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Wale calls on gov’t to ensure SI’s war relics remain protected

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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The Aoke/Langalanga MP, Matthew Wale

By Gary Hatigeva

MEMBER of Parliament for Aoke/Langalanga Matthew Wale has made a strong call for the government to take serious note of the warning given to Solomon Islands for the protection of its World War II Relics.

This comes following revelation of an open letter by the Governor of Oro Province in the Northern Region of Papua New Guinea, on a Mr Robert Greinert who is believed to be in Solomon Islands with intentions to remove world war planes from one of the country’s historical islands in the Shortlands.

In his letter, the PNG Governor revealed that the people of his province were tricked by the relic dealer, and shared how his province was a big time victim of his deals.

Governor Juffa claimed that while in Papua New Guinea, Greinert was responsible for removing dozens of planes from his country particularly, his province, where the people get very little or nothing at all.

“He removed our most famous intact plane wreck a B-17 known as “Swamp Ghost”. He paid the landowners no money – zero!”

Sadly, the Governor further stated that he had witnessed what could have make a world tourism attractions and revenue for his people, in a large museum in Hawaii, and his province particularly, the landowners who are now left with nothing.

This is something that many including Wale highlighted to be of serious concern and worrying at the same time.

He then called on law enforcement agencies and the Ministry of Culture & Tourism to collaborate and look into this matter, to ensure no permits are issued for the removal of war relics to Greinert and his team.

He further called on the Prime Minister and the Tourism Minister to follow up on the highlighted issue, ensuring Solomon Islands is not ripped off by what he described as, an unscrupulous dealers.

“And if the person violates our laws, that the police act decisively to arrest and deport the individual and any persons assisting him,” the Aoke/Langalanga MP stressed.

This issue had also got the Ministry of Culture and Tourism’s attention, who confirmed the groups’ intention here in Solomon Islands.

Speaking on this, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism Andrew Nihopara confirmed that the individual is here under a locally registered and reputable company, with intentions to recover and remove the Betty Bomber for refurbishment or restoration purposes overseas.

Nihopara said his ministry is fully aware of the intentions and will be working through all the issues surround such interests to ensure that the country’s interest prevails.

He revealed that ministry had placed a suspension status on the salvaging project to allow for the government to properly assess the interest by the foreign company, while at the same time, accommodate all the concerns that have been raised surrounding this issue.

On the legality aspect of this matter, the PS clarified that the locally registered company is a recognised one in this particular field, and also licensed, but the Ministry will see that whatever activities under this project, are done according to the Laws of Solomon Islands.

He said the country does have a Wreck and Relic Act (cap. 150), which governs any prospect in this area, and assured that the ministry will be using it to properly guide its decisions on this case, in collaboration with the Attorney Generals Chamber.

This legislation according to the PS is intended to protect the World War II relics in the country, and this will ensure that the protection mechanisms are applied in this particular case to ensure that what happened in PNG will not happen to the Solomon Relics.

RIPEL hits back at questions over $1.5M payout

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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By Alfred Sasako

The controversial $1.5 million in hard cash that is the focus of questions.

THE Chairman of the Lavukal Trust Board, Oliver Salopuka, has refuted claims that $1.5 million in dividends paid out to the Lavukal tribe members over the weekend was done in secret.

Mr Salopuka was responding to media claims attributed to the Savo/Russell MP and the Chairman of the Cabinet Sub-committee on RIPEL, Hon Dickson Mua, that the Government knew nothing about the payment.

Hon Mua also accused Lavukal landowners of breaching the terms of an MOU, which the Chiefs of the tribal group signed last.

“That MOU prohibited Lavukal landowners of any dealings with businessman Mr Patrick Wong and former RIPEL workers,” Hon Mua said.

Russell Islands’ tribal leader, Silas Selo, also questioned the payment saying there are sinister motive behind it.

“It is all politically motivated,” Mr Selo said.

