BY BARNABAS MANEBONA

THE Provincial Government of Central Islands Province (CIP) is eyeing to assist scholarships for CIP’s students studying at the Solomon Islands National University (SINU).

First focusing on to assist is the untrained teachers of the province who do not have qualification said CIP’s Premier Hon Patrick Vasuni.

He said those who wish for funding their tuition fees and so can seek through their Education Division for assistance once the province receives the 2018-2019 Budget soon.

“Being the first for such move by CIP’s Provincial Government, we will now allocate providing scholarship for students studying at SINU,” said the premier.

“Like other provinces, we will be funding our students with a bit of assistance til they continue abroad.”

According to CIP’s Executive Government body, they will not be considering qualified teachers much yet because they are already qualified for salary.

It is understood that many people usually want to do further studies but lack financial support so CIP’s current move is seen as a positive development for the future education of the province and country.

BY BARNABAS MANEBONA

THE Provincial Government of Central Islands Province (CIP) is eyeing to assist scholarships for CIP’s students studying at the Solomon Islands National University (SINU).

First focusing on to assist is the untrained teachers of the province who do not have qualification said CIP’s Premier Hon Patrick Vasuni.

He said those who wish for funding their tuition fees and so can seek through their Education Division for assistance once the province receives the 2018-2019 Budget soon.

“Being the first for such move by CIP’s Provincial Government, we will now allocate providing scholarship for students studying at SINU,” said the premier.

“Like other provinces, we will be funding our students with a bit of assistance til they continue abroad.”

According to CIP’s Executive Government body, they will not be considering qualified teachers much yet because they are already qualified for salary.

It is understood that many people usually want to do further studies but lack financial support so CIP’s current move is seen as a positive development for the future education of the province and country.

BY MAVIS NISHIMURA PODOKOLO

Head of Environmental Health Division Mr Goeroge Titiulu has called on all operating food outlet premises to provide convenient rooms for consumers.

He made the call during an interview with Island Sun over the weekend.

“Having toilet facilities in all operating food premises was one main criteria HCC is considering before permitting the business to operate.

“If a restaurant failed to provide this important service then HCC will close the restaurant from business,” Titiulu said.

He explained that small, medium to huge restaurants must provide toilets, and it is a requirement under HCC law.

“HCC is trying to see and ensure all these basic requirements consumers’ needs are covered,” said Titiulu.

He said HCC will carry knocking on the doors of all food outlets to check if the restaurants meets the standard and required practices under HCC law.

Titiulu said any food outlets who failed to provide and meet the standard requirements and services will face the law.

“This action is carried out as part of HCC’s daily checks to meet what its laws required,” he said.

Titiulu said HCC will continues with check today.

A team of police officers from Kirakira Station, in Makira Ulawa Province successfully completed a week’s tour of Ugi Island as part of the Crime Prevention Strategy; from January 12-16, 2018.

Provincial Police Commander Superintendent Peter Sitai says, “Following the arrest of two female teenagers over the festive season at Umara village led to the need for police to do more awareness talks.

“The aim of the awareness is to educate people about the Family Protection Act implementation and also to get the support of community members on Ugi Island to try to curb illegal activities such as home-made alcohol, the growing, use and sale of the dangerous drug marijuana.

“The brewing and sale of home-made alcohol without a license authorised by the Minister responsible is against the law and so is growing, use, possession and sale of marijuana.”

The police team visited Makia, Hunuta, Mwanipua, Tawarodo and Marou Villages during the tour of on Ugi Island.

“I am pleased with the outcome of the tour of Ugi and thank you the members of the community for their support in making the tour a success.

“I appeals to other communities in Makira Ulawa province to do the same and work closely with the police to ensure these illegal activities do not happen in our communities.”

–POLICE MEDIA

BY JARED KOLI

A fire incident resulted from an electrical fault at Solomon Power’s electric pillar box at Point Cruz on Friday, requires the state-owned electricity provider to do regular checks at its public power boxes.

A member of the public who was among dozen others that witness Friday’s incident, said such occurrence pose threat to lives and properties and must be prevented at all cost.

This paper witnessed an electrical pillar box, located next to Pioneer shop at Point Cruz bursted in massive flames at dusk on Friday, sending shockwaves among pedestrians and close-by business owners.

Owner of Pioneer Shop was lucky enough to remove his vehicle parked close to the burning electrical box, as Solomon Motors lends its fire extinguisher to assist men took down the fury flames.

Solomon Power workers later arrived and confirmed that the fault is caused by a load of dirt. This paper witnessed a mixture of dirt including empty plastic bottles, empty cans, plastics and sticks filled the power box when Solomon Power workers arrived and opened the burning power box.

An electrical contractor, Paul Urariu who was also at the scene then, said there could be a fault in the pillar box which at times can be caused by misconnection or dirty filled. This is because such power boxes contain very high voltage connecting to underground electricity lines.

