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Mua lauds POB for support

Written by
Mavis Podokolo
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POB officers met with Labour ward health workers and Acting CEO for NRH Dr John Hue

BY MAVIS NISHIMURA PODOKOLO

MINISTER for Health Dickson Mua has applauded Pan Oceanic Bank for the timely support rendered to help assist National Referral Hospital’s labour ward.

Mua told Island Sun he lauds POB for donating $100,000 to assist the Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS) address the current condition Labour ward is facing.

“I’m glad that POB had assisted us this way especially at this crucial time of the Labour ward condition. The Labour ward plays an important role,” he said.

The current condition at the Labour include overcrowded of the ward area both at the waiting room, stage i, stage ii and stage iii, poor ventilation, the fan or air condition not working.

Also limited space in the between the four delivery suites, no power points in the first and last delivery suits, poor lighting in the main area, need free swinging doors to the delivery and main entrance, needs repainting inside and preparation room, kitchen and outside for general upgrade.

Slow start to classes

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
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Honiara High School. Photo by RNZ.

By EDDIE OSIFELO

IT was slow start for exam classes, mainly forms 3,5,6 and 7 outside of Honiara, Guadalcanal, Noro, Munda, Choiseul bay and Shortland Islands, which were supposed to resume classes on Monday 27th April.

This came after only few students arrived at the schools, leaving no option but wait for a later date to resume classes as opposed to Monda 27th April, the date mandated by Ministry of Education and Human Resources.

A teacher at Patukai Community High School in Marovo, Western province, Lasa Bennett said ‘only two to three’ students arrived at the school.

Bennett believes this may be blamed on students and parents living on the surrounding villages not receiving the message well.

He said on the other hand, it may be tough for some parents to send their students back to school because of boat expenses.

“Some of the students resides in Vangunu, which the weathercoast of Marovo.

“It is really expensive for some parents who don’t work to send their students back to school,” he said.

Bennett said school may likely to be in full swing next week as this week will be treated as travelling time for students.

Another teacher at Adaua Secondary school in North Malaita raised the similar sentiment.

The teacher said not many students have arrived at the school with few teachers as well.

“I think this week, most students will start arriving back at the school.

“It is likely classes may start next week,” he said.

Ministry of Education and Human Resources declared a nationwide closure for all schools towards end of March in response to the high-level covid-19 threat.

This decision is taken as a precautionary measure to protect our people and country from the threat of covid-19 and is in accordance with the Education Act (1978) section 20.

It follows the decision made on March 20, 2020 to close all schools in Honiara and Guadalcanal following the advice given by Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare.

Dr Rodie earlier said following the State of Public Emergency address by Prime Minister due to the threat of the coronavirus on national security and mass repatriation of people to the provinces which is causing anxiety, panic, confusion amongst schools and Education Authorities, the ministry decided to close all schools throughout the country.

“All students in other level or forms such as Early Childhood Centres (ECE), Primary classes 1-6, secondary forms 1, 2 and 4 and Rural Training Centres (RTC) in all locations – all students should remain at their respective homes and villages until further notice is issued by the Ministry of Education,” PS Rodie announced.

He further added that in the first week of class resumption, the Ministry will make an assessment to attain information if there is a need to recall students of schools in the remaining provinces namely Honiara, Guadalcanal, Noro, Munda, Choiseul-bay and Shortland Islands.

Further to that, PS Rhodie said schools can utilise the school grants to help students go back to boarding schools because they are not used since schools closed in March.

He said the school grants should be for six months, so schools can utilise that to assist students get back to schools.

Provincial health directors highlight challenges in covid-19 preparedness efforts

Written by
Mavis Podokolo
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PS Pauline McNeil

BY MAVIS NISHIMURA PODOKOLO

PROVINCIAL health directors have echoed challenges faced in their preparedness efforts towards covid-19.

They did so to officials from the ministry of health and medical services when they met recently.

Pauline McNeil, Permanent Secretary for Health, said “With the discussion we have with the provincial Heath directors we noted they have challenges in terms of their Personal Protection Equipment (PPEs) to be prepositioned in provinces.

“We have talked about this but we need to get a lot more PPEs to enable to move them to the provinces so this one challenge high highlighted by provincial directors,” said McNeil.

She said the other challenge is terms of the incinerators and the mortuaries that they have run down incinerators and the mortuaries also need repairing and replacement.

“We hope that with this State of Emergency support that we have. We looked at those kinds of activities to be able to not only attend to the covid-19 response but in terms of going forward for development purposes,” said McNeil.

