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Police yet to produce bomb explosion report

Written by
Jennifer Kusapa
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RSIPF officers investigating the scene of the incident last year.

BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

POLICE are yet to finalise their report into last September’s bomb explosion at Tasahe, west Honiara, that claimed the lives of two expat workers.

Australian Trent Lee and Briton Stephen “Luke” Atkinson died when an unexploded ordnance detonated in their rented property.

They were employees of Norwegian People’s Aid (NPA), engaged by the United States Government to map out munitions across the country.

The project was suspended after the incident, awaiting police investigation into the explosion.

Eight months on, police say they are yet to finalise their report.

As a result, the US Government says their project with Norwegian People’s Aid remained suspended.

“We still have a contract with NPA to survey unexploded ordnance in Solomon Islands,” Chad Morris, Public Affairs and Economic Officer at the US Embassy in Port Moresby, told Island Sun.

“However, all work were halted after two NPA workers died when a bomb they were handling exploded,” he added.

“We are waiting for the final report from the Solomon Islands Police Force before restarting work.”

Police did not indicate when their report will be ready.

“This was not an easy investigation,” Police Commissioner Mostyn Mangau told Island Sun yesterday.

“That’s because it requires technical expertise,” he added.

“We are now looking at finalizing our report, which will be then presented to the UXO technical committee.

“The committee will deal with the report before liaising with NPA.

“And it’s the committee that will decide on the future engagement of NPA.”

Meanwhile, Moris said the NPA project is the only program they are funding in Solomon Islands to deal with the issue of unexploded World War II bombs.

And he added they are ready to re-engage in their work in Solomon Islands as soon as they have the final report from the Solomon Islands police.

“Until then, our work must remain suspended.

“That said, we continue to explore other avenues to assist with the removal of unexploded bombs.”

Moris said over the past decade, they have invested more than USD$6 million (SBD$48 million) in support of the Solomon Islands government’s effort to survey and clear UXO under the U.S. Conventional Weapons Destruction program.   

Per H Breivik of NPA told Island Sun they too are still waiting for the competition of the accident investigation report from the police.

The issue of unexploded WWII bombs resurfaced two weeks ago when two young men were killed when a second world war bomb exploded in a residential area at Lengakiki.

Raziv Hilly and Charles Noda were part of a group of Seventh Day Adventists youth who were cooking in the backyard of the house for a fundraiser when the explosion occurred on 9 May.

A 105mm high explosive US projectile was buried 30cm beneath the ground where they were cooking.

Raziv, a civil engineer, took the brunt of the explosion and died shortly afterwards.

Noda, a forensic accountant, died six days after the explosion from his injuries.

Noda’s wife was also injured in the blast and was taken to hospital.

SolAir denies ‘conflict of interest’ report.

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
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Solomon Airlines airbus

By EDDIE OSIFELO

SOLOMON Airlines Ltd has denied any conflict of interest by its Chief Executive Officer, Brett Gebers, in promoting another airline in Australia.

Former Special Secretary to Prime Minister, Andrew Muaki claimed on social media that the CEO is the key adviser to a new airline company starting up in Australia called “Brad”.

Muaki claimed the founding Director of Brad has teamed up with Solomon Airline’s CEO and other experienced aviators, and are planning a revolutionary new way for Australians to travel.

“This is shocking news in the face of all the media news about the Solomon Airline’s CEO losing millions of dollars and driving Solomon Airlines into the verge of liquidation.

“This is definitely a conflict of interest – and it is happening in broad daylight.

“A lot of questions have to be answered honestly. How can a CEO of a National SOE company involve himself with another airline, whilst Solomon Airlines is in a state of bankruptcy?” he asked.

Muaki claimed that recently the Government has had to inject millions of dollars to keep it afloat -and yet the CEO uses his time and energy on another airline, and their venture?

He said this is a conflict of interest in his current role as CEO of Solomon Airlines.

“The CEO must be removed for this is further evidence of his apathy, and shows his little to no interest in Solomon Airlines,” he said.

However, Chairman of Solomon Airlines Board, Frank Wickham said there is no conflict of interest.

“Our CEO’s name was used without his permission. 

“He is not involved with this airline crowdfunding activity, this is misleading and we have asked for his name and profile to be removed,” he said.

