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Ticket scam caught

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Invalid tickets of Fairwest Shipping found on the passengers arrested on Wednesday.

BY BARNABAS MANEBONA

Police arrested four suspects allegedly over racketeering of ship tickets belonging to the Fairwest Shipping Company on Wednesday. The men were apprehended and transported to Honiara onboard the Fair Glory. (Pictured) One of the suspects being
escorted into the police vehicle at the Pt Cruz wharf.

FOUR men from the Western province have been arrested on board MV Fair Glory yesterday morning after being found with invalid passenger tickets of Fairwest Shipping Company.

There have been a number of invalid Fairwest Shipping tickets sold to local travelling passengers bound for Honiara-Gizo and Gizo-Honiara.

The company only found out last week and alerted all its passenger ships to be on the lookout.

On docking at the Pt Cruz wharf around 7am yesterday, Fair Glory had to wait for police to be at the wharf to execute the arrest of the men before passengers were allowed to disembark.

It is understood the matter is before the police and is under investigation.

“There has to be a stop to this practise so it must be investigated,” said the Director of Fairwest shipping, Mr Chacha Bule Amoi.

Invalid tickets of Fairwest Shipping found on the passengers arrested on Wednesday.

KTDA and MDA call for transparency and inclusiveness for Gold Ridge mine re-opening

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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BY LORETTA BRIGIDIA MANELE

KOLOBISI Tailings Dam Association (KTDA) and Metapono Downstream Association (MDA) of East Guadalcanal are calling on the national government and owners of the Gold Ridge project to be more transparent and inclusive in current efforts to bring back the gold mine.

The above was expressed in a press release by both associations, representing landowners and communities residing near the Tailings Storage Facility (TSF) at Gold Ridge and downstream near Tinahulu and Metapono rivers.

Both parties highlighted that misleading information was given to the media regarding plans and purported progress about the reopening of the gold ridge mine which they expressed has led to a lot of confusion among various stakeholders in the project, especially communities they represent and the public at large.

While they acknowledge the Prime Minister and his delegation’s visit to the gold ridge site on April 19, 2018, they are disappointed that they were not consulted about the visit which they view would have been a good opportunity for them to raise some of their concerns about how re-opening of the mines have been handled.

In relation, on the basis that they represent people and communities who are exposed to risks from any mining operations that take place on gold ridge, executives of KTDA and MDA demand that the government, Gold Ridge Communities Investment Ltd (GCIL), Gold Ridge Mining Limited (GRML) and any other entities involved in current efforts to reopen the Gold Mines explain why they were not given the opportunity to meet the Prime Minister.

Also mentioned was that they have no doubt that the Prime Minister must have been aware of the depth of misleading and deliberate information reported by the media on the resumption of mining operations.

Stated in the press release, of the four factors pertaining to this two of them are that there is very little evidence in terms of ground work for the re-opening of the gold mine and that work on the bridge over the Tinahulu River which links to the mining pits and processing plant in Honiara and outside is yet to start.

KTDA and MDA stressed that they have continuously expressed concerns over perceived lack of transparency and fairness in respect of the distribution of risks and benefits associated with the gold ridge mining project and are again voicing this concern.

“We again call on the Solomon Islands government and the owners of the project for more transparency and inclusiveness during the current efforts to resurrect the gold mine. We would like to request responsible authorities to review existing shareholding arrangements and the structure of shareholding and advice stakeholders accordingly,” said the press statement.

Serious consideration for identification of alternative sites to cater for the establishment of a new TSF to support future mining and mineral processing when the mine eventually reopens was also called for since the present site is regarded by the executives as a safety concern for communities.

Furthermore, they request that the Prime Minister and his government respond to a joint submission that was made to the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) on Dec 22, 2017 and for the immediate establishment of a taskforce to oversee and coordinate current efforts to reopen the Gold Ridge mines.

“Such a taskforce must be competent and prepared to take onboard the issues of concern to KTDA and MDA membership,” said the press release statement.

The Ministry of Mines and Energy is also requested to explain the criteria and conditions established for the restoration of the Mining Lease to current holders as well as whether these conditions have been adhered to before the Mining Lease was restored.

