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Court to deliver sentence on One Link owner next week

Written by
Jennifer Kusapa
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BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

PRINCIPAL Magistrate Felix Hollison will deliver his sentence on the case against Charles Dora on October 8 after sentencing and mitigation submission was made yesterday in court.

Mr Dora has been found guilty of one count unlicensed financial institution under the financial institution act of 1998.

Public Prosecutor Vernon Taupongi and defence lawyer Martha Behulu made their submissions yesterday before Magistrate Hollison.

Ms Behulu in her submission on behalf Dora told the court that her client is a family person who has three children to look after.

She said that Dora is the only bread-winner for his family as his wife is medically ill and cannot support the family.

Behulu also said that her client has already spent three months in custody since his arrest in June this year.

Prosecution said on July 4, 2019, Dora registered a money scheme One-link Pacifica and OLP was not a company incorporated under the Companies Act or established abroad, or a body corporate and Dora is the Director.

Prosecution also said during the course of the operation, Dora had three banks’ accounts at the three commercial banks, despite not having a license or an approval from the Central Bank the accused carried on a banking business, he took and received money from members of the public.

However, between the period of December 2019 to March 2020, customers or investors did not receive any form of payment as promised by Dora.

One link Pacifica scheme was described as sharing resource; however, it is a Ponzi scheme, the essence of the scheme is that investors give money towards the company, on promise there will be a higher return after 30 days of investment, the creator of the scheme then used recruiting agents (mentors) for people to come along and invest their money through them.

Court circuits to provinces cancelled due to no funds

Written by
Jennifer Kusapa
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BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

COURT circuits for the provinces have been cancelled for the rest of the year.

This is reportedly due to lack of funds.

This will delay cases in the provinces, and will add to next year’s load of cases.

The Office of the Chief Magistrate at the Honiara Central Magistrate Court confirmed yesterday that remaining Magistrates’ Court Circuit and CLAC sittings for 2021 are now cancelled.

The office said that there was no fund allocated to the Magistrate Court to conduct the circuits for the remainder of 2021.

“There been insufficient funds allocated to the Magistrates’ Court to allow to conduct these events as planned.

“All Magistrates’ Court sittings at circuit locations in Western, Choiseul, Malaita, Isabel, Central, Guadalcanal and Rennell Bellona Provinces have been cancelled for the remainder of 2021.

“Additionally, all sittings of the Customary Land Appeal Court scheduled for November 2021 have also been cancelled,” the Chief Magistrate’s office revealed.

Therefore, all outstanding cases scheduled for a Magistrates’ Court circuit in those provinces or for the Customary Land Appeal Court will be re-listed for hearing in 2022.

Man killed by falling branch: Police

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Press Release
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Auki police, Malaita province, have attended to a report of an adult male person who was killed by a falling branch in West Kwaio, Malaita Province on September 23, 2021.

Provincial Police Commander (PPC) Malaita Province, Chief Superintendent Stanley Riolo says, “Police received a report of a death incident which occurred at Gwaunafou tribal land in the West Kwaio region.

“Police received information that there was a group of people who were going on a land survey at Gwaunafou tribal land boundary to identify a plot of land that was given to one of their female clans. However, upon their return, it was raining so they decided to take shelter under a big tree.

“While they were still hiding, a dead branch broke at the top of the tree and fell straight on them. The others managed to escape from the branch but it was unlucky for the deceased that the broken branch landed on his head and he died on the spot.

“When police arrived at the location at about 4pm to examine the scene, the Gwaunafou landowners were already there with the body of the deceased.

 “My condolences to the family members of the deceased and relatives for your great loss. We share our prayers with you during this time of sadness,” says Riolo.

–POLICE MEDIA

Gauging how many children are not in school

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Press Release
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Recently, READ SI Director, Joyce Boykin, and members of Rotaract, a youth service NGO, met to discuss surveying settlements to see how many children are not in school. 

Along with the numbers of children who are out of school, the team will find out the reasons why this is happening. 

Mrs Boykin has been aware of many, many children in Honiara not receiving an education. 

This is a heart breaker so anyone who loves learning and believes that education is a human right.

The youth members of Rotaract responded to being a part of this program whole-heartedly. 

Many of the members live near settlements and are also aware of the number of children who play all day and are not learning skills to prepare them for jobs in the future.

Teams will go into settlements around the third week of October and talk to parents and children.  Seven settlements have been selected for this survey.

After the analysis of the data, this will be presented to MEHRD.  Recently, it was stated by the PS that all children are entitled to be educated.

These out of school children could be in school by next year, if we are committed to doing that.  One idea is to set up community learning centers in churches or to build simple structures where classes could be given freely. 

The time would be for only a few hours per day. 

Literacy trainers could teach basic literacy, numeracy, basic oral English and Virtues.  READ SI has materials that could be used at the learning centers. 

LASI has materials that could be purchased and used at the centers, also.

This is a conversation that needs to be between MEHRD, READ SI and Rotaract once the data analysis of the surveys is completed. 

