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DPP proposes exchange programme with Singapore

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

THE Director of Public Prosecution is proposing an exchange programme with his counterpart from Singapore to send one senior prosecutor from his office on an exchange programme with his office in Solomon Islands.

The DPP is currently in Johannesburg attending to The 23rd International Association of Prosecutors annual conference for prosecutors around the world.

Mr Talasasa said he specifically asked for a prosecutor who has knowledge and experience on the use of Information Technology in prosecutions.

“I always emphasise to my staff that the best way to gain experience is by doing. But that must begin properly. It must begin from an informed background. So I value the ongoing training through attachments in other offices as well as our own in house continuing legal education programme.

The proposal will be brought back to the Attorney General of Singapore who will make the ultimate decision, Mr Talasasa said.

On another arrangement Mr Talasasa said that the Attorney General of Palestine asked for a bilateral meeting with DPP Solomon Islands and during the discussion the Attorney General asked for further collaboration between Palestine and Solomon Islands Prosecutions Office. The Attorney General also proposes to sign the MOU after finalising it.

Talasasa thanked the Attorney General for his goodwill gesture, and the time spent discussing the importance of prosecutor’s network but with regard to the MOU, he will consult with his home Government which will assess if it does not cross sensitive boundaries.

Usually at IAP Conferences, prosecutors from around the globe, network and have bilateral meetings to enhance cooperation.

It was during such ocassion that DPP Talasasa had a senior prosecutor from Chillawack, Canada who was attached to the ODPP SI for two months in 2017. He did a number of trainings for prosecutors during his time.

The Conference was opened on September 10 and ended on Thursday.

RSIPF defuses bomb in Honiara’s CBD

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0
A EOD officer displays the shell after safely rendered.

The Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) has successfully defused a live bomb which was found in the CBD of Honiara, on Thursday.

Police gave the all clear at 2.30pm on Thursday afternoon after successfully defusing the unexploded bomb in the centre of Honiara near the Advanced Technology Building in the Point Cruz area.

The RSIPF Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team successfully carried out the operation to render the bomb safe by defusing the projectile before safely transporting it to Hells Point in the Alligator Creek area, East of Honiara.

A EOD officer displays the shell after safely rendered.

The operation 2018 Render Safe started in the morning when more than 100 police officers walked through the streets in the Point Cruz area to advise the public to say clear of the area.

Commissioner of Police, Matthew Varley said, “Police would like to thank members of the public in positively responding to the call made since last night for people to stay away from the area at and surrounding where the bomb was discovered.

“The main street of Honiara looked like a ghost town [yesterday] afternoon as people took heed of the call to safely stay away.

“I am very humbled by the positive response of the people. They stayed off the streets and moved from their houses and offices to safer locations when the operation was underway.

“For those whose normal lives were disrupted by the operation, I wish to apologise for that.

“I believe that the operation was necessary for the safety of everyone.

“Furthermore I wish to thank all the RSIPF officers especially the EOD team who took part in the successful operation for a job well done.

“As Commissioner I have all the confidence in the professionalism shown by the EOD team and all our officers in carrying out such an operation at short notice.

“The successful outcome of the Render Safe Operation today is a clear manifestation of the capability of the RSIPF to deal with such situations for the safety of our citizens.”

Commissioner of Police Matthew Varley thanks officers involved in the operation.

–POLICE MEDIA

Going into harm’s way on behalf of us all

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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DEAR EDITOR, yesterday it was reported that the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Team of the RSIPF successfully carried out a ‘Render Safe Procedure’ with the removal of an un-exploded WW II shell that was considered uncommon and never before found in the Honiara central business area.

The size or shape of any item of ammunition does not indicate its potential danger. Quite small items can kill and maim if handled.

It must be remembered that explosives are unstable compounds that become more sensitive as they age.

Once again it has to be said that we all owe a great deal of gratitude to those officers of the EOD Team who yesterday, as in the past, when disposing of unexploded ordinance put their own lives at risk for our safety.

I say ‘thank you’ for your skilled handling of yesterday’s operation in rendering the potentially dangerous shell safe and for its prompt removal.

Yours sincerely

Frank Short

Passage of key legislation will improve business: PM

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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PM Hou and new PM of Australia Scott Morrison

BY PRIESTLEY HABRU

In Brisbane

PASSING of key legislation this year will improve business environment in Solomon Islands says Prime Minister Rick Houenipwela.

He uttered this statement at the 10th Australia Solomon Islands Business Forum in Brisbane on Wednesday.

“The government passed several key legislations in the recent sitting of Parliament will help improve the business environment in Solomon Islands in the near future.

