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Undersea cable

Submarine cable company no longer a project

BY BEN BILUA

THE Submarine Cable Company (SISCC) which was established as a project to oversee the setup of the internet cable in the country has been turned into a business entity.

Chief Executive of SISCC Mr Keir Preedy informed this paper in an email yesterday.

“I’m happy to give you an update on our progress but the first thing to note is that we are an operating business and no longer a project.

“The project to construct the network finished with the handover from Australia on 29th November 2019,” he said.

Mr Preedy was unable to give a clear answer when this paper asked whether SISCC is a lone owner of the business deal or co-shared with other local business institutions in the country.

A cross-check to SISCC website found that the CS2 cable is owned and operated by the Coral Sea Cable Company Pty Limited in Australia.

According to the statement, this company is owned equally by The Commonwealth of Australia, SISCC and PNG DataCo.

It states that, PNG DataCo and SISCC have each been granted Indefeasible Rights of Use (IRU) over two fibre pairs for the full lifetime of the Cable system (25 years) by The Coral Sea Cable Company.

SIFF in pursuit of Lawson Tama

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Lawson Tama Stadium. Photo supplied.

BY PETER ZOLEVEKE II

SOLOMON Islands Football Federation (SIFF) says they are exploring their response to Honiara City Council’s (HCC) termination of their lease of Lawson Tama.

In a statement to SunSPORTS, SIFF President Willie Lai said one of their options is going to the courts.

“SIFF believes the lease signed with HCC is still valid,” Lai said.

“Therefore, the termination is only one side of the story from HCC,” he added.

He revealed that the national government has shown interest to help solve the issue.

 “This is to avoid delay in the Pacific Games 2023 facilities development,” the president said.

“If this option fails, then we go to court,” he added.

“Although the court process may take a while, we believe it is in the public interest to stage a legal challenge.”

The government through the National Sports Council (NSC) has said that SIFF has yet to approach them on the issue.

“It’s a tough situation here, and we are aware of it,” NSC Chairman Joe Sika said.

 “SIFF hasn’t approached us directly to date to mediate between them,” he added.

“I’m aware also that what HCC tries to do is also in the interest of sports, we just hope that they come to an amicable understanding which will work for both parties and sports,” Sika said.

However, he says the issue is between the landlord and the tenant and it will be quite difficult to interfere.

The short term Lawson Tama proposed deal settlement for the resumption of the Telekom S League (TSL) 2020/2021 Seasons has left SIFF to seek compensation from HCC for the developments done at the stadium over the years.

SIVB eyes domestic tourism

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Josefa Tuamoto

BY BEN BILUA

THE Solomon Islands Visitors Bureau (SIVB) is looking at promoting domestic tourism as international tourism has been grounded due to covid-19.

Chief Executive Officer of SIVB, Mr Josefa Tuamoto said the impact of covid-19 has been well documented with visitor numbers flattened to an absolute standstill since the border closured in March 2020.

He said SIVB has been looking at best respond plan and came up with a “A 5 Point” plan which focus on realigning possible markets to keep tourism activities alive in the country.

“We together with the Ministry of Culture and tourism met with the industry and other players to see the way forward.

“A 5-point plan was put together and an emanating from that a marketing plan was designed.

“The marketing plan essentially called for re-alignment of our approach from International to domestic tourism.

“In addition, our focus is now on digital platforms to promote domestic travel and also push our products via PR,” Tuamoto said.

He said SIVB and its partners will meet next month to discuss best approaches that will resuscitate tourism amidst covid-19 challenges.

According to a study carried out by Pacific Tourism Organisation (SPTO), Tourism is without a doubt one of the hardest hit sectors, with the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) warning of a potential 60-80 percent decline in international tourist numbers for 2020, when compared with 2019 figures.

In brief, this will result in the loss of at least five to seven years of growth in the industry. The 22 percent decline recorded for the first quarter alone translates to a US$80 billion loss in exports from tourism.

