THE case against the former Constituency Development Officer and his co-accused has adjourned to October 22 for continuation of submission in regards to the ‘no case to answer’ submission.
This case has gone through a trial in which the prosecution called their witnesses and gave evidence in court. After prosecution closed their case the defence submitted a ‘no-case to answer’.
Following the ‘no case to answer’ submission, prosecution also will submit their view in response to the submission.
Defence lawyer representing the accused said that their clients have a ‘no case to answer’ on the allegations against them.
The two accused on this case were charged in relation to the allegations that they stole sheets of roofing iron from the Gao-Bugotu Constituency.
Jimmy Dikamana and Lonsdale Tana were charged in relation to incidents which occurred in 2015.
Prosecution alleged that the two stole roofing iron from the constituency and sold them to other people.
The Office of the Director Public Prosecution appears for the crown.
The national under-16 soccer side during the recent OFC Under-16 Championship in Honiara.
BY ROMULUS HUTA
THE national under-16 side will begin its preparation for next year’s FIFA Under-17 World Cup in Peru soon.
Head coach Stanley Waita confirmed on Monday.
Waita said they are yet to finalise an exact date for the kick off of their preparation but they would like to have it started by the end of the month.
“I have to meet with the boys first before coming up with an exact date. But it has to be the end of this month,” he added.
Solomon Islands and New Zealand will take part in the 18th edition of the global biennial event as Oceania representatives after finishing as the top two teams in the regional qualifiers held in Honiara last month.
Next year’s youth world cup is scheduled to run from October 5 to 27 across eight host cities in Peru.
Four Asian teams namely Australia, Japan, South Korea and Tajikistan join host nation Peru and the two Oceania reps Solomon Islands and New Zealand, occupying the first seven slots in the 24-team tournament.
Seventeen slots are yet to be filled by teams from UEFA (Europe – 5 teams), CAF (Africa – 4 teams), CONMEBOL (South America – 4 teams) and CONCACAF (Central, North America and Caribbean – 4 teams).
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Rick Hou has assured the Solomon Islands Football Federation (SIFF) of his government’s support for the Solomon Islands national U-17 team towards their preparations for the world cup through the Ministry of Home Affairs.
The proposed assistance was discussed in a meeting between SIFF president, William Lai and Prime Minister Houenipwela held at the Office of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (OPMC) last Wednesday.
During the meeting, Lai presented a brief on the national U-17 preparation plan to the Prime Minister which includes tours, international friendlies and training camp.
“For the next three weeks we are in the process of finalizing our preparation plan for our U-17 team which includes training camps in Japan, Spain, England and in South America,” the SIFF president said.
“So we need the government support as we are trying to prepare a competitive team for the FIFA U-17 World Cup in Peru next October.”
Prime Minister Houenipwela then assured the SIFF president that the government will assist the team.
“I want to assure SIFF that my government is committed in supporting the team through our ministry responsible,” the Prime Minister said.
“If you have a budget it will be helpful to send it so we could follow it up with the Home Affairs ministry.”
OAG report finds $26M given to MPs through Shipping Grant, but no ship
By Alfred Sasako
JUST as the anger surrounding payments of hundreds of millions of dollars to JQY Enterprise Ltd – a Government Preferred Supplier – begins to subside, another potentially controversial scheme involving the misuse of public funds has emerged.
This time it involves payments of tens of millions of dollars to successful applicants in what was known as the National Shipping Grants Initiative. It was administered by the Ministry of Infrastructure Development (MID).
The scheme known as the Shipping Grants for short, operated between 2013 and 2015. In that time some $45.4 million in grants were dished out, largely to members of Parliament, to buy ships for their constituencies.
Of this amount, vessels bought and registered represent only $19.1 million, according to a Performance Audit Report on the scheme, undertaken by the Office of the Auditor General (OAG).
The balance ($26.3 million) were given out to successful applicants, but no ships have been bought, according to the report, which revealed instances of missing files, advanced payments of grants and more.
Island Sun has obtained a copy of the Report, which had been widely circulated to key government ministries, including the Ministry of Finance and Treasury as well as the National Parliament.
Among other things, the report recommended that legal action be taken to recover monies from those who received the grants but have failed to provide any progress report on their vessel purchases.
