By Gary Hatigeva

IN Parliament on Monday, Prime Minister Rick Houenipwela proposed with doubt the government’s hopes to introduce the Draft Bill on the Federal Constitution in the next set of Parliament sittings around June or July this year.

The Prime Minister revealed this when responding to the Member of Parliament for Aoke/Langalanga, Matthew Wale who questioned the Hou-led government over its policy regarding the status of the draft.

The Aoke/Langalanga MP also asked if the draft bill is ready, and when parliament will expect to receive the much talked about document.

Island Sun understands that the former government under Manasseh Sogavare’s leadership was very instrumental in driving the draft federal constitution in its initial stage.

The Democratic Coalition for Change Government in its heavy involvement also put in a lot of resources including funds to see the proposal is realised and preparations with hopes to bring it to parliament this year, but the leader was ousted before it was finalised.

However when questioned, Prime Minister Hou explained that his government chose to adopt the former government’s policy framework on what is being said to be a key area and has also taken the initiative to recommit full resources into its near final stage.

He then outlined that work on the draft have completed but only awaits final work on its structure and costing.

He said following the change in government, most work and personnel involved also left and they are in the process of engaging specialists to work on finalising the costs and financials involving components and stages in the process of finalising the document.

He added that there were some setbacks in the technical areas and works on the draft as the important person in-charge had passed away, living a gap for the government to fill up and the government is currently searching for experts to fill the gap, to see that these segment of the document is also finalised.

He further added that there are other small areas in the draft that need thorough attention and his government is working to see that they are fulfilled.

This includes final editing of the document, which involves amendments and corrections to be made on where necessary.

Hou then stressed that while it is also the government’s strong conviction and eagerness to see that the draft federal constitution sees the lights of parliament before the 10th parliament is dissolved, the timing and progress of the document to meet deadline is outside of his control.

He can only hope that those involved and set to be part of the finalization can see the urgency of it (draft federal constitution) to be completed.

The PM’s response on time and progress control over the proposal received mix reactions from members of the opposition and independent groups who felt the Prime Minister is not being true to what he said about the urgency of the draft.

They also suggested that the Prime Minister is not doing enough to ensure works into the draft federal constitution resumed to allow for the final stages to be completed.

Independent MP and Chairman of the Bills and Legislative Committee (BLC), Matthew Wale pointed out and suggested that it is sad programmes and components involved in the draft bill is costing the country a lot of money and yet the Prime Minister turned to ignore all these and seemed not to have control over its progression.

Because so much have already being pumped into its initiation up to where it is now, taking up so much from the last three major government budgets, Wale suggested that the Prime Minister re-strategise and ensure he has full control over the flow of work into the proposal, at the same time put more emphasis on those involved to ensure tax payers’ money being poured into it for the last three years are not wasted.

BY GEORGE MANFORD

AUKI

RELATIVES of a young girl who was found dead in the Auki Traveller Lodge on Christmas Eve are not happy with the delay in police and Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) investigations regarding the case.

This comes after a media release that police are still waiting for a feedback from DPP regarding the medical report of the deceased.

Speaking on behalf of the relatives, John Bitalau questions why the investigation is taking long.

He insists that the result of investigations should not take long because the medical report has already been submitted.

“How long would it take for DPP to review file to assess evidence?

“We are not happy and satisfy with the delay of investigation report. We want the police and director of public prosecution to explain why it takes very long for results of police and medical investigation report.

“We understand that it should not take very long for investigation because police have already aware of the incident,” Mr Bitalau said.

He adds that at the moment some of their relative members are not happy and are proposing ideas to take the law into their hands once the delay continues.

“Some of the relatives are not satisfied, and since last week they stated to get angry demanding police to update the process of their investigation.

” If police and DPP continue to delay the investigation report we may take law into our own hands,” Bitalau said.

According to a recent media report on the 9th of this month (last week) a medical report was received by police and sent to DPP for review.

However police are still waiting on DPP’s review of the file to assess the evidence.

It is understood that investigations are still ongoing and no arrest made yet.

By Mike Puia

KOA Hill-Saua community yesterday apologised to the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) over the recent attack on its officers.

The apology is in relation to an incident in the community last Friday where members of the RSIPF Police Response Team (PRT) were stoned by youth members in the community while they were carrying out a raid on a home that was producing illegal spirit (kwaso).

Two members of PRT were injured as a result. Both injured officers were at the reconciliation ceremony.

Leaders of the community, Charles Fakaia and Robert Lilimae, brought traditional shell money and presented them to the PRT officers and to their department. They also expressed their contrition for what their youths have caused them.

Provincial Police Commander (PPC) for Honiara City, Chief Superintendent Alfred Uiga, told the brief ceremony at the central police station that they are happy that leaders of the community took the initiative to approach the police to settle issues relating to the incident in a traditional way.

“Police has an oath not to accept compensation over injuries sustained during their line of duties. Koa hill-Saua community leaders have insisted so we accept it. I think it’s proper that settle issues in a Melanesian way,” Mr Uiga said.

Uiga said police is doing its work in communities to ensure communities are free of problems.

RSIPF’s Director of National Prevention Centre, Solomon Sisimia, said raiding illegal activities is a normal work of the police and it is doing this work everywhere in the country.

Mr Sisimia said anywhere there is illegal activity, police presence must be expected.

He said they hope to engage leaders of the community to establish a crime prevention committee.

He said there are opportunities where police can help bring programmes into communities to help youths.

Sisimia said this is an area they hope to explore with Koa hill-Saua community.

Representative of the Central Honiara Council of Chiefs, Hardy Fiuramo said police is the only authority mandated by law to maintain peace in our communities.

