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PM acknowledges important role played by private sector

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Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare.

PRIME Minister Manasseh Sogavare has acknowledged the important role played by the private sector, both domestic and foreign investors.

Speaking during the motion in response to His Excellency the Governor General’s Speech from the Throne, the Prime Minister said the private sector is an important sector that continues to ensure the survival of the country through thick and thin.

 “They fund the national budget through their taxes. They measure their success by the level of profit they make,” he said.

The Prime Minister said the Government is fully conscience of the fact that the greatest need of the private sector is a friendly investment environment.

Prime Minister Sogavare said an environment where the cost of doing business is reasonable and where the cost of Government in the form statutory dues and levies are properly priced.

“And where laws are fairly administered; where public servants do not take advantage of the vulnerability of genuine investors,” he said.

The Prime Minister adds that the vulnerability of genuine investors has always been a problematic area.

“We are hearing cases where public servants compromise their integrity in taking advantage of investors who found themselves at their mercy. I want to encourage investors who find themselves in this situation to report such cases,” he said.

Prime Minister Sogavare said the Government is pursuing reforms in the key sectors including forestry, mining, taxation, financial, and foreign investment.

He said the Government will endeavour to bring the new Forestry and Mining Acts to Parliament during this meeting.

Prime Minister Sogavare also said work on the Special Economic Zone legislation is progressing very well and should be brought before parliament as soon as it is ready.

The Prime Minister said the Development Bank of Solomon Islands is already up and running.

He said a number of important tax bills should be ready for presentation to Parliament during this meeting.

“The government considers the Public, Private Partnership arrangement to be the way forward in getting major development project implemented. One such project is the Mamara Housing and hotel development project,” he said.

The Prime Minister said the DCGA is fully committed to the partnership with the Solomon Islands Chamber of Commerce and Industries.

–OPMC PRESS

Murder accused still without lawyer

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Jennifer Kusapa
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In-court

BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

A MURDER accused is still to find a legal representative to represent him in court.

Principal Magistrate Fatimah Taeburi said the accused 33-year-old Mathew Kosa Manebona is yet to secure a lawyer.

The accused is facing one count of murder in relation to the alleged killing incident of a 25-year-old male person at Halavo on April 5, 2021.

It is alleged that the deceased and the suspect were having an argument that went out of control, as a result the suspect grabbed a knife and cut the victim on the left side of his head, then stabbed him on the right side of his stomach.

Police in Tulagi were alerted and officers attended to the report, where he was arrested and charged for the offence committed.

The body of the deceased was then transported to the Tulagi Hospital but later referred to the National Referral Hospital (NRH), where medical authorities confirmed the death of the victim.

Hunt on for robber who walked away with $300k

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THE Police are on the hunt for a man who stole more than $300,000 from a foreign national at Chinatown this week.

Criminal investigators from the Central Police station are investigating the incident which happened opposite the Mataniko Baby clinic on Sunday.

Supervising Provincial Police Commander (PPC) Honiara City Superintendent John Matamaru states that the complainant parked his vehicle some distance from the LS shop at China town and locked it.

“The vehicle was stationed in front of Jack Wong’s shop close to the Mataniko clinic.”

He said as the complainant was about to lock the door of his vehicle, one of the suspects got on the other side of his vehicle clutching on to the handle of the left front door.

He said this particular door was not locked when the complainant walked towards the LS Shop.”

Superintendent Matamaru therefore said three suspects gained access into the vehicle, took the bag containing hard cash collected by the complainant from five other shops and escaped with it.”

He further states that the complainant collected his bill from the LS Shop and returned to his vehicle only to discover the bag of money was gone.

“The total money contained in the bag was approximately $321,600,” he added.

Mr Matamaru said police have arrested two suspects in relation to robbery and another still on the run and they are working towards a possible arrest.

“I wish to call on the public to come forward with any information relating to this matter as recovery of the missing monies is in progress. Especially to those people around that area to help assist police investigators,” PPC Matamaru emphasized.