Inclusive education is a policy which states that all children must be included in the educational system of Solomon Islands. 

Working together, parents, NGOs, MEHRD and SIG can make that a reality, at least in Honiara.

–READSI PRESS

Cuba lauded for training SI medical students

Written by
Mavis Podokolo
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Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare

BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO 

Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare has lauded Cuba for training our medical students.

Some have graduates after successfully completing their programmes, others are continuing.

“I wish to offer my deep thanks to Cuba for the training of our medical students. More than ninety Solomon Islands medical doctors have graduated from Cuban medical schools and we expect this number to increase.

“We note with concern the 60 year-old economic embargo imposed on Cuba remains in place and we reiterate the call for the lifting of the embargo within the spirit and purposes of the United Nations Charter,” Sogavare said.

He echoed the above statement in his statement at the recent 76th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).

CEMA, CIP sign MOA for coconut refinery and livestock

Written by
Jennifer Kusapa
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Belani Tekulu of CEMA and Premier Manetiva of Central Island Province sealed an agreement for coconut refinery and livestock production (1)

BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

PREMIER of Central Islands Province Stanley Manetiva has signed a Memorandum of Agreement with CEMA for coconut refinery and livestock production.

General Manager for CEMA Patterson Siliota said the Government programme to revitalise CEMA is a seven-year programme commencing this year to 2027 and will be in three phases.

“Already we have visited the provinces and assess what facilities they have and re-engage farmers in the purchasing, selling and exporting of all commodities, and thus will require amendments to Schedule 1 of the CEMA Act,” Siliota said.

Director of the CEMA Cabinet Sub-Committee Martin Housanau said the establishment of the MOA is very important as  government is trying to revitalise CEMA in the interest of economy.

“I congratulate Premier and the Central Islands on the signing of the agreement as it is the implementation of revitalization policy of the Government, and we are going to continue support CEMA in the implementation of the MOA,” Housanau said.

Meanwhile Provincial Secretary of Central Islands Province Christian Siale said the signing of the MOA will certainly advance the national goals of the country.

He said revitalising CEMA is one of Government’s priority and Central Islands Province is one of the provinces to be the host of Coconut refinery facility in Solomon Islands, given its highest production of coconuts in the country.

Siale said the agreement made is to show commitment between the provincial government level and the national government to advance rural growth and revitalisation of Agriculture.

He also said Livestock is dead in Solomon Islands and Central Islands province is happy to offer 95 hectares of land at Hakama for Livestock revitalization for production and downstream processing.

“So, watchout for Kula brand of mince, sausage and pork”, Siale added.

Outpost building starts next year

Written by
Jennifer Kusapa
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The new border outpost

BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

THE construction of the Outpost Patrol Boat base will commence next year in the Shortland Islands.

Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Police National Security and Correctional Services revealed during the Public Accounts Committee meeting last week.

PS Karen Galokale said the project construction will commence next year and the first engineering team will arrive in the country on October 15 to conduct first technical site assessments.

She said the whole principle of that set-up is to have a multi-facility that will accommodate different law agencies, so it will comprise certain types of infrastructures and the cost will be around AUD82million.

Meanwhile Police Commissioner Mostyn Mangau further clarified that the costing covers the policing of Western Border as well other law-enforcement agencies the Immigration, Customs, Fisheries and others.

 “It is a big project, as it is of national interest in terms of our security,” Mangau said.

PS Galokale also revealed during the PAC that the land is 20 hectares, with a total agreement sale of 11.5m, however 1.7m instalment payment already made to the Land holding group Famoa.

Australia and Solomon Islands continue to work together to ensure that Pacific homes remain secure, stable, and prosperous.

The new facility will bring together police, customs and immigration officials in a single location to reinforce the security of Solomon Islands’ Western Border and promote peaceful cross-border movements.

It will also deliver new facilities to coordinate operations, accommodation, and a wharf capable of supporting RSIPV Taro and Gizo, Solomon Islands’ Guardian-class Patrol Boats, and Australian-gifted fast boats.

Solomon Islands has chosen Lofung South in the Shortland Islands as the location for the Outpost. Construction will take up to three years. Engineers will conduct technical site investigations in the coming months on land and at sea, with the main works expected to commence in 2022.

SolAir staff participate in healthy heart checks on ‘world heart day’

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Press Release
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Blood pressure tests were conducted by medical staff from the National Referral Hospital

Solomon Airlines staff yesterday took part in voluntary health checks on ‘World Heart Day’, arranged by the airline with the National Referral Hospital.

“To mark World Heart Day, we invited a medical team from the National Referral Hospital to provide our staff with voluntary general medical checks,” said Hernandia Zoloveke from Solomon Airlines Human Resources Team.

Solomon Airlines Human Resources team member Hernandia Zoloveke receives a health check from National Referral Hospital staff

“We started at lunchtime with checks including blood sugar, blood pressure, cholesterol, and BMI or Body Mass Index measures and many staff were enthusiastic to participate,” she added.