The audit also found that the scheme operated without formal government policy for two years (2013 and 2014). A formal policy guideline was introduced in 2015.
Despite its damaging findings, both MID and the Ministry of Finance and Treasury, appear to have ignored its findings and recommendations to address the anomalies found in the administration of the Programme.
“OAG collected a total of 24 transactions from the government general ledger account for all shipping grants made during the period 2013 to 2015 and conducted a review of all supporting documentation for each of the transactions. 17 of the 24 transactions were for vessel purchases,” the report said.
It found for example that only two of the eight purchasing transactions totalling $17.8 million complied with the guidelines introduced in 2015.
Despite the policy guidelines, the audit found that “All but 2 of the 2015 vessel purchase grants issued did not comply with the requirements of the policy guidelines.
“It is recommended that the guidelines be made clear to all grant applicants and a condition be inserted whereby any failure to abide by the conditions will result in a demand for the grant amount to be returned to the government which can be enforced through the courts,” the report said.
Recipients shared some $26.3 million in grants purposely to buy ships but none was bought, according to the report. The report also shows that of the 17 successful applicants, 13 (thirteen) were members of Parliament (MPs).
THE Solomon Islands national rugby league team competing at the 2018 Rugby League Emerging Nations World Championship in Sydney, Australia has finished the competition on a high note.
The Sollies finished the competition as the plate winners after beating Hong Kong 56- 14 on Saturday.
Assistant Coach Mr Luke Doff said it was a proud moment for Solomon Islands rugby league despite the many challenges faced.
“What a proud moment in Solomon islands Rugby league history winning the plate in the rugby league emerging nations world championships.
“The team’s commitment, passion, pride and desire made it easy to want to give up my weekends and week nights to help.
“It’s an outstanding achievement from a great group of people with limited funds. Playing four matches and winning three. The team got better with every match and the future looks very promising with so many young players in the team,” he said.
Meanwhile, one of the Sollies veterans who will retire after the ENWC Calvin Tengemoana said this achievement is the highlight of his sports career.
“After four tours with the Sollies this will be my last international games. I’m so happy to be able to finish my league career with a plate at the ENWC.
“My first tour was in 2015 at the Pacific Games in PNG, then played two test matches with Vanuatu the first in 2016 in Port Vill,a then again in 2017 in Honiara and finally here in Sydney.
“This is the biggest achievement I got in my sports life and career,” Tengemoana told SunSPORTon Monday.
Urilolo traditional dancers performing their cultural dance at the opening of Ijo Maringi festival.
BY ALFRED PAFEPITU
GIZO
IT’S always bigger, better and amazing than the last. This goes for the Ijo Maringi Festival 2018, which opened in Saeragi village, west Gizo on Friday last week.
Hundreds of people within Gizo, Vella la Vella and Ranonga packed the Ijo Maringi Festival opening.
The opening ceremony saw a short demonstration on how the people of Ijo-Maringi have been killed by head-hunters from Roviana hundreds of years ago.
Urilolo traditional dancers performing their cultural dance at the opening of Ijo Maringi festival.
Being the fourth episode of the annual Ijo-Maringi Festival, this initiative, which is owned by the Saeragi House of Chiefs, is this year themed ‘Conserved culture conserves environment’.
The event involves sports, competition and ecumenical fellowship in recognition of cultural heritage and environmental conservation.
Guest of honour Western Province Speaker Adrian Sinabule speaking at the opening ceremony on Friday said the aims and objective has been premised on good management practices highlighting the need of course to be centred on Conservation based approaches, in addressing issues, surrounding our very vulnerable environment.
“Let us not forgetting to find the best way probable in nurturing our good old customs and cultural norms.
“This is an important step to shared ideas and common goals.
“It is fitting to say that the Association of Ijo Maringi Festival Communities Ridges to Reefs Conservation network has moved forward as we heard into the future and many people and organizations were involved from the start.”
Saeragi Community dramatizing how Late Chief Giroi brings his people with his crocodile back to Saeragi Village after head hunting.
