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Police still investigating missing $300k: Vaevaso

Written by
Jennifer Kusapa
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BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

DEPUTY Police Commissioner Ian Vaevaso says the case of a police officer suspected of stealing the One Link $300,000 cash-exhibit is still active.

Vaevaso while acknowledging concerns raised by Transparency Solomon Islands, said the important thing public should know is that a strong case needs more and enough evidence to prove the case in court.

He said TSI’s point is “very true” and they are taking onboard the issues raised by TSI.

Vaevaso said the officer is currently suspended and on half-pay awaiting his case to be brought before the court.

He said Professional Standard Intel Investigation of the RSIPF are doing their investigation and only few outstanding submissions are yet to be collected before compiling the full report to be forwarded to the Office of the Director Public Prosecution for viewing and advice on the charge.

“The allegation that the officer stole the exhibit money is still be proven and it is a matter for the courts to determine, and currently the officer is not yet free as he has allegations against him,” Vaevaso said.

He said, “regarding the statement that the alleged officer should be charged and sent behind bars, such is not easy as the public may expect because putting a case before the court needs proper evidence based on facts.

“A strong case needs enough evidence to prove the allegation beyond reasonable doubt and that is what law requires, so we need to prove this case beyond reasonable doubt in order to convict a person.

“The suspected police officer is subjected to face the law when all evidence and facts compiled and filed and not anytime as we might assume.”

Police to up checks for underage in clubs/pubs

Written by
Jennifer Kusapa
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BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

DEPUTY Police Commissioner (National Security and Operations) Ian Vaevaso says following concerns raised by public on underage youths entering night clubs and pubs, police will be making regular visits to these venues.

He said under the Liquor Act, children or youths below the age of 21 are not allowed to enter night clubs and pubs.

“It is an offence for licensed premises like clubs and pubs to serve alcohol to those age groups,” Vaevaso said.

He said a recent visit to some licensed premises by police officers resulted in the observation that these venues served underage with alcohol.

He said pubs and night clubs when issued with licences, have to comply with the conditions of their licences.

“Therefore, monitoring of those licensed premises will continue and to make sure those premises comply with the condition attached.”

He said once a liquor venue is found to fail in its compliance with the licence conditions, police will file a report to the Liquor Board to deal it.

Plea for man on arson charge

Written by
Jennifer Kusapa
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BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

A 42-year-old man alleged to have set fire to a copra shed building in Temotu will likely enter his plea before Principal Magistrate Felix Hollison.

His case was adjourned in the previous occasion for a plea to be entered today on the charge against him.

This is the case of Peter Dagi, 42, whom police had charged with one count of arson relating to an incident which occurred in 2019.

Dagi was accused of setting a fire to a copra building at Bwa on Lord Howe Island in Temotu Province in April 2019.

The accused also had issues with his status of mind and an assessment that was conducted by the psychiatrist, confirmed that he is a person of unsound mind (mentally disabled).

The Public Solicitor’s office is representing the accused in court.

Aulutalau women launch association

Written by
Samie Waikori
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BY SAMIE WAIKORI

AUKI

A long-time dream has come true for women of A’ulutalau in ward 21 of Small Malaita – establishing a women’s organisation that will embrace them in cooperation to achieve benefits of their mutual interests.

The dream was unveiled on Wednesday this week after the launching of “A’ulu Women Association” held at Mata village in Small Malaita.

Secretary of ward 21 WDC, Mr Graham Tahu said the launching of the association is a milestone for the women as it marked a lengthy struggle they endured to establish the association.

He said the association was started way back in 1980s, but was not active until 2016 when the women came together to revive it, eventually registering it under the charitable act in 2019.

Tahu said the aim of the association is to ‘empower women socially, economically and to promote common aspiration by working towards it for their progress and sustainability of the association’.

He said this is by providing capacity enhancement for women in partnership with government agencies and NGOs on areas which will contribute to achieve the aim of the association and their families and communities.

Tahu said the expected outcome of cooperation under the association is to see social and economic progress amongst their families and communities.

He said a total of 150 women from member communities of the association namely; Apalolo, Malakao, Heraniohota, Waipina, Haukasia, Paleohau, and Otopaina attended the launching ceremony.

PIFS ready to support but SIG failed: Khan

Written by
Ben Bilua
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BY BEN BILUA
Gizo

PAST and present governments have failed to seriously discuss the threat of World War 2 relics on people’s lives in Solomon Islands.

