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36-yr father faces incest charges

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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A 36-year-old father is facing two charges of allegedly committing incest with his 17-year-old daughter at Hirolegu Village, West Hograno, Isabel Province on April 23, 2018.

“Since committing the offence, the alleged offender has been avoiding police from Buala until he was arrested in his house at Hirolegu Village at 10pm on October 30, 2018 and taken to Buala Police Station,” says Provincial Police Commander (PPC) Isabel Province, Superintendent Leonard Tahnimana.

“Police will allege in Court that the 36-year-old father committed the two counts of incest with his own daughter at two separate occasions in his own house.”

“The offender has been released on very strict bail conditions and will reappear in the Honiara Magistrates Court on November 20, 2018.

“I want to appeal to the public in Isabel Province and elsewhere in Solomon Islands that incest is a very serious crime and a disgrace to the family.

“Like the Commissioner of Police said recently, the young girl’s own house, which is supposed to be the safest location for her is now a crime scene.

“She will now testify in Court against her own father who should be the most trusted person in her life,” says Superintendent Tahnimana

“Let us all work together to stop such acts that will destroy the lives of our young girls.”

–POLICE MEDIA

Sikua convicted and remanded

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0

BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

THE court has convicted the former Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Police National Security and Correctional Services Edmond Sikua of three charges of official corruption.

Principal Magistrate Fatimah Taeburi after convicting Mr Sikua made an order for him to be remanded in custody due to flight risk and also since he has now been convicted a custodial sentence will likely be imposed.

Sikua was earlier charged with seven counts of official corruption but after the court analysed all the evidence produced, four charges were withdrawn due to no supporting evidence to prove them

Magistrate Taeburi then adjourned the case to November 14 for sentencing submission.

Sikua was charged in relation to the allegation on December 22, 2016 for allegedly awarding government tenders worth $630,436.50 to Beeds Investment, a company registered and owned by his two daughters.

Prosecution alleged the accused Sikua is by default the chairman of his ministry’s tender board.

The allegation said between December 18, 2015 and August 29, 2016 Beed Investments responded to calls for tenders and was awarded business contracts for service delivery to the Ministry of Police, National Security and Correctional Services on seven different occasions.

The Ministry of Police, National Security and Correctional Services have made payments of $630,436.50 to Beeds Investments for these services.

Prosecution further alleged that Sikua used his position of power and influence within the Ministry of Police, National Security and Correctional Services to manipulate the tendering process for his own and his family’s pecuniary advantage.

Sikua is the third public officer to have been arrested by Janus, since the establishment of the joint taskforce.

Office of the Director Public Prosecution appears for the crown in court.

PM to attend APEC

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Solomon Islands’ newly elected Prime Minister and MP for Small Malaita, Hon Rick Houenipwela. Photo by George Herming

PRIME Minister Rick Houenipwela will depart today to attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Leaders and Pacific Island Forum Leaders’ Informal Dialogue in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea.

The meeting is an opportunity for the APEC member economies within the region to look at ways to ease trade barriers amongst themselves and to ease trading capabilities within the region and with other APEC member countries.

The meeting is also an opportunity for Solomon Islands to reaffirm its relationship with other countries.

While in Port Moresby, the Prime Minister will also hold bilateral meetings with other leaders.

APEC is a regional economic forum established in 1989 to leverage the growing interdependence of the Asia-Pacific.

APEC’s 21 members aim to create greater prosperity for the people of the region by promoting balanced, inclusive, sustainable, innovative and secure growth and by accelerating regional economic integration.

Deputy Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare will be acting Prime Minister in PM Hou’s absence.

–OPMC PRESS

IRD did not give in to demands of PTA: Commissioner Dokekana

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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BY BARNABAS MANEBONA

SOLOMON Islands Inland Revenue Division (IRD) wishes to make it clear that they did not ‘give in’ to demands by the Honiara public transport associations with regard to the Income Tax to be imposed on buses and taxis.

This is according to statement by the Commissioner of IRD Mr Joseph Dokekana responding to a certain individual that IRD has given in to demands during meeting with the Honiara public transport associations Committee last week Friday.

