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Widespread anger over report of rape

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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BY BARNABAS MANEBONA

A recent alleged rape incident in Central Islands Province (CIP), Ngella, has caused widespread anger amongst communities.

The rape incident that involved a 15-year-old juvenile being accused was reported by police to occur on September 11, 2018 at the Bona settlement area near Burungia Village, South Small-Ngella (Gela Pile).

According to the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) Press Release, it was alleged that during the early evening of September 11, the victim’s father sent her to a nearby village at Ghumba purposely to get money for betel- nuts she had left at her uncle’s house in the morning for sale.

It was after when the victim was on her way back to their home village at Burungia the suspect caught up with her and allegedly threatened her.

“He further dragged her into the bush and allegedly raped her,” stated RSIPF’s media report.

The recent incident has now caused widespread outrage in all the surrounding communities of Ngella raising question as to what is going on amongst the new generation adding seeing the increasing trend of rape cases currently reported from the society there alone.

“The growing rape cases reported in Ngella are unacceptable having coming from a Christian society. Whatever the problem is now amongst our society, there is the need for the government and all responsible authorities to step in and address this serious concern being experienced increasing all around the country as well,” said Ngella locals expressing their disappointments on Ngella’s famous Forum (NGF).

According to the Provincial Police Commander (PPC) for CIP Superintendent Patricia Leta in RSIPF’s Press Release, she urges that community leaders, church leaders, chiefs, youth leaders, women leaders, school teachers and parents must all work together to reduce sexual offences in the society.

“It is high time that we take a leading role to protect our girls and women to reduce it in our beloved province. My good people of Central Province, we need to put a stop to this unacceptable behaviour.”

“I would like to urge all young girls and women to always avoid going by themselves at night or to isolated places. To all the male youth and men in the province, please respect our girls and women,” said PPC Leta.

PPC Leta emphasises to be reminded that rape is a very serious offence under the country’s law which carries a maximum penalty of life imprisonment if found guilty.

The recent matter at South Ngella was reported to Police and the suspect was arrested on the 18th of this month with understanding that investigation is currently underway.

Border intrusions raises health fears

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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BY BARNABAS MANEBONA

WITH continuous report of illegal entry at Solomon Islands Western Border, a new fear is now also on the rise focusing on health concern.

Observation and findings from Shortland Islands people have it that with the increasing rate of health diseases such as HIV reported cases and so in Bougainville raises alarm for the country to be cautious too seeing these unregulated visitors are usually involving themselves amongst the society of people here.

“Finding out about serious health issues such as HIV reported cases at Bougainville when visiting their country also raises concern for us apart from their usual illegal entry into the country’s territory.

“From our concern, we do not know what might occur and become a more major threat for our society in terms of our health,” warn Elders of Shortland Islands speaking to Island Sun this week.

Border entry from the western end of Solomon Islands and causing nuisance is reported to have increased compared to past years raising serious threat for locals.

Landowners call to reopen Ontong Java airstrip

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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What used to be the Ontong Java airport which has been overrun with vegetation.

BY MAVIS NISHIMURA PODOKOLO

What used to be the Ontong Java airport which has been overrun with vegetation.

LAND owners of Ontong Java airstrip have called to reopen the airstrip of Ontong Java to ‘help breathe life back into the communities of the forgotten people of Malaita Outer Islands’ (MOI).

This call has been made because there is no access to air travel and this year there has not been a ship in months, leaving the landowners struggling.

The airstrip was closed down more than a decade ago due to land dispute.

However, the situation has been resolved by the courts and landowners have approached Mrs Wendy Mount a female intending candidate for MOI in the upcoming National General Election to help them to get the runway back operational.

Speaking to Mrs Mount about this matter, she said since the airstrip was shut the people of MOI have had a lowered standard of living, and have been denied regular access to delivery of goods and medical assistance.

Mount said many people have died over the past years who could have been helped if they had the airstrip opened.

The closure had also stopped a lot of business and trading.

“This means there is less money coming to MOI.”

She adds since the closure of the airstrip is becoming an issue for MOI she will work with the existing court judgement to respect those landowners stated by the judge and as well as must follow the law.

Mount said besides others who have association to the land and also the general community must be respected too this is because they all live in the same atoll.

“This is because we all live in the same atoll so I will be taking an approach to include many others so we can all be part of the project – together we rise, divided we fall,” she said.

At the moment the airport has been overrun by vegetation, trees and ferns and is not available for landing of any type of aircraft now.

