ANOTHER group of Solomon Islanders left yesterday to work in Australia.
They are the latest to travel under the Australian Seasonal Worker Programme (SWP).
Again, public reaction to this latest travel was mixed.
While the majority are happy to see friends ands loved ones go, a few expressed scepticism and negativity.
They described the SWP as another “blackbirding”.
They felt instead of sending our people to go and work overseas, the Government should create more jobs at home to keep our people here.
Others assert our people should be creative and engage in other economic activities than seeking work overseas.
These critics may have a point.
But here’s the thing.
No matter how hard the Government tries to create more jobs at this time, not everyone will get a job.
It is just not possible at this time.
This is why we must not turn away possible job opportunities that are offered on our plates.
Working on a farm in Australia at this time is better than roaming the street of Honiara daily doing nothing.
One gets to earn an income and support his or her family back home.
The fact is the current SWP scheme has filled up an urgent void in our local labour market.
Those involved are earning an income that they would not have earned had it not been for such a scheme.
Besides experiencing a new way of life, they are also learning valuable skills and new attitude to work in a developed country like Australia.
Those who have previously participated in the scheme have a lot to say about it in terms of the lessons learned and the experiences gained.
Of course our participation in the scheme does not take away the Government’s obligation to facilitate and or create new job opportunities for our people.
The role will remain as long as we have a government and an economy.
This however, should not stop our people from participating in the work schemes Australia or New Zealand.
Those who say we shouldn’t be taking part in the work program need to think again!
IN support of my previous article on the question whether SIPA is monopoly I would like to draw reader’s attentions to the long drawn trail of errors and, lack of due diligence perpetrated since the time of Colin Yaw as CEO.
Without experience in International Port Management, Colin Yaw was selected for other reasons and was placed as the administration head of SIPA.
I took time to revisit the Commission of Inquiry (COI) report into SIPA’s Reform Program chaired by Anthony Hughes in 2017.
This is what the COI report says; I quote, “TOR 2(c): The appointment of Colin Yow as Chief Executive Officer, including the manner in which he was engaged and whether sufficient due diligence was undertaken before the appointment was made.
“Following the termination of William Barile as CEO in 2013, the SIPA Board advertised the position on 19 March 2014.
“Eight applications were received, but the Board decided the position should be re-advertised as most of the candidates shortlisted were not suitable.
“The re-advertisement stated that candidates must have experience in port operations and management. Four candidates including Colin Yow were shortlisted for interviews.
“Subsequently Colin Yow was interviewed in Singapore on 3 October 2014 by the Chairman Nollen Leni, Vice Chairman Moses Virivolomo and Directors Pascal Ohoau and Ken Grossmith.
“The assessment sheets used for the interviews scored Colin Yow as the preferred candidate. His CV states that he was a Trainee Manager with Singapore Ports Authority from 1972 to 1974, and subsequently had considerable experience in advising financially troubled businesses.
“There is no record of any reference or history checks or other ‘due diligence’ inquiries being carried out, and his appointment appears to have been made on the basis of the interview in Singapore including the CV provided and on his financial strength.
“Nor does there appear to be any record of the proposed terms and conditions to be offered to a successful candidate, and the terms of the contract appear to have been decided by Colin Yow himself.
“The financial aspects of the contract appear not to have been discussed formally or informally by the SIPA Board, and amount to a remuneration package considerably in excess of those applying to comparable positions in Solomon Islands and the region.”,…. end of quote.
From the outset CEO Colin Yaw set about enacting Port Reforms, albeit without appropriate sanction from the Board which was supposed have been a mandatory requirement.
To his good credit he collected long standing business debts from creditors; an achievement which I and my predecessors failed to address during our time.
But unlike what the COI made it out to be when they claimed SIPA was operating under the radar during our time, we had indeed been plagued with political interference.
CEO Colin Yaw moved on to review the Port Tariffs. Here is what the COI Report says; I quote, “TOR 2(g): The rationale and process by which SIPA has set fees, and whether fees must be set by way of a regulated consultative process under the Ports Act [Cap 161].
The Ports Act [Cap 161] gives SIPA the power to levy dues and rates; Section 72 of the Act gives SIPA the power to make rules for levy of dues and rates. Section 73 states such rules shall not have effect until approved by the Minister of Finance.