Man pleads guilty to murder charge

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BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

A MAN has pleaded guilty to the killing of a 28-year-old boy at Avatai village, Rennell on 15 February this year.

Ashley Ghapuika admitted the crime when he appeared before Principal Magistrate Fatima Taeburi yesterday.

Taeburi adjourned the case to April 28 for committal hearing.

Prosecution said the deceased and his uncle were in their kitchen trying to light a roll of cigarette when Ghapuika came and attacked them.

He came in with a long bush knife and walked straight to where the deceased was standing and cut him once on the back of his neck.

It is believed the deceased was not able to defend himself due to the sudden attack.

The suspect later went outside from the kitchen and walked away with his bush knife full of blood.

The deceased was rushed to the Tigoa mini-Hospital in West Rennell in a vehicle but was confirmed dead on arrival

Education reform strives to promote quality education

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THE current education reform agenda strives to promote quality lifelong learning opportunities for all at all levels of education. 

Minister of Education and Human Resource Development Hon Lanelle Tanangada highlighted this during her 2021 Appropriation Bill 2021 Budget Speech in Parliament recently.

Mrs Tanangada said her ministry is constantly reminded by employers that they want to see many more young people entering the labour market with high-level skills, good problem-solving skills and not only in literacy and numeracy. 

“This is our focus on providing equitable and increased access to quality technical and vocational education and training and higher education and research, with due attention to quality assurance,” she said.

The Education Minister said that the provision of flexible learning pathways, as well as the recognition, validation and accreditation of the knowledge, skills and competencies acquired through non-formal and informal education, is important.

Minister Tanangada said in terms of the standard of the education system, they are able to demonstrate the students’ performances in comparison with other education jurisdictions within the Pacific Island region; using a common assessment process done regionally.

“The assessment instrument which is used to determine the proficiency level of students in literacy and numeracy is the Pacific Islands Literacy and Numeracy Assessment (PILNA), is conducted across 15 Pacific Island Countries for years 4 and 6 students every second year,” she said.

Mrs Tanangada said the results of this test during 2019 has shown that our primary pupils have performed extremely well in the numeracy component compared to the pupils across the rest of the Pacific Island countries.

She said a basic mastery in mathematics foundation is well demonstrated in the majority of students, with 96 percent of students achieving at least a proficiency level.

“This obvious achievement by our primary school pupils must be continued and bolstered throughout the secondary years of education and through to the tertiary level.  We all understand the importance of mathematic skills and that they underpin problem solving, an essential ingredient to success in the modern economy,” Mrs Tanangada said.

Minister Tanangada in her debate speech also stated that our cohort of Year 4 and 6 primary school pupils also performed admirably in the PILNA literacy assessment, scoring 52 percent proficiency level, above the regional average of 50 percent for all 15 Pacific Island Countries that undertook the same test.

She emphasised that the importance of strong literacy skills for young people is essential in the workforce after young people have left school or formal education.

“Current education reforms undertaken by my Ministry are building on this success, to ensure that teachers are well supported professionally to continue to improve their teaching of literacy, which in turn will contribute to improved student performance,” she said.

—PMO

Former Central MPA calls for planning forum

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Tulagi township, Central Province

A FORMER provincial member is calling on the Central Provincial government to host a public forum with the Planning and Development board.

Former MPA for South Gela ward John Steward Visivisi made the call, in light of new buildings increasingly erected without the approval of the Planning and development board in Tulagi.

He claimed some buildings are built too close to the access road which will affect any expansion plans in the future.

He said with the province proposing to apply a 15-meter expansion on road access around the township it will affect the properties owner as well hit back to the province in terms of compensation payment should there be a need for demolition exercise taking place.

He said the Planning and development board has failed to enforce its provincial plans for development of land in the province.

He said lack of action by planning and development board will cost the provincial government to pay compensation damage to property owners once expansion of town is needed in the future.

For this purpose, he calls on the provincial government to host a public forum to give opportunities for the public to share their thoughts and come up with better options to improve infrastructure in the province.

