Chief Justice inspecting the guard of honour yesterday at the opening of the 2023 legal year.
BY JENNIFER KUSAPA
THE doors of the courts are open as the National Judiciary formally opened the 2023 legal year yesterday.
Chief Justice Sir Albert Palmer in his speech said this year will not be an easy one but with God’s grace and strength the judiciary will do its best to serve the people and make justice available within its means.
“As we commence our law term for 2023, we will continue to look to Him for His mercy and protection in our work
“So as we put our shoulders to the wheel again this year, let us all strive together to keep the courts’ doors open for those seeking justice through the courts,” Mr Palmer said.
Solomon Islands Bar Association President Lazarus Kwaiga highlighted that last year and the past years, 2021 and 2020, there were some changes in the administration of justice due to the pandemic.
Mr Kwaiga said the changes were out in place by the court to attend to the one-of-a-kind impact that the pandemic had brought.
“Some of these changes were made for the sole purpose of the continued delivery of justice.
“Some of these changes included the usage of video link hearing and trials and e-filing of documents.
“Therefore, this year SIBA looks forward to working with the Courts to formulate the e-filing method through its members in collaboration with the Rules Committee that may be appointed by the Hon Chief Justice.”
He also said that SIBA and its members also look forward to the courts formulating a set procedure relating to the delivery of interlocutory Rulings inclusive of embedding such procedure into the current civil procedure rules to enable all ruling and judgements to be delivered within a timely manner.
“SIBA also looks forward to working closely with the AG Chambers and all other stakeholders in facilitating a new bill to regulate the profession which now has over 300 members in practice.
“This new Bill will also create a framework for SIBA to become a full-time entity as is the case in all other jurisdiction in the World. Apart from SIBA interests.
“SIBA and its members also call upon the responsible line Ministries responsible for updating the laws of the nation to review and update the laws of the nation accordingly to cater and provide for the changes and developments occurring across all sectors,” Kwaiga said.
Signing of TAIPAN Letter of Arrangement by Mr Jimmy Sendersely, Head of Solomon Islands FIU and Dr Lachlan Strahan, Australian High Commissioner to Solomon Islands.
AUSTRAC, Australia’s financial intelligence unit (FIU), has provided Solomon Islands FIU with a new data analytics system that will aid in the detection of money laundering and be used to combat criminal and national security threats.
The TAIPAN system will enable intelligence analysts in Solomon Islands FIU to identify suspicious financial patterns that can trigger a deeper investigation, as money laundering is a common element in most crimes as criminals seek to conceal the source of the funds.
The capabilities of TAIPAN give Solomon Islands, and other Pacific partners, enhanced ability to respond to complex money laundering in the region through innovative triage and interrogation of bulk data.
Commemorative plaque presented by Dr Lachlan Strahan, Australian High Commissioner to Solomon Islands to Mr Jimmy Sendersley after the handover ceremony.
New technologies are changing the financial landscape in the Pacific which transnational crime syndicates have targeted. AUSTRAC’s partnership with Solomon Islands FIU will mitigate these vulnerabilities, and ensure Pacific Islands are not seen as an attractive conduit by criminals.
AUSTRAC CEO, Nicole Rose PSM, stated that AUSTRAC brings a unique angle to regional security and builds on the established relationships that Australia has in the Pacific.
“As Australia’s financial intelligence agency, AUSTRAC is about ensuring the security of our financial system, and keeping it free from criminal and national security threats. Given our physical proximity to the Pacific, Australia’s financial security cannot be seen in isolation, as we cannot be safe if there are gaps in our region that can be exploited,” said Ms Rose.
“Sharing intelligence, tradecraft and financial tools is critical so that as a region of enduring Pacific partners, we are resistant to threats which undermine our collective financial security and community safety.
“Issues like money laundering, terrorism financing, and corruption do not just affect any one nation and transcend international borders. This is why uplifting financial intelligence capability in Australia, in the Solomon Islands, and across the Pacific is critical to regional security, economic stability, and community confidence.”
Dr Lachlan Strahan, Australian High Commissioner to Solomon Islands, CBSI Governor Dr Luke Forau, Mr Jimmy Sendersley, Andrew Austin, Second Secretary Political at the Australian High Commission and CBSI Staff during the handover ceremony.
The gifting of the TAIPAN system to Solomon Islands closely follows the inaugural Pacific Financial Intelligence Community plenary meeting held in Port Moresby, a gathering that brought together all of the regions’ financial intelligence units, including Australia and Solomon Islands where all members agreed to work together on fighting regional financial crime threats.
It was a wonderful celebration of music, art and culture as musicians from Australia and Solomon Islands came together to share their music and their cultures at the Wantok Musik Concert on Saturday 21 January at the Pacific Crown Hotel in Honiara.
