PRIME Minister Rick Houenipwela has commended the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) in what was described as the biggest drug bust in history.
This followed the discovery of the millions of dollars’ worth of cocaine in a foreign vessel by the RSIPF.
Speaking on his way back from New York attending the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), the Prime Minister acknowledged the joint operation by the RSIPF and Australian Federal Police (AFP).
“I would like to commend the Police Commissioner and the RSIPF for a job well done and the professionalism displayed by our local police officers who have worked alongside the AFP in pulling of this massive and successful investigation,” he said.
The Prime Minister said the drug seizure is the biggest in history for Solomon Islands.
“This is a breakthrough and a positive display of what our local police officers are capable of,” he said.
A clinic on the border of East Kwaio and East Kwara’ae on Malaita has closed its doors, denying some 2,000-plus people access to medical care.
Sources told Island Sun on Monday the order to close down the facility at Namolaelae village came from the Director of Nursing based at Kilu’ufi Hospital three weeks ago.
The closure was blamed on a number of factors, including sanitation and petty complaints against staff, one said.
“There was no running water at the clinic for almost the entire year. The Namolaelae clinic could have been closed down months ago, but the Director of Nursing at Kilu’ufi decided to delay the action after the MP for East Kwaio and Minister for Infrastructure Development Hon Stanley Festus Sofu pledged to provide materials for the water supply.
“That was back in December last year. We have been waiting since but nothing has come through,” the source said.
The source said it would seem that things would only get worse so the decision was taken to close down the clinic until next year.
The two staff who were at the clinic are now helping at the Nafinua Health Centre until their postings for the next two months are decided.
“There were other issues at the Namolaelae Clinic. Members of the surrounding communities never stop complaining about the staff. This is now about the third time staff had to be moved because of petty complaints from members of the communities around here,” the source said.
The source said it is hoped this would be the last time that staff have to be moved unnecessarily.
Meanwhile, Sofu travelled to the Constituency last weekend, telling people at Yuru District his visit had nothing to do with Constituency matters.
He reportedly told the people he was there to visit with a sick relative.
However, a posting in the social media network, East Kwaio Politics and Development, said Sofu travelled to the Constituency to donate $50,000 to Atoifi Adventist Hospital. It is not clear whether the donation was made, if at all.
Sofu was due to return to Honiara yesterday. The weekend visit was his first in 12 years as an MP for East Kwaio.
THE Bills and Legislation Committee (BLC) is set to begin its inquiry into the government’s proposed payment system bill today, with hopes to receive a good turnout from those involved in its compilation.
On Monday, the Committee adjourned its hearing into the bill, which proposes the re-establishment of the former Development Bank of Solomon Islands, due to non-attendance by officials from the Ministry responsible, and the BLC is emphasising for those involved to make themselves available.
Submitted as the ‘Payment System Bill 2018’, the proposal looks to provide a legal framework that intends to introduce an electronic payment system in Solomon Islands.
The Bill looks to improve the safety and efficiency of payment processes, with high anticipation for it to reduce systematic risks and delays in the current existing manual processing of settlement systems, while at the same time, speed up the availability of funds for beneficiaries of payments.
The bill according to officials, is also expected to have positive impact on the efficiency of trade and activity in the country’s economy.
Objectively, the bill pointed out that although it is expected for a continued need to have manual clearing given the high use of cheques in the financial system, it (bill) provides the ability to prepare for the electronic payment system.
Currently, the country is using a manual payment system for transferring, clearing, and settlement of funds or securities, but the government is hoping that by introducing an electronic payment system will allow intermediaries to communicate with each other and electronically transferring amount when paying for goods and services.
“In Solomon Islands, there is no payment system in place to facilitate electronic funds transfers between banks or between customers of different banks.
“Instead, all these payments are made with cheques. The cheque clearing is totally manual,” it is said in the bill.
Apart from the other intentions, the bill also looks to provide the powers and duties of the Central Bank to regulate, license and oversee the national payment, while at the same time, given power and duties to operate payment, clearing and settlement systems.
The bill also proposes to provide the rules on the issuance of electronic money and the underlying or associated services.
The government through this bill, is looking to make amendments to the Central Bank of Solomon Islands Act 2012, repealing Part 6 that oversees the current payment system used in the country.
The Inquiry starts at 9.30 this morning and officials say the committee is hoping to use today and tomorrow to thoroughly go through the payment system bill, as a vital change to a system that has direct effect on the national economy.
Part of the road rehabilitated along the south road in West Kwaio.
BY SAMIE WAIKORI
AUKI
Part of the road rehabilitated along the south road in West Kwaio.
