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Marau murder case first call-over at High Court on June 28

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BY ROMINAH FAKA

The case against a man accused of killing a girl at Marau in October last year was mentioned in the Magistrate court yesterday for extension of the remand warrant of the accused.

Magistrate Dalcy Belapitu Oligari made directions for the matter to be first call-over at High Court on June 28 at 1.30pm.

Constance Manepania is charged with one count of murder to which he pleaded not guilty, and a committal deposition was filed in court where court found there was sufficient evidence to commit the matter to the High court trial.

Police alleged October 8, 2023 late in the evening, the deceased and some of her relatives boarded a canoe to an island called Ravi within the Marau area to sleep over for fishing during the night time.

Next day at about 8am, the deceased and two other relatives boarded another canoe to the mainland to collect food and water for the group on the island.

When they reached mainland, they dug some swamp taro, refilled some containers of water.

At about 4pm the deceased and the other girls loaded their canoe and departed for Ravi Island.

About few metres from the mainland the deceased complained that her body was not feeling good, and was afraid to go to Ravi Island, so she decided to stay back on the mainland.

The other girls left the deceased along the shore so that she could walk back home.

The deceased then left Tawanikeni village along the sea shore back to her village Kompa’u.

Prosecution alleged that it was on her way back to her home village that the accused attacked her.

A witness who was on his way along the airport that day heard a sound of a crying person. When the witness got closer to where the crying sound came from, he saw Manepania holding a bush knife in his right hand.

Manepania led the witness to where the deceased was lying unconscious then he stepped onto the deceased’s forehead and squeezed the neck of the deceased until she stopped breathing.

After that Manepania demanded and ordered the witness to take the dead body down to the sea and sink it.

The accused allegedly threatened the witness to carry out this act, saying he would cut the witness with the bush knife if he did not comply.

Police at Marau received a report of the incident on October 10, 2023, when villagers around Marau area saw the deceased’s body washed ashore in front of the Conflict Lodge.

Paul Fanasia of DPP appears for the Crown and Delilah Kukura of PSO appears for Manepania.

ONE LINK TRIAL SET

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BY ROMINAH FAKA

Trial into the case against a police officer accused of stealing $300,000 kept as exhibit at the Police storage facilities in Rove, Honiara in 2020 is set for October 7.

Makasi Dolaiano is facing one count of stealing as a clerk and he denied the charge by pleading not guilty.

Yesterday the matter was called at Magistrate court for interim-mention where parties informed the court they had no issues at this stage.

Court suspended for July 3 for next interim-mention date, and the accused is excused from appearing in court.

Prosecution allege that the defendant stole $336,891.20 that was kept as an exhibit for a trial in the Honiara Magistrate Court in October 2020.

It was further alleged that the defendant was said to be one of the officers manning the exhibit storage facility at the time when the $300k went missing in October 2020.

The $300k belong to One Link Pacifica customers and served as evidence and exhibit in a case against the owners of the failed money scheme in 2020.

Police recovered the monies after they arrested the manager of the money investment scheme in April 2020.

The $300k was initially kept at the exhibit storage facility at the Central Police Station and then transferred to the exhibit storage facility at the Rove Police Headquarters where it went missing.

George Gray of Public Solicitor’s Office represents Dolaiano and Mrs Olivia Ratu Manu of Office of Public Prosecution act for the Crown.

Seaweed farming surges in Lau lagoon

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A boat load with harvested seaweed.

BY SAMIE WAIKORI

Malaita provincial fisheries office has reported surge in seaweed farming within Lau lagoon in the northeast of Malaita province.

The lagoon is first to introduce with the aquiculture seaweed farming activity in late 1990s on Malaita, however, a slow growth was experienced since then until 2017.

In an interview with Malaita provincial fisheries officer, Alick Konamalefo he said his office is delighted to see the reignition in interest in seaweed farming.

“The Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources introduced seaweed farming at Hotedea on Manaoba island in Lau lagoon toward late 1990.

“Since then, it grew in a slow pace due to many factors such as market and even the ethnic tension, however, people didn’t let go of it.

“Until 2017, the farming regained momentum and expanded to other areas such as Ata in the northeast and Suava in the northwest of the lagoon,” he said.