However, with some clearing of the vegetation and some proper planning including a small extension of the old runway it can be ready for the Twin Otter and Dash 8.

Tandai House of Chiefs supports initiation of TG Bill

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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By Gary Hatigeva

THE Tandai House of Chiefs has come out in strong support for the introduction of the Traditional Governance and Customs Facilitation Bill 2018 and calls for it to allow the continuation of practice in various tribal and traditional customary rights.

Speaking during day two of the Bills and Legislation Committee (BLC) hearing on the TG Bill, Paramount Chief for the Tandai House of Chiefs, Charles Chilivi Keku who was part of a two men delegation, stressed that the intentions to empower the chiefs and traditional leaders of this country is a very good thing which they fully support.

He said though complicated in most of its aspects, the bill is something that will see a proper structure, which clarifies who people should deal with when trying to make arrangements with tribes or groups within certain house of chiefs or groups in terms of various development aspects.

He added that with the support they have, their people are however hoping to see clauses designed within the bill that even if it is passed and gazetted, will still pave ways for those involved in the system to exercise their customary rights.

“Because anything that excludes such will not go down well with us and we are sure speaking for many other customs.

“And in my view on this bill, let me say that our case in the Tandai, we live in a place that is different from the other provinces, and so in the suggestion for the clauses, we need to see this very important because our customs and traditions are not the same,” the Tandai Paramount Chief expressed.

But, when speaking on this preservation of traditional norms, protocols, values and practices, Chief Keku stressed that the Tandai House of Chiefs is of the view that it is a positive intention for them to be kept under this new institution using technology for future generations.

Meanwhile, the Guadalcanal Deputy Premier Peter Araonisaka who was a member of the two men delegation, shared that the provincial executive agrees with the Chief Keku’s sentiments, but thought there is need for more consultations to be done with Chiefs and Traditional Leaders throughout the country.

“Remember, some do have strong programs to preserve and look after their customary rights are not something easy to do, and so there is need for more consultations on that particular subject matter because to codify these customs and traditional secrecy is very sensitive.

However, officials familiar with the bill shared on the codification section, agreed that certain customary practices are taboo hence should not be written or disclosed while others may well can.

They explained that the proposed bill therefore only provides a legal framework that allows for tribes or groups to deal with these questions as and when they are ready through a structure which they too will participate in.

They added that even the question of whether customary law and practices should be written at all or not is not decided in the bill.

“Therefore, this approach again conforms to the Constitution but importantly upholds the sanctity of customary law and practices and the fact that customary law only applies in given jurisdictions and cannot be tailored for the whole country”.

“The actual work on putting together customs and practices for each tribe, clan or group will be done by the people and the Tribal Chiefs, Traditional leaders and their respective Houses of Chiefs with the assistance of the Secretariat.

“Schedule 3 of the Constitution also clarifies on this point that customary law cannot apply if it is inconsistent with any existing law and therefore the role being proposed for the Codification committee is important as it will ensure consistency between customary laws and practices and written law,” officials explained.

Gov’t warned to recognise roles of chiefs in implementation of proposed TG&CF Law through financial support

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Deputy premier of Guadalcanal province, Peter Araonisaka.

By Gary Hatigeva

Deputy premier of Guadalcanal province, Peter Araonisaka.

THE Guadalcanal Provincial Executive has warned that the government must recognise the roles tribal chiefs and traditional leaders will play in the implementation of the Traditional Governance and Customs Facilitation Bill 2018, in terms of financial benefits if it becomes an Act, or risk wasting time and resources in trying to have it become law.

The Deputy Premier of Guadalcanal Province, Peter Araonisaka made these sentiments when appearing before the Bills and Legislation Committee at the hearing of the Traditional Governance Bill yesterday.

He shared that their provincial executive is happy to have been one of the first stakeholder involved in the initial consultations phases of the working committee from the Ministry on this bill.

“We have had the opportunity to sit in with them, we have seen the policy paper that lead to the formulation of this bill, and we have also had the chance to throw in some ideas when it was in its working stage,” the Deputy Premier said.

He however pointed out that while their executive agrees with the bill in principle, having looked through it, they now have some thoughts as to how effective the houses of chiefs will perform their roles, to implement the act when they are not given any form of recognition in terms of remunerations.

