Foreigner’s case set for mention in court

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December 15, 2022

BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

THE case of a Bangladesh national accused of sexually assaulting a child under 15 years of age in 2021 will have his case mentioned at the Magistrate Court today, December 15.

His case will be mentioned before Chief Magistrate Emma Garo.

The defendant, who cannot be named to protect the victim’s identity, is charged with three counts of persistent sexual abuse of a child contrary to section 142(2) of the Penal Code Cap 26 as amended by the Penal Code (Amendment) (Sexual offence) Act 2016 and one count of indecent act contrary to section 138(1) (a) and (b) of the Penal Code.

According to police the victim’s mother called in at Henderson police station and reported that her daughter was raped by a Bangladesh national in his bedroom sometimes in April last year.

The mother said she only knew of the incident when she heard stories from other girls about what happened to her. It was at that time the mother asked her daughter and confirmed that the accused did sexual acts on her about a week ago but she was afraid to tell anyone about it.

Hubert Fugui is representing the accused while the office of the Director Public Prosecution’s appears on behalf of the crown.

SIICAC works on documents to fight against corruption

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Mavis Podokolo

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December 15, 2022

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PMO assistance secretary, policies and programmer Philip Manakako delivers his remarks — PMO assistance secretary, policies and programmer Philip Manakako.

BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO

THE Solomon Islands Independent Corruption against Corruption (SIICAC) office says it is working on memorandums of Understanding (MoU) aimed at fighting corruption.

That is according to Philip Manakako on behalf of SIICAC.

“SIICAC is currently working on a number of MoUs to outline how anti-corruption commission will work together with other existing integrity and enforcement Institutions to maximise the experience, expertise, share knowledge and information in the fight against corruption for a better future from Solomon Islands,” Manakako said.

He also said the commencement of consultation with Public officials, NGOs and Civil Society to support the roles of the SIICAC is welcoming.

“It is vital that public officials, NGOs and Civil Society across the country are made aware of the different national laws and integrity agencies that work in collaboration with the new Anti-Corruption framework brought about by the Anti-Corruption Act 2018,” Manakako said.

He said these sentiments during the commemoration of the International Day against Corruption.

Kouni: corruption threat to country’s development

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Jennifer Kusapa

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December 15, 2022

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BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

DIRECTOR General of Solomon Islands Independent Against Corruption (SIICAC) John Kouni says corruption is one of greatest threats to our country’s development.

Speaking at the international anti-corruption day celebration yesterday Kouni said corruption is a complex social, political and economic, phenomenon that affects all countries.

“Corruption undermines democratic institutions, slows economic development and contributes to governmental instability, attacks the foundation of democratic institutions by distorting electoral processes, perverting the rule of law and creating bureaucratic quagmire whose only reason for existing is the soliciting of bribes. Economic development is stunted because foreign direct investment is discouraged,” Kouni said

He said that this is the first year that the SIICAC is taking the lead, as statutory mandated independent body of the government, to lead the celebration.

“The 2022 international Anti-Corruption Day (IACD) seeks to highlight the crucial link between anti-corruption and peace, security and development, at its core is the notion that tackling this crime is the right and responsibility of everyone and that only through cooperation and the involvement of each and every person and institution can we overcome the negative impact of this crime,” Kouni said.

Kouni acknowledged those who participated in the celebration yesterday displaying their willingness, on their respective parts, to be active partners in the common fight against corruption.

HERE’S YOU CDF

Written by

Eddie Osifelo

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December 15, 2022

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Minister of Rural Development, Duddley Kopu.

$6.8m each for MPs next year

By EDDIE OSIFELO

THE 50 members of Parliament will receive $6.8 million each next year in the form of Constituency Development Fund (CDF).

From the $6.8 million, $4.8 million will be projectised, to go through the preferred suppliers, while the remaining $2 million is for cash grants.

Minister of Rural Development, Duddley Kopu confirmed this when asked by Member of Parliament for East Are Are, Peter Kenilorea Junior during the committee of supply, in Parliament yesterday.

Furthermore, Kopu said about $80 million is allocated towards each constituency to apply for cash grants.

He said the $20 million in the Development budget that used to be supported by Peoples Republic of China (PRC), is replaced by Solomon Islands Government’s grant, where MPs can convert to cash grant.

Chairman of Public Accounts Committee, Douglas Ete asked when each constituency will receive the $400,000 from PRC for this year.

Kopu said the delay is with the MPs who don’t retire their acquittals in time.

He added the ministry has managed to submit every acquittal to the PRC now.

Apart from that, he said $1 million is allocated to the ministry, where $500,000 are for reform and another $500,000 for monitoring and evaluation.

A total of $342 million is allocated for MRD in next year’s budget, with $261 million under Development Budget and $80 million for Recurrent Budget.

Counting of ballot papers begins

Written by

Ben Bilua

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December 15, 2022

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Returning Officer Patrick Toiraena assists police with offloading the kits.

BY BEN BILUA

COUNTING of ballot papers kicks off at three counting centers in Western Province.

