FORMER Constituency Development Officer for Temotu Nende has been slapped with a 19-month jail term for the charge of official corruption.
Philip Tuplo was earlier found guilty of one count of official corruption relating to an incident that occurred in 2013.
Principal Magistrate Leonard Chite imposed 19-month imprisonment after considering the mitigating and aggravating factors of the case.
Chite also ordered the forfeiture of a total of amount $58,500, the amount Tuplo built his house with at Mebialo.
Chite said the amount is to be paid within the month the sentence is imposed, failure to comply with the court orders, the defendant will serve 22 months in jail.
Tuplo between the dates February 16, 2013 and September 19, 2013, being employed in a public service as the Constituency Development Officer for Temotu Nende Constituency, corruptly obtained Constituency Development Funds, in the sum of $58,500 for himself on account for the payment of project materials for Mebialo Housing Project in the discharge of the duties of his office.
Tuplo was convicted by the court on November 4, 2022 and he was remanded in custody since.
The court also made directions that the period he spent in custody will also be considered on the total sentencing period imposed.
Public Prosecutors Samuel Tovosia and Vernon Taupongi appeared for the Crown while Charles Gabily represented the defendant.
MINISTRY of Infrastructure Development will choose a permanent contractor to look after the drainage system in Honiara next year.
This comes after the drainage system could not withstand heavy rains leading to major flooding of the highway and back-way roads earlier this year.
After the rain subsided, the roads and drains were littered with all sorts of debris.
It is believed over-population in Honiara and attitude problem contribute to the blockage of the drainage systems during flooding.
MID Permanent Secretary, Stephen Maesiola told media that a contractor will be selected to look after the drainage system next year.
Maesiola said MID may maintain it for the long run – not only for the Pacific Games in November next year.
Furthermore, Director of Civil Engineering, Mike Qaqara told the Public Accounts Committee yesterday, that consultation was done with the contractor to increase the drainage site outside the main stadium, at King George Six.
He said for inside the stadium which holds water, MID is working with National Hosting Authority, on ways to remove all the water to the highway drainage system.
In addition, Qaqara said there are only two outlets to the sea, namely Ranadi where the old Bank of South Pacific was located and the other one at KGVI.
He said MID is in consultation with Ministry of Lands, Housing and Survey to get the water to the sea, because at the moment, developments are happening on some of the plots.
Director of Civil Engineering in MID, Mike Qaqara .
By EDDIE OSIFELO
MINISTRY of Infrastructure Development (MID) is discussing with the compliance team in the Ministry of Finance and Treasury to upgrade the deteriorating feeder roads in Honiara.
Director of Civil Engineering in MID, Mike Qaqara confirmed this when asked by Member of Parliament for Central Honiara, Alfred Efona, during the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) on 30th November 2022.
PAC led by Chairman, Douglas Ete, was enquiring into the 2023 Appropriation Bill 2022 budget.
Qaqara said most contracts under National Transport Fund have come to an end.
“We ask for money to continue with maintenance on feeder roads and main highway,” he said.
Furthermore, Qaqara said with other feeder roads, they take them under Land Maritime Component Project.
He said the maintenance component, hopefully should start early next year.
He said the project will be mobilised next year.
Moreover, on East Malaita roads, which is also deteriorating, Qaqara said the Solomon Islands Roads and Aviation Project (SIRAP) is currently on the ground.
Apart from that, Qaqara said with the road from Gwounoru’u to Fosim market, it is already tendered and contract is about to be signed.
He said it is still on evaluation stage.
“Hopefully, there will be no objection on evaluation from World Bank, then award should be done,” he added.
TELECOMMUNICATION of Solomon Islands (TCSI) supports government’s policy to build the 161 towers so that people in the rural areas can access telecommunications.
However, TCSI was concern with the avenue taken by the Government to borrow money from China to build the towers.
Calvin Ziru, interim commissioner of TCSI, stated this when he appeared before the Public Accounts Committee virtually this week.
“I think the key point to consider here from a regulator’s point of view is connectivity,” Ziru said.
“Having a project that seeks to expand and help Solomon Islands to access communication is the right one,” he added.
However, Ziru said the avenue to achieve that is “seriously needed to be looked at”.
