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‘Illegal Bech-De-Mer harvest caused by covid-19’

Written by
Mavis Podokolo
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Illegally harvested beche-de-mer destroyed.

BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO

THE covid-19 pandemic has forced people of Malaita Outer Islands to continue engaging in illegal harvesting of beche-de-mer to generate income to support their families.

According to Eddie Honwala, director for Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources, most of the illegally harvested beche-de-mer confiscated between 2020 and 2021, came from Malaita Outer Islands.

“Most of the individuals involved in the illegally harvesting of beche-de-mer are from Malaita outer Islands. With two foreigners residing in Auki. Of the two foreigners one has paid his fine and one case is still processing

“Between 2020 and 2021, more than 50kg of different species of beche-de-mer were confiscated from both individuals and companies,” Honiara said.

Deo’s men vacate Rove seafront land

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
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AE Ltd property at Rove, West Honiara. Robert Leeson

By EDDIE OSIFELO

A GROUP of men engaged by foreign consultant Dr Deogratias Harorimana vacated a piece of land they’ve been occupying for several years at the Rove seafront, last weekend.

The men left following an order AE Ltd, title holders of the land, issued against Deo’s illegal occupation of the site.

Deo and a company he reportedly established only on paper, Bay Complex Development, proposed to build a hotel on the site.

According to Robert Leeson, who posted on social media, Deo claimed to have already spent millions for the design of the hotel project.

In the design, Deo’s AIPF Ltd is designing the work for client, Bay Ventures Ltd.

However, Leeson claimed ‘Bay Ventures Ltd’ is a fake and illegal company that is not registered with Company Haus, and no records of it.

“Did Deo through AIPF developed this plan and marketed it for funding to construct a huge complex under the name of a fake/illegal company that he himself owns or a shareholder in?

“If AIPF is a reputable company, why associate with a fake company not registered? Authorities must investigate,” he stated.

Island Sun contacted AE Ltd but its officers decided not to comment, saying the matter “is no longer an issue since Deo’s men have already vacated the site”.

Deo opted not to comment as well, saying it is an issue to do with AE Ltd and not his company.

Concern over dropping health and care service

Written by
Press Release
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The Shadow Health Minister has called on the ministry of Health to ‘put its act together’.

This call follows worrying developments in the health sector including health workers not working together, and absenteeism at the national referral hospital (NRH).

The Opposition Spokesperson for Health and Member of Parliament for Ranongga/Simbo constituency Charles Sigoto calls on the Ministry of Health to make sure that the quality of our health care and services is not undermined in these trying times.

This call follows remarks by the Prime Minister in his national address on Monday,June 14, 2021 wherein he claimed that health workers are not working together, a statement also echoed by the Permanent Secretary, and the CEO of the National Referral Hospital, when appearing before the Bills and Legislation Committee, suggesting absenteeism in our top hospital is becoming a major concern, especially among the nursing cadre.

The Shadow Health Minister points out that in a country where doctors and nurses are scarce and overworked, these revelations are serious public concerns, adding that they indicate deeper disparities in the Health system which can undermine the key objective of providing ensuring that efficient and competent health care and services. 

“Nursing care is an integral component of patient care and so it crucial that any issues affecting nurses are not taken lightly or ignored.  The Ministry must be proactive in conflict resolution especially at this time where the COVID-19 thread is still high.

“Also, top management must ensure that practical systems are developed to ensure that all our nurses are on deck for front-liner roles as and when required but also giving them quality rest time.  This is very important if we are to give true meaning to the slogan – IUMI TOGETA AGAINST COVID 19 slogan and keeping Solomon Islands COVID 19 free,” says Mr Sigoto.

“I wish to however commend the government and our frontline health workers for their efforts so far in containing and keeping the virus at bay.  Improved communication lines with top management and operating systems will only improve these good efforts,” the Opposition MP adds.

Sigoto also urged all health workforce to exercise restraint and best judgment, adding that these are trying times but at end of the day, the interest of all our health patients and our all our people in keeping Covid 19 out of the country must be kept paramount always.

“This demands unprecedented levels of commitment and dedication and so it is important that due process is invoked to address grievances.”

—OPPOSITION PRESS

Gov’t seasonal labour plan is not good enough: Wale

Written by
Press Release
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Part of a group of Solomon Islanders who went under the Australian Seasonal Workers Programme and Labour Mobility Scheme. PHOTO AUSTRALIAN HIGH COMMISSION OFFICE

Leader of Opposition Matthew Wale has called on the government to take a more proactive approach to ensure more Solomon Islanders can exploit the opportunities offered by the Australian labour mobility schemes.

