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GOV’T COULD LOSE $56M

Written by
Jennifer Kusapa
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5

Businessman wins lawsuit following Police and Fisheries Ministry cock-up

BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

Government could lose $56 million over a huge cock-up by the RSIPF (police) and Ministry of Fisheries (MFMR).

Medical professional turned businessman, Dr Reginald Aipia of Ontong Java has successfully sued government, police and MFMR.

Mr Aipia launched his case in 2017 following a string of failed attempts by MFMR and police to get him behind bars, apparently with no legal basis.

High Court recently ruled in favour of Aipia, finding the police and MFMR guilty of unlawful arrest, malicious prosecution and false imprisonment of Aipia, and unlawful detention of Aipia’s beche-de-mer.

MFMR and police collaborated in 2013 to arrest Aipia claiming he was fishing beche-de-mer illegally. Court acquitted Aipia in 2017.

Later in 2017, the two collaborators again hauled in Aipia, this time on allegations he was illegally farming beche-de-mer. Court again disproved the two authorities, setting Aipia free.

Following this debacle by MFMR and police, Aipia decided to sue them for injuries and losses. He filed in late 2017 after winning his second case.

Aipia’s lawyer, Wilson Rano, said: “High Court has given verdict in favour of Dr Reginald Aipia against the Commissioner of Police, Police officers, Director of Fisheries and Fisheries officers.

“Police and Fisheries Officers are liable for unlawful arrest of Dr Reginald Aipia of Lord Howe Islands, false imprisonment, unlawful detention of beche-de-mer. The Court also held the Police and Fisheries Officers are also liable for malicious prosecution in the failed criminal prosecution against Aipia in 2017.

“Aipia sued the Police and Fisheries Officers following several failed attempts by the Police and Fisheries Officers to convict him for alleged illegal harvesting of beche-de-mer in 2013 and illegal farming in 2017. Aipia claims that he has been subjected to criminal prosecution by the Police and Ministry of Fisheries without any legal basis.

“The Police and Ministry of Fisheries arrested and charged Aipia in 2013 alleging that he harvested beche-de-mer outside the open season. He was subsequently acquitted by the Magistrates’ Court in 2017. During his arrest more than 1000kg of beche-de-mer were illegally seized by the Police and Fisheries Officers. Despite his acquittal the Police and Fisheries refused to return his beche-de-mer.

Again in 2017, just three months after being acquitted, Police and Fisheries Officers arrested and charged Aipia for allegedly carrying out commercial farming without any permits and possession of illegally harvested beche-de-mer. Again, the Magistrates Court acquitted him.

Because of these continuing criminal prosecutions Aipia decided to sue the officers and Solomon Islands Government for compensation for the loss he suffered and for the injuries that happened to him.

In his Claim, Aipia claimed $56,000,000 for damages for loss of business and for injuries he suffered.

The High Court, in giving verdict in favour Aipia, ruled that the compensation will be assessed by the High Court if the Government and Aipia failed to come to any agreement on the amount of compensation to be paid. Aipia is confident that he will likely reach an agreement with the Government. However, if there is no agreement then he will ask the Cour

Australia to arm SI patrol boats

Written by
Mavis Podokolo
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0
RSIPV 06 Taro as she ready to berth at the SI Ports wharf for her Commissioning

BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO

THE Australian Government has agreed to arm Solomon Islands’ patrol boats.

Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare revealed this yesterday in his address to the commissioning of the new Guardian Patrol Boat, the RSIP Vessel 06 Taro.

“The Solomon Islands Government is fully committed to continue with the partnership arrangement with the Australian Government through the Australian Defence Cooperation Program and will continue to do so in the many years to come.

“I am also glad to note that the Australian Government has agreed to arm our patrol boats,” he said.

Sogavare said he is pleased with the support that the Australian government has provided for Solomon Islands, especially in relation to the country’s security.

“On behalf of the government and my people of Solomon Islands, we acknowledge and thank the Australian Government for their continuing support and assistance to our RSIPF Maritime Division through our Defence Cooperation Program.  Indeed, Australia recognized our maritime security needs and the importance of enhancing our maritime capabilities, for which we are,” he said.

