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Father arrested for alleged rape of daughters

Written by
Jennifer Kusapa
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BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

A 36-year-old man is in police custody on allegations he raped his four daughters on separate occasions, the youngest just two months old.

Of the four victims, one is the man’s stepdaughter, while the other three are his biological daughters.

Commissioner of police Mostyn Mangau told reporters at a press conference yesterday the alleged incidents occurred at a village near Munda, Western province.

Mangau said the first incident occurred between January 1 and 31, 2017 in which the man allegedly had sexual intercourse with his stepdaughter while his wife was away at the hospital giving birth to the couple’s first child (a daughter).

The victim was two years old when the incident took place.

The second incident occurred on January 10, 2019 in which the man allegedly had sexual intercourse with his first-born daughter at their home while his wife was away with their second-born daughter.

The victim was two years old at the time of the alleged incident.

The third incident occurred between July 1 and 31, 2021, in which the man allegedly had sexual intercourse with his second born daughter, who was one-year and 11 months old at the time.

The fourth incident also allegedly took place between July 1 and 31, 2021 in which the man had sexual intercourse with his third-born daughter, who was just two months old at that time.

According to police, the wife was in the kitchen preparing food while the third and fourth incidents took place.

Commissioner Mangau said the man had threatened his wife he would kill her if she reported him to the police.

However, it was after the fourth incident that the wife decided to report her husband to the police.

Police arrested the man Monday this week (9 August 2021), placing him in custody awaiting remand at the Gizo Correctional facility.

Mangau said police investigations are underway.

He could not comment when asked whether the accused is mentally ill, saying such information would be made available when investigations are completed.

Mangau said the man is being held at Gizo police station.

Awareness in Savo as volcano twitches

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
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Savo Island volcano

By EDDIE OSIFELO

Monitoring and community awareness is underway on Savo island following the increase in volcanic activities there.

Villagers had reported the surge in seismic happenings on July 28.

As a result, the Seismology Unit of Geology Survey Division in the Ministry of Mines, Energy and Rural Electrification and the National Emergency Operational Centre at the National Disaster Management Office have visited the site to collect data.

Ministry of Environment Climate Change Disaster Management and Meteorology Permanent Secretary, Dr Melchior Mataki said they are collaborating in terms of Geo hazards like volcano, earthquakes and what-not.

“We depend on our Geo Hazard advisor which is the MMERE that deal with it.

“They are monitoring it even up until now,” he said.

Further to that, Mataki said they have also activated their Provincial Disaster Management arrangements.

“We activated Central Province Provincial Disaster Council and Provincial Disaster Committee and they have started their community outreach programmes from last week.

“We also reactivated some work done on islands and province in terms of planning,” he said.

Mataki said some of the plans dated way back in colonial days and have been renewed and really need to be relooked into.

Island Sun understands the Savo volcano has erupted in the past and there are warnings it could happen again.

MP Ramofafia helps Fauabu and Gwarata health centres

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Press Release
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Fataleka Constituency CDO and CPO (second and third from right) donated the medical supplies to Fauabu AHC Chaplain Fr Philip Kaukui and the nursing staff team.

Two health centres in Fataleka have received timely assistance from MP Rexson Ramofafia.

Fauabu Rural Health Centre sits at the border between West Kwara’ae and West Fataleka and the Gwarata Area Health Centre is in the East Fataleka region.

Both were furnished with basic medical supplies.

A media statement from the Fataleka constituency office yesterday said the assistance follows reports it received earlier this year that the health centres were facing ‘a critical situation’.

“Fataleka Constituency office was reliably informed that these rural health based centres were without basic medical supplies for a significant period of time.

“It was understood that the situation had placed many lives at risk.

“It was also reported that patients including mothers and children had to walk long distances in order to access nearest health services.

“According to one of the constituents in West Fataleka, he stated that the situation they were been through was extremely difficult.”

Acknowledging the assistance, Nurse-in-charge in one of the centres said: “What you had provided today would helped restored the needed basic services to the people.”

The assistance reflects MP Ramofafia keeping abreast with much needed medical services in his constituency.