The Kolobisi Tailings Dam Association (KTDA) and Metapono Downstream Association (MDA) in accordance with their mandate call on the Office of the Prime Minister and owners of the Gold Ridge project to publicly respond to the concerns raised in this Press Release and earlier releases to the media within 14 days of the date of this press release.

“Beware that KTDA and MDA reserve the right to consider various options to take whatever action necessary in pursuit of and to protect the rights of our membership in respect of the Gold Ridge mining project,” said the press statement.

The paper understands that the press statement was signed by the chairman of Kolobisi Tailings Dam Association (KTDA), Mr Primo Amusaea and chairman of Metapono Downstream Association (MDA), Hon Samson Maneka.

PM Hou leaves for Japan on Sunday

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Hon Rick Hou

By Alfred Sasako

PRIME Minister Rick Houenipwela is off on a 15-day, two-nation tour next week, taking in Japan and later Taiwan.

Senior officials have confirmed the trip, saying Mr Houenipwela is attending the Summit-level meeting called Pacific Islands Leaders’ Meeting (PALM), which Japan hosts every three years.

Prime Minister Hou is expected to be briefed in Honiara today on issues being discussed at the meeting which Iwaki City, Fukushima Prefecture is hosting from May 18-19.

The size of the Prime Minister’s delegation is not known.

However, officials say the trip would take at least 15 days. He will visit Taiwan on his way back from the PALM in Japan.

Leaders from 17 Pacific Island Countries, including Australia and New Zealand are attending. “We are Islanders – Partnership Towards Prosperous, Free and Open Pacific” is the theme chosen for the two-day meeting.

The meeting will be co-chaired by Mr Takeo Mori, Senior Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs, and Ms Peseta Noumea Simi, Chief Executive Officer, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Samoa.

Held for the first time in 1997, PALM provides a platform where leaders can exchange views on various issues and common challenges facing Pacific island countries and the Region.

In its 40-year history, PALM Leaders have openly discussed various issues such as the challenges regarding their small size and land distribution over a wide area, distance from major international markets, and the vulnerability to natural disasters and climate change.

Leaders from 17 countries including Japan are taking part in this year’s PALM. The other countries are Australia, Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Kiribati, Republic of Marshall Islands, Nauru, New Zealand, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu.

In Taiwan, Prime Minister Hou will sign a formal agreement, sealing Taipei’s formal assistance towards the 2023 South Pacific Games.

West’s prolonged provincial assembly questioned

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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BY ALFRED PAGEPITU

GIZO

CIVIL society groups in the Western province are calling on the Ministry of provincial government (MPGIS) to answer why the Western provincial government is still active and holding assembly when nominations for the next provincial elections have been opened.

Speaking to Island Sun Gizo, spokesperson for the civil groups, Mr Andrew Koke says all members of provincial assembly should be ordinary citizens well before the nomination period is opened.

He adds that only the Premier is allowed by law to remain as a care-taker, even then, he says the care-taker premier is without executive powers during this period.

“We are calling on the Minister for Provincial Government to suspend the current Assembly and subsequently halt the Provincial election so the Government can then address the matter,” said Koke.

He labels the situation facing the Western provincial assembly as a ‘mess’, which is ín breach of constitutional provisions’.

The Western province will have its last assembly from May 22 – 29. The full Assembly will be dissolved on June 12, and the provincial elections has been set for June 13.

Comments from the MPGIS could not be gauged before this article went for print.

Trial set for man alleged of setting fire to kitchen

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

THE court has set a trial date for a man alleged of burning a kitchen early this year.

Yesterday both prosecution and defence agreed to have the trial proceed in the first week of June, and set it for June 4-8 this year.

Prosecution told court that they will be calling less than five witnesses for the trial while defence will be calling a police officer as its witness.

John Amond was charged with one count of arson in relation to an incident which occurred this year in the Central Islands province.

Prosecution said that witnesses saw the accused at the area when the kitchen was burnt and they reported the matter to police in which the accused was arrested.

Principal Magistrate Fatimah Taeburi then adjourns the case to May 30 for an interim mention.

The court then extends the accused’s bail to May 30.