Funds set for Seghe and Taro airstrips upgrade

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
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1

By EDDIE OSIFELO

TWO airstrips in Western and Choiseul provinces will be the first to benefit under the $1.5 billion Australian-government funded Solomon Islands Infrastructure Programme (SIIP).

They are Seghe in Western and Taro on Choiseul.

Australia High Commissioner, Dr Lachlan Strahan and New Zealand High Commissioner, Georgina Roberts have signed the Delegated Cooperation Arrangement in Cabinet last Friday to enable the projects to get off the ground.

The Australia government has committed $110 million to both projects.

Roberts said, “this collaborative approach is an example of ‘kotahitanga’ – different partners coming together with a common purpose: this being to support Solomon Islands to achieve its goals. By working together, we are stronger than the sum of our parts.”

Dr Strahan recognised New Zealand as Australia’s closest partner and acknowledged its leadership in the aviation sector in Solomon Islands.

“Connectivity is fundamentally important in driving development; transport links are critical.

“This project is testament to New Zealand’s clear-sighted assessment of the need for all-weather airfields in the provinces”, he said.

The upgrade of both Seghe and Taro is expected to cost $24 million.

It includes sealing and lengthening Seghe and Taro runways to make them all weather and capable of landing Dash 8 aircraft.

Besides, the project covers monitoring, engage and consult with communities, and ensure social and environmental safeguards are in place.

Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare earlier said design and procurement works for Seghe and Taro are expected to complete by the end of this year.

The launch of SIIP follows the recent announcement of a $180 million partnership between Solomon Power and the Australian Infrastructure Financing Facility for the Pacific to finance the Tina River electricity transmission system.

Gov’t intends to buy some airstrip lands

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
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0
Parasi airport

By EDDIE OSIFELO

THE Government is planning to come up with a budget to purchase land on which certain airstrips in the provinces were built.

Most of the provincial airstrips are built on customary land.

Ministry of Communication and Aviation permanent secretary, Moses Virivolomo confirmed in Cabinet yesterday during the signing of the Delegated Cooperation Arrangement between Australia and New Zealand to upgrade airstrips in Seghe, Western Province and Taro, Choiseul province.

Virivolomo said this is part of the government’s policy to upgrade airstrips throughout the country.

He said the intention is to build safe airstrips as some pose risk to planes and passengers because of their surface conditions.

There are 41 airstrips around the country.

However, Solomon Airlines is serving only 21 active airstrips, with more flights going down to Western and Choiseul provinces.

Previously, the New Zealand government has helped tar-sealed Munda international airport and Gizo in Western province to international standard, while the rest remain underdeveloped to date.

The latest partnership by the Government with NZ and Australia to tar seal Seghe and Taro has already raised mixed sentiments on social media.

Some people have complained on government’s seriousness to tarseal airstrips in Western province and Choiseul, while not prioritising the rest of the country.

However, PS Virivolomo earlier said the government cannot upgrade all airstrips in the country because they are not owned by the state.

He said some airstrips, like Gwounaru’u in Malaita, has always been the subject of dispute between landowning groups.

However, he said the government is committed to upgrade other airports when issues are sorted out and acquire them.

Island Sun understands the government plan to upgrade Lata in Temotu and Suavanao in Isabel.

Archives goes digital

Written by
Brian Lezutuni
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0
The new digital preservation equipment known as METIS Scanner

BY JARED KOLI

The National Archives of the Solomon Islands (​NASI) is currently digitising the analogue records of the country it kept in its repository.

The new digital preservation equipment known as METIS Scanner uses a Canon Mark-4 camera and external lighting technology to scan analog documents into very high-resolution copies and stored them electronically.

Government Archivist Julian Chonigolo in an interview said they are still in the process of converting the analogue historical documents.

This project was started in 2017 and was funded by the national Government.

“At the moment, we continue to scan analog files and convert them in TIF format and stored them electronically. But converting them and storing them in computers is not the end. We will also make it available to the public in a programme or software,” Ms Chonigolo said.

