BY SAMIE WAIKORI

in Auki

A man from Wairokai in West Are Are has called upon rival landowning groups in Wairokai to compromise and settle their difference on land issues in the area.

The call came in light of preparation for some major government projects proposed for the area.

In an interview, Mr Peter Waikiri kindly appealed asking the heart of the parties involved to address their difference and consider development for their people.

He said some good news now is work is currently on the government funded palm oil project for Wairokai.

Adding that next is the proposed international seaport government also eyed for the same area.

Saying these are the developments the citizen of this country is crying for, and just to bypass them because of land issue is a big drawback for the people and the country.

Mr Waikiri pointed out that what really important to consider here is the people and the country’s quest for development.

“Our people often suffer and really want development for the country.

“It’s more than enough for us to continue accept the same situation face when privileges are there.

“We must try to change and re-focus ourselves and work towards what is good and beneficial for all,” he said.

Mr Waikiri emphasized that with the currently issue of land experienced in Wairokai, it still not in a favourable position to welcome development for the area.

Mr Waikiri said this is a serious concern for landowners of Wairokai and responsible parties of the tribes should compromise and work together on the issue.

“When the government already showed interest to work with us, let’s free ourselves and pave way for what they intended for us.

“It’s very important that we settle our disagreements and work in partnership with government and other development partners for developments,” he said.

BY ALFRED PAGEPITU

GIZO

WESTERN Provincial Police Commander (PPC) Chief Superintendent Mathias Lenialu sends a strong reminder for boat travelers to follow all basic safety practices when out on the sea in Western Province.

Failing to comply with simple safety rules will result of lose to life and drift in the sea.

PPC Lenialu said on Friday Police at Gizo have rescued seven people who were drifting in a white ray boat powered by a 15hp engine near Vella La Vella Island.

“The boat was travelling to Sambora Village in Vella La Vella from Gizo with seven passengers on board when they ran out of fuel and begun drifting,”

“It was lucky that a Police stabi – craft was travelling back to Gizo from a patrol trip when the police officers sighted them waving for assistance and towed them to their home village, he added.

“It was alleged that there was only one paddle in the canoe and the men in the boat were consuming alcohol,” said PPC Lenialu.

PPC said that if you are the skipper you are legally responsible for the safety of the boat and all on board you must carry enough fuel, paddles, food and water for your intended destination, and do not consume alcohol when travelling out at sea whether on a short or long trip as you cannot make good decisions when you are drunk.

Meanwhile, Western Provincial Police Commander (PPC) Chief Superintendent Mathias Lenialu appeals to the people of Western province to always think safety first before travelling.

PPC Lenialu advice the general public in Western Province to check Local Newspapers, SIBC or the Solomon Islands Metrology Service on phone 23856 or toll free 933 for the latest weather report.

BY SAMIE WAIKORI

Auki

THE Ministry of Fishery, RSIPF and Environment Division under the MECDM are looking at formalising a management plan on the safety of people with crocodile issues in the country.

The proposal is well underway and schedule to discuss in an inception workshop to hold next month in Honiara.

Staff from World Fish Office in Auki, Mr Jan Van Der Ploeg says the workshop is purposely to look at ways to address related crocodile issues in the country.

He said yesterday it came to notice that good number of crocodile attack has so far been recorded in the country.

Ploeg said pertaining to that nobody knows what causes those attacks and the safety people should mindful of with crocodiles.

“So the problem of crocodile attack still becomes an issue in the country, and in recognising it the government came with this initiative,” he said.

“After the workshop, we looking forward as the work will unfold to go out to collect data on crocodile attacks on humans or related crocodile issues in the provinces,” he said.

Ploeg said the purpose of that is to identify the issues and work together with community to identify possible means to solve the issue.

He said the project will also cover areas like awareness to communities on their safety from crocodiles.

Ploeg said the initiative will also help RSIPF in their programs to crack down on crocodile, and they will become major partner in the whole program.

He said World Fish Solomon Islands will partner with MECDM, MFRM and RSIPF to support the development of the management plan.

BY BARNABAS MANEBONA

CHOISEUL Province MPA for Ward 12 at Varisi Lavata Hon Gideon Panisaga expressed that people usually do not appreciate good things he does having personal conflicts of interest.

The MPA said this after being accused of bribing their Ward voters with alcohol during a recent Timber Rights Hearing at Taro Station.

Panisaga however denies the accusation.

“I am always attacked by people having personal grudges against me which is not good towards our commitment for Ward 12,” said Panisaga.

The MPA would like to make it known to their Ward that politics is for everyone living in a democratic system.

BY GEORGINA KEKEA

For the first time, Heritage Park Hotel (HPH) has embarked on a mission to keep the valentine’s spirit alive.