She adds in terms of the preparations most of the Provincial Emergency Operation Centers (PEOC) have been activated after couple of days NEOC activated.

“So, I think they were well placed right from the beginning.

In terms of their progress to date most provinces have already identified their sites for quarantine and for isolation but we at the National level we have to do some work in terms of the scope of assessment on these facilities and as I speak some team have went down to provinces,”said McNeil.

She said there is team now in Isabel and there is a team going this week to Shortland to further asses the facilities at the border, so in terms of provincial schedule Western province is done, Malaita is done  and we have Isabel  that’s on going and pending now is for Choiseul province, Temotu, Makira and Renbell and Central province.

Exam classes need to resume today: PS Rodie

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
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Permanent Secretary for MEHRD, Dr Franco Rodie.

By EDDIE OSIFELO

MINISTRY of Education and Human Resources has seen the need to resume exam classes mainly forms 3,5,6 and 7 living outside the Emergency zones and high risk areas.

Permanent Secretary, Dr Franco Rodie told a 4th Radio Talkback show at SIBC on Sunday 26th April that it is important to resume some classes because of the impact on students’ learning being already significant.

He said the ministry is doing this to manage the situation.

MEHR declared a nationwide closure for all schools towards end of March in response to the high-level covid-19 threat.

This decision is taken as a precautionary measure to protect our people and country from the threat of covid-19 and is in accordance with the Education Act (1978) section 20.

It follows the decision made on March 20, 2020 to close all schools in Honiara and Guadalcanal following the advice given by Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare.

Mr Rodie earlier said following the State of Public Emergency address by Prime Minister due to the threat of the coronavirus on national security and mass repatriation of people to the provinces which is causing anxiety, panic, confusion amongst schools and Education Authorities, the ministry decided to close all schools throughout the country.

However, exam classes are resuming today except for all schools in Honiara, Guadalcanal, Noro, Munda, Choiseul-bay and Shortland Islands.

 “All students in other level or forms such as Early Childhood Centres (ECE), Primary classes 1-6, secondary forms 1, 2 and 4 and Rural Training Centres (RTC) in all locations – all students should remain at their respective homes and villages until further notice is issued by the Ministry of Education,” Rodie announced.

He further added that in the first week of class resumption, the Ministry will make an assessment to attain information if there is a need to recall students of schools in the remaining provinces namely Honiara, Guadalcanal, Noro, Munda, Choiseul-bay and Shortland Islands.

Further to that, PS Rhodie said schools can utilise the school grants to help students go back to boarding schools because they are not used since schools closed in March.

He said the school grants should be for six months, so schools can utilise that to assist students get back to schools.

World Bank blog states that as of March 28, 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic is causing more than 1.6 billion children and youth to be out of school in 161 countries.

This is close to 80 percent of the world’s enrolled students. 

“We were already experiencing a global leaning crisis, as many students were in school, but were not learning the fundamental skills needed for life. The World Bank’s “Learning Poverty” indicator – the % of children who cannot read and understand at age 10 – stood at 53% of children in low- and middle-income countries – before the outbreak started. This pandemic has the potential to worsen these outcomes even more if we do not act fast.

“What should we be worried about in this phase of the crisis that might have an immediate impact on children and youth?

  1. Losses in learning;
  2. Increased dropout rates;
  3. Children missing their most important meal of the day.

Moreover, most countries have very unequal education systems, and these negative impacts will be felt disproportionately by poor children. When it rains, it pours for them. ,” Jame Saavedra said.

Government issues first covid-19 domestic development bond

Written by
Press Release
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Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare

THE Solomon Islands Government has issued the first covid-19 domestic development bond of SB$120 million to interested buyers.

Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare announced this in his weekly nation-wide covid-19 address on Friday last week as one of the measures factored in the government’s stimulus package.

There are up to five domestic interested buyers of the COVID-19 Development Bonds, but the Government is considering negotiating with three prospective buyers. 

The COVID-19 Domestic Development Bond will be negotiated according to the Government’s borrowing guidelines and processes to be scheduled under the 2020 Annual Borrowing Appropriation.

“The COVID-19 Development Bonds are issued as part of the strategy to mobilise resources to fund the Government’s COVID-19 Economic Stimulus Package,” Mr Sogavare said.

Key usage of the COVID-19 Bond will be directed towards major infrastructures which include bridges, roads and wharves that connect key productive and resource sector hubs, as well as infrastructure that connect to essential public services such as health and education.

