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CSSI deputy chief calls in at Gizo

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Brian Lezutuni
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Deputy Commissioner Operation inspect the parade during his official visit to Gizo

THE Deputy Commissioner Operation of the Correctional Service of Solomon Islands (CSSI) recently made a visit to the Gizo Correctional Centre.

The official visit by Deputy Commissioner, Michael Nagu was to administer the Centre functions, and brief inmates and Provincial key stakeholders on rehabilitation projects for prisoners, discipline cases, Man power, Centre relocation, staff welfare, stall housing and rehabilitation programmes.

Mr Nagu said the planned outcomes was to ensure the contingency plans are in place for emergency situations.

“All in all, it is to continue with established and accepted standards, fulfil CSSI vision and mission, and reflect values.

The Deputy Commissioner Operation encouraged every officer to progress along with the good works and to maintain the standard of discipline, behaviours in the workplace and work ethics

He asked them to maintain safety and security and standards, implementation of prisoner program activities as rehabilitation is the key priority of Government

The Deputy Commissioner and his team met with the Health Director, Dr. Dickson Boara purposely on the Vaccination of staff.

He said this is based on the plan and activities of preparedness for all front liners to be vaccinated

GCC acting Commandant Inspector Harry Ama thanked the office of the Commissioner and Executive Staff for their timely visit

CSSI Press

TSI’s Call for dissolution of HCC

Written by
Brian Lezutuni
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1
TSI

Corrupt conduct & practice – HCC Lock Up shops

BASED on the evidence per HCC special audit report Transparency Solomon Islands (TSI) calls on the Minister responsible to dissolve the current Honiara City Council (HCC) and put in place a Competent Authority to manage and administer the council in the meantime.

The revelation of the corrupt conduct and practice in the allocation of the HCC Lock Up Shops is but one of the examples of why the council should be dissolved and fresh elections called. 

THE recent revelation of the corrupt practices and corrupt conduct by councilors and officials of the Honiara City Council in the allocation of the lock up shop is a clear case of the misuse and abuse of power for personal gain – an unlawful criminal activity.

The selection process used to determine who operates or receive money in exchange for a lock up shop at the Honiara Central Market including other findings of the Audit report warrants the dissolution of the council and holding those responsible to account.

The maladministration, mismanagement, and the misuse and abuse of power for personal gain, conflicts of interest, inside trading etc. has been and is being reportedly widely media [print, broadcast, and social media] verifying that corruption is widespread in HCC.

Whilst media is doing its part exposing corruption, the public is yet to see any action or response from the responsible authorities empowered by the law to holding those responsible to account. 

People are demanding accountability from their government based on the findings of the Auditor General’s audit findings and the former City Clerk’s report.

Transparency Solomon Islands hopes that investigations are now being conducted to assure the rate payers that charges of maladministration, mismanagement, abuse and misuse of power, conflict of interest are brought against those involved named in the former City Clerk’s Report and the Auditor General’s audit report.

The lockup shops are not the only matters that the residents and rate payers of Honiara City Council need an explanation on from the council and its management.

Again, Transparency Solomon Islands raises the issue of the Lock-up shops at the central market.

There is absolutely no excuse why those councilors and HCC officials who are now exposed not to be investigated and charged. 

In this regard TSI is calling on the responsible authorities to charge those involved in the allocation of the Lock-up shops at the central market. 

Yes, there is a new City Mayor but looking at the composition of the Executive, it is the old government and there is no guarantee that they will behave in any different way to the former Maemae led council. 

The best interest of the City must be the priority for the responsible minister. 

The best interest of the HCC is to dissolve the current council and call for fresh election to avoid millions of HCC funds going into what best benefits those sitting in position of power.

Information about the lock up shops revealed that nearly all the lock up shops are owned by councilors, using a different person as the tenant.

In the previous months, complaints as well as information made available to Transparency Solomon Islands (TSI) indicates that the process for the allocation of Lock-up shops to applicants is corrupt or manipulated for the benefit of HCC management and their cronies.