Konamalefo said Malaita provincial fisheries office through Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resource is grateful to see the growth of seaweed farming within area and encourages them on this livelihood activity.

He said seaweed farming in Lau lagoon mainly done by women and children as well as men and it becomes a generating income to their families.

“At the moment JQY is buying $4 per kilogram of dry seaweed from the farmers. JQY is one of the stakeholders have supported farmers in Lau on the activity.

“JQY has supported farmers with equipment such as ropes and others that helped in the farming activity. Now, they are buying the seaweed from the farmers,” Konamalefo said. 

He said being the leading agent in the province, the provincial fisheries office is supportive of the activity under its aquiculture fisheries livelihood program.

Konamalefo said these programs include seaweed farming, tilapia farming and Fishing Aggregate Device (FAD) that they have been promoting in the province.

He said the idea behind this is to create alternative fisheries activities for people to shift from over harvesting reefs and mangrove and even gain income from the activities.

YTASI senior black belts prepare for official grading

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Senior Black Belts with Master Sabum Duddley.Photo supplied.

BY ELTON LONARATHA JNR

YUNS Taekwondo Academy Solomon Islands (YTASI) is pleased to announce the upcoming Official Grading Ceremony for Senior Black Belts, scheduled to take place on June 27, 2024, at the Multi-Purpose Hall.

YTASI Instructor and Owner, Master Joses Dudley, confirmed the event and extended an invitation to all Senior Black Belts to embrace this opportunity for growth and achievement in their martial arts journey.

“This significant event will see Senior Black Belts from the academy undergo evaluation by the esteemed Grandmaster Ra,” Master Dudley said. “YTASI extends a warm invitation to all Senior Black Belts to embrace this opportunity for growth and achievement in their martial arts journey. We encourage all Senior Black Belts to prepare diligently and make the most of this momentous occasion.”

The ceremony is open to students, parents, guardians, and the general public, who are all invited to witness and support the dedication and skill of these martial artists.

This event marks a significant milestone for the YTASI and its Senior Black Belt students, as they strive to elevate their skills and achievements in the world of Taekwondo.

Men’s beach volleyball team exits AVC continental cup

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National Mens Beach Volleyball players Tam Teriba and Ray Quan combining. Photo supplied.

BY ELTON LONARATHA JNR

THE Solomon Islands National Men’s Beach Volleyball team has bowed out of the Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC) Beach Volleyball Continental Cup Semi-final and Final hosted in Ningbo, China. The team lost to Thailand 2-0 in both matches played at the Banbianshan Beach Volleyball Center on Monday.

Despite the elimination, Solomon Islands Volleyball Federation (SIVF) President Morris Maitaki acknowledged the commitment of the players. “I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate and humbly thank our boys for the great efforts displayed at the Asian Volleyball Confederation Cup Semi-Final Qualifier held in Ningbo, China,” Maitaki said.

Maitaki thanked the National Sports Council (NSC), National Olympic Committee of Solomon Islands (NOCSI), Solomon Islands Volleyball Federation (SIVF), and Solomon Island National Institution of Sport (SINIS) for the support that enabled the team to compete in the Asia Continental Cup. “A great opportunity and experience indeed for our boys looking to the future,” Maitaki said.

The President also thanked the team coach Jeffrey Pasio and Team Manager Mr. Barry Pugeva for their technical support rendered to the team. “It’s just unfortunate that both officials could not accompany the team due to financial difficulties and work commitment in the case of Barry Pugeva,” Maitaki said.

The team of four players will arrive back home tomorrow.

RESIGRATION OPEN

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Womens Basketball session at Holy Cross Court-PHOTO ELTON LONARATHA.

…55K for Women’s Basketball

BY ELTON LONARATHA JNR

THE Solomon Islands Basketball Federation (SIBF) has received a significant boost with a $55,000 sponsorship from Solomon Power, a leading energy provider in the Solomon Islands.

The sponsorship deal was signed on Tuesday at Solomon Power headquarters, marking a major milestone for the federation.

