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NPF shows green light to develop Auki Plaza

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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The current status of Auki Plaza after the tenants occupying it vacated the facility early this last month

BY SAMIE WAIKORI

Auki

The current status of Auki Plaza after the tenants occupying it vacated the facility early this last month

SOLOMON Islands National Provident Fund (NPF) has reaffirmed its interest to develop Auki plaza.

This follows fruitful roundtable discussions recently held between Malaita provincial government (MPG) and the NPF.

Provincial Secretary, Mr Jackson Gege said after the tenants vacated the building, a MPG delegation met with NPF.

He said the delegation was led by Deputy Premier Alick Maeaba, Malaita’s finance minister Joe Hero’au and himself (Gege).

Gege said they met with the NPF General Manager and Investment Manager and “asked if they are still interested on the development of Auki Plaza”.

He said the NPF bosses conveyed that their interest still stands.

“So last week NPF should have their Investment Board Meeting that looks at transfer of money to purchase the building.

“I called Mike Wate and he said they should meet last to decide the payment.

“I also checked with the chairman of NPF Board and said they already approved the purchase of the building long ago.

“So it’s already approved, however it just a matter for NPF to deal with the payment that still to come,” Gege said.

He said the province is waiting for the final resolution from the NPF Investment Board, which would advise the province over the agreement payment.

“We’ll continue to follow-up on the issue with NPF and let the people of Malaita aware of it.

“But the current status of Auki Plaza payment is in green-light as NPF is now working on the payment,” Gege said.

Island Sun had previously reported that the Malaita province has been facing problems with the tenants for three years.

However, that has recently been solved after the tenants came to a common understanding with the province and left.

The departure of the Tenants came after a court order was issued and expired on March 29, 2018, and was carried out by the provincial secretary Gege and the Malaita provincial security officers.

The tenants left the Auki Plaza building after the recent Easter celebration where all gates were locked preventing any member of public from entering the area giving time for any development plans to be carried out towards the site and the building, Island Sun previous reported.

ITTSI supports girls and women in ICT

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Mr Marlon Houkarawa said ITSSI is committed to supporting initiatives of the women who want to grow IT.

BY LYNTON AARON FILIA

Mr Marlon Houkarawa said ITSSI is committed to supporting initiatives of the women who want to grow IT.

THE IT Society of Solomon Islands (ITSSI) is committed to supporting initiatives of women passionate in information technology (IT) with interest in advocating ICT literacy to girls and women in Solomon Islands.

As the national IT association in the country strives to group all ICT professionals, ITSSI’s President Mr Marlon Houkarawa said ITSSI is committed to supporting initiatives of women who want to grow IT.

He said the IT Society has specifically included women in ICT advocacy activities within its corporate strategic plan and will ensure support is provided in their future plans.

As part of their strategy, ITSSI held a Girls in ICT conference on Wednesday, April 26, to try and convince primary and secondary school girls to pursue ICT as a career including existing women ICT professionals, Houkarawa said.

He said their aim is not to settle for less but to go higher within ranks of organisations, go further in studies in ICT or to go into entrepreneurship and own ICT businesses or companies.

Houkarawa said Solomon Islands’ ICT is a growing industry with demands and opportunities.

“The demand for such benefits has therefore created need for competition in telecommunication and ICT literacy that we have now experienced increase in ICT accessibility and affordability in the past years,” he said.

Houkarawa said there are opportunities for utilising ICT solutions for e-services that can reach all groups of society in Solomon Islands, including disadvantaged groups and users in remote areas.

Using ICT solution for e-service would transform the landscape for development, he adds.

Meanwhile, Mr Houkarawa said ICT development in Solomon Islands requires collective effort from government, diplomatic partners, private sector, other important stakeholders, and those within ICT community.

“Engaging males alone is not enough – we need more females in the ICT community to provide a massive base for inclusive ICT growth and development,” Houkarawa said.

Permanent Secretary for Ministry of Aviation and Communication, Mr Moses Virivolomo agrees that ICT is an essential tool for social and economic development for women and girls.

He said investing in women will accelerate broadband and ICT provision to women and girls and will contribute in promoting gender equality, empowerment and social and economic development for men and women.

“Information and communication technologies can provide women and girls an education and job training, promote literacy and improve access to health, enable exercise of legal rights and participation in government,” Virivolomo said.

SINPF to ‘outright purchase’ Auki Plaza

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Provincial Secretary of Malaita Province, Mr Jackson Gege.

BY SAMIE WAIKORI

Auki

Provincial Secretary of Malaita Province, Mr Jackson Gege.

THE National Provident Fund will ‘outright purchase’ the Auki plaza.

Malaita Provincial Secretary Mr Jackson Gege clarified this amidst confusion by public in Malaita over the type of agreement between the Fund and the provincial government over the plaza’s procurement.

Rumours have been circulating that the plaza will remain a property of the provincial government but will be developed by NPF and reimbursed by Malaita over time.

