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Prosecution yet to charge co-suspect on Fangs case

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

Public Prosecution has sought adjournment for the case against Honiara businessman James Fang to allow them time to lay appropriate charges on the co-suspect.

Court then adjourned the case for October 31 for mention.

Public Prosecutor Bradley Dalipanda told court yesterday that on the previous occasion, court was told that during adjournment prosecution will lay appropriate charges on the co-suspect but that has not been done.

Dalipanda said the prosecutor in carriage is currently away in Nigeria to visit her sick mother and will be away for a month, nothing much has been done since the last adjournment.

He assures court that during this adjournment they will make sure to sort out the issues and on the next appearance prosecution will update court on the status of the case.

Defence lawyer Anderson Kesaka then told court that they will apply for bail variation for the accused and also seek the court’s permission to return the files belonging to the accused, James Fang.

Principal Magistrate Ricky Iomea then adjourned the case to Friday this week for bail variation and on October 31 for mention.

James Fang is being accused of having forged and uttered documents earlier this year

He is facing a charge of Forgery and Uttering.

The charges stem from an extensive enquiry into the legitimacy of a document emailed to the Inland Revenue Division.

The document was a letter purporting to have been authored by a Government Minister, authorising the waiving of $14,000,000 in tax payable to the Government of Solomon Islands, through the Inland Revenue Division of the Ministry of Finance & Treasury.

Investigations revealed that signature on the letter were not that of the Minister.

James Fang is the owner of Fangs Shop and other businesses in Honiara.

SI hits $57.5m trade surplus for March

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Government Statistician Douglas Kimi

SOLOMON Islands national statistics office (SINSO) yesterday announced a $57.5million surplus in trades recorded for March this year.

This figure is on the country’s international merchandise trade statistics (IMTS), which puts together all of Solomon Islands’ exports and imports.

IMTS shows the movement of different types of goods between the Solomon Islands and a range of countries regionally and around the world.

Releasing the statistical bulletin, government statistician Douglas Kimi said the surplus is an increase of $109.4m (211 percent) over the deficit of $51.9m recorded in the preceding quarter.

Compared to March 2016’s record, this year’s record is an increase of $21.1million (58 percent) over last year’s $36.4m.

“The movement of goods into and out of the Solomon Islands is an important aspect of our nation’s economic development,” Kimi said.

On Major Exports in the first quarter of 2017 compared to the corresponding quarter of 2016, Kimi said that round log and sawn timber exports declined by $7.4m (1 percent) to $604.7m while total of fresh/frozen and canned fish rose by $33.8m (62 percent) to $88.7m.

“This increase is mainly attributed to $52.1m of fish loin exports to Italy which accounted for 59 percent of total fish exports.”

He added that the total for copra, cocoa, palm oil and other agricultural products has increased by $40.8m (56 percent) to $113.9m affirming this is mainly driven by a surge in palm oil and copra exports during the quarter and gold increased by $3m (63 percent) to $7.8m.

Meanwhile, on Major Imports Kimi said food imports, which is comprise mostly of rice and canned meat, increased by $0.7m (0.6 percent) to $111.9m.

“Mineral fuel and lubricant imports rose by $58.2m (55 percent) to $164.9m. Machinery and transport equipment increased by $33.6m (15 percent) to $260.3m,” he said.

Merchandise trade balance with major trading partners in the March quarter of 2017 compared to the previous corresponding quarter records the following:

  • The trade deficit with Singapore, the main source of fuel imports, increased by $63m (57 percent) to $174.5m.
  • The trade deficit with Australia decreased by $16.8m (11 percent) to $132.2m.
  • The trade deficit with Papua New Guinea was down by $14.3m (58 percent) to $10.4m.
  • The trade surplus with South Korea declined by $9.7m (86 percent) to $1.5m.
  • The trade surplus with China, the main destination of exported logs, rose by $63.1m (15 percent) to $491.6m.
  • The trade surplus with Italy, the main destination of fish-loin exports, increased by $13.2m (35 percent) to $51m.

Data are compiled from the Solomon Islands Customs and Excise Division, the Central Bank of the Solomon Islands, Commodity Export Market Authority and additional records provided by major importers/exporters.

–SINSO PRESS

Second chance education for drop-outs in the pipeline

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Group photo of the Writer workshop organised by the Distance Flexible Learning Centre of SINU

BY LYNTON AARON FILIA

 

SOLOMON Islands National University (SINU) will roll out its ‘second chance’ education programme through its distance flexible learning centre (DFL).

This move poses a significant opportunity for school drop outs to have another go at education.

SINU initiated the idea to assist the Ministry of Education (MERHD) combat growing concerns of the bottleneck system which has and continues to impact many student drop-outs.

According to SINU, being a national tertiary education provider, through DFL they will provide what has been coined by the MEHRD as ‘second-chance education’.

SINU said the second-chance concept will create a pathway for students to pursue qualifications in whatever fields individuals wish to attain.

SINU said the main objective is to leave no one out, and create a pathway that will ensure students continue their training until completed with qualifications of choice.