The Women’s Basketball League, set to kick off on July 28, 2024, at the Honiara City Council Multipurpose Hall, aims to promote women’s basketball and provide a platform for young girls to excel in the sport.

Solomon Power CEO Martin Sam expressed excitement about the partnership, emphasizing the importance of supporting community endeavors and sports development.

“We are happy to build and unite the nation through sports, especially where our communities are involved,” Sam said. “We hope that our partnership will go a long way to enhance and unite the people to realize their potential and excel in this particular sport.”

SIBF Women’s Basketball League Chairlady Gloria Hong thanked Solomon Power for their support, highlighting the need to revive the league after it went inactive for some time. “The Women’s Basketball League was introduced back in the 1980s and became active in the 90s when the Solomon Islands started to send our national team to compete in regional tournaments,” Hong said.

Registration for the league is currently open, with fees set at $3,000 per team. The tentative start date is July 28, 2024, and registration will close on July 9, 2024. The sponsorship will go towards prizes for the league, which will add up to $55,000.

The partnership between Solomon Power and SIBF is expected to play a significant role in the development of women’s basketball in the Solomon Islands, providing a platform for young girls to grow and excel in the sport.

Prizes are as follows:

First prize – $20,000

Second prize – $15,000

Third prize – $10,000

Fourth prize – $8,000

Tournament’s MVP award – $2,000

MPG PASSES $28M BUDGET

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BY SAMIE WAIKORI

Malaita provincial assembly recently passed its original budget estimate of $28, 678, 091 million for this current 2024/2025 financial year.

The budget should have already been in operation after an endorsement from the minister of provincial government to grant execution of the budget.

Details of the budget as follows;

  • The Total Revenue Budget Summary estimates at SBD 28,678,019
  • The Total Expenditure Budget Summary estimates at SBD 28,678,019, with balanced budget for this financial year 2024/25.
  • The Total Recurrent Revenue for fiscal year 2024/25 estimates at SBD 17,471,597, which reflects MPG’s continuous partnership with its rural populace and national government.

Further details of the budget are; MPG to contribute SBD 4,988,106 in its local revenue, while SIG through service grant to contribute SBD 11,636,456, savings revenue of SBD 57,003 and other revenue projected at SBD 847,035.

In terms of PCDF, MPG expects a surplus of SBD 3,056,860 to cover PCDF co-funding and WDC arrears and current grant in the capital expenditure.

Expenditure of the budget for financial year 2024/25 estimates at SBD 14,414,736 and covers areas such as;

  1. Salary & wages which accounts for SBD 6,065,904
  2. Operational costs account for SBD 5,799,332
  3. Assembly and Executive expenditure accounts for SBD 1,563,000
  4. Debt Servicing accounts for SBD 204,500
  5. Repairs & Maintenance SBD 782,000
  6. Representing 42%,40%,11%,2% and 5% respectively distributed to each sector mentioned

On the original capital expenditure, Malaita province will spend a total of SBD 14,262,982 for this fiscal year, and off this a new PCDF allocation of SBD7,182,059 was agreed on by the PPDC.

SINU, MEHRD host international education conference

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Participants at the conference.

BY INDY MAEALASIA

THE Solomon Islands National University (SINU) and the Ministry of Education and Human Resources Development (MEHRD), has officially opened the first ever International Education Conference yesterday.

The conference themed “Rethinking Solomon Islands Education for a Sustainable Future”, brought together visionaries, educators, researchers, and changemakers to share innovative strategies, research finding, and practical solutions to reshape the education system for a sustainable future.

The opening ceremony at Panatina Campus drew significant participation from students, educators, and stakeholders.

Over two days, the conference will feature panel discussions, Paper presentations from local and international academics. Themes include the education curriculum, indigenous culture, language, professional development, inclusivity and access to education and partnership with local communities for a sustainable future. 

Delivering the opening remarks, Dean of the Faculty of Education and Humanities, Dr Patricia Rodie spoke on the essence of hosting the conference.  

“This conference seeks to address the challenges faced by the current education system and explore ways to safeguard the sustainable future through quality education. I hope through the papers we will present during the course of these two days; we will be able to rethink some of the current practices in our education system and work together to address them” she said.

