Home Blog Page 600

GUALE TALKS DEVELOPMENT

Written by
Jennifer Kusapa
-
0
Premier Francis Sade speaking to the Landowners during the open forum of the Ruaniu land.

Premier consults with landowners on development

BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

THE Premier of Guadalcanal Province is moving forward in achieving better development in the best interest of the people.

Premier Francis Sade this week opened a forum to hear landowners’ views about their land and issues holding them back from developing them.

Mr Sade told the landowners that they need to sort out their differences and open up their land for development so that they can benefit from it.

He said Ruaniu land is 250 hectares and there are investors who are interested but landowners need to first open up their land for development.

“I have interests in those alienated for investments as last week, I went to Gizo for the Premiers meeting and we have agreed that the Government should give us the Federal system in 2026 that was in the communique.

“So, when I look back to us Guadalcanal province, we are not prepared for the State Government, because there was no investment in Guadalcanal, we have no township, Honiara is not ours, Honiara belongs to the national Government,” Premier Sade said.

He said when they were elected into the Provincial Executive they identified four areas to have their township and in order to develop the township, the Province needs to have developments.

And there is a need to open up developments from Henderson to Marau and Kakabona to Variana land, Sade said.

Therefore, all alienated land within those areas need to be identified and who owns the land – whether it is a perpetual title still under the commissioner of lands or already given back to the people.

“That is the only way forward for landowners and the communities and once we are not allowing our land to be developed then we are not going to benefit from our land when we adopt the State Government system,” Sade said.

He also told the landowners that the province is willing to support in any way to resolve any issues between tribes and families before development can take place.

Meanwhile women leaders and chiefs who attended the meeting agreed to the idea initiated by the Premier.

During the consultation a task force was also set up to consult with communities who reside in Ruaniu land about the idea and will provide feedback to the Provincial Executive.

Premier Sade also thanked the women, young people, chiefs and elders who attended the consultation for supporting his call to have an open forum about developments on their land.

By-election activity in West Kwara’ae

Written by
Samie Waikori
-
0

BY SAMIE WAIKORI

THE Electoral Team in Auki will publish the second notice of electoral activities for West Kwara’ae constituency by-election soon.

Election Manager for the by-election, also PS acting for Malaita province, Mr David Filia Tuita told SunAuki yesterday, “We look forward to publish the second notice of the by-election soon. The notice will involve binning -up of voters list at polling stations in the constituency.”

He said other election activities carried out so far include; awareness on the by-election and others as well as the recent nomination of candidates and ballot paper draw.

Tuita said after publishing the second notice, they also look forward for the RO’s notice of election that will include; polling hours, candidate and nominator details to put-up on May 10.

He said other activity will be the appointment of counting agents and polling agents that will be on May 14.

Tuita said by that time, it will be less than two weeks before the polling day as preparation will be mounted for polling day on May 24.

He said all candidates also aware that the last day of campaigning will be on May 22, just a day away from the polling.

Tuita said so far, all activities for the by-election have been running smoothly, while they hope for a peaceful and successful by-election for West Kwara’ae constituency.

Ballot paper draw for West Kwara’ae by-election done

Written by
Samie Waikori
-
0
Ballot paper draw at Buma.

BY SAMIE WAIKOR

THE Electoral Team in Auki conducted a ballot paper draw for the West Kwara’ae constituency by-election at the nomination centre in Buma last Friday.

The ballot paper draw was to determine the numbering of candidates’ names in sequence and how they will appear on the ballot paper during polling day.

Election Manager for the by-election, Mr David Filia Tuita who is also the Provincial Secretary acting for Malaita province told SunAuki yesterday, “We completed the ballot paper draw for West Kwara’ae constituency by-election on Friday last week.”

Candidates’ names as it will appear on ballot paper;   

 Names of CandidatesPolitical Party
1Solomon ManuiIndependent
2Bernard GaleIndependent
3Solomon KaluIndependent
4David LidimaniIndependent
5Alex IduriIndependent
6Alfred TaendoIndependent
7Fred RamoliSolomon Islands Democratic Party
8Ivan TonafaleaIndependent
9Wilson MaeIndependent
10Jerrylim LaufiluSolomon Islands United Party
11Alfred JM TuasuliaIndependent
12Ismael Rocky KakoIndependent

Tuita said a total of 12 candidates were nominated and after the lapse of the date for withdrawal on Friday, April 14, none of them did.