However, Gege plays down the rumours saying the Fund will buy out the Auki plaza and develop it as its own asset.

He explains that despite being a property of the NPF, the plaza stands to benefit the people of Malaita since it is situated in the capital – Auki.

“And in our view we see the property still belongs to Malaitans because huge numbers of Malaitans make contribution and invest in the fund.

“Another thing considered here is since Malaita Province doesn’t have strong back-up to do investment, it’s better for NPF to do the investment,” he said.

Mr Gege added that another area people need to understand was Malaita province will still charge business fees and property rates on businesses operating in the building after its integration.

“So although the property will own by NPF, Malaita Province will still collect revenue out of it,” he said.

6th SINU talk on foreign policy white paper

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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BY MAVIS NISHIMURA PODOKOLO

THE sixth Solomon Islands National University (SINU) talk will be on the foreign policy white paper, it is reported.

This statement was announced by the SINU research office yesterday.

The report states that the white paper seeks to chart a course for Australia’s engagement with the world over the next decade and to set out how best to deploy Australian resources in pursuing its interests and promoting its values.

It furthers that the illustrated lecture on this topic will discuss Australia’s future engagement in the Indo-Pacific region including two key priorities of the white paper, which are – to promote an open inclusive and prosperous Indo Pacific region and to set up support for a more resilient Pacific.

The Australian Government Foreign Policy White Paper was released on November 23, 2017.

It will be held on Thursday, May 3, starting from 5-7pm at the Kukum campus lecture theatre.

New Japanese Ambassador to SI presents credentials

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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The new Ambassador of Japan to Solomon Islands, His Excellency, Mr Shigeru Toyama and Governor General, Sir Frank Kabui at the Government House last Friday.
The new Ambassador of Japan to Solomon Islands, His Excellency, Mr Shigeru Toyama and Governor General, Sir
Frank Kabui at the Government House last Friday.

THE new Ambassador of Japan to Solomon Islands, His Excellency, Mr Shigeru Toyama has presented his credentials to the Governor General, Sir Frank Kabui at the Government House last Friday.

Ambassador Toyama replaces former Ambassador Kenichi Kimiya whose term ended recently.

The new Ambassador has pledged to maintain and promote the existing friendship and goodwill between Japan and Solomon Islands during his term in Office.

“It is my great pleasure that I have been appointed to serve in your country, located in the Pacific Ocean and with opportunities to improve and to expand excellent relations with Japan in many fields,” he said.

Sir Frank formally welcomed Ambassador Toyama, saying the friendship between Japan and Solomon Islands has been excellent over the years.

He noted that the bilateral assistance from Japan has been of great benefit to Solomon Islands, highlighting, projects such as the current Honiara Road Improvement Project as an example.

“We are sure that the friendship between Japan and Solomon Islands will continue into the future for the benefit of our two countries,” Sir Frank said.

Sir Frank also highlighted that Japan and Solomon Islands have historical connections dating back to the World War II during which Japanese soldiers fought and died in Solomon Islands.

“In this respect, we are happy to have been part of the Japanese effort to recover the remains of loved ones to be returned to Japan for their final rest,” he said.

Meanwhile, Sir Frank assured Ambassador Toyama of the Government’s ongoing support to the international desires of Japan saying Solomon Islands and her people look forward to working with the new Ambassador during his term in office.

–GCU

German national arrested for illegal border crossing

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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A German national has been arrested for illegally crossing the SI-PNG border.

He escaped but was later arrested and is kept in police custody.

Police officers in Taro, Choiseul province arrested the German national on Sunday, April 29, 2018 for illegally entering Solomon Islands through the Solomon Islands-Papua New Guinea (PNG) border.

“The accused was arrested after Police in Taro was informed of his presence at Supizae Island, near Taro Station on April 26, 2018,” says Operations Manager, Taro Police Station, Senior Sergeant Rolland Lapo.

“Police then invited him to Taro police station for questioning and at the same time notified the Immigration Department.

“The German national was then advised to leave Solomon Islands for PNG voluntarily however he escaped to the mainland Choiseul and disappeared.

“Police conducted a search and finally found him near Kona Village and he was formally arrested and placed in Police custody awaiting formalities from the Solomon Islands Immigration Department.

“I want to thank the members of the public in Choiseul who came forward and reported the matter to police.

“This is really encouraging to the police as this shows the commitment members of our communities have to working together to ensure our laws are adhered to both by our own people and those from other countries.”

–POLICE MEDIA

Cabinet sub-committee moves 2023 SP Games to reality

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Chair of the Cabinet Sub-Committee on the 2023 Pacific Games Hon. Steve Abana

BY ALFRED SASAKO

Chair of the Cabinet Sub-Committee on the 2023 Pacific Games Hon. Steve Abana

A Cabinet sub-committee appointed by Prime Minister Rick Houenipwela to negotiate resources for hosting of the 2023 South Pacific by Solomon Islands has moved the multi-million project a step closer.