In 2014 SIPA changed its method of calculating revenue related to size of vessels, to be in line with the method adopted by other ports in the Pacific Region, from reference to Length Overall, to reference to Gross Registered Tonnage; this change was not implemented until 2015. Other tariffs were reviewed and increased in June 2015 and again in September 2015. The reason given for the increase in September 2015 was to bring them in line with ports within the Pacific Region, but a comparison of these charges with other Ports by ADB in June 2016 indicates the increased tariffs are now the highest in the region. Compared to the June 2015 tariff, SI port charges have increased between 55% and 540% per item.
Although SIPA is not presently required by law to consult with port users when carrying out a review of tariffs the ADB report recommends port users and interested parties be consulted. This clearly makes sense, and we also recommend it in the conclusions to this COI report”…. end of quote.
While the COI did its assessment and calculations on the items that are subject to tariff charges, at about the same time I did a comparative exercise with other regional ports in response to CEO Colin Yaw’s claim to have taken comparison with other Pacific Ports and found that SI tariffs were the lowest. I carried out the comparative exercise through networking with counterparts from Fiji, PNG, Australia and New Zealand.
I released the following article in March of 2016. Facts revealed in the figures therein had been verified with local Shipping Agents and Bulk Fuel Importers.
SIPA’s Heightened Tariff is an Act of Terror against Solomon Islands compiled by William Barile, former CEO of SIPA:
This may sound overly dramatized but it is far better to risk being proven wrong; than to be silent and watch the country plunge itself into self-destruction.
Consciousness must be raised to alert the nation to the possible dark side of SIPA’s heightened tariffs.
At least by highlighting the likely other side of SIPA’s reforms and be offered truthful, rational and factual information, scepticism will be put to rest.
The analysis of the recent increased tariff figures is meeting with apprehensions, even fear. They fall horrendously far beyond the limit of elasticity of the economy of this country.
In the article headed ‘the Downside of SIPA’s Reforms’ (published in the Sol Star edition No. 6080 Monday 18th January 2016), I referred to the difficulty consumers of imported goods will be facing with the newly introduced SIPA’s Tariffs.
I also stated that the prices of our exports will be more expensive and may lose their markets overseas.
In SIPA’s web site, the CEO claims that he had made comparisons with other pacific ports and found that SI is the lowest tariff base.
Yes this may indeed be so but this is relative to the in country economic environment, a mere sub set of the larger Australasia wide business environment.
The good man made the grand entry his time last year hitting the ground running.
He may have neglected as trivia the necessity to be grounded thoroughly on the trends, the status quo, and the programmed policy for future advancement that are in place for the country as laid down by her leaders.
He came, he saw and he intends to conquer. In his haste he would not careless to follow the laws of the land and he has gotten away with a lot that others would have been penalised for.
He had raised the tariffs in the short twelve months; on the 30th March 2015, on the 20th July 2015 and again on the 1st October 2015. Goodness knows when the next one will be. This is nothing less than atrocious.
It is an act of terror against the economy of Solomon Islands.
All this, he is doing with an equally outrageously high salary package (higher than the salary Australians pay their Prime Minister).
Along with this he enjoys tax free salary, he lives in a serviced apartment at Heritage Park Hotel, he moves around with Security Guards in tow, he has a chauffeur driven vehicle; he takes overseas trips almost on a monthly bases, etc.
It will not be too far off to assume that a major chunk of the takings of one month’s revenue of SIPA are burnt up paying for these employment entitlements.
It would appear that by approving these new tariffs after the CEO’s urging, cabinet had legally ushered this country out of economic viability; deceived and innocently ignorant of the implications.
I questioned the competence of the proposers of these increases and the advice. Were the ripple effects properly analysed for affordability of businesses and the masses given serious consideration?
There are questions, questions and more questions. The simple truth could be that Solomon Islands is definitely headed for economic turmoil.
A comparative table of Solomon Islands Tariff with Fiji, Melbourne, Auckland and PNG appears below.
In the table FIJI is Fiji, MEL is Melbourne in Australia, AKL Auckland in New Zealand and PNG is Papua New Guinea with her 22 International ports.
Information in the table is but a partial representation of the proportion of the costs.
A detailed collection of all the other associated costs will place the figures some magnitude higher.