He said out of the 12 candidates, two will contest under political parties while the rest are independent candidates.

Murder case returns to court

Written by
Jennifer Kusapa
-
0

BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

THE case of a murder accused will appear again in court on Wednesday this week for mention.

This is for counsels to confirm and sort issues before the trial date on April 24.

David Tingi is charged with one count of murder in relation to an incident at Peochakuri village in South Guadalcanal on May 6, 2022.

Allegations said the defendant and the deceased had an argument prior to the incident. The defendant allegedly struck a hammer on the victim’s head and continued to punch the victim whilst he was on the ground.

Due to the alleged attack the victim sustained serious injuries. The victim was transported to the National Referral Hospital for medical treatment unfortunately the victim later died several days after.

Police alleged that the cause of the incident started with an argument in which the deceased was alleged to have attempted to rape his own daughter on several occasions prior to the murder incident.

Office of the Director Public Prosecution appears for the crown.

YACHT THIEF

Written by
Ben Bilua
-
0

Gizo police hunts culprit and missing iPads

BY BEN BILUA

GIZO police are on the lookout for a thief who stole two IPads from a yacht belonging to a German sailor.

Island Sun spoke with the sailor about what happened early Saturday morning.

Hilde Larsen said the incident took place around 5am.

“I woke up early around 5am to get ready for the day. As I walked to my shower room, I saw something besides my boat. At first, I thought it was a piece of timber upon closer look I realized it was a dugout canoe.

“I shouted at the person because it was the only weapon at my disposal. He left and paddled towards the village across Gizo (Nusabaruku), this does not mean that this person is from Nusabaruku.

“I went back inside my boat and open my windows to improve ventilation. I came out and called the police. It was at this time that I heard a noise at the front of my boat. I thought it was my cat that made the noise to my surprise, my cat was sitting in front of me. I ran into my room to see my clothes scattered and two of my IPads were missing.

“I came out but the thief already took off, paddling towards the mangrove area at the western end of Gizo shoreline,” she said.

The 64-year-old sailor said she has reached out to the police and hopes the police will help return her stuff.

She said the IPads have all her documents including navigation maps and contacts.

Larsen said the incident gives a bad image to the sailing community worldwide.

But she said she loves the Solomon Islands and will continue to paint a good picture of the Solomon Islands to the sailing community.

“The sailing community has its own network where they communicate everywhere in the world. The Solomon Islands is among other countries that sailors are always cautious to travel to unlike Vanuatu, Fiji, and New Caledonia.

“In the sailing world, most sailors always avoid reporting issues to the police. They get along with the nightmare they faced but the reputation of the countries will be tarnished.

“I took a different approach, I report the matter to the police and will continue to promote the Solomon Islands to attract more sailors.

“The only thing the Solomon Islands can do is to stop such incidents from happening,” Larsen said.

She hopes the police will locate her stuff.

Larsen also called on Gizo’s residents to help look out for any person who may want to sell the IPads.

Island Sun understands that a similar incident occurred last month to sailors at Gizo.

Gov’t likely to shorten WPA term

Written by
Ben Bilua
-
0

BY BEN BILUA

MOST provincial members in the current house were ambitious to see the house extended, however, the government has other plans.

A well-placed source says the government is intending to shorten the life of the current provincial assembly – meaning the current assembly will be dissolved in December for the synchronized election.

The source says the government is currently searching for funding to compensate Western Provincial Members in accordance with their term and entitlements.

The source adds that other donor partners have shown the green light to support the government foot the compensation.

According to the source, the government needs $60 million to meet the compensation deal – meaning each MPAs will receive up to one million.

Island Sun understands that the government is working its way into the synchronised election with caution to make sure every province is on the same boat before the 2024 election kicks off.

A team from the Electoral Commission along with officials from the Prime Minister’s Office and the Political Commission has carried out a nationwide consultation on the proposed synchronized election.

The team also visited Western Province and met with the Provincial Assembly members earlier this year.

