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School principal arrested for alleged rape of 14-year-old girl

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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POLICE at Taro in Choiseul province have arrested a school principal for the alleged rape of a-14-year old girl on September 21, 2018 at Pangobiru in North West Choiseul.

Provincial Police Commander (PPC) Choiseul Province, Superintendent Vincent Eria says, “This incident is a very sad incident because of the fact that the suspect is the uncle of the victim.

“The alleged incident involves a school principal and it has caused fear among parents forcing them not to send their children to the concerned school.

“As the situation has disturbed the school, Police arrested the school principal and removed him to allow the school to continue with its normal school activities.

“My officers are investigating the incident and I would like to call on both parties to refrain from taking the law in to your own hands and allow police to deal with the matter.”

–POLICE MEDIA

Tax scheme promoter here for nickel mining

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Ewan Stoddart

By Mike Puia

Ewan Stoddart

AN Australian, who was sentenced by the Australian court in 2013 for promoting schemes to avoid tax, is in the country on nickel mining business.

Mr Ewan Stoddart, an accountant from Queensland, is the shareholder and director of Arc Nickel Solomon Islands Limited.

The government, through the Ministry of Mines, Energy and Rural Electrification (MMERE), has issued Arc Nickel Solomon Islands Limited a Letter of Intent for a Prospecting Licence (PL) to harvest nickel on San Jorge Island in Isabel province.

The Letter of Intent was issued by the MMERE’s Minister, Mr Bradley Tovosia, based on recommendations from the Ministry’s Mines and Minerals Board.

The Board met on May 9 and recommended to Minister Tovosia to issue a Letter of Intent to Arc Nickel Solomon Islands Limited. Tovosia issued the Letter of Intent on May 23, 15 days after the Board’s meeting.

The Letter of Intent allowed Arc Nickel Solomon Islands Limited to collect signatures from landowners for a Surface Access Agreement over a period of six month.

Once Arc Nickel Solomon Islands Limited collected the needed signatures from landowners, it can ask for a nickel prospecting licence.

Mr Stoddart has travelled to San Jorge Island and held meetings there. Landowners who were aware of Mr Stoddart’s background refused to attend these meetings.

Some landowners vented their dismay on the government for giving the individual a Letter of Intent for a PL.

Stoddart, 51, made it to the news headlines in Australia in 2013 when he was sentenced for promoting tax avoidance schemes to several clients while consulting in Gold Coast.

He helped his clients avoided up to AUD$1.4 million tax due to the Australian government.

Stoddart was sentenced to six years in jail for defrauding the Australian Government 13 times. He only served four years imprisonment and was released after entering into a recognizance with security of AUD$2000.

In sentencing Stoddart, Judge Long, said the offences Mr Stoddart committed are serious in nature, as they affect the integrity of Australian taxation system.

The Australian court warned that Stoddart’s case must be a clear warning to those who market tax exploitation schemes.

The Australian Taxation Office also warned other professionals about the risks of advising tax evasion.

Stoddart’s clients were also convicted of obtaining financial advantages by deception in connection with the tax schemes.

According to the Company Haus, Arc Nickel Solomon Islands Limited is registered as a local private mining company incorporated in July 2007 and re-registered July 2010.

Stoddart holds 850 shares in the company while one-time MMERE’s Minister, Mr Basil Manelegua holds 150 shares in trust for landowners and the government.

Prominent names popping up in ‘cross border registration’

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Registration ground at Town Ground.

BY BARNABAS MANEBONA

REPORTS continue revealing from the issue of cross border registration now becoming more interesting too as some reveal certain prominent people one could not imagine off to involve in influencing.

To note, certain names cannot be revealed as investigation is still carried through, however, one of the recent prominent figures in the country being revealed also was made known just yesterday by Ngella people travelling across to Honiara to register for a certain Constituency in Malaita Province that the prominent individual they mentioned is an intending candidate in.

Ngella people admitted receiving assistance of given bags of rice plus assistance in fuel for travelling and giving small tokens of appreciation promising them to return on the 27th of this month for more cash.