PROVINCIAL Secretary of Malaita province has announced that road rehabilitation in the province is still continuing.
Mr Jackson Gege made the statement in response to growing complaints by road users in the province over the deteriorated conditions of the roads in the province.
He said roads in certain areas of the outskirts of Auki have been rehabilitated and the programme is still continuing into places which have not yet been repaired.
Gege explained that the current road rehabilitation is funded by ADB and AusAID through the National Transport Fund and will continue to where the roads end (head roads) in the province.
“That means road maintenance will go as far as Hauhui in West Are Are for south road, Foia for north road and Atori for east road,” he said.
Gege said so far road rehabilitation is being carried out at Maoa area in West Kwaio for south road.
He said the road rehabilitation programme is for the three main roads in the province, and it will continue until it is completed.
Gege also adds that since public had complained before on manual work, the current programme has employed the use of machineries.
He admits that in line with past complaints when contractors used manpower, roads were quick to deteriorate, hence they have resorted to using machines.
Meanwhile, he appeals to the public in Malaita to be patient and give time for the road works to produce standard roads which will cater for better travelling experience.
THE Prospecting Licence holder of the Jejevo Nickel Project, Sunshine Minerals says prospecting work on the Isabel nickel project will start soon as a new partner with technical capability has been accepted to join the Sunshine Minerals team.
Directors of Sunshine Minerals announced yesterday in Honiara that the new partner is METMINCO Limited, an Australian gold producer which has bought the entire share capital of Sunshine Minerals.
Sunshine Minerals owns 80 percent stake in the Jejevo Nickel Project.
Sunshine Minerals, the Directors say sees the partnership with METMINCO Ltd as the provider of the opportunity to develop the Jejevo Nickel Project.
And the Directors of Sunshine Minerals, Mr Pawel Misiec and Nelson Kile commend the Minister of Mines, Energy and Rural Electrification, Bradley Tovosia for his foresight on the development of the Jejevo Nickel Project.
They say the issuance of the prospecting licence to their company by Mr Tovosia means he understands the need to utilise the Jejevo Nickel resource to improve the resource owners’ earnings, that of the Isabel province and the country as a whole.
They add, nickel mining operations can also create jobs for thousands of school leavers and university graduates, especially from Isabel province, who presently are unable to find employment.
And most importantly, they say, having METMINCO Ltd as a partner with the right resources and the technical capability does mean the development of the Jejevo Nickel Project will soon become a reality.
Executive Chairman of METMINCO Ltd, Kevin Wilson has led a company delegation to Honiara to discuss with the Directors of Sunshine Minerals and their small team about the nickel project, whether or not Solomon Islands has a conducive environment for investment and general information about the country.
Prior to arriving in Honiara, Mr Wilson said his company was interested in acquiring stake in Nickel and Bauxite Projects in Solomon Islands.
He said METMINCO Ltd is operating Quinchia Gold Project in Colombia, South America.
Meanwhile, Sunshine Minerals says it also has a prospecting license to operate Tausere Bauxite prospect on South Choiseul, Choiseul province.
It adds METMINCO Ltd is also a partner in the Tausere Bauxite Project.
A man facing one count of rape has told court that he needs a lawyer to represent him.
Principal Magistrate Tearo Beneteti told the accused that if he needs a lawyer then he must continue following up on his requests made to the Public Solicitor’s office.
The accused told the court that he had made several requests to the PSO but has not had any lawyer visit him.
Beneteti said that he must continue to check on the PSO with the assistance of the Correctional Services and not to give up as the PSO is also facing a shortage of lawyers.
Meanwhile Public Prosecutor John Zoze informed the court that investigation into the alleged incident has already completed and disclosures have been prepared and are ready to be served to the defence.
The court then adjourned the case to October 15 for the accused to secure a lawyer so that the case can proceed.
On another separate case of rape incident that occurred in August and September of this year, the prosecution said that investigation is continuing and also the accused is still without a lawyer to represent him.
Prosecution also said that it is a new matter and the case is yet to be allocated to a prosecutor.
The case has also been adjourned to October 15 for mention.
A man found guilty of assaulting his mother in-law with a stick at Wanderer Bay in Guadalcanal province will be sentenced today at the Honiara Magistrate Court.
The case was mentioned in court yesterday for sentencing but the presiding magistrate said that he will deliver it today.
This is the case against Edwin Belei who was charged with one count of domestic violence physical abuse under the Family protection act 4 (1) (a).
Police said that the man assaulted his mother in-law with a stick at their village in Wanderer Bay.
As a result of that incident the man was reported to the police in which he was arrested and charged for his actions.
Police Prosecution Service prosecutes the matter in court.