“Among these Bills are the Anti-Corruption Act (2018), the Whistle Blowers Act (2018), the Electoral Reform Act (2018) and the Strata Title Act (2018) to name a few.

PM Houenipwela explained that the Strata Title Act is particularly strategic because land continues to be a problem when it comes to securing investment.

“The Government has been constantly searching for innovative solutions and has based the proposed Strata Titles Act on a model used by most Australian States.

“The Strata titles Act will maximise investment potential in new developments and to provide the flexibility to sell some or all of the strata units upon completion of a new development.”

The Prime Minister said the Strata Title Act has also opened the possibility to transform the Honiara Central Business District.

“Currently the government rents office space for most of its ministries and other bodies associated with government in ‘not-so- fit-for-purpose’ rental space, in some cases, exorbitant rents are being charged.”

PM Houenipwela is confident that the strata titles will drive the transformation of the Honiara skyline and boost the local building and construction industry.

“We are intending that the Act will formally commence early next year once the appropriate training has been undertaken with government officials.”

Meanwhile PM Houenipwela was in Canberra on Thursday to meet with Australia’s new Prime Minister Scott Morrison.

BSP Solomon Islands drafts own DV policy

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Lyn Fa’arodo (right) with SICCI CEO Dennis Meone and Joseph Huta.

BY PRIESTLEY HABRU

In Brisbane

Lyn Fa’arodo (right) with SICCI CEO Dennis Meone and Joseph Huta.

BANK South Pacific (BSP) Solomon Islands has drafted its own Domestic Violence (DV) Policy thanks to its partnership with ‘Waka Mere Project’.

This was revealed by BSP Solomon Islands E-Channel Manager Lyn Fa’arodo at the 10th Australia Solomon Islands Business Forum in Brisbane.

“As a result of the Waka Mere Project a Domestic Violence Policy has been drafted for BSP Solomon Islands and this may not have been the case if this project was not established by IFC (International Finance Corporation).”

Waka Mere Commitment to Action is an initiative of IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, and the Solomon Islands Chamber of Commerce and Industry. IFC’s work in Solomon Islands is under the Pacific Partnership, supported by the Australian and New Zealand Governments.

BSP Solomon Islands is one of the companies in Solomon Islands that has signed up for this initiative.

Ms Fa’arodo said BSP Solomon Islands signed up because it wanted to create safe and respectful workplaces for its staff.

“This is something BSP see as benefiting its employees in terms of better understanding of what is domestic violence, how to openly address the issues and concerns employees may face and what benefits are there to assist when staff are faced or been through domestic violence at home or at work,” she added.

Ms Fa’arodo said BSP Solomon Islands has identified five females and two males to undertake training on how domestic violence can impact the workplace and how it should be handled in workplace.

The seven staff, she said, also engaged in raising awareness on DV issues with its branch staff around Solomon Islands.

“Staff were assured of their privacy on any issue that were raised,” Ms Fa’arodo said.

As a result of this initiative, she said that BSP Solomon Islands staff has a better understanding of DV and that victims can be both men and women.

She reiterated that a number of her colleagues have come forward to discuss DV issues they experienced and were referred to counselling services.

“One or two managers have given feedback that their staff performance has improved following visit made to counselling services,” Ms Fa’arodo lamented.

The Waka Mere Commitment to Action is a two year initiative which aims to promote gender equality in the private sector in Solomon Islands.

It was launched in July 2017 at the Australian Solomon Islands Business Forum in Honiara and includes 15 of the largest companies in the country with nearly 6,000 employees.

It was designed to address three key areas namely leadership, respectful workplace and women on non-traditional roles.

Chief calls for relocation as tides ‘eat into our homes’

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Chief Peter Kalali of Lord Howe.

BY MAVIS NISHIMURA PODOKOLO

Chief Peter Kalali of Lord Howe.

CHIEF Peter Kalali on behalf of the people of Lord Howe has called on the Solomon Islands government to relocate them as the threat of rising sea levels intensifies in the atolls.

The low lying atolls of Ontong Java, part of the Malaita Outer Islands constituency, also known as Lord Howe islands, are facing hardships wrought on them by rising sea levels.

Speaking with Chief Kalali of Lord Howe, he said Lord Howe is a tiny low-lying atoll vulnerable to sea level rise and within the current generation alone they have witnessed a stark difference in sea level, hence relocation is a must.

With that, Kalali calls on the Solomon Islands government to consider this matter and relocate them to any other province with higher grounds.

He said the people of Lord Howe need to be relocated as the tides are eating into their homes.

“Our people will have to move as the tides have reached our homes and villages,” said Kalali.

He said their traditional food sources like swampy taro are being threatened by the current sea level intrusion.

