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Trio who stoned premier’s residence without lawyer

Written by
Jennifer Kusapa
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BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

THREE people alleged to have stoned the Guadalcanal Premier’s residence at Lengakiki on January 13, 2022 will come back to court on March 17, 2022.

This is for the defendants to secure legal representation.

The matter was mentioned in court yesterday through zoom and the defendants were not able to attend due to the Magistrate Court restricting people from entering the premises because of the covid-19 situation.

This is the case of Jacklyn Natei, Feffson Natei and Francis Ramo who are facing count of common nuisance.

Prosecution said the defendants were frustrated with a man named Lavery Patrick who was residing with the Premier, Francis Sade, claiming that Mr Lavery had used abusive words on them.

The defendants attended to the Premier’s resident and threw rocks at his residence, causing nuisance/disturbance as they shouted angrily at the residents while throwing stones.

 The matter was reported to police and the defendants were arrested.  

All three were charged for common Nuisance.

Principal Magistrate Leonard Chite told the prosecution to summon the defendants so that they appear on the next appearance.

Magistrate Chite also said he will seek permission from the Chief Magistrate, if possible, all matters can be heard in one of the court rooms.

Ministry looks into ‘illegal sale’ of vaccination cards

Written by
Mavis Podokolo
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The ministry of Health says it will crackdown on fake vaccination cards

BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO

THE Ministry of Health and Medical Services says it is looking into allegations that certain health workers have been selling vaccination cards to individuals and companies.

Permanent Secretary for Ministry of Health Pauline McNeil says if the allegations can be ascertained, they will launch an investigation into the matter.

“We are aware of some practices at the Ministry and we are trying to establish the facts and collect evidences on the matter,” McNeil told reporters yesterday.

“If the facts can be established, an investigation will be launched into this matter,” she added.

Attorney General John Muria Junior said if anyone have evidences on the illegal sale of the vaccination cards, they should come forward the provide the evidence.

He said authorities cannot do much if people are protecting those involved in the alleged sale.

“Any action to be taken must be based on evidence,” Muria added.

Gov’t to address plight of Shortland villagers

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
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Hungry community protest last week

By EDDIE OSIFELO

THE Government has assured the people of Shortlands, Western Province, it will attend to their food shortage issue.

The assurance came after a group of 50 people of Shortlands breached the border restrictions and protocols to travel to Bougainville in search of food supplies and money.

Chairman of National Disaster Council, Dr Melchior Mataki said the Livelihood committee, which is part of our National Disaster arrangements in Western Province, together with supports from Prime Minister Office as well as National Disaster Management office, are finalizing a short-term food relieve for the shortlands .

Mataki, who is also Permanent Secretary for Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, Disaster Management and Meteorology (MECDM), said it needs more bit of inputs in terms of some more suppliers to go into that.

He said for longer term, the Oversight Committee has also taken a decision to the Border Committee for the reopening of border.

Mataki said in terms of short term relieves, that has been looked into by appropriate committee of their National Disaster Management arrangements which is the Livelihood Committee with the leadership of Western province.

Auki passengers to be swabbed before boarding

Written by
Samie Waikori
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BY SAMIE WAIKORI

Auki

EMERGENCY Operation Centre for covid-19 at Kilu’ufi hospital has arranged a RAT swabbing test at Auki wharf for passengers boarding MV Taimareho on her return trip to Honiara.    

Chairman of EOC Malaita, Dr Rex Maukera told the paper this yesterday.

He said arrangement was made for people to travel onboard Taimareho on her return trip to test for their status prior to boarding the ship.

Adding that only those with negative status and with vaccination cards will board the vessel.

Maukera said also pointed out that the current trip is a repatriation one and only stranded government officers are allowed to board the vessel back to Honiara

He said they will monitor all measures imposed to ensure the ship is covid-19 free and appealed to people for cooperation.   

Taimareho arrived on Monday night in Auki and was the first passenger boat to travel the Auki-Honiara route after restriction imposed on vessels due to the current situation.

Auki town is also expecting MV Pelican Express today.

In a recent interview with chairman of PDOC, Inspector Charles Eddie Koto said at the moment they are looking only at repatriation boats to the province.

He said as the situation is easing, shipping services will slowly back to their normal services. 

Covid-19 awareness in Malaita continues

Written by
Samie Waikori
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Chairman of EOC Malaita who also the Director of Malaita Provincial Health Authority, Dr Rex Maukera.

BY SAMIE WAIKORI

AUKI

CHAIRMAN of EOC Malaita, Dr Rex Maukera said the province’s awareness programme about covid-19 is continuing.

Recently, communities in Central Kwara’ae requested continued updates to the current covid-19 situation.

Maukera told this paper yesterday the Provincial Risk Community and Red Cross teams are ready and have been providing covid-19 awareness to communities in the past weeks.

“Awareness program is an integral part of the current covid-19 operation to reach out to communities and inform them about covid-19 or the current situation.

