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RSIPF farewells late PC Auna

Written by
Brian Lezutuni
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Officers carrying the casket of the late PC Elizabeth Kala Auna into the St. Barnabas Cathedral

PRESS RELEASE

The Royal Solomon Islands police force (RSIPF) yesterday farewelled one of its officers who passed away late last week.

Officers in Honiara farewelled their colleague officer the late Police Constable (PC) Elizabeth Kala Auna during a funeral service at the Saint Barnabas Cathedral. She passed away on May 14, 2020.

Speaking at the funeral service RSIPF Commissioner Mostyn Mangau says, “I am humbled to stand here on behalf of all ranks and files of the RSIPF throughout Solomon Islands.

 “I am lost for words to describe the sadness that all of us have experienced at the news about the passing away of one of our own.  I would like to inform relatives and friends that we are greatly saddened at the unfortunate passing away of the late Police Constable  Auna.”

Members of the family of the late PC Auna

The late constable Auna had served in the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) for 11 years. She was 32 years old when she passed away.

Mangau adds, “As a very energetic young lady during and after her schooling days she saw the importance of policing which inspired her to join the RSIPF as a recruit on 16 August 2010.

“Upon joining the RSIPF she was first posted to the Honiara City Central Police Station on a two-year probation where she worked in General Duties, Community Policing, the Liquor Squad and other departments within Honiara City police.”

PC Auna was confirmed by the Commissioner of Police on July 30, 2012 as a permanent member of the RSIPF.

Work mates of the late PC Auna pay their last respects to the late officer

On March 14, 2016 she was awarded a Certificate of Appreciation along with other officers by the Provincial Police Commander (PPC) Honiara City for outstanding work performance during the 2016 Telekom S-League.

In June 2016 PC Auna attended a Basic Intelligence Course conducted by the Police academy and on July 14, 2016, she was transferred from Honiara City to the National Intelligence Department (NID) as an Intel field officer.

During her time at the NID, PC Auna held several supervisory positions and attended several Intelligence training courses both locally and online.

Mangau says, “The passing away of late PC Auna denied her long and satisfying career.  Let me assure the relatives and friends this afternoon that the RSIPF salute her and will continue to remember the legacy she has left behind, her positive contributions to the RSIPF to provide leadership in the National Intelligence Department in Honiara where she had served and spent most of her time in Policing.

“We valued so much her contributions to the RSIPF and the people of Solomon Islands.  The length of time she served in the RSIPF was highly commendable and honoured by all ranks and files of the RSIPF for unselfishly serving the people of this country by enlisting into the RSIPF to protect life and property and to maintain law and order.

“It is sad to note that her untimely passing away caught her quickly and took her life. Her passing away is not only a loss to the husband, relatives and communities of Tawatana/Heuru village, in Makira, but also a great loss to the RSIPF.

“I want to thank the family, relatives and friends and the community of Tawatana/Heuru village for allowing her to serve in the RSIPF. 

“I salute her for her service,” says Commissioner Mangau.

–POLICE MEDIA

Rennell villagers claim logging craft damages their marine life

Written by
Brian Lezutuni
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LANDOWNERS of Nukuma’anu in east Rennell, Renbel Province, claim a logging craft that drifted from west of the island landed on their shoreline last month, causing extensive damages to marine life in their bay.

And tribal spokesman Jim Sevesi said they are working closely with the province’s deputy secretary Aubrey Puia assist in mediating a settlement with owners of the craft.

He said the logging craft was owned by logging contractors Solomon Resources and Gulf Three, who are conducting operations in west Rennell.

“It’s a common practice in the forestry sector that when such incidents like this occurred, those responsible, including the loggers, are obliged to step in and sort things out with resource owners,” Sevesi said.

“We have submitted a formal claim to Solomon Resources and Gulf Three, which provided the basis for our discussion on this matter,” he added.

“The deputy secretary Puia is familiar with the firm’s concern in his official role. He is a trusted person so we believe he will able to help sort out this matter.”

Croc warning in Central province

Written by
Brian Lezutuni
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BY ALFRED PAGEPITU

People in Buena Vista and surrounding islands in the Central province are being warned of an increasing number of crocodile sightings.

A Mr Desmond Probets Mae told Island Sun yesterday villages in Buena Vista are at risk from the reptiles, especially along the coast and creeks.