Rates in SBD for unloading and loading FEU (Forty Foot Equivalent Unit)
IMPORT
SIPA
FIJI
MEL
AKL
PNG
Discharge
3588
1053
1193
1482
3221
Wharfage
960
39
1147
Total
4548
1092
2340
1482
3221
Compare, OTHER:SI (%)
unit
24%
52%
32%
71%
Compare, SI:OTHER (%)
Unit
SI is 416% more than FIJI
SI is 194% more than MEL
SI is 307% more than AKL
SI is 141% more than PNG
EXPORT
SIPA
FIJI
MEL
AKL
PNG
Load
702
1193
1061
1992
Wharfage
1529
117
569
Total
3323
819
1762
1061
1992
Compare, SI:OTHER (%)
unit
25%
53%
32%
60%
Compare, OTHER:SI (%)
Unit
SI is 400% more than FIJI
SI is 188% more than MEL
SI is 313% more than AKL
SI is 167% more than PNG
These countries of comparisons have, by far, greater and broader-based economic environment. Solomon Islands is small, weak and fragile.
Citizens of Solomon Islands must not be fooled. There are no secret formulas to explain these madness.
The new tariffs are simply outrageous. All that these tariffs will do is to polarise earnings to a monopoly SOE called SIPA, which in reality will lead to self-destruction and make come true the ‘law of diminishing return’.
Our country must urgently move to rectify the nonsense. Our export commodities are already suffering decline.
Copra and cocoa have dwindled their export tonnages in recent years. Palm Oil had suffered expensive demurrages of up to a quarter million dollars recently.
This gnawed at their turn over and will potentially frustrate augmentative development prospects.
Bulk fuel had already suffered 25% loss of the price advantage Oil Companies enjoyed in the brief period of eighteen months previously.
It was the cumulative effects of these that had manifested themselves in the construction boom we have been enjoying in recent times.
Fuel was the raw material energising these endeavours.
We have been taken down the path of uncertainty but also possible doom. This is not the proverbial ‘darkest before the dawn’. It is simply all murky and grey.
THE END.
Note that in this foregoing compilation I had warned about the high costs of our commodities export due to the heightened tariff will kill them. Today copra and cocoa exports have dwindled to insignificance.
To cap these concerns about tariff charges and their collection thereof, I would like to present to readers another analogy well worth taking note off. The competence of the incumbent CEO of SIPA is in doubt.
The current outbursts are results of obvious misjudgements he is continuing to make. He figure points Leroy Wharf Port for being allowed to land cargo.
He does not concede that appropriate authorities have sanctioned and given consent to its operations.
Then there is the case of serious breach of ISPS code, an unforgiveable violation of IMO security safeguard for international ports.
In my next media release I will reveal another unforgiveable mistake the CEO has committed.
Whistle blowers have blown their whistles and I have a grave duty of care to echo their concerns. It is a matter of serious national security but the Board of SIPA is not taking steps to address it.
But for now I would like to present the analogy referred to above. It pertains to the recruitment of Mr Colin Yaw. I strongly feel the same mistake has been repeated.
I present here another finding of the COI on Port Reforms of 2017, chaired by Anthony Hughes.
I quote; “TOR 2(l): The amount paid by SIPA for overseas travel for Colin Yow during his tenure as Chief Executive Officer and whether such travel was approved by the SIPA Board.
We were unable to locate supporting documents or evidence as to the purpose of Colin Yow’s overseas travel. Under the terms of his contract he was entitled to four business class tickets per year. However it appears from record that he travelled more frequently overseas (refer to appendices x).
We have reviewed the report by KPMG Fiji dated 18 August 2016 which indicates total cost of overseas travel on behalf of SIPA for the period of his employment of $3,858,557 of which $3,177,427 is not adequately supported by documentation. We have not found any evidence of Board approval for this travel or expenditures.”…. end of quote.
Information coming from current and former workers of SIPA unanimously claim that the current CEO has done a lot more overseas travel than the sacked Colin Yaw.
I therefore harbor the opinion that the prevailing situation of SIPA under this CEO is an exact mirror image of that during the reign of Colin Yaw.
Would this then, warrant another Commission of Inquiry?
I wish to close by reiteration two lines from the previous article on the subject of high tariffs.
“The two alternative balancing act in this scenario are to rationalise and right-size the tariff or introduce competition.
“The latter has happened and will continue to happen. SIPA’s Point Cruz Port is bottlenecked and choked by Honiara city growth.”