Dokekana admits that there was one very important error that IRD had made which warrants reassessments, but still within the limits of the law.

Having said that, IRD’s Commissioner said the meeting was very cordial as IRD has clearly expressed to the interim committee that it’s time for buses and taxis’ operators to pay tax.

“As this is the first time that owners are being taxed on their income, it was an opportunity for the associations to ask IRD how they had come to the amounts of tax that it intended to charge.

“IRD has clearly explained to the interim committee how Income Tax applies to all businesses including bus and taxi owners.

“The associations accepted the frankness and fairness of IRD’s decision and acknowledged IRD’s efforts to come to resolve the issue. Part of the problem has been a lack of communication from both parties in a more constructive way and IRD accepts some responsibilities for this,” state IRD’s Commissioner.

Starting from 2018 and onward, IRD confirms that the transport businesses will lodge tax returns to reflect what they earn as required by law.

“As reported, IRD is intending to run training sessions for all transport business owners so they know how to keep records and fill in their Income Tax return.

“We are also willing to conduct these educational sessions on tax for other businesses. Feel free to contact our Tax education team on [email protected] or by phone on 21493.

“IRD always conduct compliance activities on small businesses such as for example on lock-up shops. We will be approaching these shops in the near future and IRD suggests that owners of these shops can come and talk to us now so we can help them meet their tax obligations,” states IRD’s Commissioner.

Dokekana is very impressed by the positive views expressed by the public and also in social media contributing to why taxpayers need to pay tax including bus and taxi operators. This is a positive perspective in terms of tax compliance is concerned as there are a number of businesses and taxpayers who are yet to submit their tax returns and make payments.

IRD’s Commissioner would like to appeal to those who are yet to pay their tax or lodge their tax returns to do so.

The Commissioner reminds and assures too that his Officers are always available to assist all customers with their tax obligations.

Public transport business owners in Honiara and from East and West Guadalcanal had staged a sit-in protest last week Friday in the Capital over the issue of enforcement on Income Tax implemented for public transport services which is now solved.

Panga’s case adjourns to today

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

THE case against the former Guadalcanal province premier Stephen Panga has again adjourned to today for ruling.

Panga’s case was adjourned from yesterday to today for the presiding Magistrate Jim Seuika to deliver his ruling on the application made by the prosecution.

The case was announced for trial but there were issues which needed to be sorted out before the trial proceeded.

Panga was charged with one count of abuse of office in relation to an incident which occurred when he was a premier.

Police alleged that Panga allegedly misappropriated the sum of around $10,000 of money received as part of his duties.

It was alleged that he received the money as a false rate payments from a local member of the community.

Police recently said that Panga’s case was a historical case as it happened way back when he was the Premier of Guadalcanal Province.

Public Prosecutor Rajah Abe is appearing for the crown.

Date for continuation of trial on alleged false pretence case yet to be set

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0

BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

THE continuation of trial into the case against three men alleged of false pretence charges and intimidation is likely to be set for next year.

This is the case against Gordon Mark, Nelson Maeta and John Nelson Ross who were charged in relation to an incident which occurred in 2011 in Honiara.

The continuation of trial was supposed to have been heard yesterday but the prosecution witness who is the victim on the case has other commitment this week and will be available on November 19.

However, other lawyers involved in the case and also the presiding Magistrate will go on leave and thus the case will be adjourned to next year for continuation of the trial.

Yesterday all lawyers involved in the case told the court that they will check on their calendar and will let the court know on the next appearance.

The case was then adjourned to allow all counsels to confirm the trial date.

The allegation said provided in court said that between November 1 and 30, 2011 where the two accused and other men obtained more than $300,000 by selling the victim fake gold bars.

Police alleged the men approached the victim, Hypolite Taremae, who is the former Minister of Truth Reconciliation and Peace, at his office at Anthony Saru Building.

Police said that the men went to see the alleged victim with the intention to obtained money through false pretence and also lure him into believing their made up stories.