She said the good thing about the new digital preservation technology is historical records stays in a digital format and can be accessed and print it straight away without going to the repository and having to access it manually.

Chonigolo said they are yet to set up a research room with computers where students or researchers can go and use to access the documents electronically.

“Currently we are working on the British Solomon Islands Protectorate  records which holds the British administrative records,” she said.   

“It would be much easier if we get the process done,” she adds.

Chonigolo emphasized that archiving is very important because it is the corporate memory of the government.

“As a government archive, we collect administrative records and decision-making documents and we preserve it. Later when the government needs it, we can retrieve it.

“It is also very important for transparency and accountability; we can access document and see what the government is doing. Government can use to defend its decision, and even people too can access decision the government made,” she said.

SINU nursing students stopped from training at Kira Kira Hospital

Written by
Brian Lezutuni
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0

Nursing students from the Solomon Islands National University’s School of Nursing have reportedly been stopped from attending further training attachments at the Kira Kira Hospital, the Provincial Hospital of the Makira Ulawa Province.

The School of Nursing Faculty of SINU had reportedly taken the action after receiving highly confidential reports from Kira Kira Hospital that the nursing students attached to the hospital last year were harassed and often were taken out for alcohol drinking sprees.

Verbal reports say staff of SINU School of Nursing Faculty had decided to blacklist Kira Kira Hospital as a practical training arena because they feel their students’ learning had been disturbed.

A number of Kira Kira Hospital staff spoken to, confirm the claims have elements of truth, adding they damage the province’s reputable good name.

By George Atkin

Kira Kira

Taro to boost maritime surveillance at border

Written by
Mavis Podokolo
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0

BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO

THE arrival of the new Guardian Class Patrol Boat, the Royal Solomon Island Police Vessel (RSIPV) 06 Taro will enhance maritime surveillance at the border.

This boost is crucial with the increasing number of covid-19 cases in neighbouring Bougainville.

This sentiment was echoed by Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare during the official lunch and welcome of RSIPV 06 Taro yesterday.  

“With the increase of COVID-19 cases on neighbouring Bougainville – the RSIPV Gizo and four fast boats – have stepped up their maritime surveillances at the border.  RSIPV Taro has arrived at the right time.  It will reinforce the RSIPF’s fast response capabilities – in the hard-to-reach areas of our western and north western border.

Therefore, having such capability to prepare for disasters in order to reduce or eliminate long-term effects to people and their property from hazards and to respond to and recover from major incidents is a blessing,” Sogavare said.

“It marks another significant milestone in our deep and enduring partnership – founded on our shared values – and commitment to a sovereign – safe – and prosperous Pacific.”

The new Guardian Class Patrol Boat departed Darwin for Honiara on June 8, 2021. Upon arrival the crews were quarantined and on June 22, the crews graduated and came alongside Aola base Wharf in preparation for the event yesterday.

Eighteen to graduate in small seafood business

Written by
Brian Lezutuni
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0

BY JARED KOLI

History is being created as 18 Solomon Islanders will today be awarded a Micro-qualification in Establishing and Operating a Small Seafood Business.

The 18 graduates are scholarship recipients of the Pacific-European Union Marine Partnership Programme (PEUMP) with the University of the South Pacific (USP).

According to information obtained by Island Sun, the scholarship recipients are ocean artisans, seafood entrepreneurs and informal food vendors.

Eleven of the awardees are women.

“The USP is one of four key implementing partners of the PEUMP Programme, a EUR 45M programme funded by the EU and the Government of Sweden.

The USP, through the PEUMP Programme, is focusing on building the capacity for Pacific islanders through education, training, research and development in fisheries and marine resources management.

PEUMP overall objective is to improve the economic, social and environmental benefits for 15 Pacific ACP states (PACPs) arising from stronger regional economic integration and the sustainable management of natural resources and the environment.

The specific objective outcome is to support sustainable management and development of fisheries for food security and economic growth, while addressing climate change resilience and conservation of marine biodiversity.

The four implementing partners of PEUMP are the Pacific Community (SPC), which is the lead agency for the programme and is responsible for its overall management, 2) the Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA), 3) the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) and 4) USP.