Responding to a report by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation that Australia is in desperate need for at least 26,000 farm workers right now, Mr Wale said the Solomon Islands government’s current approach is merely responsive and passive.

He says our government should be proactively seeking out where these 26,000 farm jobs are, who the farmers are, and working to recruit 26,000 young Solomon Islanders to match to this need.

The Opposition Leader says the government’s target of reaching 2,000 of our workers in Australia by the end of December 2021 is just not good enough in view of the number of farm jobs needed in Australia now.

Wale points out that for a truly proactive approach, the government should not administer the labour mobility schemes but totally contract the responsibility out to the private sector on an incentivised basis that rewards the contractor on the number of Solomon Islanders matched to employers in Australia.

He says to maximise job opportunities for Solomon Islanders in Australia under the schemes, it is important that Solomon Islands has capacity in Australia actively searching for such opportunities, adding that this is not being done at the moment, and he doubts a government department or unit could do such work.

“But this is what our young people desperately need to happen. Government is always going to be constrained by lack of resources, bureaucracy and red tape,” says the Opposition Leader.

Wale said it is tragic that the government seems unmoved in seeking to substantially increase the number of Solomon Islanders working in Australia, noting that our young people desperately need jobs, Australian farmers desperately need 26,000 workers right now, but our government only hopes to reach 2,000 of our workers in Australia by the end of 2021.

The Opposition Leader went on to add that “This is simply a terrible outcome for our people and economy. It is inexcusable in light of the need in both countries. There are no jobs for young Solomon Islanders in our own economy. In fact life has become very hard. There are many households that are struggling to even have one meal each day. There are many kids who are out of school because parents cannot afford school fees.

“Our government’s economic policies will not address these hardships. But one thing it can do is be more proactive is securing the farm jobs in Australia for young Solomon Islanders.

“It would go a long way toward relieving the hardships that families face, and improving cash flow through the economy from the remittances. It’s a no-brainer of a policy, but government needs to outsource this function if we hope to exploit these opportunities for our people,” the Opposition Leader adds.

—OPPOSITION PRESS

3,692 fully vaccinated against covid-19: PM

Written by
Mavis Podokolo
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First Member of Parliament to receive complete doses of COVID-19 vaccine. Congratulations Hon. Lanelle Olandrea Tanangada.

 BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO

A total of 3,692 individuals have been “fully vaccinated”, says prime minister Manasseh Sogavare.

These vaccinations are from both AstraZeneca and Sinopharm vaccines.

Sogavare yesterday said a total of 21,742 covid doses have been administered as of Friday last week

He said of the 21,742 doses 16,437 doses are AstraZeneca vaccines of which 14,357 administered on first dose and 2,073 second dose. And for Sinopharm, 5,305 doses have been administered, 3686 on first dose and 1619 on second dose.

“Based on these figures, a total of 3,692 people have now been fully vaccinated against the COVID-19 from two vaccines the AstraZeneca and Sinopharm used in the country,” Sogavare said.

He adds by reiterating that both approved vaccines are safe for use and preventing severe illness, hospitalisation and even death from covid-19.

“Covid-19 vaccination is the only effective and efficient way in which we can protect ourselves, our families, our communities and our country from the global covid-19 pandemic,” Sogavare said.

He encouraged those who yet to be vaccinated to go forward to any vaccination centre as soon as possible get your first covid-19 vaccination.

No payment from One Link since Dec 2019: Witness

Written by
Jennifer Kusapa
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BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

More damning allegations against the One Link money scheme have surfaced in court.

A prosecution witness who claim to be one of the mentors of the One Link Pacifica money scheme revealed in court yesterday that from nine deposits he made from December 24, 2019 to February 20, 2020 no payments or refunds have been made.

Prosecution witness Thomas Anitau was giving evidence in court on the case against Gerard Tauohu who was charged with five counts of simple larceny relating to One Link.

Anitau said he was introduced to the scheme in September 2019 by a teacher from Tamlan and joined One Link scheme as a customer.

“When I joined one-link I also introduced the scheme to others in which many people followed me and registered to join one-link, the teacher who is my mentor then suggested to me, I can register as a mentor since I have many clients.

“Therefore, on December 19 2019 I registered and started to register clients under me,” Anitau said.