Ramofafia had envisioned building an additional area health centre facility in East Fataleka.

Consultation with landowners is completed with work on the proposed clinic pending for formalities.

The Fataleka MP also helped in constructing one staff house for a clinic in West Fataleka.

Ramofafia says support towards improving health services in his constituency remains a priority commitment.

50 foreign ships in July

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
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By EDDIE OSIFELO

ABOUT 50 international vessels arrived in Solomon Islands in July.

Chairman of the Vessel Exemption Committee, Dr Jimmie Rodgers confirmed through virtual meeting from Fiji to media during a press conference in Cabinet on Wednesday.

These include four vessels, 15 cargo vessels, four tankers carrying fuel and gas, 18 fishing vessels and nine logging vessels.

Rodgers said the VEC has strict protocol to impose on ships coming to Solomon Islands.

“The most important thing is where has the ship being in the last two months and particularly the last 21 days.

“The second is the crew lists, where crew join, at what time, which country,” he said.

“So, if the crew join in Papua New Guinea, it means that it is a high-risk country.

“That mean we need to test the crew even if he had test already when he comes to Solomon Islands.”

Furthermore, Rodgers said the minimum cost for logging vessels is $68,000 for one test and $100,000 for two tests.

He said in the vessel quarantine, the highest they raised was $170,000.

Rodgers said one objective of VEC is to reduce risks of bringing covid 19 in through ships to Solomon Islands.

“So far in Solomon Islands, we have recorded formally seven positive cases that came through ships.

“But they are not recorded under Solomon Islands, because under covid protocol they are recorded under conveyance of ships,” he said.

“So, it doesn’t do injustice to the country because the country did not bring them in,” he said.

Moreover, Rodgers said about 70 of the country’s containers come from Papua New Guinea.

“If we put 14 days to ships coming from PNG, we say goodbye to the ships.

“Even if 5 days, they threaten to bypass Solomon Islands, this is not good for our economy,” he said.

Therefore, the VEC focuses on the safety and also manages the risk as well.

Wale supports age-limit increase in seasonal work

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Press Release
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Pacific Seasonal workers

The Leader of Opposition Matthew Wale fully endorses recent submissions by Solomon Islands High Commissioner to Australia, HE Robert Sisilo in Canberra, pushing for an increase in the current age limit, under the Labour Mobility Scheme and the Seasonable Workers Programme between Australia and Pacific Island Countries, up to 55 years.

Mr Wale says the dialogue in Canberra was timely given the need to ensure long term sustainability and efficiency of these programmes to continue benefiting participating countries and employers in Australia alike, hence the submissions by Mr Sisilo were crucial.

“If there is high demand in Australian urban and metropolitan areas for semi to skilled workers, the increase in the age limit will enable us fill a gap in Australian industries, while at the same time, the experience and exposure gained will no doubt add value to our efforts in keeping our domestic industry afloat moving forward,” says Wale.

The Opposition Leader therefore encourages the Government to continue the dialogue to increase the age limit, and to also push for an increase in the total number of workers going to Australia, from the current status, which is roughly 100, to at least a thousand per month.

The Opposition Leader then urged the Government to look at totally taking out the logistical costs involved, especially with passports, medical clearance, police clearance, birth certificates and other requirements, enabling more of our people to try out these opportunities. 

“On this note, I also call on the High Commissioner, to establish a unit within his office, whose role is to scout for more of these opportunities in Australia.

“We need more workers to participate in this programme, so that they can contribute to our economy through remittances,” the Opposition Leader adds

—OPPOSITION PRESS

Man in custody over morning rape

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Press Release
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Officers at the Kulitanai Police Station in Western Province have arrested and charged a 38-year-old man for raping a 32-year-old female at a village in Shortland Islands on August 8, 2021.

Initial reports said that the victim was sleeping early in the morning when the defendant knocked at her door calling her. The victim came out and saw the defendant standing in front of the door and the defendant grabbed her hair and forced her to follow him.

The victim refused to accept the defendant’s request to follow him and have sexual intercourse so she tried to escape but she couldn’t because the defendant grabbed her hand and threatened to kill her.

