The Honiara City Council (HCC) Lord Mayor, Cr. Eddie Kasute’e Siapu has issued a strong call to the public, giving a grace period till this Thursday 24th of October 2024, for all public vehicle owners in Honiara City to voluntarily remove tinted glass windows immediately.
This applies to only taxis, buses, and pickup trucks registered under the Honiara City Council Business Licenses.
This directive comes in response to growing safety and security concerns within the city following alleged abduction rumors circulated in social media and the public at large which put Honiara residents and the visiting public at risk.
Mayor Siapu highlighted that heavily tinted vehicle windows have become a major issue, which hinders law enforcement’s ability to ensure public safety and security.
“Tinted windows obstruct visibility, making it difficult for our authorities to identify drivers and passengers, which poses a significant risk, especially in the event of an emergency,” said Mayor Siapu.
The mayor emphasized that the directive will be enforced rigorously, and penalties for non-compliance will be implemented once the relevant regulations are gazette.
“We expect vehicle owners to comply with this instruction as soon as possible. Failure to do so will result in penalties as stipulated in the upcoming legal provisions,” He added.
The maximum penalty for the first-time offender is $5000.00, which means, the offender is prosecuted and charged.
The HCC calls on the public to cooperate fully with this directive, stressing that it is in the best interest of the city’s safety.
The council will continue to work with the police force to monitor and ensure compliance.
