Home Blog Page 948

RSIPF’s captured drone still with Bougainville police.

Written by
Brian Lezutuni
-
0

BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

POLICE say that their drone captured by the Bougainvillean fisherman in February this year is yet to be returned by the Bougainville police.

Responding to this paper’s query regarding the captured drone, police say that the drone will be handed back through diplomatic channels.

They said after the drone was captured, Buin Police retrieved the drone and it is with them awaiting arrangements to return it to the RSIPF.

Police Commissioner Mostyn Mangau in March this year told the media that the drone is still in a good state.

And, they are working closely with their partners in Bougainville through their police channels, as Police around the Pacific have their ways on how to solve and discuss issues and that is what they are going to do with the drone.

The RSIPF drone was captured by the Bougainville fisherman after an argument with RSIPF officers at the border on February 24, 2021.

One Link case adjourned

Written by
Brian Lezutuni
-
0

BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

THE case against a former director of the defunct money scheme One Link has been adjourned for May 14 for pre-trial conference (PTC).

Gerard Tauohu’s case was mentioned before Deputy Chief Magistrate Ricky Iomea yesterday, however PTC was not conducted since prosecution did not state clearly the issue for trial regarding one of the charges against the accused.

Tauohu was earlier faced with 33 counts of false pretence under the penal code, and one count of unlicensed financial institution under the Financial Institutions Act 1998.

However, after prosecution further assessed the charges they amended the initial charges of false pretence charges to simple larceny charges.

Prosecution then charged Tauohu with seven counts of simple larceny and one count of unlicensed financial institution under the Financial Institutions Act 1998.

He however, entered not guilty pleas on all charges.

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

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

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

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

Wenda calls for Yeimo’s release

Written by
Brian Lezutuni
-
0
West Papuan Flag

BY ALFRED PAGEPITU

The chairman of ULMWP, Benny Wenda, has called on the government of Indonesia to release Victor Yeimo, a political activist.

Mr Yeimo was arrested on Sunday, May 9. His arrest comes as Indonesia cracks down on what it claims were escalating rebel activities in the West Papua.

Indonesia late last month deployed thousands of troops to the region including 400 of its elite unit, the Infantry Battalion 315, which Indonesians nickname ‘demon troops’ or ‘satan’s forces’ (pasukan setan in Indonesian), a unit reportedly trained on genocide methods and tactics.

This increased military activity followed the killing of Indonesia’s head of military intelligence, General Gusti Nugraha, on April 26.

However, ULMWP’s Mr Wenda warned Pacific and world leaders not to be fooled by Indonesia’s smokescreen on its real intentions in West Papua, which the incumbent says is nothing less than genocidal.

Wenda, in the wake of Indonesian President Joko Widodo’s announced crack-down, had called for help from the international community, world and Pacific leaders.

Since then there has been nothing forthcoming from any. Not even a word from Solomon Islands, which was once known as a staunch supporter of its Melanesian brothers of West Papua under the leadership of current prime minister, Manasseh Sogavare.

Issuing his call on Monday this week, Benda said:

“I demand that President Jokowi and the Indonesian police release Mr Yeimo immediately. International governments and organisations must put immediate pressure on the Indonesian authorities to halt this sham prosecution.

“What is Victor Yeimo’s crime? To resist the Indonesian occupation through peacefully mobilising the people to defend their right to self-determination. He is accused of ‘masterminding’ the 2019 West Papua Uprising, which was started by Indonesian racism and violence, and ended in a bloodbath caused by Indonesian troops. Indonesia constantly creates violence and uses propaganda – and the fact that international journalists continue to be barred from entering – to blame it West Papuans.

“Jakarta has used many labels to try and delegitimise resistance to its genocidal project: ‘armed criminal group’ (KKB), ‘Wild Terrorist Gang’, ‘separatist’. Indonesia has lost the political, moral and legal argument, and has nothing left but brute force and stigmatising labels.