“Advice is needed as to how they can reduce the number of the growing population of crocs and the crocodile threat to the community at Kobuana village.

“Our elders advised people within Kobuana to be cautious of crocodiles and to keep away from crocodile’s hot spots.

“They are now calling on the Tulagi Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) to hunt the increasing number of crocodiles before someone from the community becomes a victim,” Mae said.

He said the community members needed assistance from the police because they were afraid of the increasing number of crocodiles.

Tulagi police station, when contacted yesterday, confirmed having received reports of the increased sightings of the reptile.

“I would like to call on the people to call the police station if you locate any crocodile resting places.

“This means police have to request assistance from the RSIPF response team to do the actual hunting of crocodiles,” a Tulagi police officer told Island Sun.

He appeals to communities to keep away from crocodiles and quickly reports to police.

Aust-made COVID vaccine ready for use here, says PM

Written by
Brian Lezutuni
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PRESS RELEASE

PRIME Minister Manasseh Sogavare has announced that the AstraZeneca vaccine manufactured in Australia have been approved to be used in Solomon Islands.

The Prime Minister in his nationwide address on Monday said the approval was made following considerations by the National Medicines and Therapeutic Committee.

He said the Australian manufactured AstraZeneca vaccine uses the same formula to the AstraZeneca vaccine that we had received from India through the COVAX facility.

“The Australian manufactured AstraZeneca vaccine has already been rolled out in Australia. It has also received approvals from other Pacific countries including Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Tonga, Tuvalu, Samoa, Palau, and Timor Leste,” he said.

Timor Leste has received 20,000 doses, and Fiji has received their first 10,000 doses.

Prime Minister Sogavare said the Australian Government has offered 60,000 doses of AstraZeneca vaccine over a 6-months period, in batches of 10,000 doses per month.

The Prime Minister said we are anticipating our first lot of 10,000 vaccine doses soon.

“If there is a delay in delivery of the balance of the COVAX supplied AstraZeneca vaccines, we may have to consider using the Australian made AstraZeneca vaccine for the second dose in June 2021,” he said.

Prime Minister Sogavare said the approval AstraZeneca and Sinopharm vaccines have put our country on an excellent platform.

He said both vaccines can be used safely and effectively to protect those vaccinated from COVID-19 infections.

—PMO

EDITORIAL- May the best candidates win!

Written by
Brian Lezutuni
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VOTERS in South Choiseul will return to the polls today to elect their new Member of Parliament.

This by-election becomes necessary after Robertson Galokale, who was elected in the 2019 elections, lost the seat last year in an election petition case.

The High Court found Galokale, a businessman, guilty of bribery during the last election.

Today’s election offers voters of South Choiseul the chance to bring in a replacement, who will be their voice in parliament.

Six candidates, including one female, are vying for the seat. We wish them well and may the best candidate, wins.

Members of Parliament are the people’s representative in the highest decision-making body of the land.

They are expected to be physically fit, healthy, proactive and outspoken.

They are also expected to be mature, intelligent, wise and honest.

When they take up their place in parliament, they not only represent their constituency, but also the entire nation.

He or she becomes a national leader.

This is why voters must choose wisely when they go to the polls.

During campaigns, candidates will make all sorts of promises – some too good to be true.

But the right to choose is an individual decision.

No body should be telling you who to vote for. It’s your decision, based on your belief and conviction.

If you cast your ballot for a candidate just because that person gives you money or a bag of rice, then you are not honest with yourself. In fact, you are abusing your ballot.

To voters of South Choiseul, when you go to the polls today, think about your future and that of your children.

This is important so that you cast your ballot for the right candidate.

Apart from South Choiseul, voters in Kirugela ward in Choiseul and Tikopia/Anuta ward in Temotu, will also go to the polls today to elect their new provincial members.

These are two provincial by-elections conducted to elect new provincial members for these two wards.

Like at the national level, provincial leaders also play important roles in the governance and administration of our provinces.

It’s important we get the right people in there, who have the heart to lead at the provincial level.

With police around to provide security, we can only hope for a peaceful election day.

And may the best candidates win!

Barekasi protected forest area verified

Written by
Brian Lezutuni
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ECD Officer Fredrick Dotho with some of the Community Elders during the meeting in Leona Village, North Vella Lavella. Photo by Ravin Dhari. April 2021.

