Prime Minister Hou meeting his Australian counterpart for the bilateral.
Prime Minister Hou meeting his Australian counterpart for the bilateral.
PRIME Minister Rick Hou and Australia’s Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull have strengthened their government’s commitment in the under-sea cable project.
In a joint statement between both leaders after their bilateral meeting yesterday, both prime ministers agreed;
“Today we affirm our commitment to deliver a high-speed undersea telecommunication cable between Australia and Solomon Islands.
“Australia will deliver and majority fund the project as part of a cable system that will connect both Honiara and Port Moresby to Australia, with a financial co-contribution from both Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea. It is scheduled for completion by the end of 2019.
“The joint project will be a first for Solomon Islands, which is wholly reliant on satellite technology to access the internet.
“Ensuring stability, security and prosperity in the Pacific is one of the highest priorities of our two nations. Boosting connectivity in Solomon Islands will improve governance and security, and drive economic growth.
“Increased connectivity also exposes countries to risk. Through the Cyber Cooperation Programme, Australia is working with Solomon Islands to manage these risks by strengthening its cyber security architecture and combatting cybercrime.
“Australia’s strong support is a reflection of its stepped up engagement in the Pacific and commitment to promoting economic cooperation and integration in the region.
“It follows a long-standing commitment to peace and stability in the region, with Australia having led the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands (RAMSI) over its 14 years of existence. We will continue to work together to sustain the gains made under RAMSI and support long-term stability and growth in Solomon Islands, such as through our bilateral security treaty.
“Together we can ensure these projects are transformational for Solomon Islands and foster a new phase in our strong bilateral relationship.”
PM Hou pledges SI commitment with other Commonwealth countries in the fight against Malaria.
PRIME Minister Rick Hou has joined Commonwealth Leaders around the world in advocating against Malaria by renewing the pledge to fight it.
Hou addressed the Malaria Summit London at the 8 Northumberland Avenue in a meeting that was attended by a range of heads of state as well as the Prince of Wales, the Duke of York and Bill Gates – Microsoft founder, philanthropist and co-Chair of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
In his remarks during the occasion, Hou said it is an historic occasion in the fight against malaria in the Pacific, a region encompassing an area larger than China.
PM hou addressing the Malaria Summit
The Prime Minister was also joined by two Melanesian prime ministers – Peter O’Neill, Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea and Charlot Salwai Tabimasmas, Prime Minister of Vanuatu.
“I am delighted to be joined here by my two Melanesian brothers. As leaders of some of the blue continents’ most populous nations, we have come here together to signal our unwavering commitment to malaria elimination. And, to endorse the Asia Pacific Leaders Malaria Alliance Roadmap,” he told the Summit.
Hou said in doing so, Solomon Islands has also pledged to join a powerful movement of now 21 heads of government; all united behind a common goal – to eliminate malaria from the Asia Pacific by 2030.
PM Hou and other commonwealth leaders ready to present their speeches
“Malaria negatively effects the macroeconomic performance of our countries. Growth rates of GDP per capita in malaria-endemic countries are significantly lower than those without malaria. It can trap the most disadvantaged in a spiral of sickness, and poverty,” Hou told the Summit.
Hou also informed the Summit that over the last two decades the Solomon Islands has achieved dramatic reductions in malaria.
Despite this, the Solomon Islands, Vanuatu and Papua New Guinea account for 92 percent of all cases in the WHO western Pacific region.
“Over the past decade, the Government of Solomon Islands has allocated 12 percent of our budget to the health sector. We are now showing stronger leadership than ever on malaria with a total of SBD$23 million of investment in 2018,” he said.
Prince of Wales calls for greater participation from Commonwealth heads.
The Prime Minister said Solomon Islands is also encouraged by the new partnership between the Global Fund and the Asian Development Bank.
He said these giants are now jointly working with countries to support sustainable financing.
“There is much to do. But, with our shared and renewed commitment, and with your support, we have no doubt we can eliminate this disease from Melanesia, and ultimately the world, for good,” he said.
Bill Gates on behalf of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, who has convened the summit and led the world in efforts to eradicate the disease, urged Commonwealth leaders to play their part.
Pakistan PM delivering his speech.
“The commitments made today, from the UK, country leadership and the private sector, show that the world is ready to beat malaria.
