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Wale questions status of hand sanitisers used in the country

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Opposition Leader Matthew C Wale.

LEADER of Opposition, Matthew Wale is questioning the government and responsible authorities whether tests have been done on hand sanitiser products allowed into the market for public use as a covid-19 preventative measure.

The Opposition Leader shared this concern following reports from other countries which show the availability of dangerous contents in some hand sanitiser products. 

According to a recently released report, some types of hand sanitisers contain toxic ingredients, including methanol and/or 1-propanol, at dangerous levels.

Other products advertised as being ethanol based turned out to contain methanol, or wood alcohol instead.

In the United States and in January alone, the report indicates more than 900 accidental poisoning involving hand sanitisers, the majority of these cases involve young children.

Based on the reports, US regulators had to take steps and place a countrywide import alert on more than half of all alcohol-based hand sanitisers imported until cleared by their responsible authorities.

Wale says, “Methanol is a toxic substance and can affect the skin if applied and more fatal if ingested and so such reports must not be taken lightly. 

“It is therefore a matter of public concern that our people know whether the imported hand sanitisers in our shops have been put through appropriate tests or proper certification clearances to ensure safety levels.

“While we want our people to take all precautionary measures against Covid 19, it is equally important that they are only provided with products that have been tested to be safe and recommended by the World Health Organisation, especially our young.

“The pandemic has clearly seen an increase in the different types of hand sanitisers and other similar products in our shops.

“While this is a good thing it is important that the responsible authorities assures our people that they have been tested and proven safe for public use. 

“The last thing we want is to be recklessly subjecting our people to other health problems in efforts to contain another.”

–OPPOSITION PRESS

Fish prices bad as the weather

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Alfred Pagepitu
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Fish prices up due to bad weather as customers hurry for fish at the White river fish market while the fish price continues to increase due to bad weather yesterday. Photo Pagepitu Alfred

BY ALFRED PAGEPITU

CUSTOMERS will have to dig deeper into their pockets for fish as the bad weather continues.

Fishermen are saying they are spending more and risking their lives trying to get fish to sell in the current heavy rains and rough seas.

Stevenson, a young fisherman from White River (fish market) said, “During these months, fishermen catch less fish as compared to past months as the bad weather affects many fishermen.

“Fish prices are now rocket as we predict that the highest level of fish price this week will reach $100 dollars and $20 pound price for 1 kg, compared to normal days.

“The prices could be up to $50 to $100. Usually the prices go upwards last week before the bad weather affects our country.

“But other fishermen went out to sea over the weekend, so supply should be a little bit normal again but our fish price will remain the same.”

Another fishman, who declined to be named, said fish supply is being impacted by bad weather this week.

“It all depends on the weather. Last week, the sea was rough and continued until this week. But usually the price hike is only temporary,” he said.

He said that the reef fish price now is around $20 per kg, compared to the usual days when weather was normal.

“If the heavy rains continue a week more, some of us will continue to increase the prices of fish.

“Many fishermen are fearful over the continued heavy rainfall and tropical cyclone warning because this is the only source of income to earn money out of fish so we are concerned about how many will manage to survive during the coming weeks.”

Reactivation case tests negative

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Mavis Podokolo
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Technical advisor to Ministry of Health and Medical Services, Dr Yogesh Choudri

BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO

THE recent reactivated covid-19 case has now tested negative for the virus and is being taken care of at the field hospital.

This was confirmed by Dr Yogesh Choudri, technical advisor to Ministry of Health and Medical Services.

He said the student has to go through four consecutive negative testes again before he can be discharged back to his family.

Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare in his special nationwide address uttered the same sentiment, the student was readmitted to the field hospital the same day and has tested negative on both the GeneXpert and qPCR machines.

Pauline McNeil, permanent secretary MHMS, said the health team deployed to the student’s village in Malaita had swabbed 31 close contacts of this students and all results have returned negative on two COVID-19 testing machines, the GeneXpert machine and the qPCR machine.

“The result of the 31 samples of those who came in close contact with the student who is said to be reactivated with COVID-19 are brought into the Molecular laboratory at the National Referral Hospital and are all returned negative on the GeneXpert machine for the initial testing as well as the repeat testing.

“On the qPCR machine, am pleased to announce that testing result on this machine is also negative. So, there is some level of comfort and assurance that we can have at this time,” said Mrs McNeil.

