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Dissolve HCC now: Wale

Written by
Brian Lezutuni
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Leader of Opposition, Matthew Wale

Leader of Opposition Matthew Wale has called on the Minister for Home Affairs to quickly dissolve the Honiara City Council and to review its structure.

The call was made in light of the damning allegations of corrupt activities made in the Special Audit Report and another report made by recently terminated City Clerk, Mr Rence Sore to the government.

“The latter amongst others, blew the whistle on suspected corrupt sale of HCC vehicles and allocation of lockup shops in the Honiara main market by the new mayor and other Councillors. It seems this kind of practices has been going on unnoticed for long now,” says Mr Wale.

He said the recent allegations by Sore sends clear signals that the level of corruption within HCC goes far beyond what was earlier investigated and regrettably, appear endemic and deliberately engineered to serve the interest of Councillors.

“This is serious and raises major concerns on the credibility and integrity of leadership in HCC.  How can the people of Honiara trust this kind of leadership to look after their affairs?  Something must be done,” the Opposition Leader points out.

The Opposition Leader goes on to add that, “Given the magnitude of the allegations, the right thing to do is to stop the current HCC and take whatever action necessary to address the causes of such corrupt practices. If public confidence is to be restored and the governance of Honiara is to serve the people, such drastic measures must be employed now”.

“I therefore call on the responsible Minister to dissolve HCC and replace it with a competent authority to run the affairs of the Council until the 2023 elections. The appointment of such an authority will ensure that independent investigations are completed and appropriate action taken against those implicated. This cannot be expected with allegations hanging over the whole of the Council.

“I also urge the responsible Minister to review the manner in which the City clerk gets selected.  The recent revelations are proof enough that political hand picking does not serve the best interest of management of HCC affairs. The discretion therefore must be removed from HCC and Councillors.”

–OPPOSITION PRESS

TSI says city mayor needs to step down

Written by
Brian Lezutuni
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BY CHARLES KADAMANA

TRANSPARENCY Solomon Islands says recently elected city mayor Eddie Siapu must step down over his decision to hide a council vehicle from auditors.

“The allegation that the newly elected city mayor was responsible for hiding the Hilux sought by the auditors when implementing the special audit on HCC already reflects badly of him as someone not to be trusted by the people who is capable of leading with integrity and transparency,” TSI said in a statement.

“He needs to step down as well as explain his action to the people with regard to the vehicle,” the statement added.

Auditors from the Auditor General’s office were unable to locate the vehicle worth $274,000 during a special audit of the City Council in 2020.

Although he knew about the vehicle being in Siapu’s hands at that time, city clerk Rence Sore did not disclose that to the auditors.

However, Sore revealed in a report he compiled just before he was sacked in March this year that the vehicle was actually being kept by Siapu.

At the time the audit was undertaken, Siapu, the councilor for Rove/Lengakiki who was elected last month to the mayor’s position, was part of the city council executive under the leadership of Wilson Mamae.

The audit found that in 2020, the council spent $1.6 million on six vehicles.

But further checks found only five vehicles were in the possession of the council.

The sixth, a hilux worth $274,000, could not be located.

In his report, the disgraced Sore revealed Siapu kept that missing sixth vehicle and was using it as his private property.

Earlier, Siapu told the Island Sun he would respond to Sore’s revelation at the appropriate time.

Meanwhile, TSI calls on the Leadership Code Commission needs to look into allegations of unexplained wealth exposed in Sore’s report.

Some of the unexplained wealth revealed in the report were:

[1] the Hilux cost $274,000 now used as a private vehicle of the newly elected City Mayor Eddie Siapu. The vehicle could not be located when the special audit report was carried out to ascertain $1.6 million spent for six vehicles where one was missing. It was revealed by the sacked City Clerk that Siapu took it as his private vehicle.

[2] An alleged million-dollar worth residence built at Titinge, is owned by the HCC treasurer, Tony Lenson.

[3]. Another million-dollar worth residence built at Tasahe B and is allegedly owned by former treasurer of HCC Robert Lauomea. It is described as a million-dollar mansion at Tasahe B.

[4]. The other expensive residence is reportedly located at West Kola Ridge and is allegedly owned by former deputy treasurer, Grace Malefoasi. It is a million-dollar worth residence as well. Grace Malefoasi is the finance officer that looks after projects under the city council.

[5] Residential property at Vura Heights, East Honiara is owned by a junior HCC Treasury Staff-June Qae.

“The names and locations have been made public providing a lead for responsible authorities to carry out investigation of these allegations.

