BY SAMIE WAIKORI

AUKI

THE proposed pineapple project for Bonale in West Kwaio is progressing, reported to be ‘only steps away from its implementation phase’.

Senior staff under Labour and Commerce office in Auki, Mr Donation Maneotoa said yesterday that now they are going into the ‘land use planning’ of the project.

He said anytime soon, this week or next week, a delegation consisting of the contractor and technical people will go to the site to conduct the land use planning phase of the project.

Maneotoa said the phase includes planning of the site which will give a clear picture to what the project will be like in its actual implementation.

He added that there are other related technical works required to be done during the phase.

Maneotoa said after that they will conduct the full technology study phase of the project as they move on with the project.

He said these two phases are very important at this stage as it will enable them to come up with the master plan that will include cost and other areas needed for the implementation of the project.

Maneotoa said their plan was to complete these phases by the end of this year and start the implementation of the project by next year.

He mentioned that they are progressing with the work and if nothing holds they back they’ll right on their schedule plan.

Maneotoa said as yet no destructive feedbacks received from landlords of Bonale registered land where the project to establish.

He said that portrays people still intact on the agreement signed with government for the project.

The proposed pineapple project was to establish pineapple factory to process pineapple locally for international markets.

By Ezekiel Talatau

LOCAL environmentalists are raising the alarm on impacts that rising sea levels is having on the species diversity in the islands of Solomons archipelago.

Dr Patrick Pikacha, author of the acclaimed ‘Shore to Shore Wildlife and landscape of Solomon Islands’ book, said that Solomon Islands environment habitats are closing its door to extinction.

Recent studies from the University of Australia on sea level rise and a 13-year documented report by scientists have evidence that link sea level rise and boosted risk to wildlife.

The studies also reveal that five islands in Solomon Islands are recorded sinking below sea surface, predicted to be the first sign of some endangered species to be extinct at this stage.

To date, about 60 species of doves from Santa Cruz have been sent to Singapore; result from poor breeding sites for the doves to breed.

The Dove’s species were collected from Santa Cruz and sent by ship.

Due to this environmental phenomenal, human influence to environment is somehow the secondary cause endangered species to be extinct.

Dr Patrick added that government influence in the industries likes logging and mining in pursuits of countries economic gain have been mismanage, resulting in the widespread, damage to much of the country natural environments.

He added that the government need to think about the future of this country and be manageable to these last natives, untouched areas and hopefully allow logged over forest to regenerate.

There is still hope of saving some of the species if action was taken now.

BY SAMIE WAIKORI

AUKI

ILLEGAL brewing of kwaso (alcohol) along Ro’apo’u River in East Are Are has raised alarm for people in the area.

A youth within the area told this paper yesterday that manufacturing of the illegal alcohol in the area has generated an increase to anti-social activities amongst youths.

He said youths are now deaf to appeals by community elders to stop the habit, and their public attitudes are worsening.

The youth said youths and even elderly men in the area as far as certain parts of West Are Are now driven by kwaso into increase of anti-social activities.

He said at the moment a logging operation was in the area and that even add the deeds into worse.

The youth said when it comes to pay-day, employees and men from the area extending to Waisisi in West Are Are where the logging camp stationed, get drunk and pursue nasty activities.

He said chiefs, elders and church leaders in the area continue to work with men especially youths, but it failed to work.

The youth said they have the money and the production of kwaso is just within the area so it’s quite hard to regulate them.

He said the activities give rise as a result of this illegal brewing tend to hurt people in the area especially women and children who prone to those activities.

The youth appealed upon police to intercept and try to do away with those activities for the safety of the people in the area.

BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

PRINCIPAL Magistrate Fatimah Taeburi has issued a summon against a defence lawyer for failing to turn up and assisting the court in relation to the case against Philip Mango.

The case was listed for sentencing submission but the defence lawyer did not turn up.

He is also yet to submit his mitigation submission on the case and also for the agreed facts.

Police Prosecution told the court that they tried to contact the defence lawyer but were unsuccessful.

Meanwhile the accused also said that his lawyer has not visited hom for quite some time now.

This is the case against Philip Mango, he is faced with one count of assault on a Police Officer.

The court also told the accused options as to whether or not he still wants his current lawyer to represent him, or find another lawyer or for him to represent himself in court.

Ms Taeburi then adjourns the case to September 18 and told the accused to decide on the three option said to him.

She then issued summon on the defence lawyer Samuel Balea to explain in court why he failed to turn up in court on Tuesday.

POLICE in Honiara have arrested and charged a 56-year-old man for an alleged wounding incident at Koa Hill in Central Honiara after he surrendered himself to police on September 9, 2018.

Provincial Police Commander (PPC) Honiara City, Chief Superintendent Alfred Uiga says, “It is alleged that in the early hours of September 9, 2018, the two victims were allegedly consuming alcohol at Koa Hill.

“They decided to buy some soft drinks at a nearby shop and were accompanied by another male.

“Along the way they told the male who accompanied them to fetch them some water as they waited under a tree.

“As they were standing under the tree, the suspect came out of a house and began talking to them.

“He went back into the house and came out with a kitchen knife and attacked the two victims causing injuries to both of them.

“Police was contacted and the victims were assisted to the National Referral Hospital for medical treatment.”

The accused surrendered himself to police, and he was charged and expected to appear before the Honiara Central Magistrate Court yesterday afternoon for remand application.

–POLICE MEDIA

By Mike Puia

NEW Caledonia, another Melanesian island nation in the pacific, has shown interest to expand its investment presence in the country.

This is according to Prime Minister Rick Houenipwela following his meeting with the President of New Caledonia, Mr Gael Yanno.

Mr Houenipwela and President Yanno meet during the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) meeting that recently concluded in Nauru.

He said during their meeting they discussed investment and New Caledonia indicated its eagerness to make cooperation with this country like it did in Papua New Guinea and Vanuatu.

President Yanno conveyed to Prime Minister Hou that their investors are keen to invest in this country.

Prime Minister Hou said the indication from President Yanno is good as another Melanesian country wants to do business here.

PNG is the only Melanesian country that has a strong investment presence here.

New Caledonia is probably new. Its notable investment is the newly setup BRED Bank.

New Caledonia, known for its flourish tourism sector, is interested to invest in the tourism and fisheries sector.

In the area of fisheries, New Caledonia has its own company that do purse seine fishing and it processes its own tuna an area Prime Minister Hou says this country can learn from.

BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

WITNESSES who are summoned by prosecution to witness on cases for trial should always available whenever a trial proceeds.

Principal Magistrate Fatimah Taeburi yesterday told prosecution that the court can only stand down cases to allow a lawyer to be available or for lawyers to sort out issues, but not to wait for a witness.

She made the comment in court when prosecution sought a short adjournment to allow the witness to be available in court before the trial resumes.

The witness is summoned by prosecution to testify in court and the court can order for the witness to be remanded in custody, Ms Taeburi said.

This is in relation to the case against John Ross and others.

The trial began on Friday last week. They started with the charge of intimidation – there are witnesses summoned by the prosecution to give evidence in regards to the charge of intimidation.

The men have other charge of false pretence and will call witnesses in regards to charge after they are finished with the intimidation charge.