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Man sentenced to 18 months in jail for obstructing police during 2021 riot

Written by
Jennifer Kusapa
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BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

A 21-year-old man, has been sentenced to 18 months in jail for his involvement in obstructing police officers while executing their duties during a riot on November 24, 2021.

This is the case of Ruebenson Kedi, who pleaded guilty to the charge of obstructing Police officer while in execution of his duty.

The sentence was handed down by Chief Magistrate Emma Garo.

CM Garo said the offense of obstructing a police officer in the execution of their duty carries a maximum penalty of two years imprisonment.

However, she acknowledged Kedi’s guilty plea and his status as a first-time offender.

“I am of the view that the starting point should be the maximum of two years imprisonment. I deduct 6 months to reflect the mitigating factors that support a reduction in sentence. I impose a sentence of 18 months imprisonment. Time spent in custody is taken into account,” stated Ms. Garo.

Addressing Kedi directly, Garo pointed out that he had taken part in setting up a roadblock during a period of unrest in Honiara. The riot had resulted in property damage, arson, and theft, causing significant losses for businesses and families.

Garo said that Kedi and his group could have aided the police by refraining from participating in the disturbance, but they chose not to. The court underlined that at times of community crisis, citizens should assist law enforcement by staying home and avoiding trouble.

The court’s findings established that on the night of November 24, 2021, Kedi and others erected a roadblock in the Henderson area between 10 pm and 11 pm. When a police vehicle approached, they fled toward the GBR road. Kedi’s reasoning for his involvement was that he had heard about the riot and went to observe the situation.

Upon arriving at Henderson Court and witnessing the chaos, he took part in setting up the roadblock by carrying a table to obstruct the road. The court noted that such group offenses often occur during riots.

The court highlighted the importance of not obstructing police officers in their duty to maintain peace and security, especially during times of unrest.

The verdict aimed to discourage young individuals like Kedi from participating in such activities, emphasizing the necessity of supporting law enforcement efforts.

Ruebenson Kedi’s case serves as a reminder that the public interest lies in upholding law and order and aiding the police in their mission to protect the community, especially during challenging security situations.

The court’s decision reflects the need for immediate punitive measures to deter such actions and promote social responsibility.

Public Prosecutor Lindsay Temaika of the Director Public Prosecution appears for the crown while Roria Sikua of Public Solicitor’s Office represents the accused.

Prosecution’s application to suppress identity of witnesses rejected

Written by
Jennifer Kusapa
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BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

CHIEF Magistrate Emma Garo has denied the application made by the prosecution in the case involving two men charged in connection with the November 2021 riot incident.

Prosecution had sought to suppress the identities of their nine witnesses, citing concerns about the safety and security of both the witnesses and their families at the hands of the defendants.

Public Prosecutor Dalcy Oligari argued that the identities of these nine witnesses should remain undisclosed to the defendants, and requested a suppression order to prevent the public and the defendants from accessing any information regarding the names, identities, and addresses of these witnesses.

After thoroughly considering the arguments presented by both the Prosecution and the Defence concerning this application, Ms Garo emphasized that the prosecution failed to provide concrete evidence demonstrating any instances of harassment or threats originating from the defendants or those acting on their behalf.

Ms Garo noted that while there were rumors and allegations concerning potential threats or intimidation, it was the duty of the police to thoroughly investigate such claims and verify their authenticity.

Ms Garo stressed that the prosecution bore the responsibility of establishing the reliability of the allegations of witness intimidation and the genuine fears experienced by the witnesses. She highlighted that the evidence required to reach a definitive conclusion was lacking in the case at hand.

“In this case, what has been presented to the court are general claims of witness intimidation and harassment attributed to unnamed members of the M4D over a span of three months. However, the necessary evidence to substantiate such assertions and allow the court to make a conclusive determination is notably absent,” stated CM Garo.

Chief Magistrate Garo ruled that the evidence provided by the prosecution to support their application was insufficient to warrant the issuance of the requested orders.

” I dismiss the application by the prosecution for suppression of the identity of witnesses, use pseudonym, audio video link and use of screens”, Ms Garo adds.

Japan to deliver stand on ALPS discharge tomorrow

Written by
Ofani Eremae
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Japans Ambassador to Solomon Islands Yoshiaki Miwa.

BY NED GAGAHE

Japan will deliver its official stand on the Discharge of Advanced Liquid Processing System (ALPS) treated water from Fukushima Daiichi at a media gathering tomorrow.

His Excellency Miwa Yoshiaki, the Ambassador of Japan to the Solomon Islands is expected to make statements explaining the Japan’s official stand on the issue for Solomon Islanders, the embassy has confirmed.