Meanwhile, the member of the public said, power boxes stationed in public vicinities should be regularly inspected and cleaned to prevent such incidence.

“It is their duty, they must do more regular checks at their appliances, and if necessary have them cleaned at all times to prevent dangers from public.

“Lucky that this incident was controlled in time before the flame could have intensified and catch on to other buildings or properties,” the member of the public who refused to be named, said.

Island Sun understands that Solomon Power has already had the pillar box fixed and replaced it with a new 400 volts new pillar box, much smaller in size.

A team of Fire fighters arrived minutes later and assists men to control the flame with fire extinguishers during the fire incident.

BY BARNABAS MANEBONA

A tractor’s service planned to be purchased for Tulaghi Township to collect rubbish will be a two way benefit for the people and Provincial Government said CIP’s Premier.

Central Islands Province (CIP) Hon Patrick Vasuni said rubbish collection has been very poor as continuous hiring to use tractors is costly.

“The tractor to be bought will help the work load of rubbish collection as it will also be for hiring purposes,” said the Premier.

“Demand for hiring our vehicles is high so we suggest that a tractor too is suitable for multi-tasks. This includes loading house materials and such.

“So the tractor’s purpose planned will be a two way benefit for the CIP Provincial Government Office in receiving income from and for the people to use them for whatever purposes.”

BY JARED KOLI

FORMER South Pacific Oil Limited (SPOL) Aviation Manager and Australian, Stephen Carey has resurfaced a 7-year outstanding complaint filed against the former Solomon Airlines Chief Executive Officer, Captain Ron Sumsum since 2011.

The Solomon Airlines, the Solomon Islands judiciary and the police have faced tough questioning from a disappointed Mr Carey in an email forwarded to the Ombudsman, Director of Police Prosecution, RSIPF Assistant Commissioner Crime, Registrar of the High Court, Solomon Airlines and Australia Foreign Minister.

Carey says his allegations concern perjury, fabrication and falsification of evidence, perversion of justice, criminal conspiracy and defamation, civil and criminal.

“Funny, Solomon Airlines declined to respond to accusations I have made repeatedly to all newspapers, the RSIPF and various statutory authorities in Solomon Islands and Australia.”

Referring to his case against Sumsum, the former SPOL Aviation Manager said the case was filed in 2011 and is still waiting to go to court in 2018.

“Justice delayed is justice denied. I stand ready to provide actual documents to support my claims of criminality on the part of Solomon Airlines former CEO Ron Sumsum and HR Bill Tyson.

“Pity the police refuse to provide comment on criminal complaints filed in 2011,” he stated.

Island Sun understands that in August 2015 Director of the Public Prosecution (DPP), Ronald Bei Talasasa has responded to a letter by Mr Stephen Carey claiming the DPP fails to act on the criminal complaints.

Mr Talasasa says his office will act on the criminal complaints as soon as reports from the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force’s Criminal Investigation Department is received.

In the letter then, Carey stated Talasasa has made a number of specific promises to him in respect of the criminal complaints.

Carey claims failure by the DPP means he does not want to see the truth exposed.

This paper is seeking clarifications from DPP regarding the matter.

In a civil case number of 290 of 2011, Carey filed a case against Sumsum seeking damages for defamation including compensatory, aggravated, punitive and exemplary damages.

The claim was after Sumsum emailed SPOL General Manager Mr Carson Korowa and copied to Chairman of Solomon Airlines, SPOL Chairman and Director of Civil Aviation ‘false and malicious allegations’ against Carey.

BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

CHIEF Justice Sir Albert Palmer has reiterated that any complaints against judicial officers or matters before the court should be raised through proper channels and not the media.

Sir Albert made the comment following numerous complaints in the media last year over delays in progressing cases and suggestions that allocation of cases were being manipulated.

He said there are four judges dealing with civil cases and matters are allocated at random by the Registrar or as directed by the Chief Justice.

“It is rather unfortunate the media is being misused to tarnish the image of the work of the Courts in the country.

“I cannot stress enough that when a matter has been allocated, the matter becomes sub judice, and that is under judicial consideration or in the course of trial,” Sir Albert said.

He adds, the basis for the sub judice rule is that it is the role of the courts to deal with legal issues that are before it.

“The court’s role should not be overthrown by others making public statements about how these issues should be dealt with.

“I have noted some writers who like to generalise criticism about a matter before the courts, which is wrong. Once a matter is before the court, any complaints or issue should be properly raised with counsel and not in the media with view to tarnish the image of the judiciary. Some even challenged the Chief Justice on Facebook to make a comment on issues, which I reiterate is wrong and improper.

“I call that Facebook nonsense, I am not on Facebook, have no intention of joining and may only do so if there is good reason for it,” Sir Albert said.

Sir Albert adds that any complaints should be directed through proper channels to raise the matter to the registrar.

He further said that he have chosen deliberately in certain instances not to respond to some criticisms because it is not worth the time responding to those criticisms.