By Alfred Sasako

NEW Ocean (SI) Ltd – the company accused of allegedly causing environmental damage to drinking water in the Kakabona area, west of Honiara – has hit back, announcing plans to build a water supply and housing scheme for the landowners.

“We have not caused any damage to anything including the river system,” Tabilo Timber Sawmilling Licencee and former politician, Siriako Usa told Island Sun this week.

Mr Usa said accusations levelled at New Ocean (SI) Ltd are all “far-fetched, fabricated and untrue.”

“The people making these accusations never took into account the many good things the company has and continues to do to help my people. For example, New Ocean (SI) Ltd is finalising plans to build a water supply as well as a housing scheme for the landowners, similar to what it has done to landowners in a concession in the Tangarare area of West Guadalcanal.

“No other companies have ever done this sort of community support anywhere that I am aware of. New Ocean (SI) Ltd is starting the two projects next month,” Usa said.

The former Lands minister also levelled some criticisms at the Ministry of Forest and Research as well as the Ministry of Environment and Conservation.

“The bottom line is this. As landowners working closely with New Ocean (SI) Ltd, we feel we have satisfied all the requirements in both Acts,” he said, referring to the Forest Resource and Timber Utilisation (Felling Licences) Regulations 2005 and the Environmental Act.

“We have now responded to their 7-day notice,” he said.

“What my people want is to be allowed to move on. The Ministries should not be listening to individuals that are not connected whatsoever with our concession. We don’t know who these people are,” Usa said.

Usa said if Ministry officials are so strict about protecting the environment, “why aren’t they doing anything about the gravel lease at the Poha River, where gravel from there is dug up almost every day?”

“This is causing problem for people living downstream. But we do not cause problem for anyone. In fact, the company and landowners are working together to improve the livelihood of my people,” Usa said.

“If there’s anything that we are not doing right, please come and talk to us. Guide us to do the right thing instead of making us look as if we were not law abiding people. We are,” Usa said.

Meanwhile, Usa has called on the Leader of the Independent Group, Hon Dr Derek Sikua to ensure “his facts are correct before going to the media.”

Mr Sikua earlier called for the suspension of the Commissioner of Forest and the Director of Environment, claiming both individuals were not doing their work.

A New Ocean (SI) Ltd spokesman said the company is funding a water supply as well as a housing scheme for the landowners.

“These two projects will be starting next month,” the spokesman said, adding the landowners “are very happy” about the company’s operations.

“We enjoy a very good relation with the people and their leader, Siriako Usa,” the spokesman said.

BY MAVIS NISHIMURA PODOKOLO

HONIARA City Council (HCC) declares they are ready in ground work preparations for the standard ISO certification.

Honiara City Council Chief Health Inspector Mr George Titiulu said they are done with their preparation concerning collection of food and water samples for the implementation of the project, which was launched last year in pursuant of the ISO certification.

He said HCC has conducted a major activity that was required in the project, which involved carrying out food inspections with enough food and water samples.

Titiulu said his staff are aware of the implementation of the project and are willing and proactive when out in the field to conduct such activity because it is a major component required under the project.

“However the number of samples collected depends entirely on the working relationship we have with the NPHL, capacity and resource.

“Despite challenges we are doing this to prepare us (HCC) for the implantation of the project this month (February),” Titiulu said.

He said the project is important because things need to be done in terms of developing new changes within Solomon Islands concerning business undertaking.

“Hence HCC has to carry out this responsibility because the changes can’t take place without findings and analysis.”

HCC has liaised with the NPHL as the spearhead towards the ISO certification implementation.

BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

THE case against five individuals alleged of misusing funds in the Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS) in 2013 will appear in court today for mention.

The five are facing charges of false pretence; four of the accused are former officers of the MHMS while the other co-accused is a local contractor who prosecution allege is connected to the missing $7.3 million.

The five individuals are Stephen Kidoe Dalipanda former Financial Controller, Randy Hatigeva former senior accountant, Robert Manu former procurement officer, Dalcy Maena former accounts officer and local contractor Tigi Sikele.

The allegation said that the five individuals were involved in the $10 million scandal that was uncovered in 2013 during a normal risk assessment undertaken in the Government’s financial management information system by Finance ministry officials.

The auditors had found irregularities in transactions relating to the Health Sector Support Programme funded by AusAID.

It was uncovered that government contracts allocated under the health project involved grossly inflated pricing of freight service charges and shipping charters by contractors who were not shipping operators, but merely middle-man shell companies that charged exorbitant margins of around three to four times the normal freight service charges.

Government officials involved have allegedly colluded with contracted service providers to defraud the state.

The allegation against the former financial controller said between 1 January 2012 and 20 September 2013 the former Financial Controller obtained $7.3 million and on 15 occasions he fabricated invoices for freighting and claims were submitted under the fake shipping companies without the provision of services.