Sinabule said that the Ijo Maringi festival Conservation movement is a network of people who lived up on the mountain Ridges of Gizo up there, now joining the coastal dwellers from Villages far back as New Manra/ Titiana reaching out to the South Western tip at Saeragi, Vorivori, Bibolo and Paeloge.
He said that the festival movement has extended across Vella la Vella Island and has indeed captured Eleoteve and Maravari on South easterly side of the islands.
“These are true signs that the network is growing, physically and spiritually sense Ijo people share a common interest of bondship and unity through tribal connection as a matter of fact.”
Provincial Assembly Hon Speaker Adrian Sinabule presenting his key note address after he declares the official opening if Ijo Maringi Festival at Saeragi Village on Friday.
YECSI members turned out in numbers for the launch
THE Young Entrepreneurs Council Solomon Islands (YECSI) was successfully launched on Friday, October 12, 2018 at the Mendana Hotel in Honiara.
When launching YECSI, Prime Minister Rick Houenipwela said YECSI is one of the first successful examples of an innovative Public Private Partnership (PPP) initiative under the government’s PPP policy.
“The Establishment of YECSI, under the auspices of the Solomon Islands Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SICCI) in partnership with the Solomon Islands Government (SIG) demonstrates this PPP approach.
“It is very heartening to note this partnership has further developed into more collaborative engagement, for example, through the establishment of the YECSI Advisory Committee,” PM Houenipwela said.
ILO Director, Donglin Li (left) Prime Minister Hon Rick Houenipwela and Secretary to the Prime Minister (SPM), Dr Jimmy Rodgers.
The SIG partners on this committee include the Ministry of Women, Youth, Children and Family Affairs (MWYCFA); Ministry of Commerce, Industry, Labour and Immigration (MCILI); Ministry of Culture and Tourism (MCT); Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAL); the National Youth Congress (NYC) and the Youth@Work programme.
“YECSI will play a crucial role in helping to promote, coordinate and support the development of young entrepreneurs in the country.
“It offers a platform that will provide all young entrepreneurs a collective voice, and help them channel their collective efforts into supporting the socio-economic development of the country. YECSI will coordinate and support capacity building programmes for young entrepreneurs,” the Prime Minister said.
The Prime Minister assures that his Government recognises the value and potential that our young people possess.
“We believe that Solomon Islands economic prosperity lies with our youth population. Currently it is an untapped potential to power development into the future. Indeed, our youths underpin our economic engine – ready to engage and be engaged in development,” he said.
SICCI Chair Jay Bartlett, YECSI Chair Millicent Barty and Coordinator John Wopereis and Guest Speaker ILO Director, Donglin Li welcoming the Prime Minister and his delegation to the launching ceremony. Photos from SICCI Media
SICCI Chair, Jay Bartlett reiterates that it is only through the partnership between SICCI and Government through the Ministry of Women, Youth, Children and Family Affairs that YECSI is possible.
“The partnership and support very much appreciated but I believe more can be done from both the Private Sector and Government.
“I believe YECSI has the potential to play a critical role in bringing together an inspiring group of young Solomon Islanders,” he said.
Mr Bartlett said YECSI is all about positioning our youth in a way so they have an opportunity to influence the decisions that will affect them.
“We must involve our youth in important discussions and nurture the partnership between youth, Government and business to find ways to meet the development challenges we face,” he said.
The SICCI Chair also congratulated the newly elected YECSI Board of Chairlady Millicent Barty, Vice Chair Chrisnrita Leong-Aumanu and board members Andrew Bouro, Gloria Hong and Solomon Chant.
“I believe under the leadership of Ms Barty and Coordinator John Wopereis, YECSI is in good hands,” he said.
Meanwhile Prime Minister Houenipwela urged the YECSI Board to work together, think together, strategise together and be effective representatives and ambassadors of our youths in the country.
“You can help unlock the doors that have been holding our young entrepreneurs back.
“Let me re-assure you that the Government is committed to creating opportunities to promote youth innovation, entrepreneurship and job creation. This is our pathway into the future,” the Prime Minister said.
YECSI currently has 60 members based in or operating their businesses in Malaita, Western, Renbel, Makira, Isabel and Honiara.
YECSI is a body that will assist in the promotion, development and provision of dedicated support services to young entrepreneurs in Solomon Islands. YECSI will bring young entrepreneurs together to be part of a larger group of young entrepreneurs.