Mayor orders law enforcers to step up

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Barnabas Manebona
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Elections would be held to replace the Lord Mayor of Honiara City Council Wilson Mamae.

BY BARNABAS MANEBONA

HONIARA City Council (HCC) Mayor Wilson Mamae has given ‘directive’ for the council’s Law Enforcement officers to step up in their duty for this year.

The Mayor is taking action in response to continued criticisms that the council is not doing its job seeing that there is increased illegal activities going on in the heart of the city such as public drinking, drunkenness, and illegal markets.

Replying media enquiries, spokesperson for the mayor’s office said the incumbent has taken note of the public criticisms and has issued the order for his law enforcement officers.

“The Mayor, HCC Clerk and Chairman of the HCC Law Enforcement have already met last Friday with law enforcement officers to discuss over this matter of concern. Mayor Mamae had given strong talk and advice for the Officers and reminded them of their duty to keep the ordinances and by-laws being part of their responsibility.

“So for assurance, the City Mayor from growing concern has given directive to the law enforcement officers to step up this year in their role.”

It is understood according to HCC that a few arrests took place in the city last week over illegal activities.

For this year, HCC says it is looking forward to improve services in the city.

As a reminder, HCC asks the general public to comply.

“We advise to please comply with HCC as we are trying to make the capital a clean, better and safe place,” said the spokesperson from HCC.

Gov’t futsal plan

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SIFF President Willie Lai and Sol2023 Chairman Dr Jimmie Rodgers join hands in supporting football development in the country.

Futsal courts in provinces

BY PETER ZOLEVEKE II

SOL2023 National Hosting Authority (NHA) are in consultations to create an intended plan with the Ministry of Education and Human Resources (MERD) to work with provincial schools in setting up futsal courts in Malaita and Western province by 2023.

This was revealed by the Secretary to Prime Minister (SPM) and NHA Chairman Dr Jimmie Rodgers.

“NHA had been working with the Ministry of Education and we will be shortly coming to planning. We want that by 2023 we have two more futsal courts in the provinces,” Dr. Rodgers announced.

“We are targeting one at Malaita and Western province.

 He stressed that sports development should not only be focused in Honiara but also at the provincial level.

“If we want to improve sports development in the country we got to invest in our provinces and the best way to do it is to work with schools,” Dr Rodgers said comparing the same approach with Pacific countries.

Together with a partnership with the Ministry of Home Affairs responsible for sports the government is committed to developing facilities in the provinces while MERD to identify the potential lands available.

“This is so that when we go for national selection we can have provincial competitions and the national competition for a fair selection, that’s the spirit and the idea behind this intention,” Dr. Rodgers adds.

This assurance was made in the presence of the Minister of Provincial Government Rolland Seleso and the Premier of Malaita province Daniel Suidani on Saturday, January 30th.

 With that, the Solomon Island Football Federation (SIFF) President Willie Lai extends his gratitude on behalf of the national sport to the government for the commitment in football development nationwide.

“Through these partnerships and working together football has a bright future. We thank the national government and stakeholders for the commitment in seeing the growth of football,” Lai expressed.

Under attack

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Eddie Osifelo
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PS for MCILI Riley Mesepitu.

Loggers accuse gov’t of imposing unfair fines

By EDDIE OSIFELO

ASIAN loggers have launched an unprecedented attack on the Foreign Investment Board (FIB) as FIB officials venture out to check on the loggers’ operations across the country.

FIB officials were in Makira and Temotu provinces the last two weeks checking on logging operations there to ensure the loggers follow the law.

Since last year, the officials have visited Isabel, Guadalcanal, Malaita and other provinces.

A number of logging companies found to have violated forestry laws were issued show-cause notices and ordered to pay fines of up to $1 million.

Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Commerce, Industry, Labour and Immigration Riley Mesepitu said three teams from his ministry are still stuck at Makira and Temotu due to bad weather and flight cancellations.

Mesepitu said he is still to receive any detail report from the three teams.

He said the teams will impose fines and show-cause notices to companies that breach the fundamental aspects of the Act.

Mesepitu said under the Act, there are administrative fines where a person or company must pay if they breach the law.

He said the ministry had received a lot of complaints from other companies in the provinces that broke the law but valid and balance explanation was given to Caucus instead to clarify them.

