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Father’s sexual assault case adjourned

Written by
Jennifer Kusapa
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BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

THE case of a father alleged to have sexually assaulted his daughter in Ngella last year will be mentioned again in court on April 19.

This is for the defence counsel Ron Dickey Pulekera to obtain further instruction from his client regarding the amended document that the prosecution has filed.

This is the case of a father, who cannot be named to protect the identity of the victim, accused of sexually abusing his own daughter various times in 2019 and 2020.

Prosecution said the accused is facing counts of sexual abuse on a child, domestic violence and psychological abuse.

It is alleged that the father sexually abused his 14-year-old daughter sometimes in 2019 but the victim did not report the matter, however in various dates of July this year he again allegedly sexually abused the victim.

It is further alleged that when the victim went to the Taroniara Clinic on July 18, 2020, she was referred to Tulagi Hospital after which she finally disclosed information to her grandmother about the alleged incidents.

Police then finally arrested the defendant on July 19, 2020 to face the court of the alleged offences.

Margaret Suifaasia of the Office of the Director Public Prosecution appears on behalf of her colleague prosecutor Patricia Tabepuda yesterday While Rodney Manebosa appears onbehalf of his colleague Mr Pulekera.

Viability of DBSI questioned

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
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MP, Rick Hou

By EDDIE OSIFELO

MEMBER of Parliament for Small Malaita, Rick Hou has raised concerns over the long-term viability of the Development Bank of Solomon Islands (DBSI).

The four areas Hou raised when debating on the $4 billion budget are:

  1. its capitalization: for DBSI to play its role effectively it needs to be adequately capitalized – at least $100 Million injection;
  2. Governance: it is critical that positions on the Board and senior management of the Bank are filled with individuals who pass the “proper and fit test” ;
  3. Political influence and pressure: this is a major reason for the downfall of the former DBSI.  

Hou said it is important that government must keep at an arms-length from the Bank.

“By the look of the current Board make-up, there may be cause for concern; iv) prudential financial management; the Bank management must maintain sound financial management.

“From the numbers provided by the Minister I am concerned that DBSI appears to be on a lending spree already,” he said.

Hou said out of the recent capital injection of $55 Million under the Economic Stimulus Package, the Bank has already lent out $58.3 Million by February this year.

“One would be concerned that sooner than its doors were opened for business, DBSI would be overleveraged already.

“Sir: Based on the foregoing observations, I strongly urge the CBSI to keep a close eye on DBSI to ensure normal prudential guidelines are observed by the Bank.  We don’t want to repeat the mistakes by the former DBSI,” he added.           

112 Chinese engineers here to work on games facilities

Written by
Alfred Pagepitu
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The engineers upon their arrival into the country on Sunday night.

BY ALFRED PAGEPITU

A total of 112 engineers arrived in the country on Sunday night to help with the construction of the 2023 Pacific Games stadium and other facilities in Honiara.

Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare said all 112 engineers from China have also completed their two doses of vaccines upon their arrival.

The Prime Minister highlighted this during his nationwide address on Monday.

Sogavare said they will still serve out the normal 14 days in quarantine period at this stage.

He said there are another four flights on Friday from Brisbane, Indonesia, Port Moresby and Nadi so a total off 268 people are in the various quarantine stations, with one person in isolation.

“60 people have graduated at the quarantine stations last week,” he said.

He also said the ministry of health has commenced deployment to the border as of last week.

The flight from China on Sunday night saw the engineers and technical people disembarked just before midnight before going through immigration formalities.

They were whisked away to their quarantine stations after completing paperwork.

They will serve their quarantine period before being released to start work.

When welcoming those that arrived, Minister of Health and Medical Services Dr Culwick Togamana who was at the airport to witness and welcome the arrival of the 50,000 SinoPharm vaccine doses acknowledged the Peoples Republic of China (PRC) for supporting the Pacific Games project.

“Apart from the vaccines tonight we also welcome the 120 Chinese engineers who also arrived on board the chartered flight to assist with the 2023 Pacific Games construction project,” he said.

Minister Togamana said the current COVID-19 situation should not stop the country from undertaking some of its national projects, thus, he acknowledged PRC for its support towards a number of projects to prepare for the Games.