“We call on the police, the Solomon Islands Independent Commission Against Corruption, the Leadership Code Commission to investigate these to either clear them of it or convict them bringing trust back to HCC. 

“Any allegations of unexplained wealth must be investigated for they have a direct impact on the provision of services to the rate payers of Honiara City.”

US-Winrock to begin awareness in Malaita

Written by
Brian Lezutuni
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BY SAMIE WAIKORI

AUKI

THE US-funded Winrock SCALE-NRM programme in Malaita province will begin its awareness to communities next week.

First up is East Malaita.

A one and half week awareness programme has been set and a team from Winrock office in Auki will be visiting communities in East Malaita starting next week.

President of MALAMOI Council of Chiefs, Mr Knoxly Atu who is supporting Winrock in coordinating the visit to East Malaita told this paper preparation is underway for the programme.

He said the awareness is an important component of the SCALE project, to inform resource owners on programmes and activities under the project for Malaita.

Atu also said through the awareness, people will learn of SCALE and is also a chance to discuss and raise queries they may have.

Importantly, he said the consultation is a preparation on how resource owners and Winrock would partner to implement SCALE for the benefit of Malaitans.

Winrock team will leave on Monday next week for ward 14 of East Fataleka to begin community consultations.

The team is scheduled to hold awareness sessions at Bethel (Monday), Subobono and Manu (Tuesday) and Onefala and Adaliua (Wednesday) to complete ward 14.

On Thursday, the team will have awareness at Gete and Atori substation and a half-day session at Faumamanu scheduled for Friday to complete ward 15.

In the afternoon of Friday, the team will meet with the people of Kwai/Ngongosila Islands and on Saturday (May 22) to Nafinua station and Busuone.

The team proposed a visit to Leli Island on Sunday (May 23) and their last two community awareness programmes for ward 15 will be at Kwaiafa School and Fera’abu community centre on May 24.

On May 25, the team will hold their last awareness at Kwaiabu in ward four before returning to Auki in the afternoon of that day.

Around 100 villages in East Malaita will attend the awareness talk.

USA assures SCALE continues forward

Written by
Brian Lezutuni
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Renbel is among provinces keen to sign up to US Scale programme. Here is a photo of Renbel Executive meeting with US Official last month.

BY ALFRED PAGEPITU & IRWIN ANGIKI

The US Embassy in PNG has assured that the SCALE Project is continuing.

This follows reports that SCALE has been “shelved” by the new government of US, under President Joe Biden.

The Port Moresby-based Embassy told Island Sun last week: “[We] can assure you the SCALE project continues to move forward.

“Again, discussions continue between the U.S. and Solomon Islands regarding SCALE.”

Last month, a report circulated which warned that Malaita and other implicated provinces may be riding on false hopes driven by the notion of a continued SCALE programme since the Biden Administration has shelved the project.

The report warns that what is at play now is other US interests in Solomon Islands are pushing to lobby other provinces to show support and interest in SCALE. The more provinces hooked will strengthen the case to push for SCALE to be reactivated by the new Administration.

A search on the US State Department website will show that online SCALE materials have been archived.

On this, the US Embassy in PNG simply shrugs that it is “not sure about the website issue”.

Meanwhile, speaking with the paper this week, Mr Celsius Talifilu, former political advisor to the Malaita provincial government, brushed these reports aside as “propaganda”.

“From those of us close to the programme to the very top have not being informed of such rumours. We suspect that there are those who would like to cause confusing amongst the public.

“But the programmes here in Solo especially Malaita is going on as expected and that is the same right up to the top.

“This is nothing but propaganda.”

A spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFAET) when asked on the matter this week said MFAET is “not aware of such”.

SCALE (Strengthening Competitiveness, Agriculture, Livelihoods and Environment) is an American USD25million programme which was initially set up, focused on Malaita province, in October last year.

Since then, it has evolved with the offer extended to other provinces. Renbel and Guadalcanal provinces have each undergone orientation and introduction to the programme.

Premier Willie Tuhagega of Renbel province told Island Sun early this week they are yet to sign up after having had talks with Bernard Link, Second Chief in Charge, US Embassy (PNG) in March this year. However, Mr Tuhagega says Renbel is interested.

Premier Willie Sade of Guadalcanal says his province is all in with SCALE, adding that they expect a roll-out in one or two years’ time, after the programme is piloted in Malaita province.

Mr Sade says he has been told that Guadalcanal is “in the pipeline to be part of the SCALE programme and also other provinces as well”.