Insiders told Island Sun yesterday the sub-committee, headed by Steve Abana MP, was appointed last March after it was found the Ministry of Home Affairs has “done nothing in the last 10 months” to secure resources including land and financing for the Games.

“As a result of non-performance and non-productivity, the Office of the Prime Minister has taken over the responsibility for the Games. Consequently, Hon Abana was appointed to head the Cabinet sub-committee for the 2023 Games,” one insider told Island Sun.

“The Abana committee has moved mountains in the last two months in terms of securing resources for the Games. It has secured much of the funding as well as land for the two-week sporting bonanza,” Insiders said.

It has for example secured land from the Solomon Islands National University (SINU) Panatina Campus as well as from King George VI School for the construction of a 7,000-seat national stadium as well as for field tracks.

The stakeholders (SIG, SINU and KGVI) were due to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in Honiara yesterday. The MOU paves the way for the initial scoping and construction work to start.

The MOU signing will be followed by the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement [MOA] between the SIG and each of the stakeholders, that is, SINU and KG VI.

The MOA will set out the parameters of responsibility as well as sealing the agreement that all the facilities would be retained by SINU and KG VI once the Games were over.

A scoping team from Taiwan is due to arrive later this month (May) to help do the preparatory work, Island Sun was told.

Meanwhile Indonesia is believed to have offered bridging funds for the infrastructure for the Games, estimated around USD14 million.

The funding offer is expected to be discussed between Prime Minister Houenipwela and the Indonesian President during bilateral talks later this year.

Prime Minister is believed to have accepted the offer but this could not be independently confirmed.

Call for ward 12 by-election

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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BY LYNTON AARON FILIA

RESIDENTS of Ward 12 in East Honiara are calling on responsible authorities to explain the by-election which has been promised them two years ago.

Outspoken Chief for Borderline Community, Mr Steven Firibae calls on the Honiara City Council and Ministry of Home Affairs to speed up the by-election because, he says, social and development issues are increasing in ward 12.

He said Ward 12 since the death of late Mr Richard Safue has been neglected and forgotten.

“Our rights has been neglected that the HCC and Ministry responsible are not taking into consideration.

“Now ward 12, there is rubbish everywhere, deteriorating roads, and social issues are increasing which affects their accessibility to health and educational services.

“We are tax payers and we need services, at the moment there is no service from the HCC and we are not enjoying the services HCC should provide to us.”

Firibae said ward 12 in east Honiara has a population of around 20,000 and they want a leader to represent them at the local government to channel their voices and concerns.

Meanwhile, HCC said it has no budget allocation for any by-election this year, and its financial year budget for 2018 has already been passed.

A HCC Officer tells Island Sun that the Division responsible had advised HCC’s financial department regarding the by-election issue since 2016, but nothing fruitful has come of it.

At the moment, Ministry of Home Affairs will not support because $150,000 had already been sent to HCC in 2016 for the by-election.

Now the responsibility is given to HCC to face every cost related to the by-election, the HCC Officer explained.

60-yr-old arrested for alleged rape

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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POLICE at Lata in Temotu province have arrested a 60-year-old man from Naban Village in Santa Cruz Island on April 12, 2018 for the alleged rape of a 14-year-old girl from the same village on four separate occasions in 2017.

Provincial Criminal Investigation Officer (PCIO), Sergeant Ezekiel Menoia says, “Police here at the Lata Police Station have charged the man with three counts of alleged sexual intercourse with a child under 18 years old and one count of alleged indecent act on a child under 18 years with three other related charges.

“The accused was remanded at the Lata Correctional Centre while investigations continue but has now been released on principal bail on April 24, 2018 while he waits to appear in the Lata Magistrates Court at the end of May this year.

“In the light of what seems to be a certain level of increase in such offences in our communities throughout the country, I want to strongly appeal to parents and guardians to take good care of our children especially our young daughters.

“Ensure we know where they are and who they are with at all times. The safety of our children is paramount.”

Police in Temotu are continuing to investigate similar allegations and suspects will be arrested and charged when there is enough evidence.

The maximum penalty for anyone found guilty of sexual assault is life imprisonment.

–POLICE MEDIA

Pay rise for HCC employees

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Chairman of Finance Cr. Eric Tema.
Chairman of Finance Cr. Eric Tema.

HONIARA City Council employees will be receiving an 8 percent pay increase.

This has been confirmed by the Chairman of Finance Eric Tema following a recommendation approved by the Finance Standing Committee.

“The increase of salary was an in depth deliberation by the members of the Standing Committee and the recommendation of 8 percent increase was a favourable percentage,” Tema said.

“After all the deliberation the committee has agreed on the 8 percent increase on the salaries and to be awarded and backdated to 1st January as part of the establishment,” he added.

Tema said they have seen the need to increase the salary for the employees as this has not been done for quite a long time.

This has come as a relief for the employees given the tough financial burdens faced with the increase of the high cost of living.

–HCC PRESS

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