“Indeed, the global pandemic must not deter us from other national projects and programmes for our people and thus, sincere thank you to China and to the 120 engineers, we hope they enjoy their stay in Honiara,” he said.

It’s understood, PRC is funding and supporting the construction of about seven games’ venues and facilities.

COVID care training for local tourism operators

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Press Release
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Group Photo of workshop facilitators from MCT and MHMS with the first group of tourism workers to undergo the training.

THE Ministry of Culture and Tourism (MCT) in partnership with the Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS) has launched a four-day first ever training on the COVID-19 Extra Care Measures and Standards.

This followed a three year cooperation agreement signed by MCT and MHMS in August last year to incorporate COVID-19 extra care, public health and safety measures including Infection, Prevention and Control (IPC) into MCT’s minimum standard requirement for tourism services mainly in accommodation, tours, transport and attractions.

As part of this cooperation, the training this week is to ensure the tourism sector is strategically and relevantly aligning itself to the “new normal”, or new way of living, working and interacting with other people to protect against COVID-19 and mitigate transmission.

In launching the training, MCT Permanent Secretary Andrew Nihopara described the impact of the pandemic on the tourism sector as immense with the sector continuing to suffer.

“The pandemic created huge negative impact and subsequent high degree of uncertainty on the global, regional and the national tourism sector.


MCT Permanent Secretary Andrew Nihopara delivering remarks to open the 4 days training

While we cannot rush forward blindly into these uncertain times, we surely also cannot shut down.

Like we took measures to mitigate and adapt to climate change, so must we also start making the necessary adjustments and taking the critical actions to adapt and be resilient to live with the impacts of COVID-19”,

Having stated this, Mr Nihopara then urge participants to learn as much as possible from the training and prepare to implement the new set of “new normal” knowledge and skills.

“Let me reiterate and remind all the participants that you are the pioneers in this new normal, being the first of many more tourism groups who will be undertaking this training. It is therefore very important that you set the standards high, as you will be the first to roll out the application of this new set of knowledge and skills across your various businesses and institutions”.

National Health Emergency Operation Centre (NHEOC) Incident Controller Dr Nemia Bainivalu in his remarks expressed appreciation towards the partnerships.


NHEOC Incident Controller Dr Nemia Bainivalu delivering health remarks at the start of the training

“Our core mandate is to protect and preserve the health of our people and this includes thousands of employees within the tourism sector, including our visitors, thus, the Ministry of Health and Medical Services is very pleased in the roll out of the partnerships agreement which includes this training this week”, explained Dr Bainivalu.

Dr Bainivalu reiterates commitment from health to supporting other government ministries, private sector and all other development and social sectors of the country to maintain and enhance work standards to protect against COVID-19 and mitigate its spread.

Around 100 tourism sector workers will participate in the training with the first 50 workers in the first two days and the other 50 on Thursday and Friday.

—MHMS

Gov’t committed to reviewing 1997 Provincial Government Act

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Press Release
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Minister of Provincial Government and Institutional Strengthening, Rollen Seleso

MINISTER for Provincial Government and Institutional Strengthening (MPGIS) Hon Rollen Seloso says the Government remains committed in reviewing the 1997 Provincial Government Act.

Minister Seloso told Parliament this week during his 2021 Appropriation Bill 2021 debate speech that as one of the redirection policies of the Government, the review of the 1997 Provincial Government Act is an on-going activity under the MPGIS.

He said the review would help bring clarity on the governance aspects of Provincial Governments, delineate different responsibilities among the administration, executive and assemblies and their relations to other stakeholders and help promote stability and good governance at the Provincial Government level.

Minister Seloso said another main aspect of the review is that it captures well some of the fundamental issues raised in the ‘Draft Federal Constitution’.

“I believe what Provincial Governments aspire to achieve is the access to resources, access to mandated functions and responsibilities and the capacity to deliver basic service to our populace,” he said.

The Provincial Government Minister said that in line with the tabling of the Revised Provincial Government Bill, MPGIS would continue to liaise with Cabinet and the Attorney General Chambers to ensure that this bill along with the Provincial Governments Revenue Sharing Bill are prioritized.