THE Solomon Islands Red Cross continues to support authorities in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic says Dr Paul Bosawai Popora.
Popora echoed this at the commemoration of World Red Cross Day in Honiara.
He said at this unprecedented moment in history, especially with COVID-19, the Solomon Islands Red Cross continues to ensure people receive the humanitarian assistance they need.
“COVID-19 is an unprecedented crisis. But global solidarity and global kindness will help the world to survive this pandemic and help it to thrive again after wards,” Popora said.
General Secretary of Solomon Islands Redcross Clement Manuri said in Solomon Islands the National Society continue to work to support the government in the humanitarian field. The national Society volunteers continue to extend the work of the Red Cross movement into their own communities.
“The act of kindness is shown even during this pandemic. Our volunteers continue to be active in being part of the national efforts directed at fight the COVID-19 pandemic,” Manuri said.
He said as evident in the current global economic environment under the pressure of the COVIVD-19 pandemic, the private sector has been greatly hit.
“Truly, the pandemic has caused immense difficulties even for the private sector. It is on this regard that the National society applauds your generosity in continuing to provide support to our work. Your involvement during this hard time speaks volume of your heart, passion and commitment assist the vulnerable in our society and make our communities a little safer,” Manuri said.
SOLOMON Islands Red Cross yesterday celebrated the World Red Cross day aimed at highlighting the work of the movement right across the World in doing humanitarian service to people.
The theme for this year’s celebration reads “Together we are unstoppable.” The event falls 8th May every year and is celebrated Worldwide.
Dr Paul Bosawai Popora speaking at the event said the theme highlights the work the National Society continues to do at this time.
“The core of the celebration, however, is focused on highlighting the work of the Red Cross Movement right across the world,” Popora said.
Dr Paul Bosawai Popora
He said Red Cross and Red Crescent volunteers are supporting this process in more than 192 countries, from the largest cities to the most remote and hard to reach communities and reminding people that the power of humanity is unstoppable.
“Today, is an important occasion of this global humanitarian society, especially we are gathered to mark the founding of the Red Cross Movement and also gathered to celebrate the life of the founding father of Red Cross -Henry Dunant
“Today across the globe, friends supporters of red cross gathered to mark what the society did and aims to do to save and protect lives. It is the tradition of Red Cross to celebrate under a theme and this year our theme is “Together we are Unstoppable,” Popora said.
Solomon Islands Red Cross students presenting their item to guests
He said at this unprecedented moment in history, especially with COVID-19, the Solomon Islands Red Cross continue to ensure people receive the humanitarian assistance they need.
General Secretary of Solomon Islands Red cross Clement Manuri said as a highlight in the World Red Cross Day event theme, Together, we are Unstoppable,” the National Society and its hardworking staff, volunteers and members will remain committed in their work serving humanity in the Solomon Islands.
Solomon Islands Red Cross Sign Language Interpreter with two oh her studnets
Manuri said the National Society will continue to ensure its collaboration with the government and partners is maintained into the future, an important aspect in its work of serving humanity.
“May I take this moment to thank all our hardworking staff, volunteers ad members throughout the country who continue to be at the forefront of every activity the Red Cross does in the country.
Indeed, many of our volunteers have put their lives on the line for the course of serving humanity during this pandemic, Something the National Society highly regards and is so thankful for,” he said.
The event was celebrated at SMI, Town ground in Honiara yesterday.
ABOUT 142 tonnes of fish stocks worth around $2.4 billion (USD$306 million) were caught in Solomon Islands Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).
This was based on the Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA) member states comparative development indicators from 2016-2018.
The country’s own fleet caught about 54 tonnes worth about $843.6 million (USD$106 million).
From the fish stock caught, 21,250 tonnes were processed onshore.
According to the report, about 3,009 people were employed in the tuna industry in the Solomon Islands.
Furthermore, the country exports tuna products worth $533.2 million (US$67 million).
Solomon Islands has received $334.2 million (US$42 million) from access and licence fees.
The report states that the Government received 10 percent as revenue from the fees.
Moreover, the annual catch if albacore, bigeye, skip jack and yellow fin from the national waters of FFA members averaged around 1.5 million metric tonnes over 2016-2018.
This was five percent lover than that averaged between 2013 and 2015.
This accounted for 57 percent of the Western and Central Pacific region (WCPO) tuna catch and 31 percent of the global tuna catch in 2018.