It was alleged that the defendant had sexual intercourse with the victim twice.

Police Commissioner Mostyn Mangau says, “The matter was reported to police by the victim and the accused was arrested and placed in police custody.

“The defendant was interviewed and charged with two counts of rape, contrary to section 136F (1) (a) & (b) of the Penal Code Cap 26 as amended by the Penal Code (Amendment) (Sexual Offences) Act, 2016.”

The defendant is remanded at the Gizo Correctional Centre awaiting his appearance in Court at a later date as investigation into the incident continues.

“I appeal to all women and girls to look after yourself.

“Shout out for help or assistance when something is wrong or about to happen.

“I further appeal to all men in our communities to respect our women and girls as such an incident will affect them for the rest of their lives.

“It is also against the law,” says Mangau.

–POLICE MEDIA

Vaccine protects our under-18s: Rodgers

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
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Chairperson for NHA and Secretary to the Prime Minister, Dr Jimmie Rodgers.

By EDDIE OSIFELO

MANDATORY vaccination is crucial to protect the under-18-year-old population in the country.

Secretary to the Prime Minister, Dr Jimmie Rodgers said this to the media via virtual conference on Wednesday this week.

He said the difference with Delta variant is that it kills a lot more than the original covid-19 strain.

“Why we need the vaccination is because 56,900 doses in four months is just not acceptable, it cannot protect us?” he said.

“And those of us can be protected if we chose not to be protected, our children, our families in the house we live are vulnerable.

“So, this is where the moral and ethical thing come in when you talk about vaccination,” he said.

Under the country’s vaccination roll out programme, the eligible target population is 414,327 of the estimated total population of 700,000 by end of this year.

Rodgers said since the vaccination programme started in March up until last Friday, they have managed to administer 56,900 doses.

He said of that, only 13,188 people are fully vaccinated.

However, Rodgers said to achieve the herd immunity of 80 percent of the 414 327, you need to vaccinate 331,500.

“That is the minimum number that we need to cover that  both doses before we have any change of having some herd immunity.

“Herd immunity is important when disease come into the country, those that are not protect are protect by those that are vaccinated,” he said.

Furthermore, Rodgers said even if the 414,325 people are vaccinated, that is only 60 percent of the total population.

He said 40 percent of the total population cannot be vaccinated, not by choice but because they are under 18.

“Those are the people that we have to worry about.

“If we don’t vaccinate, it no just us, because in Fiji, children are dying,” he said.

Rodgers said Delta variant is no longer like the alpha variant.

“Alpha variant does not affect young people, here (Fiji) the delta variant, young children are the most affected.

“In Australia, 70 percent are the old people, 30 percent are the young people and they are dying and affected,” he added.

“How do you step up vaccination to protect the 40 percent?” he asked.

Island Sun understands the vaccination programme has rolled out to Western Province and is expected in Malaita next week.

Police call on students to avoid unlawful gathering

Written by
Jennifer Kusapa
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CALM DOWN: Police Inspector Tex Tafoa addressing a crowd that gathered at Kukum yesterday in anticipation of a protest march to the Prime Minister's Office. Heavy presence of Police on ground at Kukum on Monday calmed the rowdy crowd and dispersed them while their leaders worked with Police to address the issue.

BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

POLICE Commissioner Mostyn Mangau is urging students and young people not to participate in unlawful gatherings and protests.

He says this after students were seen participating in Monday’s gathering of a rowdy crowd planning to march on the prime minister’s office.

“Parents, guardians and teachers must remind students that such gathering is illegal.”

He said students and young people must stay away from such.

Mangau said in previous occasions some students were among those caught, resulting in these scholars having a criminal record.

“Therefore, students and young people must away from crime and illegal activities, because it will spoil their future in their education.

“It has been experienced that student and young people who came here for police clearance are struggling because they have a criminal history and I’m sad to see this though they have higher qualification but due to criminal records, it affected their live and their living.”

The situation is now calm and schools should allow classes to continue, Mangau said.

Mangau said police will not tolerate such activities that threaten public safety.

