By Mike Puia

THE Solomon Islands Electoral Commission (SIEC) has recovered things it lost in Fataleka, Malaita province.

While registration was carried out in Fataleka Constituency, electoral kits and a flash drive was removed.

The flash drive contains important raw registration data.

This was a blow to Malaita electoral officials. An appeal was issued to people in the constituency to return the flash drive.

Reports from these officials on Wednesday confirmed they have recovered the flash drive.

Malaita Province Registration Manager, Pearson Simi, confirmed the flash drive has been retrieved.

There was no mention of the electoral kits that were also reported to have been removed.

Simi has confirmed their registration teams are continuing with their work.

Following the incident, SIEC has made a strong appeal to community leaders and electors to respect the registration process.

The Commission has appealed to constituents who have concerns to raise their concerns with their respective Registration Officer (RO) and to refrain from taking laws into their own hands.

The call was made in light of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) SIEC signed with the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) a couple of weeks ago.

The MOU is to get both the SIEC and RSIPF to work closely in ensuring the elections are secured, free and fair.

SIEC urged eligible voters to register in the constituencies they are living in.

“If you register in a constituency you are not residing in, your name might be objected during the Omission and Objection phase and will be removed completely from the list,” the Commission stated.

It encourages those who are yet to register to do so before September 27th, when registration closes.

BY BARNABAS MANEBONA

BORDER entry from the Western end of Solomon Islands is reported to have increased compared to past years raising serious threat for locals.

Indigenous Elders of Shortland Islands in Western Province who feel that their lives are no longer safe from such daily practises question the National Government on how long before their suffering will be noticed and implement the ongoing issue called for to address well.

“Cross border continues, raiding continues as stealing at business houses continues. If Bougainvilleans hear that there is a logging camp at site on Shortland Islands, they will come and just raid freely taking chainsaws and other things away being only less than four nautical miles from Bougainville to Shortland,” raise Elders of Shortlands.

“Why we never regulate the people of Bougainville is our general concern.

“There is no mechanism in place for any protocol or so to regulate and adhere to the movement of Bougainvilleans being observed at the western border of this country.

“Is there no Immigration and Border Control Department in the country? Such as others that can be seen in other countries, where does this department lie under Solomon Islands?

“When contacting for security purposes concerning at the border, there will only be usual responds and explanations pointing to divisions said to be responsible but in fact, from our observation, there is no real picture over which Ministry or so does this department lie under, which department?

“Not a time most years do intruders from Bougainville get arrest arrested, this is maybe because Solomon Islands is not even a restored country too. It is just a country in the process of restoration of peace, meaning it is even yet at the process of the disposal of arms.

“There is the Ministry of Police and Correctional Service, but is there any Unit that looks after the border security? When talking about border security we are talking about a naval base and a mechanism in place pointing to our concern that the National Government should be looking into.”

Referring to an alleged armed robbery at a logging camp in one of the Islands in Shortlands over the weekend that Police in Western Province are currently investigating into, Elders of Shortland Islands also expressed that the economic development of the country such as focusing on logging can be disturbed rather than for the people of this nation to earn good income from.

“This issue is not only for us Shortland Islands, this is for Western Province and the whole nation,” reminds Shortlands’ Elders.

“Finding out about serious health issues such as HIV reported cases in 2012 and so at Bougainville also raises concern for us having not regulating them entering the country. We do not know what might occur and become a more major threat to our society.

“So this is our call, with our Members of Parliament (MP) continuing to appeal to Ministries responsible to address this issue every now and then, us indigenous Shortlanders now also call for the National Government to implement the western border issue.

“The National Government’s term is now lapsing but when will they address this serious issue?”

By Gary Hatigeva

THE Bills and Legislations Committee (BLC) has on Wednesday started its hearings into the much talked about but anticipated Traditional Governance and Customs Facilitation Bill 2018.

Appearing first before the Committee to present the Bill was the Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Peace and Reconciliation, accompanied by his Under Secretaries and other senior ministry officials.

In his presentation, the Permanent Secretary gave an overall background on the Bill, where he outlined its policy related aspects, which he revealed to be one of the current government’s key policy intent.

The Permanent Secretary shared that the intention was to empower and recognise the chiefs and traditional leaders of the country, who on a day to day basis, faced with the challenges of the economic and social pressure, thus, giving them the opportunity to be part of such decision making.

At the same time intended to establish an institution that will properly govern the Traditional Governance System.

The bill in itself looks to provide a framework for the institutionalisation, management and regulation of traditional governance system.

It also looks to provide a framework for the promotion and preservation of traditional norms, protocols, values and practices, and aims to empower and allow for tribal chiefs and traditional leaders to participate in decision making on social and economic matters affecting customary rights.