Illegal drugs and alcohol campaign launch

Written by
Ofani Eremae
-
0
Assistant Commissioner (AC) National Operation Evelyn Thugea

BY NED GAGAHE

Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) is mounting a special operation to clump-down illegal drugs in Honiara city.

Certain hotspots areas have been targeted and police will move in swiftly to arrest or perform raid on those areas.

Assistant Commissioner (AC) National Operation Evelyn Thugea highlighted this during the second episode of the IUMI for Sol2023 Green and Safe talk back show at SIBC yesterday.

“Illegal activities such as selling of drugs, Kwaso and gambling in on the rise.

“These things are on the rise in our communities, I appeal to our communities to support police clean up illegal activities.” Thugea said.

She said RSIPF will be stepping up its operations in the coming months as the country looks forward to host the PG 2023.

PICK-POCKET ALERT

Written by
Ofani Eremae
-
0
RSIPF Assistant Commissioner National Operations, Everlyn Thugea.

Police urge Honiara commuters to be ‘vigliant’

BY NED GAGAHE

Police have warned city residents to be cautious when roaming the streets of Honiara following the escalation of pick-pocketing.

Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) Assistant Commissioner (AC) National Operation Evelyn Thugea highlighted this during the second episode of the IUMI for Sol2023 Green and Safe talk back show yesterday at SIBC.

She warned people must be vigilant and ensure that their properties such as mobile phone and money are safe and secured when travelling in public.

“I urge my good people to be mindful and let us prevent such things from happening to us,” Thugea said.           

HIV cases in SI increasing

Written by
Mavis Podokolo
-
0

BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO

MINISTRY of Health and Medical Services National HIV and STI program on AIDS monitoring reported that HIV cases in Solomon Islands is increasing.

This is according to the MHMS National HIV and STI program on AIDS monitoring report.

“Solomon Islands has now had cumulative cases,” the report said.

The report said this increased cases of Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) and Human-Immunodeficiency Virus 30 plus cases have been recorded.

Out of these recorded cases 15 deaths have occurred, three lost to follow-up and 12 currently alive and on Antiretroviral Therapy (ART).

This means that Solomon Islands has now recorded a total of 15 AIDS related deaths to date, dating way back from 1994 when the first case was discovered.

The report adds the recorded cases have also directed the ministry to expanding access to antiretroviral therapy (ART) to 100% coverage in 2017 and has resulted with a declining incidence of HIV infection to zero on the same year.

This is a good indicator that shows country is on track and living up to the commitment to end the AIDS epidemic as a public health threat by 2030.

It is a target included in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in September 2015.

Former Permanent Secretary for Ministry of Health and Medical Services Dr Tenneth Dalipanda in addressing the report says Solomon Islands welcomes the new Declaration, which endorses the target of ending the AIDS epidemic as a public health threat by 2030.

Dalipanda  expressed this Political Declaration will enable Solomon Islands as a country to intensify and accelerate her National HIV response, to safeguard that the national response is fully integrated into the broader Agenda for Sustainable Development, and ultimately to end the AIDS epidemic.

This report was launched last year and it had presented the achievements of the country in the effort to meet its commitments as per the 2016 United Nation (UN) declaration.

Limited health facilities and poorly trained health workers contributory to STI and HIV

Written by
Mavis Podokolo
-
0

BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO

LIMITED laboratory testing amenities and poorly trained and resourced health workforces in rural areas contributory risk factor to both Sexual Transmitted Infection STI-related morbidity and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) transmission.

This was revealed in the 2018 Solomon Islands AIDS monitoring report under Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS) National HIV and STI program.    

“Inadequate laboratory testing facilities and poorly trained and resourced health workers in many settings especially rural areas make confirmatory diagnosis of specific infections difficult to ascertain,” the survey revealed.

The study stressed, however, inclusive syndromic diagnosis and management of suspected STIs and a number of observation activities provide a strong indicator of this significant contributory risk factor to both STI-related morbidity and HIV transmission.

Furthermore, the study stressed that the high prevalence of STIs indicates that certain risk behaviors, such as unprotected sex with multiple partners are widespread, which in turn poses a significant risk for the exponential transmission of HIV.

1...599600601...1,662Page 600 of 1,662