POLICE at Kirakira in the Makira Ulawa province are investigating a grievous harm incident involving a Malaysian national working at the Earthmovers logging camp at Marou Bay in West Makira on October 27, 2018.
The Provincial Police Commander (PPC) Makira Ulawa province, Superintendent Peter Sitai says, “Information received so far say that the Malaysian national, who is in his 50s, was allegedly assaulted by a local resulting in the victim sustaining a broken jaw.
“The motive for the alleged assault is not clear but police are investigating this matter.
“The suspect is yet to be formally arrested but police investigators are on the ground. Police appeal to the friends of the victim to remain calm as investigations continue. Anyone who may have any information about the incident is urged to come forward and assist the police.
“Causing grievous harm to another person is a serious crime under the Penal Code of Solomon Islands carrying a maximum penalty of 14 years imprisonment. Police will not tolerate people involved in such criminal acts.”
NGELLA Constituency’s famous purchased vessel known as the ‘Vaka Motor’ is under marine monitor to not operate.
Solomon Islands Maritime Safety Administration (SIMSA) has been waiting for the ‘Vaka Motor’ shipowners to approach them for ship registration since its arrival two years ago in Ngella Constituency over which to date, it is still not registered being the reason as to why there is an order by SIMSA to keep an eye out for it if it operates.
“If the vessel is seen operating then its operation is illegal,” stated SIMSA’s Administration to Island Sun.
In querying through Ngella’s Constituency Office this week, they did not deny the fact of being aware of the marine laws as since having problems with the vessels test runs and not yet fully facilitated with marine requirements too is why the ‘Vaka Motor’ is not yet registered.
On another scenario, Solomon Islands Parliament term is concluding and Ngella’s famous ‘Vaka Motor’ is complained over by Constituents to have never served the Constituency since its introduction in 2016.
THE YouSAVE Scheme and the proposed increase in the amount of contributions to Special Death Benefit (SDB) Scheme have been legally adopted under the Solomon Islands National Provident Fund Amendment Act 2018, after it made a smooth passage in parliament on Thursday.
After it was put down for debate, the Bill witnessed a lot of support from members of both sides of the house, many of which who spoke positively about the changes made to the current NPF Act, and commended the government for coming up with these important amendments.
Others have also described it to be a belonging to the people, which will directly have positive impacts on the livelihoods of the mass population, a group that many suggested to have been forgotten or left out by the major commercial financial systems and operations within the country.
NPF was usually referred to as a corporate entity of the government established to serve only those in the urban centres, mostly in Honiara, but with the new addition to its feature in the Amendment Act, the Fund now covers all, but was only advised to create mechanisms for a better access to those intended for by some of the changes included.
Submitted as the Solomon Islands National Provident Fund (Amendment) Bill 2018, the bill allows those in the informal employment to also save for retirement.
This saving scheme is called the YouSAVE and the bill’s passage now gives legal mandatory status to the scheme, which has been rolled out into the provinces as part of its trial phase carried out by the Fund and its stakeholders.
This new scheme is anticipated to improve the financial inclusion of pension savings in Solomon Islands and is supported by the Pacific Financial Inclusion Programme.
Other amendments are also made to bolster the financial stability of the Special Death Benefit (SBD) entitlement to NPF members.
Currently the special death benefit yearly premium has not been updated in over 40 years and is currently set too low for the Solomon Islands National Provident Fund to provide an appropriate Special Death Benefit to its members.
The amendments will update the special death benefit premium and other monetary amounts specified in the Act that have been eroded by inflation over the last 40 years which no longer appropriately reflect an appropriate monetary amount.
This was something that went down well with all members who contributed in general principle debate of the Bill, but an overwhelming suggestion from most for the Fund’s management to have the SDB accessible by families and relatives of members when they pass away.
Highlighting this, Member of Parliament for East Makira, Alfred Giro said this special benefit fund should be released when members pass away, and not wait for it to be included in the whole payout of members’ formal contributions, so to help family facilitate funeral and death related matters
He pointed out that facilitating death related activities is an expensive norm and this SDB will lighten the pressure on families of those NPF members who may have passed.
He stressed that with the many cultures there are in Solomon Islands, death is one untimely event that includes a lot of activities, many of which will include money.
These amendments have also included change in the timing for the declaration of the yearly interest to be credited to member’s accounts.
The amendments will change the timing from the end of the financial year which is in June, to three months after the end of the financial year which is the end of September.