“Because based on the structure, the act provides for the national and provincial council of chiefs, and the house of chiefs, and if they are provided for in provisions of the act, then some form of recognition must come from the government’s purse in terms of remunerations, so it can help the chiefs to be effective in their works.

“Remunerations as such are mechanisms to drive people to effectively execute their duties and so it would be good that some reflection of such is highlighted in the act before we can make the other ordinances to guide the chiefs to make reference to that.

“Although there are powers, but we have not seen any provisions that make mention of remunerations or allowances in this act,” he stressed.

The Guadalcanal Leader further warned that for the government and the people to see this act function efficiently, all the houses of chiefs must be supported because the structure involving the chiefs and traditional leaders, is laid out under the bill, and therefore it requires for some provisions to spell out clearly that they must be supported.

“Not to get salaries but whenever they meet, they should get some sort of allowances, and in that way, we can expect to see them execute their roles effectively,” Araonisaka added.

He also stressed that as it is stated in the bill, with the Council of Chiefs, its Secretariat and Director will be taken on as public servants, who will be put before the public service commission and include them into the system.

Araonisaka further warned that from the norms of things, the chiefs on the ground whom we will rely on to be propelling the system from down the chain of the structure, if left out, we will not expect see big changes as is the goal of the act.

“We need to seriously look into this or else we will not see this piece of legislation working,” Deputy Premier Araonisaka said.

LOs move to close down Kwailabesi SDA service in December

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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An old photo of Kwailabesi student’s group photo in front of a classroom

BY LYNTON AARON FILIA

An old photo of Kwailabesi student’s group photo in front of a classroom

KAO land party in North Malaita have announced plans to close down the Kwailabesi SDA service on December 1 this year due to what they claim ‘the lease agreement is not genuine and already expired last year’.

Kao tribe has given a three-month mercy period for the Seventh Day Adventist Mission which will lapse on December 1. After then, services will be stopped and the land title will be returned to the customary land owners.

This decision by the Kao landowners comes following several meetings between them and the SDA authority since September last year after the lease expired, which have failed to bring about any compromise.

Due to these failed meetings, the Kao landowners have decided ‘enough is enough’ and they will take back their land.

Spokesman for Kao tribe Mr Ambrose Dolofera Oiofa said, “I am giving a three-month notice to SDA Mission; if they did not respond from the letter delivered last week by December 1 every service will be closed down.

“They already know our demands but how they respond to me during our meetings is what I don’t accept.

“I decided to bring a stop to this issue, and if they think of relocate it should start now to December but I still give them time if they want to talk, otherwise I stick to my same decision.”

Oiofa said he welcomes anyone who wants to dispute the proposed close-down, adding, they are willing and prepared to face any court case from other parties involved.

“Anyone wants to dispute, I am prepared or if any new party wishes to dispute my intention of closing Kwailabesi, they are welcome to file any court case; I am ready and willing to be answerable,” he said.

Oiofa acknowledges the services which the SDA Mission has provided in Kwailabesi to the people around the Lau/Mbaelelea area, especially in terms of health and religious aspects.

However, he maintains that the land lease is a vital issue which the church authority must settle with the landowners.

Oiofa explains that several issues which they have with the church authority need to be sorted out, one of which is recognition for the Kao landowners and reception of rentals by other landowning parties, which Kao LOs view as not right.

“For example, according to lease agreement in 1933 is mostly for housing, and 1937 is mainly for cultivation. So where is the destruction of the airport come from under the two different leases?

“I see like it’s a breach of agreement and I am as a rightful owner after I go through proper court case from local court to high court, I see the high court decision with other levels have recognised our party as genuine rightful owner of the place.

“That is the main idea I want church to carefully look at, though I’m not the trusty, since the lease is expired I am suggesting church should flexible with me and my party as a new party.”

The SDA Mission could not be reached for comments throughout this week despite follow ups to get their side of the issue.

Premier rebuffs accusations and call for him to step down

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Disposed Choiseul Province Premier Watson Qoloni.

BY BARNABAS MANEBONA

Choiseul Province Premier Watson Qoloni.

CHOISEUL Province Premier Hon Watson Qoloni rebuffs negative allegations against him being raised by members within Choiseul’s Provincial Government.

It is reported to Island Sun that there were incidents that occurred at the eve of the recent Choiseul Provincial Game 2018 closing day one involving certain members of Choiseul’s current Executive members getting drunk and misusing the provincial government vehicle cruising around the Taro airfield.

As a result, incidents then is said to have brought shame to the general public.

