Titiulu: Yes, I’ve got the report
ATTORNEY General Billy Titiulu, confirmed he received a report regarding an Australian Federal Police (AFP) investigation into alleged corrupt payments Australian miners made to outgoing deputy Opposition leader Mathew Wale.
The report was compiled by legal counsel for St Barbara, one of the mining companies that made the payments.
St Barbara, owners of Gold Ridge mine in central Guadalcanal, said it discovered the payments through its internal auditing processes.
The report alleged Allied Gold, former owners of Gold Ridge, also paid of Mr Wale’s children to attend high school in Australia.
Mr Titiulu said while his office was furnished with a copy of the report, he was not responsible for leaking it to the media.
Renbel challenges mining licence
RENBEL Provincial Government is challenging in court, a mining licence the Government issued to Asia Pacific Investment and Development (APID).
Provincial secretary, Baiabea Peseika said the province could not understand how APID got its mining licence.
Mr Peseika said at no time did the Mines and Energy board considered and approved any mining licence to APID.
“We are therefore challenging this in the High Court,” he said.
Mr Peseika added he had attended eight meetings held by the mining board and never at any time was APID been granted a mining licence.
The move came as APID held a ground-breaking ceremony at Tingoa, Renbel’s provincial capital, last Friday to begin its mining activities.
Man killed by speeding vehicle
A MAN is dead after he was hit by a passing vehicle last weekend.
The hit and run incident occurred last Saturday night around 7pm, while the deceased was attempting to cross the main road from the Carpenters Hardware area, Ranadi, East Honiara.
The deceased is believed to be from central Kwara’ae, Malaita province, and was an employee of Lee kwok Kuen.
Reports suggest that the man was standing on the island, between the highways, and was about to cross to the other side when he was struck down.
An eye witness, McDonald Ata, said he saw the deceased standing on the island and was about to cross to the other side.
“As he stepped on the road the vehicle hit him straightaway and drove off without stopping.
“I saw the vehicle but could not recognise its plate number.
“The driver might have been drunk so he drove carelessly,” Mr Ata said.
Police investigation is underway.
Second accused in court
POLICE arrested and charged a second man in relation to the $10 million scandal in the Ministry of Health and Medical Services.
John Biliki, 45, of Choiseul Province is facing 15 counts of false pretences and 15 counts of money laundering.
The first accused, taxi driver Wesley Poloso, who was described as a toy boy in the scandal, was already sentenced after pleading guilty to two counts of false pretences.
He was sentenced to two and a half year imprisonment for defrauding the government of $1.5 million.
Biliki’s case was mentioned in the Honiara Magistrates’ Court this week, but because the court did not have the file, the case did not proceed.
Polling day is November 19
GOVERNOR General Sir Frank Kabui announced November 19 is the day the nation will go to the polls.
At the same time, nomination of candidates opened on October 8 and will close on October 22.
With the announcement, intending candidates are now in election-campaign mode.
Double 10 marked here
HONIARA joined Taiwan to mark its 103rd National Day known as Double Ten.
Local officials joined staff of the Embassy of Taiwan in Honiara to celebrate the day in a function hosted at the Sea King Restaurant.
Taiwanese ambassador Victor Te-Sun Yu addressed the event, while deputy prime minister Manasseh Maelanga responded on behalf of the government.
Taiwan marks this day every year on October 10.
Logger ordered out
A HIGH Court judge ordered Asian longer Samlimsan company to move out from Rennbell island, Renbel Province.
This was after landowners took the matter before Justice Leonard Maina.
Justice Maina also ordered the Commissioner of Forest to cancel the felling licence of the Asian logging company.
Earlier reports suggest Samlimsan removed its equipment from the logging site before the court order came.
Outgoing MP charge with assault
POLICE charged outgoing MP for Central Guadalcanal Peter Shanel with common assault.
This was after the former MP and some members of his family allegedly assault a constituent seeking assistance from the Constituency Development Funds.
Mr Shanel, who was previously jailed on similar charge, was released on bail.
He’ll return to court on November 10.
His son in-law also faces similar charge.