With ongoing uncertainty surrounding the containment of covid-19, the duration of travel restrictions and gradual re-opening of borders, and the resumption of travel and ability of the industry to rebound will remain difficult to forecast. However, the potential impact of the loss of demand in international travel worldwide could translate into:

• Loss of 850 million to 1.1 billion international tourists;

• Loss of US$910 billion to US$1.2 trillion in export revenues from tourism; and

• 100 to 120 million direct tourism jobs at risk.

Pacific tourism impacts a significant number of livelihoods, the vast majority of which have been put at risk along with the progress made in advancing Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Covid-19 testing capabilities a main pillar to contain virus: PM

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Barnabas Manebona
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PM Sogavare

BY BARNABAS MANEBONA

CORONAVIRUS (Covid-19) testing capabilities has been a main pillar in Solomon Islands’ success to contain the virus, said Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare.

In his nationwide address yesterday, Mr Sogavare said more than 7000 tests have been conducted to date at the National Referral Hospital (NRH) Molecular laboratory and the Gizo laboratory.

The Prime Minister was pleased to advise that both laboratories have been doing pre-departure testing for people leaving the country to other countries that require such tests to be done.

“My good people, COVID-19 testing capabilities has been a main pillar in our success to contain the virus. To date, more than 7000 tests have been conducted at the NRH Molecular laboratory and our Gizo laboratory. We are also pleased to advise that both laboratories have been doing pre-departure testing for people leaving the country to other countries that require such tests to be done.

“COVID-19 testing capability will shortly be in place in the Kiluúfi Hospital in Malaita province and the National Public Health Laboratory.

“Plans are also underway to establish a COVID-19 testing capability at the Taro hospital in Choiseul province,” said Sogavare.

2 covid-19 cases following reactivation

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Mavis Podokolo
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BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO

THE number of covid-19 cases remain at two following the reactivation of a negative case (which later became positive), says prime minister Manasseh Sogavare.

Mr Sogavare when delivering his national address yesterday echoed that in the past two weeks the country went down to one positive case of covid-19 but the reactivation of the negative case increased the number to two active cases.

“I am happy to announce, there are no new additional COVID-19 positive case (s) since my last address.

“In the past two weeks we temporarily went down to one positive case for a few days.

“However, one of the newly negative cases had reacted and became positive again, so our official number of Covid-19 cases remain at two,” he said.

Sogavare on the same note assured the nation and the citizens that reactivation is not new as many people who have become negative reactivate even up to two months after detected negative.

“We have already seen this in some of our students that returned from the Philippines.

“This is why our testing regimen for anyone that is positive requires a minimum of three consecutive negative tests after a positive test to minimize the risk of discharging a person that could reactivate,” he said.

Sogavare commends the country’s testing protocol which ensures the country picks up these reactivations before the people who had turned negative are discharged into the community.

“I also applaud the plan to follow-up all the previously positive people for a period of three months after they had turned negative – to reduce any chance of reactivation during this period,” he said.

Sogavare said the country at the moment discharged a total of 14 previously positive people from the government-managed facilities.

He said 10 of the 14 people were due for a review and re-swabbing in the past week.

“I am pleased to advise that nine of the 10 people had been reviewed and re-swabbed.

“I am further delighted to inform the public that all nine swabs had come back negative. The 10th person is in the province,” said Sogavare.

He said for this person’s review and re-swabbing arrangements had been made to be done at the province and the swab will be sent to Honiara for the analysis.

Sogavare said to complete the three months follow-up period since turning negative all these 10 individuals will be followed up for another month.

He said the four people that were released recently will also be followed up monthly for three months to ensure they also remain negative for the full three months.

“To all previously COVID-19 positive citizens, let me convey my personal thankyou to all and to your families, friends, and relatives for your positive response to our call for you to come for your reviews and re-swabbing. This process is critical in our collective effort to contain the COVID-19 virus at our quarantine stations and ensure it does not go out to the community.

“I must emphasize that these follow-ups on previously positive persons are mandatory. They carry penalties if the previously positive persons decide not to come for their follow-ups. The government looks forward to your continued attendance at the follow-up schedules that had been discussed with you to ensure you also do your part in protecting our country,” said Sogavare.