PRESS RELEASE

GOVERNMENT officials from the Environment and Conservation Division have successfully completed a protected areas verification process at the Barekasi Protected Forest Area in North Vella Lavella, Western Province, on 30 April.

The Barekasi Tribal Association is amongst many who are now pushing to have parts or all of their forests conserved and sustainably managed.

Faced with threats of increasing logging operations on the island of Vella Lavella, the tribal-based group established their association with a vision to conserve their forest and protect it from the logging industry.

In 2007, landowners opposed and successfully stopped a logging company from harvesting their biodiversity-rich forest.

Since then, they had continued to engage in conservation programs as an ongoing effort to protect their forest from commercial logging and other human activities.

With the support of the Natural Resources Development Foundation (NRDF), an Environmental Organisation based in Gizo, Western Province, the tribal group received funding from the Critical Ecosystem Partnership Funding (CEPF) to help their conservation efforts.

One of their activities is to commence the national process to have their forest area legally recognised as a protected area under the Protected Areas Act 2010.

In 2020, the group applied for the ECD’s involvement to assess and verify their proposal.

The key objective of the protected areas verification was to ground-truth the proposed area and its natural features and boundaries, review the forest management plan, consult with the management committee and to meet leaders and community members of Leona Village and the Barekasi Tribal Association to verify other interests and issues relating to the proposed protected area.

ECD Officer Fredrick Dotho said verification is necessary as mandated under the Protected Areas Act 2010 that permits the Director of ECD to ‘verify the rights and interests in the area; identify, assess, evaluate the conservation, protection and management options for the area’. 


Fredrick Dotho and Chief Marlon Kuve walk into the Barekasi Conservation site (est. coverage of
more than 1,200 Ha). Photos by Ravin Dhari. April 2021

“We are trying to ensure that technical and legal requirements were considered during the preparation of the application by the group including conducting consultations with neighbouring tribes and stakeholders,” Dotho said.

As part of the verification process, the ECD visit is an opportunity to provide awareness on key components of the Protected Areas law, which is important for the community members to understand.

During the community meeting, many community elders were grateful for updates on their application and are looking forward in obtaining a national declaration of their area soon.

There was also growing interest to explore the Carbon Credit scheme through the MFAT Funded Nakau Program of which will be an opportunity to add value to their forest conservation program.

CEPF rep, Ravin Dhari who was also part of the visit, highlighted that CEPF is grateful to have provided the funding support to Barekasi Tribal Association.

CEPF supported Barekasi through a number of key areas, which includes; strengthening of governance structures and systems, ranger support and this initial protected area process.


Part of the Barekasi Forest area

“We hoped that through this support, Barekasi was enabled to grow as an Association and would have the potential to better manage its resources,” Dhari said.

“We also wanted to see that their aim come true and they are able to achieve a protected area status soon,” he added.

Speaking during the close of the community meeting, Chief Marlon Kuve of Barekasi thanked the Ministry of Environment through ECD in carrying out the PA verification process.

He also thanked CEPF for the funding support and anticipates a smooth process towards obtaining their forest PA status.

To date, only three areas in country are legally protected under the Protected Areas Act 2010 administered by the Environment and Conservation Division.

New MAL relocation land secured

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Press Release
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Chairman for PG sub-commitee presenting Chupu to Paramount Chief1

PRESS RELEASE

THE Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock has secured a 37.5 hectare of land at Tenaru for the establishment of the National Agriculture Project known as the “Tenaru Field Experimental Station”.

The new land bought from the Catholic Church will replace the former Republic Of China (Taiwan) farm that the National Hosting Authority (NHA) has taken charge of and are planning to build a new SIFF academy for the football community in the country.

On Monday, the Tenaru Land sub-committee on behalf of National Hosting Authority (NHA) and Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAL) presented a Chupu (traditional food gift) to the community and owners of the Tenaru land.

Deputy PS MAL presenting Chupu to Catholic Mission1

Present at the occasion were; the Catholic Church representatives, Malango House of Chief Representatives and Tenaru community members Representatives for the Guadalcanal Province and Senior officials of the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock.

Government through MAL previously used to lease the land but abandoned it at the height of the ethnic crisis in the year 2000.

The presentation of the Chupu is to mark the re-entry of the Government in the land and to strengthen relationship with the community.