The men and others allegedly told Mr Taremae that they were from Weather-coast in Guadalcanal. And in the coming days a reconciliation ceremony will take place in their village but they did not have enough money.

It was at that time they showed a picture of a gold bar to Mr Taremae which they claimed to be in their possession, Police said.

They allegedly said they have some gold bars which were stolen by the former Guadalcanal war-lord Harold Keke that was taken from the former Ross Mining during the height of the ethnic tension.

The men also allegedly showed Mr Taremae a certification letter from the Director of Mines that confirmed that the gold bars were gold and worth six million dollars.

Having heard from the accused and seen all the documents, Mr Taremae was convinced.

Then on various occasions between July and November 2011, the accused men allegedly handed Mr Taremae three gold bars in return they received $300,000.

The victim however, later found that the men lied to him and he took the “gold bars” to a dealer who confirmed they were fakes.

The bars were made from lead metal and painted with gold colour paint.

It was also alleged that the men threatened the case officer who was investigating their case that they will shoot him with a gun.

The allegation further said that the men claimed that they still have guns and will hunt for the case officer everywhere and will kill him.

Low turnout

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0

Proceedings into DBSI Bill adjourned due to lack of quorum

 

By Gary Hatigeva

FURTHER deliberations of parliament and Committee of the Whole House over the much talked about Development Bank of Solomon Islands Bill 2018, were disrupted and adjourned to today due to a lack of quorum.

The issue of quorum was raised following a point of order from the Chairman of the Bills and Legislation Committee and MP for Aoke/Langalanga, Matthew Wale after realising the number of members present was unable to meet requirements under parliamentary standing orders.

After covering almost half of the total number of clauses contained in it, Committee proceedings were suspended for lunch, but the lack of attendance by members for the resumption had sparked the issue of quorum, giving the speaker no choice but to adjourn yesterday’s session, including the Committee session.

Before the committee proceeding was suspended, parliament was able to go through 24 clauses, leaving another 25 to be covered.

The government had projected for all proceedings and final reading on the bill to be completed by yesterday, but because of the adjournment, further deliberations into the Bill will likely be put forward to any other sitting session, after the 27 of this month, as they have proposed for a motion to call for a special adjournment today.

However, parliamentary officials suggested that the government can also use today to complete all committee proceedings into the DBSI Bill, and push forward all its other businesses that were laid out earlier, for today’s session.

Matters that were outlined for this morning’s session according to the Prime Minister, includes the second readings for both the 2019 Appropriation Bill 2018 and the Supplementary Appropriation Bill 2018 number two, and the motion for a special adjournment of parliament.

The Special Adjournment, according to government officials is to allow for necessary scrutiny to be conducted by the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) over the 2019 Appropriation Bill 2018 and a second Supplementary Appropriation Bill for this year.

Island Sun understands that the Prime Minister will also be leaving today for the APEC Summit due to take place in Papua New Guinea’s capital, Port Moresby this week.

Parliament was adjourned to this morning.

Remembrance Day

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0
Representing the government, Foreign Affairs Minister, Milner Tozaka.

BY GEORGINA KEKEA

SOLOMON Islands yesterday joined the rest of the Commonwealth countries to commemorate Remembrance Day at the Commonwealth Street in Honiara.

Organized by the British High Commission, the day yesterday was to remember 100 years since a peace agreement was signed by warring parties to end World War I.

With the theme, ‘We will remember them’ the programme started with a Remembrance prayer, offered by the Rt Revd Archbishop George Takeli of the Anglican Church of Melanesia (ACOM).

Joining the Remembrance Service yesterday were students from Woodford International School who also participated by singing a song, ‘When duty calls’.

It was a solemn occasion as dignitaries and mission heads came together for another gathering to honour history.

Remembrance Day was first observed in 1919. It was originally called ‘Armistice Day’ to commemorate the armistice agreement that ended the First World War on Monday, November 11, 1918 at 11am – on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month.

Yesterday at 11am, the peace bell was also sounded in Honiara to celebrate the end of World War One.

