TRANSPARENCY Solomon Islands (TSI) has publicly applauded the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in cautioning the national government on issues of national interest and concern on the Anti- Corruption Act, an act when enforced will deal with corruption, corrupt conduct and practices in public sector, the private sector and civil society.

TSI executive officer says, “The passage of the ACB is timely and has been critical for the country for a number of years.

“Forty years on corruption is widespread in the public sector and it has been far too long for this country not to have a robust legislation to roll back and eliminate corruption at all levels.”

TSI says corruption is an issue that impacts on all aspects of Solomon Islanders society inhibiting development, discouraging genuine investors and damaging public morale.

There is no denying that corruption is rife in Solomon Islands and has dangerously hindered the country’s political and economic development.

“It has diminished public resources for public programs, service delivery, and undermined the reputation of government eroding societal values of integrity and honesty.

“TSI adds its voice to IMF Team leader Alison Stuart’s call for a greater transparency of CDFs that would improve accountability to improve services in the rural areas,” TSI said

TSI calls on other Financial Institutions and development partners to call for transparency in areas that IMF has raised concern about.

Whilst TSI appreciates the help given by development partners, it also recognises that these has been used by political leaders to assure people about service delivery and turn people’s attention away from the millions that are not accounted for, millions of tax-payers monies.

With regard to the legislative instruments to curb corruption, TSI truly applauds Matthew Wale (MP for Aoke-Langalanga) for his tireless effort in being the people’s voice in the debate of the Anti-Corruption Bill and now the Whistle-blowers Bill.

The position of the Member of Parliament is a public post and one that is there to be a voice for their constituencies.

In this instance only a few a truly reflecting that in the highest decision-making body of Solomon Islands.

–TSI PRESS

POLICE at Taro in Choiseul Province are investigating an alleged wounding incident at Voruvoru Village in Choiseul Province on July 29, 2018.

Provincial Police Commander (PPC) Choiseul Province, Superintendent Vincent Eria says, “The alleged wounding incident happened after a local suspect went to Voruvoru Village and allegedly confronted a Malaysian and punched him.

“It is alleged the Malaysian reacted and ran back to the logging camp and got his knife and returned to the village to search for the suspect.

“The victim received a couple of injuries to his head, on his back side and his right little figure was chopped off.

“On seeing what happened, the people at the village rushed behind the suspect to the camp and attacked the Malaysian until he fell to the ground and became unconscious.

“The seriously injured victim has been referred to the National Referral Hospital in Honiara while the Malaysian who is also a victim and suspect at the same time is still under police custody and medical authority at Taro.

“The original fight came about when the seriously wounded victim asked the Malaysian for money but he refused to grant what the victim asked for,” explains Eria.

Eria calls on both parties involved in the incident to refrain from taking the law into their own hands but allow police to investigate the matter.

–POLICE MEDIA

THE Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Team of the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) will be conducting a Render Safe Procedure (RSP) in the Solomon Power (SIEA) residential area at Tasahe in West Honiara between 8am to 2pm tomorrow 1 August 2018.

Officer In-Charge of the EOD Team, Inspector Clifford Tunuki says, “This task is in relation to a report of unexploded ordnance (UXO) that has been found recently by members of the community living there.

“The UXO is fitted with a Mechanical Time Fuse and is unsafe to move.

“The purpose of the RSP is to safely knock-off the sensitive fusing elements of the UXO only.

“This must be done before the UXO can be safely transported to Hells Point East of Honiara.

“The EOD Team is therefore appealing to people living in and around the Solomon Power residential area at Tasahe to keep out from the cordoned area from now and until the operation has been completed.”

–POLICE MEDIA

BY BARNABAS MANEBONA

RAPID change of eating habits is believed to contribute in the rise of non-communicable diseases experienced in Solomon Islands.

Over this concern raised by locals, the Member of Provincial Assembly (MPA) for Ward 12 at Choiseul Province Hon Nerio Ulemiki is urging citizens of his Ward to change with commitment in decreasing consumption of refined foods.

“Local foods are still healthy for our bodies. Decreasing on consuming refined foods from shops should also include heavy consumption of smoking and alcohol that contributes to a lot of problems within the society today,” said Hon Ulemiki.

Locals of Northwest Choiseul who have also recently raised their concern being in line with Hon Ulemiki added suggesting that there should be more health awareness reaching them at remote rural places over the consequences of modern refined foods being introduced.