Officially opening the conference, MEHRD Minister, Tozen Leokana said “The timing of this conference is critical in the context of our country and the development challenge we currently face and the ability to optimize opportunities that education can provide especially in the need for more skills and for thinking workforce required by the private and public sectors and industries”

Furthermore, SINU Vice Chancellor, Professor Transform Aqorau emphasized that the country is at the “pivotal crossroad” of its history in which it must rethink its education system to meet the demands of the evolving globe.

Plans to host the conference initially begun in 2022 but was postponed due to the Covid19 Pandemic and the use of SINU Campus for the PG2023.

WWF adds value to sea grapes

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Invited Guests and WWF Members group photo after the program.

BY MORRIS NAFU

In a bid to empower rural communities and promote sustainable resource management, the World-Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Solomon Islands has unveiled a pioneering initiative centered around sea grapes, locally known as seaweed in an official launching ceremony yesterday.

The event was held at the Honiara Hotel Conference room, marked a significant milestone for the organization as it introduced products derived from sea grapes, including soups and body lotions.

Funded through support from the Australian Government aid, the initiative aims to bolster economic opportunities for rural populations by harnessing the potential of sea grapes.

These efforts align closely with the Solomon Islands government’s National Plan of Action (NPOA), emphasizing community-based resource management for sustainable development.

The event provided opportunity for invited guests to sample these newly developed products, showcasing their resourcefulness and local appeal.

The initiative initially involves four communities from the Western province, particularly those in the Roviana Lagoon area.

WWF plans to expand production sites to include more communities, thus broadening economic access and opportunities as they plan to expand the program.

A core focus of the initiative is to empower women by integrating them into business operations, thereby promoting gender equality and fostering sustainable practices rooted in traditional knowledge and scientific insights.

WWF, which has been active in the Solomon Islands for over a decade and also operates in Fiji and Papua New Guinea, continues to lead conservation efforts while supporting community-driven initiatives.

The launch underscores WWF’s commitment to innovative environmental stewardship and community development, offering a promising model for sustainable economic growth amidst challenges such as climate change.

As the initiative progresses, WWF aims to further enhance local livelihoods and contribute to long-term environmental sustainability in the region.

Mbokakimbo market murder case adjourned

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BY ROMINAH FAKA

The case against a man charged with murder has adjourned for July 3 for investigations to be complete.

John Paeni, 30, is charged with one count of murder contrary to section 200 of the Penal Code.

Yesterday at the Magistrate Court state prosecutor Monica Rehamora updated the court on the status of the investigation which is yet to be complete.

The outstanding documents police investigator is yet to obtain are the photograph of the crime scene and number of civilian witnesses’ statements, Rehamora said.

Rehamora sought a 14-day adjournment for police to complete the investigations and obtain the outstanding documents.

Defence counsel Delilah Kukura told court she will be the legal representative for Mr Paeni.

Court directions for the prosecution to serve perusal disclosures to Kukura and police to obtain all the outstanding document during the course of the adjournment.

Prosecution alleged on May 31, 2023 at 3am in the morning a witness and her husband were waiting for market truck at Mbokakimbo road beside a market stall.

The witness and her husband heard some people talking at the nearest village just beside the market stall.

Not long after they heard a sound of an object banging against the copper shed just close to the market stall where the witness and her husband were standing.

The couple saw Paeni holding a long bush knife in his right hand and was walking along the main road (Mbokakimbo road).

The allegation says the accused, holding on to the bush knife, asked the deceased why he had not returned to his home.

The accused moved close to the deceased and strike the bush knife against the body of the deceased several times.

The witness called the accused to stop what he was doing and the accused stopped and walked away from the deceased.

The deceased walked past the market stall and fell inside the bush behind the stall.

The witness and her husband did not manage to check on the deceased as both boarded the vehicle to the market.

It was alleged around 6am a pastor who walked past the market stall saw the deceased’s body in the grass beside the road and part of his internal organs coming out of his belly.

The pastor informed the relatives and the relatives informed Tetere police and body was removed to the deceased’s home village in Tiuva, Northeast Guadalcanal.

Monica Rehamora appears for crown and Delilah Kukura represent Paeni

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