“It’s a disease that is preventable, treatable and ultimately beatable, but progress against malaria is not inevitable.
“We hope today marks a turning point against the disease, and that the Commonwealth takes a leading role in saving lives and ending malaria for good.”
Microsoft founder Bill Gates opening the Malaria Summit.
Prince Charles used his speech at the summit to urge leaders to think about how efforts to fight malaria go hand in hand with the guardianship of the planet.
“We know that tropical deforestation and climate change are greatly complicating our attempts to eliminate malaria but, critically, they also threaten and reduce biodiversity, which holds some of the keys to a solution,” he said.
A total of £2.9bn was pledged to fight the disease which included £1.45bn from countries affected by malaria, £700m from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and £160m from the UK government.
–OPMC PRESS
Bill Gates introduced a new drone technology to rapidly and accurately map malarial mosquito habitats.
COMMUNITIES on Kolombangara Island in Western province will benefit from a newly built police post at Poitete which was officially handed over to police on April 17, 2018.
Kolombangara Forest Plantation Limited (KFPL) built the new police post.
Representatives of the Western Provincial Government: the Ministry of Police, National Security and Correctional Services; the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force; Church representatives, community leaders and members of the public in and around Poitete attended the ceremony.
“Today marked a milestone for policing in Kolombangara Island with the opening of this Police Post. Our thanks to Kolombangara Forest Plantation Limited who assisted a lot in the completion of the building,” says Deputy Commissioner (DC) for Operations, Gabriel Manelusi of the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF).
“The opening of this new police post highlights the importance of having a strong police presence in Kolombangara Island to provide effective police services to the communities in and around Poitete.”
Mr Manelusi and Western Provincial Police Commander (PPC), Chief Superintendent Mathias Lenialu received the keys of the Police Post on behalf of the RSIPF Executive from the representative of KFPL Management, Mr Redley Vaqo and caretaker Premier of Western province Herrick Rangoso during the opening ceremony.
The opening and the handing over ceremony of the new police post was highlighted by a parade hosted by Police officers from Ringi, Gizo, Noro and Munda.
The parade was inspected by the caretaker Premier Rangos, followed by a prayer from the Pastor of the Seventh Day Adventist Church in Poitete.
Mr Lenialu says, “I appeal to members of the communities on Kolombangara Island to assist my officers who will be posted there with general information about alleged crimes in the area and ways of improving effective crime prevention on the Island.”
POLICE Commissioner Matthew Varley has condemned the alleged sexual offence committed by a police constable in Makira province.
Speaking during the Commissioner’s weekly media conference, Mr Varley said the case is another extremely serious issue which relates to the integrity of the police force.
“It is a grave concern and a grave offence if this allegation is proven in court I must stress that no police officer want to hear these types of allegation and it struck at the very heart of what police officers should be doing as role models in protecting the community,” Varley said.
He said the police constable is now suspended and investigation is currently ongoing and likely further possible charges will be laid.
Varley said members of the Professional Standard Internal Investigation team along with Makira provincial police have been investigating the report of the alleged sexual assault of the young girl in Makira province by the police officer.
And after that investigation the police constable has been arrested and interviewed and is charged with one count of unlawful sexual intercourse of a child under the age of 15 years.
Varley said the victim is a 13-year-old girl who is a relative of the police officer’s wife.
The alleged sexual offence took place over a period of some two years dating back to 2016 and that young girl being a relative lived with the police officer and his family at that time in various periods.
“This is a very serious allegation of child abuse,” Varley said.
He said the organisation will not entertain such behaviour in the police force and any officer caught on such serious misconduct will be seriously and thoroughly investigated.
Deputy Premier of Malaita Province, Hon Alick Maeaba after presenting a necklace (gift) to the Advisor for the Pacific countries based in the Israeli Ambassador’s office in Canberra, Mr Yaron Sultan Dadon during the 70th Anniversary dinner in Auki
BY SAMIE WAIKORI
Auki
Deputy Premier of Malaita Province, Hon Alick Maeaba after presenting a necklace (gift) to the Advisor for the Pacific countries based in the Israeli Ambassador’s office in Canberra, Mr Yaron Sultan Dadon during the 70th Anniversary dinner in Auki
MALAITA Provincial Government (MPG) and a representative from Israel’s Ambassador Office in Canberra celebrated the 70th Independence Anniversary of Israel in Auki.