The corrupt manner in which these lock-up shops were allocated has reached unacceptable level and seriously need to be investigated and dealt with.

TSI to date has been provided with the list of councilors who owned the lock up shops, with one councilor currently owning three lock up shops.

Those involved are those that are sitting in positions of power and therefore a clear case of conflict of interest, abuse and misuse of power, and inside trading, all of which are corrupt conducts.

According to information provided to and accessed by TSI, the Councilors that currently award themselves and own the Lockup Shops in the name of someone else are:

[1]. Cr. Francis Idu of Kola ward,

[2]. Cr. Robert Oge of Kukum ward,

[3]. Cr. Clement Terewauri of Mataniko ward.

[4]. Cr. Leonard Solomon Sai (Rented to third party),

[5]. Cr. Billy Abae of Vavaya ward, and

[6]. Cr. Mostyn Saferio of Mbumburu ward.

The officials of HCC owning the Lock Up Shops are:

[1]. Head of Law enforcement of HCC (sold to third party),

[2]. Head of Waste Management of HCC,

[3]. Legal Officer of HCC.

These are the councilors and staffs of HCC that currently owned or sold out the lock up shop outlets to certain people, in exchange for cash benefits.

With information like this why are responsible authorities doing nothing about it?

Other people who currently operate lock up shops with strings attached are:

[1]. Catharine Bertha Taunani,

[2]. Mevilyn Ledi,

[3]. Kesty Sudani.

The committee responsible for the allocation of the lock up shops [2020] is Trade, Industry and Commerce Standing Committee.

A look into who are the members of this committee raises more questions.

It is alleged that the winning bidders win in exchange for cash or other forms of benefits to some city councilors and few senior staff of HCC.

This practice according to complaints raised dates back to 2008 but the responsible authorities have turned a blind eye to it.

The story of one complainant and TSI quotes “I have been applying several times over the years but was never given the chance and later come to learn of the corrupt culture that continues to hinder a fair and transparent manner of allocating lock-up shops.

“There are 15 lock-up shops and four kitchens at the central market and the interesting thing is that those people operating the shops and kitchens can be traced back to their connections to the HCC councilors or senior staff, either as close relative or a friend.

“He added that a friend of his was successful and the way he did it is to give money in return for a favorable outcome and he was selected to operate a lock-up shop at the central market. This is now the practice of the day.”

The allegations raised to Transparency Solomon Islands office is that if one applies one  must know which people [official, Councilor, MP] to give money to in order to be allocated a lock-up shop.

The going price expected by these corrupt officials and councilors in positions of power range between $30,000.00 to $100,000.

It is alleged that these group of Honiara City Councilors and Officials will normally sell shops to their friends and families or to any interested buyer who have the money locking out those that needed income generating to pay for school fees, water and have no other means of income generating.

Not that all applicants would be successful but a fair and transparent process would give everyone who apply an equal opportunity.

It is also alleged that one senior officer of HCC who is also a member of the selection committee awarded himself two lock-up shops where he eventually sold one for a vehicle and another for cash.

These allegations are serious just like those concerning vehicles and fire distinguisher. Transparency Solomon Islands urges the Leadership Code Commission, Independent Commission Against Corruption and other relevant authorities to look into these. Honiara residents need better feeder roads, rubbish collection, and processes and systems that are transparent, and a closure to these allegations.

Lastly the fact that the Legal Officer of the Council is in the thick of the corrupt conduct and practice in the Lock Up Shop allocation indicates how widespread corruption is in HCC. 

Many institutions are legal profession top heavy probably assuming that those in this profession are not prone to being corrupted or corrupting the system for own benefit because they know the law.

The involvement of a legal officer in these corrupt dealings raises the question of can they be trusted.   

Transparency Solomon Islands respects and values the many excellent legal minds that we have but the practice of one or two does no credit to the image that people have of lawyers working in the public sector.

There is no alternative to the way forward but to dissolve the council and call for fresh election.