The Wantok Musik Concert 2023 was a collaboration between the Australian High Commission in Solomon Islands and the Wantok Musik Foundation.
Wantok Musik singing competition winner, John Houkarawa performing with one of the visiting artists Tjupurru.
This event showcased the talent, expertise and culture of some of Australia and Solomon Islands’ most exciting musicians and performers.
The event harnessed the power of music to bring musicians and spectators together for a night of cultural exchange.
The two and a half hour free concert involved an exciting line-up of non-Indigenous Australian, Indigenous Australian, and Solomon Islands musicians, including Jaro Local.
Australian High Commissioner to Solomon Islands, Dr Lachlan Strahan opened the concert with a few remarks before Dreamcast Theatre entertained the sizable crowd with their opening cultural performance. Next followed the Wantok Musik team – comprising Charles Maimarosia, KMK Kaumaakonga, Tjupurru, David Bridie, Amy Chapman, Poppy, Natty D and the Wantok Musik Singing Competition winners Elizabeth Takamama Fangata and John Houkarawa. The night ended with a lively performance from Solomon Islands award winning singer and song writer, Jarol Local.
Australian High Commissioner to Solomon Islands, Dr Lachlan Strahan delivering his opening remarks.
“After the long COVID-induced restrictions on travel and events, it is time for Australia to re-engage more strongly with Solomon Islanders through our cultures’, Dr Strahan said.
“Australia provides support in many areas in the Solomon Islands, but culture also really matters. It is about our identity, our sense of belonging, it is about who we are now and who we will become.”
“An important thing to me as an Australian is that the performers that have come from Australia are non-Indigenous and Indigenous, coming together and sending a message about our nation, and at the heart of that is cultural sharing,” he added.
Dr Strahan acknowledged Mr David Bridie and his team at Wantok Musik Foundation and sponsors ANZ, Hatanga, BYGroup and mJams for getting behind the Australian High Commission to make the event possible.
Artistic Director of the Wantok Musik Foundation, Mr David Bridie, said First Nation artists in our region especially in the Pacific have their own amazing history.
“There are amazing cultures, a range of musical styles with all the custom performances and some of the hybrid performances like bamboo bands and string band music. And I think this sort of music is not heard enough out in the rest of the world,” he said.
Charles Maimarosia performing with Natty D.
Solomon Islands’ award-winning musician Charles Maimarosia said it was good seeing a lot of parents bringing their kids out for the concert on Saturday.
“More importantly a good starting point for the kids to start absorbing musical ideas and build on it when they grow up. This is one of those rare opportunities for Solomon Islands to have some of our famous Pacific Island artists performing,” Mr Maimarosia said.
Mr Willie Tekatoha was also one of the performers and is part of the KMK Kaumaakonga from Bellona in Renbel Province.
“Most of the time we perform outside of the country, and we found out that it’s the people outside that appreciate more the type of music KMK plays, and it serves as a lesson for us not to take our custom music for granted’, Mr Tekatoha said.
“This concert is like our home coming performance, so we are very happy to have performed at the Wantok Musik Concert which was also an opportunity to perform alongside other local artists and a way of giving back to the country,” Mr Tekatoha said.
Dreamcast’s opening performance.
The concert was truly a family friendly affair, with people of all ages able to enjoy the music.
The Australian High Commission thanks the security staff at the Pacific Crown Hotel, the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF), the Australian Federal Police as part of the Solomons’ International Assistance Force (SIAF), and St John’s Ambulance for your support to ensure the event was safe and secure for all to enjoy. In particular, thank you Central Station, Central Response Unit, Police Response Team, Police Maritime, and the Australian Federal Police.
The successful security operation was a demonstration of the RSIPF’s professionalism, and of our teamwork and partnership in action.
A 45-year-old man alleged of raping a seven-year-old child in November 2022 will appear again in court on February 1, 2023.
This is for him to secure a lawyer to assist him in court with his case as he is facing seven counts of sexual offences.
The defendant who cannot be named for legal reasons is currently facing five counts of raping an underage girl and two counts of Indecent Assault Contrary to Section138 of the Penal Code (amendment) Sexual Offences Act 2016
Public Prosecutor Monica Rehomora who appeared on behalf of the prosecution confirmed in court that investigation has been completed.
She said they are waiting for the accused to get a lawyer, then disclose the defence lawyer with the case file. From here, the case can proceed in court.
Principal Magistrate Leonard Chite also questioned the accused if he has requested legal representation from the public solicitors. He said no.
Magistrate Chite then adjourned the case to February 1 for mention and also for confirmation of legal representation.
The rape incident happened on November 20, 2022.
Police said during the arrest of the defendant that such behaviour is inhuman and it is a very serious crime. Rape bears a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.
THE case of a police officer alleged of stealing more than $300,000 exhibit money at Rove exhibit facility will be mentioned in court today.