Focusing on a broader picture, report stated that since day one in power, Choiseul’s Provincial Government has never made its policy statements, Provinces Mission and Vision Statements to appropriately guide its budget.

“The type of face on the current ruling government is showing to the people of Choiseul Province the type of government we have.

“We now call upon the Hon Premier to step down and let a new government form to lead the province to a better destiny as we feel that the new government has no political capability and experience to lead Choiseul Province.”

Premier Watson on the other hand strongly denying such reports stated wanting to make it clear for whoever they are or he is amongst the members of the non-Executive raising these reports that he and his Ministers are waiting for anything whatsoever welcoming such challenges.

“Using the provincial vehicle is my privilege, all allegations laid upon my government are false with no evidences to prove them. Who are you to try to intervene into my affairs without any proper evidence to prove? You might as well keep your own interests and make no publication on this matter at all,” responded Hon Watson.

Hon Watson made a bold statement that Choiseul’s non-Executive members do not even have the number too to make decisions having seeing them continuously barking like dogs without teeth.

On the record, the Premier of Choiseul Province makes it known that his government are progressing well.

Police remain tight-lipped over reports of planned mass arrest of politicians

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0

By Alfred Sasako

POLICE have remained tight-lipped over reports that it is planning the Vanuatu-type mass arrest of politicians over misuse of public funds, commonly known as the Constituency Development Fund (CDF), over the years.

On Wednesday afternoon Island Sun sent the following email to Assistant Commissioner (Crime and Intel), Ian Vaevaso:

“I am working on a story which strongly suggests police are planning a Vanuatu-type mass arrest of MPs on counts of bribery just before parliament winds up on 17 December 2018.

“In preparation for the arrests, police detectives from the CID, are busy collecting field evidence in relation to funding of ghost projects. West Are Are Constituency is number 7th on the cases under investigation.

“Can you please confirm or deny the above?”

There was no response either on Wednesday or yesterday.

Sources told Island Sun this week that detectives from the Criminal Investigation Division (CID) are in some Constituencies now gathering further evidence that could be used against MPs.

It is understood case files of these MPs have returned from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutor (DPP), whose advice determines whether or not a case should be pursued.

The reports said if the planned arrests were to take place, it would be around the second week of December when the National Parliament is dissolved in preparation for the 2019 National General Elections, expected to be held in early March.

Despite police silence, members of the public said the news of the impending arrests of politicians is spreading in constituencies like wildfires, particularly on Malaita.

“There is no doubt it is sending shivers through the corridors of power. In the public there is expectation that finally police will act,” one source told Island Sun yesterday.

Prime Minister Ricky Houenipwela has, in recent months given police the all clear to proceed with any case(s) involving Members of Parliament.

But despite this, police have nabbed just one MP – the Member of Parliament for Baegu-Asifola, Hon David Tome – who has since won his case. The DPP is said to have appealed his case.

Vanuatu made history in 2015, when its then deputy Prime Minister Moana Carcasses was sentenced to four years in jail for bribery and corruption, joining 13 other MPs — or half of that nation’s government — in prison.

Their jailing followed a ruling by Vanuatu Supreme Court on October 9 that the deputy prime minister offered money amounting to 35 million Vatu ($452,000) to his fellow MPs when they were in opposition.

In Solomon Islands, the focus is on the alleged misuse of some $2 billion in grants given to all 50 Constituencies in the form of Constituency Development Fund (CDF) since 2012.

Transparency Solomon Islands (TSI) estimates that 20 percent of the CDF funding comes from Taiwan in the form of annual budgetary support.

Tran donates $10K to help Andy

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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MP for West Honiara Namson Tran.

By Mike Puia

MP for West Honiara Namson Tran.

EFFORTS to raise funds to help 13-year-old Andy Tolobua undergo heart surgery outside the country are continuing.

The latest to give a hand is the Member of Parliament for West Honiara, Namson Tran.

Tran, through his Constituency Development Officer, Mr Brian Taupiri, delivered a bank cheque worth $10,000 to Andy’s parents, Jimmy and Nester, on Thursday.

Tran is understood to be the first MP to step in and give a hand.

Andy is suffering from bicuspid aortic valve problem, a heart problem he was born with.

According to the National Referral Hospital (NRH), this life-threatening problem can only be treated overseas.

Nothing was known about Andy’s heart problem until a team of heart specialists from Australia visited the NRH in July of this year.

