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February, 2017

 

More than 60 arrested over Rendova logging dispute

MORE than 60 locals involved in the logging dispute at Vasara logging camp, Rendova, have been arrested yesterday morning by RSIPF. According to Gizo Police Officers, a group of about 60 villagers earlier armed themselves with basic weapons and demanded the logging company (Oceanic trading) to leave within 7 days; this demand lapsed yesterday. They said that the dispute resulted in disturbance and exchanges causing injuries and damages to logging equipment. According to Solomon Islands Police Commissioner Mathew Varley yesterday, police were deployed to negotiate and ensure that peace wasRead More


RSIPF rearmed with 3 weapon types

POLICE commissioner Mathew Varley announced yesterday that RSIPF will be rearmed, an initiative which marks an important milestone for the RSIPF. Mr Varley said that only three types of weapons will be used; semi-automatic pistols, shot-guns and rifles which cater for crocodiles. Mr Varley is thankful to the Solomon Islands government for showing confidence towards RSIPF by endorsing the rearmament of certain specialists units within RSIPF. He mentioned that only a limited number of highly trained officers from the Police Response Team (PRT) and Close Personal Protection team (CPP) willRead More


Hon Kiloe refutes complaints

CHOISEUL Province Premier Hon Jackson Kiloe said he has no comments over complaints on how the organising of the 2nd Appointed Day celebration hosted at Ogho village was as he understands it went well. The Premier made this response against complaints headed by Chief Michael Gado of Qaloe village at Northwest Choiseul that it was better to hold the celebration back at Taro. He said this was because the way it was organised did not suit the atmosphere in “Varisi” where customs and cultures play a very important role inRead More


Chief Magistrate gives stern reminder to lawyers

CHIEF Magistrate John Numapo has again urged lawyers that they have a duty to both the court and their clients to ensure that unnecessary delays and adjournments are avoided at all times. “I am concerned that a good number of cases have been adjourned unnecessarily and for far too long without good reasons. “I am particularly concerned with those accuseds held on remand,” Magistrate Numapo said. Some of the accused have been in custody for more than twelve months and one or two have been remanded in custody for overRead More


Police resolves Rendova logging dispute

A highly tense row between Rendova landowners, including a logging company, has been resolved by commendable police intervention. Speaking yesterday at the police headquarters in Rove, Police Commissioner Mathew Varley said that the logging dispute at Rendova island is now resolved after the police’s exhaustive operation. Mr Mathew noted that the police operation was an ongoing operation which began last week. On Monday last week, a community group of about sixty people armed with local weapons approached the Vasara logging camp at Rendova and delivered a letter demanding that theRead More


SI with very low youth representation

YOUTH constitute about 30 percent of our nation’s population but do not share the same level of economic power, political and social influence as other groups in society. Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Women, Youth, Children and Family Affairs, (MWYCFA) Ms. Ethel Sigimanu made the statement yesterday in her keynote address in the national dialogue with young women and provincial youth leaders. Yesterday marked a first time ever occasion to gather young women, men and provincial youth leaders from all nine provinces to engage in national dialogue on advancingRead More


PM pays tribute to late Lady Selina Palmer in condolence message  

PRIME Minister Hon Manasseh Sogavare has paid tribute to what he described as the ‘steadfast support and contribution’ of the late wife of the Chief Justice, Sir Albert Rocky Palmer, towards the strengthening of the ‘good work’ of her husband in the judiciary. In a condolence message to Sir Albert and his children, grandchildren and relatives over the national broadcaster SIBC yesterday, the Prime Minister said: “It is with great sadness that I learnt of the passing of your dear wife, mother and grandmother – Lady Selina Aitorea Palmer. “OnRead More


SICCI looks at creating avenue for information channelling

THE Solomon Islands Chamber of Commerce and Industry is working on establishing an avenue for information channelling between stakeholders and the government. The idea follows the need for regular exchange of information between the government and stakeholders. CEO of SICCI, Mr Dennis Forau Meone told this paper during an information session hosted by the organisation last week, saying there is a need for such initiatives to be in place. He said as currently experienced, there still an inactive flow of information between the government and the businesses down there. MrRead More


PSO yet to allocate lawyer for Maakalo

CASE against two individuals facing corruption charges will appear again in court on March 13. This is for the accused to allocate a lawyer for the accused Martin Maakalo. Principal Magistrate Ricky Iomea has raised concerns in court yesterday regarding the long delay of the matter. He said that the case has kept adjourning for allocation of lawyers but up until now there has not been any allocation made. Meanwhile the accused said that he has been seeing the Public Solicitor’s Office from time to time and he is stillRead More


Grass Root Association speaks out

THE outspoken Grass Root Association supports Prime Minister Sogavare against former PM Lilo’s media accusations. He said Lilo’s move to disclose MPs discretionary fund as paid under a secret budget of Taiwan Government is baseless, not factual and can lead to misinterpretation of information by locals. “What I condemned former PM for is, unfounded claims or story like that when it disseminate, misinterpretation of it is one thing which sometimes misunderstood by illiterates, and will cause destructions,” Mr Maneiasi said. Moreover, Mr Maneiasi said during their community meetings involving chiefsRead More