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Trial date on Lusibaea’s case set for July 2022

Written by
Jennifer Kusapa
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In-court

BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

THE court yesterday set the trial date for the case of Jimmy Junior Lusibaea for July 24, 2022.

The trial will be conducted for two weeks before High Court Judge Justice Maelyn Bird.

Lusibaea is faced with three counts, one count of murder and two counts of traffic offences in relation to an incident occurred on December 6, 2020.

Prosecution revealed during the Pre-trial Conference yesterday about 13 witnesses will be called during the trial.

Prosecution said eight of the 13 witnesses will be made available for the defence to cross-examined them.

This is the incident that was alleged to have occurred on December 6, 2020, at the Henderson area East Honiara around early hours.

Prosecution said a fast-moving vehicle hit the deceased in front of the Island Night Club in the Henderson area during an argument and rock throwing between two parties.

And at that time the accused was the one who drove that double cabin Hilux at a high speed to and fro in front of the Club area and allegedly hit the deceased.

It is also alleged that other properties including the Island Night Club building and a vehicle were also damaged

The deceased after being hit was transported to the National Referral Hospital (NRH) in Honiara by his relatives and but died shortly afterwards.

Prosecution also said following the incident, a reconciliation was made between the two parties, and compensation paid to the deceased’s family.

 Officers of the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) at the Henderson Police Station in Guadalcanal Province are investigating a death incident occurred at the Island night club, East of Honiara on 6 November 2020.

Public Prosecutor Margaret Suifaasia appears for the crown while Public Solicitor George Gray represents the accused in court.

Murder accused to seek bail

Written by
Jennifer Kusapa
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BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

A MAN accused of causing the death of another man during a fight at Foxwood, east of Honiara last year, will apply for bail in the High Court.

Garnet Babaua is facing murder.

Since the incident in July last year, he has been remanded.

Babaua was alleged to have assaulted the deceased on his back and kicked him on his belly during the commission of the offence.

Prosecution said the accused was angry because the deceased allegedly waved to his wife when the wife stood at a store in their area.

It is alleged that the accused approached the deceased and used his left leg to kick the deceased on his back and after that the deceased went and lie down on the road but the accused still followed him and kicked him on his belly.

There some people took the deceased and washed his body and later on they rushed him to the hospital but later died in the afternoon of that day.

NHA to engage more locals in its projects

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
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One of the design concepts of a major PG2023 facility project.

By EDDIE OSIFELO

NATIONAL Hosting Authority is supporting local contents or employees in its infrastructure projects for the upcoming Pacific Games in Honiara.

The Pacific Games is scheduled to take place from October 19 to November 2, 2023.

Engineer Soleana Visiama Gagehe confirmed this during the 2021 Infrastructure Symposium at FFA last week.

She said for the national stadium, they have 70 local workers working there and expecting to expand to 300 as work progresses.

Gagahe said NHA also engaging local consultant and sub-contractor to assist with the project through engineering and Unexploded Ordinance.

Furthermore, she said NHA has recently engaged a local constructor to deliver the design and construction of the SIFF Academy.

For the Solomon Islands Futsal stadium, Gagehe said they currently have 20 local workers engaged and increases as the project requires.

She said NHA also engaged local sub-contractors and materials are produced as part of the project.

In addition, she said for the Games village, they will need 15-20 subcontractors to undertake the upgrade of the seven schools.

She said for two Honiara City Council fields at White River and Kukum and SINU field, they are procuring local constructors as well.

Gagahe said at NHA, they do have capacity building opportunities where they conduct procurement trainings, workshops and training for officers in the Project Management Unit.

She said in PMU, there 15 Solomon Islanders and one expatriate who have experience in Project Management, engineering, architecture, contract administration, procurement and quantity surveying.

Call not to issue beche-de-mer licence to ZHB Goods Limited

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
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By EDDIE OSIFELO

The Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources is being urged not to issue a beche- de-mer export license to ZHB Goods Limited.

This was after the company, which registered at Company Haus for Retail and Wholesale business just applied this week even though the deadline of application closed last month already.

“We urge the ministry to stop issue an export license to Z H B GOODS LIMITED.

“It is unfair to other business owner who also interest to apply for export license but can’t make it due to time limit,” source said.