Mr Fiuramo said it is illegal to take the law to one’s own hand and try to confront police officers while they are doing their work.

Mr Fakaia, who represents Koa Hill-Saua community, said often parents of the community are ones who bear the impact of the actions of their youths.

He said most in their community supports the idea to make a turning point for the community.

Fakaia, who has been residing in the community for about 18 years, said he hopes the new relation they want to forge with the RSIPF will lead to the formation of by-laws in their community to help their community organise itself.

He said they will slowly deal with any illegal issue in their community.

Fakaia admitted it will take time to get their community fully organised as most people in their community are unemployed.

“We have plans on how we can address issues in our community. We are thankful to have started a relationship with the RSIPF,” Fakaia added.

POLICE in Auki, Malaita province are investigating the death of man in his 30s after he allegedly fell off from a vehicle at Kwa’are Bridge near Anokelo, West Fataleka in the Province on March 19, 2018.

It was alleged the deceased was under the influence of alcohol and was one of the 13 passengers sitting behind the vehicle loaded with fuel drums.

It is alleged that when the vehicle bumped into a pot-hole, he fell off onto the road and was injured.

He was then rushed to Fouabu clinic, but unfortunately they could not save his life. 12 others on the vehicle were fine.

The deceased’s body was taken back to his home village for burial.

Malaita Provincial Police Commander (PPC), Superintendent Timothy Apaesi says, “This is an unfortunate death and our prayers are with the family of the deceased at this time of their bereavement.

“I would like to remind the good people of Malaita Province about the safety messages including the safe loading of vehicles and boats; and do not drink alcohol whilst travelling in vehicles or boats.”

–POLICE MEDIA

By Mike Puia

LEADERS of Wanderer Bay and Tangarare Ward on Guadalcanal Province have expressed their dissatisfaction on a motion of no confidence announced against Premier Anthony Veke.

Gledal Sesehala, Member of Provincial Assembly (MPA) for Talise Ward (Ward 8), is said to move a motion against Mr Veke when the province’s full assembly meets this Friday.

Speaking on behalf of the west Guadalcanal leaders, former MPA for Wanderer Bay, Justin Pascal, said they are concerned about the implications the motion will have on the province and its people, and are therefore calling on the mover of the motion to consider withdrawing it.

Mr Pascal said the timing of the motion is their main worry and the fact that it will threaten the education of many Guadalcanal children.

He said if this motion goes through it will affect the provincial budget and will in turn affect hundreds of students in various learning institutions who are sponsored by the province.

Pascal said the timing of the motion will likely risk the province from benefiting from government grants like the Provincial Capacity Development Fund (PCDF) which is administered by the Ministry of Provincial Government and Institutional Strengthening.

He said they are also of the view that the planned motion offers an unwelcomed situation for the provincial administration

Pascal said it could also obstruct the passage of the provincial budget.

He said the likely picture where a new government will draw up a new budget on March 28 and 29, and have a new provincial public accounts committee deliberate on the budget and pass it before April is “impossible”.

“I ask the mover of the motion to withdraw it. The time for the motion is not right and there is no time to implement a new policy,” Pascal, a key player in the province’s politics, added.

There is confidence in the current government that it will defeat the motion. MPAs in the current government have signed black and white to see the current administration continue its work to its natural completion.

POLICE in the Western province have arrested a 70-year-old male on March 16 for allegedly having sexual intercourse with a 6-year-old girl at the Helena Goldie compound in the province.

It is alleged the old man had sexual Intercourse with the underaged girl on March 14, 2018 at the Helena Goldie Compound in Munda in the Western province.

Western Province, Provincial Police Commander (PPC) Mathias Lenialu says, “The old man had been remanded in the Gizo Correctional Centre by the Court.

“I want to acknowledged my officers at Munda Police Station in putting effort to investigate the alleged rape of the child, which of public interest.”

Officer Commanding Station (OCS) Munda Police, Sergeant Rachel Lilo says, “I want to remind parents of children in Munda and surrounding villages to take full responsibility in looking after your children and to report any alleged sexual abuse incident to police.

“I condemn in the strongest possible term the alleged rape of the child.

“I want to thank members of community so far for helping police with its investigation and appeal for more information. You are most welcome to speak to Munda Police officers or call us on telephone 62189.”

The elderly man re-appeared in the Gizo Magistrate court yesterday.

–POLICE MEDIA

POLICE in Kirakira, Makira province have arrested and charged an Asian male on March 9, 2018 for various traffic offences backdated since 2017.

“Our investigations have shown that this Asian has committed various traffic offences since June last year (2017) until recently,” says Provincial Police Commander Makira Ulawa Province, Superintendent Peter Sitai.

“And this includes allegedly causing death by reckless and dangerous driving.

“The suspect was arrested and charged under the Roads and Transport Act and will appear before the Kirakira Magistrate’s Court on March 26, 2018.

“I want to appeal to all the managers of logging companies operating in and around Makira Ulawa Province to make sure the foreigners working for your companies abide by the laws of Solomon Islands.”

–POLICE MEDIA

THE man who allegedly wounded a Melanesian Brother (Tasiu) late last year will reappear in court on April 6, 2018.

He was arrested and charged for allegedly wounding following an incident on August 20, 2017 where he injured a Tasiu with an arrow on the victim’s right rib.

“The defendant appeared in court on 9 March 2018 and the matter was adjourned to 6 April 2018 because the accused had no lawyer to represent him in court,” says Provincial Police Commander Makira Ulawa Province, Superintendent Peter Sitai.

“I want to thank the elders of Rea Camp for their understanding and support in assisting the young defendant to attend to his court dates. Law and order is every ones’ business and I appeal to everyone let’s all work together to address crime in our society.”

–POLICE MEDIA