It will support entrepreneurs in a range of areas including mentoring, coaching, business planning and facilitating business trainings where possible.
A huge part of YECSI mandate is to undertake advocacy on behalf of young entrepreneurs aimed at unlocking legislative, and policy constraints that are holding back opportunities for young Solomon Islanders.
YECSI members turned out in numbers for the launch
PM Hou congratulating the newly appointed Bishop of Auki Diocese during his consecration on Sunday.
PM Hou making his speech when congratulating the new Bishop Peter Houhou
PRIME Minister Rick Houenipwela has congratulated the Most Reverend Bishop Elect Peter Houhou describing him as a ‘true son of Solomon Islands’.
Bishop Houhou is the first native Solomon Islander to be appointed as Bishop of Auki Diocese and the first to hold this post in the history of the Catholic Church in Solomon Islands.
Speaking during the consecration of the Bishop in Auki, Malaita province, Prime Minister Hou congratulated Reverend Houhou on behalf of the Government and people of Solomon Islands.
“It is with great joy that I accepted the invitation to be present at this august occasion of the installation and consecration of the first indigenous Solomon Islands Catholic Bishop.
“As Prime Minister it gives me great sense of pride to be here to witness this momentous and historical celebration. It is another milestone achievement in the 450 years history of the Catholic Church in Solomon Islands.”
The Prime Minister said the historical event is no doubt a celebration of a fundamental achievement of the Catholic faith in Solomon Islands and to Solomon Islands as a country.
“I say this because we are witnessing our very own son being recognised by the universal church through the working of the Holy Spirit, to take up his cross and follow the footsteps of our Lord Jesus Christ. We praise God for this wonderful gift to the Christian family here in Solomon Islands,” he said.
The Prime Minister added that Solomon Islands is so blessed, and fortunate to be a free and fair society when it comes to our religious beliefs and practices.
PM Hou congratulating the newly appointed Bishop of Auki Diocese during his consecration on Sunday.
“You are chosen to serve the people of God in this part of the country. Malaita as we all know is the most populated of our provinces. This brings with it both opportunities and challenges.
“I am confident with your able and astute leadership, the Church here in Auki and Malaita as a whole, and with God’s guidance, you be able to face these challenges with confidence,” the Prime Minister said when congratulating the new Bishop.
Prime Minister Hou also encouraged the newly elected Bishop to work closely with the national government and its agencies, to find opportunities that the Church and the Government would be able to work collaboratively in the service to the people.
Thousands of people from around Malaita, Guadalcanal and Honiara came to witness the historical event.
Most Reverend Houhou when making his speech, pledged to work faithfully to serve the Church and the people.
He has also acknowledged the Prime Minister and Madame Rachel for travelling all the way from Honiara to witness the occasion.
“Thank you for gracing this occasion. It signifies the humbleness from you as our leader to be here today,” he said.
Also accompanying the Prime Minister is the Minister for Fisheries and MP for West Are’Are John Maneniaru and officials from the Prime Minister’s Office.
PACIFIC nations have called on Australia and New Zealand to increase the number of people they employ in their regional seasonal workers schemes.
The call is the end result of the second Pacific Labour Mobility Annual Meeting which wrapped up in Honiara last week.
The outcome statement from PLMAM, which was released on Friday, looked at how seasonal worker programmes could be improved.
“Pacific Island countries called on Australia and New Zealand to continue give preference to workers from the Pacific,” the PLMAM document said.
They also welcome the increase in the number of Pacific workers in the employment programmes as a “win-win solution for workers and employers”.
Trade Commissioner Joseph Ma’ahanua told the Island Sun that the meeting had been successful.
“The outcome statement is centered around issues on improving access in areas of visa, areas relating to how superannuation could be fitted into in the schemes, areas relating to information sharing and so forth,” he said.
Pacific nations also agreed that superannuation, which is Australia’s retirement savings scheme, needs to be discussed further to deal with the challenges faced by regional workers in getting their superannuation back.
The meeting also agreed to tackle the issue of remittances, or money transfers, as a matter of priority.
Australian High Commissioner Roderick Brazier said the Australian government will continue to help the Solomon Islands increase the number of workers in its employment programmes.
