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“Fix It”

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Dr. Alice Pollard
Dr. Alice Pollard

Democratic party calls on government to address problems at NRH
THE president of Solomon Islands Democratic Party (SIDP), Dr Alice Aruhe’eta Pollard calls on the National Government to provide needed resources to the National Referral Hospital and attend to challenges such as limited resources, limited space, unhygienic environment and crowded wards.
“Despite the challenges brought about by covid-19, we must also remember that NRH, which deals with other diseases that have been killing our people for years, is struggling to save lives.
“Our professional doctors, Nurses and Health providers are doing their best with passion, commitment, patience, and love to provide the necessary services required to meet the needs of our sick people. I congratulate them for that,” says President Pollard.
The SIDP President however believes that the country’s National Referral Hospital should be a better and cleaner place for our doctors, nurses, and patients to live and work.
“Our NRH should be a place where lives are saved and healed and where it provides hope for sick patients. Our government needs to prioritise and invest in our health systems and NRH.
“I therefore call upon the government to attend immediately to the growing demand and pressure on our NRH.
“Our people are dying unnecessarily every day instead of being saved. NRH do not have the needed right equipment and drugs nor a healthy environment for our health providers to work,” Pollard added.
She went on to further add that, “We cannot allow our NRH to continue this way nor we cannot turn a blind eye or deaf ears to the poor work environment and issues experienced by our doctors and nurses. They labour tirelessly”.
“I believe that all of us, despite our gender, age, ethnicity, positions etc, will sooner or later end up at the NRH. It is only a matter of time. It is our only national referral hospital, yet it is likened to an abandoned child or neglected child by our National government.
“Our NRH is deteriorating every day. This is not good for Solomon Islands and its people. I humbly call on our responsible government to act now and address this,” the SIDP President said.

Mekawir joins City

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BY PETER ZOLEVEKE II

FORMER national under – 20 striker and Royals Academy product Ali Mekawir is set to make his debut for Honiara City FC when the capital city boys take on leaders Henderson Eels on Sunday 23.

According to City’s head coach, Jerry Sam he confirmed the player will feature when 2020/2021 Telekom S League resumes this weekend.

“Ali has been in fine scoring form since joining us in training,” Sam confirmed via Futbol Guy.

“We look forward to him playing his first game for Honiara City.

Ali has his short stint with English FA 9th tier side Langley Wanderers FC which he also featured playing in the famous FA Cup and became the first Solomon Islander to score in the competition.

The player was part of the Royals Academy 31-man contingent to UK with the Stars Academy which majority of them returned in October last year while 14 remain.

He has been in an impressive goal scoring form in the UK.

Late last year City’s head coach Jerry Allen was scouting to take on three Royals Academy players including Mekawir. The other two are Don Keana and defender Ian Kalu – the trios are former Wanderers FC players.

With Mekawir confirmed he will join former U-23 defender Junior David as the latest inclusions for the TSL debutants.

More people moving to urban centres

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Passengers waiting eagerly for bus as Honiara Central market bus stop crowded with people. Photo by JARED KOLI

BY BEN BILUA

HONIARA has been described as one of the fastest growing cities in the Pacific.

The annual urban growth according to UN-Habitant – Urban profiling in Solomon Islands in 2011 was at 4.7 per cent with the number forecast to have increased over the past years.

The report states that the annual urban growth of 4.7 per cent exceeds the national population growth of 2.3 per cent, indicating the growing importance of the urban areas which is the heart of socioeconomic growth and future prosperity.

It states that increasing urban growth has and will continue to put immense pressure on urban service delivery, which is already in short supply and declining in urban centres.

“Obvious challenges can be seen in poor delivery of services such as roads, drainage systems, power, housing, health and education services, solid waste management, water and sanitation have deteriorated over the years due to minimal maintenance and improvement,” the report states.