“We hope these Bills will pave way for more involvement in community development and participation for economic growth and revitalization of productive sector based programs,” he said.

—PMO

Ramofafia defends $1.47B donor injection

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
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Minister of National Planning and Development Coordination Rexon Ramofafia.

By EDDIE OSIFELO

Minister of National Planning and Development Coordination, Rex Ramofafia has defended the $1.47 billion injected by donors in the $4 billion budget.

Delivering his speech on the budget on Monday, Ramofafia said this demonstrates a strong donor support for our national priorities.

He said whilst some may argue that this points to a development agenda that is heavily donor financed, it must be understood that donor projects are guided by government priorities and only implemented after they have been scrutinised, modified and approved by government. 

Furthermore, Ramofafia said as an Least Developed Country and a Small Island Developing State, “we face structural challenges that hinder our ability to effectively grow the economy and increase our financing base. We will continue to need donor support to boost financing for development.”

“In this connection Mr. Speaker, as the Minister responsible for development coordination, I convey the sincere appreciation of the government and people of Solomon Islands to our development partners for your ongoing support.

“Progress that we have witnessed has been enabled by your help and ongoing support,” MP for Fataleka said.

Moreover, Ramofafia said the government acknowledges and recognises that enhancements in economic and infrastructure development, education, health, good governance, security, and gender and environmental protection will continue to depend on ongoing donor support.

He said the government values donor support in these areas and encourages donors to continue to rally support towards government priorities.

“In allocating government funding, we have also considered where donor funds are flowing, and have used domestic resources to complement such support where necessary,” he said.

The Ministry has successfully convened the first Solomon Islands Government and Development Partners Joint Dialogue for 2021 recently.

The Joint meeting provided a forum for government to dialogue with development partners on the redirection policy and provide guidance on those key areas of importance that development partners should direct and align support to.

Ramoafafia said the Ministry of National Planning and Development coordination will continue to ensure that donor support and development assistance aligns to national priorities, is owned, driven and led by national government, delivered in a coordinated and harmonised manner that uses country systems and institutions and is transparent and ensures accountability.

EDITORIAL- Local interest must protected above all

Written by
Admin
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GOVERNMENT has a responsibility to protect the interest of Solomon Islanders.

This should be foremost in every decision it makes.

That local interest should always come first before that of outsiders.

If current laws do not address that, leaders are obligated to devise legislations that will ensure local interests are protected, and that the resources of this nation benefit the people.

As it is now, we have allowed so much of our country for outsiders.

So much so that soon, Solomon Islanders may become spectators in their own country.

Already, we have seen the retail industry, a reserved business sector for locals, given away to foreigners.

Despite repeated protests and Government promises to address the issue, authorities and leaders failed miserably to stop outsiders intruding into this sector.

While local canteens and shops are closing down, foreign-owned shops are thriving.

We saw Bangladesh nationals coming in and opening up retail shops in as far as Visale in west Guadalcanal, and Ngalimbiu in the north.

Lately, we saw logging companies venturing into the shipping industry.

Okay, the shipping industry may not be in the reserved business list, but it’s one of the sectors that locals are at the helm.

Any government that keeps the interest of its people at heart should ensure the interest and survival of local ship operators are protected at all times.

But sad to note, a number of logging companies have already been allowed to enter and compete in the industry.

These logging companies have lots of money – money they generated from our forests.

They are capable of purchasing big and new brand ships.

Financially, our struggling ship operators cannot compete with them.

This is why the Government must help and protect their businesses.

It can do that by protecting the industry and supporting their businesses to grow and expand so that they can purchase big and fast crafts.

And instead of MPs competing directly with private ship operators using tax-payers’ funded ships, that funding should be used to assist s local operators.

The Government is urged to look into the issue and quickly address it.

As Opposition leader Mathew Wale rightly stated, there should be protection for Solomon Islanders in the shipping industry.

If more logging companies are allowed into the industry, the sector will easily fall into foreign hands.

It would be a terrible situation for the country if this happens.