The counting centers are, Seghe, Noro and Gizo.

Counting at Noro already started at 10 am today beginning with Ward 14, Ward 15, and Ward 19.

Police have established a no-go zone at the counting station to make sure the counting goes smoothly.

Police are also present at the counting center providing security.

Only counting agents and authorized officials who will carry out the counting are allowed to enter the counting center premises.

As planned, the Assistant Returning Officer will announce the winners as soon as counting on each ward is completed. Counting will continue until all the ballot boxes are completed today (December 15).

Closing submission on Keuna murder incident tomorrow

In court

Written by

Jennifer Kusapa

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December 14, 2022

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BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

CLOSING submission on a murder incident alleged to have happened in 2020 is set for December 15.

James Tangasuna is charged with one count of murder in relation to an incident on June 14, 2020.

He entered a not guilty plea and a trial was conducted on his case.

Tangasuna was accused to have involved in the murder of a 50-year-old man at Keuna Village in the Marumbo area of West Guadalcanal.

The allegation said the accused and the deceased were both drunk and prior to the incident they had an argument.

It is alleged the accused took a timber and struck the victim twice. The first strike allegedly landed on the back of the victim’s head, and as the victim fell to the ground, the accused then gave the second strike which landed on the left side of his head including the left shoulder.

Police said the deceased fell unconscious on the ground with blood coming out from his mouth and nose. The deceased was then transported to the National Referral Hospital (NRH) for medical treatment.

Since the time of incident until his death, the deceased remained in a critical condition for eight days until he died on June 22 2020 at NRH.

Public Prosecutor John Wesley Zoze appears for the crown while Benham Ifutoo represents the accused.

11 suspects still no arrest made

Written by

Jennifer Kusapa

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December 14, 2022

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BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

Police is yet to make an arrest over the dead body found under the Fiu bridge last week despite having 11 suspects on its list.

Police Media Unit says 11 suspects have been identified and investigation is ongoing.

Police Media said they are yet to receive any updated information regarding any arrest from Auki Police.

On December 6 a dead body was discovered under the Fiu bridge.

Police confirmed that the dead body is of a male adult person in his 30s or 40s that police retrieve his body in the morning.

Police also confirmed that the deceased had a swollen face and also the back of his head.

A death inquiry has been established and currently the investigation into the suspicious incident is continuing.

Police are appealing to anyone in and around the area that may have any information related to the death and come forward to assist police.

Mataniko Dental Centre relocated to NRH

Written by

Mavis Podokolo

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December 14, 2022

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Minister for Health and Medical Services Dr Culwick Togamana

BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO

THE Mataniko dental centre has relocated to the eastern end of the National Referral Hospital, at the former isolation wards.

This was confirmed by Minister for Health and Medical Services Dr Culwick Togamana.

“The dental centre at Mataniko close to the clinic as well as the Police Post the area is closed now. We have shifted the Dental Service close to the Triage on the East end of NRH and where we used to have those Isolation wards that were meant for covid-19.

“We have now that dedicated for dental, so at least we have two Dentists in a room to provide vital Dental services to the public,” Togamana said.

He says now they have about 20 dentists operating at NRH which has eased the queue of service required which was experienced at the China Town Mataniko former Dental centre.

Togamana adds in terms of the Medical and Dental Act, it is being reviewed.

He said the government has also reviewed the Health Service Act, with the Disability Inclusive Act having gone through drafting and the Mental Health Act pending cabinet’s decision.

“So there are serious of Acts being reviewed hopefully we should table these in Parliament next year including the Medical and Dental Act,” Togamana said.

He said these sentiments in parliament.

Forestry not aware of $1m for Kolo trust fund

Written by

Eddie Osifelo

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December 14, 2022

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MP for Savo/Russell Dickson Mua and Minister for Ministry of Forestry and Research.

By EDDIE OSIFELO

MINISTRY of Forestry and Research is not aware of the $1 million allocation for Kolombangara Land Trust Fund in Western Province.

Minister Dickson Mua Panakitasi confirmed this when asked by Leader of Opposition, Mathew Wale during the committee of supply of the 2023 budget, in Parliament.

Mua said there is no consultation with the ministry has an impact on 2023 budget for reforestation.

He said the additional injection has reduced the ministry’s budget.

Chairman of Public Accounts Committee, Douglas Ete urged the Minister to ask for supplementary for other farmers in the country.

Mua said definitely as there are about 25 associations the ministry used to assist through the reforestation and programmes in natural regeneration.

Further to that, Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare was also surprised to see there was no consultation with the Ministry of Forestry and Research, before the matter came before Cabinet to assist the people of Kolombangara.

However, Sogavare said this is an outstanding issue since 1992 when the issues came before Cabinet for the Government to assist them because of their contribution to the national economy.

He said this is a matter where the MFR, Ministry Finance and Treasury and Office of Prime Minister and Cabinet need to sit down and discuss.

Wale said there is no denying the people of Kolombangara should be supported, however the budget process needs to look at so that everyone is one the same playing field.