An official dinner hosted representatives from various stakeholders in Auki and members of the provincial office in Malaita.
Speaking during the function, Advisor for the Pacific countries-base in the Israeli Ambassador office in Canberra, Mr Yaron Sultan Dadon applauded MPG and the Solomon Islands government for making the celebration possible.
He highlighted some important aspects of the history of Israel that led to where the country is now today.
Dadon said establishing the Israeli state 70 years ago was a great challenge; the country survived three major attacks from neighbouring Arab states, and countless skirmishes with terrorist groups.
There are still unresolved issues relating the Israel state’s establishment.
However, he highlighted that the very fast development of Israel is only through education.
“In Israel we don’t have any other resource apart from human resource. We live in desert where it has nothing at all except for the desert itself.
“So the mean is education. And priority we put in education that hundred percent of our children go to school.
“It is from there our children came back and develop the country and continue to the next generation to make Israel today,” Dadon said.
He added that another important factor about Israel is, Israelis are people of action.
Dadon said “We talk about something today, we do it the minute later.
“We don’t wait for time, we don’t waste time and we don’t just continue to plan without action.
Another thing is we don’t trust and lean on anyone for the development of Israel.”
He said those are some of the characters of the state of Israel and they reap the goodness of them.
On that note, Dadon encouraged the government of Solomon Islands and Malaita province to do the same.
REPRESENTATIVES of Pacific countries who are members of the Forum have gathered in Honiara over the past days to discuss issues surrounding maritime security threats in the region in an information sharing workshop at the Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA) headquarter.
This workshop is being convened to provide baseline input to the development of a new Biketawa Plus regional security declaration. Also the session was held to advance broader maritime law enforcement cooperation for Forum members especially on monitoring, control and surveillance of fishing.
Pacific communities are said to be vulnerable to security threats thus leaders from the region are working vigorously to make sure relevant details are ready in time to provide the baseline input for the new Biketawa Plus.
FFA being a Pacific leader in information sharing together with the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat (PIFS) and Australia are committed to strengthen the region’s security in information sharing and to develop a regional Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA) framework.
MDA is the effective understanding of anything associated with the maritime field that could impact the security, economy and environment of the Pacific region. This includes understanding all maritime related activities like infrastructure, people, cargo, vessels and other transportations relating to the sea, ocean and other navigable waterway.
Speaking to Island Sun, FFA’s Director General, James Movick says what they are trying to achieve now is to address information sharing across and within sectors in the region.
“With cross sectorial analysis we are able to get a better picture, more targeted enforcement actions in the law enforcements and security area.”
Mr Movick says though FFA might be exemplary in its efforts to tackle illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, in the future, surveillance and monitoring of maritime activities should be on a better coordinated basis and not just on FFA. But he says in order for better coordination to take place, information sharing is a must for regional countries. This is the only way countries can be able to analyse and understand how another country works.
Meanwhile Caroline Scott, Director Pacific Division in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), revealed that the Niue Treaty has been a focus of discussion in the information sharing workshop. The Niue Treaty is an agreement between FFA members about monitoring, control and surveillance of fishing. Ms Scott says the Niue Treaty is an example of how countries can share information for the betterment of the Pacific Ocean.
Niue Treaty includes provisions on exchange of fisheries data and information as well as procedures for cooperation in monitoring, prosecuting and penalising operators of the illegal fishing vessels. Once countries agree to establish a regional MDA, this will be able to better assist individual countries enhance surveillance and security in their own areas as well as for the Pacific region.
The Pacific leaders stressed that information sharing is only for the region and not to be shared externally.
“This is for the region, by the region.”
Paki Ormsby, who is the Policy Director in PIFS, says he is confident and hopeful that insights from the information sharing workshop will contribute a lot to the baseline input for the Biketawa Plus.
“This information sharing workshop is an important development of the Biketawa Plus. It follows the PIFS undertaking of a detailed policy consultation with its members over the past four months and we are looking to build upon that work and work of the information sharing workshop this week to inform the development of the Biketawa Plus for Leaders endorsement in September.”