In implementing the notion, Mr Martin Otto and his devoted staff took a week-long writers workshop for aspiring writers in the country.

This workshop is hosted by the DFL centre and is the second time such programme is organised.

The workshop pools together ideas from the writers in producing units of study to provide an avenue through which the students can upgrade their previous marks, grades and knowledge and skills in the units provided.

The DFL will continue to work with these writers until March next year when all units will be ready for production, which will be piloted in September 2018 for possible recruitment in 2019.

Meanwhile, it is well known that a lot of potential human resources have over the years had their education cut off at grade six, form three and form five, including a few in form six and form seven.

This has contributed to an increase in unemployment, unskilled workers, low standard of living, and rise in criminal activities involving juveniles between ages 13 and 19 years.

MEHRD’s statistics show 90 percent of those who started grade one discontinued their education somewhere along the line due to low exam results, no space in schools and other factors of school administration.

National lab reveals huge challenges

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Director of National Public Health Laboratory, Mr Dickson Manongi.

BY SAMIE WAIKORI

THE national public health laboratory’s (NPHL) pursuit to attain the world-recognised ISO 17025 accreditation is being hampered by a mountain of challenges, it is revealed.

Director of NPHL Mr Dickson Manongi lists budgetary support as one major challenge they face in trying to buy reagents, agars, consumables, equipment and instrument for the laboratory.

Budgetary support is also vital for preparations for audit inspection.

He adds the NPHL building is also old with many defects, such as white ants infestation, faulty plumbing and air-conditioning systems and inadequate space for staff.

Manongi said another challenge faced is lack of divisional support for food inspection, sampling and testing by units within the Environmental Health Division to bring samples for lab scientific analysis.

This he says has resulted in most food products, local and imported, not being tested for human consumption safety.

Manongi stresses that this is a huge problem for the country.

He exemplifies the local bottled water industry, which needs to undergo stringent lab testing since many companies have their water sources at the Ranadi industrial area.

Manongi also calls on the Environment Health Divisions under the ministry of health (MHMS) and HCC to be proactive on the matter.

He said they are the leading organisations and they should protect lives by having the products tested at the NPHL.

Meanwhile, Manongi says manpower is another of their problems, being in need of more workers to meet demands.

Isabel nickel project hits brick wall

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Premier of Isabel Province James Habu

BY BEN BILUA

PREMIER of Isabel province has called on the government to reconsider its hasty plans with the Isabel Nickel project.

Speaking during review consultations on the national mining policy this week, Premier Habu said the government needs to step back and study the whole component of the project before pushing to fast track mining operations in Isabel.

He stressed there are existing gaps within the legislations and that reassessment is needed by an independent body.

“The data available on Nickel are now outdated and therefore unreliable and while the price of Nickel is low, it would not serve anybody any good to rush into mining of Nickel,” Premier Habu said.

He describes the government’s rash plan to fast track mining development in Isabel province demonstrates the government’s desperation to raise money.

Sharing his views, Bishop of Isabel Diocese, Right Reverend Elision Quity warns that rushing into such development without considering the issues affecting the people is not wise.

“We must seek for what is beneficial for our people rather than rushing into this at the expense of Peace, Justice and unity,” he said.

Quity strongly encouraged the Tripod not become the subject of anger and curses in the future for the wrong decisions made.

Citizenship Bill to cater for SI labour migrants

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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BY CAROL-ANNE SULEGA

THE new Citizenship Bill 2017 will make efforts by Solomon Islanders who were forced out of the country during the black birding days as laborers easier to apply for Solomon Islands citizenship.

Hon Dr Culwick Togamana, a member of the Bills and Legislation Committee (BLC) queried the sponsoring ministry of the Bill, the Ministry of Home Affairs, on what the proposed Bill could do for Solomon Islander labourers from the black birding days.

He queried how these Solomon Islanders would be able to return or acquire dual citizenship if the new Bill were to come into force as an Act.

The Bill allows Solomon Islanders by birth who have lost their citizenship and reconnect with their country of origin.

It specifically states to facilitate the reintegration and return of Solomon Islanders by ancestry and their children who have lost their citizenship through marriage, naturalisation or displacement due to forced labour.

Citizenship Bill not discriminatory

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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BY CAROL-ANNE SULEGA

THE Citizenship Bill 2017 regulations have been drafted in a way to not be discriminatory as applicably possible.

This was a statement by Pamela Wilde, the Legal Policy Advisor of the Ministry of Justice and Legal Affairs (MJLA) before the Bills and Legislation Committee (BLC) this week.

She made the statement in response to queries by the Chairman of the BLC, Hon Connelly Sandakabatu on the proposed legislation’s section that specifies spousal relationships.

“We were careful when the Bill was drafted so that it would be non-discriminatory,” Wilde added.

The Bill is non-discriminatory to persons with disabilities, race and religion who wish to acquire citizenship in Solomon Islands.

Pamela Wilde then highlighted that if a person is in a genuine de facto relationship considering the duration, financial commitments between the duo and mutual assets acquired during the duration of their de facto relationship, they too are able to apply for citizenship just as formally married couples.

