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‘WE’RE LEFT OUT’

Written by
Brian Lezutuni
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Landowners spokesperson, Alisae Laore

New patrol boat outpost land owners not happy with Gov’t

BY JARED KOLI

With ground-breaking to be held soon, a customary landowning group of the soon-to-be built patrol boat base at Lofung in Shortland Islands have expressed their disappointment on why they were left out on ongoing consultations and negotiations over the national project.

Spokesperson, Alisae Laore said they were part of the first and second consultations where a resolution was reached September last year, but now the national government only deals with the FAMOA Trust Board (FTB), leaving them out.

Mr Laore said since then, FAMOA has never consulted them on what is going on, and they are totally left out. Laore adds, FAMOA working group and the national government recently signed another resolution this year but they were left out.

“We are not happy with the government because it only deals with FAMOA. FAMOA is just an association, and those trustees are trustees for us, but they have never consulted us on what is going on,” Laore said. 

He said at the start they (landowners) passed three resolutions in Shortland Islands and submitted it to the Cabinet which paved a way for the negotiation of the project to start.   

Laore emphasised that the government must now include them in current negotiations with FAMOA because they are the rightful customary land owners.

“A chief’s decision of Famoa Council of Chiefs was reached in 1988 which decides that we have the ownership right over that land. Although the High Court does not recognise this decision, customarily we still claim ownership right over the land,” said Laore.

He said the Lands and Title Act also states that all customary lands must go back to the original land owners. 

Laore said although FAMOA is a legal entity, why did it include landowners in the selling of World War II relics at Balalae and left them out on this project. 

FAMOA signed with Dominic Bakele as land owner in the case of Balalae where they have sold World War II relics, everything was written in the agreement. 

“Why Famoa and government not do the same to us because they have set a precedence on the case of Balalae. It must also include us on this project,” he reiterated.   

He said FAMOA is trying to take away their land ownership right.

Laore also wants landowners to benefit from spill over effects of the project such as involvement in ground work and construction of the patrol boat outpost.

“Currently, there are people from other provinces that are involve in the current work, and we the land owners feel that we were totally left out,” he said.

In response to this, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Police and Correctional Services, Karen Galokale said current subject land is registered under FAMOA as legal Perpetual Estate holder and not a customary land.

“Hence, Government deals with the right title holders, that is, FAMOA Trust Board. A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was executed with FAMOA last year and a provision of the MOU states that any land issues with customary land owners will be dealt directly with FAMOA,” Ms Galokale said.

She said according to FAMOA Constitution, FAMOA represents all the customary landowners through their respective Chiefs hence locals are not left out as claimed and the Government expects FAMOA to deal with the communities directly.

She said work is yet to commence on the ground. Tender and bidding process is yet to be done. 

Queries sent to the FAMOA working group went unanswered before this paper went to print last night. However, Island Sun is seeking comments from FAMOA working group in Honiara.

FAMOA is an acronym for three regions within the Shortland Islands group.

Deo rebuffs visa, tax evasion allegations

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
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Dr Deo Harorimana

By EDDIE OSIFELO

FOREIGNER Dr Deogratias Harorimana has come out to defend himself on many allegations raised against him – from over-charging local businesses to visa breaches, to tax evasion.

Deo, a Rwandan with Zimbabwe and United Kingdom citizenship, operates a consultancy business under the name AIPF (Solomon Islands) Ltd.

He registered the company on 30th October 2013 after IPacific Frontiers Ltd on 21 August 2012.

However, a Robert Leeson had gone on social media to launch attacks on Deo, while urging responsible authorities to investigate the allegations relating to likely breaches of his visa condition and tax evasion.

Leeson claimed when Deo registered iPacific Frontiers (with subsequent name changes), now known as AIPF (SI) Ltd, the Primary Business Sector stated in official government records was very clear – “Professional & Other Services”. 

The company was originally focused on business management consultancies and leadership trainings.

A second AIPF (SI) registered by Deo’s local business partner/defacto also has “Others” as the primary business sector.