He said there will be 200 police officers on patrol from now and throughout the week assessing the situation in making sure peace and security is maintained.

Seawall a facelift for Gizo

Written by
Ben Bilua
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The 50 meters seawall at Malakerava

BY BEN BILUA
Gizo

A 50-metre seawall has been completed at Malakerava, adding value to the beauty of Gizo town and also providing safety to communities from sea level rise.

The seawall is constructed by Fair Trade Company with support from the National Government through the Ministry of Infrastructure Development.

According to Fair Trade Supervising Engineer, Jealot Giri, the seawall was completed within three weeks after planning and mapping out of ground works.

The height of the seawall

“Resources such as stones and gravels were on our side so as soon as we collect these important component for the project, we get down to work.

“Additionally, the area was idle for engineering work as the ground was strong with rocks intact, so the task was a bit easy,” he said.

Giri said the seawall is of the many projects that Fair Trade was tasked to carry out in Gizo, Western Province.

He said the purpose of the seawall is to enhance safety and also soil erosion caused by sea level rise and also raging waves during bad weather.

Fair Trade Staff Jealot Giri

Giri stressed that there is a need to extend the seawall along Malakerava shoreline as sea level rise is eating up the land at a rapid pace.

“As we see, the ocean has swallow large part of the shoreline and there is less time left before the beautiful shoreline will be gone,” he said.

Gizo Resident, Sharon Dina said constructing seawall along Malakevara shoreline is the best option to save the shoreline from disappearing under water.

Gizo Residence Sharon Dina

“This seawall is a best start and it would be more helpful to protect the shoreline if the sea wall is extended to the entire of Malakerava shoreline.

“I’m of the view that it is time for the national government and donor partners to fund such project as it protect our urban centers from sea level rise,” she said.

Dina acknowledged Fair Trade Company for the job well-done saying that the seawall will not only protect the communities from sea level rise but will also provide recreation for residents to chill out.

Bellona organic farmer in Honiara to promote harvest

Written by
Brian Lezutuni
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Mr Bix Paul with his healthy organically grown cabbages. On his right hand is Pak Choi and left, Saladia

BY JARED KOLI

Motivated by the healthy growth and harvest of his organically grown variety of cabbages, Mr Bix Paul travels more than 200 kilometres from Bellona in the far south-eastern province of Renbell to Honiara yesterday to promote his produce and share his story.     

Mr Paul is the chairperson of the recently formed Bellona Organic Farmers Association (BOFA) and this harvest is a fruit of their labour.   

Paul brought his sample harvest of about 30 heads of fresh-looking healthy cabbages in a flight from Bellona to Honiara yesterday morning, a mix of Saladia, Pak Choi and commonly known Slippery Cabbage.

“We don’t depend on fertilisers, we can plant organically,” he started.

“What motivates me to come over here and promote my organic farming is seeing the healthy growth of the varieties of cabbage planted which is entirely grown organically.

 Mr Paul said BOFA formed in 2019 and has 75 member families. The association is affiliated to Kastom Garden.

“I come here to promote my Bellona Organic Farmers Association for their hard work. These cabbages were grown on our Phosphate Island of Bellona, given to us by God,” Mr Paul said.

He said currently his association make a garden of 150 meter in length and 35 meter wide in preparation for their 1000 cabbage which were now on nursery.

“We are now do pricking in preparation to plant in this garden,” he said

Mr Paul thanked the Kastom Garden staff for their support in terms of seeds.

“My greatest wish if the National Government to devolve its agriculture development plan to institution such as Kastom garden, it will work better because Kastom Garden has programmes of visiting rural areas in the country,” Paul said.

He said no one from the Ministry of Agriculture visit them.

“If the government through the Ministry of Agriculture and Development devolve all funding in terms of funding on agriculture development to Kastom Garden, they can improve on the agriculture development down to remote rural areas such as in Bellona.”

Paul said one of their long-term objectives is to contribute to supply for the South Pacific Games in 2023 with honey, pawpaw and melon because they can produce these organically with high quality.

He adds this is just a beginning and they still need support from the government and others who might willing to assist the association.

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