But Mr Salopuka has hit back, saying there was nothing secret about the $1.5 million dividend payout.

“There is nothing secret about the payment. And the Government is not involved. LSL is a private company and it does not need to consult SIG when paying dividends or any company matter,” an angry Mr Salopuka told Island Sun yesterday.

“The fact of the matter is that LSL has budgeted for tax on the dividends LSL paid out on the weekend. What the likes of Hon Mua and Mr Selo forget is the fact that tax is only paid after IRD assessment,” Mr Salopuka said.

“The other thing people making these wild and baseless accusations forget is the fact that LSL and RIPEL are private entities. And we, not only are we directors of the Company but are shareholders as well,” he said.

Mr Salopuka also refuted claims that the MOU signed recently between the Government and the Lavukal representatives stopped landowners from dealing with Mr Wong and others.

“There is absolutely nothing in the MOU on this matter,” Mr Salopuka said. Mr Salopuka produced a copy, signed by the deputy Prime Minister and Salopuka said, “here. Show me where does it say Lavukal cannot talk to the Company or Wong. This is just a makeup story by Honourable Mua, to take away focus on other problems he is now facing”

Meanwhile businessman and architect of the RIPEL settlement, Mr Patrick Wong also reacted angrily about the MOU claim.

“As a company director, we know nothing about the MOU. And we are not a signatory to it either,” Mr Wong told Island Sun last night.

“If it is true, then I call on the Lavukal landowners and all ex-workers to immediately disassociate themselves from this part of the MOU,” Mr Wong said.

“If there is such a clause that prohibits associating with me, then I call on them to come out and say so publicly that they are not part of the MOU.”

Mr Wong said a lot of questions surround the signing of the MOU. First, it was signed at 9:30pm on a Saturday night. Secondly, the signing was done on the eve of the Court of Appeal on Monday 1st October, which RIPEL and LSL have subsequently won. Is there something inside this MoU SIG was going to do and take sides with John Whiteside?

“Sadly, RIPEL as a company in the centre of all these, is not a signatory to the MOU. So from the start, the MOU has no leg to stand on. I have my own interpretation for this event but that can be explained at some other time,” Mr Wong said.

Plane thief alert

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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The plane in the pic was moved from within the island to the cleared spot awaiting shipment. Picture supplied by a member of the Shortlands Forum group.

Solomon Islands warned of tricky deals to restore World War II relics

By Gary Hatigeva

THE Solomon Islands government and its people have been warned not to deal with a foreign War Relic Restoration Company, “Warbird Restoration Pty Ltd” that is currently in the country in an attempt to salvage old world war planes, in exchange for doubtful dollar.

Following revelations of the company’s intents in the Solomons after lying to his own people, in an open letter to Solomon Islands, Governor of Oro Province in the northern region of Papua New Guinea, Gary Juffa, shared that his letter was to warn the people so they don’t get tricked by this company like they did to the people of his province.

“It has come to my attention that a foreigner, Mr Robert Greinert has come to your country to remove war relics – the Betty bombers of Ballale Island. He and his company ‘Warbird Restoration Pty Ltd’ is not to be dealt with,” the Oro Provincial Governor warned in his letter.

He shared that in Papua New Guinea, this same person, Mr Robert Greinert and his company was responsible for removing dozens of planes from his country and province, for little or no benefit, and this he feared will happen again to the vulnerable rural people of Solomon Islands.

Meanwhile, the Governor added that Greinert and his group were able to remove their most famous intact plane wreck, a B-17 known as “Swamp Ghost”, which he did not pay for a single cent to landowners.

“Today, this plane is in the United States in Hawaii in a large museum and PNG, Oro Province and the landowners got nothing for a world attraction! I saw it myself with my own eyes and confronted the museum’s director,” Governor Juffa stated in his letter.

“Therefore, the People of the Solomons beware! Unless if you are receiving millions of dollars for these wrecks – upfront. I do not advise you sell them! Be wary of any leaders that are supporting a plan that is clearly wrong.