“Now it is public knowledge that AIPF (SI) is engaging in sectors and activities outside of their approved business registration’s primary business sector.

“They are now doing financial brokering, real estate, construction contracts, to name a few.

“These are sectors that under law would require separate companies to be registered on their own; and cannot be covered under the approved primary business sector of ‘Professional & Other Services’, which was what AIPF(SI) is allowed to do,” Leeson claimed.

He said there is likelihood that Deo has breached the condition of his visa by withholding information on the true dealings of his company – AIPF (SI) with the intent to defraud the Solomon Islands Government.

“Deo should be investigated in line with the above issue and Section 21(1)(a) of the Immigration Act.

“With hard evidence from victims that contacted me, it is clear that Deo and his local business partner/defacto’s dealings with indigenous businesses (e.g. SSS Security Company, East Bouro Motel Lengakiki), schools (e.g. Perch) and families (e.g. Naha Heights family, Honiara Refrigeration building family) have created discord within communities in Honiara.

“There are many other victims that are yet to come forward,” he said.

However, Deo responded by saying Robert Leeson is a non-existent person.

He said it was a Facebook account created and is being used by a well-known figure who is known to have been sentenced previously for fraud; conversion and various crimes.

“We know who he is, but it is the Job of the lawyers to attend to him in the right place . 

“He has no current or recent business with AIPF other than he failed to pay his contractors managed by AIPF during the year 2019,” he said.

Deo said now Leeson has teamed up with a client who has lost a High Court Case, for failing to pay his staged payment as per the contract.

He said their strategy is clearly designed to help them avoid paying their dues to AIPF thru libel and character assassination.

Furthermore, Deo said the public should know that AIPF has complied with all the laws of this land and will continue to do so. 

He said AIPF and its expats have no issues with Visa, tax compliance or work permit.

Moreover, Deo said he has served this country in several capacities – both in public and private sector.

“I came from highly respected family of Government Minister, Ambassadors, Director General and myself chaired a number of the National Strategic planning groups,” he said.

Deo said in UK he is an active member of the Community and Board member.

“I lead a number of Charitable activities.

“These people need to understand that you do not have to be in a physical location to be a leader or lead others. Their claims are so narrow and misguided,” he said.

Deo said on the ICT Programmes with schools in Honiara, his company donated computers for free.

“We also trained school teachers how to teach ICTS free of charge, funded by AIPF revenues to help the schools struggling to introduce ICT education.

“Schools we supported are St Nicholas, Honiara High, and Koloale Community School,” he said.

Deo said current ongoing campaign against business houses by people with selfish motives will not benefit the country.

He said the government and Solomon Islands should step up and speak against these kinds of behaviors.

Deo accused of deceiving widow

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
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Dr Deo Harorimana

By EDDIE OSIFELO

ONE of the owners of Honiara Refrigeration and Air Condition, Kate Cheffers allegedly signed the Contract of Sale for her property at Ranadi without reading the documents.

Her cousin brother, Ruddy Oti, stated this to Island Sun yesterday.

As a result, the purchaser, Dr Deo Harorimana, owner of controversial AIPF SI Limited, used the contract of sale to secure the Fixed Term Estate (FTE) title from Kate.

Kate and her Australian husband, Jimmy Cheffers, have 50 percent shares each in the “struggling” company.

However, Jimmy passed away in June 2013, leaving the business to his wife and children to maintain.

Oti said after the death of Jimmy, his cousin sister approached Deo with the aim to revive the business because it was winding down.

He said their discussion resolved in both of them signing the Contract of Sale.

According to Wikipedia, a contract of sale is a legal contract for the purchase of assets (goods or property) by a buyer (or purchaser) from a seller (or vendor) for an agreed upon value in money (or money equivalent).

Oti said after the signing, Deo used the document to change the company name at Company Haus and secured the FTE from the Commissioner of Land.

However, he said the signing of Contract of Sale was done under a “rush” environment where Deo urged Kate to signed the documents without reading them.

