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Police unable to capture suspect in early morning raid on village.

Written by
Samie Waikori
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Members of Bethel community looking at some of the ammunitions left behind by PRT team after their unsuccessful raid to capture the President of M4D, Mr Knoxly Atu on Thursday morning…..Photo supplied

BY SAMIE WAIKORI

Auki

A POLICE operation staged in the early hours of yesterday to capture Knoxly Atu, leader of the Auki-based activist group, failed after officers involved faced resistance from villagers.

Up to 20 officers from the Police Response Team (PRT) travelled to Bethel village in east Fataleka, Malaita, to arrest Knoxly, the man police believed was behind last November’s rioting in Honiara.

“They failed to capture Atu,” villager and eye-witness Danny Dania told Island Sun in provincial capital Auki, yesterday.

“The fully armed PRT guys arrived between 4am and 5am. Their arrival woken up the whole village,” Dania added.

“It was early in the morning so we were still in our sleep when we shockingly woke to rounds of bullets fired – around eight times as they took the village.

“I don’t know whether the bullets were fired as warning shots or just to scare us off, but as we got out of our house they started to shot tear-gases at us and into our houses.

“Villagers especially women and elderly people began to escape, children were crying and we were panic just to wake to an unpleasant situation.

“The situation was scary with the use of the weapons and despite gestures of pleas for talks, no one listened.”

Dania said instead, the aggression continues and that turned the villagers into anger, which led to a confrontation.

He said the villagers began to clash with the team and the situation grew tense as the team pulled more tear-gases and rubber bullets at the villagers.

Dania said villagers responded by picking up whatever they found around them like stones and other weapons and threw at the team.

He said the team began to retreat as the villagers built up numbers with intense exchange of rubber bullets and stones from each side.

Dania said the villagers overran the team and with fear of casualty, because two of them had already injured, they began to retreat and left for their safety.

 He claimed the PRT team was driven for more than 10kms from Bethel to Onelafa to get to their boats.

He said at Onelafa, a police stabby craft and four other speed boats were on standby to pick them up.

Dania said the use of tear gas and rubber bullets on villagers was simply unacceptable, adding the community would meet raise the matter with relevant authorities.

Both police in Auki and Honiara refused to comment on the incident when Island Sun contacted them yesterday, saying a statement will be issued later.

NPF Board to consult Finance minister on withdrawal

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
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General Manager for SINPF Mr Mike Wate

By EDDIE OSIFELO

SOLOMON Islands National Provident Fund (SINPF) has witnessed a drop in membership this year.

Speaking at the declaration of the 6 percent crediting rate for members at Heritage Park Hotel last Thursday, General Manager, Mike Wate said 5,967 new members were registered during the year, down from previous year’s level of 6,182.

Wate said the total membership (with credit balance) increased to 144,198 million up from 143,950 recorded in the previous year.

He said contributions received from employers and members increased to $344.2 million up from $333.0 million in 2020.

“Total member contributions balance therefore increased to $3.3 billion from $3.1 billion in 2020,” he said.

Furthermore, Wate said active contributing members slightly declined to 57,530 from 59,330 recorded in the previous year.

He said active members hold a total contribution balance of $2.6 billion.

Kenilorea queries use of tear gas in village raid

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
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By EDDIE OSIFELO

MEMBER of Parliament for East Are Are, Peter Kenilorea has raised concerns on the police raid that reported traumatized old people and children at Bethel village, East Fataleka yesterday morning.

According to Malaita Province Development Forum, the Police Response Team arrived around 4am to 5am on their fast craft and four other speed boats.

They made the early morning raid with the intention to capture Knoxly Atu, believed to be behind the riot in Honiara last year.

It was reported that members of the PRT entered the village and used tear gas guns to shoot at the villagers and their houses.

The report said that a number of very old people and children nearly lost their lives due to the effect of the tear gas and other explosives used during the raid.

The villagers of Betel fought off the PRT team and chased them out from their village.

The villagers have met in the morning and said that they will be seeking answers from the Police and the Government on this unprovoked raid.

Kenilorea said while a “police operation is a police operation” how this was conducted was “concerning”.

“I don’t know in history that tear gas was used against a village.

“There are other options than the use of tear gas,” he said.

Kenilorea said it seems the country is entering another phase in terms of policing.

“I am sure there have been operational standards.

“It is a sad day that tear gas was used to shot at a village,” he added.

Opposition Leader, Mathew Wale said they don’t condone or nor support violence or criminality and the law must take its course.

“So, if people who are alleged to commit offence, we have a judicial system that works fairly well.

“They have rights and charge them well and obviously court will find them. This is issue is important to ventilate through court,” he added.