To add flavour from reports, there seem to be the same promise by many intending candidates on that very same date (tomorrow) to offer extra cash of appreciation to registrants which is a very interesting day to monitor according to public observation sources wishing for anonymity.

From such practices reported, the Office of the Solomon Islands Electoral Commission (SIEC) strongly warns both intending candidates and registrants to refrain from adversely influencing the registration process understood to be yet currently on progress.

SIEC in a Press Release has also confirmed receiving reports of intending candidates or their agents facilitating the movement of people between constituencies to register (transfer) to a constituency they are not eligible to register in.

According to SIEC, one of the serious offences under the Electoral Act is to influence a voter.

“It can also be seen as engaging in campaign activity outside the campaign period,” remind SIEC.

“A person who engages in a campaign activity outside the campaign period for the election commits an offence that comes with a penalty of $20,000 or 2 years imprisonment, or both.”

SIEC strongly warns intending candidates to refrain from activities that may amount to campaigning.

The Commission also extends strong warning to registrants that transferring registration details to a constituency one is not eligible to register and vote in is also a serious offense under the Electoral Act.

“You could be making a false declaration. It is also providing misleading information to registration officials. Giving misleading information document to an election official comes with a penalty of $50,000 or 5 years imprisonment or both.”

The Commission has issued this warning before the commencement of the BVR update exercise early this month and continues to urge people and intending candidates to do the right thing.

It is understood that the Electoral Act 2018 has already come into force, however, a number of sections will come into force at a later date.

SIEC reminds people who are yet to register to do so before the 27th of September (tomorrow) when the BVR update should end.

Last day for registration tomorrow

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0

BY BARNABAS MANEBONA

TOMORROW is the last day for registration for the upcoming 2019 National General Election (NGE) as advice reaches out to those who have not yet registered to do so.

One main area to be mindful off in remembering always according to the Solomon Islands Electoral Commission (SIEC) and the law of this country during this current process of registering being announced every now and then is to refrain from providing false information and doing cross border registering.

The penalty of such once being founded guilty during the objection period next month will be quite hefty for one’s own pocket.

Nevertheless from reminder, Solomon Islands is now heading into its 2019 NGE to select its new Members of Parliament (MPs) to head the country.

Vella constituents irked by huge number of cross-borders

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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BY ALFRED PAGEPITU

GIZO

VELLA LA VELLA constituents have raised concerns over the huge number of transfers into the constituency noted during the current registration.

It is reported that huge numbers of people from other constituencies have transferred to the South East Vella Constituency and the North Vella Constituency.

A Mr Mathew Kale said that almost a thousand people within South and North Vella constituency have registered to vote in the upcoming national general election next year.

“There are more people from other constituencies in the province have cross over to Vella la Vella Island to register their names for this upcoming national general election next year.

“We are calling on the Solomon Islands Electoral Commission (SIEC) registration Officers and Observers at voter registration centers (VRCs) within Vella to identify ghost voters who come to registered their names to put a stop.”

TSI commends SIEC stern warning on card selling and buying

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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TRANSPARENCY Solomon Islands has applauded the Solomon Islands Electoral Commission (SIEC) in warning all intending candidates and voters to refrain from buying and selling voter ID cards.

TSI in a media statement yesterday, reminds all citizens that Elections is the most important event Solomon Islands carry out every four years, a time when people of this country make individual decision on who should govern the country with their entrusted power for the next four years.

“For this reason, it is important that people accord the Voters Registration with the importance that it needs to be given.

“Election is one of the important components of our Democracy where people have the say on the kind of government that will safeguard all their interests.

“The leaders we elect will have the responsibility of ensuring that the country is run in the most efficient way for all people of Solomon Islands bringing prosperity to all.

“Intending candidates should stop politicising registration activities in the absence of civic awareness being carried out by the responsible authorities, whilst not being done now must be carried out to educate voters on election processes and registration before the polling day.

“Registration is an important process for citizens as it allows them to exercise their democratic right to vote come polling. It is an important component of establishing a comprehensive and inclusive voters’ list.”