He said he started collecting money from December 20 to 23 and then went to Rifle Range area and deposited the money there.

“I collected the monies and recorded how many people who came and registered under my link and on December 23 2019 I closed the forms for that day and the next day December 24 I went to Rifle Range with the form containing the names of those people joined and the monies and deposited to Isom Dora,” Anitau said.

He said the person who received the monies from him was Isom Dora and the accused, Gerard, was one of the staff who worked with the scheme.

He told the court, since joining One Link as one of the mentors he had made nine deposits, all of which had not received any returns by way of refund or payment.

Prosecution also questioned him whether any follow-up was made; Anitau said they made follow-ups with One Link almost every day but were told continuously that the monies were not ready.

Tauohu was arrested in relation to this case by police after receiving complaints from One Link mentors and customers who had not received their payments from the director as promised.

Allegation said that Tauohu obtained more than $400,000 from six mentors between December 2019 and February 2020 and failed to pay them their promised interests.

He then allegedly escaped to Malaita and was arrested after police received complaints from the scheme’s mentors and customers who had invested in the scheme last year but were yet to receive their payments.

The Office of the Director Public Prosecution appears for the crown while Ronald Dive represents the accused.

Trial continues before Deputy Chief Magistrate Ricky Iomea.

One Link and Dora case returns today

Written by
Jennifer Kusapa
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BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

THE case against the owner of One Link Pacifica Charles Dora will appear again in court today for plea.  

His case was mentioned in court yesterday for plea but since the defence lawyer was on leave, the court adjourned the case to today for plea and possible bail application.

Mr Dora is facing two charges under the financial institution act 1998.

Prosecution said on July 4, 2019, One-link Pacifica was formally registered at the company Haus under the name of Mr Charles Dora as Director. There is a business certificate in file as it appears, Mr Charles Dora is a Director of OLP, registered under business name one link Pacifica Business number 20191217 issued by Company Haus. Mr Dora is the proprietor and sole trader of the OLP, he is also a manager for online mentors.

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.

Prosecution alleged that Dora collected deposits from mentors by way of online deposits. Huge number of public members invested their money through his agencies, which totaled up to $56,440,475 went missing and has not been recovered since.

The monies were from people who invested their money into One link Pacifica, the company owned by the accused.

Prosecution also said that between the period of December 2019 to March 2020, investors did not receive their money as promised. Within the period, CBSI warned public members about the operation of the schemed, that one-link Director Mr Charles Dora did not apply for a licence under the FIA to engage in the business of banking in Solomon Islands.

On March 4, 2020, CBSI wrote to Charles Dora as Director of One-Link to make available to CBSI record, books or accounts relating to the business for examination within 7 working days pursuant to section 3(3) of the FIA. However, Mr Dora did not provide detail documents or failed to comply such their bank account details, receipt books and accounts books.

Later on, March 27, 2020, CBSI informed Police that One-link Pacifica seem to be operating as a banking business, and does not comply with the Financial Institution Act.

Prosecution alleged that Dora knowing his co-accused was arrested on April 4, 2020, went and hid at Russel Islands, Central Islands Province up until his arrest on June 1, 2021.

Wale calls for action to save Lata airport runway

Written by
Press Release
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Leader of Opposition, Matthew Wale

Leader of Opposition Matthew Wale has called on the Commissioner of Forests to suspend Xian Ling Timber (SI) Ltd’s logging licence for the damage the company is causing to the Lata airstrip runway; and to direct the company to repair the damage immediately.

The Opposition Leader’s call follows a recent report that the company’s ongoing use of the runway as a logging road is destroying the condition of the runway making it unsafe for planes to land.

“This is just not on and I am surprised that no action has been taken earlier to stop this reckless attitude resulting in Solomon Airlines raising safety concerns over the company’s activities.  

“It is mandatory under our laws for logging companies to build their own operation related roads and to respect public and private property.  

“This is clearly not the case here and this does not reflect well on the responsible authorities,” says Mr Wale.

Lata Airport provides a vital link between Temotu province and the rest of the country, and this link is vital for medical and economic reasons amongst others and so any activities interfering with these important needs should not be tolerated and must be dealt with severely.

“I therefore call on the Commissioner of Forests to quickly suspend this company’s operations, to call on it to rectify the damage done and to ensure that it does not use the runaway again,” he adds.

—OPPOSITION PRESS

Mobile phone owner arrested over death of alleged robber

Written by
Jennifer Kusapa
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BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

A 23-year-old man has been arrested over the death of another man who reportedly stole a mobile phone belonging to the arrestee.