Gov’t told to wait

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Leaders who took part during the meeting

Isabel leaders refuse government’s 12-month timeframe for Nickel project

BY BEN BILUA

GOVERNMENT plans to fast track the Isabel Nickel project is crushed by Isabel leaders’ decision to ‘take time’ on mineral developments in the province.

This week, Isabel leaders including Paramount Chief Bishop James Mason, Bishop of Isabel Diocese Ellison Quity, Premier of Isabel Province James Habu, Member of Parliament for Hograno Katova, Kia and Havilei, Opposition Leader Jeremiah Manele, gathered at Buala to be part of consultations organised by the government to review the Mining Policy.

Briefing the seminar, Bishop Mason warns the government not to take for granted the Isabel Nickel Project especially when land is concerned.

He said there are a lot of land disputes in Isabel and that Axiom and Sumitomo have fallen victims to these disputes.

Mason said the timeframe of 12 months scheduled by the government is not acceptable.

“This is because the Isabel Council of Chief (ICC) is still developing a land profile for 2016 to 2020.

“It would not be appropriate for any major development while the ICC is still to complete this task.

“ICC would like to first find out whether it would be better to have the Isabel Council of Chiefs to deal with land disputes or to leave the current process as it is,” he said.

Mason said the land belongs to Isabelians and it must be left to Isabelians to deal with their land.

He said ICC is in the process of having all customary lands registered before any development takes place.

On the same note, Bishop Mason emphasised that regulation to manage nickel development must be enacted separately from gold.

He stressed that the existing Mining Act and royalties are applicable only for gold and that Bauxite and Nickel are not covered.

Mason strongly emphasised the need for each mineral to have its own regulations.

He adds, Isabel has a youthful population and organised groups such as the Isabel Provincial Youth Forum, and such youth groups should be invited to the table to participate in decision making.

Mason said Isabel youths have the brains and expertise of Isabel hence should be granted the opportunity to decide their own future.

YWPG member shares experience at youth peacebuilding forum

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Ms Grace Hilly Sharing her experience with the young audience.

BY LORETTA BRIGIDIA MANELE

SHARING her experience to the young individuals present at yesterday’s 2nd round of Youth Peacebuilding Forum was former chairlady and active member of YWPG (Young Women’s Parliamentary Group).

Ms Grace Hilly shared a brief story of how YWPG successfully brought forward a petition concerning short bus routes to parliament.

She mentioned that they saw these bus routes as expense draining, making money whilst leaving people with less in their pockets by the time they get home and so they were prompted to do something about it.

Ms Hilly said that FSII (Forum Solomon Islands International) a Facebook page catering to discussions, issues and opinions of Solomon Islanders, was supportive and through this medium they were able to get the petition signed.

Lastly, she stated that they were able to get the petition through parliament and successfully, it was tabled.

Leaving the audience with some advice, Ms Hilly expressed that because we are not parliamentarians we cannot directly raise issues that concern us so we have to find other ways to do so.

Adding on, she said that one way to do that is to work together, discuss the issue and after getting the support needed, consult a member of parliament who will be your voice on the parliament floor.

East Guale MP and GP praised

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0

BY JARED KOLI

SUPPORT from Member of Parliament (MP) for East Guadalcanal Constituency Bradley Tovosia and Guadalcanal Education Authority (GEA) in East Guadalcanal has been given praise.

Deputy Head Master of Saro Extension Primary School, Godfrey Lovoli thanked the two for supporting Saro Extension and Luguvasa primary school.

The Luguvasa Primary School which has been proposed to be elevated to a junior secondary school has received support on the renovation work, roofing irons and the development of a three-blocked classroom building from Hon Tovosia.

Lovoli said this is the first ever secondary school for Tetekaji ward the MP has supported to contribute on a two-storey classroom, two dormitories and a toilet each for girls and boys.

“The Guadalcanal Education Authority also steps in developing the classroom, a skeleton structure has already been erected,” he said.

He thanked the GEA and the Ministry of Education and Human Resources Development (MEHRD) for approving a status of Saro extension primary.

“In previous years mother schools have difficulties with fund distributions, now parents are happy on the current development which has shown a green light.

“At the moment the school also receives support from the community with two staff house to be completed at the end of the year. Construction of a six block permanent classroom was started but still need support from stakeholders.

“Community has shown its commitment in cutting timber, and they have also engaged as labour-based contract on the construction of Avuavu – Marau road and use what they earned towards the six-block classroom,” Lovoli shared to this paper.

He said such support assist in uplifting quality education and quality learning environment which is one of the goals of the government.

“This allows student to access education in a conducive learning environment,” Mr Lovoli adds.

Saro Primary is an extension of Kolobaubau the mother school and now provides education to more than five communities.

Mr Lovoli said the school currently enrolls 90 students and has the service of five trained teachers and a Distance Flexible Learning (DFL) student teacher undergoing courses from the Solomon Islands National University (SINU).

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