“It is clear that Indonesia is trying to distract attention from the huge military operations it is launching in Nduga, Intan Jaya and Puncak Jaya. Around 700 people from 19 villages have already been displaced over the past two weeks. Indonesia is using its ‘Satan Troops’, trained in the genocide in East Timor, to attempt to wipe out the entire Indigenous population. From the 1965 military operations to the 1977 Operasi Koteka, we carry the trauma of Indonesian military operations. What is beginning now is a 21st century version of this. Jakarta has no interest in pursuing a peaceful solution to this crisis.

“Yeimo is the Spokesperson of the West Papua National Committee (Komite Nasional Papua Barat, KNPB), a peaceful civil disobedience organisation on the ground. Any West Papuans who speak out about injustice – church leaders, local politicians, journalists – are now at risk of being labelled a ‘criminal’ or ‘terrorist’ and arrested or killed.

“This is a sign that all West Papuans must unite to resist this repression and achieve independence through peaceful means. We have our Provisional Government, constitution, and newly formed cabinet. We must come together and show the Indonesian government and the world that we are ready to take over the administration of our country.”

Ulawa Island has a new RTC at Lopo

Written by
Brian Lezutuni
-
0
Wharf in Ulawa.

The people of Ulawa Island of the Makira Ulawa Province now have a new Rural Training Centre at Lopo, East Ulawa.

Reports that have reached our Kira Kira Correspondent say the first intakes include secondary school dropouts and those needing further training on their various walks of life such as electrical, construction, agriculture, furniture and life styles (home economic).

The reports say the people are happy with their new RTC because it means school drop-out youths who had been indulging in undesirable social activities are now taught fields that will enable them to secure jobs or become self-employed in the future.

No other details are available when this report was put together, but Lopo RTC is an additional to the Province’s current RTCs at Pamua, West Bauro, Nawote, Wainoni, Nana, Star Harbor and Boro’oni in Arosi 1, all on the mainland Makira.

By George Atkin  Kira Kira Correspondent

Malaita PAC visits PMO

Written by
Brian Lezutuni
-
0
OPMC and MPG-PAC Officials at the Prime Minister’s Office

A MALAITA Provincial Government (MPG) Public Accounts Committee (PAC) Delegation met with Senior Officials of the Office of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (OPMC) last Friday.

Chairperson of the MPG PAC, Martin Fini led the delegation, which included other Provincial Members.

Fini said the purpose of the visit to Honiara is to see how the different branches of Government and Ministries work regarding their roles and responsibilities and how Government finances are managed. While in Honiara, the Delegation has met with a number of stakeholders, including the National Parliament.

Secretary to Cabinet, James Remobatu thanked Hon Fini and Members of the MPG PAC for visiting OPMC.

He said OPMC is the key Government Ministry responsible for coordinating Government Policies with all Ministries and monitoring and evaluation of policy implementation.

The Office of the Prime Minister and Cabinet has three main Divisions including the Cabinet Division, Prime Minister’s Division and the Political Office, which consist of the Policy Implementation Monitoring and Evaluation Unit, Caucus and Prime Minister’s Private Office.

The OPMC also briefed and updated the MPG PAC on a number of Government Projects and programmes on Malaita under the DCGA and stressed the importance of working together and coordinating with the National Government for the successful implementation of its projects.

On foreign development assistance to the provinces, the OPMC reminded the Delegation that there are internal Government protocols and procedures to follow to ensure that laws are respected and adhered too while implementing Donor programmes in the province.

Fini on behalf of his delegation thanked Secretary to Cabinet and OPMC for the opportunity to meet and discuss issues of common interests.

The OPMC delegation in the meeting include the Special Secretary to Prime Minister, Albert Kabui, Deputy Secretary to Prime Minister, Dr Derick Mane Policy Secretary Dr Samson Viulu and National Consultants, Bernard Bataanisia and Hubert Walter Rheins from the Policy Implementation, Monitoring and Evaluation Unit (PIMEU) in the Office of the Prime Minister and Cabinet.