Mala Assembly to meet on March 28

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
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Former Malaita Premier, Daniel Suidani

By EDDIE OSIFELO

MALAITA Provincial Government will resume its full Assembly Meeting on 28th March, with the 2022-2023 budget high on the agenda.

Premier Daniel Suidani confirmed this on Monday as the MARA government looks forward to welcome the non-executive members to reconcile in Auki.

Suidani said the total budget is still to be finalized before it goes through the Public Accounts Committee for scrutiny.

Non-Executive Member Edward Misite’e said they are willing to sort out their grievances and ill feelings with the Executive Members in order to pass the budget, which belong to the people of Malaita.

Misite’e said they are waiting for the Premier to set the date for the reconciliation before they travel over to Auki.

He said the reconciliation should be happening before the Assembly meeting.

The Non-Executive Members and the MARA Executive had a strain relationship following the failed motion of no confidence last year.

Mover of the motion, Elijah Asilaua withdrew the motion following a public protest in Auki, who wanted the MARA government led by Premier Daniel Suidani to remain in power.

The public believed the motion was backed by the National Government who accused Suidani of standing against the diplomatic switch from Taiwan to China in 2019.

This led to the non-executive members boycotting the revised budget session last November and some of their members resigned from the Public Accounts Committee.

The revised budget was passed without the PAC scrutiny and presence of the non executive members.

With the budget meeting coming up, it is important for the non-executive and Mara Executive to come together to pass it without playing any political games again because the people will be the victims.

Vote against premier Kikolo on March 21

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
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Isabel Premier Leslie Kikolo.

By EDDIE OSIFELO

PREMIER of Isabel Province Leslie Kikolo is facing a motion of no confidence on 21st March.

Clerk to the Provincial Assembly, Kenneth Havilegu confirmed in a notice last Thursday.

Kikolo welcomed the motion and says he’s ready to defend all the allegations raised against him on the floor of the Assembly in Buala.

He said the allegations have no basis at all.

“They accused me of in-complete projects, mismanagement of funds and exercising a dictatorship leadership.

“I denied all these allegations because they have no basis,” he said.

Kikolo said his government cannot do anything on new projects because of the covid-19 pandemic.

He said exercising ‘dictatorship’ leadership is not true because Solomon Islands is a democratic country.

“I am happy because the motion follows the right process,” he said.

Kikolo, a former employee of Solomon Islands National Provident Fund (SINPF), came into power in 2019.

During the Second Appointed Day in June 2021, Premier Kikolo stated that Isabel is lagging behind in infrastructure developments like road, telecommunication and wharfs in the last 37 years.

He appealed to the National Government to help his province, dubbed the “longest island”, access the much-needed infrastructures.

Kikolo is not the first premier of Isabel to face no-confidence votes.

Health laboratory receives $1.1m office building

Written by
Mavis Podokolo
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Cutting of the ribbon to officially open the new NPHL office block

BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO

THE National Public Health Laboratory last week officially received its new office block worth SBD$ 1.1 million.

The building is funded under the World Trade Organization – Enhanced Integrated Framework – ECAT project (EIF-ECAT project) through the Solomon Islands Government – Enhancing Capacity for Agriculture Trade Project (SI-ECAT).

Speaking during the official hand over Minister of Foreign Affairs and External Trade Jeremiah Manele said one of the intended results of the ECAT project is improving capacities of entities such as NPHL to carry out test, ensuring food safety and quality assurance.

“This is the “Big Dream”. To have our very own lab accredited. So that we can lower some of the costs of international trade, mainly in relation to our exports,”Manele said.

Minister for MFAET Mr Manele hands over the keys of the new office space to Minister Togamana on behalf of NPHL

He said “One of the very crucial considerations is for the NPHL staff to have their own office.

“We have seen and recognised that our NPHL officers have been using the Lab for testing and also as their office, which defeats the “Big Dream”.

Manele said the opening of this new block is a step forward for NPHL and the country.

“I wish to end with word of thanks to the WTO EIF program in Geneva and the development partners who have contributed at the global level in support of Least Developing Countries (LDC’s) such us Solomon Islands. Through the EIF ECAT Project, we are able to have this support and therefore this office building.

NPHL female staff speaks to Minister Manele and Minister Togamana during the tour inside the new building yesterday

“I hope that this building will be well looked after for many more years to come. I would also like to inform, that a plaque of the EIF program will be unveiled to recognise the support we receive from the EIF development partners,” he said.

Minister of Health and Medical Services, Dr Culwick Togamana said the National Public Health Laboratory New office block extension is important.

Togamana said the importance of having a dedicated space for laboratory staff, not nearly to ensure that it guarantee occupation health and safety at work, but most importantly incompliance with International Standardisation Organisation.