“The correct position is that with the awareness of the Solomon Airlines board, on an unpaid basis a long time back, he had provided very limited technical advice to the founder, who he has known personally for many years. 

“He is not a key advisor, and has no formal association with this crowdfunding activity,” Wickham said.

The CEO is currently in Australia after COVID-19 impacts the operation of the airline.

Malaita gov’t to turn to public to decide on Chinese company.

Written by
Samie Waikori
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BY SAMIE WAIKORI

AUKI

The provincial government of Malaita (MPG) will likely leave the decision to its public to allow or prohibit a Chinese firm to construct the Fiu bridge.

The Chinese firm is China Harbour Engineering Company, one with links to the Communist party government of PRC.

This paper was reliably informed the matter was brought to the Malaita executive by Solomon Island Roads and Aviation Project (SIRAP) team on Tuesday this week, but has not been decided on by the Malaita government.

The executive is yet to deliberate on the matter during the current executive meeting; that

It is said the Malaita executive would deliberate on the matter, either today or tomorrow.

It is also reported that deliberations will not be for a decision, rather to look at ways to bring the matter to the Malaitan public – who will make the decision.

Malaita’s government sees this as the right way forward for a government which represents its people and works together with its people.

MPG wants development and is keen to work together with the national government and SIRAP.

However, the Auki Communiqué does not allow Chinese investors or companies in the province, whether or not it is sanctioned by the national government.

A statement issued by Malaita’s political advisory body (PARU) to media on Wednesday alleged that  the permanent secretary to the ministry of Communication and Aviation threatened to pull out the SIRAP project components from Malaita Province.

The PS could not be reached for comments.

It alleged that the PS threatened this in order to force the MPG to accept the Chinese company (CHEC) earmarked to build Fiu Bridge. 

“He will pull out the SIRAP project from Malaita province. He arrogantly said that everything depends on him and he will pull the plug if he wishes,” said the PARU statement.

The statement also said that MPG is monitoring the situation and premier Suidani had written to World Bank for clarifications on its procurement processes that SIG used for the Fiu Bridge.

It said the premier and his executive reserve the right to seek further intervention from the World Bank Inspection Panel should MPG feels that the conduct of implementing the Fiu Bridge has not been satisfactory.

Police still clueless over missing $300k

Written by
Jennifer Kusapa
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BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

Nearly a year on and the Royal Solomon Islands police force is left biting its nails over the $300,000 evidence cash which went missing under its nose.

Even the police commissioner is scratching his head over it.

In his weekly press conference yesterday, Commissioner Mostyn Mangau admitted that he is yet to get an update on the investigation into the missing $300,000 exhibit money.

Police had announced in an earlier media statement that this case would be one of their priority investigations, especially for its internal affairs unit (PSII).

The cash exhibit went missing while under police custody in October last. However, police only went public with it in February this year.

Since then, it has become a thorn for the force. One police officer is the lead suspect. The officer has chosen to remain silent.

“No update yet on the investigation of the missing money, once I have an update then I will update you on that issue,” Mangau told reporters yesterday.

Previously police said that it was a priority investigation for the Professional Standard Internal Investigation (PSII), thus a thorough investigation would be conducted, looking at all avenues how the money is missing or stolen from the exhibit facility and also at possible recovery of the missing money

Court circuit lands 7 in jail

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Press Release
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In-court

A recent four-day court circuit at Taro in Choiseul Province heard 51 cases resulting in the conviction and imprisonment of seven suspects after being found guilty of various charges.

The court circuit was held by a Magistrate, Police prosecutors from Gizo and Taro, a Court clerk and a lawyer from the Public Solicitor’s Office from May 10-14, 2021.

The seven suspects were convicted and imprisoned for;

  • House breaking Contrary to  Section 300 (a) of the penal code
  • Malicious damage Contrary to  Section 326 (1) of the Penal Code and
  • Common assault  Contrary to  Section 244 of the Penal Code;

All convicted defendants were transported to Gizo Correctional Centre in Western Province where they were served their terms in prison.

The rest of the 51 cases resulted in fines, further adjournments, resummon, and suspended sentence and dismissals.

Provincial Police Commander (PPC) Choiseul Province, Superintendent Vincent Eria says, “On behalf of the Royal Solomon Island Police Force (RSIPF) and people of Choiseul Province I would like to thank the office of the Chief Magistrate for scheduling the court circuits for this year.