TSI condemns this broad daylight reciprocity practice by intending candidates to voters must stop during registration process because this kind of assistance is purposely to convince voters to vote intending candidates or to make money out of them.

“Inclusive responsibility by relevant authorities is imperative to stopping the dirty and illegal practice of card selling and buying. We need to look into strategies that avoid passing this on to future generations.”

–TSI PRESS

Police investigate death incident in Choiseul province

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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POLICE officers in Taro Choiseul Province are enquiring into the death of a 45-year-old-male after he died at a logging camp in Moli, Choiseul Province on September 21, 2018.

The deceased, a local, was employed as a chainsaw operator at the logging camp.

Provincial Police Commander, Choiseul Province, Superintendent Vincent Eria says, “It is alleged that the deceased was cutting a tree when a dead branch fell and hit his head.

“He was taken to Moli Clinic and but was pronounced dead by the medical authorities there.

“The matter was reported to police at Taro and officers have been deployed to the place of incident including a doctor from Taro Hospital.

“I would like to thank and acknowledged members of the community in Moli, particularly relatives of the deceased for their cooperation and support towards my officers on the ground to ensure a peaceful outcome was reached.

“Police are continuing with the investigations into the matter and I want to call on relatives of the deceased not to take the matter into your own hands but to assist and allow police to carry on with the investigations,” says PPC Eria.

–POLICE MEDIA

Axiom commences with operations

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0

By Mike Puia

MINING company, Axiom has begun operations, it is reported.

This follows last week’s granting of the mining lease on the Isabel Nickel project in San Jorge to the company by the national ministry of mines.

The government, through the Ministry of Mines, Energy and Rural Electrification, issued a Mining Lease to Axiom Mining Limited early last week.

The lease was issued by Minister for Mines, Bradley Tovosia, which now allows Axiom to proceed with its nickel harvesting operation on San Jorge Island in Isabel Province.

This paper’s attempt to get a copy of the ML was unsuccessful. But, Managing Director of Axiom Mining Limited, Ryan Mount, confirmed this report during the weekend.

Mr Mount confirmed their operation has commenced.

Reports reaching this paper claimed the Court of Appeal has quashed Axiom’s Prospecting License therefore any issuing of Mining Lease is null and void.

But, Mount said the High Court and Court of Appeal decisions have not disqualified their PL and ML.

He said this has been confirmed by the Court of Appeal and the Attorney General.

“In Fact the San Jorge PL was never part of the court proceedings,” Mount added.

He also brushed aside claims landowners have fights off its employees which disturbed its operations.

Mount said their operation on San Jorge is continuing freely with the support of the government and landowners.

‘No extention’

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0
Registration Process at Gairavu VRC, North West Gela.

SIEC warns public not to be misled by rumours of registration extension

 

By Gary Hatigeva

THE Solomon Islands Electoral Commission’s registration programme is now in its final week with only a few booths still taking in newly registered and transfer voters for all constituencies, including the three Honiara constituencies, as the Registration Phase of the Election Cycle, now coming to its completion.

As of yesterday, from a total of 73 Voter Registration Centres for the Honiara Constituencies, based on the SIEC Biometric Registration Movement Plan, only 15 centres are expected to continue with the registration programme until tomorrow, September 27, 2018, the last day of registrations.

The public is therefore reminded to take serious note of the clarification as there are reports of people being mislead into believing a series of extension periods have been given to all the registrations centres, and misinformed of them (centres) being reopened.

Not according to the SIEC Chief Electoral Officer, Mose Saitala who when interviewed on this, dismissed such information and explained that the Commission has never mentioned or made any public announcement on extending the registration period for all centres as the schedule is based on an approved timeline guide.

Saitala further explained that all centres have been operating and carrying out their registration programmes according to a set of timelines that was gazetted and added that any changes made would be illegal from their part to do so.

Additionally, in its Movement Plan, the SIEC outlined that for the East Honiara Constituency, the only centres expected to continue until the end of this week are, the centres at the Solomon Islands National University’s Panatina Campus, the Solomon Islands Football Federation (SIFF’s) Football Academy compound, with two VRC, the Norman Palmer School compound, also hosting two centres, the Ministry of Home Affairs compound at the Maromaro area, and the Bibleway Centre.