PS for MAL presenting Chupu to traditional landowners1

The Chair of NHA and Permanent Secretary of MAL signed an MOU in February that established the understanding between the two authorities for MAL to surrender the MAL farm to NHA and for NHA to support MAL’s relocation to the Catholic Church owned plot at Tenaru.

Other crops from the farm will be relocated to another National Agricultural Field Experimental Station at Garanga on Santa Isabel.

The government through MAL and the Church will sign a MOU after a survey of the land is completed in the next two weeks.

This ceremony will put everyone on the same understanding for NHA and MAL to commence work immediately and for the community to welcome the government workers on the Tenaru Field experimental site for the government.

NHA Communications Unit   

Nothing fishy about my business: Irofia hits back

Written by
Brian Lezutuni
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0

BY CHARLES KADAMANA

Councillor Dorah Huapii Irofia has hit back at reports alleging her company received ‘questionable payments’.

She retorts that she had declared her business interests with the Leadership Code Commission.

She clarifies that before she became a councillor her company, Dods General Services, had been supplying cleaning detergents, stationeries, furniture and general goods to government and Honiara City Council.

She said when she was elected as councillor in 2019 the City Council was looking for a preferred supplier and her company was awarded the contract.

“When my company was awarded the contract, I applied to the Leadership Code Commission for permission for a Leader’s Private Business to hold a government (HCC) contract,” she said.

Irofia said her application was granted on November 19, 2019 and valid for a period of one year.

She said with the approval from the Leadership Code Commission her company has complied with the requirements so there is no fishy payment.

According to report leaked to the media, councillor Irofia collected almost $1 million in highly questionable payment for the first three months of 2020 for supplies; basic furniture, stationeries and office equipment to the council.

The report alleged that Dods General Supplier was one of the council’s “Preferred Suppliers” and the contract was awarded directly to DOD without any tender process.

But council Irofia clarifies that she has no influence over decision making for which company is chosen as a “Preferred supplier”.

She said she even sought advice from the Ministry of Home Affairs on this matter to protect her business.

When asked why her company’s contract did not go through the tender process, she said her company is a supplier and she had declared her business interest with the Leadership Code Commission.

When contacted yesterday, the Leadership Code Commission said, “with regards to leaders owning a private business, the duty and responsibility of leader is to disclosed their business interest”.

Island Sun published last week, a report which revealed the conflict of interest surrounding Councillor Irofia and her company getting a direct HCC contract as a ‘preferred supplier’.

Irofia, who is councilor for Cruz Ward, is the director of Dods General Supplier, which the report stated is one of the council’s “Preferred Suppliers”.

It was not just the amount of money paid out within four months that got the attention of the whistle blower, the former deputy treasurer, but also the frequency at which it was paid.

For instance, on 20 January 2020, DOD received a cheque for $122,400 in the morning and another cheque for $34,600 in the afternoon.

The following month on 19 February, DOD was paid two other separate cheques on the same day – one for $34,460 and another for $53,000.

Five days later on 25 February, DOD collected two further payments – the first for $43,900 and the second for $141,600.

And on 25 March, DOD received two more cheques for $70,000 and $45,000 to cap off its spoil for the first quarter of 2020.

The report showed for the month of January, DOD collected three payments totaling $231,500.

For February, it received nine cheques worth $588,960.

And in March, DOD collected $115,000 to bring the total amount it got paid, to $935,460.

The report was critical of two particular payments.

The first was an $85,000 cheque paid to Cruz Women’s Group on 6 February, while the second was a $70,000 cheque raised in the name of Cr. Dorah Huapii Irofia on 14 February instead to DOD General Supplier.

The report pointed out that the $85,000 cheque to Cruz Women’s Group was highly suspicious and needs to be investigated.

The $70,000 paid to Cr. Dorah Huapii Irofia, the report added, should be raised in the name of DOD as the supplier and not to a councilor.

Although the only female councilor in the current executive, the report stated Councillor Dorah is one of the leading and highly influential figures in the council’s politics.

The report said while the council has a lot of outstanding bills to settle, (then) city clerk Rence Sore appeared to have given priority to paying DOD bills.

“This may be a reflection of how (then) city mayor Wilson Mamae, Sore and Cr. Dorah run the council.