Over-fishing and extraction of sea resources by local residents means sea food and marine lives are also becoming scarce.

On the same insight Kalali uttered that it is not only about physical relocation of people and their properties but also entails political, social economic and cultural shifts for them and those who will receive them.

PM Hou meets new Australian Prime Minister

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0
Prime Minister Rick Houenipwela (left)during his courtesy visit to Australia’s new Prime Minister Scott Morrison.
Prime Minister Rick Houenipwela (left)during his courtesy visit to Australia’s new Prime Minister Scott Morrison.

PRIME Minister Rick Houenipwela has met with the new Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison in Canberra yesterday.

The Prime Minister met his Australian counterpart at the Australian Parliament House.

Australia Prime Minister Morrison welcomed Prime Minister Houenipwela acknowledging him as the first foreign leader to meet with him since assuming office a fortnight ago.

Mr Morrison said Prime Minister Houenipwela’s courtesy visit to Canberra is an illustration of the importance and closeness between both countries.

“Solomon Islands is an important partner and you are an important leader to Australia and in the pacific,” the newly elected Australian Prime Minister told Houenipwela.

Prime Minister Morrison also assured of his support to Solomon Islands and his government’s policies in the Pacific region.

“Our relationship has grown from strength to strength,” he said.

Houenipwela in response said it is an honour to be the first foreign leader to pay a courtesy visit to Prime Minister Morrison.

The Prime Minister reaffirmed the warm and cordial relationship shared between the two countries.

“Australia is an important partner and friend to Solomon Islands and we will always embrace the friendship we share,” he said.

Both leaders also discussed the newly signed labour mobility scheme between Australia and Solomon Islands.

The Australian Prime Minister has agreed to provide technical support to address the technical constraints faced by the scheme as experienced in the past.

The two prime ministers also discussed the sub-marine cable project, Tina Hydro, tourism, border and maritime security to name a few.

Prime Minister Morrison has assured Houenipwela of his Government’s commitment to these projects in Solomon Islands.

Meanwhile, the new Australian Prime Minister has also shared his historical story as a 10year old boy who visited Honiara during his childhood days.

“My parents worked on a cruise ship and I can still recall visiting Honiara when I was a 10year old boy. In fact, the memorable moment was when I had a walkabout in Honiara and accidently kicked a broken bottle and cut my foot,” he jokingly shared with the Prime Minister.

The Australian Prime Minister said he looks forward in visiting the Solomon Islands sometime in the near future.

Prime Minister Houenipwela will arrive back in the country today.

–OPMC PRESS

We want a better SI for all: PM Hou

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0
(Left - right) SICCI Chair Mr Bartlett, Prime Minister Rick Hou, SICCI CEO Meone and Aust Business Coucil President Gary Clifford.
(Left – right) SICCI Chair Mr Bartlett, Prime Minister Rick Hou, SICCI CEO Meone and Aust Business Coucil President Gary Clifford.

PRIME Minister Rick Houenipwela says his government is working towards creating a better Solomon Islands for its citizens.

Speaking during the Australia Solomon Islands Business Forum in Brisbane on Wednesday this week, the Prime Minister said his government has a vision and mission and that is to empower all Solomon Islanders to attain a meaningful, quality of life through social and economic reforms.

Since becoming Prime Minister November last year, one of the immediate tasks undertaken by Mr Houenipwela and his Government was setting the foundation and platform for the incoming Government next year.

“My Government is working towards creating a better Solomon Islands. Despite our ongoing challenges, I am confident our best forty years is still ahead of us,” he said.

The Prime Minister was speaking on the Forum’s theme “Forty years of Australian Solomon Islands Business Partnership”.

“I welcome constructive criticism, and I know this Forum is willing to provide it. There are no easy solutions,” he said.

The Prime Minister said his Government looks forward to receiving outcomes and recommendations from the Forum discussions over the next few days.

“It is my sincere hope that this Forum will one day graduate out of the auspicious of Australian Pacific Business Council to a fully-fledged Australia – Solomon Islands Business Council,” he said.

Prime Minister Houenipwela said Solomon Islands like any other country needs investment.

In this regard, he said the platform and partnership between the Australia Pacific Islands Business Council and Solomon Islands Chamber of Commerce and Industries, offer a unique mechanism that could promote and enhance effective PPP initiatives and joint projects between Australia and Solomon Islands.

The Prime Minister said his Government welcomes more Australian investments into Solomon Islands but must be done within the bounds of the country’s laws.

“I encourage the Forum to step up your efforts to pursue investments in Solomon Islands and continue to provide information about prospective business opportunities that members of the Forum can invest on jointly or individually in the Solomon Islands,” he said.