“Deo told Kate that everything was fine and he was rushing to fly to United Kingdom,” Oti said.

He said his cousin sister Kate is not well educated and could be easily deceived in signing the documents.

Oti said Kate and him had already written to the Commissioner of Lands, Commissioner of Police, Central Bank of Solomon Islands, Ministry of Commerce, UK Embassy to alert them on the actions of Deo.

Deo comes from Rwanda, but a citizen of UK and Zimbabwe.

Currently, Kate’s lawyer, Garry Fai’toa has filed a probate case in the court to allow her client to claim ownership of the property after the death of her husband.

This is because the property was registered under company name Honiara Refrigeration and Air Condition.

The case is currently pending before the court.

According to Wikipidia, probate is the judicial process whereby a will is “proved” in a court of law and accepted as a valid public document that is the true last testament of the deceased, or whereby the estate is settled according to the laws of intestacy in the state of residence of the deceased at time of death in the absence of a legal will.

Judgement for SFA ‘lost’ money today

Written by
Jennifer Kusapa
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BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

Judgment into the case of a man accused of stealing more than $370,000 from the Solomon Forest Association (SFA) will be delivered today.

It was listed on Monday this week for judgment but the presiding magistrate moved it for this afternoon.

This is regarding the case of 46-year-old Patrick Soeasi Maelaua who is charged with 13 counts of larceny by servant.

He denied the charges and a trial was conducted on his case where prosecution called witnesses to testify before the court.

The allegation said the accused was the accountant at the Solomon Forest Association (SFA) when the offending happened.

It is also alleged that he also had in his custody the association’s cheque book.

The prosecution alleged that on 13 different occasions between 30 September 2016 and 1 February 2017, he withdrew or cashed 13 cheques totalling up to $375,000 from the SFA funds.

Allan Tinoni of the Public Solicitor’s Office represents Maelaua while Public Prosecutor Steward Tonowane appears for the crown.

PM encourages people of Isabel to take the vaccine

Written by
Mavis Podokolo
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PM-Sogavare-along-with-Isabel-Premier-cutting-Isabel-traditional-taro-pudding-to-mark-the-37-Isabel-2nd-appointed-day

BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO

PRIME Minister Manasseh Sogavare has encouraged people of Isabel to receive the covid-19 vaccine when their turn comes in the future.

Sogavare gave this call in the recent commemoration of the province’s Second Appointed in capital, Buala.

“I encourage people of Isabel to get vaccinated when your turn comes,” he said.

Sogavare said there are the people who are exposed to high risks and this is why the Ministry of Health and Medical Services are vaccinating them first.

“Currently we have two vaccines that being used and that is Astra-Zeneca and Sinopharm. I am pleased to say that so far the vaccination roll-out has been quite successful,” he said.

Sogavare said it is the government’s strategy to keep people safe through vaccination.

“Another strategy to keep or people safe is to vaccinate our people. The government has a vaccination roll-out plan that we have been implementing and we are planning to vaccinate all our people. We have been vaccinating our front-liners, our people in Honiara and those people at the Western Border,” he said.

Sogavare said COVID-19 has managed to breach the country’s borders but it was contained and eliminated it in the quarantine stations.

“So far we have registered 20 cases, however, and all are now negative. There are no new cases of COVID-19 and most importantly there is no community transmission,” he said.

Joint beach clean-up in Munda

Written by
Press Release
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Kiplin Lamupio & Clayton Kera collect rubbish in the waters around Nusa Lata Island, with their participation sponsored by Soltuna

SOLOMON Airlines, Our Telekom, Soltuna and Dive Munda have joined forces to clean up ocean debris in the Western Province on 2021 ‘World Oceans Day’.

The four Solomon Islands companies and local Solomon Islands youths joined the global campaign via a beach and underwater clean up in the ocean around Munda.

 “Our collaboration is a practical demonstration of what we all can do, to help restore and protect the ocean ecosystem,” said Belinda Botha Operations Director at Dive Munda.