The average value of the annual catch in FFA waters between 2016 and 2018 was US$2.9 billion, 51 percent of the average value of WCPO annual catch of $5.7 billion.
The purse seine fishery contributed on average (2016-2018) just above 80 percent (US$2.4 billion) of the total average (2016-2018) catch value in the FFA EEZ.
The average (2016-2018) value of the skip jack catch was 60 percent of the total value of the harvest; yellowfin, bigeye and albacore contributed 29 percent, 8 percent and 4 percent respectively.
In the meantime, Solomon Islands joined the other 14 countries who are members of FFA to celebrate the World Tuna Day yesterday.
The Day is normally celebrated on 2nd May every year.
According Radio New Zealand, it was officially established by the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) by adopting resolution 71/124, in December 2016.
It aims to draw attention to the importance of conservation management and sustainable fishing.
TUNA as a national asset for Solomon Islands offers more hope for the country in the current covid-19 pandemic.
Minister for Ministry f Fisheries and Marine Resources Frederick Kologeto echoed this yesterday.
“Today in the current COVID-19 pandemic we are experiencing, this national asset offers more hope in this time of uncertainty. It serves as our everyday food and it serves as a revenue earner for our economy and this is why tuna is a true national asset for our country and people.
“And today (yesterday) I am proud as the Minister responsible for Fisheries to say the theme again “Tuna-our proceed national asset” an enduring asset for both good and bad times,” said Kologeto.
He lauded all who participated on yesterday’s event despite the challenges faced due to the covid-19 pandemic.
Allan Rahari Director Fisheries Operations, Forum Fisheries Agency says tuna supports regional food security, employment and economic development and promoted national GDP indeed economic resilience the Pacific Tuna fisheries in particular is important during the challenges during this uncertain time.
A 36-YEAR-OLD man from Kirakira was arrested on April 24, 2021 for receiving a packed farmer bag of marijuana drug inside LC Lokoiola.
Police Commissioner Mostyn Mangau said Kirakira police upon receiving a tip off that a farmer bag of Marijuana was sent onboard LC Lokoiola on its April-23trip, monitored who would be receiver of the farmer bag.
Mangau said when the LC Lokoiola berthed at Kirakira they monitored who the receiver would be and as a result, they halted the 36-year-old man and confiscated the farmer bag inside the ship.
The suspect was arrested and released pending proper charges to be laid on him.
Mangau said that bag was sent by someone in Honiara and police are calling on the communities or individual who might aware or knew of that person who sent that bag.
He said police investigation is continuing and in relation to the charge police will be waiting on the Director of Public Prosecution on what charges are to be laid as according to dangerous drugs Act, police only lay charge on suspects of drug related upon receiving authorization from the office of the DPP.
Mangau also warn young people as well the adults to refrain from engaging in drugs, as there are have been issues and problems happening inside the communities are caused by marijuana.
Therefore, communities must work together in addressing such issues and support police in their investigating such issues involving marijuana.
Meanwhile Provincial Police Commander PC Peter Sitai also said that Marijuana become an issue to many youths in Makira-Ulawa Province and therefore, everyone needs to work together in order to put such issue under control.
“You might not know your son or your daughter involved in such practices and as we can see many lives have already been affected from marijuana. Communities must step up to assist police to put a stop to this issue to protect our children,” PPC Sitai emphasizes.
SOLOMON Islands High Commissioner in Canberra, Australia, Robert Sisilo will witness the handover ceremony of the second Guardian-class Patrol boat in Perth today.
In 2019, the country has received her first Guardian class patrol boat called Gizo.
The second one will be called Taro.
Both have replaced Patrol boat Lata and Gizo, which have served the country for many years.
The Pacific Patrol boat replacement project is part of the Australian Government’s Pacific Maritime Security Program that aims to enhance practical maritime security cooperation across the South Pacific.
The Pacific Patrol Boat Replacement Project broadens and further strengthens the region’s capability to responds to issues such as fisheries protection, trans-national crime, and search and rescue through the provision of patrol boats to Pacific Island nations.
The Pacific Patrol Boat Replacement program comprises 21 vessels for delivery to 12 Pacific Island nations and Timor Leste from late 2018 to 2023.
His Deputy High Commissioner Trevor Ramoni has accompanied him on the trip to Western Australia yesterday.
They were invited by the Australia Defence to officiate in the ceremony.