A fraction of the COVID-19 Bond will be used as equity injection into the Investment Corporation of Solomon Islands (ICSI) portfolio companies namely Soltuna, Kolombangara Forest Products Limited (KFPL), Solomon Airlines as well specific investments and products of the Development Bank of Solomon Islands (DBSI).

According to Sogavare, these investments act as stimulus spending into the local economy because of the anticipation on engagement of local contractors. The investments also play an important role as a catalyst towards medium to long-term economic growth in Solomon Islands.

The COVID-19 Development Bond transaction is expected to send a positive signal to external investors that our financial and economic environment remains resilient, despite the social and economic fallout, as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Sogavare expressed the Government’s gratitude to the prospective buyers of the COVID-19 Domestic Development Bond.

Their confidence in the Government’s effort to ensure that economic activities and growth remain vibrant is welcoming, despite the challenges facing the country.

–GOVERNMENT COMMUNICATION UNIT

Police records zero border crossing: Mangau

Written by
Jennifer Kusapa
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Police Commissioner Mostyn Mangau.

BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

ACTING Police Commissioner Mostyn Mangau during the talk-back show on Sunday 26th April revealed zero crossing at the Western Border.

He said police have deployed 57 police officers with its resources in manning the border with other government law enforcement agencies.

Mangau assured the public that police have the logistical capability in manning the border and so far, police have sent three speed crafts, five banana boats powered with 60horsepower engines to assist police officers and other agencies at the Border.

He also said another batch of suppliers for the officers at the Border will also be supplied sometimes this week along with some officers to replace officers on the ground.

And another police speed craft will also be deployed as well, Mangau said.

Mangau said since they have more officers at the Border there has been zero crossing zero crossing and police along with stakeholders will continue to monitor border due to the coronavirus.

He also commended the communities and Chiefs of Shortland Islands for working together with the team at the Border in ensuring that our country is COVID-19 free.

Stimulus package in final stage

Written by
Mavis Podokolo
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0

BY MAVIS NISHIMURA PODOKOLO

STIMULUS package for the economy is in the final stage of being completed for presentation to cabinet before the end of this week, says Robson Djokovic, Chief of Staff to Prime Minister’s Office.

Djokovic in a 4th talk back show on covid-19 updates held on Sunday 26th April at the Solomon Islands Broadcasting Corporation (SIBC).

“The stimulus package Prime Minister Referred in his national address on Friday is in the final stages of being completed for presentation to cabinet should be before the end of this week.

“Stimulus package as you will all be aware is to cushion the impact of covid19 on the national economy meaning the government want to inject funds into the country ‘economy through private business state own enterprises and also through line ministries,” he said.

Djokovic said the package will take time simply because of the importance and it will be delivered in various sectors.

He said it has taken long because the government has to ensure the money that will be injected into the stimulus package will its recipients so it can stimulate the economy ad to ensure it will continue to turn over during this emergency phase. 

Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare when delivering his 5th nationwide address on April 7th 2020 stressed this package is his government efforts address impacts of the pandemic and off course the recent cyclone                                    

“The Economic Stimulus Package is a demonstration of my Government’s Commitment to cushion the negative impact caused by both the COVID-19 global pandemic and the recent cyclone, and ease the fallout of the pandemic on businesses and the general public.

The economic stimulus package is aimed at stabilizing our domestic economy by addressing the drop-in business activities resulting from the downscaling to both private and public sector operations. 

While at the same time, the stimulus package is aimed at focusing on providing strategic investments into the domestic economy over the emergency period to support and complement the post COVID-19 economic recovery phase,” Sogavare.

Closing that window

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
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Attorney General John Muria Jnr

Govt to make order to manage ships entering country

By EDDIE OSIFELO

THE Government is expected to soon impose an order to stop crews in international vessels from stepping on land.

This follows serious concerns raised by the peoples of Rennell Island and Choiseul province on bulk carrier and logging ships travelling to their islands despite the threat of covid-19.

The people asked government to stop any ship from overseas entering the country because of the high risk of spreading the virus.

Attorney General John Muria Junior told a 4th Talk Back show at SIBC on Sunday 26th April that there are Standard Operation Procedures (SOP) being developed and a regulation drafted to oversee movement of crewmen and women from incoming vessels.

Failure to comply will result in SBD1 million fine or 20 years imprisonment which the shipping liners and agents here in Honiara will be held responsible.