Our Telekom, Dive Munda, Solomon Airlines & local youths sponsored by Soltuna conduct World Oceans Day clean up in the waters around Munda on 8 June 2021

“Education and awareness are vital, and as we work together to gather debris and rubbish and remove it from the ocean and shores, we are also helping to raise awareness that people everywhere can take their own action to restore our shared ocean,” she said.

“Around the world and in the Solomon Islands the ocean connects us all and we strongly encourage others to follow our lead.

By being aware and doing what we can, even in our own small areas, together we can make a big difference over time,” she said.

Our Telekom staff join the Dive Munda and Solomon Airlines staff to support World Oceans Day clean up efforts

 Robertson Szetu, Chief Commercial Officer at Our Telekom agreed: “We are proud to join the World Oceans Day initiative, and we would like to see more companies and organisations in the Solomon Islands also doing the same,” he said.

 “This day is celebrated today around the world to create ongoing awareness not only among communities but also within companies like ours, to understand the vital economic and social importance of preserving and protecting our ocean ecosystems,” he said.

 “We must create greater understanding and respect, and learn from lessons from the past and from elsewhere in the world,” he said.

On 8 June, three boats with Our Telekom team members, Solomon Islands youths sponsored by Soltuna, plus staff from Dive Munda and Solomon Airlines, undertook ocean and beach cleanup efforts at popular spots including Nusalavata, Kundukundu Nomana and Hite, ensuring the entire activity was single-use plastic free.

On behalf of Soltuna, Nusa Lata Beach gets a clean makeover thanks to Benji Lamupio & Temora Barikana

 The activity has been launched recently under the 2nd phase of Dive Munda’s continuing Youth Sponsorship Initiative due to commence officially on 1 July 2021.

 As part of the 2nd phase of the initiative in partnership with Agnes Gateway Hotel, Solomon Airlines, Scuba Schools International, Blue Oceans Program.

Coral Sea Foundation and Plasticwise Solomon Islands, sponsors can contribute to support the development of youth across our country including:

• Training a group of 12 local girls certified under phase 1 to launch a Munda plastic recycling project

 • Training a group of 15 local youth certified under Phase 1 to spearhead a coral restoration and rehabilitation program

 • Support monthly beach and underwater clean-up dives

• Sponsor a local youth to do the SSI Advance Adventurer certification course for AUD$250 Under the programme’s initial phase, over 100 Solomon Islands youth (60% female, 40% male) were certified as open water divers last year.

Phase Two launched last month, will continue dive training and furthering education of youth in ocean preservation and conservation.

“Our initial Dive Munda campaign was an overwhelming success, thanks to wonderful sponsor partners, friends, family, guests and ambassadors,” said Belinda Botha.

 “Now we are continuing dive education for the certified youth, keep them diving with a beach and underwater clean-up program, starting with our very own coral restoration, identification and rehabilitation project in Munda, and our “Stop Plastic Pollution” project.

 “We are also aiming to train more local female dive instructors and to encourage and educate local entrepreneurs in the art of opening a successful dive operation,” she said.

Kenwood Harry, Marketing Manager at Soltuna agreed: “We encourage other sponsors to come onboard to develop Solomon Islands youth and build our local sustainability efforts.

At Soltuna, it isn’t just our corporate obligation, we all care deeply about our environment and are proud to support initiatives like this,” he said.

 To help continue Dive Training and Ocean Preservation education for Solomon Islands Youth, sponsors can donate to the programme through emailing Dive Munda on [email protected] or through an online Click n Donate campaign: https://clickndonate.com/empower-solomon-islands-youth-goal-20-000/ Notes of Interest:

• World Oceans Day was first declared as 8 June, 1992 in Rio de Janeiro at the Global Forum, a parallel event at the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED)

 • The ocean covers over 70% of the planet.

 • The ocean produces at least 50% of the planet’s oxygen, and is home to most of earth’s biodiversity

• It is the main source of protein for more than a billion people around the world.