This bill, according to the Permanent Secretary, is also seen as a historical development for a system that has always been there, but not been properly given the right regulatory and legal mandates.

If enacted by the National Parliament of Solomon Islands, the bill will make changes to the provincial government Act 1997, and other related matters that capture the traditional governance system.

Unlike other bills that went before parliament, this Bill however, proposes to establish a Ministry of its own that will develop and implement policies relevant to improving the system provided for under this Act.

The new ministry will also facilitate institutional reforms across the government for the purpose of achieving its objectives if it becomes an Act.

It will also collaborate with the Ministry of Provincial Government and Institutional Strengthening, to assist provincial governments to make ordinances based on their respective jurisdictions.

With the Traditional Governance and Custom Facilitation Bill 2018, the Solomon Islands Democratic Coalition for Change Government (SIDCCG), first had it introduced on the floor of Parliament for its first and second readings, and later brought before the Bills and Legislation Committee for scrutiny.

A lot of concerns were raised by the Bills and Legislation Committee regarding the Bill, but there is high anticipation for it to be brought back on the floor of parliament for its deliberation by both the Upper House and the Committee of the Whole House.

Also accompanying the delegation was the Government’s Traditional Governance Advisor from the Office of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, Peter Boyers, who gave most of the insights aspects to the Bill during the hearing.

Hearings continue today with those from theCivil lSocietyOrganisations and other institutional representatives, which includes the National Council of Womenl, Transparency SolomonIslands, House of Chiefs Representatives, Courts represtatives, and the Gaena’alu Movement.

By Alfred Sasako

LAND issues which have been repeatedly blamed for lack of development on Malaita over the years will be the focus of a major Land Summit to be held in Auki at the end of October.

Although a final date is yet to be decided, organisers said they expect the two-day summit to begin on October 30.

The Summit is being jointly organised by the Ministry of National Unity, Reconciliation and Peace, Provincial Government and the United Nations Peace Office.

A spokesman said the 14 national MPs from Malaita along with the 33 Malaita Provincial Assembly Members (MPAs) have been invited to attend.

“We want them to come to the Summit to sit down and talk about land issues on Malaita,” the spokesman said.

It is understood that the convening of the Land Summit is prompted by lack of development on Malaita. In particular, the government has repeatedly used land issues as obstacles to development on the country’s most populous Province.

Many landowners have however denied this, suggesting that in many instances successive governments have engaged with the wrong people, particularly those who make false claims of ownership of land.

The October summit is expected to clear many of the land issues, paving the way for the development of major projects such as the proposed Bina Harbour International Seaport south of Auki, the Suava Bay Fish Cannery in North Malaita as well as Oil Palm development in East Malaita and Waisisi in West Are Are.

By Ezekiel Talatau

AN arrangement to have people from Lord Howe in the Malaita Outer Islands relocated to a land on West Guadalcanal appears to have been stalled.

Leaders from the low lying Polynesian atolls are not following up on this plan.

West Guadalcanal land-valuers and agents told Island Sun they are expecting some payments before the plan eventuated.

West Guadalcanal land-valuers and agents were responding to a call made by Lord Howe chiefs on the government to help relocate their people.

Lord Howe atolls are slowly going under water during to rising sea level.

At least two islands in Lord Howe have entirely gone under water. The two main islands of Luaniua and Pelau, where people live are experiencing the impact sea rise posed.

Wells where people rely on for fresh water have been contaminated by salt water and sites reserved for gardening affected by salt water.

Responding to Lord Howe’s chiefs’ call on the government, Isaac John, a land-valuer and agent from west Guadalcanal said an arrangement to allocate a site on West Guadalcanal for Lord Howe people has been made and it is the response from the Lord Howe leaders that has not forthcoming.

According to John the site allocated is about 22.4 hectares, which is a customary land and is registered under the government.

He said the government, through the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Survey and the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, Disaster Management and Meteorology, is aware of this plan.

John said decision by Lord Howe leaders to rebuild their settlement in the heart of the city stalled the plan.

He said their people still open the door to Lord Howe people.

But, he said upfront payments needs to be done before this plan happens.

John added many people have shown interest to move into the site earmarked for Lord Howe settlement but they blocked them.

He said leaders from Lord Howe must follow up on this plan as it is important for the future of their people who are threatened by climate change.

POLICE officers in Central province have arrested and charged two men for three counts each of alleged house break-in and one count each of alleged stealing from a dwelling house.

Provincial Police Commander Central province, Superintendent Patricia Leta says, “It is alleged that the accused on separate dates between August 10, 2018 and September 8 broke and allegedly entered two shops, the Havuna Community High School Science Laboratory and allegedly stole from a dwelling house.

“The suspects were arrested as a result of support done by Crime Prevention committee members of Yandina.