This was highlighted during a press conference organised by Pacific Islands Forum Secretary (PIFS) with Secretary General of PIFS and other top officials this week.

Responding to a question asked by Island Sun in relation to the issue, PIFS Director, Programmes and Initiatives, Zarak Khan said the issue has never been brought to regional agenda in the previous years.

“In the past this issue hasn’t been brought to the regional agenda. But we would more than welcome views from the Solomon Islands government.

“Recently over the last month or so in terms of the relics that were unfortunately detonated in a backyard in a home in Honiara, responding to the question, specifically sub regional,” he said.

Khan said the secretariat security team will welcome intervention platform if the Solomon Islands government bring the issue to the regional level.

“I’m sure there will be also very happy to talk to this outcome, and see what sort of specific assistance we could provide to Solomon Islands,” he adds.

Khan expressed his sympathies to the Solomon Islands government and the people for the loss of lives.

Solomon Islands is sitting above thousands of live war relics left behind by the Allied forces and Japan during the World War 2.

There were casualties in recent months where a bomb detonated on friends preparing food at their backyard in Honiara.

The incident sparked public outcry urging the government so as the Allied Forces and Japan to help clean up their mess.

EDITORIAL- Can we get an assurance from the Gov’t?

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Admin
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AT this critical time, Government has a responsibility to inform the people about its cash-flow situation.

Businesses and service providers in particular need this kind of information to help them plan ahead.

An email the Accountant General Bruce Phillips sent to all Permanent Secretaries and Financial Controllers last Friday says the Government is in serious cash-flow problem.

“We have an immediate shortfall of $40 million and this amount is growing daily at present time,” Philips said in his email.

This, the account general said, is affecting the settlement of outstanding payments of $103 million that was cleared through the compliance process and ready for payment.

“Clearly something must be sacrificed in the very short term until our cash reserves are built up again.

“As such Treasury has agreed to priorities weekly SIG salaries, utility payments, Ministry of Rural Development related payments and provincial government grants until 30th June.”

He also pointed out that third quarter parliamentary allowances and housing rental payments are all due in nine business days.

The situation came was a direct result in the shortfall in revenue collection by some $40 million.

When Government finances are bad, it is the people and businesses that rely heavily on the state that suffer most.

This is going to be exactly the case in the current situation.

Business houses and service providers who may be expecting their payments this month and the next may not get it at all.

Government services such as health and education are definitely going to be affected as well.

Phillips described the situation as “short-term funding challenge” and assured the Ministry of Finance and Treasury is doing everything possible to address it.

While this is not the first time the Government has experienced serious cash-flow problem, the prevailing COVID-19 pandemic has made the current situation terribly worrying, if not, frightening.

With the huge drop in export and limited incoming revenue sources, the Government needs to inform the nation how it is going to turn the situation round.

Saying it is going to address the situation is not enough.

Solomon Islanders want assurance that their lives will not be made worse by the current cash-flow problem.

Russell man questions intention of Provincial day

Written by
Jennifer Kusapa
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BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

AN elder from the Russell Islands says the Central Islands Second Appointed day celebrations are only for politicians and not the ordinary population of the province.

The elder who wants to be known as ‘John Stewart told Island Sun that celebrations marking the event are often held in Tulagi and not Russell Islands and Savo, which also makes up part of the province.

He said the province is made up of three main Islands, Russell, Ngella and Savo.

“Why can’t provincial leaders organize celebration in other Islands like Savo or Russell rather than in Tulagi.

“Provincial and national leaders should at least come down to the rural people and see how people are struggling to survive”, John said.

He said there is news that business houses and leaders are giving money to the Central Islands Premier for that event.

 “Why not use that money to develop rural areas, upgrade the schools and clinics, provide some sort of development to address issues faced by people in the rural areas.

“Spending such money on a one-day celebration is worth nothing as only the politicians will enjoy and feel the benefits of those celebration and not the rural populace”, John Stewart said.

Therefore, he called on leaders of Central Islands Province to recognize the need of rural people rather than enjoying themselves with huge amount of money on such celebration.

MOI acknowledges Provincial government for projects implementation

Written by
Samie Waikori
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0
MPG team held awareness with Pelau House of Chief

BY SAMIE WAIKORI

AUKI

COMMUNITIES at Luaniua and Pelau in the Malaita Outer Islands (MOI) have acknowledged the Provincial government after benefiting from Ward Development Grant projects in their communities.

Senior Administration Officer for MOI under the Malaita Provincial Government, Manford Kelaho relayed the feedback after a week tour to Lord Howe which ended on Monday this week.

