly direction at a very high speed.

Allegation said the accused drove straight towards a group of girls, including the deceased.

When the group of girls saw the vehicle running straight towards them, they jumped trying to avoid the oncoming vehicle.

But, the deceased was hit by the vehicle.

Allegations said after the accused hit the victim, he reversed the vehicle and escaped out of the Supreme Casino area.

The deceased was transported to the National Referral Hospital (NRH) where she was later pronounced dead.

The accused was arrested and charged with murder and driving without valid licence.

John Wesley Zoze from Public Prosecution Office acts for the Crown, Lazurus Waroka of PSO acts for Zane Taisia Gegeu and Ron Pulekera of PSO acts for Brenden Kakai.

Forau’s case adjourns for next week

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BY ROMINAH FAKA

The case against former Temotu premier Clay Forau Soalaoi has been adjourned for Monday next week.

This is to allow time for both prosecution and defence to submit their submission documents to the court.

It is expected that their submissions will address five legal issues which Principal Magistrate Fatimah Taeburi had raised after looking through the exhibits and statements of the witnesses tendered to court by consent.

The legal issues include whether or not there might be an abuse of court process, whether or not the accused should be given a fair hearing, whether the magistrate court have the jurisdiction to order a permanent stay proceeding and whether magistrate court should permanently stay this criminal proceeding.

Forau is charged for 14 counts of conversion and he pleaded not guilty to all counts.

The trial commenced first week of this month where crown called a total of 10 witnesses and tended by consent to the court the rest of the witnesses’ statements which were marked by court as exhibits.

Bail for Forau was extended, and he is required to attend court on February 26 for mention.

Court heard Forau is facing 14 counts of conversion for allegedly misusing $350,890 belonging to his constituents between 2012 and 2014 when he was the MP for Temotu VATUD Constituency.

The money was supposed to be paid to recipients of the 2012 Cocoa Industry Support Scheme and Rehabilitation of Coconut Industry Programmed for the constituency.

However, on 14 occasions between October 19, 2012 and October 31, 2014 the defendant allegedly fraudulently converted a total of $350,890 for his benefit.

Vernon Taupongi of the DPP office acted for the State and Jim Seuika of the DNS & Partners Law Firm acted for the accused.

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.

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