“Obviously by studying the flow of payment to DOD’s General Supplier one can conclude that Sore prioritises payments that benefits himself through commissions.

“As a result lots of payments paid to DOD’s General Supplier were signed and released,” the report said.

The report also questioned the way in which payments are made to suppliers within the Honiara City Council.

“In the financial instruction there are clear guidelines on how procurement process should take its course.

“However, within the Honiara City Council cheque payments that supposed to be raised and paid to suppliers are raised under the name of council officers, cashed by the officers and later paid to suppliers.

“A clear example is on the 13/01/2020 chq payment was raised under the name of Honiara City Council finance Officer June Qae and was cashed and later spend the money for Fuel & lubricants (chq # 101771).

“On another occasion another chq payment was raised on the 30/01/2020 chq # 101862 and paid to Kadiba Alu, Media officer within the Honiara City Council, for printing of finance staff.

“The question again is why can’t these payouts be made straight to the suppliers?

“Honiara City Council adopted all procurement instruction in the Supplier Chain Management under Financial Instruction however, the act of cashing cheques and later procure items conflicted with clear guidelines set out in the Financial Instruction.

“The act of the officers put their integrity at question.”

In his final report before he was sacked from the council, Sore highlighted the poor procurement practices within the council.

He said these include insufficient planning, lack of documentation and non-consideration for value for money.

“These arise mainly because of the confusion that exists between the lines of governance and management of the council,” Sore said in his report.

He added the confusion is evident in the current council on matters like the allocation of market lock up shops, administration of vehicle tenders and the Kukum Market project.

“Good procurement practices will never be achieved in the life of this current house of the city council,” Sore said.

Lands Commissioner halts fishy land deal at Henderson

Written by
Brian Lezutuni
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0

By EDDIE OSIFELO

COMMISSIONER of Lands, Allan McNeil has refused to grant a Fixed Term Estate title to Chengs Construction Ltd for a land at Henderson.

This was after Levers Solomons Ltd Board Director, Patrick Wong reportedly requested former Commissioner of Lands (COL), Nelson No’oapu to give consent to transfer FTE to Chengs on November 30, 2018.

As a result, No’oapu granted LSL to transfer FTE to Chengs.

Robert Mani, who owns a consulting firm and engaged by Chengs to follow up on the FTE transfer, said the current COL, McNeil has refused to grant the title.

Mani said this is not right because Chengs had already paid $450,000 including a hilux for LSL in 2019.

“Why did McNeil turn down the grant when both former Commissioner and LSL has agreed on the transfer already?” he asked.

“Who will change the money Chengs paid to LSL?”

Mani said McNeil needs to sort this out otherwise he is not fit for that position.

However, McNeil says the consent letter was forged.

“Take a close look at the parcel number.

“Transfer instrument forged, Wong’s signature is photocopied and no company seal,” he said.

McNeil said Levers has no intention of selling to Chengs.

“I’ve reported this to Police last week,” he said.

Island Sun checked with Chengs and the company confirmed that Mani represents them in pursuing the transfer of the FTE title from Levers to the company.

‘Detainees kept in vehicles or officers’ homes in Atori’

Written by
Brian Lezutuni
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BY SAMIE WAIKORI

AUKI

MINISTRY of Police, National Security and Correctional Service is being urged to seriously look into equipping police stations in the provinces with necessary facilities.

The call follows the current practice in Atori police station, East Malaita, in which detainees are remanded, locked inside police vehicles, or kept in the homes of police officers.

Senior Administration Officer (SAO) for Eastern Region, Malaita province, Mr Nick Martin Atu raised the concern in social media saying the practice is very risky for the officers and their families and residents of Atori.

“The police station has no any cell room to keep suspects or convicted people.

“Most of the time police use their vehicle and residential houses as cell room to custody (detain) suspects and convicts which is very risky for them and their families.

“This is very important concern and ministry or authority responsible should not take it light, but to act and seriously so something before risk might happen in future,” Atu said.

On that note, he raised concern regarding the condition of Atori Court House which has been neglected for years.

Atu pointed out the matter calling for the rebuilding of Atori court house.

Atu said Atori court house “is very old and in a deteriorated stage” that needs to be demolished and rebuilt.

Meanwhile, Atu acknowledged Auki magistrate for facilitating the court circuit to Atori to deal with cases within East Region to support Atori police in their work.

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