According to the Defence, the COVID-Safe ceremony is scheduled for Friday 7 May 2021 at Austal Shipyards in Henderson, Western Australia.
“Although we are unable to facilitate international attendance at the ceremony at this time, we are still very keen for the handover ceremony to be a celebration of the Australia-Solomon Islands relationship and would greatly appreciate the High Commissioner’s and your attendance,” Defence said.
Sisilo is expected to give a short five-minute speech, sign the formal certificates, christen the ship with champagne and take a tour of the new vessel.
Rear Admiral Katherine Richards, Head Navy Engineering, and Mat Kimberley, Assistant Secretary DFAT as our other key Australian representatives were also invited to attend the ceremony.
They are expected back in Canberra tomorrow.
The Royal Solomon Islands Police Force Maritime will utilise our new patrol boat for:
Maritime surveillance and Law enforcement
The protection of Natural resources and Surveillance of the Solomon Islands/Papua New Guineas common border
Response to National Disasters and Humanitarian Response
Maritime Search and Rescue
Support to General Policing / Crime Response and Regional Maritime security e.g., maritime operations coordinated by FFA for regional Island nations.
Premier of Central Islands Province, Stanley Manetiva
BY ALFRED PAGEPITU
TWO logging companies have been issued stop-work orders by the Central Islands Provincial government for non-payment of previous business licences and a current ones, as well as non-settlement of trespass claims by the Central Province into the Maleali Registered Land.
A statement from the Provincial Premier Stanley Manetiva yesterday said Tropical Resources Company Limited (TRDCL) applied for a milling license to conduct milling operations on Bolilau Customary land in breach of provincial business license ordinance 2020 as gazetted.
Manetiva said TRDCL was presented with documents purporting George Maru as owner of TRDCL as applicant.
He said the TRDCL purportedly contracted Trijam as operator and TRDCL and Trijam are under John Parsad as same owners ( and not George Maru).
He said that the TRDCL has owed the Central Province outstanding Business License for logging operations with Sunhill Sun as sub-contractor previously.
Manetiva said they are yet to settle trespass claims, illegal felling of logs and Environmental Damages claim on Maleali Government Registered Land.
“Regarding the Provincial Milling of Timber Application Form- the Provincial Premier and Executive declined the milling of timber license application form on the following grounds.
Documents submitted were not true on the directorship of TRDCL
4000m3 per month is above the milling quota stated in the Forestry Act of Solomon Islands s.34 (1)(c)
There is no agreement by the clans on blocks of land within Bolilau Customary land Submitted as required by form
There is no beneficiary agreement signed by the 1000 people
TRDCI, TRIJAM and Sun owed Provincial outstanding business license fees in the past.
Therefore, Manetiva said the current landing and operation of machines at Supare Landing Area does not have the Provincial approval for timber milling and felling of trees (round logs) and the operation is without a valid provincial business license.
“As such the provincial executive has blacklisted TRDCL, TRIJAM and SUNHILL SUN for future operation in Central province.
He said the Provincial Police Commander and ranks are asked to enforce the breach of the Provincial Business license provisions in that the province decline to grant the timber milling license to the applicant TRDCL and therefore TRIJAM is an unlawful contractor on the Provincial Jurisdiction.
Manetiva said the letter have been issued to the two companies to immediately stop operations and vacate the Central province jurisdiction with immediate effect.
TARO Police have arrested six suspects for the alleged rape of a 13-year-old female student at Pangoe Village, Choiseul Province.
The incident took place Thursday last week.
Provincial Police Commander (PPC) Choiseul Province, Superintendent Vincent Eria said five suspects are in their 20s, and a further suspect a 16-year-old boy.
Commander Eria said they received the report, attended to and arrested the suspects.
The victim in this case was a grade five student at the Pangoe Primary School in north east Choiseul.
He said the Incident occurred on the evening of 29April 2021 at around 9pm at the beach area in Pangoe Village.
Superintendent Eria said the suspects have been arrested and charged for the offense of rape contrary to section 136 of the penal code.
“I would like to remind our good people in Choiseul Province that we must look after our women and young girls from such incidents.
“Good parents please make sure you know where about your children. Assign trusted people in the family to accompany them where they want to go to avoid such incident in our communities,” PPC Eria said.
He thanked those who helped in the investigation and like to thank the police officers involved and their response to the report.