“These war relics are best left on your islands in your sea, that way foreigners will come to you to see them and pay the landowners, stay in your community guest houses and support your region,” he added.

He then reminded and called for people not to strike a single agreement or deal with Mr Greinert and his company, because they are not genuine as they may seem.

This issue has also attracted widespread concerns after it was posted on local online forums, prompting calls on the Solomon Islands government particularly, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism which is responsible for the implementation of the laws and regulation guiding war relics in the country, to take action and ensure that this company is looked into if it has already made some approaches.

In Solomon Islands, war remains especially relics are state owned, and therefore the government through the Ministry of Culture and Tourism has the final say in terms of approvals for removal or even for the purpose of refurbishments, so as approvals for export.

A follow-up with the Ministry of Culture and Tourism reveals and confirmed that the individual (Mr Robert Greinert) was in the country through a locally registered company, and had used it (company) to push his intention with the ministry to salvage relics from one of the country’s known historical islands in the Shortlands.

This is something that got many, including the Oro Province Governor worried, stressing that the restoration company will get millions from these tourism resources in the international market, while the country and those people whose lands host these relics, lose out big time.

Speaking to Permanent Secretary of the Ministry on this, Andrew Nihopara confirmed his ministry had in its records a project under this locally registered company, which is facilitating on behalf of the same individual who had similar relics removed from PNG, which according to the Governor, had left landowners waiting almost forever, on payments that was promised to them.

When asked about the revealed information, PS Nihopara said he was aware of what had happened in PNG, and confirmed that he is here in Solomon Islands on a mission, with intentions to recover and remove the Betty Bomber for refurbishment or restoration overseas.

The Tourism PS however stressed that regarding the highlighted matter, he had only just recently confirmed that the individual highlighted is also the same person implicated in the PNG Governor’s statement.

“The ministry is fully aware of the intentions and will be working through all the issues surround such interests to ensure that whatever happened in Oro Province of PNG will not happen to the Solomon Relics,” the PS explained.

As for the current situation, PS Nihopara revealed that a suspension notice for the salvaging operation has been issued to those involved.

The PS further explained that the suspension is purposely to give the government time to assess the interest by the foreign company, and to accommodate all the concerns raised by all the parties that are involved, including the Shortland landowners and the concerned public.

Nihopara then clarified that in any case, the Protection of Wreck and Relic Act (cap. 150), which is the law governing such interests, will be thoroughly used to guide the decision that the government will take on this case, in collaboration with the Attorney Generals Chamber.

It was further reiterated by the PS that the legislation highlighted is intended to protect the World War II relics in the country, and that is why the suspension notice was served on the current project to ensure that the protection mechanisms are applied in this particular case.

The company’s dealing in Papua New Guinea had also made international news headlines after the matter got surfaced, and 60 Minutes Australia, was able to cover this story in an episode under the name, “Plane Wrong” that detailed this struggle.

And if you are an online user and wish to see the coverage by 60 Minutes Australia of how it happened in PNG, it can be watched on YouTube, with the links provided in a two parted series, Part 1; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dUKfT7pOKHEPart and Part 2; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YNOUQlxJFsk

Bougainville women to maintain peacebuilding across Bougainville and nearby Islands

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Judith Oliver Bougainville Women Federation Executive Manager.

BY MAVIS NISHIMURA PODOKOLO

Judith Oliver Bougainville Women Federation Executive Manager.

BOUGAINVILLE women plan to maintain peace across Bougainville and the neighbouring Pacific nations.

This was stated according to the Bougainville Women’s Federation (BWF) three-year strategic plan 2019-2021.

Speaking at the recent Bougainville Young Women’s meeting held at Arawa in Bougainville, Judith Oliver, BWF Executive Manager, said women in Bougainville have been very proactive in building peace across Bougainville and nearby countries in past years.