“The accused were brought to Honiara where a remand application was made in the Honiara Magistrates Court. Both are now remanded for the next 14 days as of Sept 16, 2018.

“I wish to thank my hard working officers of Central Province for the job well done leading to the successful arrest of the accused and the community for continuous support towards Police,” says Leta.

Crime Investigation Officer (CIO) for Yandina Police Station, Sergeant Jones Dagi says, “I wish to remind the general public of Yandina to refrain from involving in this type of activities.

“We need to stay away from problem and I wish to sincerely thank members of the Crime Prevention Committee in Yandina for their ongoing support for Police.”

–POLICE MEDIA

POLICE in Central province have arrested a 15-year-old juvenile on an allegation of rape that occurred on September 11, 2018 at the Bona settlement area near Burungia Village, Small Gela.

Provincial Police Commander Central province, Superintendent Patricia Leta says, “It was alleged that in the early evening of September 11, 2018 the victim’s father sent her to Ghumba Village to get money for betel- nuts she left at her uncle’s house in the morning for sale.

“The victim started running back to her home village which is Burungia. On her way back to the Village she met the suspect along the road at the Bona settlement.

“However, the suspect caught up with her and allegedly threatened her. He further dragged her into the bush and allegedly raped her.”

The matter was reported to Police and the suspect was arrested on September 18 and an investigation is currently underway.

Leta says, “The incident has caused widespread outrage in all the surrounding communities.

“This is totally unacceptable within our Christian communities. This type of cruel act should be condemned.

“Community leaders, church leaders, chiefs, youth leaders, women leaders, school teachers and parents must work together to reduce sexual offences in our 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 yourself at night or to isolated places.

“To all the male youth and men in the province, please respect our girls and women.

“Be reminded that rape is a very serious offence under our law which carries a maximum penalty of life imprisonment if found guilty.”

–POLICE MEDIA

BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

PRINCIPAL Magistrate Augustine Aulanga will deliver his sentence on the case against the former traffic Director tomorrow.

He appeared in court yesterday for sentencing however his case was adjourned for tomorrow for sentencing.

Charles Solomon Habatia is a former traffic director who was charged and tried for one count of conversion, contrary to section 278 (1) (c)(i) of the Penal Code.

After his conviction by the Magistrate Court his defence lawyer appealed Habatia’s conviction to the High Court and thus the Magistrate Court is waiting on the decision of the High Court before can proceed on with the sentence.

His case is in relation to an incident which occurred in 2016 when he was the Operation Manager for Honiara city and by virtue of his position; he was responsible for the formulation, coordination and management of police operations of various departments or units in the Honiara city.

Before June 2016, he applied for Solomon Islands government money in a form of special imprest of $24,000 from the Ministry of Finance and Treasury.

The application was approved and the money was raised and paid to the defendant. It was purposely to fund police operations within the Honiara city.

Prosecution in their allegation said that he did not use the whole of the $24,000 for the police operations. Instead, he fraudulently converted and used part of it for his own benefit. This occurred between June 3 and August 31, 2016.

The prosecution said the accused retired the money in a spreadsheet and attached a number of receipts obtained from individuals and business entities.

In the imprest retirement, he outlined certain transactions for various police operations under different departments like; the Liquor Unit, Criminal Response Unit and Naha Police. However, the Heads of these departments were not aware of such engagement or transactions. Those receipts in the prosecution’s case were false.

They were produced by the defendant to deceive the Solomon Islands government in the retirement of the money.

Meanwhile the defendant denies the fraudulent conversion of the money. He remained silent and called no evidence for his case.

He ardently emphasised in his closing submission that he did not receive the money at all and further denied any wrong doing on his part.

He argued that there was no evidence to prove the allegation and therefore he should be acquitted.

But the court found him guilty after the trial was conducted and convicted him as charged.

BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

PUBLIC Prosecution has informed court yesterday that funding issues has delayed police investigation on the Bellona murder incident.

This is the case against Kravis Tamaika who is alleged of killing a little girl and injuring four other victims on August 17 this year.

Prosecutor Patricia Tabepuda who appeared for the Director Public Prosecution said investigation is still ongoing and police investigators are yet to go over to Bellona to complete the investigation.

She said that two other victims are still currently hospitalised at the National Referral Hospital and thus police are yet to get their statements.

Ms Tabepuda said their office was informed that this case was investigated by police in Honiara and investigators are waiting on the funds to be approved for their travel to Bellona.

Meanwhile the accused is yet to be represented by any lawyer.

Principal Magistrate Augustine Aulanga said that lawyers from the Public Solicitor’s Office should represent the accused as he has many serious charges against him.

Aulanga then adjourned the case for the next 14 days, and ordered that prosecution updates the court on the status of the investigation and also for the accused to secure a lawyer to represent him with his charges.

The case will appear again in court on October 3.