According to the report, these problems have been exposed due to lack of urban policies or city development strategies, a lack of skilled human resources, poor management and weak governance at all levels of government in most towns.

It states that the rising growth of informal settlements and failing infrastructure in urban centres illustrate the need for leaders to establish proper mechanism that would unravel the issue.

The national urban profile for Solomon Islands is the first long-term documented advocacy tool that aims at encouraging policy shift towards improving the urban planning and management of towns to achieve desired outcomes for the country.

Achieving progress in resolving these key urban development issues will play a crucial role in transforming towns into productive and liveable places.

GRML assists in fight against covid

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GRML Office Manager Tony Lin handing over the donated items to NHEOC Incidence Controller Dr Gregory Jilini. Photo by MHMS

GOLD Ridge Mining Limited (GRML) donated 15,000 facial masks and 1008 of 75 percent alcohol hand sanitisers to the Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS) National Medical Store yesterday to support efforts against covid-19.

In his brief remarks at the hand over, Benjamin Afuga, one of the GRML directors highlighted that GRML is pleased to join other firms within the private sector in supporting national efforts against covid-19.

“Like many other firms that have come forward to support the government in its fight against COVID-19 global pandemic, GRML also wanted to support these efforts thus the donation made today,” Afuga said.

He explained, “the impact of COVID-19 is felt not only by the Ministry of Health nor the government alone but across sectors thus it is only fitting that we all come out to support each other in this difficult time”.

“We hope that our donation today will enable frontline and support staff of health and other government ministries and agencies to discharge their duties safely,” stated Afuga.

In his response, National Health Emergency Operation Centre (NHEOC) Incidence Controller Dr Gregory Jilini acknowledged GRML for the support.

“It is always our priority to ensure that health and other government officers engaged in COVID-19 frontline operations including support staff are able to discharge their duties safely and the donation today will greatly help us in that regard.

“As such the Ministry is very grateful and appreciative towards the GRML directors, management and staff for taking the decision to support health in its COVID-19 operations with the items donated today.”

Dr Jilini also added that while COVID-19 may have impacted everyone including all sectors, one thing is for sure, only through our combined efforts, cooperation such as this, we will be able to triumph over the impacts of COVID-19 and the COVID-19 global pandemic itself.

–MHMS PRESS

PNG men remanded for illegal entry here

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Jennifer Kusapa
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Pelau police post on the atoll island of Pelau in the Malaita Outer Islands.

BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

FOUR Papua New Guineans from Tasman island have been remanded in custody for illegal entry into the country via Pelau in the Malaita Outer Islands on 26 December 2020.

The four accused are Thomas Poraka, Lester Kapua, Frensly Keapu and Steven Atoka.

They faced with one count each of illegal entry into Solomon Islands under the covid-19 regulation.

Office of the Director Public Prosecution successfully applied to the court to remand all four accused yesterday.

The men will appear again in court for mention on 4 February 2021 at the Honiara Magistrate Court.

The incident occurred on 26 December 2020 at Pelau and nine others from Pelau came in contact with them.

However, this week the Ministry of Health and Medical Services said that the four persons who illegally entered the Solomon Islands border from Tasman Island to Pelau (MOI) on the 26th December 2020 and 9 others who came into close contact with them, returned negative.

Last week a team of three health workers under the lead of Dr Jackson Rakei were deployed to the MOI with the Royal Solomon Islands Police (RSIPF) and support from the National Disaster Management Office (NDMO) in a joint operation.

The deployment was a follow up to an initial deployment on the 27th of December where contact tracing, initial swabbing, community engagement and risk communication was conducted due to the incidence.

Help the parents

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Opposition Leader Matthew C Wale.

GOV’T needs to do more to help ease school fee pressure: Wale

The Leader of Opposition, Mr Matthew Wale, has called on the government to take steps to alleviate the burden of school fees on fee-payers for all levels of our education system.

Wale said families are struggling under the very hard economic times, adding that these hardships are made worse by the consequences of Covid-19 on our economy.