Ms Oliver said because of this good work of peacebuilding done in the past by women champions of Bougainville, the Bougainville Women’s Federation (BWF) is now taking the lead to continue this good work.

“We will continue to maintain the peace building work across Bougainville and the nearby islands that experience the spill over the Bougainville crisis.

“This is one way we can build effective partnership in terms of fighting common issues affecting women and girls in the Pacific,” she said.

Oliver uttered peacebuilding across Bougainville have been one the BWF main priority in its three-year strategic plan 2019-2021

She said in carrying out this peace works they (BWF) are planning to involve Bougainville young women and the Papua New Guinea National Council of Women (PNGNCW).

Oliver said in terms of the peace work background it has been started through the implementation of then Bougainville peace agreement in 2001 soon after the conflict is ended.

She said hence the strategic plan period of 2019 to 2021 is an important timeframe for Bougainville.

She said not only that but the population is getting younger and half of the total population of 250,000 are teenagers therefore they (Bougainville women) will carry on peace building work the sake of the now generation.

Local questions re-opening of Goldridge mine

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Plant Site-Goldridge.

BY GEORGINA KEKEA

CHAIRMAN of the Kolobisi Tailings Dam Association (KTDA) has disproved media reports that Gold Ridge gold mine in Central Guadalcanal is about to be reopened soon.

In a statement to Island Sun, Chairman Primo Amusaea says he is calling on relevant authorities including the ministries of Mines and Energy and the Cabinet Subcommittee on Gold Ridge to verify claims by the holders of the Gold Ridge Mining Lease that they are about to reopen the mine.

He said it was claimed that significant progress has been made but he has reasons to believe otherwise.

He said what was being reported in the local media does not reflect what has been observed on the ground.

“Reports that people had moved out of the Mining Lease area is not true,” Amusaea said.

Crusher in state of disrepair and overgrown with weeds.

On the contrary, he said, people from the surrounding areas continue to move into the mining pits.

The plant site has been overgrown with grass and the area is dotted with rusted pieces of metal.

“Claims by the current Leaseholders that maintenance has been completed on the Plant Site is also not correct. Apart from very limited renovation work observed on what was previously St Barbara Head Office and Security Offices, very little work has been observed on the ground,” Amusaea said.

In short, he said, there has not been any progress in the reopening of Gold Ridge.

Meanwhile Chairman of the GCIL, Walton Naezon says work is progressing, though not at a pace which Amusaea wants.

He says the mining industry is a complex one and investors want to come and operate in an area where their operation is guaranteed.

Plant Site-Goldridge.

He says currently they have done all that needs to be done and the onus is on them to prove that Gold Ridge mining site can be operational again.

He said this takes time especially in regaining investor confidence, thus it cannot be rushed.

He made examples to previous operations done on the same site especially the number of years it takes before actual mining operations took place.

“Feasibility studies have been done. Reviews are being done. It is not simple as it looks and investors needs to be 100 percent sure,” Naezon said.

At the same time, Naezon says people in the community are slowly working in compliance with GCIL.

He said they have moved out from the mine pits as the company had bought houses for them too.

View from plant site –overgrown with grass and debris.

He said roads are being repaired and the company continues to carry out other infrastructure work, which is contrary to what Amusaea said.

He adds, Amusaea should know better the work involved in order to have mining operations done in any location.

He said if Amusaea wants to know the progress of this development, he should consult him (Naezon).

“He knows me. He knows my office. He should come and see me personally. I will be more than happy to brief him on the progress of our work,” Naezon said.

Meanwhile, Amusaea said public had been led into thinking that mining operations at Gold Ridge are about to happen anytime soon.

He added it is about time truth about Gold Ridge is brought out into the open.

He said the only way to achieve this is probably through a Government appointed Commission of Inquiry.

Part of old warehouse at the plant site- overgrown with grass and strewn rusted pieces of metal.