The issue has been a center of heated debate after Japan revealed its plan to commence dumping the ALPS treated water from its Fukushima Daiichi reactor earlier this year.

According to media reports nearly 12 years ago, a massive earthquake and tsunami triggered a nuclear catastrophe at Japan’s Fukushima Daiichi plant.

The nuclear reactors have been decommissioned – a process which will take 40 years to complete.

But the shutdown has stalled over the build-up of vast quantities of water used to keep the damaged reactors cool.

To free up space, operator TEPCO want to release 1.3 million tonnes of the wastewater into the sea.

They claim that the water is filtered to remove most radionuclides, making the release safe.

NPF closes whole day due to power black-out

Written by
Ofani Eremae
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0

BY NED GAGAHE

The country’s National Provident Fund (NPF) main office experienced total power black-out the whole day yesterday.

Reports reaching Island Sun said NPF’s standby generator experienced problems due to Solomon Power’s ongoing load-shedding exercise.

As a result, repair works led to the whole NPF headquarter office closing for the whole day.

A frustrated NPF customer shared to Island Sun yesterday he has never seen this happening to the Fund, and is ‘very unfortunate’ that it coincided with the very day he needed NPF’s service.

NPF, when contacted yesterday for comments, refuted the narrative that yesterday’s whole-day black-out was caused by Solomon Power’s load shedding.

Instead, NPF said it was a ‘normal routine maintenance work’ on their standby generator which has been the practice even before the load shedding began.

NPF media then went on to express sympathy and understanding on the impacts the load-shedding has on businesses in Honiara.

“Well in every business as affected by load shedding, so as NPF, no one can deny that.

“Almost 80 percent of businesses in town were affected,” NPF Media said.

Meanwhile, NPF Media confirmed that the power resumed yesterday evening.

A SILENT PROBLEM

Written by
Jennifer Kusapa
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Police shed light on rising suicide cases among young people, appeal for community & family help

BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

The rate of suicide among young people is increasing across the country.

And, police are calling on communities and families to help tackle this problem which has been allowed to worsen silently.

Police continue to receive reports of suicide involving young victims.

Deputy Police Commissioner Ian Vaevaso said dealing with suicide cases is tough for police to deal with alone “due to many interconnected problems”.

Finding out why young people, or any age-group for that matter, take such steps is not simple, Mr Vaevaso said in a recent press conference.

He said some of the suicide cases are influenced by pressures, particularly from families and other social issues.

Vaevaso said police are ‘aware of the importance of tackling this urgent issue’ but cannot deal with it alone.

Giving insight to the difficult task of proactively addressing suicide cases, Vaevaso said police needs to put together detailed reports about each suicide case as the findings can then help create better ways to prevent such incidents.

This includes having more focused support systems, effective prevention plans, and campaigns to spread awareness, he adds.

FIFA President Gianni receives warm welcome from PM

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
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FIFA President Gianni Infantino and Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare.

By EDDIE OSIFELO

The picturesque country of Solomon Islands was abuzz with excitement as Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare extended a gracious welcome to FIFA President Gianni Infantino and his distinguished delegation.

The occasion marked a significant moment for football enthusiasts and the nation as a whole.

During their insightful discussion within the Cabinet yesterday, Prime Minister Sogavare underscored the unifying power of football that transcends cultural and societal boundaries.

“Solomon Islands boasts a rich and fervent football tradition,” he emphasised.

“Football has emerged as a potent force, fostering peace, camaraderie, friendship, and, of course, the principles of fair play among our youth and communities.”

Sogavare reiterated how football has ignited boundless aspirations among the nation’s populace, motivating them to strive for excellence both on and off the pitch.

“The sport holds an esteemed place in the hearts of Solomon Islanders, symbolizing hope, unity, and shared values,” he said.

Expressing his gratitude for FIFA’s unwavering support, Sogavare acknowledged the pivotal role played by the organization in nurturing football infrastructure and empowering local football associations.

He extended a warm and heartfelt welcome to President Infantino, recognizing the timeliness of his visit, which aligns with a period of flourishing growth and progress for football in Solomon Islands.

Infantino was at the helm of a distinguished entourage, including Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) President Lambert Maltock of Vanuatu, the accomplished Jillian Anne Ellis, former coach of the United States women’s team, the legendary world referee Pierluigi Collina, the former President of the United States Soccer Federation (USSF) Carlos Cordeiro, and the celebrated FIFA World Cup 1998 champion and former French and Inter Milan forward, Youri Djorkaeff.