“If the ministry approved Z H B goods Limited export licence on beche-de-mer, this is a very clear indication that the ministry has no guideline and shows corruption in its dealing.

“Ministry of Fisheries and Research Ministries which is responsible to such permit will always do corruption practice as favour for self-interest,” source said.

Director Edward Honiwala said he is not aware of this issue.

However, Honiwala said the Ministry has just issued eight export licences to companies.

He said there are other applications still in the pipeline that need to sort out some requirements before the ministry can issue their beche-de-mer licences.

Attempt to talk to Director of ZHB Goods Ltd, Ruwei Zhong was unsuccessful yesterday.

Delays in Kukum Highway project

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
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Kitano constrution workers at the Kukum highway in 2018.

By EDDIE OSIFELO

Kitano Construction Corporation (KITANO) of Japan is expected to start work on the upgrade of the Kukum Highway Phase 2 in November.

However, due to the travel restrictions, actual construction may be further delayed.

Project Formulation Advisor for Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Kengo Hoshina confirmed this during the 2021 Infrastructure Symposium at FFA last week.

Hoshima said many local workers see asphalt work for the first time in the Solomon Islands.

“So, the work will boost the capacity of Solomon Islands workers and constructors.

“No local companies have asphalt plant at this time and no suitable equipment,” he said.

Hoshima said currently the basic and proper maintenance work of asphalt pavement cannot be conducted hence the current situation.

“Other projects from other donors, these machineries and equipment are going to be imported to Solomon Islands, so it is going to boost the maintenance of the project,” he said.

The project is to alleviate serious traffic congestion and enhance drainage capacity in Honiara city by upgrading the road and bus-bay etc.

The Phase 2 project is the continuation from where the Kukum Highway Phase One ended.

The Project will cover the 6.3 Kilometers Road from the Ministry of Fisheries to Honiara International Airport.

 This includes 4.3 Kilometers of 4-lane road to Lunga Bridge and 2 kilometers of 2-lane road from Lunga Bridge to the Airport.

Ancillaries to the road project include the drainage systems, bus stations, streetlights, traffic signboards and pavement markings.

Hoshima said street lights and road mapping are going to be provided.

He said pedestrian crossing and street lights are going to be installed and the roundabouts will be larger than the existing one.

Further to that, Hoshima said they are putting 300 Solomon Islanders workers at project site.

He said the procurement equipment and machineries imported cost about $133 million SBD to $46.3 million SBD.

According to the data in 2009, the average speed is 33 kilometers per hour and expects that to be 50 kilometers per hour.

Hoshima said the volume of the passengers using this road from 2.2 to 2.7 million people per year.

He said the volume of cargoes range from 676,000 to 870, 000.

The Honiara City’s main Kukum Highway phase two project will boost the city’s infrastructure needs when completed in 2023 ahead of major events like the Pacific Games.

Infrastructure should benefit people: Jones

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
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The British High Commissioner to the Solomon Islands, Brian Jones. PHOTO: TWITTER

By EDDIE OSIFELO

THE British High Commissioner to Solomon Islands, Brian Jones has highlighted the need to build infrastructures that will benefit the people.

Jones mentioned this during the 2021 Infrastructure Symposium held at the Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA) conference room last week.

He said, “research shows if you build the wrong stuff, it is not only a bad investment, it also causes further disruptions.

“So, in the Democratic Republic of Congo, suspected cholera increased to 150 percent after one day disruption of a pipe to water supply.

“If you build a wrong stuff and it fails, you are actually building a dependence on the infrastructure.”

Jones said disruption of infrastructure can cause middle income countries USD$150 billion a year

He said the long instances of power outages in South East Asia have been linked to decreases of women income possibly because the outages require more time to do domestic work

“So failed infrastructure and unsustainable infrastructure impacts across gender, disease and health care and across all the basic services,” he added.

Furthermore, Jones said there is a $8 trillion investment gap in infrastructure globally

“So, what is that mean for Solomon Islands.

“That means if you are bidding for World Bank and ADB funding, you are bidding for global environment, global climate funding, you bidding against other countries who may have better rules and regulatory procedures that may have better condition on the ground and they maybe able to share those donor partners and fundings investors that they could complete the project on time, on costs, on schedule, without land disputes, legal disputes,” he said.