• Currently, an estimated 90% of big fish populations are depleted, and 50% of coral reefs destroyed

 • An estimated 40 million people globally will be employed by ocean-based industries by 2030

–SOLAIR PRESS

Cashbox case hearing today

Written by
Jennifer Kusapa
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0

BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

PROSECUTION and defence lawyers will make sentencing and mitigation submissions today regarding the case of a man convicted of stealing foreign and local currencies in 2020.

Sentencing and mitigation submission has to be filed to the court before court can decide on the sentencing.

This is the case of Ian Pias Walelabua who was convicted on the last occasion for stealing a cash box or safe box containing SBD300,000, AUD20,000 and 5000 British Pounds at a dwelling house in the Henderson area.

Walelabua was convicted of one count of Burglary in relation to an incident which occurred on August 28, 2020 at the Henderson area.

Police alleged that he and another male entered into the complainant’s house by climbing the wall, and removed the security camera.

The allegation said it was when they were inside the house, they removed a cash box that contained the amount of $300,000 SBD, $20,000AUD and 5,000 pounds.

It was also alleged that Walelabua before committing the offence had called another employee, who also works for the complainant to find out the couple’s movement on that night.

The phone conversations were made by the accused and his phone call was to check on the couple whether they were out of their residence.

Police also said Walelabua had worked as an electronic officer for the complainant.

Child protection training for Makira schools, communities

Written by
Press Release
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Students of Toroiwango Primary School during the recent engagement with World Vision.

FOUR communities and four schools in Makira Ulawa Province were trained on Child Protection and Safeguarding and Disability Inclusiveness and equality.

The communities are Tadahadi, Wango, Manita and Manihuki Community while the schools were Etemarore Primary School, Toroiwango Primary School, Taripara Community High School and Primary School and Manama Primary School.

The Training was conducted by World Vision Solomon Islands Champions of Tomorrow Project Community Development Facilitator Donnis Ramogetea from May 24th –June 8th 2021.

Mr Ramogetea said the topics covered during the training included understanding child needs and rights, value child participation, safe school and disability inclusiveness and equality.

“For the disability inclusiveness and equality, the project engage Community Based Rehabilitation Officer from Kirakira Kidrone Tauni to facilitate the topic,” he explained.

He highlighted the main aim for the training was to advocate for inclusiveness and equality in school and community disaster plans so that they able to address the needs of People with Disabilities (PWD) and children in the communities.

Meanwhile, speaking during the training, Tadahadi Community Elder Thomas thanked World Vision for the training.

“I stand here today on behalf of Tadahadi Community to thank World Vision for this training, indeed my community is one step ahead in terms of understanding Child Protection and Safeguarding compared to other communities in the Province who haven’t have a chance to learn about it,” Mr Thomas emphasized.

He further said, Tadahadi Community was great to learn about inclusiveness especially for people with disabilities to ensure equality is enhanced in their community.

Champions of Tomorrow Project is funded by Australian Humanitarian Partnership (AHP) and is aimed to raise disaster preparedness especially to Schools.

–WVSI PRESS

Environment Day marked at Manawai

Written by
Samie Waikori
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0
Warriors waiting to escort official Guests to the stage

BY SAMIE WAIKORI

Auki

MANAWAI Communities in East Are Are hosted partners and communities to the celebration of the World Environment Day 2021, recently held at the Manawai Community High School.

The international day was celebrated with the theme: “Ecosystem Restoration” relying key message of taking “a step to heal what we have broken.”

In a statement from General Secretary of Solomon Islands Rangers Association and Coordinator of Ahetaha Water Conservation Association (AWCA), Eddie Huitarau World Environment Day is a global event observed on 5th June every year to raise awareness on the environment and the damages caused by human activities to it.

“More importantly, it is a day that makes us feel more accountable for the environmental harm we do. A day we seek to generate a sense of responsibility towards the environment.

“The theme for the celebration serves to mean: preventing, halting and retreating the damage caused by human activities and finally healing our nature.


Officials from the MECCDM, SI Rangers and SICAN on the stage

“So, in our small ways as stakeholders and partners let’s take steps to heal what we have broken in order to celebrate the day meaningfully with the theme.