Yesterday, members of the Solomon Forestry Association (SFA) issued a statement claiming that their operations are negatively affected as a result of fake allegations and improper fines imposed by the Foreign Investment Board (FIB) registrar.

SFA vice president Pau Kiew Hu says the “heavy handed and questionable approach” taken by the registrar of FIB against logging companies will likely cause companies to abandon operations.

Hu said the FIB registrar has issued show-cause letters to a number of SFA members and these show-cause letters contained allegations which are baseless and more surprising, the show-cause letters demanded unreasonable and questionable fines which irked law abiding SFA members.

Hu further reveals that the show-cause letters further demanded that companies are given 10 days to pay up fines and an immediate cessation of operation at the same time.

“If the companies ceased operation as ordered by the FIB registrar, government will loss out multi- million dollars in taxes and foreign earnings, and thousands of Solomon Islanders will be without jobs inevitably causing many social problems for the country as a whole,” he said.

But Hu explains that a show-cause letter is supposed to give the opportunity for logging companies to respond to whatever perceived discrepancies raised by FIB.

The SFA vice president reveals that instead the FIB registrar also demanded hefty fines for allegations of illegal operation.

However, Hu says the allegations of ‘illegal operation’ are highly questionable because these companies have been following the laws of the country since each of them started operation.

An outspoken member of SFA and General Manager of Galego Resources Ltd (GRL) Wong Hook Ping says it is apparent that the registrar of FIB is taking prior draconian actions against members of the logging industry without providing proper platform to clarify issues as that should be the purpose of a show-cause letter.

“As a foreign investor and like all other SFA members, we respect and comply with the rules of the laws of this nation and abide accordingly,” Ping stated.

He said the registrar should have consulted legal advice before issuing a show cause letter as it stands now the FIB registrar is causing a disrepute to the image of logging companies and most importantly the registrar’s demand for cessation of operation will be too costly for the country as a whole.

Ping further reveals that without providing chances for show cause to clarify the allegations against his company the FIB registrar outlines the following as basis for fine:

–           the company is running a canteen,

–           ailure to notify registrar of the change in location,

–           failure to comply with NPF registrations and compliances,

–           failure to pay provincial business license,

–           failure to pay up relevant felling and logging license,

–           failure to obtain business operational licenses and development consent and environmental impact assessment and also failure to notify registrar of conducting other business.

Ping says all these allegations are baseless and false and the company with its legal counsel are in the process of submitting all its documents of compliances to FIB to repudiate these allegations.

The Galego Resources Ltd boss says since starting operations in 2014 in Vanikoro, Temotu Province, his company has complied with all the letters of the laws governing the logging industry.

Ping says he has paid up business license to Temotu Province and it is valid until 31st March 2021.

Ping also added that according to his company’s certificate of registration Galego Resources Ltd’s location of business is Honiara but that the company also has operations in all provinces.

Ping says regarding the canteen, it is not true that his company operates a canteen.

“In Vanikoro- which host one of my operations- it is the most furthest and remote place of operation and so we have to stockpile food rations to ensure our workmen are fed and well kept,” Ping stated.

Ping adds that company sends rations once every three months only to Vanikoro and most times during special events or occasions landowners often ask for assistance and the company has no hesitation but just to assist them with items that are available at the site.

“To interpret that as canteen business is mind blogging as the company has the social responsibility to assist resource owners and those assistances are done based on humanitarian grounds as well,” he says.

Ping further states that company has a valid felling license which has a life time of three years and it will expire on 20th July 2021.

Ping reveals that his operation in Vanikoro was ordered by the FIB registrar to pay up a staggering figure of $3m plus based on the alleged anomalies mentioned.

“The fine is stated in the show cause letter I received from my camp manager on the 26th January 2021, and it is truly shocking because the show cause letter should give me the opportunity to respond to the allegations against my company.

“To pay up fines means my company is already found wanting or guilty of these alleged allegations,” Ping added.

Ping says the FIB registrar might be confused with her responsibilities and should she exercised due diligence she should have consulted legal advice.

Ping further pointed out that if his company has been operating illegally for the past six years or so, then why would the government accept the taxes the company paid to the state.

“Would that mean government is colluding with me? It does not add up at all!” Ping stated.

Ping, however, explained that should there be technical errors or oversights due to negligence on either our part or the responsible government authorities, then we would accept government authorities including FIB to institute reasonable fines and penalties but such fines and penalties should be imposed on the basis of awareness and compliance.