He said Tulaghi has a historically significant and proper planning is needed so that it does affects the future expansion of the township.

He said Tulagi has a potential on tourism any development took place must comply with the Town and Country planning board.

CSSI leader visits Kirakira Centre

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DCO Mr Nagu chats with KCC Commandant and his staff

THE Correctional Centre in Kirakira, Makira province was recently paid a visit by the Deputy Commissioner Operation of the Correctional Service Solomon Islands (CSSI).

Deputy Commissioner, Michael Nagu visited the Kira Kira centre as part of his 2021 annual visit to staff and inmates at the institution.

The official visit was also strategically to oversee the Centre’s function, inmates and Provincial key stakeholders on CSSI’s COVID- 19 Preparedness and other important matters of interest to the Organisation.

DCO Mr. Nagu update KCC inmates on Rehabilitation programs

During his discussion with KCC staffs, Nagu reiterated the re-enforcement of staff discipline and work ethics.

 He asked them to maintain safety, security and standards, adding that the implementation of prisoner program activities as rehabilitation is the key priority of Government

Deputy Commissioner Operation Mr. Michael Nagu inspect the parade

“Despite all the precautions, the unexpected Covid-19 emergency situations and plans is a new challenge to control. Again, it is challenging to be reminded of the long outstanding issues like over-crowdedness in jails among a few which goes beyond our control and could only place hope in responsible authorities like the RSIPF and Courts” Mr Nagu added.

He said it is their duty and responsibility to develop capacity development and the work progress of the Centre.

“This is by organizing programmes that need to move forward and achieve outcomes for the rehabilitation of inmates

The Deputy Commissioner and his team met with the Makira Provincial Premier MPA Julian Makaa purposely to talk on the Rehabilitation of Prisoner, Land allocation and Staff housing

KCC Commandant Mr. Michael Koroa (Centre) Hon. Premier Julian Makaa and DCO Mr. Michael Nagu

KCC acting Commandant Michael Koroa thanked the office of the Commissioner and Executive Staff for their timely visit

–CSSI

Veke outlines flagship policies

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Minister of Police, National Security, and Correctional Services, Anthony Veke.

MINISTER for Police, National Security and Correctional Services Anthony Veke says police will continue to support the country’s fight against COVID-19.

Minister Veke during his 2021 Appropriation Bill 2021 Budget Speech in Parliament recently, said the fight against COVID-19 and ongoing operations at the western border remains top priority.

The Police Minister said despite budgetary limitations, he thanked the National Government for making positive improvements in terms of the Ministry’s development budget allocation, which has slightly increased from the 2020 revised development budget.

Minister Veke said the Development Budget will continue to progress infrastructure developments of the two disciplined agencies under his ministry.

“It will also support the rehabilitation and reintegration program of the correctional services, support the crime prevention strategy and upgrading of police CODAN radio project, and support to coordinate the whole of government approach, in the implementation of the national security and national border security strategies,” he said

Mr Veke said a per the government’s Re-Direction Policy, the ministry have a number of flagship policies.

Firstly, he said the Ministry is reviewing and updating laws and regulations relevant to law and order, criminal investigations, national security and parole.

Secondly, Minister Veke said another flagship policy is the implementation of the national security strategy and the national border security strategy with all stakeholders.

“This is to establish relevant mechanisms and frameworks including the establishment of the Institutional Intelligence Agency and increasing our support to border security in terms of infrastructures and ongoing deployments at the main border entry points,” he said.

Thirdly, Mr Veke said work has commenced in conducting reviews on the police and correctional academy with the aim to upgrade the current programs to offer recognized international qualifications in policing and correctional services.

“Fourthly, to develop the operations and capabilities of the RSIPF. This is to ensure that it has the capability to respond to and manage the security or serious criminal threats to Solomon Islands,” he said.

The Police Minister said another important aspect is to continue the review to improve the terms and conditions of service for police and corrections officers.

—PMO

EDITORIAL- You can run, but you cannot hide

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POLICE are now going after a man they wanted to speak to in relation to the killing of a Chinese woman last week at her Point Cruz shop in Honiara.