With his claims he also attached pictures which he said are evidence to show how slow this development had been.

Asked by Island Sun if these are recent pictures he said yes. However one of the picture is dated January 2, 2011.

Naezon said he respects and understands where Amusaea is coming from but he had hoped that he (Amusaea) should consult him first instead of coming to the media.

He said while he understands Amusaea’s grievances, the least he can do is to consult him (Naezon) instead of speaking to the media.

GCIL took ownership of the mine in 2016 after 17 years in which the mine had been owned by foreigners.

As announced in August 2017, AXF Resources reported that AXF Gold Ridge has secured additional investor funding to start the recommissioning of the Gold Ridge project.

Newest shareholder and Hong Kong publicly listed company Wanguo International Mining Group will provide additional capital and technical expertise to the project.

What remains of St Barbaras’ mining fleet (picture taken in 2011)

In the unprecedented arrangement, Gold Ridge Community Investment Limited (GCIL), which comprises the local landowners, owns 10 percent of Gold Ridge Mining Limited.

Refurbishment are said to commence on site and community relations activities are ongoing with one of the priorities the establishment of socially inclusive engagement mechanisms with landowners and local communities.

Island Sun also understands that Managing Director of AXF Group, Richard Gu early this month has settled a bitter supreme court dispute in Australia, with his former joint partner.

Sydney Morning Herald reports that Gu over the years has sold his property holdings to invest in Gold Ridge mine.

Meanwhile in response to Amusaea, Naezon made the assurance that Gold Ridge mine will commence operation as and when it is ready.

Voter list over 372,000

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Mr Saitala

An interesting increase within just 4 years, but is expected to drop says SIEC

By Gary Hatigeva

FOLLOWING last month’s voter registration programmes held nationwide, the Solomon Islands Electoral Commission (SIEC) through its Biometric Voter Registration (BVR) system, has confirmed recording around 372,850 voters, an increase of around 150,000.

This increase had jumped past the Commission’s estimates in the expected number, which the Commission’s Chief Electoral Officer, Mose Saitala suggested it to be an interesting increase from just over 200,000 from the last registration exercise, just about four years ago.

In this increase, the Commission has recorded close to 81,000 of newly registered including those who had just fallen into the eligible voting age, which was around the figures that were estimated.

However, around 54,900 were those who re-registered under the transfer status, a figure that is said to have gone beyond the Commission’s estimates, and this according to Saitala, had sparked the high increase, within a period of just four years.

He said it is also under these transfer activities where a lot of people used to register more than once, and confirmed that the commission through the sufficiency of the BVR system was able to remove a good number of names.

Others whose names appeared more than once, was due to the fact they were involved in the mass cross-border registration but have not fulfilled the requirements of the Act, have returned to re-do their registration in their constituency of origin, and this cases have been noted, with some already being removed.

He added that the current total number of names is also expected to drop after the crucial phase of the process, which is the objection and omission, including the public inquiry, where a good number of names are expected to be objected and removed.

The CEO stressed that to see a more accurate and realistic figure, more is needed to be done on the screening, but suggested that this can happen effectively through the help of the people, whom he encouraged to use the Objection and Omission period, to point out people whose names are highly questionable.

He explained that this important process will be done two weeks after the provisional list is put out, and the commission is now working tirelessly to finalise all its preparations and trainings for its Revising Officers, who will be tasked with the responsibility to look after the objection phase.

He then revealed that a good number of names were also highlighted by their registration officials to be underage, but pointed out that there are a good number of them that might still be in the provisional list, but can only hope they are spotted and removed.

Saitala however called again on the genuine electors in all constituencies to assist the commission on this, stressing that SIEC will also rely heavily on them to point out those who are not qualified to register, let alone voting.

Island Sun understands that the Commission was due to start its roll out programme yesterday, pinning up its provisional list of voters for viewing, ahead of the Objection and Omission phase in two weeks’ time.