“I want to warn all my good people in Choiseul Province not to take the laws into your own hands. Our laws are there to protect us and to ensure we respect one another in our communities.

“I want to thank all my Officers for the hard work rendered towards the court and also the people of Choiseul for their assistances to have this court done successfully.”

–POLICE MEDIA

Police echo call for men to respect women-girls

Written by
Jennifer Kusapa
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Police Commissioner Mostyn Mangau.

BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

Police are echoing the call for men and boys to respect women and girls.

This follows the latest case in which a 39-year-old man is being charged for the alleged rape of a 13-year-old girl, whom police say the accused is related to.

The incident reportedly took place in the Western province on April 29 this year.

Police Commissioner Mostyn Mangau, in his weekly press conference yesterday, condemned the incident, calling on men to respect their counter gender of all ages.

He said men should respect women and girls as such incident will affect the victims for the rest of their lives and it is against the law of this country.

He also calls on parents to always look after their children to avoid being sexually harassed by some selfish minded men in the communities.

Mangau said regarding the rape allegation, from reports obtained by police, the suspect was drunk at the time of the incident.

Mangau said police were alerted about the incident and the suspect was arrested and charged with one count 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.

He also said that investigation is ongoing regarding the incident.

Murder accused without lawyer

Written by
Jennifer Kusapa
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BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

A man facing murder charge is without a lawyer, more than a month after being placed in custody.

Principal Magistrate Fatimah Taeburi yesterday made direction for the Public Solicitor’s Office to allocate a defence lawyer for the murder accused, who has been remanded since April 4, 2021.

The accused on the previous occasion told court that he had already made request to the PSO for a lawyer.

Ms Taeburi said the charge against the accused is serious and PSO should prioritise the matter and allocate a lawyer to assist the accused.

Meanwhile prosecution told court that investigations have already completed, once a lawyer has been allocated to represent the accused then disclosures will be served.

Taeburi then adjourned the case for May 26 for mention and made directions for PSO to allocate a lawyer for the accused.

This is the case of Mathew Kosa Manebona who is facing one count of murder in relation to the alleged murder incident of a 25-year-old male person at Halavo on April 5, 2021.

It is alleged that the deceased and the suspect were having an argument and was out of control, as a result the suspect grabbed a knife and cut the victim on the left side of his head and stabbed him on the right side of his stomach.

Police in Tulagi were alerted and officers attended to that report in which he was arrested and charged for the offence committed.

The body of the deceased was then transported to the Tulagi Hospital but later referred to the National Referral Hospital (NRH), where medical authorities confirmed the death of the victim.

Makira-Ulawa farmers trained on cocoa and copra for export

Written by
Press Release
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Practical students at a Rural Training Centre (TRC) at a farm close to Kirakira where participants at the workshop visited.

Twenty (20) rural farmers and entrepreneurs in Makira/Ulawa Province are now equipped with the relevant knowledge to produce good and quality Copra and Cocoa to meet requirement needed in exporting their products.

This was following a Cocoa and Copra Processing Quality Assurance and Marketing training conducted in the provincial capital Kirakira from May 10-13, 2021.

The training was funded by the Pacific Horticultural and Agricultural Market Access Program (PHAMA), coordinated by the Export Industry Development Department of the Solomon Islands Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SICCI) and facilitated by Commodities Export Marketing Authority (CEMA).

It targeted those involved in the export supply chain of Cocoa and Copra to ensure consistent supply of quantity and quality production is achieved.

The training also covered the preparatory tasks farmers should be aware of in preparation for the implementation of the Registration of Cocoa Processing Facilities which includes drying facilities, fermenting boxes and storage sheds as stated in the CEMA Act 2013.

This is also in line with the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock’s 10-year Strategic Plan detailing all processing facilities to be registered so that good quality copra and cocoa can be effectively monitored, tracked and traced back to its original processing facilities while ensuring the quality of copra and cocoa production supply in the Solomon Islands.

SICCI’S Export Industry Development Officer (EIDO), Mr Ronnie Golopitu said the Cocoa and Copra Processing Quality Assurance and Marketing training was the first of its kind to be jointly conducted with the aim of providing basic information on the practices of producing and processing good quality and marketing of cocoa beans and copra to those in the supply end.