Jones said so there is an element of competition that Solomon Islands needs to recognize with the global funds

Solomon Islands Chambers of Commerce and Industries (SICCI) organised the two days symposium to create a platform that will bring together all key role-players in this infrastructure investment space, who have the common goal of accelerating an infrastructure-led economic recovery plan.

Suidani calls building “new kid on the block”

Written by
Samie Waikori
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Premier Daniel Suidani and SINPF Board acting Chairman,Mr David Rupokets cut the ribbon to officially open the newly Auki SINPF building on tuesday as witnessed by members of SINPF directors (left) and

BY SAMIE WAIKORI

AUKI

PREMIER of Malaita province, Daniel Suidani has described the newly opened Solomon Islands National Provident Fund (SINPF) Auki building as a ‘new kid on the block’ in Auki.

The building was described a facelift to Auki town, one that not only SINPF and Our Telekom would be proud of, but the government and people of Malaita province for hosting and having the building.

Speaking during the official ceremony to officially open the building on Tuesday, Premier Suidani thanked SINPF and Solomon Telekom for their efforts to ensure Malaita province has the building.

He thanked them for the confidence invested in such a new infrastructure in the province, one he said would be the beginning of others to come.

Deputy Chief of Party for Winrock, Dr Morgan Wairiu (left) meets with the SINPF CEO and GM, Mr Michael Wate during a visit in the building.

“I believe your confidence in investing in Malaita will provide a pivotal message to other major business houses in the country that Malaita is ready to welcome any worthy investors.

“It is the fact that Malaita has a big population that any investors should be able to rely on when it comes to trade and doing business.

“And the key to any striving economy be it national or sub-national is a growing private sector investment.

“My MARA government welcomes and encourages the private sector to continue increase its participation in the local economy of Malaita province,” Suidani said.

On that note, he stressed that public sector intervention in business enterprises must not be done to crowd private sector participation.

Part of the guests that attended the ceremony yesterday in Auki.

“We must continue to allow conducive partnerships of business houses and even private public sectors partnerships,” Suidani said.

He thanked Our telekom on behalf of the people and government of Malaita for their foresight in investing in the building and SINPF for funding the building.

Suidani said MPG looks forward for futuristic thinking of SINPF to continue support the tangible investments on Malaita province.

SINPF opens new building in Auki

Written by
Samie Waikori
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0
The SINPF newly opened property investment, the SINPF Our Telekom Haus in Auki

BY SAMIE WAIKORI

AUKI

THE Solomon Islands National Provident Fund (SINPF) officially opened its new property investment in the Malaita capital, Auki on Tuesday.

The magnificent ‘our telekom haus’ building was built by Tropical Glass Builders and has gone a step further in contributing to the facelift of Auki as the provincial town of Malaita and marks the first SINPF investment in the province.

Speaking during the ceremony yesterday, SINPF Chairman (acting), David Rupokets said the completion of the building marks the investment journey of the SINPF Board on the first substantial investment of its members in the province for their retirement and old age.

“This is now the 3rd provincial capital outside of Honiara that we have invested our members fund in. The province centres include, Solomon Tuna cannery at Noro, and property investments in Tulagi.

Director of Tropical Glass Builders, Mr Justin Fu’oo hands over the key of the building to the SINPF Board Chairman (acting), Mr David Rupokets during the ceremony on tuesday.

“The investment in this new building is part of a previous strategic decision that the Solomon Telekom Board took that the cash flow they have will be used only for the core business of the company and office buildings to be built by its shareholders,” he said.

Rupokets said with the completion of the building the board has invested up to $15 million from the acquisition of the land to the designing and construction of the SINPF Auki, Our Telekom Haus.

He said Malaita is the largest province in terms of population and SINPF is now positioning the funds in terms of improving its ability to consider potential future investment in the province.

“I would like to inform you that following this investment we will be looking at the feasibility of developing our second commercial property, the former Auki Plaza into our new commercial flagship of the province.

“This will be an exciting investment as the Malaita province economy continues to grow and the potential to expand further with various infrastructure investments that are planned for the province,” Rupokets said.

