POLICE in Auki, Malaita Province have arrested and charged a male driver in relation to a fatal traffic accident on the Fouala feeder road along the south road from Auki on March 14, 2018 during which a 14-year-old boy died instantly.

“There were 26 passengers on board the vehicle and as they are travelling up the hill the vehicle engine stopped and reversed backward. It veered off the road and fell 73 metres down a hill,” says Supervising Provincial Police Commander, Malaita Province, Superintendent Timothy Apaesi.

“Sadly a 14-year-old boy died instantly while five other passengers were injured, some seriously. They were taken to Kilu’ufi Hospital where they have been admitted.

“It is alleged that during the last two weeks of traffic checks and awareness, the vehicle involved in the fatal accident did not come on the road until Police checks were done. Sadly it was involved in the tragic accident.

“The driver of the vehicle was arrested and charged for multiple traffic offences. He risked the lives of his passengers by transporting them in an unlicensed vehicle. This is what could happen when drivers and vehicle owners decide to ignore the law and use an unlicensed vehicle.

“I extend my sympathies to the members of the family and relatives of the 14-year-old boy and call on them to remain calm and allow police in Auki to investigate this tragic accident.”

–POLICE MEDIA

THE Government through the Ministry of Forest and Research (MOFR) is informing stakeholders of the progress made on the components of meeting full REDD+ initiative; the historical annual forest and land use change assessment including the reference level in the country.

REDD+ initially means Reducing Emission from Deforestation and forest Degradation with the plus sign covering Conservation of forest carbon stocks; Sustainable management of forests and Enhancement of forest carbon stocks.

This is the second consultation workshop to update and get feedbacks on a scope of 2-by-2 hectares of preliminary findings assessment carried out by the Ministry with technical support and advice from Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO)/UNREDD.

Stakeholders include government line ministries, The Nature Conversancy (TNC), Solomon Islands National University (SINU), Word Wide Fund (WWF), Solomon Islands Development Trust (SIDT), MFAT (NZAid), DFAT (AusAid), SPC/GIZ, SPREP, JICA, KOICA, UNDP – CB 2 Project, Integrated Forest Management (IFM), NRDF and SICCP.

Opening the one day workshop at the Heritage Park Hotel, MOFR Permanent Secretary Dr Vaeno Vigulu says amongst other priorities, the Solomon Islands Government has joined the international community to report on the status and trends of biodiversity and climate change.

However, the Government has no comprehensive, robust, quantitative and transparent national level information about the forest and other land cover extent; includes forest health and condition, biodiversity and carbon stocks – all themes that the Government has committed to monitor and report within the international community.

That is the sole reason as to why this assessment undertaking has been carried out with technical support from FAO/UNREDD, he says.

“It is a privilege to receive such technical training from FAO/UNREDD; more importantly on the determination of our forest cover loss or gain overtime using remote sensing, and also develop relevant field assessment procedures.

“This had, and will assist Solomon Islands to estimate and be able to report on our carbon emissions and removals over the last period; more so be able to monitor thereon.”

He adds these preliminary findings are important for Solomon Islands as a party to the Climate Change Conventions particularly the REDD+ program which was established around 2012.

With a roadmap developed under the UNREDD programme back then, and cabinet endorsement in 2015.

It allows Solomon Islands Government under Ministry of Forestry and the Ministry of Environment to continue implement activities to fulfil the requirements on preparing the country to fully participate in the REDD+ initiative.

Today we are at this stage of assessment and we are making progress along the roadmap, said the Permanent Secretary.

“During this one day workshop, results of the forest and land use change will be shared.

“You will also involve in the discussion and agreeing to formalisation or forest and land use classification definitions, discuss on the information and construction of the Forest Reference Level (FRL).

“Your contributions will be captured to shape the action plan and the roadmap 2018 for submissions of Forest Reference Emission Level and Forest Reference Level (FREL/FRL) in early 2019, our current proposed target.”

–MOFR PRESS

BY BARNABAS MANEBONA

CENTRAL Islands Province (CIP) Provincial Government’s plan for a Commercial Centre at Tulaghi is one of the plans for them to earn benefit according to Premier Hon Patrick Vasuni.

He said the Commercial Centre planned is to meet the demands for lock-up shops and Office rooms now increasing in the provincial capital.

“The Commercial Centre will be a two storey building having around 10 rooms or more for renting.

“Its top floor will have rooms for Offices while downstairs will accommodate other purposes such as for lock-up shops,” said the Premier.

Tulaghi Township at present is slowly progressing with new developments taking place.

BY LYNTON AARON FILIA

COCONUT water has become a fast growing beverage in the global market, according to the APCC.

The Asia and Pacific Coconut Community (APCC) in a workshop with Solomon Islands’ coconut sector in Honiara reveals that coconut water is high in demand in global markets.

It is widely sought for due to its health benefits.

APCC Director General Dr Uron Salum said Brazil is the leading exporting country for coconut with annual increase production of over 20 percent in 2015, and USA sales is at over USD$350 million annually.

Mr Salum said the Philippines’ export volume of coconut water is peaked at 61 million litres in 2015, which is described as growing major export destination – and USA is at 25 million litres.

This is followed by the United Kingdom at 38.6 percent, Netherlands 3.8 percent; and other destinations are Canada, Australia, Singapore, China and United Arab Emirates (UAE).

He adds, export price increase from USD$0.8 litres in 2008 to USD$1.13 litres in 2015.

Salum describes coconut juice as the fluid of life which contains health benefit.

It contains protein, amino acid, sugars, vitamins, biological growth factors and enzymes promoting anti-aging, healthy cell growth and rehydration, Salum said.

Permanent Secretary for Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock, Mr Jimmi Saelea thanked Salum for giving such information to alert the coconut sector in the country to look seriously about coconut production.

He said challenge now is rhino beetle and re-planting is other alternative to revive coconut production in Solomon Islands and looking at tapping such opportunities.

BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

THE Director of Public Prosecution has been accused of lazy and sloppy prosecution on the case against Harry Lilimae.

Principal Magistrate Fatimah Taeburi made the points in court yesterday when the prosecutor did not give any positive feedback on the case of Mr Lilimae.

Mr Lilimae was alleged of being involved in the armed robbery case on January 18, 2015.

Prosecution on previous appearances told the court that the case against Lilimae has insufficient evidence to proceed with and on previous appearance the prosecution withdrew the charge under section 190 (2) b (II) of the penal code.

Magistrate Taeburi said that the DPP cannot have the charge hanging over Lilimae when there is insufficient evidence it is now three years after the incident and nothing has been on the case.

“I wonder what evidence can be obtained after three years,” Ms Taeburi said in court.

The office of the Director Public Prosecution is expected to perform discharge its duties professionally rather lazy and sloppy prosecution.

The delay in dealing with this case is a disgrace to the DPP’s office, Taeburi added.