“We want to help Solomon Islands in reaching this needed target and also we think that Solomon Islands has a large, young, willing, diligent work force that can participate in the Australian economy as well.
“We love to see Solomon Islands reach those numbers, 5000, 6000, 7000 going to Australia helping to improve their lives and the lives of their families,” Brazier said.
He said while the number of Solomon Islanders going to Australia had increased to 176 in 2017-18, the numbers of workers was low compared to Tonga and Vanuatu.
The meeting was attended by Pacific nations, Australia and New Zealand, employers, seasonal workers and academics.
The statement also recognised the importance of PLMAM as a key regional forum
The meeting also considered the setting up of a regional body for labour mobility with clear mandates and responsibilities.
Solomon Islands, Tonga, Samoa and Vanuatu have all offered to host the proposed regional labour mobility secretariat
(LEFT - RIGHT) Freda Fa’atoa, David Anderson BSP Country Manager, Sai Foanaota and Christina Tumuri.
BY MAVIS NISHIMURA PODOKOLO
(LEFT – RIGHT) Freda Fa’atoa, David Anderson BSP Country Manager, Sai Foanaota and Christina Tumuri.
THE Bank of South (BSP) in Solomon Islands has called on businesses operating in the country to wear something pink in aid of Pinktober.
The call was made in a press interview with the BSP Country Manager David Anderson last week in Honiara.
Manger Anderson said Pink Ribbon Charity works on escalating breast cancer alertness across the Solomon Islands as it has become one foremost medical concern which women and girls of this nation and the hospital workers are currently facing today.
Anderson adds for these reason workers are encouraged to wear something pink in spreading breast cancer awareness in Solomon Islands.
He said hence BSP calls on all business operating in the country to support this charity and encourage their employees.
With that is pleased to recommend that BSP staff in the country will be celebrating Pinktober again this year on October 26.
Anderson further explains as part of this celebration they will wear pink and donate $10 to First lady Pink Ribbon Charity in which BSP will tie workers donation on a $ for $ basis.
DEAR EDITOR, for a good number of years I have contributed to your newspaper my concerns relating to the health, welfare and medical needs of the people in the Solomon Islands.
Having constantly in mind such concerns I initiated contact with the charity organization in New Zealand, Take My Hands and with Lions Clubs.
Take My Hands has become my close charity partner and I retain strong bonds with Lions Clubs.
Take My Hands for at least the last three years has supplied the Solomon Islands Ministry of Health and Medical services with invaluable medical equipment and medical supplies that have essentially gone to assisting the needs of patients at the National Referral Hospital (NRH).
Lions Clubs has donated 6000 pairs of spectacles which have gone to the National Referral Hospital and been distributed to those needing eye glasses but not necessarily having had the means of acquiring their own.
The NRH and medical services in the Solomon Islands needs constant support and I think that, apart from aid in the form I have tried to secure, I believe it is only timely that I draw attention to the health factors that not only would reduce the need for medical attention but to those health related issues that ordinary Solomon Islands should be taking to protect their health and the health of their love ones.
I have already written about the manner in which the habit of eating too much imported food products containing too much fat and too much sugar has contributed in no small measure to obesity, high blood pressure and diabetes.
Such non-communicable diseases (NCD) are wholly preventable if only a more traditional diet of vegetables, fruit and protein like fish are eaten.
Smoking and drinking alcohol, including kwaso all contribute to health concerns such as obesity, liver disease and cancer.
If alcohol is taken it should be in moderation but drinking kwaso is risky and the habit not only against the law but very often high in alcohol content which dangerously heightens blood pressure.
Chewing betel nut is proven to carry a high risk of cancer, mouth disease, tooth decay and obesity.
Most often lack of exercise leads to becoming over weight and, combined, with the habits of drinking alcohol, chewing betel nut and not having a proper diet containing high levels of fat and sugary products ultimately leads to illness which could have been prevented.
Prevention is better than a cure, so the old saying goes, and I would very much hope that Solomon Islanders of all ages, but especially the younger ones, start to think positively of the life changing steps they can take to protect their health and, in turn, avoid getting sick and adding to the pressure already burdening our health services.