KOSSA and Real Kakamora contest ends in a stalemate
BY ROMULUS HUTA
REAL Kakamora striker and former Solomon Islands rep Adrian Mara is the current leader of the Telekom S-League goal scorers’ list.
After round five matches, Mara finds himself leading the race with five goals.
Clement Baegeni Henderson Eels), Bonnie Pride (Henderson Eels), Jerry Donga (Solomon Warriors) and Kensi Tangis (Solomon Warriors) are second with four goals each, respectively.
Players sitting on third spot with three goals are Moffat deramoa (KOSSA), Moffat Kilifa (Western United), Molea Tigi (Solomon Warriors) and Paul Wale (KOSSA).
On the fourth spot with two goals are Lawrence Foanaota (Malaita Kingz), Eddie Kasute’e (KOSSA), Raphael Le’ai (Marist), Nicholas Muri (KOSSA), Coleman Makau (Western), Mahlon Nonone (Real Kakamora) and George Suri (Henderson Eels).
Meanwhile, the top-flight domestic competition has a new leader at the top of the table following the weekend’s round of matches.
Defending champions Solomon Warriors finds itself at the top with 10 points after clinching a convincing 9-2 win over Real Kakamora on Saturday.
Previous leaders Henderson Eels slid down to fourth position after losing 3-2 against Malaita Kingz on Sunday.
Western United maintained its second spot on the table although they are equal on 10 points with Warriors as well. Differences on goals pushed United to sit at second while KOSSA clings on to third spot.
The victory by Malaita Kingz over Eels at the weekend helped them register their first three points of the competition so far after losing all their first four matches.
A Solomon Islands player makes a run between three Turkish players in yesterday’s contest of the Rugby League
Emerging Nations World Cup currently underway in Sydney, Australia.
League boys go down fighting against Turkey
SOLOMON Islands went down to a 30-22 defeat against an unranked Turkish side in their opening Group C match of the Rugby League Emerging Nations World Championship currently underway in Australia.
Played at the Windsor Sports Complex in Sydney, Solomon Islands’ Jimmy Maebata managed to score two tries while the two tries came from Calwyn Tengemoana and Tony Kaypuya, along with three goals coming from Eddie Moe’ava in a closely contested match.
According to the Rugby League ENWC online news site, it would take Turkey just 2 minutes to grab the game’s opening try, launching an assault on the Solomon Islands‘ line after an error before a neat kick through from Jaydin Salman-Cochrane was collected by Arda Dalcik who raced through to score, the conversion missed by Huseyin Karabork.
The Turkish intensity in defence was beginning to disrupt the Solomon Islands rhythm, players flying out of the line and forcing errors from their counterparts.
A Solomon Islands player makes a run between three Turkish players in yesterday’s contest of the Rugby League Emerging Nations World Cup currently underway in Sydney, Australia.
Turkey would somehow survive an onslaught of attacks when a penalty gave the Solomon Islands two sets of six on the Turkey line, the Solomon Islands left centre going close but spilling the ball over the line.
Turkey would soon have their second try of the game from a kick, Aiden Salman-Cochrane dribbling the ball off the boot, the bobbling kick spilled by the Solomon Islands and Volkan Er was the fastest to react to the loose ball, the conversion missed, taking the score to 8-0.
The Solomon Islands would hand Turkey possession from a penalty from the restart, Turkey spilling the ball from the restart and then proceeding to give a penalty for lifting.
The Solomon Islands penalised for an incorrect play the ball and the chance going begging.
The Solomon Islands would go close once more, Sanya and Tanga Moana both held just shy of the line as the Turkish side survived yet another attack. The Solomon Islands then handing the ball back to Turkey for crossing, a real chance missed.
Turkey would make the Solomon islands pay for ill discipline, Arda Dalcik going very close with a 20 metre solo effort to get Turkey within touching distance of the line, the ball spread right and Aiden Solman-Cochrane slotting himself through a gap to score, the conversion scored by Ali Bokeyhan Surer.
The Solomon Islands would steal a try 5 minutes before the half, Tony Kaypuya diving over from dummy half close to the Turkish line to get his sides first points of the day, the conversion successful by Eddie Moe’ava, 14-6.
Turkey would respond immediately after conceding, the kick off shallow and to the right of the field, forcing the Solomon Islands player off the field of play.
Turkey driving deep into opposition territory and coming up with points through Ali Bokeyhan Surer out of dummy half and over the line to extend the Turkey lead, Ali Bokeyhan Surer converting his own try to make it 20-6 at the half.
Aiden Solman-Cochrane would grab his second of the game when he shaped to pass at the Solomon Islands’ line and ghosted through a gap to open the scoring for the second half, Ali Bokeyhan Surer on target with the kick.