“Noting that, it is of paramount importance that only top-quality copra and cocoa will determine the quality of these products and ensure good overseas market preferences,” he said.

Golopitu said cocoa and copra are the longest standing commercial smallholder income generating activity in our provinces which of importance to the national economy and to rural households.

He further acknowledges the fact that Makira/Ulawa Province has been recently identified as a cocoa hub with an increased provincial production of around 2.3% in 2020 and an increase by 6% in copra production in the same year.

Overall, the training was described as a success as evident from feedbacks received from participants as they have now identified their weaknesses in the cocoa and copra value chain.

Participants are looking forward to utilise the skills and knowledge gained from the five-day training in producing good quality copra and cocoa to meet export standards and requirements as a way forward.

The partnership between PHAMA, CEMA and SICCI continues to be key in reaching out to businesses of the export sector that are based in the provinces.

–SICCI MEDIA

Mani calls on CoL to grant FTE to Chengs

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
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0

By EDDIE OSIFELO

CHENG’s Construction Limited wants Commissioner of Lands, Allan McNeil to grant the Fixed Term Estate title over the land at Aligator Creek, east Honiara.

This after the company paid $450,000 to Levers Solomons Ltd in 2018.

According to the letter produced by Robert Mani, Levers Solomons Ltd Board Director, Patrick Wong reportedly requested former Commissioner of Lands (COL), Nelson No’oapu to give consent to transfer FTE to Chengs on November 30, 2018.

As a result, No’oapu granted LSL to transfer FTE to Chengs.

Mani, who owns a consulting firm and engaged by Chengs to follow up on the FTE transfer.

He said the company do not want its money back but for the Commissioner to grant the land to it because it paid LSL already.

Mani said the company welcomes the call by Transparency Solomon Islands for reporting the forgery allegation to police and refusing to grant the Fixed Term Estate (FTE) to Chengs Constructions Ltd.

The allegation [forgery] by the Commissioner of Lands that the signature of the Levers [RIPEL?] Solomons Ltd Board Director, Mr. Patrick Wong was forged is a serious allegation requiring the police and other responsible institutions [JANUS] to step in, investigate and arrest the person or persons or firms hired or engaged by Chengs Company implicated in this corrupt dealing.

Mani said Chengs has followed all the process to pay the land from LSL.

He urges Police to arrest the person who breached the law.

Gov’t visits SITCO factory

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Press Release
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Finance Minister, Hon Harry Kuma during a recent visit to Solomon Islands Tobacco Company

THE Minister of Commerce, Trade, Labour and Immigration, Fredrick Kologeto has congratulated Solomon Islands Tobacco Company for their economic contributions to the local economy when marking the launch of the EY independent report.

Minister Kologeto made the commendation during a government visit to the SITCo factory recently.

He praised SITCO for the great work on building its talent base, building a good working culture as well as the ESG (Environment, Society, Governance) initiatives.

“It reassures our Government its views that businesses need to support investments locally in the Solomon Islands and in doing so, it is very important to encourage more role models”, Hon Fredrick said.

“Multinationals like SITCo bring world-class best practices to our country. This helps develop local standards and local talent as well

He said the people whom SITCo developed over the years go on to work for other companies in Solomons or even with Government and their experiences help us uplift the wider communities.  

SITCo has invested more than $25m in capital projects in their factory over the last five years. This is on top of more than one billion dollars of taxes paid to the Solomon Islands Government. Some of these investments it hopes will help Government widen the tax net by offering taxed alternatives to cottage tobacco consumers.

Minister of Finance, Harry Kuma in acknowledging the health risks further added, “We know tobacco products can have health implications and it our responsibility toensure smokers understand the risk. As such we the Government have implemented laws to ensure all packaging has health warnings on it amongst other strict requirements whilst understanding that smoking remains a legal choice for adults.

He said Solomon Islands has not been immune to the economic hardships being faced around the world because of COVID crisis. 

“Our 2021 Development Budget targets sectors that aims to drive economic activity, address food security, support the provision of basic essential services, and support job retention and employment,” said Harry Kuma in his opening remarks.

“The economic returns from these targeted sectors will continue to finance activities in other equally important sectors such as the social sector going into the long term. As such, we fully recognize and appreciate the role Private Sector will need to play in our road to recovery and prosperity”.

–SITCO

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