SECRET GOLD EXPORT

Written by
Brian Lezutuni
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4

Landowners accuse WinWin mining company of lying, seeking $2m compensation

BY ALFRED PAGEPITU

WINWIN Mining company is being accused of hiding its gold export from the landowners of its tenement in Central Guadalcanal.

Turarana landowners are demanding that Winwin pays $2million in compensation.

The landowners claim that Winwin had lied to them about not being able to export gold from 2019-2020, and were stockpiling the gold it mined.

However, the landowners said that they found out from Customs that the company had exported 78.47kg of gold bar from 2019-2020. This they said was done without their knowledge.

A landowner, Joel Jackson told Island Sun that Turarana landowners have held discussions with Director of Mines, Nicholas Biliki, on the issue of mining lease.

Mr Jackson said they were surprised to find out that Winwin Company had signed a mining lease with the national government on December 11, 2018.

“We are confused in this situation,” he said.

Jackson said the landowners had already informed the Registrar of Foreign Investment Division, requesting it cancelled Winwin company’s licence.

“The Registrar told us that the Company had breached some of the regulation and should take action when every formality is sorted out.

“We have been waiting for almost seven months now with no reply from the FID Registrar,” Jackson said.

He said if the government fails to take action against the company, the landowners are planning to issue a seven-day stop-notice to discontinue the alluvial mining operation.

Meanwhile, Winwin company, according to a letter by Director Biliki to the Turarana landowners, is only allowed to carryout alluvial mining but not buy gold.

General Manager of Win Win, Dan Shi could not be reached for comments yesterday. However, the paper is following up on this issue.

Winwin mining company last year made headlines when its camp was robbed by men disguised as police officers and made away with gold bars, $140,000 cash and 15 mobile phones from holed up workers.

Police have arrested the men and the case is currently before the courts.

Australia offers 60k doses of Astra vaccine

Written by
Brian Lezutuni
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Dr Alex Munamua with the AstraZeneca vaccine that arrived last month/

BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO

THE government of Australia has offered 60,000 does of AstraZeneca covid-19 vaccine to Solomon Islands.

This was confirmed by Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare on Monday.

 “I am also extremely happy to inform you that the government of Australia has offered 60,000 doses of AstraZeneca vaccines manufactured from the Commonwealth Serum Laboratories (CSL) in Melbourne,” Sogavare said.

He said Solomon Islands is one of four countries in the region that had been prioritised to be the first recipients of the CSL manufactured AstraZeneca vaccines. The others being Fiji, Papua New Guinea and Timor Lester.

“On behalf of my government, I thanked the government of Australia for this tremendous donation of AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccines which my government accepts,” Sogavare said.

He said the approval and use in Solomon Islands will be considered this week by the National Drugs Medicine and Therapeutic Committee of Solomon Islands.

Sogavare said Australia plans to transport 10,000 doses per week.

He said Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Timor Lester, Tonga and Tuvalu have already given their approvals for this CSL AstraZeneca vaccines. Both Fiji and Timor Lester received their first shipment of CSL AstraZeneca vaccines last week with Fiji receiving 10,000 doses and 20,000 doses for Timor Lester.

“Our Initially allocation of 10,000 was reallocated to Timor Lester because we want to ensure our National Drugs Medicine and Therapeutic Committee have the opportunity to first consider and approve its use in Solomon Islands which will happen this week,” Sogavare said.

He said, “the CSL AstraZeneca vaccines are manufactured using the exact same formular as the AstraZeneca vaccine we have received from India.”

Siapu chairs first Executive meeting

Written by
Brian Lezutuni
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NEW MAYOR: Edmond Siapu after being elected.

New City Mayor Eddie Siapu has chaired his first Executive meeting since taking over the Mayor’s position.

In his remarks, Mr Siapu said he is overwhelmed by the confidence vested upon him to assume the leading role as the Head of HCC Governance.