Choiseul school leaders to meet over COVID-19

Written by
Ben Bilua
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1
Henry Deva during South Choiseul By election as the Returning Officer.

BY BEN BILUA
Gizo

SCHOOL principals, head teachers and chairpersons in Choiseul Province will meet to discuss a safety strategy towards COVID-19.

A total of 60 participants are expected to arrive at the provincial capital, Taro, today to be part of the discussions.

Speaking to Island Sun, Senior Education Officer of Choiseul Province, Henry Deva said the meeting provides an opportunity for leaders to discuss how best schools can better prepare for COVID-19 in the event of an outbreak.

“As we know, numbers of COVID-19 cases is very high in our neighboring country, Papua New Guinea, especially on Bougainville, and the risks are higher for us as we are located very close to the western border,” Deve said.

“Preparation is very important to decrease the risk of this deadly virus transmitting to our province,” he added.

“This is the first of series of meetings that will lead to the production of an effective mechanism and practices for the safety of our students so as our people.”

Deva adds that COVID-19 response plan is a requirement that schools within Choiseul must have in order to emphasis safety practices.

He said the meeting will start off the intervention to draw a suitable response plan for schools and also students to follow when returning to schools next semester.

Deva acknowledges the Ministry of Education and Human Resources with United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) for funding the training.

He said invitations have been sent to school leaders within the province and he hopes teachers will come in numbers.

Taxi owners, drivers to address safety of girls

Written by
Press Release
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0
Some public transport owners and drivers at the forum.

PUBLIC Transport owners and drivers have agreed to take initial steps to address Women and Girls’ safety on public transport in Honiara in a forum organized by Safer Cities for Girls, a project under Plan International Solomon Islands funded by the ANCP of the Department of Foreign Affairs of the Australian Government.

The forum was held following findings in a 2017 Baseline Survey which showed that 95 percent of girls and women do not feel safe using public transports, such as buses and taxis in Honiara.

The main perceived safety risks for girls on public transport were drunk and intoxicated bus drivers and conductors, drunkard passengers, verbal harassment, rape and undesirable touching.

At the forum, it was agreed that each taxi of the taxi fleets, display, in front of the passenger’s seat, their fares and charges and taxi base phone contact numbers for reporting in the event of sexual harassment or abuse is committed by any of the drivers.


Club member of Safer Cities for Girls explaining the findings of a 2017 Baseline survey

Other initiatives will be implemented later to educate women and girls of actions to take as precautionary measures before boarding any taxi and for quick response and actions if their safety is at risk.

This may include the identification of the driver, the vehicles plate number, the taxi fleets base telephone number before boarding any taxi in Honiara.

Other recommendation includes the provision of uniform to each taxi fleet for quick identification.

During the forum, public transport owners and drivers raised challenges they face each day in terms of fares, freights, waiting times and distances.

“We charge our fares according to distances, hours engaged, freights and waiting times, of which many people accused us of overcharging,” one taxi driver said.

They have also suggested that all taxis operating in Honiara must affiliate to established fleets for quick identification and reporting when it comes to women and girls’ safety.

They said, in some instances, women and girls engage our vehicles for many hours only to say that they don’t have money to pay the fares, giving rise to selling themselves to the drivers instead.

The only female taxi driver working amongst all the male drivers said that at no time had she been treated indifferently by men or failed to pay up their taxi fares although she had her own challenges because of the poor road conditions in Honiara.

The forum had brought to light some of the challenges public transport owners and drivers face each day and said they are trying their best to provide the safest taxi services to the public as far as possible.  

A taxi driver at the forum said that although concerns raised and anecdote in the survey are true, only a few people are involved in such activities, the rest are trying their best to properly serve the public and earn a living.

He said these safety concerns were raised because few drivers who don’t have the respect for others and have cultured bad attitudes towards women and girls.

Twelve taxi fleet owners and drivers and nearly thirty members of the YWCA Safer Cities for Girls project attended the forum.

Safer Cities for Girls Project is supported by funding from Australia Non-Government Cooperation Program and implemented by Plan International Solomon Islands in Partnership with Honiara City Council and YWCA

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