He said it simply is not right that any student should miss out on attending school because of the current situation.

“It is therefore essential that the government formulate a policy and quickly implement it to alleviate the school fee burden and ensure that school enrolments are not severely affected in 2021,” says the Opposition Leader.

Wale said that there are many ways or combination of ways that the government can approach this challenge.

“Perhaps it could look at a cocktail comprising school grants increase along with per student subsidies at the various levels of the education system. This must also include SINU and skills training institutions.

“We are in extraordinary times, facing difficult choices. However, the future of our society and country demand that we prioritize education. The lack of priority given to education will further add to the negative pressures from Covid-19 which will hold the country down,” Wale added.

Wale calls on the Ministry of Education to collaborate with Education Authorities to pursue this school fees alleviation goal. And he further calls on all schools to take a more lenient and compassionate approach toward fee-payers in difficulties in 2021.

–OPPOSITION PRESS

Stop delays and unnecessary adjournment of court cases: chief justice

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Jennifer Kusapa
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Chief Justice Sir Albert Palmer. Photo by RNZ

BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

CHIEF Justice Sir Albert Palmer has again raised concern over the delay and continuous adjournment of cases before the court.

He said such delays should be avoided at all costs as these may lead to a miscarriage of justice.

Sir Albert said delays are incompatible with a society founded on the rule of law and on embedded constitutional rights.

“I spoke to this issue on several occasions last year and so suffice to say that the plight of the high number of remandees awaiting trial needs to be aggressively addressed this year by the Court.

“High priority must be given by all stakeholders and the court in the listing of trials that are ready for hearing”, Sir Albert said. 

He said ongoing delays are an affront to the rights of an accused to have his case heard within a reasonable time by an independent and impartial court and puts unnecessary pressure on the police and Correctional Service apart from the extra cost and burden to society. 

He said victims and the community are entitled to know that complaints will be attended to in good time and justice dispensed promptly.

“There is no short cut to the issue of delay and hearing of cases, the Court and Counsel in the DPP’s office and the PSO should rise to the challenge and ensure that cases involving those in remand are given priority for hearing”, Sir Albert added.

Media attacks on judges unacceptable: Soma

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In-court

BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

PRESIDENT of the Solomon Islands Bar Association (SIBA) Eran Soma has raised disappointment over reports published in the media attacking judges over particular decisions.

Soma said such personal attacks are unacceptable and uncalled for because they undermine the independence of the judiciary, which is crucial to democratic government on which we all rely for our individual and collective freedoms.

The SIBA president was speaking at the opening of the 2021 Legal Year, Tuesday.

He said judges have a sworn and difficult duty to administer justice according to law and they should be allowed to perform that duty unhindered by personal attacks in the media or elsewhere.

“If it is thought that a particular decision is wrong, then in most cases, there is an avenue of appeal available to disappointed litigants,” Soma said.

“If it is thought that the law is wrong, then it is open to Parliament to change it,” he added.

“Further, if it is alleged that the conduct of a judge in performance of his or her duties was illegal or goes to his or her fitness for office, then there is a remedy under s.80 of the Constitution.

“Therefore, it is very important for journalists, reporters and the public to understand that there are legal processes in place to deal with one’s disappointment.

“Media insinuation is not one of them.

“I wish to emphasise the Bar Association’s commitment and support for our judiciary which has a longstanding reputation for independence and impartiality.”

Chief Justice Sir Albert Rocky Palmer also highlighted that in 2020, the Judiciary experienced some negative publicity in the media, in the disposal of election petitions.

“Instead of appreciating the court in disposing of all election petitions save one, timely within the 12 months’ time limit, the court continued to be barraged with bad reporting,” Sir Albert said.

“The judges however continued to remain firm and true to their oaths ‘… to do right to all manner of people without fear or favour, affection or ill-will’ and to discharge their onerous duties to determine disputes that come before them,” he added.