“This is because many locals still at present seem to only enjoy such refined foods being introduced forgetting the other side impact of consuming too much on such would cause,” said locals.

BY BARNABAS MANEBONA

TWENTY-FIVE business houses visited recently by the Joint Committee of the Ministry of Commerce saw the closure of foreign business companies and ask for removal to others.

Out of the 25 business houses on the 27th of June, 13 foreign companies operating on Guadalcanal boundaries or jurisdictions such as at Kakabona, Lungga and GPPOL were closed down for business being asked to expand the size of their premises to 200 square metres.

According to Jack Gulauma from the Foreign Investment Division (FID) under the Ministry of Commerce, Industry, Labour and Immigration, four foreign companies out of the 13 that were recently closed down have re-opened.

It is understood that these businesses have expanded the size of their buildings to 200 square metres (200m2) as required by law.

“For 10 foreign companies operating within the outskirts of Honiara, they were asked to close down and have to relocate their operations to the Central Business District (CBD) of Honiara City,” said Mr Gulauma.

It is understood that only two companies out of the 25 visited were owned by Solomon Islanders in which they were allowed to open their doors and continue with normal services.

POLICE at Tulagi in the Central province have successfully rescued five passengers whose boat experienced engine problem while travelling between Honiara and Gela on July 30, 2018.

The passengers rescued included the doctor at the Tulagi Hospital, two of his staff and two other people.

Provincial Police Commander (PPC), Central province Superintendent Patricia Leta says, “We received the report at about 4.30 pm on July 30. My officers responded to the report and successfully rescued the five passengers safely to Tulagi at around 5.15pm that same evening. My officers sighted the boat near Gela Island.

“The men were travelling in a 21-feet long boat, round cabin powered by a 40 horse power Yamaha engine on their trip from Honiara when the engine experienced some problems.

“I appeal to all the good people of Central province to ensure that their engines are properly serviced and in good working order before setting out on any trip. Do not travel during bad weather because you will be risking your life if any problem happens at sea during your trip.

“Let us all work together to reduce problems happening at sea by planning our trips properly before travelling.

“Before you travel, please plan your trip properly. Here are some safety points to remember before travelling:

Plan your trip and let at least a member of your family know where you are going and what time you expect to arrive;

Check the weather on SIBC or call the Met Service on 27658 or toll free 933;

If you start your trip and the weather becomes bad, seek shelter until the sea is calm;

Make sure your boat is seaworthy and your OBM is serviced and maintained;

Know your skipper. Make sure they are experienced in driving boats;

Do not overload your boat

Wear life jackets. Take food and water, paddles, first aid kit, anchor and rope, mirror to signal others, tools, bucket, torch, phone, flares and EPIRB;

Take extra fuel;

If your skipper is drunk, do not go with them or let them control the boat; and

If you require help at sea call the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) on phone 21609 or 27685 or the toll free phone 977; or call the RSIPF National Communication Centre on phone 23666 or the toll free phone 999.

“Safety at sea starts with you. If you are not too sure, stay ashore.”

PPC Leta also thanked her officers who had the courage and responded to the report although the weather was extremely bad on the night of the rescue.

–POLICE MEDIA

TWO men, 21 and 26 years old, have been ordered to pay a fine of $1000 each by the Honiara Central Magistrates Court after being found guilty of consuming liquor in a public place at the Honiara Central Market on July 28, 2018.

The two men were ordered to pay the fine by Monday, August 6, 2018 or they be sent to jail for 40 days.

“Police officers conducting foot beat patrol around the Central Market area sighted the defendants holding a can of cheers drink as they drank from it,” says Provincial Police Commander Honiara City, Chief Superintendent Alfred Uiga.

“The police officers went over and found that the men were consuming kwaso.

“The officers apprehended both suspects to the Central Police Station where they were arrested, charged and taken to court and found guilty of the charge.

“I want to remind the public that public places such as the Honiara Central Market is not a place where you can consume liquor.

“It is place where public should have access to without fear or intimidation.

“It is a place where young and old, men, women, children and people with disabilities should move around freely.

“It is sad to see that there a number of people have been arrested and charged for consuming liquor in a public place yet this offence continues to increase.”

“I appeal to members of the public to work together with the police and report any one that you see consuming alcohol in a public place.

“Let us continue to work together for a crime-free Honiara City,” says PPC Uiga.

–POLICE MEDIA