“Sometimes we received invitation for awareness from communities and responded while we also provide awareness to communities with high covid-19 cases.

“The awareness programme is important to empower people to understand what to do amidst the current situation,” Maukera said.

On that note, he thanked Malaita Red Cross team in partnership with the provincial health for covid-19 awareness program they continue to provide to the communities.

Maukera said at the moment the focus of the awareness program is for central region, and they are planning to reach to other regions with the program.

He said although they face setbacks like logistic, they are planning get across to communities with the covid-19 awareness program.

Japan to fund equipment for bomb response here

Written by
Mavis Podokolo
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Group photo after the signing between the Government of Japan and RSIPF EOD team yesterday

BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO

THE government and people of Japan sealed an agreement with the Explosive Ordnance Disposal in providing financial support for the provision to assisting unexploded ordnance (UXO) operations in Solomon Islands to reduce lives lost.

The total grant assistance is about SBD$6,267,000 with the aim to reinforcing EOD team through the provision of purchasing equipment for response to UXO and awareness program not only to reduce lives lost but also reducing the number of people affected and economic damage and increase the area of safe land available for food production and other socio-economic activities.

Acting Ambassador of Japan Norimasa Yoshida said the purpose of this project is reinforcing EOD team through providing necessary equipment such as excavator, specialized vehicles, and conduct awareness program.

Mr Tunuki from EOD and Acting Ambassador Yoshida signed to sealed an agreement of the project for UXO disposal

“We will provide equipment such as excavator, vehicles and boats required for treatment of Unexploded Ordnance (UXO). The total amount of assistance reaches about 6,267,000(six million two hundred sixty-seven thousand) Solomon dollars.  This assistance will enable the EOD team to develop the capacity to deal with residual UXO threats,” Yoshida said.

He said in Solomon Islands, a number of people are killed or injured by UXO every year, UXO continues to be a major obstacle to socio-economic development of Solomon Islands.

“Japan is fully aware that UXO is the important and urgent issues to be addressed and tries to solve it with EOD and other partners such as the United States and Australia closely,” Yoshida said.

“I strongly hope this project will contribute to the development of Solomon Islands through ensuring the safety of the land in rural communities.”

Yoshida adds by congratulating EOD team for the official approval and it is a great honour to support the development of EOD capacity within the RSIPF.

Officer Tunuki Officer in Charge of EOD said this UXO support project in conjunction with the continuous training, advising, mentoring and other support from Australia will ensure that RSIPF EOD remains capable of dealing with explosive ordinance.

“It will provide the capacity to increase UXO activities in remote provinces and ultimately assist with supporting the future UXO survey of Solomon Islands,” Tunuki said.

He said this UXO support project will also augment the Solomon Islands whole of government initiative to the UXO problem and will greatly assist with future expansion of the EOD team.

“Indeed this is another milestone of support. I wish to take this opportunity to express our sincere appreciation and thank you to the government of Japan through the Embassy office for this generous support and assistance to RSIPF EOD capability.”

Vaccination continues in Auki

Written by
Samie Waikori
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Relocation of Central Field Vaccination centre from NDMO office to Auki town adjacent to Auki Magistrate Court.

BY SAMIE WAIKORI

Auki

Auki’s Central field vaccination centre at the NDMO office has relocated into the heart of Auki town and began operation yesterday.

The relocation of the centre is for the travelling public to access the service with ease rather than going up to NDMO office which is some distance from the town.

Chairman of EOC for covid-19 Malaita, Dr Rex Maukera told this to the paper yesterday.

“Vaccination has begun in Auki town and will continue for the generation public especially eligible population.

“With that, I would like to call on those who are yet to get their vaccines to do so to protect everyone from covid-19 as face with the current situation,” he said.

Maukera said this is important so that the provincial populace can be shielded should there be second wave.

On that note, he said the Pfizer and booster vaccines are yet in Honiara and will also roll out in the province as long as they arrive in Auki.

He warned that although the virus is portraying signs of reverse from the province, the virus is still out there and everyone must take their jab.

This paper witnessed good number of people had got their jabs during the first day of vaccination yesterday.

Wale urges gov’t to attend to plight of Shortlanders

Written by
Press Release
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Opposition leader, Matthew Wale

OPPOSITION leader Matthew Wale has called on the government to urgently address the humanitarian situation in the Shortland Islands.

Wale said recent media reports of people crossing the border from Shortlands to Bougainville in search of food supplies is a great concern.

He said it is sad that our people in Shortlands have been pleading for government help three weeks ago but fell on deaf ears, and have now crossed the border in search of food.

“The current situation in Shortlands is a concern that is not only faced by people there but everywhere in the country especially the remote parts of the country,” he said.

The Opposition leader said the National Government should negotiate appropriate cross border protocols with PNG and Bougainville to properly manage border crossings for our people in Shortlands and also in Malaita Outer Islands.