Home for health workers at border, soon: PM

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Mavis Podokolo
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Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare

BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO 

WORK to revamp staff houses for health workers in the three clinics along the border catchment area is progressing and will be fully operational to the overall covid-19 operations along the border with Bougainville soon.

This was confirmed by Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare yesterday.

“Work is also progressing on the refurbishment of staff houses for health workers in the three clinics along the border catchment area.

“This work is expected to be completed by the end of this month. All three clinics will soon be fully operational and contribute significantly to the overall covid-19 operations along the border with Bougainville,” said Sogavare.

He adds, no illegal entry has been reported since the Christmas period along the declared emergency zone in the western border as well as in Choiseul province

However, Sogavare echoed that a breach of the State of Public Emergency was reported and responded to at the Noro international seaport.

He said this incident involved a crew from a logging ship who disembarked the ship and went into the Noro Township market.

“Despite their being little risk of covid-19 transmission, the vessel was detained and only released following the owner’s and agent’s compliance with our legal requirements.

“Fellow citizens in Choiseul, Western province, and Malaita Outer Islands, please continue to be vigilant and report any suspicious movements or illegal entries along our western borders to nearest police or health authorities or call health toll free line 115 or police toll free line 999,” said Sogavare.

Vaccine is the hope for Pacific travel and tourism: World Bank

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World Bank.

BY BEN BILUA

THE World Bank says covid-19 vaccine is the only hope for tourism and travel in the pacific.

Research carried out by World Bank towards end of 2020 states that tourism and travel will continue to slow down unless vaccines are made available to most countries.

It states most countries are experiencing economic downward spiral due to border restrictions which ground both air and sea travels.

The report states that economic activity across the Pacific is expected to be dejected for another 9-18 months.

Though a moderate recovery is projected for this year (2021), production levels will unable to reach pre-COVID19 levels until 2022 and beyond.

The report states, respective governments and partners must step up planning and investment on health development, strengthening testing and tracing so as facilities before proposing a border re-open.

It states a ‘new-normal’ travel arrangements will still face rejection this year as opening up borders will put a huge health risk.

The report states, re-opening travel in the Pacific should be done in phases, but it cautions that relaxing strict border policies alone will not immediately deliver economic benefits.

The three phases suggested by World Bank are;

Phase one (1) January and July 2021: Pre-approved travel for specific groups (more temporary workers, students etc.) Strong testing and quarantine measures would be the foundation for any travel bubble.

Phase two (2) June 2021 and May 2022: A ‘travel bubble’ with commercial flights for business and tourism. This would require sustained COVID-19 containment, improved testing and tracing, and initial roll-out of vaccinations.

Phase three (3) October 2021 and October 2022: A ‘new normal’. Longer term general international travel requiring wide distribution of COVID-19 vaccines and treatment with vastly improved testing and tracing.

“To help address this, the World Bank’s second phase of COVID-19 support to the region will focus on helping countries address the economic and social impacts of the pandemic, support businesses, safeguard jobs, and advance the reforms needed to speed recovery towards broad-based and sustainable growth,” said the statement.

Author of the report, Mr Andrew Blackman said the World Bank is committed to support partners across the pacific.

Govt to control movement of foreigners in and out of SI

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Barnabas Manebona
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Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare

BY BARNABAS MANEBONA

NATIONAL government while dealing with covid-19 will introduce some control on the ‘frequency’ of foreign nationals leaving and re-entering the country.

Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare in his fortnightly nationwide address yesterday said “such frequent trips put a lot of pressure on the country’s covid-19 front-liners, all of whom had not had any rest since the start of repatriation in 2020”.

According to Mr Sogavare, the country cannot continue to allow ‘travel at will’ for many foreign nationals for ‘rest and respite’ while covid-19 front-liners have sacrificed theirs to protect this country.

“Fellow citizens, we will also introduce some control on the frequency foreign nationals can leave and re-enter the country while we are still grappling with COVID-19.