“This is very important because a lot of human activities taking place in the rural communities are very destructive and causes threat to the ecosystems including the forest, mangrove, ocean, reef, freshwater that provide services to our communities.

“It is a well-known fact that the unsustainable consumption of natural resources by our human activities have significantly damaged the environment and the degradation is still going on at a fast pace,” he said.

Deputy Principal of Manawai CHS, Slade Ririmae said the celebration is a history in the making and the first of its kind to gather neighbouring communities from Foulofo to Maroupaina and communities within Manawai to be part of the celebration.

He said Manawai School is also venturing into new networks apart from its usually educational program and its participation in the celebration indicates a sign of growth in understanding the importance of the environment.

Ririmae said the celebration is important for the communities since community conservation initiatives have been established by tribal groups within Manawai Harbour.


Female teachers dancing to the stage with the traditional gift to be presented to the officials

He said the celebration will make people understand the importance of their relationships with the environment and see environment as everyone’s responsibility.

Huitarau highlighted that the day provided the school and participating communities an opportunity to grasp new insights and be part of a global event for the first time.

He said the school has involved its students to plant mangrove trees to contribute to marking the day.

Ririmae again said the school’s participation in the program has shown the initiative they took in partnership with AWCA, and TTLCA, SIRA, and SICAN.

“As custodians, we all aware that the biodiversity within our locality is continuously under pressure from habitat destruction, overexploitation, waste pollution, invasive species and climate change.


ECE class performing their cultural dance

“Therefore, as a network we face these threats with common concern to keep our natural environment intact to equally benefit our current and future generations and all the organisms that live in these areas,” he said.

On that note, School Principal of Manawai CHS, Sonny Sipora acknowledged all donor partners, stakeholders, and surrounding communities and the Oxfam’s DFAT funded PACCIL project as the major sponsor of the event.

SINU expands tertiary education to Malaita

Written by
Samie Waikori
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(L-R) Chief Education Authority for Malaita Provincial Education Authority, Mr Andy Siarani and Deputy Premier who also the provincial Minister for Education, Hon Randol Sifoni sign the MOU in Auki.

BY SAMIE WAIKORI

AUKI

SOLOMON Islands National University recently signed a MOU with Malaita Provincial Government to expand tertiary education to the province.

Similar MOUs have been signed with other provincial governments through their education authorities.

Under the MOU, a partnership was established for mutual cooperation to deliver Distance Flexible Learning (DFL) programme at Auki Community High School in Auki and Anorn Atomea PSS in North Malaita.

Areas of cooperation for both parties include; MPEA to provide resources like classrooms, identify teachers for tutorials and other requirements under the agreement.

SINU on the other hand will provide course materials, tutorial, technical supports, management support and other areas to deliver the DFL programme.

The MOU was also to officially affirm the establishment of the DFL programme which has been piloted in the province over the past years.

Chief Education Officer, Mr Andy Siarani said the MOU establishes a pathway for delivery of similar programmes in other regions of the province in future.

Meanwhile, DFL Manager under SINU, Mr Martin Otto said the aim of the MOU is to take the university closer to people because it’s very expensive to provide learning services only in Honiara.

Officials from MPG and its education authority, SINU and Anorn Atomea provincial secondary school after signing of the MOU recently held in Auki.

Adding that under the MOU, tuition fees and other expenses will be less for students since university courses will be provided through distance learning in provinces.

“This is one of the strategies SINU has took onboard to try as much as possible to take its programs back to the rural areas where people can easily access them rather than coming only to Honiara that is costly,” he said.

Otto said SINU will do a lot of things for the people and the MOU is one of them that try to bring university programmes or education services to people in the provinces.

He said under the DFL programme for provinces, SINU will offer upgrading programme for high school dropouts; forms three, five and six.

Adding that eight courses will be provided under the programme; certificate in primary teaching, certificate in tropical agriculture, certificate in business entrepreneurship, diploma in business entrepreneurship, degree in business entrepreneurship and diploma in youth development.

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