Wale said the Government should not neglect the fact that our people have traditional ties with people of Bougainville and trading between the islands had always been part of their source of survival.

“I am urging the government to address this issue with urgency,” he said.

The Opposition leader reiterated his earlier statement cautioning the Government to avoid a humanitarian crisis at all costs.

“In one of my recent statements to the government, I have raised the need for the government to address food supply in the remote areas in our provinces.

“My call was ignored because there were either no plans or pure negligence,” Wale said.

Meanwhile, the Opposition Leader also acknowledged Bougainville police for their understanding in allowing the smooth facilitation of our people on humanitarian grounds.

Beck defends Chinese police

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
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Chinese Police Officers demonstrating their public order management skills

By EDDIE OSIFELO

MINISTRY of Foreign Affairs and External Trade has defended the Chinese Police Liaison Team currently providing training for local police officers.

A former Australian High Commissioner to Solomon Islands James Batley told Radio Australia involvement of Chinese officials in training local police is setting off alarm bells in Canberra.

The move from Beijing follows last year’s violent riots which targeted Chinese-owned businesses in the capital, Honiara.

Batley, who led the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands and now a Distinguished Policy Fellow at the Australian National University, said the Canberra is watching development closely.

However, Permanent Secretary Beck told reporters yesterday first thing first, no one has monopoly of knowledge.

“We should not go into ideological discussion on it,” he said.

Beck said Solomon Islands has been sending students to China and all forms of democratic governments.

He said the Government also sent more than 80 medical students to Cuba.

“I think I want to register it is unfortunate that anyone to start to make judgement because it come from one particular country, then we are very particular about that.

“We must look at everything we deal with it, even for our police force from our national perspective,” he said.

“Do we need to build capacity?

“Do we need to increase capability?” he asked.

“If other countries are not giving and equipping us with the capabilities, we need to find solutions.

“So, it is unfortunate that some of our close friends have some opinions on that,” he added.

“I think we can just probably note it, but what matters to us is basically we need everyone.

“I think follow our foreign policy, we have cooperation’s with Australia, China and other countries that continue to come and support us,” he added.

Bartley said Australia has been a major, perhaps the major security partner for Solomon Islands and that’s going back into the 1980s, 1990s.”

He said China is a new player giving assistance but it’s very small scale at this stage, with only a handful of personnel.

He said Australia will be watching since China has a different tradition on policing.

DCGA has mandate to extend life of parl, says PM’s adviser

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
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National Parliament of Solomon Islands

By EDDIE OSIFELO

SPECIAL Secretary to Prime Minister, Albert Kabui says it is not a legal requirement to carry out public consultation on the government’s proposed extension of Parliament from 4 to 5 years.

Kabui told reporters yesterday that the Government can come up with any policy without consultation because it has the legal mandate to do that.

Attorney General John Muria Junior also supported the sentiment.

Muria Junior said there is no constitutional provision to carry out consultation.

He said Government only do consultation because of “good practice”.

Government plans to extend life of Parliament to five years because next year’s national elections will clash with the Pacific Games, which Honiara is hosting.

It said the country does not have the resources, logistics and man power to host both events.

Kabui said Cabinet is still to make any decision on the two options – to amend a clause in the Constitution to extend life of the current House or amend the Constitution for permanent extension.

Opposition leader Mathew Wale earlier expressed strong objections to the proposal.

Wale told reporters extending the life of parliament “is self-serving” because there is no consultation with people – the electorate.

“We adopt constitutional parliamentary democracy,  our system of government is a representative democracy, and the basis of representative democracy is government by consent – people consent leaders by voting them into parliament to represent them.

“So, we view this as a serious breach of trust with people, but it does not surprise us because this is the government that loses the trust of people in this country,” Wale said.

However, Kabui argue that if you at preamble of Constitution, it starts with all powers belong to the people, but vested in the Executive, Judiciary and legislator

He said people exercised power during election day and chose people to represent them in Parliament.

“And once they become ministers or part of Cabinet then they represent them in Cabinet as well.

“So, the three arms of Government are established by Constitution, Cabinet is responsible to Parliament,” he explained.

But Kabui said Cabinet has the legal mandate to make policy while Parliament was mandated to make laws.

“These legal mandates are given to them on elections day.

“Which means whenever Cabinet likes to come up with any government policies where it thinks fit, they have the mandate of the people by way of being elected, which is the Executive,” he said.

“That is how government makes policies, no need to go back to people every time it wants to change its policies,” he said.

In the current proposal, Kabui said the Government has consulted with the Premiers, Solomon Islands Christian Association, Solomon Islands Full Gospel Association and Solomon Islands Chambers of Commerce and Industries.

Furthermore, Kabui said it is constitutional because it provides for Parliament mandate to make laws in Section 59, while Section 61 provides for the alteration of the Constitution.

He said since independence, Government has made 10 Constitutional changes.

Parliament will need two thirds majority to amend the clause in the Constitution.

The current Sogavare government has the number to do that.

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