“There needs to be in-depth discussion on this project rather than go into borrowings,” he stated.
Initially, the Government planned to build 200 towers, however, following an independent study carried out by auditing firm KPMG of New Zealand, it decided to reduce it to 161.
Ziru said KPMG suggested that government needs to re-examine the project because of the costs to run the project.
He said the report remains the position of the Commission as far as the original proposal is concerned.
The 161 towers are part of the Solomon Islands National Broadband Infrastructure Project (SINBIP).
It has been progressed with the recent signing of a contracting agreement with the vendor and contractor, Huawei/China Harbour Engineering Company Limited.
The SINBIP is one of the priority projects of the National Government.
The SINBIP is consistent not only with the DCGA Policy Statement, but is also in line with the Solomon Islands National Infrastructure Investment Plan (2013), National ICT Policy (2015), and Solomon Islands National Development Strategy, 2016-2035 (2016).
According to Ministry of Finance and Treasury, the SINBIP will be fully funded with a 20-year term concessional loan of approximately $66 million from the Exim Bank of China at one percent (1.0%) interest rate.
The government expects to complete the first 48 percent of the 161 towers before the Pacific Games in November 2023.
This should enable people, especially in the rural areas, to enjoy the games even if they do not come to Honiara.
ST Nicholas Anglican College primary students posed for a photo shot in front of the new Honiara International Airport terminal building.
BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO
ST Nicholas College primary students have visited the new Honiara international airport terminal.
This visit was planned with the aim to help boost the students’ learning spirit and motivate them.
The representative of Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Solomon Office Takeshi Watanabe says he is grateful to have the students visit the new terminal building.
“This event was organised by the JICA project team to invite St Nicholas students to see and observe the new terminal building of Honiara International Airport.
“Since this is a new building and not in operational yet so it is good opportunity for students to see the inside of the new terminal building. I’m pleased to organise this kind of opportunity for students. I hope the younger generation would like to have this kind of opportunity as well and also learn something out of the cooperation between Solomon Islands and Japan,” Watanebe said.
St Nicholas Anglican College Students listening to presentations
Deputy Secretary, Ministry of Communication and Aviation Luke Mua says the St Nicholas visit is the third arranged group visit, as it is part of the project initiative to expose students to such developments to let them see for themselves the benefits that Solomon Islands will get to receive.
“We hope the opportunity accorded to you make use and please ask questions. Gyros, Kitano and our own technical staff both policy and regulatory are here to assist with any questions that makes your visit have insights to what goes around projects sites and marvels engineering can make our lives,” Mua said.
St Nicholas Anglican College Students walked to the old International Honiara airport building
In response, student Leaba Karovo says they were honoured to be part of this very important occasion.
“I hereby convey our sincere appreciation to the Embassy of Japan and JICA Solomon Islands Office for giving us the opportunity to witness and participate in this very important program. As we celebrate this historical achievement of a new terminal that meets international standards.
“As for us, we really enjoyed your hospitality. This event is surely an eye opener as it broadens and motivates our learning spirit.
“It’s been our pleasure and we are so happy to be part of this programme. As this event provides another learning curve for us, I believe and I can assure you that in the near future you won’t be surprised to see some of us here who will be taking up our careers in this sector,” Karovo said.
Central Valley Community located along the Mataniko Riverbank witnessed another milestone on 29th November 2022.
A pilot project geared towards strengthening their community against flooding and landslides saw an open-air dissemination event hosted and attended by invited guests, donor agencies and implementing partners, government officials and the community.
The event on the 29th November 2022 kicked off early in the morning with a cultural welcome ceremony hosted by the community followed by the official programme – speeches, site tours and entertainment.
Various informative sessions were held where the participants had the opportunity to visit the nursery sites for the vetiver grass; guests were also briefed on how the community had planted vetiver grass along the river bank.
The community has benefited through a pilot project that strengthen them against natural disasters, food security, biodiversity and climate change.
The project was implemented in partnership with the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA), UN-Habitat, Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT) University and Kastom Garden Association for more climate resilient communities.
The project activities were implemented as a pilot Nature- Based Solution (NBS) and urban biodiversity actions. In the context of informal settlements upgrading and climate resilience building at Koa Hill, with three priority projects namely; riverbank protection, landslide mitigation, public use of flood plain example, urban garden.