This will allow the SINPF to make the decision of how much interest to credit to members’ accounts based on audited financial accounts, rather than on unaudited accounts that could change.
The amendments according to Members are simple and are responding to the need to ensure NPF remains vibrant, and can offer its services and benefits to a wider section of Solomon Islanders.
Parliament was later adjourned on Thursday after deliberating on the NPF Amendment Act, and is expected to resume around 9:00am this morning, but will likely be adjourned again for Monday, November 5, 2018.
THE Grade 6 National Examination known as the Solomon Islands Secondary Entrance (SISE) is highly likely to be phased out by 2019.
Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education and Human Resource Development (MEHRD) Dr Franco Rodie confirms to Island Sun yesterday that as soon as arrangements are finalised then they will inform key stakeholders of the new changes.
“As soon as arrangements are finalised, we will inform key education stakeholders, school principals, parents, students and the general public including the news media details of the termination of the Solomon Islands Secondary Entrance Examination (SISEE) particularly its current use for selection purpose.
“A new assessment regime that will focus on what students know or do not know and can do or cannot do and using information on what students know or do not know or can do or cannot do based on the subject they study in school will replace the SISEE.
“My Ministry has made the announcement in the previous year but we need to provide details of how it will be done,” said Rodie.
The plan to phase out SISE began in 2014 by the National Education Assessment Division (NEAD) on behalf of MEHRD.
Due to time factor and limited budget, the phasing out process has been delayed until next year, according to the Ministry.
If this comes to reality then students will only have to sit for the national examinations at form three.
Meanwhile, the national examinations for Grade 6, Forms 3, 5 and 6 will begin Monday next week.
POLICE at the Kirakira in Makira Ulawa province have assisted forestry officers execute a Commissioner of Forests order for the seizure of all forest produce, machineries and equipment of the Earthmovers Logging Company currently conducting operation at Marou Bay in the West Makira Constituency.
Provincial Police Commander (PPC) Makira Ulawa province Superintendent Peter Sitai says, “The order was issued following the failure of the Company to fulfil the ‘show cause’ notice by the Commissioner of Forests issued October 3, 2018.
“It is alleged that the Earthmover Logging Company had committed a forestry offence in particular the extraction of trees within the Rohu customary land that is not covered under its felling license A101537.
“Felling logs on unlicensed customary land is a serious offence under Forest Resource and Timber Utilisation Act. The offence could result in a fine and seizure of forest produce and machines.
“Police appeals to company management and landowners to remain calm while government officials are executing their official and mandatory duties.”
COURT has on Thursday set the trial on the case against former MP for Central Makira Constituency Hypolite Taremae for April next year.
Public Prosecutor Dalcy Belapitu told the court that the amended PTC document was already prepared but due to a power blackout yesterday morning, prosecution was not able to print out the amended PTC documents.
Presiding Magistrate Fatimah Taeburi then made directions for prosecution to file the amended PTC and adjourned the next interim mention date on the case as the trial will be conducted next year in April.
Ms Taeburi said she will allocate the whole of April for the trial; since the trial is next year the accused through his defence lawyer will submit application to the court for bail variation to allow him travel to the province.
The case then adjourned to November 29 for interim mention.
This is the case against the former MP who has pleaded not guilty to the charges against him and a PTC has been set he was arrested for allegation of misappropriation of fund in 2011 and 2013.
The allegation said Mr Taremae has misappropriated more than $200,000 for reafforestation project for Central Makira Constituency.
He was arrested and charged with conversion late in May this year.
Office of the Director Public Prosecution appears for crown while Anderson Kesaka is representing the accused.
THE accused into an alleged murder incident at the Tasimboko area in North East Guadalcanal is yet to enter his plea as his defence lawyer did not turn up in court yesterday.
This is the case of 22-year-old Fredrick Soniatavu, who is charged with one count of murder in relation to the incident which occurred in June this year.
Public Prosecutor John Zoze told court that the appearance yesterday was for the accused to be arraigned and also for the election of the preliminary inquiry; however since the defence lawyer was not present the court then adjourned the case to November 8.
The accused was further remanded in custody for the next court appearance.
Prosecution in remanding the accused said that the accused is facing a serious charge of murder in which once convicted life imprisonment was the penalty for such offence.
The Office of the Director Public Prosecution appears for the Crown.
THE ruling into the case of former Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Police National Security and Correctional Services will be made today at the Honiara Magistrate Court.
This is the case against Edmond Sikua who is alleged of corruption offences.
Mr 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 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.