This is the case of Makasi Dolaiano was alleged of stealing One Link Pacifica’s money that was supposed to be kept as an exhibit to One-Link’s cases before the court.
The case was already set for trial last year but then was vacated and in today’s mention the court will get an update from lawyers who are in carriage of the matter in court.
It is alleged that Mr Dolaiano was the exhibit officer at that time, and responsible for looking after the facility when the $300k exhibit money went missing in October 2020.
Investigation was conducted and he was charged with the offence.
He is currently on bail awaiting his case to be dealt with by the court. Office of the Director Public Prosecution appears on behalf of the Crown
Solomon Islands Council of Trade Union (SICTU) is still waiting for feedbacks from their members, before calling another meeting to discuss the pay rise of members of Parliament.
This was based on a resolution passed recently by Union leaders of doctors, nurses and paramedics, Solomon Islands National Teachers Association (SINTA) and Solomon Islands Public Employment Union (SIPEU) to hold further consultations with their members, before SICTU can come up with official position on the new MP’s entitlement.
SICTU President David Tuhanuku said the Union leaders are still to come back with feedbacks, so that they can organise another meeting to come up with their position on the issue.
Tuhanuku said SICTU has not given any strict deadline for the Union leaders to complete their feedbacks.
He said once they complete their further consultations with the members, another meeting will be organised to come up with a resolution.
SICTU came alive after Cabinet approved a $13,000 increase to the fortnight salaries of all 50 Members of Parliament under the Parliamentary Entitlement Commission.
The Commission is expected to meet in March to decide on the proposal.
Prior to the meeting, PEC also invited MPs and beneficiaries to attend a consultation meeting on 15th February 2023 at their conference room at AJ City Mall Room 42.
The Commission is currently in the process of reviewing the Members of Parliament Entitlement Regulation.
The PEC proposal will see the Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare awarded an extra $30,000, on top of his annual salary.
This will give the PM’s new annual salary of $338.000.01.
The current annual salary of the MP is $307,919.30.
Furthermore, the Deputy Prime Minister’s new annual salary will be $304,872.67.
Ministers, Leader of Opposition and Leader of Independent Group to get $266,123.00.
The Deputy Speaker, Chairperson of Parliamentary Caucus, Chairpersons of Parliamentary Standing Committees to get $241,166.24 and the members to get $218,231.60.
Other benefits include:
meal allowance that increases from $200 to $500;
education allowance increases from $10,000 to $25,000;
appointment grant increase from $10,000 to $15,000;
Clothing allowance (to be differed from outfit) none, with Members to get USD$3000 while PM, DPM, Ministers and Leaders to get USD$7000.
MALAITA provincial government is implementing 13 new PCDF projects despite its disqualification for the Provincial Capacity Development Fund (PCDF) programme for the financial year 202/2023.
Provincial Minister for Finance and Treasury under MPG, Nelson Lenty confirmed this in a revised budget speech that was defeated by the non-executive by vote last week.
“I would like to highlight that for this year 2022/23, MPG is implementing 13 new projects.
“Retention payments for five (5) completed projects are also included in the budget which are still awaiting the completion of their six months deferred liability period,” he said.
On the same note, Lenty announced eight approved projects that removed from the 2022/2023 financial year due to MPG’s PCDF disqualification.
“I want to affirm to my honourable colleagues that eight approved projects for 2022/23 financial year have been removed due to the recent MPG’s PCDF disqualification.
Lenty clarified that reason to remove the projects was due to insufficient fund to construct all the intended projects.
The Minister however said despite that the government is co-funding $100,000 to the province’s PCDF capital projects.
Lenty said the figure represents around three percent of the total PCDF revenue, and such contribution to the province’s own development is essential as part of the assessed performance measures.
He said under the arrangement, MPG expects to provide budget for 3%, which is a 2% less than the required contribution margin of 5% of the PCDF.
Lenty said provincial governments receive 1 mark for contribution above 5% and two marks for contribution above or equal to 7%.
“We expect to get zero (0) mark for this performance measure in the upcoming PCDF assessments possibly towards the end of January 2023,” he said.
However, Lenty said Malaita province is looking forward to another round of assessment whilst they hope to passes all the minimum conditions.
Groundbreaking ceremony of the new design of the Naha Birthing and Urban Health Centre.
BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO
The new design of the Naha Birthing and Urban Health Centre project worth $150 million aimed at providing high quality birthing and care services for Naha and surrounding communities was launched on January 23rd.
Speaking to the event Minister for Health and Medical Services Dr Culwick Togamana said the Naha project has been a long time coming.
Minister for Health and Medical Services Dr Togamana Delivers his remarks.
“Its establishment will be a first for Solomon Islands.
“The establishment of this Birthing Centre will be a first for the country and will enable high quality birthing services to be provided to mothers and their babies in modern, safe environment outside of the National Referral Hospital.