‘Fathers play important role in breast feeding’

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Chief Nutrition Officer from MHMS, Ms Salome Diatalau who is facilitating a training on breast feeding programme currently in Auki

BY SAMIE WAIKORI

AUKI

Chief Nutrition Officer from MHMS, Ms Salome Diatalau who is facilitating a training on breast feeding programme currently in Auki

FATHERS are said to also play an important role in breast feeding.

Although breast feeding is carried out by mothers, fathers also need to understand their responsibility under the breast feeding programme.

Chief Nutrition Officer from MHMS who is facilitating a training on breast feeding programme in Auki, Ms Salome Diatalau, made the statement in an interview with this paper yesterday.

She said this breast feeding programme encourages fathers to play an integral role in the breast feeding and nurturing of the child.

“It is common that when mothers go for their antenatal clinic checks (mark), fathers usually do not accompany mothers to clinics.

“But now, as this baby friendly programme in placed we want care fathers give for babies must also share with mothers,” Diatalau said.

She said first care must be shown to mothers so that when babies come out, mothers are healthy to take care of them.

Diatalau said they encourage companionship among couples because they are the reason the babies are there.

She said during the period of pregnancy mothers go through lots of changes in their body, thus, support from fathers are very important to give confidence to mothers.

Diatalau continued that during antenatal, mothers will be educated on the baby friendly initiatives that look at breast feeding for mothers.

“So it’s good for both to be educated on the programme, so that when mothers are doubt on what to do during breast feeding period fathers can assist by recalling the breast feeding educational talk,” she said.

Diatalau said this programme cannot succeed without help from fathers and they encourage them to be the main driver behind the programme.

RIPEL dividend paid in full, more to come

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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RIPEL dividend paid in full, more to come.

By Alfred Sasako

RIPEL dividend paid in full, more to come.

BUSINESSMAN Patrick Wong and his Board of Directors have done it again – this time paying in full the remaining dividends to the Lavukal people of Russell Islands.

The quiet but rich ceremony took place at Marulaon Village in West Russell last Friday. Some $1.455 million (about AUD249, 000) in dividends were paid out, fulfilling an undertaking Mr Wong made just three months earlier.

“The $1.50m is tied up and is directly linked to the court cases. Once these were completed, it would immediately be paid out,” the businessman reportedly told the crowd last August.

Since then a stunning Court of Appeal victory on October 1 has given Wong and his directors the cue to proceed full steam ahead: and they did; after their promise to pay out within two to three weeks.

True to his word, Wong and his Directors travelled down to Russell Islands by boat early on Friday morning and paid the dividend in full – all $1.455 million of it and more.

Some questioned why the payment was made so close to the National General Election. They wondered if there was another reason for this massive payment,

“As a matter of fact this particular dividend of $1.5m was declared back in September last year. If not for those very few who supported and filed the 344/2017 High Court Case in August – September last year, this money would have been paid last year,” Wong explained.

“This matter was further delayed when this same group, who was misled by John Whiteside, a former employee, filed an appeal to the Solomon Islands highest court; the Court of Appeal,” he said.

“During the 1st of October judgement hearing, it was revealed in a Sworn Statement that this same Whiteside was right in the middle of this issue. Mr Wilson Rano, lawyers for Lavukal told the three Court of Appeal Judges that, when the Court ordered Lavukal to pay security for cost, Mr Rano did not send this notice to his clients; the Lavukal entities, but instead sent the letter to John Whiteside,” Wong said.

“This has now prompted some Lavukal people, to ask why Mr Whiteside is allowed to continue to stay in the country, when he was terminated by the company in October – November last year. He is unemployed, yet he is allowed to cause such bitter division between the Lavukal tribes,” Wong said.

Some Lavukal people are reportedly asking where Mr Whiteside is now, after leaving Chief Samuel Kubu with a $ 500,000 bill he must pay.