“Despite all odds, this is the beginning of a new error as you have rightly chosen this pathway for us the new Executive to govern the affairs of the Council.”

Siapu said it will not be a smooth beginning given the challenges ahead in the first few months knowing already the cash flow situation at stake.

“But I trust our capabilities as elected official entrusted by our people to represent them in this honourable house.

“My leadership approach is simply working together and not the adverse, hence my reciprocation in your confidence and trust in me is the new appointments of your portfolios,” he said.

Following the Gazette of the appointment of members of Honiara City Council standing committees by the Minister of Home Affairs Christopher Laore, Mayor Siapu introduces his new Executive.

Councillor for Mataniko Clement Terewauri – Chairperson for Education.

Councillor for Kola Francis Idu – Chairperson for Finance.

Councillor for Naha ward Charles Chekah Aiwosuga – Chairperson for Health.

Councillor for Vuhokesa Luciano Sade – Chairperson for Lands and Planning.

Appointed Councillor Charles Lesimaoma – Chairperson for Law Enforcement.

Councillor for Cruz ward Dorah Huapii Irofia – Chairlady of Trade, Industry and Commerce.

Councillor for Panatina Leonard Saii – Chairperson for Works and Transport.

Councillor for Ngosi Wilson Mamae – Chairperson for Youth, Women and Sport.

Councillor for Mbuburu Mostyn Saferio – Chairperson for Culture and Tourism.

Councillor for Kukum Robert Oge – Chairperson for Waste Management.

Appointed Coucnillor Nina Davis – Chairlady for the Pacific Games 2023 Ad-Hoc Committee

Appointed Councillor Abel Arabola – Chairperson for City Boundary, Landfill and Cemetary Ad-Hoc Committee.

The Executive further approved that the Ministry of Home Affairs will administer the recruitment process of the new City Clerk and Treasurer.

Recommendations for the posts will then be submitted by the Ministry of Home Affairs to the HCC Executive for final the decision and appointment.

–HCC PRESS

Delay to AstraZeneca vaccine from India: PM

Written by
Brian Lezutuni
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0
AstraZeneca vaccine. Photo by NDTV.

BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO

ASTRAZENECA covid-19 vaccine supply from India to Solomon Islands could potentially be delayed due to India’s covid-19 situation, says Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare.

Sogavare echoed this earlier this week in his national address.

“As COVID-19 situation in India affects the global supply from India that could potentially delay the supply of AstraZeneca vaccines from India whether through the COVAX facility or from the 600 000 doses that the government of India had indicated it would consider supply it to Solomon Islands,” he said.

Sogavare said despite the delay of AstraZeneca vaccines supply from India he is pleased that Australia has stepped in to ensure Solomon Islands received the regular supply of AstraZeneca vaccines in the next couple of months.

“I am also extremely pleased to inform you that the government of Australia had indicated it can provide more doses of CSL AstraZeneca vaccine to Solomon Islands over and above the initially allocation of 60 000 doses it would start delivering from this week,” he said.

Sogavare said he had directed the Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS) to expedite the analysis and recommendation on the total number of additional doses of CSL AstraZeneca vaccines the government will request from Australian government in the next few days.

He said this request will incorporate the country’s intentions to fully vaccinate the total eligible population in Solomon Islands by December this year.

“I am grateful confident the between the COVAX facility, Australia, India and China together with support from other partners my government will secure the prerequisite number of vaccines to cover the whole country by December this year,” Sogavare said.

SIPA denies claims of missing items at Ports

Written by
Brian Lezutuni
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CHIEF Executive Officer of the Solomon Islands Ports Authority Eranda Kotelawala

BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

CHIEF Executive Officer of the Solomon Islands Ports Authority has refuted claims made on social media claiming that some imported items went missing at the Ports storage.

CEO Eranda Kotelawala responded to a query made by this paper saying he cannot comment on allegations that were not made directly to his office.

He said it is a common practice by people claiming that their imported items were stolen by Ports.

