BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

THE man alleged of killing another man on June 17 is still without a lawyer.

Public Prosecution told court that investigations are completed and disclosures are being prepared to be served to the defence.

The case then adjourned to September 24 to allow for the accused secure a lawyer.

This is the case where police alleged that the accused, Malcolm Folia, stabbed another man to death over a joke made in relation to the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

The allegation said on June 17 this year the accused, deceased, and their friends were drinking alcohol at Koloale area in Honiara.

While they were drinking beer, they were all talking about the World Cup and were making jokes about the teams they support.

They allegedly would argue over the teams but did not take the argument seriously.

During that time, the deceased was hungry and told the boys that he will go to his house to eat and will return to them.

It was further alleged that after the deceased left, the accused and the boys continued on to joke about the World Cup teams as the deceased and the accused are supporters of Brazil.

All of a sudden, the accused allegedly punched one of the boys and then attempted to punch another who tried to calm him.

The accused then allegedly told the boys to wait for him while he went to his house to take a knife to stab anyone of them.

Having heard that, the boys allegedly moved to another location by a Mango tree after the accused left.

The boys were still sitting under the Mango tree when the accused return with a knife.

The accused was allegedly seen attempting to stab himself when one of the boys tried to take the knife away from him.

Prosecution alleged that it was at that time that the deceased arrived and tried to help one of the boys to calm the accused.

It was at that time that accused Folia stabbed the deceased with the knife on his right chest.

The deceased left the group and walked back to his house.

He was taken to the National Referral Hospital but died that same night.

BY ELLISON VAHI

AS a way forward to get jobs is to be able to read, write and use digital technologies.

“By addressing these issues now and learning throughout life, we will have a stronger SI for us, our children and our communities.”

Speaking with the paper, Mrs Sarah Houkura, a school teacher from Tuvaruhu said that a lot of students are lacking literate, thus with such a programme hosted is of a valuable, as it helps students to involve as well learn new ideas and knowledges about the importance of literacy, with especially writing and reading.

“Writing enables a person to put ideas into focus with more thought and clarity, because unlike speaking, we are able to take our time when stating what we want to communicate. We can be more selective in our choice of words as well considering the tone of the language we are using,” she said.

She adds, “helping someone to read and write effectively or acquire the basic math skills so many of us take for granted, improves the future of everyone in society. Literacy is also a critical to economic development as well as individual and community well-being.

“The need is to ensure that the workforce has a strong foundation in essential skills such as reading, writing, and working with digital technologies.”

Also speaking, Mr Prince Dan, a form 1 student said that, the hosting of the Literacy programme is an opportunity as he finds it interesting and as well he has learnt a lot more new information valuable towards their academic career.

John Hati, a form 2 students from Tanagai too said that, the programme is very interesting and whilst shared that it is very important as it helps them as well give an over view to the students on how important is them to be able to know how and improve in reading and writing.

In relation, Literacy is one of the most important skills when it comes to our personal growth, culture and development. It is even more important today because of how our economy and society are changing as around the world, governments, businesses and people are becoming more and more connected by digital technologies.

BY ELLISON VAHI

WITH goals to create safer maritime routes, managed in accordance with international instruments and best practice in recognising that there is a scope for significant improvement in safety at sea, with respect of both international ferry and cruise activities, the Independent Financial Associates Network (IFAN) in support for the SPC is currently involved in an undertaking its support of a programme in the South Pacific, that was designed to improve the level of Aids to the Navigation services.

Initially presented to 13 targeted countries – Cook Islands, Kiribati, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Marshall Islands, Niue, Nauru, Palau, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu – at the Transport Officials Meeting held in Suva, Fiji in November 2015, the two-phase project was commenced in April 2016.

While Solomon Islands was chosen as the pilot country for this project, whilst, the in-country visits to the conducted with the accreditation process of SPC as Aids to Navigation Training Organisation is now in progress with the objective of delivering the Level 2 AToN manager course 2018.

In relation to, South Pacific Community (SPC) provides a regional resource of specialist technical expertise that will strengthens, or supplements, regional and the national capacity. It also designed and, with the support of IFAN, has started implementing the Safety of Navigation project, ultimately aiming to support the economic development of shipping and trade of Pacific Islands Countries and Territories (PICTs).

From the outset, the main challenge facing the project was identified as being the lack of awareness of the importance of Aids to Navigation systems in the target countries. In addition, limited capacity of managers and technicians and, in almost all countries, an absence of AToN policy and regulation to support process, procedures and resources were additional hurdles to be overcome. SPC is focusing on enhancing and raising awareness of sustainable development of AToNs through in-country visits and capacity-building programmes.

In the meanwhile, the agreement to fund Phase II and the allocation of resources to phase II was from the review of the 2016 planned activities which completed a 92.5 percent effective rate and hence, IFAN have approved based on the phase I reports.

BY ELLISON VAHI

IN the face of rising maritime accidents in the Pacific region, Maritime stakeholders recently met to identify risks and hazards affecting Honiara port. Talks were centred on the need for more trainings to create a safer environment for ships operating costal island waters as well to identify the current and future needs for safety of Navigation (SoN). Provisions of aids to navigation services were also discussed.

Project Manager of the Pacific Safety of Navigation project, Francesca Pradelli, said that the maritime stakeholders meeting has provide an opportunity to hear local views and experiences on the risks and hazards of Honiara port.

“This will be invaluable information that SIMSA and SPC can use in developing options to mitigate these risks and increase the safety of navigation in Solomon Islands’ waters.” She said

She said “SPC’s Ocean and Maritime Programme, in partnership with SIMSA, will use this preliminary information to conduct a risk assessment of the Port of Honiara based upon the Simplified Risk Assessment method (SIRA) developed by the International Association of Marine Aids to Navigation and Lighthouse Authorities (IALA)”.

Meanwhile Manager of SIMSA Aids to Navigation, Mr Patrick Wamahe said the project has given an opportunity for stakeholders to have better ideas on safety of navigation approaches.

“The implementation of Phase 2 will bring clear benefits to the Solomon Islands economy.”

The project will also conduct risk assessments, develop legal frameworks for safety of navigation, and improve budgetary management.

Some of the Maritime hazards identified by stakeholders for the Honiara port includes the absence of lights and reflective materials on mooring buoys; and depth variation due to a river nearby.

Solomon Islands is one of the 13 targeted countries which has been responsive to the efforts of SPC’s Pacific Safety of Navigation project and has greatly seen clear safety improvements since the start of the project in 2016. The other 12 countries targeted under this project are: Cook Islands, Kiribati, Federated States of Micronesia, Marshall Islands, Nauru, Niue, Palau, Samoa, Tonga, Tokelau, Tuvalu and Vanuatu.

Stakeholders from the Solomon Islands Maritime Safety Administration (SIMSA), the Solomon Islands Women in Maritime Association, the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force’s Maritime Unit, private shipping companies, the Solomon Islands Ports Authority, the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources and members of the media attended the meeting and contributed to discussions.

SPC Safety of Navigation Project phase 2 activities will continue in Kiribati and Vanuatu next month.

The one day workshop, this week was implemented by the Pacific Community (SPC) with support from the International Foundation for Aids to Navigation (IFAN) as part of the Pacific Safety of Navigation Project.

This was the first meeting of the sort held in the Pacific Island nation and hence, the meeting was part of the Pacific Community (SPC) Pacific Safety of Navigation Project, phase 2.