–OPMC PRESS

Tough task ahead for police as people vow to resist cross-border voters

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0
Registration ground at Town Ground.

By Gary Hatigeva

THE Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) is deemed to have a very tough task in front of it as registration continues throughout the country, with people in certain constituencies proposing to confront or carryout activities that will attempt to stop those who are involved in the cross-border registrations syndrome.

The issue of cross border registrations has also taken a hard hit on some of the Honiara Constituencies, as well as in other Islands but mostly recently in Malaita province, which sparked anger and frustrations amongst ordinary residents of constituencies there in.

This has lead to a number of activities that are defined illegal under the electoral laws of the country, which some people thought necessary to protect the vulnerability of genuine constituents who are said to have been denied of development and service benefits as a result of the cross border practice.

Recently, the Island Sun reported similar activities in Honiara by some frustrated electors who decided to block people whom they knew or suspected to be involved in the practice, and over the past few days, other groups of frustrated electors in some of the Malaita constituencies have also done the same.

Island Sun understands that registrations are now ready to start of in some parts of the provinces this week and there are new proposals that have surfaced to block and resist those that are attempting to take part in the increasing cross border registration practice.

In a letter posted in one of the local online forums, people of Ward 5 in West Fataleka (Fataleka Constituency) have proposed to confront people that have chosen to register under any of their wards.

“People in West Kwara’ae and other neighbouring regions that are ready to shift over to register in Ward 5 of West Fataleka will confront resistance from the indigenous W/Fataleka people joining the People’s Power,” it said.

The spokes person for the People’s Power movement seriously indicated that the exercise they propose to carry out will not be easy as they are facing all odds, and expressed that they too are hoping for a transparent and genuine system of registration to be done in West Fataleka.

Police are however under immense pressure to ensure all registrations are carried out smoothly without any form of disturbances and interference, but unfortunately, with very limited resources.

Police have in the recent days came out in the media with assurance of an anticipated safe election as their preparations for that events, are progressing well.

The trainings according to the Police Commissioner, will equip police officers with the knowledge and skills to effectively deal with any form of public order issues.

Police came out strongly with emphasis on safety and security, which are mostly focused on the election period.

But with the recent happenings only in the registration phase, and looking at the reputation of some of the constituencies highlighted, many of whom have vowed to take actions in this registration process so as during the election period, concerned electorates are suggesting for the RSIPF to strengthen its capacity and resources as people fear the worst could come, during and post election day.

Police have however stressed that the safety and security of any elections will also depend very much on the people, and therefore appealed for the general public particularly, in the constituencies concerned, to assist the authorities to avoid such situations.

They also joined the Solomon Islands Electoral Commission to remind the frustrated electors not to take the matters of the laws into their own hands, and asked for them to use the legal avenue given under the electoral law to deal with issues of concern.

“That is, the Objection and Omission period within the Registration Cycle, and if you feel that there is clear breach of the relevant laws, you have all the right to object their names, where it will be followed by a Public hearing on those objected.

“And if those people can’t justify the objections pinned on them, then their names will definitely be removed.

“So that will also fulfill why the process is categorized as the analysing and cleaning the List of Voters phase, which means constituencies can get a clean list in the end, through the proper processes, without having to break the laws,” officials explained.

SIG aims to separate energy regulator and provider

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Prime Minister Rick Houenipwela (left)during his courtesy visit to Australia’s new Prime Minister Scott Morrison.

BY PRIESTLEY HABRU

In Brisbane

Prime Minister Rick Houenipwela (left)during his courtesy visit to Australia’snew Prime Minister Scott Morrison.

THE Solomon Islands Government is looking at making provisions for the possibility of having another energy supplier.

Currently Solomon Power is the only company supplying power and electricity in the country.

Speaking at the opening of the two days 10th Australia Solomon Islands Business Forum in Brisbane on Wednesday, Prime Minister Rick Houenipwela said this is to ensure competitiveness and greater accountability in the energy sector.

“The government is currently undertaking consultations aimed at improving our legislation including the separation of the regulatory and service provision aspects in the country’s energy sector.

“Currently the regulator and service provider are one and the same – which does not auger well from a governance, control, accountability, competitiveness and transparency standpoint,” he added.

Furthermore, PM Houenipwela said the Government has now secured funding for Tina River Hydro Dam Project in the vicinity of SBD1.6 Billion (approx. USD200million).

“When operational the Tina River project will supply up to 80% of energy needs in the national capital and reduce the cost of doing business at the national capital.”

He added the government is considering other sustainable clean energy solutions for the rest of the country, which he said is a clear reflection of the Government’s policy on clean energy.

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