Over the past two weeks, entries had been received for a one night stay with dinner and breakfast for two at the HPH and also for a dinner for two at the HPH on Valentine’s Day.

Speaking to Island Sun, HPH General Manager (GM) Sunjay Bhargava says they had expected more entries than the 500 plus they had received but since this is the first of its kind, Mr Bhargava says it is to be expected.

“What we want is for the people to know our brand and stay here,” he said.

He said after this Valentine’s promotion, the Hotel is looking at upcoming events and will be coming up with ideas to commemorate the significant events and encourage everyone to watch out for HPH upcoming promotions so as to participate.

At the same time Sngha Trikma of HPH says the entries in question were from a promotion with Bmobile Vodafone where subscribers that had paid more than $50 and subscribed to any voice or data plan were entered into the draw.

“Also we have a drop box at the hotel where some of the entries are from,” Ms Trikma said.

Picking out the winners for this Valentine, Barry Peddle, Team Leader for Skills 4 Economic Growth says he wishes the happy couple all the best for this Valentine’s and hope they enjoy their dinner and stay at HPH.

Winners of the draw yesterday were Ireta Sim and Frixz Liu.

HPH this Valentine’s will be hosting a romantic dinner for two with a shared cocktail drink for two.

Valentine’s Day is tomorrow, February 14, 2018.

BY ALFRED PAGEPITU

GIZO

GIZO police has been cautioned to keep an eye out for black markets in the province.

A Mr Andrew Koke said police must continue to monitor black markets within surrounding islands and urban centres like Gizo, Ringi, Noro, Munda and Seghe.

Koke said that black markets and selling of drugs (marijuana) still poses as the main causes behind disturbances at night.

“Police must quickly locate illegal liquor outlets with the support of local communities to raid and decrease the number of selling in urban centers and rural communities.

“Illegal black markets without license are illegal and police must monitor this issue quickly together with the community support.

“I would like advise officers in charge to be transparent when invasion illegal black markets.”

Provincial Police Commander, Western Province, Chief Superintendent, Mathias Lenialu said communities must working close with the work of Police to eradicate and control the rise of illegal black markets.

Lenialu encourages the general public to come forward and report any suspects.

He said Police at Munda in the Western Province have arrested two suspects following a raid on black market outlets on Friday February 9, 2018 after allegations of illegal selling of alcohol at several locations in the township.

Lenialu said Police confiscated a total of 30 cartons of alcohol which included a variety of beers and whiskey and cola.

He said the two suspects including a female have been charged with illegal sale of alcohol and released awaiting a date for their appearance in court.

BY SAMIE WAIKORI

in Auki

WORKERS of the government-funded oil palm project in Wairokai have questioned the delay to their payment.

The workers, who are yet to receive their payment since last year, ask ofr clarification from the contractor and the national government on the matter.

A labourer, who wishes anonymity, told this paper that the delay of their payment has now caused frustration to the workers.

“It was since December last year we yet to receive our pay until today (yesterday).

“And to be honest, it was indeed very disappointing us to continue face with such situation,” the labourer said.

The labourer said similar situation as such happened earlier, but not to this extent.

“Sometimes our pay can delay for week or even fortnight before receiving payments.

“But this is the worst situation ever encountered where our pay now held up to almost four months,” the labourer said.

The labourer said the contractor had assured them that their payments were being processed.

But to date, nothing has been forthcoming.

“Our disappointment is worsening and we want to receive our payments before continuing with the work,” the labourer said.

The labourer also said that about half of almost 70 labourers engaged under the project are students.

“And they are in desperate need for the money to facilitate their studies this year.”

The labourer said the matter is very serious to them and they appeal upon responsible authorities to address the matter.

BY GEORGE MANFORD

AUKI

CUSTOMERS of the Bank South Pacific (BSP) have raised complaints on deductions made to their loans.

This follows last week’s confusion which was caused by no payments entering the accounts of customers who had loans with the bank.

They said, “Deductions should be made every fortnight with the required amount signed in our agreements.

“For the past fortnights we have received our full salary payments with no deductions made.

“But what happens to us last week is a big hiccup to us when our full salary has been deducted.

“At the moment we faces more needs especially in paying up school fees and other basic needs for families usages.

“We agreed upon only with one agreement that for loan repayments will be made all fortnights for the period of time required.

“We were surprise to see other fees were included into our bank statements such as late fees, centralisation and access fee charges.

“We need the BSP bank to clarify these fee charges that affected and our salaries are already committed as arrears to our loan repayments.”

All fee charges cost around $50 plus the total deduction fee.

This paper understands that some BSP customers that have loans with the bank last week only received only $500 to meet their school fees, food, bills, rental and transportations.