The Galego Resources Ltd General Manager also added that it will be a costly repercussion on the government if companies stopped their operation and after 10 days the companies are able to repudiate and nullify all the allegations, the loss of business days will then have to be met by government.

“It will be in the interest of the government and us as well to not to go down that path, so we hope an amicable win- win situation will result in the issue that we are being faced with now,” Wong Hook Ping stated.

Meanwhile the Solomon Forestry Association (SFA) vice president, Pau Kiew Hu says all SFA members are compliant to the laws of the country and SFA as the regulatory authority of logging companies has been keeping a close tab on its members to ensure their conformity to the letters of the environmental, forestry and investment laws of the country.

Hu says if government has changed its policy stance regarding the logging industry which resulted in our current situation then SFA as the regulatory arm of the logging industry should be duly informed of the change.

“But as it stands, all the logging companies operating under SFA are in danger of winding up operations due to the unreasonable and harsh approach taken by the FIB registrar,” Hu claimed.

Making music after a lifetime of struggle

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Alfred Pagepitu
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27-year-old David Randall

BY ALFRED PAGEPITU

THE creation of music beats and melodies have been enhanced these days through the availability of technology and the various computer software available to create your own style of music.

These platforms assist many self-taught musicians across the country to better their music.

Among those who have made use of the opportunities presented in the music industry is young musician David Randall.

After years of struggling to become a musician, his eyes are set on 2021 as the year he would go further in the industry, stating he feels more comfortable with who he is as an artist today than before.

Young Randall, AKA ‘Kay Yung’ has established himself as a young songwriter, instrumentalist and music producer in the local music scene.

His story today was a far cry from the days when his music went through the complicated music process where his records get holed up in studios for record, and re-rrecord until the sound was perfect, often taking months.

Hailing from Munda in Western province and with Japanese heritage, 27-year-old Randal, cultivates music with his own passion and narratives that are played out in soothing reggae and island beat tracks.

When asked what first comes to mind as a musician, he emphasised to the Sun Weekender that his music is used to get him to a better place.

His passion for music started when he was 16 years old. He started watching the band Queen and fell in love for their music and their lyrics and how they touched people with the message of their songs, which inspires him to be creative in producing his own songs.

“My first song was called ‘Black beauty’ and was recorded from an underground studio in Gizo western province (Sharesound production) In 2013,” he recalled.

He said with the new musical software available it only takes up to two days to complete recording when asked about how long it takes to complete a recording.

Kay Yung was inspired by many music Legends which drew him to the industry in Solomon Islands, further aspiring to emulate musicians such as Five, MC Hammer, Bob Marley, 2 Pac, Omarion and Eagles.

He used to live with his grandmother and aunty back home in Munda after his parents died.

“But currently I’m in town working just to help me survive, since I’m no longer with my real parents,” he said.

“I started singing at the age of 16 with some homeboys”, he recalled.

“Back then, it was a rough time and there was no proper recording equipment. But I never gave up as I know that someday, somehow, I can be seen in the music scene as I’ve got something to share with the world.

“I have to work hard and sell Lemons, even joining other big boys Cutting timbers Just to get paid and go to the studio.

“In those days it was a challenge to go out there.

He recalled having to work hard just to produce songs as the cost back then to release a song would be around $150 for a recording.

After the recording of ‘black beauty’, another hit ‘Shake em’ was released as a nightclub song. I also produced ‘scars’ as a ttestimony to my life situation. Others that have hit the airwaves include, ‘boom Last dance’, Your Beauty ft Fredrick (shefram Recordz), ‘Dance’ ft Homeboys Comedy, ‘Talem stret’ ft Jay brizzy and ‘Love me with lies’ ft Jay brizzy, Hula ft Ismuki ‘You’re the one’ (Top Recordz).

After years of struggling to make a name for himself in the industry, Kay Yung aims to inspire others with his songs and lyrics.

“As an artist, I just want people to see me as an inspiration to others, go out there and look for opportunities.

“If I had a chance to help other artists show their love to the people by encouraging them to share positive vibes through songs!

His goal is to build himself a studio o help other artists struggling behind those walls.

 “My goal is to succeed and keep spreading positive vibes to all and I have a big heart for my street brothers and youths,” he adds.