Dalcik would have his second of the game after Ali Bokeyhan Surer went close for the Turkish side, the ball shipped to the left at speed and a basketball pass found the left centre to dive into the corner, Ali Bokeyhan Surer hitting the crossbar with the conversion attempt, Turkey taking a 30-6 lead.
The Solomon Islands would see possession very briefly in the form of a drop out on the 20 after kicking a penalty too long, Arda Dalcik screeching out the line and delivering a rib rattler to force the ball loose and hand Turkey possession.
The Solomon Islands were still creating chances after the fullback broke from behind the scrum, the strong run followed up by Pura Lavonstarr, the ball spilled 5 metres from the line two tackles later.
Singamoana was causing problems for the Turkish side as he made yet another huge solo break, the Solomon Islands using that as the platform and the human wrecking ball that is Jimmy Maebata steamed onto a flat ball from 10 metres out, Timo Sanga with the successful conversion to make it 30-12.
Tengamoana would be the latest Solomon Islands player to cross, the number 9 going over from close range after Jimmy Maebata was forced back over the line to prevent a certain try, the kick missed.
The Solomon Islands would grab another late try with 1 minute to play, Tengamoana shipping the ball from dummy half to the big man Jimmy Maebata to help himself to a double from within 10 of the line, too little too late though as Turkey held on to be 30-22 winners.
Solomon Islands: 22
Tries – Jimmy Maebata (2), Tony Kaypuya, Carlwyn Tengamoana
Goals – Eddie Moe’ava (3)
Turkey: 30
Tries – Arda Dalcik (2), Aiden Solman-Cochrane (2), Volkan Er, Ali Bokeyhan Surer
Responsible ministry fails to attend BLC hearing, gov’t commitment on revival initiative questioned
By Gary Hatigeva
THE Government’s commitment in ensuring the establishment of its much anticipated Development Bank of Solomon Islands (DBSI) has come under heavy criticism and draws concerns for those who are behind its initiation.
The Bills and Legislation Committee (BLC) was due to start its inquiry into the institute’s initiation through a Development Bank of Solomon Islands Bill 2018, but the ministry responsible failed to turn up.
The Ministry of Finance and Treasury (MOFT) who is responsible for the Bill, was supposed to appear with representatives from the Central Bank of Solomon Islands and the Government’s Legal Drafts person, to talk about the bill.
Unfortunately, only the other two parties were present, and this has forced the Committee to adjourn its sitting into the bill for a later date, which the committee said would depend very much on the proceedings into the other outstanding bills.
Chairman of the BLC Matthew Wale when interviewed after the adjournment, explained that the committee has a very tight schedule and cannot afford to be dragged by this bill because they have other bills to look into before parliament resumes at the end of this month.
With less than three weeks left before the house resumes, the BLC Chair expressed his disappointment in the Ministry responsible, for the lack of commitments shown, knowing this is one of the current government’s major policy intentions, and a promise to the rural people of this country.
It is understood that the BLC has written a letter of protest to the Prime Minister and Minister responsible for what was described as, a no-care attitude from ministry officials, particularly those responsible for the DBSI bill.
Island Sun was also told that arrangements were made weeks ahead of the hearing, summoning all those involved in the Bill to appear before the Committee for the inquiry, but the MOFT has not given direct confirmations and these weak responses, according to officials, are questionable as there is likely lack of commitment on the policy agenda.
Meanwhile, a follow up with the Ministry reveals that many of those who are part of the DBSI bill have been engaged in other government occasions, which the BLC thought are mere excuses covering for their unpreparedness to present their case on the bill.
The BLC Chair said everyone involved in the bill were well notified and should have no excuses to miss the hearing.
When adjourning the proceedings into the DBSI Bill 2018, the BLC Chairman stressed that the Committee will probably look into the DBSI Bill later, which will depend very much on their tight schedule, but outlined that for now, the committee will set focus on the Payment System Bill 2018.
Former Prime Minister Sogavare, during his tenure announced his government’s policy intent to re-establish the former Development Bank of Solomon Islands, which was also taken on by the new government under Rick Hou’s leadership.
The intention was something government officials involved in its consultation programmes, revealed to have gotten strong support from the rural people throughout the country, describing it to be a policy that brings new hope for those in such settings to borrow money.
With so much hopes and anticipation, a subcommittee was established to work closely with CBSI for its realization through a proposed legal framework, but the weak coordination from officials and indications of lack of commitments, were highly questioned by supporters of the policy intention, stressing that this bill cannot be left out and must be given priorities in whatever proceedings or processes it will have to go through.
