SIPA boss clarifies latest termination FOUR officers from the Solomon Islands Ports Authority (SIPA) terminated on Thursday failed to comply with their job descriptions. That was according to SIPA’s chief executive officer Colin Yow. “…yes the four served SIPA for many years, but their failure to comply with simple instructions had cost the authority $347,…
A MAN accused of breaking into the Police Commissioner’s office in August has now decided to engage a lawyer from the Public Solicitor’s Office (PSO). Albert Tutua’s matter was adjourned from the last occasion for him to confirm to the court whether he will still engage Hubert Fugui or get another lawyer. This was after…
THE court has deferred its ruling as to whether or not the prosecution can tender the complainant’s statement in relation to the Care Centre burglary at Aruligo, West Guadalcanal. Principal Magistrate Jim Seuika had requested a medical report that specifies the complainant’s condition. Prosecution has tendered a medical report but was told it was too…
A 36-YEAR-OLD man who confessed to possessing marijuana on four occasions and resisted police arrest has been sentenced to a total of 18 months in prison on Friday. Jonas Tome pleaded guilty to four counts of possession of marijuana on various dates way back in 2009, 2011, 2012 and the latest one on March this…
A MAGISTRATE has expressed disappointment at the absence of Public Solicitor lawyers in relation to a criminal case, Friday. Principal Magistrate Jim Seuika said it is the duty of the lawyers to turn up in court or to give instructions to their colleagues to appear so that cases can progress to the next stage. This…
A MAN accused of the murder of three people during the height of the ethnic tension in 2003 will take his plea, Monday. A committal hearing is expected to be conducted thereafter. John Meti faces three counts of murder in relation to the allegation on 27 May 2003 at Pite area, at Weathercoast in south…
MEMBER of Parliament for Small Malaita and current chairman of the Public Accounts Committee Rick Hou had urged Government to stop allocating funds meet costs of unforeseen or unplanned events. Mr Hou said this during parliamentary debate of the Supplementary Appropriation bill 2015 passed last Thursday. He said during scrutiny by the Public Accounts Committee,…
THE public is urged to report any acts of corruption they come across in the Ministry of Infrastructure Development (MID). Permanent Secretary Henry Murray made the suggestion following claims corruption has been rife in the ministry’s Vehicle Inspection Unit. A Honiara resident, Jeff Bud recently wrote to the Solomon Star, alleging public officers in the…
THE Rural Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (RWASH) program within the Environmental Health Department (EHD) at the Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS) is for the first time undertaking a national baseline survey on Rural Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene (RWASH) using Akvo software in smart phones. Akvo software is specifically designed to work in…
NINE constituencies in the country have received shipping grants totalling $21.6 million last year. The revelation was made in the Auditor General’s (AG) report.. The report shows that six of the nine constituencies received $3 million each. They are Small Malaita, South Vella La vella, East Makira, Savo & Russell, North Malaita and Malaita outer…