His co-accused Manu of Tikopia faces 12 counts of false pretence and four counts of official corruption.

This is for allegedly processed some payments under two non-genuine shipping companies totally up to 7.3 million.

Prosecution then alleged that the other accused Mr Hatigeva is also involved in endorsing payments and other documents totalling up $7.3 million.

While Dalcy Maena of Malaita who faces 18 counts of false pretence was alleged for processing fictitious quotes, invoices and claims for non-executed services or duplicated payments from fake shipping including a private company that she set up totalling up to SBD $7,542, 763.40.

In relation to the local contractor Tigi Sikele he faced with two counts of false pretences for allegedly defrauding the Ministry of Health of more than $730,000.

The Public Prosecution office is appearing for the crown in court.

BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

A man in his 40s was sentenced with a fine of $1,200 and had his driving licence surrendered to the court yesterday for being guilty of ‘presence of alcohol in his blood’.

The accused Patson Farobo Nanai was charged in relation to an incident which occurred on December 23 last year along the Mendana Avenue in front of the Low Price Shop.

The allegation said on December 23, 2017, police officers were engaged in an operation and sighted a motor vehicle which was a white Toyota Corolla.

Police officers were doing vehicle checks at that time and when they checked the vehicle, they also did a breathalyser test and the outcome was positive with 0.209/100ml alcohol concentration.

Again after 10 minutes he was tested and the result was 0.192g/100ml which is still beyond the legal limit 0.05g.

Principal Magistrate Tearo Beneteti in sentencing the accused said though she accepts his early guilty plea and that he is a first time offender, the sentence imposed must be within all relevant laws and sentencing principles.

Ms Beneteti said such offence is serious and must have specific deterrence to help defendant and others realise that drink and drive is wrong.

She said she considers the defendant’s plea to the court for leniency that he has four children to look after.

“I could not accept this as a mitigating factor as the courts have again from time and time again repeated that such circumstances should not be taken as mitigating factors.

“If defendants are concerned about their family welfare and financial needs, then they should never venture out in committing offences at the first place to avoid any problems that will impinge their assistance for their family.

“This is one clear example of such and I am therefore bound to also consider it in such manner and disregard it as a mitigating factor,” Beneteti added.

SOLOMON Islands Public Employees Union (SIPEU), during its courtesy call to the Prime Minister on January 15, 2018 raised their concern to Prime Minister Rick Hounipwela that retiring public servants in the country should not have their long service benefit taxed after serving the government for 20 to 30 years.

Solomon Islands Public Employees Union (SIPEU) President (Ag) Mr Stephen Maesiola said that retiring public servants working for the government deserve to receive their long service benefit in full for serving the government with loyalty.

This should be seen as acknowledgement in complementing public servants for a work well done for so many years with the government.

Maesiola expressed to Prime Minister Hou that retiring public servants express their disappointment when seeing their benefits being almost halved because of tax.

Most have been working for the government most of their life but receive only a small portion of their benefit after being heavily taxed.

SIPEU strong believes that there are better ways to complement hard working public servants working in the government when discharging them from their duties and roles.

SIPEU therefore calls on the government to endorse this proposal to enable public servant that retire from the government receive their benefits without deduction or tax.

The same sentiment was also raised to the Permanent Secretary of Public Service during the opening of the National Council meeting held on November 2, 2017.

–SIPEU PRESS

BY BEN BILUA

LOGGING developments close to Galatha village in Isabel province’s Hograno district has caught landowners by surprise.

They are calling on authorities to clarify to them how and why two logging companies are operating there without their prior knowledge.

Reports say two logging companies have landed at a Tuape camp in the area on a double felling licence for one concession area arrangement.

A Mr Manasseh Whipell tells Island Sun that landowners are confused despite having allowed the two companies to carry on with their activities.

However, recent reports of alleged illegal logging near west Honiara last week has prompted Hograno landowners to have second thoughts on the two companies.

Whipell stressed that some leaders who are well-versed with the law and process of felling licence do raise some questions about the two felling licences but failed to contact responsible authorities to investigate the issue.

“Our question is, is it legal for two companies to have two different felling license for one concession area?

“We need advises from our lawyers to interpret such issues and our laws that would deal with the issues,” he said.

He also supports the call made by the Leader of Parliamentary Independent Group Hon Dereck Sikua in the media last week.

“Hon Sikua has made an important call and that is to launch and independent investigation within the Ministry of Forestry.

“I see Hon Sikua’s call as a way forward to establish proper regulations and record of logging operation in the country,” Whipell said.

He also called on Isabel Provincial Government to investigate the issue immediately to avoid further confusion and also unsustainable harvesting of logs in the province.

Last week Mr Sikua called on the Public Service Commission to suspend two senior government officials; Commissioner of Forest and Director of Environment, for violating the Forestry act and Environment act.