After examining Andy, the visiting team confirmed that Andy suffered from severe aortic regurgitation which requires “urgent surgery”.

Overseas airfares, accommodation, meal, transportation and surgery cost is expensive. For Andy’s parents, the cost is unbearable.

The Cardiologist who examined Andy, Dr David Rose, stated in his report that there is a chance Andy’s left ventricle might fail not long which means Andy needs to have his aortic valve replaced and his aortic root replaced.

The nearest place where the family looks to for Andy’s heart surgery is Canberra, Australia. Even though Australia is close, the cost is still very high.

Andy’s parents have been running around looking for help to get their child overseas to get heart treatment. They have gone on to do public appeals and fundraisings.

Many people have come forward and support the couple.

A group of passionate local photographers have stepped in to do a “one-shot” photo campaign to help raise funds to help Andy.

Andy’s appeal posters have been pegged along the street and his clips and photos on social media as part of the family’s effort to raised funds to help Andy.

When handing the cheque, Taupiri said the support comes from Tran’s personal money as gesture of Tran’s wish to see Andy recover.

He said Tran has conveyed his best wishes to the family as they look to get Andy to any specialised hospital overseas for life-saving treatment.

Andy’s parents, Jimmy and Nester, were overwhelmed by the support.

They said they are so happy that Hon Tran responded to their appeal very quickly.

“We are so thankful that Hon Tran responded very quickly. What Hon Tran does shows that he cares for the children,” the emotional Nester said.

Any laws should recognise the interests of youths: Iapara

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Youth Development Officer from the Ministry of Women, Youths, Children and Family Affairs Methodius Iapara

By Gary Hatigeva

Youth Development Officer from the Ministry of Women, Youths, Children and Family Affairs Methodius Iapara

THE Youth Sector should be thoroughly captured in any law of the country as an important aspect in leadership of any society, says the Youth Development Officer from the Ministry of Women, Youths, Children and Family Affairs.

The Development Officer, Methodius Iapara made this in reference to sentiments highlighted by the Chairman of the Bills and Legislation Committee (BLC) and Member of Parliament for Aoke/Langalanga, Matthew Wale on the Traditional Governance and Customs Facilitation Bill 2018, when appearing before the Committee yesterday.

The Aoke/Langalanga MP stressed that youths are an important sector in the country and it is therefore important that any law must caters for their interests.

In his brief presentation on the ministry’s views regarding the TG Bill, the Youth Development Officer, supported the Wale’s emphasis and pointed out that some section or clauses in the proposed traditional and customs law should be included on behalf of young people.

Iapara explained that the government’s new youth policy caters for and does acknowledge the ministry that is responsible for this bill, and its (Bill) corporate plans have already been factored in it (policy).

“That policy will guide us to achieve the empowerment and the development of young people, and this bill is also important to consider the young people when participating in decision making,” he said.

The Youth Development Officer however stressed that having worked with young people for quite a number of years, it is sad to see that young people have continuously being neglected, even up to issues of leadership in almost all forms of systems.

“Because when you look at young people, they can be in the youth ages and taking up the role of traditional leaders or chiefs and there are some sectors in various ethnic groups Solomon Islands, the name traditional leaders can be women or can be young girls,” Iapara said.

He added that having looked through the bill, it is notable and important that young people be considered inside the bill especially in the aspect of mentoring and grooming.

However, while agreeing to the concern, the BLC Chair explained that such issues, which includes mentoring and other related matters, would be a process that will come in implementation phase, based on the creation of different provincial ordinances.

This is something the Youth Development Officer is confident the Ministry will well capture the highlighted issue of concern, as a matter catered for in the newly launched Youth Policy framework.

He then revealed that the Youth division will work in alignment with the responsible ministries for the implementation of the mechanisms in place and that is with provinces, where the ordinances are created.

“We want to ensure that matters of concern and interests to our youths in various jurisdictions are captured in this new Bill, and being too general, even if it goes through, hopes will lie on any future amendments to be done on it,” Iapara added.

Meanwhile, with an earlier guarantee, the Government’s Advisor on the Traditional Governance Bill, Peter Boyers, assured the Bills Committee that the bill will deal with a lot of traditional and customary issues that will have direct impacts on all, which includes women, youths and children.

He also highlighted that most of the inclusiveness will come into place under the provision that will give provincial governments through their Mother Ministry to create ordinances accordingly.

The Bills and Legislation Committee hearings into the Traditional Governance Bill continue this morning.

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