Vetiver grass being planted at the Mataniko Riverbank as part of the project to protect it against erosion on slopes and riverbanks.
In his opening remarks, Professor Darryn McEvoy expressed gratitude to stakeholders for driving the project forward.
He used the opportunity to thank the community and local team Leader Yuyun Qomariyah, Kastom Garden Association, related stakeholders and the community for the successful implementation of the project.
Mr Eddie Samora, Central Valley Community chairman on behalf of the community described the project as a new chapter for them.
“In the 1960s there were only few people living in the community including my grandfather, Francis Samora.
“Time had passed and today the population had grown into well over 1,000 inhabitants with different cultures and backgrounds but we lived in this place as on happy family.
“We are being honored to be part of this significant project and witnessed the event today. We really appreciated the partners who have supported us on these very important undertaking that we are the beneficiaries for us now and into the future.
“I encouraged the community to take responsibility.”
Samora said that the community has been neglected by their leaders despite being located at the heart of Honiara.
The project team leader Ms Yuyun Qomariyah said they have planted around 650 metres of the Mataniko Riverbank with vetiver grass to protect against erosion on river banks and slopes.
They have also planted in three locations, one at the slope near the community’s water dam located uphill, to help stabilise the soil and prevented landslides.
She added that another two locations are Jacob’s ladder where they planted 400 pieces of vetiver grass because these locations are prone to landslides.
She said Kastom Garden Association under the project had trained the community on small scale backyard farming.
The Kastom Garden had run series of training on how the community can sustained them during times of disaster by growing their crops in their backyard.
Over the course of the project the community were trained and equipped with the important skill.
The project also assisted the community to construct two footpaths, a volleyball and futsal along the riverbank with the support of the community.
In concluding her remarks, Qomariyah had appealed to the community to look after the project and implement it for the betterment of the community.
“These are simple technology to protect people and houses from flooding and landslides.
“Using nothing but simple nature-based solutions.” Qomariyah said.
Private sponsored students who are undertaking their Diploma in the newly introduced Civil Engineering course at the Solomon Islands National University (SINU) have put their theory in good use by assisting the Central Valley Community in the first ever Nature Based Solutions piloted project.
On April 3rd 2014, heavy rain had caused the Mataniko River to busts its banks, resulting in severe flash flooding and the destruction of homes and key infrastructures. Twenty-three people have been killed and almost 9,000 people are left homeless from the aftermath of the flood.
Three vulnerable communities are living along the Mataniko River, Koa Hill Valley, Vara Creek and Tuvaruhu, were severely hit and many people lost their homes.
Koa Hill Central Valley community has been severely hit by the flash floods.
THE trial into the case of a police officer alleged of stealing more than $300,000 exhibit money at the Rove exhibit facility has been vacated.
The hearing was supposed to start on 29th November 2022 but the trial prosecutor was sick and could not attend court.
Therefore, the case was adjourned to December 27 for mention.
Defendant Makasi Dolaiano was alleged of stealing One Link Pacifica’s money that was kept as an exhibit to One Link’s cases being dealt with before the court.
It is alleged that Mr Dolaiano was the exhibit officer at that time, and was responsible for looking after the facility when the $300,000 exhibit money went missing in October 2020.
Investigation was conducted and he was charged with the offence.
He is currently on bail waiting his case to be dealt with by the court.
Office of the Director Public Prosecution appears on behalf of the Crown.
A man who confessed to stealing $107 from a victim who tried to help him change his bad attitudes has been sentenced to two years six months.
Michael Meke Wanman was convicted by the court in 2018 for stealing in a dwelling house. He was again sentenced by court on 30th November 2022 for stealing money and stealing a laptop belonging to the Solomon Islands chamber of commerce.
Principal Magistrate Fatimah Taeburi said the prisoner is not a first-time offender. He has previous convictions; he was convicted in 2018 in the High Court for one count of rape and one count of house break-in.
She said his previous conviction on house break-in is similar in nature to the current case, his previous conviction is therefore relevant.
Wanman stole $107 from the complainant when the complainant was trying to help him to convert from his bad habits of stealing. The facts showed that the complainant took the prisoner to a pastor’s house. The idea was for the prisoner to confess his bad habits to the pastor so that the pastor would pray for him. It was during the process that he stole the money from the complainant.