He said SINPF thanked the Director of Tropical Glass Builders, Justin Fu’oo for constructing the building, MPG through its Town Planning Board for guidance during construction and every stakeholders who have contributed towards the successful completion of the building.

MOTION WITHDRAWN

Written by
Samie Waikori
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Banners are pasted in the street of Auki calling for the withdraw of the Motion against Suidani.

BY SAMIE WAIKORI

Auki

THE Motion of No-confidence against Malaita Premier, Daniel Suidani has been withdrawn this morning as groups of people marched through Auki demanding MARA remains in power.

The events leading to the withdrawal of the motion started yesterday, when angry crowds blocked and locked the Provincial Assembly Chamber in protest against the no-confidence vote scheduled to be tabled against Premier Daniel Suidani today.

Around mid-day they gathered at the provincial chamber and demanded everyone in the building to leave and to lock-down the facility.

Even the premier and members of his executive were in the building during that time and were forced to leave the chamber.

Premier Daniel Suidani confirmed to the local media in Auki yesterday what transpired, saying they were told to leave the chamber and they did so as the people had demanded.

He said the building belongs to the people and they respect their rights and the power they have to decide on what is good for the property they own.

Suidani said his government is prepared and ready to face the motion if it is tabled today.

Deputy Premier, Glen Waneta also concurred with the premier’s statement saying there is a provision under the provincial Standing Order (S.O) that provides for the recognition of people.

He said it was on this notion that they respect people’s request and left the building as demanded.

Clerk to the provincial assembly, Matthew Maefai also told the local media what had happened, saying his office respect the people’s demand for this is their power.

He said locking the chamber or blocking access to the facility means the motion of no-confidence against Suidani may not be moved today.

Maefai said in addition to that order papers for the motion supposed to be prepared by the office of the speaker and his office was not prepared and ready yesterday.

He said the speaker called him yesterday so that they could prepare the order papers, but they never met due to some issues that seems not right to his office.

“The speaker called me and I told him to come down to the provincial chamber to prepare the order paper.

“Instead, he told me to go down to the police station to prepare the paper there.

“His request for me to meet him at the police station is for security purposes in which I consulted the premier and his deputy premier and they turned down the request.

“They told me that the provincial chamber is the right place to prepare the order paper and not the police station.

“And if he wants us to do the work, it must be done at the chamber and not anywhere else,” Maefai said.

Auki Police Operation Manager, Eddie Koto when speaking on the arrangement made by the speaker to prepare the order paper at the Auki police station, said he will not allow such work to be carried out at the station.

He shared similar statements to the premier that the provincial chamber is the right place to do the work and not at the Auki police station.

Koto stressed that the police must remain neutral in the current situation and they are only there to provide security and ensure the motion takes place peacefully if it is carried out.

He said the reactions of people towards the motion are being witnessed in Auki and in order to mitigate any risk to the public of Auki, the movers of the motion must rethink their decision.

Koto said they are leaders themselves and when faced with such situation, they must think about the welfare of the people they are mandated to lead not for the bad but for the good.  

In Auki, vehicles carrying banners pasted on them and even a flotilla with banners in support of the MARA government and calls to withdraw the motion.

People claimed the motion is not in their interest and must be withdrawn.

Also, an influx of people from parts of the province, as well as from Honiara, converged at Auki ahead of today’s proposed date.

Island Sun understands that the 33 MPAs are already in Auki.

541 reported with vaccine side effects

Written by
Mavis Podokolo
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BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO

A total of 541 additional individuals reportedly experienced COVID-19 vaccine side effects relating to the administration of the vaccines, says Dr Yogesh Choudhri.

Choudhri, senior Advisor to Ministry of Health and Medical Services, revealed in a recent radio talk back show on COVID-19 update.

“We received a total of 541 reports of adverse events related to the administration of the vaccines,” he said.

Choudhri added these side effects mostly involved pain in the arm, headache, muscle ache, body ache, and joint ache.

But he said these are over within two days.

“We have also received four reports of serious events which was also related to the vaccination but when the detailed reports were analysed, they were not associated with the vaccination,” he said.

Choudhri also thanked Australia for the donation of 100,000 doses of AstraZeneca, which he said was so far the largest consignment of the vaccines.

He said with that, the country currently has 145,000 doses of vaccine currently in stock.

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