“This is what Chief Kubu gets for supporting Whiteside and Van Vlymen, another former business associated. Chief Kubu is thrown to the curb side and on his own,” they said.

Wong also explained that the $1.50million payment is not a bonus, it is Lavukal 24.90 percent share, which Lavukal is rightfully entitled to. He urged them to work together.

“This is the time to come together. This is the time to work together for the betterment of the Lavukal people,” Mr Wong, the main architect of the settlement, reportedly told the crowd.

“The important thing is that the Lavukal people must make a decision. Any internal fight between me and any of my former business associates should not be allowed to stand in the way of any development the Lavukal people want to see on their land,” reportedly said.

The ceremony was attended by many dignitaries from Central Islands province, including its Premier Patrick Vasuni. Honourable Dickson Mua was also invited to attend, but had to send his apologies.

In Friday’s ceremony, a deed of settlement was formally signed between the Lavukal Company Investment Ltd (LCIL) on behalf of its people on one hand and the Russell Islands Plantation Estates Ltd (RIPEL), International Comtrade, Shipping Limited (ICSL) and Levers Solomons Ltd (LSL) on the other. The Deed formalised the acceptance of the return of their three million shares and in turn their entitlement to dividends.

“That deed of settlement simply nullifies past undertakings by Lavukal. In essence, Lavukal has now accepted that the purported MoU made in October 2015 is now null and void,” a source who attended the ceremony told Island Sun at the weekend.

“The deed of settlement has now set RIPEL on a new pedestal for investment and development. In other words, RIPEL, once described as the “jewel of the crown” in Solomon Islands’ economy, is finally free for development.

“The difference is that any new development will be on the terms of the owner, not anyone else’s.”

In August this year Mr Wong and his directors paid the first dividends of $498,000, which was shared equally amongst some 3, 768 Lavukal people including children from two years up.

“Each member of the tribe received $130 each. We did not stop sharing the money until Sunday,” Chairman Lavukal Trust Board, Oliver Salopuka said at the time.

Mr Wong flew out of the country yesterday.

When approached for a comment, he simply said he had none except “I am simply doing what the people of Lavukal want to see.” When Island Sun pressed one last question and asked if this is the last one, Wong said – “No, there’s more to come.”

NCD kills 6 Solomon Islanders every day

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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BY SAMIE WAIKORI

AUKI

SIX people die every day due to non-communicable diseases (NCD), according to the country’s health ministry.

A report from the Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS) on the NCD programme says cancer kills one person every day, type-two diabetes kills one person every 2nd day and stroke kills one every day.

It reads that heart problems kills one to two people every day and smoking kills one person every 2nd day.

According to the report [source: NRH], for 2018 – two to three people were amputated every week for NCD related diseases.

It stated that NCD is on the rise and the impact it has on the human resources and economy of the country is great.

National government has spent lots of money to treat patients with NCD in hospitals around the country. It records about $35,883 to treat a diabetes per admission

The report said in 2017, about 400 cases of diabetes were admitted at the (Medical Ward) NRH and it costed about $2million for their treatment.

It is projected that if caution is not taken, in the years to come, people will see more and more NCD cases in young people in their 20s.

The report, on the other hand, gives roadmaps in which people can abide by to avoid NCDs.

It stated that in order to manage NCD, it needs to reverse NCD risk behaviour, not to smoke, eat healthy diet, control weight, no alcohol, no betel nut, and adopt healthy settings.

Sustainability to reduce NCD involves preventions of NCDs risk factors. This is to strengthen public health policies, like the “No Tobacco Act 2010”.

The report stated that it requires partnership with communities, churches and stakeholders to implement package of essential NCDs interventions in the primary settings.

A major discovery was that inadequate consumption of fruits and vegetables was a major risk factor for lifestyle disease and early death.

In the government level, multi-sectoral approach was paramount toward the implementation of the NCD strategic plan 2017- 2020.

The four years NCD strategic plan looked at healthy settings in preventing NCDs. That will be in workplace settings, schools settings and community settings.