Acting Secretary to the Prime Minister, Dr Jimmy Rodgers said that an order is in process to manage the ships entering the country.

Mr Rodgers said the order is to make sure the crews and shipping agents comply with the State of Emergency rules otherwise they can face consequences for breaking it.

However, he said the government also is trying to collect revenue to sustain the domestic economy.

Therefore, Rodgers said the communities must work together with the government to report any ship that breaks the law.

In addition, Muria Jnr explained the 14-day quarantine period covering vessels entering the country.

Muria said the 14-day quarantine period starts when the ship leaves its first port and arrives at the final destination in Solomon Islands.

He said if the ship only covers 10 days, then it must be quarantine for another four days to meet the requirement.

How bout that!

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Admin
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Buses

Something good from the bad – fuel prices are falling thanks to covid-19

BY PETER ZOLEVEKE II

AT least one thing many would agree has come good out of the current covid-19 pandemic – fuel prices are dropping.

On Monday this week, US oil prices for the first time ever dropped to negative. And, with covid-19 still on the rampage around the world, prices are projected to continue plummeting.

Fuel is regarded as one of the ‘main costs’ in Honiara and across country. Vehicle owners, boat owners, sawmill owners and the list goes on, can attest to this.

Prices of services are also partly determined by the cost of fuel, from electricity to public transport, etc. The degree varies in each service. Overall, falling fuel prices is good news for the public.

The country’s major fuel distributors South Pacific Oil Limited and Markwarth Oil Limited reflected declines across all fuel categories since January this year.

“There are no fixed prices, monthly it changes and without latest experience in the past three months this year prices repeatedly record lower,” an insider from the SPO’s Sales & Marketing informed this paper yesterday.

“Every month the fuel price changes beginning each month. With the previous experience price has not been stable, and with this COVID-19 pandemic price remain lower.”

Consumer Affairs and Price Control Division, Director Geoffrey Dan Hou’ua confirmed the price lowering.

“Changes from each month and current month drops according to our calculations. Within the template all costing are included that’s when we determine whether prices go up or down depending on the MOPS.

Petrol retail price for April is $7.90 per litre – a drop of 50c from last month.

Similarly, Diesel retails at $8 per litre – a drop of 60c from last month.

Kerosene dropped by 50c from last month, now retailing at $7.50 per litre.

Oil companies submit monthly pricing template referred as Mean of Platts Singapore (MOPS) OR World market to the Secretary of the Price Advisory Committee (PAC) which its functions is to keep under review prices or charges for sale of goods or supply of services.

“Submission normally comes monthly on 23rd, 24th or 25th and that is around this week so we can identify the new price for May,” Secretary PAC Edward Bamu explained.

“The wholesale price will be forwarded to the two suppliers and the retail price to the service stations.

The total petroleum fuels market is about 150-200 million litres per annum.

SPOL is approx. about 44 percent of 80 million litres. MOL is 100 percent regulated.

Meanwhile, SPO and Markwarth are receiving petroleum from the Singapore based refinery, and so far reportedly all retail suppliers in Honiara have similar price on Petrol ($791) and Diesel ($8.06) which are the main commodities.

Being a price taker, Solomon Islands are vulnerable to such external shocks.

PPEs received still not enough: PS McNeil

Written by
Mavis Podokolo
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PS Pauline McNeil

BY MAVIS NISHIMURA PODOKOLO

WHILST the country is battling to stop the entry of the coronavirus-19 (COVID19) the Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) currently received by the Ministry of Health and Medical Services is still not enough.

This was revealed by Pauline McNeil, Permanent Secretary for Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS), during a recent talkback show on covid-19 at the Solomon Islands Broadcasting Corporation in Honiara (SIBC).

“Right now, we have received the Personal Protection Equipment (PPEs) but I don’t think it is enough yet,” said McNeil.

“We still mobilising and communicating with  our partners  and using our current budget to procure additional so we can move these PPEs to our nine provinces but at the same time to also  preposition the PPEs in Honiara as an entry point but also to in Gizo, Shortland’s so these are  the places that we need to preposition our suppliers to.

“The challenge would be securing the warehouses in the provinces and therefore will have budgetary implications on it as well but we working around it to ensure the PPE suppliers are propositioned well in advanced before we have a case,” said McNeil.

On this matter Minister for Health Dickson Mua said new PPEs have arrived in Solomon Islands and more are due to arrive soon.

Mua said to get these supplies into a pre-positioning location across the country is the ministry’s next priority.

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