Daniel Kwalai of the Public Solicitor’s Office represents the accused in court.

Defence needs more time, MP’s trial adjourns

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

THE trial into the case against the Member of Parliament for Baegu/Asifola constituency has adjourned yesterday to today to allow defence time to consult with his client.

The court was told that defence lawyer Michael Pitakaka needs more time with the defendant regarding issues in relation to the MP’s charges as it was just recently amended by prosecution.

This is the case against David Tome who is alleged to have involved in converting funds in relation to incidents in 2011.

Prosecution alleged that in 2011 the MP obtained public funds for a constituency project; however those funds were not used as intended and was converted for his own use.

The MP is charged with fourteen (14) counts of Conversion under Section 278(1) (c) (i) of the Penal Code, involving funds totalling $67,170.

The minister was on $2000 cash bail and will appear in court faithfully till his case is completed.

Office of the Director Public Prosecution appears for the crown on this case.

Chinese woman admits to stealing

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

A Chinese woman has pleaded guilty to six counts of larceny and embezzlement to the sum of more than $400,000 from her employer in cash and cartons of cigarette.

Tong Jian Jing was an employee of the Low Price enterprise, working as a clerk. She was charged with six counts of larceny and embezzlement by servant in relation to the incidents which occurred from November last year to March this year.

Prosecution alleged that the first incident occurred on November 23 last year where she stole 11 cartons of cigarette worth $170,500.

Prosecution further said from December last year to around March this year she stole huge amounts of money. The management of Low Price found out and reported the matter to police.

Yesterday she appeared in court with her shy face and soft voice admitting to the court her guilt for stealing those amounts of money from the company she worked for.

After she pled guilty to all the charges against her the court adjourned the case to today for sentencing submission.

Police Prosecutor John Palmer Teula prosecutes the case in court while Cathy Hite from Public Solicitor’s Office represents the accused.

Sea rescue

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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The five PNG nationals who were rescued in Solomon Islands Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) Friday last week after nine weeks of floating at sea. Standing with them on their arrival at the Solfish main wharf at Ranadi are FFV Jin Chu Fu No. 68’s member, PNG High Commission’s rep and officers of Lee Kwok Kuen and Solfish Company. PHOTOS BY DANIEL KAKADI

5 PNG nationals safe in Honiara after nine-week adrift

BY BARNABAS MANEBONA

FIVE PNG nationals have been rescued in the high seas of Solomon Islands’ Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) on Friday last week after drifting for nine weeks.

The five were brought over to Honiara yesterday and are reportedly safe and receiving medical attention. Four of them are from Lihir in PNG’s New Ireland province and one from East New Britain province.

The Papua New Guinea High Commissioner to Solomon Islands His Excellency Mr Fred Yakasa thanks the Lee Kwok Kuen Group of companies especially Solfish Company and partner Fishing Vessel Jin Chu Fu No 68 through its agent Will Fish management William Chen for the rescue.

The five PNG nationals who were rescued in Solomon Islands Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) Friday last week after nine weeks of floating at sea. Standing with them on their arrival at the Solfish main wharf at Ranadi are FFV Jin Chu Fu No. 68’s member, PNG High Commission’s rep and officers of Lee Kwok Kuen and Solfish Company. PHOTOS BY DANIEL KAKADI

“The survivors were travelling from Namatanai town to Lihir Islands on Thursday March 2, 2018 around 4pm in which about an hour later, a bad weather forced them to lose visibility and directions. Around 7pm their fuel ran out and they began drifting,” said in PNG High Commission’s media statement.

According to the men, they survived on a bag of peanuts, dry coconuts and rain water which were collected and stored in a bucket and containers.

After arriving at the Solfish wharf at Ranandi around 9am, the PNG nationals were rushed to the Family Medical Centre for medical checks.

Four were released soon after and one remained at the clinic for further observation.

Solfish Company has generously offered accommodations at their Lengakiki compound and the PNG High Commission has commenced arrangements necessary to repatriate them back to PNG early next week.

Present also during the arrival of the PNG nationals were the immigration, customs and ministry of fisheries officers.

The men were found and rescued by FFV Jin Chu Fu No 68 on Friday, May 4.