A police statement yesterday said the 23-year-old gave himself up to police following discussions with them.

He was formally arrested at his home and charged on June 18. He is being remanded awaiting court.

Police say he is being charged with murder ‘contrary to section 200 of the penal code. The suspect has remanded at the Rove Correctional Centre on June 19, 2021. He will appear before the Honiara Central Magistrates Court on 2 July 2021’.

The suspect was arrested in relation to an incident which occurred on the morning of June 12, behind the Kwaimani building, Kukum area.

Information gathered by police said an argument broke out over a mobile phone that was taken from the now murder-suspect and the deceased’s group at Kukum area.

The deceased was among five others who stole a mobile phone from the suspect and his cousin brother. It was during that time a fight broke out between them.

Police said: “The deceased and his group attacked the suspect and fell on the ground since he was out numbered.

“The suspect stood up and continued to fight the deceased and his group. It was alleged at that time the suspect punched the deceased head, and he fell on the road unconsciously. The suspect escaped while the deceased group chased him.

“The deceased later assisted by his friends back to Bua valley area after the incident, and they left him at a market stall with injuries at the back of his head.

“The deceased friends asked him to eat and go to the hospital for a medical treatment, but he refused.

“About 1pm on 14 June 2021, the deceased was rushed to the National Referral Hospital and was pronounced death.”

‘Unsworn’ Makira chiefs cautioned

Written by
Brian Lezutuni
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The Commissioner for Oaths in Makira Ulawa Province, Jack Faga has reminded people who have been performing Chiefs’ roles and functions in three Wards of Central Makira Constituency without being sworn in on oath that they could be abusing and misusing chiefly authority.

Mr Faga said in a public notice displayed on Notice Boards in Kira Kira, the Provincial Capital on June 7, 2021 that there are people in the three wards who have been performing and exercising roles and functions of Chiefs without being sworn in on oath.

He said such people could be abusing and misusing Chiefly Authority when they indulged in “Un-chiefly” conducts and compromising one’s performances in conflicts of interest situations.

Faga sounded out the warnings as the Commissioner for Oaths for Solomon Islands who commissioned the Swearing-In of a huge number of Chiefs in “our Province on August 2007 under the 2006 Makira Ulawa Province Council of Chiefs Ordinance.

“I wish to sound out these warnings as a matter of awareness in a very clear and precise manner to persons performing and exercising roles and functions as Chiefs in   Wards 9, 10 and 11 in Central Makra Constituency”.

He reminds people who engage themselves in Customary Land Disputes Settlement Hearings who have not been sworn in and commissioned either by him or any other Commissioner for Oaths lack the legal capacity and authority to perform and carry out such roles and functions.

And any involvement of such persons in Customary Land Dispute Settlement hearings automatically renders the entire hearing process including the judgment itself and orders to be void.

But Faga says Chiefs who have taken the Oath and have been commissioned must be mindful and cautious of how they use their authority in performing and exercising their roles and functions, because any act or omission that constitutes an abuse or misuse of chiefly authority is a serious matter that could result in:

a)            The nullification of their work; b) tarnishing their credibility and integrity and c) destroying the trust and confidence the public has of them.

He also wants Chiefs that have been sworn in and commissioned to be always conscious of their conducts in the public and private domains because any behavior and conduct that brings disrepute, mockery and contempt to their chiefly status and esteem and respect accorded to them by society is a valid and compelling ground for revoking the Oath and removing the Authority bestowed on them.

Faga also wants chiefs who have been sworn in and commissioned must at all times avoid and refrain themselves from situations where the performance of their roles is compromised because of personal interests.

He adds occurrences of such situations not only subject their work to public ridicule and criticisms but leaves very poor moral judgment on their neutrality and impartiality which can often lead to disrespectful attitude towards them by members of the public.

“I, therefore strongly urge people who are currently performing and exercising roles and functions as Chiefs in the three Wards of Central Makira Constituency to take heed of the warnings and to comply accordingly,” says Faga.

In his closing remarks, he says the awareness is not intended to pass judgment or condemnation on anyone in particular, rather it is purposely aimed at helping Chiefs to undertake personal reflections and self-examinations of their conducts and the manner in which they have been discharging their responsibilities over the years, so as to enable them to cause necessary adjustments in order to keep and maintain public trust and confidence on them.

By George Atkin

Kira Kira

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