The pinnacle of Infantino’s visit materialized with his active participation in the Solomon Power Iumi U-14 Championship at DC Park, his involvement in the enthralling FIFA President’s 11 versus SIFF President’s 11 match at Lawson Tama stadium, and an elegant official dinner hosted at the Coral Seas resort.

Prior to gracing the shores of Solomon Islands, President Infantino embarked on a tour of several OFC member associations, including stops in Cook Islands, American Samoa, Vanuatu, and Fiji. The journey culminated with a visit to Papua New Guinea before his arrival in Solomon Islands.

As Infantino bid farewell to the Solomon Islands, he assured Prime Minister Sogavare of FIFA’s resolute commitment to supporting the country’s youth through sports development, thereby contributing to the nation’s overall progress and development.

The visit left an indelible mark, symbolizing the profound impact of football in fostering unity, growth, and a brighter future for all.

RURAL DRUG SHORTAGE

Written by
Jennifer Kusapa
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0
Photo Supplied

Isabel province clinics the latest to voice frustrations over ongoing problem

Drug shortage is taking a toll on health and medical services in the rural communities of the country.

This problem is experienced across the country, starting with the national referral hospital (NRH) in the capital, clinics around Honiara administered by the local municipal authority, and clinics and mini-hospitals around the provinces under the national government.

The ministry of health (MHMS) is struggling to keep a sustained flow of medicine and medical accessories to these outlets.

People in Isabel province can no longer keep their frustrations, and are calling on the national government to address the ongoing problem of severe drug shortage in the clinics there.

These clinics have reached out to the Ministry of Health and Medical Services, urging immediate attention and resolution to this critical matter.

A nurse employed at one of the rural clinics expressed their distress over the depleting drug supplies.

They disclosed that the clinic’s medication stocks have run-out and their hopes for resupply lie with the Ministry of Health and Medical Services.

This issue has persisted for over two months, causing distressing implications for patients who are in dire need of these medications.

Adding to the growing concerns, Dana Rusi, a woman deeply committed to the well-being of her community, voiced her concern regarding the ongoing drug scarcity at the clinic.

The consistent unavailability of essential medicines has raised serious worries among both healthcare professionals and the general population relying on these clinics for their medical needs.

The current drug shortage poses a significant challenge to the accessibility and quality of healthcare services in rural Isabel Province.

Immediate intervention from the Ministry of Health and Medical Services is paramount to alleviate the distressing situation and ensure that patients receive the necessary treatments without further delay.

Therefore, Ms Rusi urged the authorities to swiftly address this issue and collaborate with all relevant stakeholders to implement lasting solutions that prevent such shortages from occurring in the future.

MHMS is being sought for comments.

BIG ONE AHEAD

Written by
Ofani Eremae
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0
Action between Kurukuru and Thailand at the Continental futsal championship in Bangkok Thailand-PHOTO SUPPLIED

SOLOMON Islands national futsal team, Kurukuru has revealed that the boys are now stronger to compete at the upcoming World Cup Qualifiers in October.

Kurukuru head coach Damon Shaw made the statement after finishing 6th at the Continental Futsal Championship in Bangkok, Thailand.

Saw stated, we are obviously disappointed with the scores and the performances on the whole, adding the aim is World Cup qualification and it’s been another valuable outing in our preparation for the OFC Futsal Nations Cup.

“We are pleased with the first 15 minutes against Thailand, when we showed that we can compete and should even have been in the lead.

“We need to improve our fitness to compete at this level over a full game or tournament but that is something that will take time and I believe so much in the future of this team.

“However, the aim is World Cup qualification and it’s been another valuable outing in our preparation for the OFC Futsal Nations Cup,” Shaw posted after the tournament.

He further stated that, true champions show themselves after defeat, while expecting the team to bounce back in the next games before heading to New Zealand.

“The team is together and I know these boys will be stronger now.

“It’s always been the plan to play the toughest games and we’ll continue to do that until we reach their levels.

“We need 5-10 years of consistency, a strong league, regular international matches and a focus on children playing,” he stated.

Meanwhile Shaw thanked everyone for all the support, while looking forward to get back and continue with the work

 “Something big coming soon too,” he said.

SIEA to end load-shedding by October

Written by
Press Release
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At the Henderson Airport, Australian Air Force airlifted spare-parts for SIEA

Solomon Power would like to once again thank our valued Honiara customers and residents for your patience and understanding during this period of load shedding.

Our available generation capacity is currently 10.3 MW compared to a possible maximum demand of up to 16 MW in Honiara. There is still a shortfall of about 5.7 MW that we cannot provide for at this stage.