Don Bosco students enjoy a Mandarin experience

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Students participate in the one of the activity’s lessons.

BY LORETTA BRIGIDIA MANELE

Students participate in the one of the activity’s lessons.

STUDENTS of Don Bosco Technology Institute on May 3 were treated to a new experience – learning Mandarin.

According to Ms Kue-Mi Li, a Taiwanese teacher currently teaching Mandarin at SINU, it was at first a challenge, speaking to more than 300 students.

Yet, eventually she expressed that she was surprised at how welcoming, cooperative, willing to participate and eager to learn they were when she ventured throughout the two hour period of the Mandarin awareness activity which involved a brief introduction of Taiwanese culture and Mandarin phrases.

The school principal, teachers and students all enjoyed the awareness activity.

Besides grasping a thing or two about Taiwan’s culture, students stressed that learning Mandarin was interesting.

A student majoring in construction, Junior John Tioti said that he loved the presentation and learned a lot such as language, culture and the link between Solomon Islands.

He mentioned that as much as he enjoyed the quizzes, he wants to know more about the language.

Kevin Efa, from the tourism and hospitality department, said he found the presentation interesting and also wants to learn Mandarin.

He expressed that they liked the activity and wanted more but time was too short.

Mr Freddie Idumae Gale, who is an electrical technology teacher, said that students really enjoyed the two hour activity which is something new that has not been held at the school before.

He added that it would more helpful if this activity was organised more often.

Don Bosco’s Principal, Father Moise Paluku Maneno said that it was not easy to convince the teachers for students to attend a two hour activity but seeing the need for students to be more exposed to reality and learning about something from outside, he was knew that the activity had to take course.

He mentioned that although students may not learn much about Mandarin, they will have the experience of know how challenging it is to learn another language.

“They might be happy with just Pijin and a little English, they don’t know how hard it is to learn a foreign language. I wanted to see our young students meet the challenge to learn a new language,” said Maneno.

KGVI clinches double opening day win

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0
KGVI school player and Don Bosco player contesting for the ball during their opening game on Tuesday

BY DANNY KAKADI

KGVI school player and Don Bosco player contesting for the ball during their opening game on Tuesday

KING George Sixth School bagged a double victory in the opening day of the 2018 Samlimsan School Hockey League yesterday in Honiara.

The King George Sixth’s boys and girls teams took on Don Bosco’s girls and boys teams respectively in the two fixtures held yesterday.

The state-owned institute KGVI registered wins in both matches – registering a 3-2 win in the boys and a 2-1 result in the girls division, respectively.

Described as action-packed, the KGVI girls’ team showed no mercy in all aspects of their game against their opponent but somehow were held to nil-all by the Bosconians in the first half.

The match resumed into a livelier second half where both teams finally gained momentum to deliver goals.

KGVI, guided by national under-18 captain Claudia Votu, her smart play-making abilities was proven when she assisted scorer Rachael Geoa to slot the first goal home.

Few moments later Sharon Gaote’e added the second to make it 2-0.

A late surge by Don Bosco could not help them turn things around as they managed to bag one goal through Margaret while KGVI held on to win 2-1.

In the boys match, a much-improved performance from Don Bosco forced defending champions KGVI to really push hard with the best of their ability to turn the score margin around to their favour in the final moment and came out victorious.

The Bosconians, knowing well what KGVI is capable of, did well in the first half to shut them down and get an early goal through Philip Waiia.

Waiia’s goal came as a shock and that one goal difference did not deter the defending champs from scoring.

Some minutes later, KGVI improved passing and were lucky to find an equaliser through Nickson Ofata.

However, the Bosconians gave a good run toward the end of the first half and was fortunate to regain their lead through a goal by Besa making it 2-1 by the buffer.

Trailing by a goal deficit, KGVI clawed their way back into the match by the second stanza and came out with a superb performance to score twice through Ofata for his second and Leon Kaura nailing in the winner for the 3-2 win.

The school hockey league continues today with another two matches.

See fixtures below:

Wednesday 9th May

3.30PM KOLOALE CHS VS BURNSCREEK CHS (Women)

4.30PM                  KOLALE VS WOODFORD (Men)

 

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