“This Birthing centre will have capacity for up to 1500 low risk deliveries per year and this will greatly assist with reducing the workload on the National Referral Hospital Delivery Wards and the National Referral Hospitals over-workers midwifery staff,” Togamana said.
Unveiling of Signage by all speakers of the launching ceremony.
He said the new Naha Birthing and Urban Health Centre will provide for the broader Naha ward community as well, through provision of primary health services for all, in a modern, new facility.
“The new Naha facility will be the first Urban Health Facility built to meet the requirements of the Ministry’s Role Delineation Policy, which is the major policy initiative of my Ministry aimed at providing quality, affordable health services closer to where people live,” Togamana said,
He said $150 million has been provided by the Australian Government for this project.
The Signage of new design of the Naha Birthing and Urban Health Centre.
On the same note Australian High Commissioner to Solomon Islands Dr Lachlan Strahan says this project is really important to him as he approaches the conclusion of his time in the Solomons.
Strahan says this project was unveiled by the Australian and Solomon Islands prime ministers in 2018 – “so in fact it is a prime ministerial initiative”.
Australian High Commissioner Lachlan Strahan delivers his remarks.
“This project is important because it is about the health of the community Honiara. This project is indeed very much a signatory project of our Solomon Islands Infrastructure Program (SIIP) programme.
“This facility will be accessible for people with disability and also we will be having more spaces for patients to feel comfortable. In the end it is all about making sure that people in this city especially the women receive the best possible medical care.
“It is also a very much corner stone of our health program here in Solomon Islands,” he said.
Naha Clinic Head Nurse Sr Lucy Maena says the ground breaking ceremony marks another chapter for the Naha health centre.
Naha Clinic Head Nurse Sr Lucy Maena.
Maena said Naha clinic is one of the busiest clinic in Honiara Country Council and serves a huge catchment population in east Honiara. Yet, the size of the clinic remains the same and cannot provide a conducive waiting area for clients and also transporting sick patient to the National Referral Hospital cost a lot of money.
“With the new re -designed health facility my staffs are looking forward to work in the high classic quality health facility and to provide the much needed quality care for clients.
“We are so excited and looking forward to work inside the new facility upon its completion,” Maena said.
Moreover, the new re-designed health facility is larger with 34 beds, x-ray, ultrasound and operating theatre, dental, ear and eye health, large birthing suits with bath room, laundry and garden access, community pharmacy and larger room and family space.
A contractor will be confirmed in the coming months and construction is expected to be completed in 2025.
Solomon Water has swiftly launched an immediate investigation into the cause of current brackish water affecting Noro residents, Western Province.
In a statement yesterday, Solomon Water warned customers against using the affected water for drinking, food preparation, cooking and consumption whilst swift action is taken to resolve the issue as quickly as possible.
Brackish water or brack water is when salt water is mixed with fresh water. It is saltier than fresh water, but not as salty as seawater. It may result from mixing of seawater with fresh water.
Solomon Water has also issued an apology to its customers for the inconvenience and assured them that they working to resolve the problem.
“Solomon Water would like to extend our sincerest apologies to our valued customers in Noro, for the recent issues with brackish water.
“We regret the inconvenience and concern this has caused and want to assure you we are taking immediate action to respond to the problem.
“We are working to identify the cause of the brackish water and to resolve the issue as quickly as possible.
“In the meantime, we advise customers to take all necessary precautions and avoid using the affected water for drinking, food preparation, cooking and consumption.
“We understand the importance of clean and safe drinking water and Solomon Water is committed to providing our customers with the highest level of service.
“We will continue to work diligently to restore the water supply to its normal quality.
“We appreciate your patience as we work to resolve the issue.
“For updates and further information, please contact our customer care service in Noro or in Honiara.” Solomon Water statement said.
Malaita Provincial Minister for Finance and Treasury, Nelson Lenty .
BY SAMIE WAIKORI
MALAITA provincial government is looking forward to a disappointing audit report for 2022/2023 financial year.
Provincial Minister for Finance and Treasury, Nelson Lenty confirmed this in his revised budget speech last week.
“Sadly for 2022/23 financial year, we will expect increase in audit issues due to uncontrollable spending without appropriated budget,” he said.
Lenty said compared to past financial years, there has been a progress in the province’s audit issues, although some reports are yet to be received.
“I understand that the audit report for 2019/20 financial service is yet to receive by the executive. For 2018/19 audit report, we have managed to top reduce audit queries from 29 issues to 19,” he said.
Lenty said for 2020/2021 and 2021/2022, MPG is still waiting to receive its audit reports for the respective financial years.
On that note, he urged the PS(Ag) and team to follow-up with the Office of the Auditor General to speed up the auditing process and fast track the reports as soon as possible.