“Such frequent trips put a lot of pressure on our front-liners all of whom had not had any rest since the commencement of repatriation in June 2020.

“We cannot continue to allow ‘travel at will’ for many foreign nationals for ‘rest and respite’ while our front-liners have sacrificed theirs to protect this country,” said Sogavare.

The Prime Minister in his address also said that a new ‘travel advisory’ will be issued later this week which will specify new requirements on the frequency of travel for foreign nationals that wish to leave and re-enter the country as well as charges for covid-19 tests.

To date, there is no new additional covid-19 positive case in Solomon Islands.

In the past two weeks the country temporarily went down to one (1) positive case for a few days, however, one of the newly negative cases had reactivated and became positive again, so Solomon Islands official number of covid-19 cases remains at two.

Tragedy overseas

Written by
Jennifer Kusapa
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Queensland Police Forensic Crash Unit. Photo by myPolice Queensland Police News.

Two seasonal workers die in car accident in Brisbane

BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

FOREIGN Affairs officials yesterday spent the day briefing grieving family members of two seasonal workers who died in a car crash in Queensland, Australia, early Sunday morning.

But a ministry spokesman said no media statement would be released on the tragedy as a mark of respect to grieving relatives.

The two were among a group that left last year under the Australian seasonal workers scheme to work in a meat factory.

 Queensland police released a statement saying:

“Two men died and another was injured in a single-vehicle crash on the Bunya Highway early on Sunday morning.

“Preliminary investigations indicate that just before 4.30am a silver stationwagon was travelling southwest along the Bunya Highway when it left the roadway and overturned at Taabinga.

“As a result a 34-year-old man and a 39-year-old man died from their injuries.

“ A 24-year-old male passenger was transported to Kingaroy Hospital and later airlifted to Brisbane for further treatment.

“The Forensic Crash Unit is investigating.”

Reports from Queensland say the three workers were drinking that night at home when they decided to drive out to get cigarettes.

“Obviously, this was an alcohol-driven incident,” says a Solomon Islander studying and living in Brisbane.

“Quite disappointing,” he added.

Seasonal workers were normally given strict instructions on alcohol by Foreign Affairs officials during their pre-departure briefings.

They have been advised to avoid alcohol, to respect Australian laws and be good ambassadors.

It’s understood this is the first major incident involving local seasonal workers in Australia.

It’s not clear when the bodies will be returned home.

Solomon Islands High Commissioner in Australia did not reply questions sent to him yesterday on the incident.

A lot of Solomon Islanders went on social media yesterday to share their sympathies with relatives of the two deceased.

Others also expressed fear the incident may affect chances of more Solomon Islanders being engaged to work in Australia’s meat industry.

MEKAWIR SCORES ON DEBUT

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BY PETER ZOLEVEKE II

FORMER U-20 and Langley Wanderers frontman Ali Mekawir made his TSL introduction in style, with a debut goal for Honiara City against leaders Henderson Eels during a 1-1 draw yesterday.

The Royals Academy player netted in the 53 rd minute after a Desmond Tutu rebound saves for Mekawir to lift the ball into an open net.

“I’m happy with my performance today and a goal is a bonus,” Mekawir said in a post-match interview.

“I aimed for two goals today (yesterday) but I missed, it’s my first time in the TSL and to playback in the heat at Lawson Tama.
He was a threat in front of the experience Eels defence, with the pressure he posed.

“I’m good blending in with the players, the first game I begin to understand the boys hope for more games to come and we will do better,” he says.

With his experience playing with the English FA 9th tier team the standard is different compared.

“How I think the level there is a bit beyond how we play here, but it depends when in the game. I learned a lot of experience in England, comparing myself to how I use to play before I made improvements,” the former U20 striker said.

“My experience developed in the game. But we players still learn and there is a lot to cover.

He adds that with his experience and exposure especially playing in the United Kingdom he looks forward to sharing developing others.

“It’s working hard if you want something, having a dream you have to work for it.

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