Huge boost for Arabala School farming program

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Press Release
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School management, students and MAL officials and UNDP rep witnesses the handing over ceremony

ARABALA Community High School in Malaita Province will now be able to improve its farming program with the handover of new agricultural machineries and manual farming tools from the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAL) at the school last month.

The ministry (MAL) officially handed over input’s worth over $50,000 to the High School in the Central Kwara’ae constituency at a brief ceremony on Wednesday, 31 March 2021.

The inputs included a walking tractor power tiller procured in partnership with the UNDP Markets for Change (M4C) Project via the UN COVID-19 Response and Recovery Multi Partner Trust Fund last year. 

Parent Teacher Association head, Edward Sui described the handover as a joyous occasion for the school.

“We look forward to our future cooperation after this handover to ensure the school’s agricultural development,” he said.

Speaking on behalf of the school’s primary division, Dick Diko said the agriculture machines is a new technology and a milestone achievement for the school.

“This machine will help us also achieve the government’s goal to alleviate poverty in our areas and assist us to improve our livelihoods and standard of living,” he said.

Arabala Community High School students.

School Principal Michael Gwaro said with the agriculture machineries and inputs, Arabala School are now partners with the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock.

“The school is now truly partnering in the aims and goals of MAL,” Gwaro said.

“The agriculture machines will improve our farming program and ensure we are able to address food security in our community and catchment areas,” he added.

Chief Field Officer of MAL, also National Agriculture Livelihoods Improvement & Export Based Expansion, MacDonnell Hiva said the objective of these machines is to support Solomon Islands farming families and communities increase food production and improve food security and nutrition.

“To help achieve improved food security, we need input machines that would improve labor efficiency,” Hiva said.

“For instance, one machine can do the labor of one hundred students in one hour,” he added.

“Our productivity and garden harvest will increase and increased production in our farms means more nutritious food is readily available for families and communities.

“The Ministry expects the school to fully utilize the machines in the farm to achieve its purpose.”

Field demonstration

Arabala Community High School serves 14 catchment communities in the Central Kwara’ae Constituency and estimates over 5,000 people benefits from its farming program.

The school was selected as a beneficiary under the Ministry’s National Food security and Enhancement program – an ongoing initiative addressing food security and nutrition insufficiencies in families and communities.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock in partnership with UNDP Markets for Change Project procured agricultural inputs via the UN COVID-19 Response and Recovery Multi Partner Trust Fund in 2020.

These included walking tractor power tillers, base power tillers, chainsaws and grass cutters all sourced from agricultural machinery suppliers in Honiara.

MAL beneficiaries were identified under its National Food security and Enhancement program (Model Farm Project).

Markets for Change Project beneficiaries are the Auki Market Vendors Association, Gizo Market Vendors Association and the Honiara Market Vendors Association.

–MAL

Climate team back from Reef Islands

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Press Release
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SIIVA Assessment – Community discussion at Matema

A TEAM from the Climate Change Division (CCD) of the Ministry of Environment Climate Change Disaster Management and Meteorology (MECDM) have just returned after completing a two-week-long Integrated Vulnerability and Adaptation Assessment in the Reef Islands of the Temotu Province.

The primary objective of the SIIVA assessment is to determine the vulnerability and risks to climate variability and change of the communities in Temotu Pele.

The assessment took place from the 17th to 31st of March.

The Climate Change Division is the responsible technical division that informs and coordinates the implementation effort of the SIG in areas of Mitigation, Adaptation and Geographic Information System (GIS) for Climate Change activities in the country.

The assessment is carried out using the Solomon Islands Integrated, Vulnerability and Adaptation Assessment (SIIVA) tool.

SIIVA assesses the exposure of communities to the onset impacts of both climate and non-climate factors to determine the level of vulnerability.

Assessing; water security, watershed health, community health, coastal health, energy security, income security, security of place, forest health, and food security.

It identifies key challenges under each sector and pays attention to measures taken to address these challenges by the vulnerable communities and the adaptation options and interventions that SIG and its partners can embark on to help the vulnerable communities in the country.

The SIIVA team comprises of six Officers from the Climate Change Office, three trained SIIVA surveyors, and two Media Officials from Homegrown Studio.