Big transfers

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Atkin Kaua is confirmed to join Fijian club Rewa FC in the Vodafone Premier League 2021. Picture Supplied

Four players to join Fijian Clubs

BY PETER ZOLEVEKE II

Four Solomon Island footballers have released on transfer to Fijian clubs for the Vodafone Premier League 2021.

The transfers were confirmed by the Solomon Island Football Federation (SIFF) following request approved for the players International Transfer Certificate (ITC).

Laugu FC trio Allen Peter, Atkin Kaua and Jared Rongosulia are released by the club. Kaua and Peter will join Rewa FC while Rongosulia will team up with talisman Benjamin Totori from FC Isabel United to Lautoka FC.

For Totori he will rejoin the Navy Blues since his stint from 2017 to 2019. He played for Ba FC last year before moving back home to join FC Isabel United for the 2020/2021 TSL season.

Kaua and Rongosulia were recently eyed by Lautoka FC; however, for Kaua he picked Rewa FC.

“I have been contacted by the clubs since late last year. But I told Lautoka FC that I will be joining Rewa FC,” Kaua recently told SunSPORTS.

Fiji Football Association (FA) transfer window for 2021 closed yesterday (January 31).

Football investment

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Pacific Games 2023 Solomon Islands.

BY PETER ZOLEVEKE II

THE national government through its Sol2023 National Hosting Authority (NHA) Secretariat investment in football is biggest for compared for any national sport.

This was according to Sol2023 NHA Chairman Dr Jimmie Rodgers when delivering his remarks during the handover of the Sir Allan Boso complex over the weekend.

“The government investment in soccer is the single largest investment in any sport in this country,” Dr Rodgers revealed.

With hopes for futsal and beach soccer to be included in the Pacific Games 2023 responsible sporting bodies had already forwarded the bids while the Pacific Games Council (PGC) is awaiting the Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) submission.

“Futsal and beach soccer are not yet in the Pacific Games, but thanks to SIFF all requirements from here has been done and now it’s up to OFC in contact with PGC to include the sports as the variation of soccer,” Dr. Rodgers said.

“The government wants four gold medals for soccer, we are known as the Brazilian of the Pacific but we haven’t got a gold medal yet. And in 2023 we will prove our regional neighbours,” Dr Rodgers said.

Dr Rodgers revealed that for football it will include the national men’s team, national women’s team, national futsal team (Kurukuru) and the national beach soccer team (Bilikiki).

“For our women, there’s the target for you, it doesn’t mean that we will get gold but it means we put our best into it,” says Dr Rodgers.

Sol2023 NHA has also processed for the inclusion of the new disciplines, along with the National Olympic Committee of Solomon Islands (NOCSI).

PGC Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Andrew Minogue recently in a statement to SunSPORTS when asked, stated that they have yet to receive OFC’s submission regarding.

“No, we have not received anything yet. We need a submission from the Oceania Federation, in this case, OFC and we are waiting for that,” Minogue stated.

Part of the Government football investment is giving the federation a 6 hectare land that NHA will be facilitating the design and construction of the 2023 Pacific Games and will be called the Football Training Centre, which will be the new home of the Solomon Islands Football Federation. This football complex will cover an area of up to 3.9 hectares and the facilities will include;

  • 2 standard sized football fields with their own changing rooms
  • A beach soccer pitch
  • A outdoor futsal court
  • A two-storey administration building
  • A two-storey Dormitory building

Construction is expected to commence mid-2021. It is hoped that fields can be delivered by end of the year according to NHA.

High risk repa-flight on Feb 7

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Mavis Podokolo
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Solomon Airlines airbus

BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO

THE next high-risk repatriation flight is scheduled for February 7, 2021.

According to Dr Jimmie Rodgers, permanent secretary to Prime Minister, this repatriation flight is covered under the approval of cabinet last year and is labelled as a high-risk flight.

“The flight on the 7th of February 2021 is the final repatriation flight covered under the approval of cabinet last year and this flight particular repatriation flight is labeled as high risk.

“We labeled it as a high risk because it will take people from mix risk countries. Some will be from very high risk, some from high risk, some from moderate risk and so, that flight is named a high-risk flight,” Rodgers.

He adds all high-risk flights will be accommodated east side of the Mataniko river. That is part of the plan agreed to by the Oversight Committee.

“We cannot bring in high risk flights very regularly because we have limited accommodations on the east side of Mataniko river,” said Rodgers.

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