According to the archived US State of Department “U.S. Engagement in the Pacific Islands: 2020 Pacific Pledge”:

“The SCALE Program will strengthen the enabling environment to unlock economic opportunity and increase trade; improve natural resource management, including forest governance; promote agribusiness and small enterprise development; and expand critical small-scale infrastructure and essential services.”

12,000 yet to get vaccine in Choiseul and Western

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Brian Lezutuni
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Thelma measuring the mils before carrying out an injection. PHOTO BEN BILUA

BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO

TWELVE thousand people in Choiseul and Western provinces are yet to be vaccinated.

Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare on Monday this week said the additional 12,000 vaccinations will be done over the next three weeks.

Sogavare said in Choiseul province there are between eight to nine thousand people that are yet to be vaccinated.

“With this, I urge all adults 18 years old and above who are living among the Western Border communities in the Choiseul to ensure you come forward when the vaccination team comes to your communities to receive your COVID-19 vaccination,” he said.

Sogavare adds, as of Friday last week 10 out of 14 communities for immediate vaccination in the Shortlands have been completed. The remaining four communities will be completed in the next couple of weeks

“My good people am happy to inform you all that by last weekend. We had administered a total of 10899 doses of AstraZeneca vaccine with 7367 vaccinated in Honiara, 496 people in Malaita Outer Islands, 1147 people in Choiseul province and 1890 people in the Western province with 1077 at Shortland Islands, 260 at Gizo, 398 at Noro and 155 at Munda,” Sogavare said.

Premier Maka’a appeals to ministries to revisit MOU

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Brian Lezutuni
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Makira Premier, Julian Maka'a

Makira Ulawa Provincial Premier, Julian Maka’a is appealing to the Ministry of Provincial Governments and Institutional Strengthening to revisit a Memorandum of Understanding it should have discussed with the Ministry of Education and Human Resources Development to have the provinces to deliver services on its behalf.

He made the appeal at the handover ceremony of a boys’ dormitory and ablution block facilities to the Anglican Church of Melanesia-run Pamua National Secondary School in Makira on May 5, 2021 and attended by the Ministers of the two Ministries.

Mr Maka’a said his Makira Ulawa Provincial Government had been made aware of the MOU and as such “I would appeal to the Minister of Education and Humans Resources Development, Lanelle Ollandea Tanangada to try and revisit the MOU.

“The MOU would allow the Province to support the Education Sector to modernize education services and facilities to and in our schools within a record time.”

He said the delivery of facilities was a clear testimony that “we now have the in-house technical capability to deliver on behalf of the Ministry of Education and Human Resources Development and for cheaper costs.

“The fact that the Makira Ulawa Provincial Government has qualified engineers and a technical team shows we have the capacity to support the sector’s service delivery.

“And you can be rest assured that anything you put through the PCDF mechanism for school infrastructure would be timely delivered on your behalf.”

By George Atkin,

Kira Kira

Win Win hits back

Written by
Brian Lezutuni
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Turarana river, where the WinWin mining company is operating.

BY ALFRED PAGEPITU

WIN Win Mining company has rebuffed claims that it hid its gold export from landowners of its tenement in Central Guadalcanal.

This follows claims by a Joel Jackson, a landowner in the Turarana lands which make up part of Win Win’s tenement, that the company had hidden its gold exports of 2019-2020 from them.

Jackson said Win Win company had lied to them about not being able to export gold from 2019-2020, and were stockpiling the gold it mined.

He said they only found out from Customs that the company had exported 78.47kg of alluvial gold from 2019-2020. This he said was done without the knowledge of landowners.

As such he said Turarana landowners are demanding that Winwin pays $2million in compensation.

However, responding to these claims, Managing Director of Win Win, Dan Shi said firstly, Jackson is not a landowner or member of Koehoto Landowners Association (KLA).

Shi said Jackson never attended any meeting held by KLA.

Therefore, he said Jackson has no legal standing to talk on behalf of KLA.

Further to that, Shi said the company has followed all requirements stipulated under the Mines and Mineral Act to do mining on the tenement.

He said the company has submitted a monthly report to the Director of Mines regarding the mining operation.

As part of sorting out the issue, he said the company is open to meet with Jackson rather than debating it in the media.

However, Jackson said he was an elected representative of his tribe, Garavu, in KLA.

He said KLA removed him because he was very outspoken against Win Win’s operation on the land.

Island Sun yesterday contacted the private Custom’s clearance firm which Win Win had reportedly engaged to declare its gold export, but the owner declined to comment, citing confidentiality of customer details.

Winwin mining company had 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.

RSIPF’s captured drone still with Bougainville police.

Written by
Brian Lezutuni
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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
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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

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Brian Lezutuni
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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.”

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