On another incident he also pleaded guilty to stealing a laptop from the Solomon Islands Government.
Prosecution in their submission said that he must have planned out how to steal the laptop because he chose a time when the officer left her desk. From the facts, it appears that he entered the office and took the laptop in broad daylight. He was able to steal in a public office in broad daylight, undetected by other staff. It shows that he is a very skillful thief, he was only caught by a CCTV video footage.
Ms Taeburi after considering the facts and taking into account the circumstances of the case imposed a custodial sentence.
She said it is inevitable that the prisoner has not learnt the lesson that stealing is a crime.
“This court has a duty to impose a sentence that will teach him specifically that is wrong to steal. He must learn by facing the consequences of the crimes that he commits. This court also has a duty to deter crime and to protect the society from thieves and other criminals,” Taeburi said.
Police Prosecutor Abel Maelanga prosecutes the case in court While Delilah Kukura of the Public Solicitor’s Office is representing the defendant.
Stock pile of tubi on San Jorge island. Photo supplied.
New twist in long-running logging row
By EDDIE OSIFELO
A HIGH COURT judge on 29th November 2022 issued an order halting 5,000 cubic metres of Tubi logs a Malaysian logger was in the process of exporting.
Justice John Keniapisia issued the urgent order after landowners in Isabel sought the High Court’s intervention in the controversial export.
Last week, Government authorities issued permits to logging company Sunrise Investment Ltd to export the illegally-harvested logs to China.
This came following a Court of Appeal ruling that gave the Government the right over the logs.
Following the ruling, the Government acted instantly to issue permits to Sunrise – the same logging company that illegally harvested the tubi trees on San Jorge island – to export the logs.
Sunrise acted quickly and dispatched a carrier MV Victoria VOY 2206 to Korona log pond on San Jorge where the logs were stored, loaded them and moved over to the international port of Noro in Western Province.
But lawyers for the San Jorge landowners argued the logs cannot be exported until after a Judicial Review in the High Court, as ordered by the Court of Appeal.
Yesterday, Justice Keniapisia ordered MV Victoria VOY 2206 not to depart the port of Noro or leave Solomon Islands waters until further orders.
Island Sun understands the vessel is still at Noro when the orders were issued.
This court order was the latest in what has been a long running dispute between landowners on one side, against the Government and logging company on the other.
Landowners have been insisting that Sunrise, whose boss Richard Kong, pleaded guilty to the illegal harvesting of the tubi trees and was fined $50,000 in 2020, should not be given the right to export the logs.
They argued it is immoral and unfair for the Government to support a “thief” who illegally harvested their trees at the first place.
The matter is expected to be heard further in the High Court in coming days.
THE Genetically Improved Farmed Tilapia (GIFT) stands ready to benefit the country’s economy and food security for students in schools.
Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources (MFMR) Permanent Secretary, Dr Christian Ramofafia explained this when asked by Member of Parliament for Temotu Nende, Commins Mewa, on the long-term benefits of Tilapia, during the Public Accounts Committee in Parliament last week.
The PAC was enquiring into the 2023 Appropriation Bill 2022 budget, tabled by Minister of Finance and Treasury, Harry Kuma recently.
Mr Ramofafia said tilapia is not a popular part of the diet for Solomon Islanders, especially this tilapia they are planning to import.
He said it is a new brand tilapia called GIFT tilapia, not yet in Solomon Islands.
“It’s not the small tilapia we have here.
“It is a very unique fish, demanded overseas and high level too,” he added.
Furthermore, Ramofafia said the country has an opportunity to export the GIFT tilapia.
“Arrangement we put in place is to work with every farmer to grow the fish hub, improve to market level and so that we can export.
“For us, we see it as very important opportunity for our people to engage in economic activities,” he added.
Apart from export, Ramofafia said their intention also is to work with schools to give them a little bit of protein in terms of fish.
“Otherwise, they eat noodles all the time.
“That one is important protein security for our schools,” he added.
MFMR recently completed a laboratory and hatchery facility at Aruligo in north west Guadalcanal.
The GIFT tilapia is a result of cross breed between tilapias from Egypt and Philippines.
It is also referred to as the Nile Tilapia species.