Meanwhile, in the Central Honiara Constituency, the only centres that will continue their registration activities are, the Mbokonavera School, which hosts a total of five VRCs, the Honiara High School compound with two VRCs, the Fulsango Church hall, the Girl Guides compound in Point Cruz, and the Honiara City Council’s Education Office, within the Council’s compound.

As for the West Honiara Constituency, only five Voter Registration Centres are expected to continue with their registration programmes until the final day.

They include the Apostolic Church compound near the 01 Bus Stop, the Vet Office besides the Nicki’s Fast Food restaurant at the Lower Lengakiki area, the Police Post at White River, the Disuse Kindy School compound, and the Police Club premises at the Rove Headquarters.

With over 80 percent of centres now closed, most of the resources have been pulled in to the remaining centres to help in the process and the CEO is hoping that this will help in the flow of registration for the growing pressure on electoral officials in terms of the growing pressure.

People are however warned not to listen to unconfirmed rumours of additional days for registration as stations and booths will not be reopened or given any extension periods.

“Apart from the centres that will close on Friday, all the others should have been closed with some reaching their deadlines yesterday (Monday) and today (yesterday),” officials say.

Now that a good number of voters have registered and are in possession of their ID cards, the SIEC CEO has reiterated his warning for electors not to sell them as this practice is illegal and can amount to a very serious offence.

CEO Saitala added that those caught committing this offence, can pay a fine of $50,000 or get jailed for five years or receive both.

The next phase after this Friday’s deadline will be for the Electoral Commission to compile all the data collected and publish the Provisional list of names for everyone in their respective constituencies to see.

And based on the SIEC schedule and movement plan, the provisional lists will be pinned up in all constituencies only for a period of seven days, which will then be followed by the Omission and Objection period that is scheduled to run for a period of two weeks, from the 7th to the 20th of November.

It is understood that only a few centres for constituencies in the provinces are still carrying out their registration programmes as most have only started last week and early this week, however, the rest, based on the SIEC timeline, have already concluded and officials have returned with their data.

Miss Solomon 2018 ready

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Corina Dettke with her trophy after the presentation last Saturday.

Corina Dettke eying SIBBF 2019 championship

BY TAROMANE MARTIN

Corina Dettke with her trophy after the presentation last Saturday.

SOLOMON Islands first ever-female body builder and Miss Solomon, 24 years old Corina Dettke says she is ready to represent the country.

Solomon Islands will join other Pacific Island countries in Suva, Fiji next month to compete at the 24th South Pacific Body Building Championship.

Ms Dettke was crowned the first ever Miss Solomon last Saturday during the 10th Solomon Islands Body Building Federation (SIBBF) national championship at the Multipurpose Hall.

The Miss Solomon 2018 said it was a privilege and dream come true to be crowned the first Miss Solomon.

However she knows it will be much tougher at next month’s championship in Suva saying the next three weeks will be challenging as she tries to transform from a natural body building athlete to a figure body builder.

“As the first female body builder in the history of Solomon Islands I would like to thank SIBBF 2018 for giving me this opportunity,” Miss Dettke said.

“It has been a privilege and dream to hold this tile and represent Solomon Islands for the South Pacific Body Building Championship to be held next month in Fiji.

“I’ve worked extremely hard for the past 6 months as an athlete to be where I am.

“The competition in Fiji will definitely be tough, as I will be competing with young girls and women that have been training in the sport for years.

“This means I will have to step up my game, train hard, focus my diet, gain more strength and knowledge of a figure competitor in a matter of three weeks but I’m willing to take on the challenge.

“I will definitely be ready as a figure body builder competitor next year at SIBBF 2019,” the new Miss Solomon said.

Miss Dettke meanwhile thanked her personal trainer, nutritionist and coach Jessica Beckman for her time with her in training, the Sweat Box gym crew and her mum and dad for helping her achieve the title of Miss Solomon 2018.

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