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‘Malaita first’

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Premier of Malaita province Daniel Suidani

Malaita premier warns province’s investors not to mess around

BY BEN BILUA

DONORS and investors intending to develop or invest in Malaita province are being warned to “think carefully” before doing so.

The welfare and needs of the people of Malaita are the forefront to any investment venture.

Malaita will no longer tolerate investors that aim only to exploit the province’s resources, make profit, and leave the resource owners high and dry.

Premier Daniel Suidani issued the warning yesterday in his address during the launch of a disaster programme in Honiara.

“The time is up for nontangible partnership, which has been a practice over the past years,” Suidani said.

“So many times, we heard about the need for collaborative approach to development but sadly that is often easier said than done,” he stated.

“As a government, we feel it’s important that we know what developments are taking place within our jurisdiction and how best we could be partners in such endeavours.

“We want to see appropriate partnership and one that sees our people and their needs as the key priority to be dealt with.

“MPG wants to see a more meaningful engagement than what has been seen in the past.

“We want to be partners right at the beginning of any developments and not in the middle or at the end of developments.

“This is the call that I would like to make to all those who wish to conduct developments in Malaita province,” he said.

Suidani said the Malaita Alliance for Rural Advancement (MARA) Government is pursuing restoration as an economic direction with strict policies and regulations.

He said his government has established appropriative provincial ordinances to safeguard its people and will be mindful of who is crossing into Malaita province’s jurisdiction to do business or any development.

Premier Suidani adds that the Auki Communique, sealed between MARA Government and MALAMOI council of Chiefs, signifies the new approach to any development.

“This was a historical document for the Provincial Government as it outlined its principal stands on the development of Malaita province.

“While some may say that the days for protectionism policies are over; and that protectionism policies are inhibitors to foreign direct investment, I need not remind them that any good principles are as good as the contextual realities within which these principles are applied,” he said. 

Premier Suidani said Malaita Province has had its fair share of dealing with dishonest business houses which is costly to the province and that his government cautions any developments carried out by NGOs or investors to follow the same trend.

He stressed that the MARA government welcomes donor partners and investors who have integrity and respect the resources, culture and people of Malaita province.

Front-liners first to be vaccinated

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Barnabas Manebona
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Covid-19 Vaccine. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/File Photo

BY BARNABAS MANEBONA

THE first tranche of Coronavirus (Covid-19) vaccines will be targeted to the country’s front-liners.

Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare said initial application to cover the first 0.25 percent of population had been submitted to and had been received by GAVI.

In his nation-wide address, Monday, he said his government is committed to vaccine coverage of 50 percent of the population through the GAVI facility with the remaining 50 percent of the population to be secured through bilateral arrangements with development partners.

“Fellow citizens the Oversight Committee will be meeting with the COVAX National Coordinating Committee and the COVAX Technical Working Group to agree a timeline for the presentation of our COVID-19 Vaccine roll-out strategy to Cabinet for its consideration,” Sogavare said.

“I am happy to inform the public that our initial application to cover the first 0.25 percent of our population had been submitted to and had been received by GAVI,” he added.

“This first tranche of vaccines will be targeted to our front-liners.

“My government has committed to vaccine coverage of 50% of our population through the GAVI facility with the remaining 50% of the population to be secured through bilateral arrangements with our development partners.

“In this regard I applaud the commitments of Australia that has announced the amount of 14 million Australian dollars to assist Solomon Islands procures and distribute vaccines, and other countries including New Zealand and the People’s Republic of China that have already committed to support the government’s COVID-19 vaccination roll out program.

“I also thank the UN Agencies in particular the UNCEF and WHO as well as well as other international and regional agencies including the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat and the Secretariat of the Pacific Community for their ongoing support to my government.”

Consultation on health bill starts

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Barnabas Manebona
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PM Manasseh Sogavare

BY BARNABAS MANEBONA

FINAL consultations into the ‘Public Health Emergency Bill’ start this week and will run for the next month.

That’s according to Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare in his latest nationwide address, Monday.

Sogavare said provinces to be invited for the consultations include Temotu, Makira, Renbel, Isabel, Choiseul and Guadalcanal.

“Non-Government organizations, the private sector and the Parliamentary Opposition will also be consulted.

“It is the wish of my Government to broaden the consultation base of the bill as much as possible.

 “The current State of Public Emergency will end on the 24th March 2021. 

“It is the intention of my Government to bring the new bill to Parliament to be debated and commenced before 24th March 2021,” Sogavare said.

SISCC seals deal with 5th operator

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Submarine cable linking Vanuatu to Solomon Islands.

BY BEN BILUA

SOLOMON Islands Submarine Cable Company Ltd (SISCC) has sealed an agreement with a new telecommunications operator, bringing the number of operators to five.

Chief Executive Officer of Solomon Islands Submarine Cable Company Ltd, Keir Preedy confirmed this to Island Sun in an inclusive interview yesterday.

He said the installation programme is expected to be completed before going into trial next month.

“We have four licensed operators using international capacity on Coral Sea Cable to Sydney and three of those also using our domestic capacity on the Solomon Islands Domestic Network which joins Auki, Noro and Taro to Honiara,” Preedy said.

“We currently have a fifth operator installing wireless internet equipment ready for a month precommercial trial in February,” he added. 

He said details of the new customer cannot be shared as the legal contract is subjected to non-discloser agreement.

Preedy said SISCC is looking forward to further growth and service development to enhance its services.

He adds that SISCC will also continue to explore potential opportunities for a second, diverse, cable route for the Solomon Islands.

Current telecommunications operators include Our Telekom, Bemobile and Satsol.

Sisilo heads off to QLD to offer support to workers

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Jennifer Kusapa
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Solomon Islands High Commissioner to Australia Robert Sisilo

BY JENNIFFER KUSAPA

SOLOMON Islands High Commissioner to Australia Robert Sisilo is heading up to Queensland to provide in-person support and check arrangements for the repatriation of two Solomon Islanders killed in a car crash, Sunday.

The two, and a third who survived and is in hospital, were in Australia working at a meat factory under the Pacific Labour Scheme.

Sisilo told Island Sun yesterday the Pacific Labour Welfare Duty Officer at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) relayed the incident to him on Sunday afternoon.

“I am making arrangements to travel to Kingaroy, QLD later in the week to provide workers with in person support and check arrangements for repatriation etc,” Sisilo said.

He shared his deep sympathies to the immediate families and friends of the two deceased.

“This is not the first time we have had workers passing away so there’s a system already in place for repatriation,” the high commissioner explained.

“It appears the workers had one too many that night. 

“If that was indeed the case then that’s the message I will zero in when I meet our workers later in the week. 

“Four workers have passed on since I arrived in January 2020 and if these two are alcohol related then that makes it 3 out of 4 and on the road/traffic related.”

Sisilo said the two were employed by Rural Workforce Management (RWM) in Kingaroy, Queensland.

A statement Queensland police issued said:

“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 station wagon 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.”

Internet business

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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.

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