Minister for Health Mr Togamana

“The new office space will enable NPHL to meet current ISO accommodation requirement which will boost local testing capacity to meet International standard for the export of Agricultural commodities such as cassava and Taro including our very own Soltuna products, kava, noni juice and so forth,” he said.

“I am extremely impressed with the new complex this is the first time in history for our NPHL scientists and technicians to be adequately accommodated in a proper office space,” he added.

He adds that NPHL plays a pivotal role in performing quality test and measurements in local products to export to the international market.

Moreover, the office space is constructed and completed within the targeted time frame of six months.

Trio who stoned premier’s residence without lawyer

Written by
Jennifer Kusapa
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BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

THREE people alleged to have stoned the Guadalcanal Premier’s residence at Lengakiki on January 13, 2022 will come back to court on March 17, 2022.

This is for the defendants to secure legal representation.

The matter was mentioned in court yesterday through zoom and the defendants were not able to attend due to the Magistrate Court restricting people from entering the premises because of the covid-19 situation.

This is the case of Jacklyn Natei, Feffson Natei and Francis Ramo who are facing count of common nuisance.

Prosecution said the defendants were frustrated with a man named Lavery Patrick who was residing with the Premier, Francis Sade, claiming that Mr Lavery had used abusive words on them.

The defendants attended to the Premier’s resident and threw rocks at his residence, causing nuisance/disturbance as they shouted angrily at the residents while throwing stones.

 The matter was reported to police and the defendants were arrested.  

All three were charged for common Nuisance.

Principal Magistrate Leonard Chite told the prosecution to summon the defendants so that they appear on the next appearance.

Magistrate Chite also said he will seek permission from the Chief Magistrate, if possible, all matters can be heard in one of the court rooms.

Ministry looks into ‘illegal sale’ of vaccination cards

Written by
Mavis Podokolo
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The ministry of Health says it will crackdown on fake vaccination cards

BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO

THE Ministry of Health and Medical Services says it is looking into allegations that certain health workers have been selling vaccination cards to individuals and companies.

Permanent Secretary for Ministry of Health Pauline McNeil says if the allegations can be ascertained, they will launch an investigation into the matter.

“We are aware of some practices at the Ministry and we are trying to establish the facts and collect evidences on the matter,” McNeil told reporters yesterday.

“If the facts can be established, an investigation will be launched into this matter,” she added.

Attorney General John Muria Junior said if anyone have evidences on the illegal sale of the vaccination cards, they should come forward the provide the evidence.

He said authorities cannot do much if people are protecting those involved in the alleged sale.

“Any action to be taken must be based on evidence,” Muria added.

Gov’t to address plight of Shortland villagers

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
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Hungry community protest last week

By EDDIE OSIFELO

THE Government has assured the people of Shortlands, Western Province, it will attend to their food shortage issue.

The assurance came after a group of 50 people of Shortlands breached the border restrictions and protocols to travel to Bougainville in search of food supplies and money.

Chairman of National Disaster Council, Dr Melchior Mataki said the Livelihood committee, which is part of our National Disaster arrangements in Western Province, together with supports from Prime Minister Office as well as National Disaster Management office, are finalizing a short-term food relieve for the shortlands .

Mataki, who is also Permanent Secretary for Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, Disaster Management and Meteorology (MECDM), said it needs more bit of inputs in terms of some more suppliers to go into that.

He said for longer term, the Oversight Committee has also taken a decision to the Border Committee for the reopening of border.

Mataki said in terms of short term relieves, that has been looked into by appropriate committee of their National Disaster Management arrangements which is the Livelihood Committee with the leadership of Western province.

Auki passengers to be swabbed before boarding

Written by
Samie Waikori
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BY SAMIE WAIKORI

Auki

EMERGENCY Operation Centre for covid-19 at Kilu’ufi hospital has arranged a RAT swabbing test at Auki wharf for passengers boarding MV Taimareho on her return trip to Honiara.    

Chairman of EOC Malaita, Dr Rex Maukera told the paper this yesterday.

He said arrangement was made for people to travel onboard Taimareho on her return trip to test for their status prior to boarding the ship.

Adding that only those with negative status and with vaccination cards will board the vessel.

Maukera said also pointed out that the current trip is a repatriation one and only stranded government officers are allowed to board the vessel back to Honiara

He said they will monitor all measures imposed to ensure the ship is covid-19 free and appealed to people for cooperation.   

Taimareho arrived on Monday night in Auki and was the first passenger boat to travel the Auki-Honiara route after restriction imposed on vessels due to the current situation.

Auki town is also expecting MV Pelican Express today.

In a recent interview with chairman of PDOC, Inspector Charles Eddie Koto said at the moment they are looking only at repatriation boats to the province.

He said as the situation is easing, shipping services will slowly back to their normal services. 

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