The plan also to encourage healthy lifestyles which required providing practical support that creates environment to help people to change or make healthier choice.

These areas were on agriculture (farming), healthy settings, village settings (environment), price control (cheaper local garden foods), attention on supsup gardens and healthy cooking demonstrations.

The plan also advocated against smoking, alcohol, betel-nut and to support communal groups like churches to integrate with the settings.

The plan went to the extend of providing technical advice on NCD-PEN screenings in the settings.

Mass arrest expected

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Registration ground at Town Ground.

SIEC starts crack-down on people selling and buying voter ID cards

 

By Gary Hatigeva

THE Solomon Islands Electoral Commission (SIEC) has confirmed activating its major crackdown programme to follow up on people alleged to have collected and bought Voter ID cards since the close of the Registration period.

This comes as a follow-up from the data revealed by the Biometric Voter Registration (BVR) system from the recent registration programme and reliable information obtained.

In confirming this, SIEC Manager Operation Fred Bosaboe told Island Sun that the Commission is working closely with police to execute its mass crackdown exercise, which is expected to be happening soon.

He said the follow-up also comes as part of some complaints and claims raised by concerned voters of people who are allegedly collecting thousands of cards from voters in exchange for financial and personal benefits.

Bosaboe further revealed that around 1000 cases have so far been spotted under the system and information in hand, of people believed to have deliberately defrauded a programme that is guided by an Act of Solomon Islands.

It is believed that a lot of those who are involved in the multiple registration activity, have done so with intention to sell their cards to intending candidates, while candidates on the other hand, are said to be buying cards for the purpose of making estimates to the data of their potential voters for next year’s election.

And it is also said that this is the very reason why a good number of voters who registered in the 2014 registration programme, have appeared in numbers in the recent registration phase asking for replacement of their cards.

However, a lot of section within the new Electoral Act prohibits such activities, highlighting that is an offence for candidates to buy vote or voters soliciting the sale of their votes for any kind of benefit from a candidate, and those caught can face a penalty of $150,000 or 15 years imprisonment or both.

Vote buying or card trading according to officials, is also another form of campaigning, and to be engaged in campaign activity outside campaign period, also commits an offence and can face a penalty of $20,000 fine or two years imprisonment, or both.

Meanwhile, Mr Bosaboe explained that a good number of those to be called in for questioning through collaboration with police, also includes people who have ignorantly defrauded the registration system by engaging in multiple registrations or registering more than once.

Interestingly, the Biometric Voter Registration (BVR) system was also able to pick out one person who managed to register the highest up to 10 times in the recent registration period under different constituencies, using different names.

Unfortunately, he was caught in almost all aspects of the system, as the system according to SIEC, is so sophisticated that it was able to scan for both facial recognition and thumbprint matches, and in this person’s case, the system picked it out clearly, matching all details around 10 times, with a funny name in his last registration.

“And so yes, we are expecting a mass arrest of people attempting and evidently involved in card collecting, including those who are also involved in multiple registration,” Mr Bosaboe confirmed when asked.

Meanwhile, the SIEC Manager Operation stressed that they do acknowledge the fact that many are raising genuine concerns all over social media and mainstream media, but pointed out that it is unfortunate the commission has not received anything in formal.

He therefore, urges complainants to make formal submission of complaints to the commission for thorough follow ups if they have information of those currently involved in card collecting, and revealed that if caught, arrests and prosecution can take place.

He however warned that people involved in this practice have to stop, “because once the authority catches up on you, like the ones that have been noted for arrests, they too will get called up and if guilty, they will receive heavy punishments.

The New act speaks out clearly on such activities, placing an illegal status on them and people can be pay up to 150,000 units or imprisonments of up to 15 years max.

But of the 1000 cases revealed, the commission is of the view some of those spotted might later get released off the hook, and if it does, the commission anticipates the actual to be around 800 cases.

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