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RSIPF DENIES GUN SHIPMENT

Written by
Press Release
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Police Commissioner Mostyn Mangau.

The Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) says there was never a secret gun shipment coming into the country on board a logging vessel as reported.

Police Commissioner Mostyn Mangau made this statement after an investigation was conducted by the RSIPF into this particular media information.

Commissioner Mangau said the only related cargo coming into the country as known are police aide training equipment (replica or plastic rifles) and riot equipment donated by the Peoples Republic of China and these training equipment are kept at Rove Police Headquarters after cleared by Customs on arrival.”

“I would like to acknowledge and honour the ongoing support and assistance provided by our bilateral partners in building and enhancing the capacity and capability of the RSIPF in its efforts to tackle and stay ahead of the security threats and challenges in this country.”

“Such commitments by our partners would also help us in contributing strategically to fortify our regional and international commitments such as the UN Peacekeeping Missions.

“I would very much welcome any other bilateral partners who wish to come forward to modernise the RSIPF to do so, as crime and security challenges are fast evolving over time threatening the lives of our people.

“It is only through such commitments and cooperation that we can be able to reap the benefits of prevailing over all forms of crimes and security challenges we face today nationally and globally.”

Commissioner Mangau said the RSIPF will continue to strengthen the interoperability and collaboration with all Law Enforcement Agencies (LEAs) in the country and with external security agencies to ensure no such dangerous weapons or illicit goods are smuggled or illegally imported into this country.

“It is only acting in unison by all LEAs that will help us to be strong to protect and keep this nation safe. Solomon Islands is a member of INTERPOL and RSIPF INTERPOL National Central Bureau (Honiara NCB) is working with 195 police forces around the world 24/7 in sharing crime and intelligence information for the purpose of keeping our borders and countries safe.”

 “I appeal to the media to share such information to relevant authorities as soon as possible for the purpose of proper investigation and verification, other than putting it on the media, which may only cause unnecessary fear to the public.

“We must all share the responsibility of keeping the peace, safety and security of this nation.

—–RSIPF

Malaita covid-19 cases stands at 994

Written by
Samie Waikori
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Chairman of EOC Malaita who also the Director of Malaita Provincial Health Authority, Dr Rex Maukera.

BY SAMIE WAIKORI

AUKI

Malaita province’s number of covid-19 cases stands at 994, but reports say this could increase in the coming days.

Chairman of EOC Malaita, Dr Rex Maukera told this paper yesterday new cases have been identified and will be announced soon by relevant authorities in Honiara.

He said from Saturday to Monday this week the province recorded 22 new cases mainly from Malu’u and Auki town.

Maukera said also within that period there were three new covid-19 related deaths, adding the total covid-19 related deaths for the province at 22.

He said since Monday this week four patients are on critical condition; two severe ones and another two on moderate status while many cases are on stable condition.

Maukera said there is also large number of recovery continuing to shown on covid-19 patient throughout the province.

He said the virus is reversing for the province, but even then people must not lay down their guide by let-going of covid-19 measures.

Maukera said the virus is not yet over and people must continue to uphold covid-19 measures and continue to work together to avoid any potential wave.

Opposition ‘concern’ about reported import of guns

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
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Opposition leader, Matthew Wale

By EDDIE OSIFELO

THE Opposition says it is concern with reportedly claims of guns brought into the country by a logging ship last week.

And leader Mathew Wale says he has written to Commissioner of Police to clarify the issue.

Chairman of Foreign Relations Committee, Peter Kenilorea Junior has also written to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and External Trade to explain the issue in relation to foreign policy and international conventions on guns.

Kenilorea said the Government should be very concern.

“We are a bit confused, there seems to be no clear concerns here,” the East Are’Are MP says.

“Authority that should know but say they hear reports,” he added.

Kenilorea said for the sake of transparency, the police should come out clear to quell the claims given the history of Solomon Islands.

He said if there is something deeper, there are a lot of questions need to be asked and answered.

“If these things come through police, police should issue license.

“If come through diplomatic channels, then it needs to be cleared by Foreign Affairs,” he added.

Kenilorea said there are international conventions that need to be followed in relation to the shipment.

Comptroller of Customs Jim Sutton earlier dismissed the claim.

Sutton said Customs have cleared a consignment of training aids to Royal Solomon Islands Police Force including replica firearms.

Police Commissioner, Mostyn Mangau told reporters on Tuesday that they have only established an inquiry into a gun article published in the papers last week.

He said there is no formal report received by police, but as a matter of security, they are investigating it.

“To confirm, there is no formal report, so we encourage people with information to come forward for us to investigate.”

Former police officer convicted

Written by
Jennifer Kusapa
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BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

A former police officer has been convicted yesterday of one count of indecent assault and one count of consuming liquor in a vehicle.

The former officer will be sentenced during her next court appearance.

Principal Magistrate Augustine Aulanga passed sentence against Lily Dagi who was charged for offences in Lata in 2018.

She had earlier denied the charges and a trial was conducted on her case.

The crime occurred between 1st of September 2018 and 31st of October 2018, after a graduation ceremony of Luasalemba Secondary School, the victim is a public officer.

The victim and others including the defendant were sitting outside the house of a man located some distance away from the Luasalemba School in Temotu Province.

While they were outside, the victim, who has been drinking since the previous day, felt asleep and lied down on the ground.

Not long, others who were present with the defendant left the area, leaving the victim, the defendant and two others alone.

While the victim was sleeping facing upwards, the defendant moved over to him, pulled up her skirt and sat on top of his groin or genital area.

She then deliberately moved her buttock in sexual motion while she was on top of him.

This, according to the prosecution’s view, was done without the consent of the victim and amounted to an offence of indecent act.

Magistrate Aulanga in his judgment said the evidence established the defendant had performed the immoral act on the victim (who was asleep) without his consent.

The fact that it was done without his consent means subjected to a crime, herein, the crime of indecent act.

The absence of procuring his consent means the conduct exerted was capable of producing harm (whether mental or emotional injury) on the victim as a result of infringing or violating his fundamental rights as a person.

The fact that the indecent act was performed on him without his consent is what matters for the prosecution of the case.

Therefore, after assessing the evidence the court has satisfied beyond reasonable doubt and convict Ms Dagi of the offence.

Regarding the consumption of liquor in a vehicle, Magistrate Aulanga also convicted Ms Dagi.

Aulanga said based on the witnesses’ evidence in court during the trial he is satisfied that the defendant was drinking alcohol in the motor vehicle the material time.

“The prosecution has therefore proved this element beyond reasonable doubt and so, is the finding of the court reached herein”, Aulanga said.

He also made orders that Ms Dagi’s bail is extended pending sentence on the next court appearance.

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.

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