He said maintaining that independence is central to the trust and the public confidence of the community in the work of the courts. 

“Decisions of the courts bind the parties in a case and are enforceable by process of law. 

“They are therefore to be respected by the Government and citizen alike.

“The judiciary is governed by legal and ethical obligations. 

“It determines cases according to law, rules and regulations and the facts that are before it. 

“It does not go beyond what is put before it in court and what the law permits or not permits for it to consider.

“The judiciary is impartial and determines cases according to law, outcomes are legally driven.”

Sir Albert explained that the legislature and the executive in contrast are more open and flexible to the receipt of ideas and may be subject to public opinion and popularity, especially the views of their electorate.

The legislature necessarily focuses on policies and outcomes supported by the executive arm. 

The judiciary on the other hand, focuses on the facts of a case and decides the result on the basis of applying legal principles.

Therefore, he said Judges are required to decide cases in an impartial, fair and independent way. 

The courts are open to the public (“open justice concept”) and judges are required to give reasons for their decisions. 

This requirement is fundamental to the judicial method. 

Counselling sought for quarantine graduates

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Barnabas Manebona
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Chengs Quarantine Station

BY BARNABAS MANEBONA

Coronavirus (Covid-19) quarantine graduates, especially from Chengs facility are seeking for the possibility of ‘counselling service’ to be provided.

According to some graduates, staying in quarantine for a long period has been challenging for them and they struggle to readjust when they return to their homes and families.

Because of such experience, quarantine graduates during early this week’s first 2021 ‘Talk-Back Show’ raise question to the national government, seeking for the possibility to be provided with counselling service.

In response to question, Dr. Gregory Jilini from the Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS) assure those graduating and facing such experience that they can avail counselling services to those who need it.

“I think what we can say is we can avail counselling services to those who will need it. What I will advise is if they could contact us so that we can reach out to them and provide the counselling services that they will need.

“The hotline toll free is ‘115 and 25256’, so please call any of those numbers so that we can reach out and provide help,” said Jilini.

So close, yet…

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Barnabas Manebona
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Chairman of the Oversight Committee Dr Jimmie Rodgers

-Bougainvilleans stranded on this side of border since last year

-Government blames PNG

BY BARNABAS MANEBONA

A NUMBER of Bougainville people have been stranded at the western border since the state of public emergency began in March 2020.

And they want to return to their homes.

They have sent requests to the Government to make an arrangement where they can be transported across the border with the help of police from both countries.

The Bougainvilleans say although they are just a boat ride away, they could not travel across because the border has been secured by police from both sides.

Secretary to Prime Minister (SPM) Dr Jimmie Rodgers in response to this issue explained that the problem at this stage is PNG’s requirements.

“We sympathise with the people of Bougainville wanting to go back and our people wanting to come across,” Rodgers said.

“From the government side we have been looking for ways to help them go back,” he added.

“But the problem lies with the requirements the PNG government has imposed.

“There are two requirements.

“One is that the ‘incident controller’ at PNG must give approval before we can send someone across.

“And the second part is once approval comes, PNG requires Covid tests using PCR machines. They do not use what we have at Gizo.

“It is three days before they go. So where the Foreign Affairs now is to try and seek approval from PNG so that they can approve for their citizens to return.

“As soon as we get approval, we will sort out their testing, because the swab has to be collected, sent up to Honiara, tested here, result goes back and by the time results is done, within three days they will go.

“The process for how to do it is what they are talking about.

“Once approval comes and test is ready then we will activate our immigration and theirs, our police and their police to do the actual transfer.

“But before we can go to the operational side, this policy side must happen first. 

“We are expecting the new High Commissioner of PNG to arrive towards the end of this month.

“Once he gets here, communication with PNG might be easier so that we can quickly get approval from the other side.”

Rodgers assures the Bougainvilleans that the Government is doing its part to help them return home.

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