The team assessed 14 different communities in the Pele Constituency, namely; Tanga, Nifiloli, Pileni, Otelo, Ngawa/Nola, Nenubo, Nyivale, Nopali, Ngadeli, Lakoa (Nyibanga Temoa), Matema, Lipe, Nupani, and Nukapu. The identified pressing issues common in the Reef Islands are Food Security, Water security, and the threats posed by sea-level rise as the three most negatively impacted sectors by changing climate.

The Reef Islands compose of all atoll islands and islets, have been experiencing fast receding shorelines, saltwater intrusion affecting food and water quality and quantity, continuous destruction of properties due to high exposure to strong winds and strong wave impacts.

The aforementioned sectors are priority areas that will need urgent and immediate action.

Since climate change has and will have adverse consequences and challenges across all essential sectors with negative impacts on people’s livelihood, the Government is embarking on its long-term strategic plan to develop a National Adaptation Plan (NAP) and resilient framework for all provinces to address the issue of climate change and disaster-related risks.

To inform these plans and carry out relevant climate actions, it is vital to carry out IVA through a cross-section of the country.

To further add value to the SIIVA, coastal profiling was also done for these communities, to map out high watermarks, key landmarks, and the elevation of these islands and islets.

The data gathered and the GPS coordinates recorded from coastal profiling provides evidence-based projections on the sea level rise rate to the specific communities and the likely impacts in the near future.

Baseline data collected is stored for the communities on the Geographic Information System (GIS) Server in the Climate Change Office.

The overall data collected from the communities will be used by the community, Provincial, and National Government to plan and prepare its people to positively respond to the changing climate. Data collected will also be presented at international meetings to raise awareness of Climate Change Impacts in the Solomon Islands.

Moreover, it will contribute to advancing the urgency for Climate Change Action and Ambition. 

This assessment trip is co-funded by the Solomon Islands Government (SIG) and the U.S Agency for Development (USAID).

The team acknowledges SIG and USAID for their financial support, Temotu Provincial Government for endorsing the SIIVA for the Reef Islands as the starting point for SIIVA in Temotu Province, and to the 14 communities for their hospitality, time, and contributions towards the SIIVA team.

—MECCDMM

CHINESE WOMAN SLAIN

Written by
Jennifer Kusapa
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Royal Solomon Islands Police Force recovering the body of the Chinese shopowner found dead in her shop last year. PHOTO CHARLES KADAMANA

Police yet to I.D any suspect

BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

A Chinese woman was killed yesterday morning in her shop at the White Angel building, Pt Cruz.

The incident occurred reportedly after 8am in one of town’s busiest areas.

Police are scrambling to identify any suspect, with no arrest reported so far.

A Chinese man, owner of an adjacent shop told Island Sun the deceased had entered her shop using the back-door and was attacked inside.

“Deceased and family reside at the Ranadi area, and she had come to open the shop after dropping off her children at school. The husband was at home at the time.

“The deceased had entered the building by using the back-door, and it was around this time that she was attacked, said the Chinese man.

According to Police, the deceased left her house in the Ranadi area, east Honiara to drop off her twin sons at school in the morning and then went down to her shop inside the White Angel Building in Point Cruz to open it as normal.

“While the shopkeepers were waiting outside for the deceased to open the shop, the husband of the deceased arrived and sought assistance from a nearby shop to open their shop as the doors were locked from inside. When the husband finally entered their shop just before 9am, he discovered his wife (deceased) lying on the floor with blood all over her body.” Police statement says.

Assistant Commissioner for Crime and Intelligence Patricia Leta says, “The matter was reported to police and officers from the Forensic Unit, National Criminal Investigation Department (NCID), Fire and Rescue, Police Response Team (PRT) and Central Response Unit (CRU) attended the incident and cordoned off the scene of the crime while investigations began.

“The body of the deceased is now at the National Referral Hospital (NRH) morgue for further examination and post mortem.

“Our sincere condolences to the family and relatives of the deceased for the loss of their loved one.

“So far no suspect has been identified as the investigation continues. I call on members of the general public who may have been around the White Angel building in Point Cruz early this morning and may have noticed anything suspicious to come forward to police with any information that may assist the investigation into this very sad incident in our capital city.”

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