Solomon Airlines staff Glen Temoa, Carolyn Salonica and Rose Panjuboe displaying the fresh fruit available for staff to enjoy.

“World Heart Day is a global campaign which informs people about cardiovascular disease, including heart disease and stroke which claims 18.6 million lives each year around the world.

“The campaign aims to highlight this issue and also the actions that we can all can take to prevent it,
 by controlling risk factors such as tobacco use, unhealthy diet and inadequate physical activity.

Solomon Airlines staff Melissa Tasa and Rose Panjuboe receive a report providing a health overview based on their blood pressure and blood sugar levels

“World Heart Day encourages heart-healthy living and we saw this as an opportunity to create an activity which prioritises the health of our employees and helps to educate people about this very important subject,” she said.

Solomon Airlines staff are offered complimentary health checks in partnership with National Referral Hospital

About World Heart Day

Created by the World Heart Federation, World Heart Day aims to drive action to educate people that by controlling risk factors, at least 80 percent of premature deaths from heart disease and stroke could be avoided. 

The global campaign encourages individuals, families, communities, and governments around the world participate in activities to take charge of their heart health and that of others.

–SOLAIR PRESS

WALE FEARS HACKERS

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
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Opposition leader spells out shortfalls in telco bill

By EDDIE OSIFELO

OPPOSITION Leader Matthew Wale has raised fears on hackers intruding the system of Our Telekom and Bmobile to remove private data of individuals after registration of sim cards.

Speaking on the debate of the Telecommunications (Amendment) Bill 2021 in Parliament yesterday, Wale said:

“Now that the Bill is compelling individuals to provide their private data, it must also protect that information from hackers, commercial harvesters and other malign actors domestically or overseas.

“Who is liable when private individual data is harvested from the registers?

“This is a significant neglect.

“Once law requires the collection of private individual data in today’s world, the law must also protect that data,” he said.

Wale said the register is to be maintained by individual service providers, and the information cannot be shared without a court order.

“Is there a place for the Regulator to host a centralized register and regulate protocols on and levels of access to information?

“In the current proposal, who owns the register? It is maintained by the service providers, but who has ownership control of the data?”

Wale said: “We read of data harvesting by hackers and sale of data and private information that happens around the world.”

He said it was reported last year that a Chinese company harvested data from 40 people in Solomon Islands.

“This raises the significance of the need for clarity on ownership of the registers and the data they contain,” he said.

In addition, Wale said illegal intercept and back-end operations by systems and equipment vendors are a particular vulnerability identified by service providers to the privacy of user data.

He said the Bill makes no attempt to address this critical vulnerability.

“This is the greatest threat to the integrity of our entire telecommunications systems and user data.

“And because the Bill compels the collection of private data, it naturally creates the need for protection of that data – but the Bill does not do this in its current form. This is a very serious oversight,” he said.

Wale said both service providers stated that they were not thoroughly consulted beyond a general introduction to the issues the ministry wanted the Bill to address.

“This is a terrible neglect of critical stakeholders in the matters that the Bill seeks to address,” he said.

Debate continues in Parliament today.

Opposition points out weakness in teleco bill

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
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0

By EDDIE OSIFELO

THE Government’s sponsored Telecommunications (Amendment) Bill 2021 faced stiff resistance from the Opposition in Parliament yesterday.

Opposition Leader, Matthew Wale called on the Government to withdraw the Bill and work on it before bringing it back to Parliament for the final blessing.

Wale claimed the five-year mandatory period given to Service Providers, Our Telekom and Bmobile to store the IDs of mobile users is not a good policy choice.

“This creates the possibility that SIMS that have been on the register for more than 5 years could have their personal identification information removed from the register.

“It is therefore possible that in the sixth year after registration commences many users will seek to remove their private data from the register, and the service providers would be under no legal compulsion to refuse it,” he said.

“This would seem to me to be counter-productive to the object of the Bill and serves no useful policy purpose,” he added.

Furthermore, Wale has questioned the penalties of $500,000- and 10-years imprisonment for Service Providers (Our Telekom, Bmobile and agents) who sell SIM cards to under 15 years old and disclosure of confidential information plus a person giving false information to Service Providers to purchase a SIM card.

“All the penalties in this Bill need to be revised down substantially.

“In a democracy, it is an important principle that penalties are proportionate to the crime or offence.

“And the Miscellaneous Penalties Act provides something of a yardstick for what is reasonable in our jurisdiction,” he said.

Wale said it is important that those writing policy are familiar with the penalty scheme in the Miscellaneous Penalties Act and use it as a guide.

He said the reduced penalty proposed in the Corrigendum for a natural person is still too high for the offence.

“And the penalty for a body corporate is way too excessive for the offence,” he added.

In Solomon Islands, mobile subscribers has reached 464,000 as of 2020.

According to Global System for Mobile Association (GSMA), as of 2021, the global population of mobile subscribers had exceeded 5.1 billion whereby 73 percent are prepaid SIM.

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