He made the call following report in relation to the logging operation happening in Kakabona Village, West Honiara.

Sikua stressed that the nature of the operation at Kakabona looks fishy in that relevant regulations and legal requirements have not been adhered to.

He also calls on the Commissioner of Police to immediately intervene and stop the illegal operation and make necessary arrest on the culprit.

BY BARNABAS MANEBONA

FORMER Prime Minister Gordon Darcy Lilo has confirmed he will contest the by-election for the Gizo-Kolombangara constituency.

However, Mr Lilo has raised concerns on the government’s delay in setting a date for the by-election.

The Gizo-Kolombangara seat has been vacant since November last year after MP Jimpson Tanangada lost the petition case against him by Lilo.

Speaking to Island Sun yesterday, Lilo describes the delay as unfair and unreasonable.

He highlights that the longer the delay the more the people of Gizo-Kolombangara are denied their constitutional rights to being represented in parliament.

Meanwhile, Permanent Secretary (PS) of the Ministry of Home Affairs, Mr George Palua said the Gizo-Kolombangara by-election date will be set between April and May if the Government decides for it to take place.

“But all depends on the new voter’s registration list to be available around the 3rd of March this year as well as budget,” said the PS.

But, Lilo emphasises that election spending is statutory by virtue of constitute and should be charged automatically to the consolidated fund.

“Cabinet or the Executive Government should not have rights to interfere but the Electoral Commission and Governor General (GG) only.

“The delay is totally unfair and unreasonable as we have been denied our constitutional rights to be represented in our democracy and government the fundament of our sovereignty.”

Lilo had filed a petition after he lost to Mr Tanangada in the 2014 general elections.

And, three years later, the High Court ruled Tanangada guilty of bribery and treating people by using agents to supply food for voters during campaign.

By Mike Puia

SOLOMON Islands Maritime Safety Administration (SIMSA) officer, Peter Dauoma, has joined the search for survivors of a ferry that capsized in Kiribati more than a week ago.

Dauoma, who is the Chief Marine Officer in the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC), boarded an Orion that landed here for re-fuel. The Orion was bound for Kiribati to be part of the search.

While confirming Dauoma’s engagement in the international search, SIMSA’s Director Tim Harris said he feels for those whose loved ones are still missing in the tragedy.

About 80 people were onboard MV Butiraoi when it capsized. A search was mounted when authorities were alerted that the ship failed to arrive in Tarawa, Kiribati’s capital, on January 18.

New Zealand sent a military aircraft to conduct sweeps of the area after being called in to help by Fiji authorities who are coordinating the search.

On Sunday, a New Zealand Air Force Orion located eight survivors drifting in a dinghy. They have since been picked up by a fishing boat.

Searchers are continuing to scour more than 300,000 square kilometres of ocean for survivors.

BY BARNABAS MANEBONA

CONTINUOUS attack by Coconut Rhinoceros Beetles (CRB) will have an adverse impact on the oil palm and coconut productions of Solomon Islands.

Hundreds of coconut and oil palm trees in the country have already been killed by CRB attacks which are very serious, according to Bob Macfarlane the Coordinator of the CRB programme in the country.

The beetle from report has already spread along the north coast of Guadalcanal and has invaded north Malaita, Savo and Ngella.

“Currently the worst effects can be seen around Honiara but if the beetle gets to village coconut plantations, the impacts on copra production and village nutrition will be huge.”

Last week, the New Zealand aid project “Improving Management of Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle (CRB) in Solomon Islands and PNG” led by AgResearch, New Zealand, held a meeting in Honiara to plan the next phases of their programme.

The meeting was attended by senior personnel from the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock, GPPOL and the Solomon Islands Coconut Industry Working Group, the beetle disease and pest management experts from AgResearch, PNGOPRA, SPC, the University of Queensland and NGOs.

The meeting agreed that the priorities are to limit the spread of the beetle, bring the current damage under control and look for a long term biological solution to control the pest.

“Plans for a long-term solution to develop control techniques using new insect diseases are well advanced but the meeting identified two large gaps needing a rapid and thorough response.

“In particular if Solomon Islands is to avoid a huge disaster, immediate action is needed to raise awareness throughout the country about the seriousness of the threat and ways to slow its spread. Also, to work with communities to eliminate breeding sites and control the pest in areas already invaded,” Macfarlane reports.

Both these tasks are outside the capacity of the current Government or Provincial staff and finances as it was agreed that emergency funding based on new action plans is urgently needed to get the activities implemented quickly on the scale needed.

“The meeting also recognised that regional action is required to safeguard other countries from this new pest and that SPC is the logical organisation to lead this initiative.

“At the end, the meeting held a de-brief session with potential donors and the media and recommended that MAL and Solomon Islands Government approach relevant donors for urgent support.”