Friday, February 24th, 2017
RSIPF commissioner expects highest ethics and discipline from officers
THE new Commissioner of the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF), Matthew Varley, expects the highest ethics and discipline from his officers and seeks the community’s help to make sure the police maintain those high standards. Speaking recently on RAMSI’s monthly Talking Truth radio program on the Solomon Islands Broadcasting Corporation, Commissioner Varley acknowledged that since taking up his position in January this year and when visiting various communities a number of people had asked him why they should have confidence in the RSIPF. “I want people to have confidenceRead More
Fisheries Minister welcomes lifting of ‘yellow card’
FISHERIES Minister John Maneniaru and his delegation has welcomed the news of Solomon Islands being relieved of its ‘yellow card’ status by the European Commission in Bali, Indonesia yesterday. Minister Maneniaru, Permanent Secretary Dr Christian Ramofafia and other officials are in Bali for Economist’s World Ocean Summit. He is expected to release a statement today on this lifting of the yellow card on tuna export today. A statement released yesterday said European Commission has lifted ‘yellow cards’ for Curaçao and Solomon Islands, recognising the significant progress both countries have madeRead More
Police responds to logging row, no arrests made
DEPUTY Commissioner Juanita Matanga has confirmed no arrests made on the Rendova logging incident. She said Noro and Munda police are at the scene since Monday discussing with both parties on ways to resolve their differences. Ms Matanga said the situation is tense and police presence is really needed. Information received said the dispute came about when one party went to the other party’s camp site to serve a seven days’ notice to the company. During their time at the camp they destroyed company properties, which provoked the other partyRead More
Pupuku community misses out in Choiseul 2nd Appointed Day celebration
PUPUKU Anglican Community at Northwest Choiseul missed out on invitation for the 2nd Appointed Day celebration of Choiseul Province. The Pupuku community complains their organising committee and Ward 12 MPA had not informed them of the programmes and activities resulting in them not being invited to take part in the celebration. Meanwhile, it is reported that Fr Graham Mark, who is the President of Lauru Land Conference of Tribal Community, is not invited as well. Nerio Ulemiki, the media coordinator for Christ the King parish at Voruvoro Northwest Choiseul, allegesRead More
Taiwan provides the $15million for MPs’ discretionary fund: ex-PM Lilo
FORMER Prime Minister Gordon Darcy Lilo says the $15 million paid out to politicians as Discretionary Funds in recent weeks comes from a secret fund administered by Taiwan. And Mr Lilo is calling on Taiwan to account for its action, saying its secret fund “is encouraging people to assume powers they do not have under the Constitution of Solomon Islands.” At the same time he calls for the suspension of the Chief of Staff in the Office of the Prime Minister as well as the acting Accountant General for makingRead More
Government aware of fees and charges at AMA University, Philippines
IT has emerged that the Government sent a senior official of the National Training Unit (NTU) to the Philippines last year to establish the levels of fees and charges levied by AMA University for overseas students. This follows concerns that there could be middlemen taking advantage of the increasing number of students vying for a place at Asia’s number-one IT University. Privately-sponsored Solomon Islands students are each paying up to $38,000 (abt. Pp228, 000) in tuition, airfares, living and boarding allowances, and so on each year. Officials spoken to saidRead More
HCC defers by-election for Panatina Ward
THE Honiara City Council has differed the by-election for Panatina Ward to a later date. The ward was supposed to hold a by-election on Feb 15. The deferral of the by-election was due to the slow process of funds currently pursued by the Ministry of Home Affairs. Returning Officer for Panatina Ward by-election, Mr Vincent Kohata told this paper yesterday in an interview that it is important that everyone understands that the by-election is being held up due to lack of funds. He said this is what the council isRead More
Police condemned over underage case
POLICE is being condemned for having seemingly failed to tackle a case involving an adult man and an underage 12-year-old girl. Complainants reported the incident last year when the man, a taxi driver, was caught having an affair with the underage girl. The girl’s father took his grievances to the media after having waited four months with no positive response from the police. “I keep on waiting for the police to consult me or let me know on the status of the investigation, but nothing notified until then. “I don’tRead More
Case against Sikua adjourns
CASE against the suspended Permanent Secretary for Police, National Security and Correctional Service has adjourned for March 6. Edmond Sikua is charged with seven counts of official corruption in relation to awarding Government tenders worth $630,436.50 to Beeds Investment, a company alleged to have registered under the name of his two daughters. Prosecution alleged that between the dates December 18, 2015 and August 29, 2016, Beeds Investments responded to calls for tenders and were awarded business contracts for service delivery to the Ministry of Police, National Security and Correctional ServicesRead More
Rhinoceros beetle nightmare for Kwaio farmers
COCONUT plantation farmers in central and west Kwaio in Malaita say their newly grown coconut plants are being destroyed by the deadly Rhinoceros beetle. Famer John Seluwala told this paper that since being discovered, the beetle has been sweeping across the plantations like wildfire. “Not only with coconut but the beetles are also found at our banana trees where they were eaten up by their leaves. “You can only find them in the leaves of the newly grown coconut plants where it was estimated from 4-5 years old coconuts. TheyRead More