–-GCU

West welcomes Chinese officials with open arms

Written by
Brian Lezutuni
-
0
Counsellor Rui shook hand with kids at Marava before departing for Kolomali

BY BEN BILUA
Gizo

CHINESE officials accompanied by official from the Prime Minister office and officials from the Ministry of Rural Development were welcomed by communities in Ranongga Island, Western Province.

The officials visited Marava village, Kolomali village and Koriovuku village to see the impact of water and sanitation projects which were funded by the People’s Republic of China through the Constituency Rural Development Fund.

Member of Parliament for Ranonga-Simbo, Charles Sigoto joined the visiting delegation at Marava village.

The visit was fruitful as the communities expressed their gratitude towards the People’s Republic of China for the support.

Speaking on behalf of Kolomali community, Mezi Hiva said Kolomali community was honoured to receive such a visit from high dignitaries especially officials from the Chinese Embassy which was led by Counsellor Rui Gong.

Student at Kolomali with Officials from Chinese Embassy pose for a photo

“This is a first of its kind and a record breaking history for us to witness this unbelievable event with highly respected diplomatic missions.

“We are excited because you come and see is personally so as to prove and promote clean and healthy environment, lifestyle through the water and sanitation project,” she said.

Visiting delegates with Marava Community

Similar sentiments were echoed at Marava and Koriovuku community.

In her speech Counsellor Rui said China is a true friend of Solomon Islands and will continue to provide necessary support to bring tangible development to rural communities.

She said China is providing 25 percent of its 1.8 million contribution towards the Rural Development projects to enhance community modelling especially in Water and Sanitation.

Rui said her team is impressed with the ground work and changes that the water and sanitation made to the communities in Ranongga Island.

She said China stands ready to add value to its existing projects with other development areas such as agriculture, health and education.

Officials join Hon Sigoto and his community at Koriovuku village

“We will support you with infrastructure development in the areas of agriculture, health and also education.

“China has been assisting people of Solomon Islands in the past two years since the establishment of bilateral agreements between Solomon Islands and China.

“Additionally, we have reached out to communities with our development within the past two years.

“Some of the major assistance is the development of sports facilities for the South Pacific Games, medical equipment in respond to COVID-19, donating the Chinese made COVID-19 vaccine and also we are looking at upgrading the airport at Vella Island.

“We have achieved a lot in a very short time and we will continue to look at ways to help Solomon Islands,” she said.

She said China will continue to learn from its existing projects and roll out other major projects in the coming years.

Director of the Ministry of Rural Development, Milfred Delemane the water and sanitation seen on the communities are impressive.

“It is encouraging to see the projects rolling out successfully,” he said.

Delemane told the communities that greater partnership is important to execute projects for the betterment of community livelihood and at the same time enhance personal hygiene.

He explained that the Ministry of Rural Development Planning is the institution established by the government to make sure projects are rolling out successfully.

“Our presence is to see first-hand what has been done with the fund provided for by the government through assistance from donor partners; for example, the 25 percent of water and sanitation assistance from the People’s Republic of China,” Delemane said.

He said the government continues to help communities by facilitating projects and other assistance.

Government officials include; Dr Samson Viulu from the Prime Minister’s Office, Deputy Secretary of the Ministry of Rural Development Planning Technical Hugo Hebala, Director of RDP Milfred Delemane and RDP Monitoring and Evaluation Officer, Gabriel Manetiva.

Embassy of China officials include; Counsellor Rui Gong, Wang Xuan who is the Economic and Commercial Officer and Puan Qilin.

CSSI deputy chief calls in at Gizo

Written by
Brian Lezutuni
-
0
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
-
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
-
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
-
0
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.”

1...947948949...1,690Page 948 of 1,690