PNG national wounded during break-in, police hot on trail
POLICE at Henderson in Guadalcanal province are investigating a wounding incident involving a Papua New Guinea (PNG) national working at the City Mission Rural Training Centre, Lungga, East Honiara on October 30, 2018.
Provincial Police Commander (PPC) Guadalcanal Province, Chief Superintendent Evelyn Thugea says, “The incident happened in the early hours of October 30, 2018 when a group of boys allegedly cut the compound fence of the City Mission Rural Training Centre and entered the residential area.
“The victim woke up realising there was a break-in so he went out and chased one of the suspects.
“It was alleged that during that chase a suspect who stood at a nearby dark corner came close to the victim and pushed the spear through his jaw and out on his right neck.”
The victim has been admitted at the National Referral Hospital in Honiara and is in a stable condition.
Thugea says, “Break-in within residences is one of the concerns for Police. Police is trying its very best to combat such activities from happening through its ongoing operational activities including organised patrols.”
She appeals to anyone who may have any information to come forward and assist police with the investigation.
“Such offences usually increase during the period leading up to Christmas because people will be travelling back to their homes for the festivities and would like to make money through the sale of stolen properties.
“I want to advice the residents of Guadalcanal Province to always store their valuable properties in a safe and secure place.
“Secure your property. Lock your gates and doors.
“When you are going out for a long period of time, ensure you inform a trusted neighbour so they keep a look out for strangers who loiter around.”
The defending champion of the Auki Futsal Challenge, New Settlers Futsal Club.
BY ROMULUS HUTA
The defending champion of the Auki Futsal Challenge, New Settlers Futsal Club.
ORGANISERS are anticipating a bigger Auki Futsal Challenge at the end of this year compared to the previous two editions since inception in 2016.
Challenge Coordinator Paul Mae told SunSPORTS yesterday that they are expecting up to 32 teams for the men’s competition.
The challenge will also feature a women’s component and nine teams have confirmed so far.
“We expect more teams to register and confirm participations in the lead up to the competition.
“For the men’s we have 23 so far and big interests are coming. Our target is 30 or 32 teams.
“Three teams from Honiara and one overseas-based have already confirmed their participation. But we expect a bigger participation figure this year and it’s going to be exciting,” Mae expressed.
The Auki Futsal Challenge has been scheduled to run from December 15 to 22 at Aligegeo Court with the theme ‘Promoting Women in Sports’.
Last year, New Settlers Futsal team was crowned the champions after defeating Kingstone in an action-packed contest.
According to Mae, the challenge began in 2016 and was initially restricted to futsal clubs and teams in and around Auki and Bati Futsal from Fiji was the only club from outside.
Mae added a year later, it grew bigger in the second edition following interests shown by teams from Honiara.
“The idea was to build and nurture the confidence of local clubs.
“In the 2017 challenge the first Honiara club to be invited was G Camp Futsal, the reigning Wantoks Cup Champions and a Honiara futsal powerhouse.
“The participation of G Camp Futsal at the challenge raised the profile of the event and drew huge crowds. Not only that, it also raised the level of local players, as they use the opportunity to measure up against Kurukuru reps and Honiara based players.
“This year we are looking forward to more of that, as more Honiara based clubs will make their way across the Indispensable Strait to Auki Town.
“As the Auki Futsal Challenge draws closer, all eyes will be on the current title holder.
“The question this year is, will they defend their title? News is, all the teams around Auki Town and Honiara are now preparing for the challenge.
“Kurukuru target man George Stevenson is taking a star studded side over to Auki comes December.
“HFA side CY Strikers will be travelling to Auki as well. Also, last year’s semi-finalist USP Bati/Wantoks will be bringing a much stronger side this year after going down to Kooline Futsal in the Vodafone International cup final in Fiji last month.
“This year’s challenge is going to be exciting!” Mae assured.
Meanwhile, clubs who have shown interests so far for the men’s are are Ailako, Kingston, Deadsand, Realas, DFC Warriors, Wantoks Futsal, New Settlers 1 & 2, Wantoks Futsal (Fiji), Honiara-based team, CY Strikers, Borders, GB United, Sanctus, Benedictus, Dawn Force, Shatorus, Auki Eels, Ambu Youth, Mataks, F-Ridge, Brothers, Central Coast and Mid-Sea Futsal.
For the women’s, they are Ailako, Kingston, Realas, Borders, Sanctus 1 & 2, DFC and Auki Eels.
The list will be updated once in the coming days and weeks leading up to the competition.