Akapusi Malugulevu of Woodford International School ringing the ‘peace bell’ to celebrate the end of the first world war.
Commander J J Williams on behalf of the men and women of the Australian Defence Forces.
Don Boykin representing the United States of America to lay a wreath to remember those who have died in World War 1
Lt Commander Phil Rowe on behalf of the men and women of the New Zealand Defence Forces.
Miss Lilli Mitchell & Mr Elijah Uacisrael on behalf of the school children.
The students from Woodford International school joins Remembrance day program.
Representing the government, Foreign Affairs Minister, Milner Tozaka.

Widows and single mothers lack economic opportunities: Report

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0
Community participation of both men and women.

BY LYNTON AARON FILIA

Community participation of both men and women.

WIDOWS and single mothers in Solomon Islands are said to be the most disadvantaged people to any economic opportunity, a report shows.

A report compiled by Strongim Bisnis and Oxfam International Solomon Islands found that widows and single mothers in Malaita, Guadalcanal and Western provinces lack economic opportunities.

It said although this group of people receive some support from communities and churches, throughout activities they were identified among those most disadvantaged for any economic opportunity.

This is due to their high care and domestic labour burdens and having less available support from male family members for ‘heavy’ labour required for paid or unpaid work in the gardens or home.

Besides, single mothers from also encountered the similar experiences, according to the report.

Western province single mothers were identified by adult women as experiencing more challenges in the community and economy due to added layers of social stigma, discrimination and gossip.

On such situation single mother is blame either for not marrying well, or for not being a ‘good’ woman, the report said.

Meanwhile, the study carryout identified various power differences based on gender, age, marital status and disability in a range of spheres that are important to economic empowerment.

However, despite their skills and capabilities, young women’s high burden of care works exposure to violence, lack of voice in household and community decisions.

Their apparent exclusion from community information and economic opportunities is critical and needs to be addressed to prevent inter-generational risks and vulnerabilities, especially related to violence.

Tikopian delegation highlights SI in France

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0
Ms Freda Tuki and other representative of Tikopia tribe who joined the delegation to France.

BY LYNTON AARON FILIA

FRANCE is looking to support Solomon Islands after the film on Tikopia and its way of life was showcased in Paris, France.

Two weeks ago, a high Chief from Tikopia and five elders representing their tribes left Honiara to go to France for the premiere show. In France they met with politicians there after the screening.

With the inspirational stories documented in the film, France is interested to support Tikopia and Solomon Islands in the area of climate change.

During their stay in Paris, Mr Onomarie said they met with French politicians through their visits in cities across France.

He said during the screening and discussions a lot of organisations that attended met with them to talk about climate change and pledging their support to assist in near future.

“Our discussion is based on climate change as it affecting the Tikopia Islands and Solomon Islands as a whole. We did well during our discussion about climate change with the politicians in France,” Onomarie said.

“We manage to secure some support from France as few organizations have shown interest to support Tikopia and Solomon Islands in near future.”

Onomarie said they pledged to support with machines first.

“This is one of the fruitful trips where we did not focus much on ourselves but Solomon Islands as a whole. They recognised Solomon Islands and even the country’s flag put up in every meeting we attended,” he said.

Ms Freda Tuki who was behind the project from the start said she is excited to see the trip is successful along with the new partnership with France.

She said they have been working in this project since 2015.

As a result, they received donations last year from other organizations in France, particularly solar and machine to turn saltwater into fine drinking water.

With the new partnership, Tuki said the organisations are looking forward to work on the water sanitation and other assistant and climate change to extend a sea wall on Tikopia Islands.

She adds not only the Tikopian community but whole of Temotu islands as well.

Meanwhile, the delegation arrived in Honiara on Friday November 9th.

The screening of the documentary tittle in France “Nous Tikopia” and in English “We Tikopia” is at Good Planet Foundation in Paris.

The documentary was captured in Tikopian language with French subtitles, and it was viewed across France and also on TV.

The film director is Corto Fajal.

Representative of Tikopia tribes welcome by Tikopian community at the Honiara International airport.
Ms Freda Tuki and other representative of Tikopia tribe who joined the delegation to France.

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