The PIFS leaders will meet in Nauru this year, where information collected for the Biketawa Plus will be put across for them to consider. Biketawa Plus was proposed to expand and strengthen collective action for regional security due to emerging security threats to the Pacific region. The Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat was tasked to initiate consultations on developing this declaration.
Biketawa Plus is an outcome of the 48th PIFS Leaders’ summit held in Samoa in 2017.
POLICE in Honiara are still searching for a missing man after recovering the body of a local woman who was found offshore near the South Sea Evangelical Church (SSEC) compound in Central Honiara yesterday evening.
Honiara City Provincial Police Commander (PPC), Chief Superintendent Alfred Uiga says, “My Central Response Unit (CRU) officers along with PRT, Fire & Rescue and other officers from Honiara were deployed to the Tuvaruhu area to search for four missing people who may have been caught in rushing river water.
“This was after the body of a local woman was found offshore near the SSEC sea side.
“It is believed that prior to the incident, the deceased was together with three men and another woman at the Tuvaruhu Water Fall area on leisure tour.
“Unfortunately the deceased was carried away by the strong running water of the Mataniko River after the heavy rain experienced late yesterday afternoon.
“During the search, our officers were able to locate two of the men and one woman; all locals and they were taken to the Honiara National Referral Hospital for medical checks. One male is still missing and searches are ongoing.
“At this stage, the cause of death of the women is not confirmed but it appears at this early stage she may have drowned in the river.
“Investigators and forensic officers attended the scene and the investigation is continuing.
“I appeal to members of the public in Honiara, more especially at Tuvaruhu area in Central Honiara to assist police with any information of the whereabouts of the male who is still missing.”
THE judgment on the case against the former permanent secretary for Ministry of Infrastructure Development and his wife will be made on April 27.
The decision should have made yesterday at the Honiara Magistrate Court but the presiding Magistrate is still in Lata.
Henry Aife Murray and his wife Rose were charged for corruption related offences.
The Murrays were charged following an allegation relating to a series of offences alleged between 2014 and 2017 in relation to multiple payments of motor vehicle hire charges to a company that police alleged was registered to Mr Murray and his wife.
The value of those payments is estimated to the excess of $1.1million and as a result of that they both face a range of serious charges.
Prosecution alleged that those payments, allegedly made through cheques and electronic fund transfers, were deposited into their ANZ account in the name of Krash Transport and Marketing.
Lazarus Kwaiga of L & L lawyers is representing both defendants while the office of the Director Public Prosecution is prosecuting the case in court.
POLICE in Kirakira, Makira-Ulawa Province are investigating an alleged rape of a 5-year-old child at Rurunga Village on Ugi Island on April 12, 2018.
Makira-Ulawa Provincial Police Commander (PPC), Superintendent Peter Sitai says, “So far no arrest has been made as police need more information about the alleged rape of the child.
“The alleged rape of the child must be condemned in the strongest term, as an unacceptable act.
“A child below the age of 15 years is incapable of understanding the nature of the act and this means any act of a sexual nature whether there is consent obtained from the child, is a serious crime in law.
“I appeal to people on Ugi Island, more especially at Rurunga Village to come forward to police with any information that may help this investigation.”
Police at Kirakira Police Station can be contacted on phone number 50299 or 50136.
A man in his 30s has been remanded to appear before the Eastern Magistrate Court in Kirakira on April 26, 2018, on one count of grievous harm.
It is alleged the man attacked his wife on March 29, 2018 after a heated argument as the man was allegedly under the influence of alcohol.
The matter was reported to Kirakira police after which an investigation was carried out resulting in the arrest of the man on April 13, 2018.
Makira-Ulawa Provincial Police Commander (PPC), Superintendent Pete Sitai says, “The successful arrest of the man involved was possible through assistance from the public who came forward to the police with information.
“Let me remind the good people of Makira-Ulawa Province, the alleged incident appeared to have been started from a domestic row which resulted in the injury of the woman’s jaw.
“We should not treat domestic issues as private matters any more but it’s a crime. I encourage people to report to police any similar incident that happens in our private homes.
“This is to prevent unwanted incidents occurring in our homes to ensure we have safer homes for all family members.
“I call on married couples to always communicate with each for a better understanding of whatever issues to avoid heated up arguments that may result in injury of another person or both.”
The man’s wife has been receiving medical treatment at the Kirakira Hospital.