The man is reportedly evading police and is believed to on the run in the Kwaio region of Malaita.

Police have spoken to the man on the day of the killing.

But when they returned to speak to him again, he could not be located.

Later, police were made aware the man left Honiara and is now in Malaita.

Malaita’s Provincial Police Commander Stanley Riolo told the Island Sun they knew the man’s identity and have deployed officers to bring him in.

However, he said a team of officers dispatched to the man’s village last Sunday could not locate him.

That’s because he left his village and is in the hiding.

This person may be in the jungles of Kwaio and is not reading this editorial.

But he needs to know this.

No one ever escapes the long arms of justice.

You can escape and hide from the police in the mountains. But you cannot hide forever.

Justice will stretch out its long arms in search for you.

No matter how long you may try to hide in the push, justice will come looking for you.

Malaitan murder convict Edmond Sae once tried to hide from justice.

He led the life of a nomad in the hills of Malaita, becoming a fugitive as he tried to keep away from the police.

But one night, justice caught up with him while he was sleeping in a relative’s house.

Long story short, he is now serving life at Rove Correctional Centre.

If they have a chance meeting, relatives of the man wanted for this latest killing must advise him to surrender and face justice.

We have a functioning justice system that will ensure he is given a fair trial.

Communities in Malaita must help the police to locate this man.

He must not be welcomed in any community.

That’s the least Malaitans can do to ensure this case is resolved once and for all.

Media gets refresher training on court reporting

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Jennifer Kusapa
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MASI Vice President, Douglas Marau welcoming participants of the training. PHOTOS BY DOROTHY WICKHAM

BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

Media personnel are on a three-day refresher workshop on court reporting, starting yesterday.

The workshop is an initiative by the media association of Solomon Islands to improve on how journalists report on court cases and other court-related matters.

It is funded by the Australia Broadcasting Corporation International Development through its programme, PACMAS.

One of the country’s most experienced journalists, Ms Dorothy Wickham is the facilitator.

Public Solicitors started off day-one presentations represented by their legal advisor, Alan Watson, and senior officer William Kadi.

Public Solicitor’s legal advisor, Alan Watson discussing with participants of the workshop.

Mr Watson explained the importance of the courts, outlined its history in relation to historical developments in the United Kingdom, relayed the procedures of the court and defined and simplified common jargons used in the courts.

Mr Kadi contextualised technical terms and processes of the law and courts using case studies on few past cases in the country.

Both incumbents gave guidelines to the journalists on how and when to safely and accurately report court stories according to the tight daily schedules of their newsrooms.

Associate Professor Dr Shailendra Singh, USP School of Journalism, gave an online talk via zoom on media ethics and media laws.

He stressed the importance of having more of such refresher trainings, encouraging media in the Solomon Islands to offer more for local journalists.

He adds that this refresher training is the first in a long time.

Mr Singh hit home on the vital roles that media laws and ethics play, though being separate entities, saying that without them, the media industry and individuals will be handicapped.

He urged journalists to always stick to media ethics and abide by media laws, avoiding professional breach by all costs, which he warns has “far-reaching consequences”.

Island Sun’s subeditor, Irwin Angiki listening attentively to the discussions.

He reminded journalists that each has a reputation to protect.

Charmaine Rodriguez – Pacific Governance and Freedom of Information Expert, capped off the day offering participants with techniques on how to ensure that they are reporting safely, accurately and balanced.

She encouraged reporters on the specialty of court reporting, highlighting that the job informs public on cases which are of particular importance or interest.

She provided a new concept, commonly called the ‘Harms test’, which allows reporters to know whether their story is okay to be published or not.

Solomon star’s court reporter Assumpta Buchanan.

She urged court reporters to always “weigh the benefits of disclosure against the harm that it would cause” before publishing.

Participants share that day-one has provided a lot of insight into the specialised branch of reporting on court matters, adding that many things presented by the experts are eye-openers.

Day-two of the refresher training begins 9am today at the Heritage Park Hotel conference room.

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