“Without a direct complaint coming to me, I cannot comment on such allegations. If there is a complaint it should come to me then I will investigate and take necessary actions. 

“This is a common practice of some consignees making false claims for items lost in transit saying it’s stolen by ports. We have CCTV surveillance to trace any culprits if it happened in the ports”, Kotelawala said. 

Last week there were complaints and concerns raised in the social media of missing car parts/accessories from imported cars and vehicles.

A concerned man posted on social-media that they experienced their ordered items not fully delivered to them but went missing when it arrived at the Port.

The concerned man said such happening has been a practice for some time and call on the employees and the management to stop and handle ordered items properly.

Ruling on electoral case adjourned

Written by
Brian Lezutuni
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BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

Verdict on an electoral fraud case will be made when it is heard on May 14.

Principal Magistrate Felix Hollison will deliver his ruling on the case of a man alleged to have provided false information to a Solomon Islands Electoral Official in June 2018 during the voter registration period.

Hollison made the adjournment when the case was mentioned yesterday before court.

He said that he will deliver the ruling on May 14, 2021.

The accused of this case is Alif Vai who was accused for multiple registrations in 2018 for the National General Election.

He is charged with seven counts of Misleading Information under section 113 (2) of the Electoral Act which carries a maximum penalty of $50,000 – or five-years imprisonment or both.

Prosecution alleged that after the registration period was over electoral officials found him registering several times with different names and reported him to the police for investigation.

It is alleged that the accused registered to vote on seven separate occasions, using different names, dates of birth and other details on each occasion.

Prosecution also said that only one of the seven registrations allegedly included his correct details.

Office of the Director Public Prosecutions appears for the crown on the case

Judgment on sexual offence case moved to May 18

Written by
Brian Lezutuni
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In-court

BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

CHIEF Justice Sir Albert Palmer will deliver his verdict on the case of a man, who is alleged to have raped his daughter in 2016, next week.

The verdict was supposed to have been made yesterday afternoon at the High Court but was deferred to May 18, 2021.

This is the case where prosecution allege that an accused had sexual intercourse with the victim without her consent.

Prosecution said the accused man is the victim’s father.

The allegation said the first incident occurred on August 25, 2016 when the victim went to her father’s house to have some food during school break-time; and the second incident occurred after the class prep at night in September of that same year.

Prosecution alleged that the man had sexual intercourse with his daughter twice in 2016 on different dates, at that time.

The case was reported to police in which the accused was arrested and charged with two counts of rape relating to the incident.

The accused is being represented by a lawyer from the Public Solicitor’s office.

Closing submission on traffic case soon

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Brian Lezutuni
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BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

THE case of a man alleged to have caused the death of another man at the Foxwood area last year is set for closing submissions at the Honiara Central Magistrate Court.

Lawyers in charge of the case will file their submissions before the court can decide on the verdict.

This is the case against Simon Peter Sonithagea, who is charged by police with one count of causing death by reckless and dangerous driving under the traffic offences Act.

The allegation says a bounty brand vehicle white in colour was driving from the eastern side to westerly direction, by a male person.

It is alleged that some witnesses to the incident said that the vehicle seemed to be travelling at a high speed by hearing how it sounded and when it approached the labour line bus stop fox-wood area, the vehicle did hit something with a loud blast sound as they could hear the sound of scratching tyres against the road, as the vehicle did fell off the road into the nearby road side drain.

Police also said the deceased man was alleged to have been drunk and incapably laid asleep on the road; unfortunately the approaching vehicle did not see him to escape the hit.

It is alleged that the accused took the forehead of the deceased as he quickly turned unexpectedly without expected movement. As a result of the unexpected twist and turn, the accused vehicle then hit the deceased’s head and actually stitched into the road side drain.

Police said at the crime scene witnesses and police came across a male person by the name of Simon Peter Sonithagea, in which he confirmed that he was the owner of the vehicle and was the driver of the vehicle at the time of accident.

Sonithagea was then brought to Henderson police station, questioned and then later charged by police for that incident.

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