He said last week a team from MPG comprising of staffs from Planning, Revenue, Fishery and MOI region divisions went to Luaniua and Pelau.

Kelaho said the tour is to monitor project implementation, provide awareness on the provincial revenue mobilization strategy and to deploy a FAD at Pelau.

He said the team first visited Pelau and held awareness with communities on MPG’s programs including ward grant projects, PCDF and other supports for the two islands.

Kelaho said the team also monitored implementation of projects through the Ward Development Committee (WDC) that is on the ground.

He said after Pelau (ward 32), they departed for Luaniua and held awareness with people as well as monitoring WDC mini projects in the community.

Kelaho said projects received from MPG through WDC in the two wards are mostly energy (solar light) and other sectors.

He said with the introduction of WDC, people are benefiting from services from MPG through their MPA compared to the past.

Kelaho said the projects are benefiting the people and they appreciate and recognize the provincial government for the fair distribution of resources amongst the 33 wards in the province.

On that note, he said communities in Luaniua and Pelau have called for re-strengthening of their WDCs and urged the MPG to increase the scale of WDC projects for rural communities.

He said people also appeal to MPG to consider quarterly visits to MOI for regular update on MPG’s development program for the province.

Current gov’t vax rollout not enough: Opposition

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Press Release
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Leader of opposition Matthew Wale has called on the government to speed up its covid-19 vaccination roll out programme, saying the slow pace could be counter-productive and is inexcusable.

He said the slow pace is an unnecessary delay in taking advantage of the most feasible strategy for preventing potential community spread of the deadly virus.

“Vaccines have been shown to prevent hospitalisation and death, and are therefore key to reopening the country,” said the Opposition Leader.

“The best strategy for protecting our people against the risk of community transmission is to ensure that at least 80 percent of the people are vaccinated quickly. 

“As already proven, the chances of suffering the extreme consequences of a covid-19 infection is low amongst vaccinated persons and if the majority are vaccinated, the likelihood of community transmission if it were to occur, would be mitigated,” Wale highlighted.

“Given the higher transmissibility of new variants and the recent increases in infections in Fiji and PNG, it is important that our approach to vaccination approach be significantly scaled up.

“I therefore call on the government to urgently review its roll out strategy and to place more emphasis on the need of getting people quickly vaccinated. 

“After several months of the start of the vaccination roll-out, only about three percent of the population has been vaccinated. This is simply not good enough.

“The vaccination roll out must now be taken to clinics, churches, markets, schools, villages, communities and other population centres in a proactive campaign. The vaccination programme must now also include the whole of population of Solomon Islands, not just target areas.

“We are running against time and so the roll out program must be pursued aggressively. There is no good reason for the current slow pace of the vaccination roll out.

“Likewise, I also encourage our people to take the threat of the virus seriously now more than ever, and to make extra efforts to get vaccinated sooner than later. It is good for oneself, the family and the whole country. The new variants emerging are more transmissible and it is important that we are all vaccinated.

“Further, I call on the government to do as other countries have done and also include children under 18 years of age in the vaccination programme.

“They represent a significant demographic in our population and given that other countries are doing it, we must ensure that they too are protected. The technical health advisory can recommend the vaccine candidates most suitable for young people below 18 years of age and the government must commit to procuring those.

“In the meantime, I continue to applaud our front-liners for their dedication and service to our country. I also encourage our medical experts to continue to carefully monitor treatment and the effectiveness of the vaccines,” the Opposition Leader expressed. 

–OPPOSITION PRESS

HCC looks into clinics opening after hours

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Press Release
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The Honiara City Council is looking at opening some of its clinics during weekends and late hours.

The Chairman for HCC’s Health Division Charles Chekah Aiwosuga in a statement said this issue was discussed in a recent meeting.

“I thank the CEO of the National Referral Hospital Dr Malefoasi for the call and as Chairman for the Health Division, I have informed the Director of Health and nurse in charge of HCC clinics to take this into consideration.

“It was also an agenda in our meeting and my officers will look into it in terms of availability of manpower, shifts, and how best we can move forward with the plan with our clinics,” he added.

Meanwhile Aiwosuga said the Health Division will be working with the Planning Division and Commissioner of lands for a proposed site to build a new clinic at Panataina ward next year.

He further acknowledged the Ministry of Health for providing staffs within the clinics and said his Division is looking to work closely with the Ministry to improve health service within the city.

–HCC PRESS

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