A local SIEA engineer assisted a contractor to repair one of the faulty generators

Our recovery plans that will result in the ceasing of the load shedding by October are on track.

Below are some photos of the works currently being done on two of the generators at Lungga Power Station, one of which is currently undergoing a major overhaul.

During a major overhaul, additional parts may require replacement and in such cases, urgent orders will have to be placed, which can cause further delays in the forecasted re-commissioning dates for the machines.

If there are no further additional unforeseen parts required, we hope to have this generator back online by the end of August. All the parts that we have ordered and received are correct and are being used in the overhaul work currently ongoing.

The return of this generator would further increase our generation capacity to 13.3 MW by the end of August and would provide much easing (shortening) of the load shedding.

Solomon Power engineers at the power station

We also have in the country since July, service engineers for our Man Diesel and Wartsila generators doing work on these generators and are being supported by our staff.

Also below are photos of the radiator required for one of the generators at Honiara Power Station. This was airlifted into the country with the assistance of the Australian High Commission here in Honiara, for which Solomon Power is very appreciative.

We have also progressed with our plans to have additional generation capacity installed. Taking into consideration shipping lead times, installation, and tests; this is anticipated to be completed before the end of the year.

We will continue to share our load shedding notices on Facebook and through email for our post-paid customers. Should you wish to receive the notice by email, please reach out to us on 166 or 167. Please note that the load shedding schedules can be adjusted according to power demand and available generation capacity at certain periods for system stability reasons.

Solomon Power sincerely apologises for the inconveniences caused and we thank you once again for your patience and understanding.

Call us at 166 or 167 for further information and assistance as we are available 24/7 or send us an email at [email protected] and we will assist you.

-SIEA PRESS

Parliament considers implementation of TRC recommendations

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
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0
Photo Supplied

THE Parliament’s Committee of the Whole House considered the shorter version of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) report, titled ‘Rising from the Ashes’ on Thursday, August 10, 2023.

This is paving the way for the government to act on the TRC’s findings.

The TRC report comprises two key sections: Part 1 – Recommendations for Healing and Reconciliation and Part 2 – Institutional Reform and Historical Issues.

Part 1 addresses six distinct categories, including Victims, Vulnerable Populations, Former Combatants, and Reconciliations. Within these categories, a comprehensive set of 18 major recommendations has been outlined. Notably, measures for reparation and exhumation are proposed to address the grievances of victims. Recommendations concerning women, children, youth, and the Weather Coast population aim to provide support to vulnerable groups. For former combatants, the focus lies on rehabilitation and the pursuit of justice through judicial trials. The report underlines the importance of an ongoing reconciliation process for the entire nation.

Part 2 delves into critical aspects of institutional reform and unresolved historical matters. Proposed reforms encompass Constitutional Reform, Land Reform, Justice System Reform, Security Reform, Health Reform, Education Reform, and anti-corruption efforts. These reforms are designed to tackle systemic challenges and enhance governance. The report also highlights three historical issues that warrant attention: the Marau recommendations, the Bougainville crisis, and the East Kwaio Massacre of 1927.

Minister Samuel Manetoali, overseeing the Ministry of Traditional Governance, Peace, and Ecclesiastical Affairs, expressed the government’s firm commitment to implementing the TRC’s recommendations. A collaborative effort, led by this Ministry, involved a consultative workshop in 2021, engaging relevant ministries and government agencies. The objective was to craft a comprehensive strategy for executing the recommendations and subsequently reporting on related activities, programs, and projects.

Minister Manetoali underscored the government’s practical approach to the implementation process. The aim is to maximize available resources while minimizing additional bureaucratic structures. The strategy involves leveraging existing mechanisms and processes for enhanced efficiency and cost-effectiveness. Moreover, the government is dedicated to coordinating the necessary resources for each involved ministry and agency. It remains open to seeking technical assistance from bilateral and multilateral partners when required.

In tandem with the implementation efforts, the government places considerable emphasis on promoting national awareness and civil education.

Minister Manetoali highlighted the importance of acknowledging and comprehending events from over 18 years ago as a pivotal step toward shaping a better future.

Parliament adjourned its proceedings, with a scheduled resumption on Monday, August 28, 2023.

During this recess, the Bills and Legislative Committee will scrutinize the Education Bill 2023 and other legislative matters.

Adding to the diplomatic agenda, Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare is set to lead a delegation to the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) Leaders’ Summit next week.

The MSG Summit, originally planned for July 17-21, was postponed and is now scheduled for this month.

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