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Wale calls on PM to revive dialogue on nurse stand off

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Press Release
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Opposition Leader Matthew C Wale.

LEADER of Opposition Matthew Wale calls on the Prime Minister to immediately revoke the suspension of the Nurses Association and to enter into dialogue with the nurses to resolve any outstanding issue surrounding their recent sit-in protest.

Mr Wale said, “The acute shortage of nurses and doctors at the central hospital is already putting our health system under serious constraints and to let the threat of losing nurses drag further will only add fuel to the current worsening state of affairs.

“While there has been attempts on the part of government to address the claims, this may have been unsatisfactory thus, forcing the nurses to take the action they took.

“It is therefore important that the government take a level headed approach.  We are talking about nurses and front liners here. These are people that this country needs to be on top of their job at this point in time and so, how their concerns are handled is critical.

“It seems the Prime Minister jumped straight into invoking powers under the Covid-19 Regulations without fully exhausting the dialogue option. While there may have been attempts on the government side, it seems these may have been unsatisfactory thus, leading to the sit-in protest.

“This is truly regrettable and raises serious questions on the Prime Minister’s sense of reasoning and motives. Where is the public interest he is trying to protect?” the Opposition Leader questioned.

The suspension of the nurses Association on claims for allowances and any threats to discipline the nurses borders on being unreasonably justifiable and being disproportionate to the likely consequences resulting from the continuous absence of nurses from attending to their covid-19 duties and sick patients at the hospital.

“I therefore urge the Prime Minister to revoke the suspension and take responsibility in establishing meaningful dialogue with the nurses. All our nurses must return to work at the earliest and what should make this happen sooner is what the Prime Minister should be looking at.

“I also urge the nurses to consider exhausting all options for dialogue and to leave industrial action out for now. The law is there to deal with these matters.  Use these options if you must, as our people and country depend on your service,” Wale adds.

–OPPOSITION PRESS

Call to reinstate SINA

Written by
Mavis Podokolo
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General Secretary for SINA Steve Maitani

BY MAVIS NISHIMURA PODOKOLO

GOVERNMENT is being called on to reinstate the nurses’ association SINA since there is no other body to address and promote nurses’ welfare in the country.

General Secretary for the suspended Solomon Islands Nuses Association (SINA) Mr Steven Maitani makes this call following prime minister Manasseh Sogavare’s decision to invoke absolute powers given to him under the state of emergency to suspend SINA.

Maitani said during this covid-19 pandemic health workers no longer have a body or platform that will protect and watch for their welfare, since prime minister Sogavare has taken that away from them.

“I call on the National government to quickly looking in the matter of recalling SINA because it is the only body that looks after and fights for all nurses before and during this pandemic.

“Now SINA is on suspension and nurses now live in confusion as their no other organisation focusing on nurses they will ran too to seek support from,” he said.

Maitani said the suspension of this association shows no respect to the initial service Act the nurses have.

Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare in his national address yesterday said SINA was suspended because as a trade union, SINA did not prioritise national interest and security of this country at a time when we needed all hands on deck.

“It instead went ahead and broke our laws and asked their members to desert their patients. The suspension of SINA was a decision the government did not take lightly. It was taken after all the options open to government were explored and exhausted. SINA has put its own interest as a Trade Union ahead of this nation’s interest. The rationale for the suspension is very well covered in today’s newspapers,” said Sogavare.

5 new cases

Written by
Barnabas Manebona
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Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare

Country’s tally reaches 13 as more passengers from high-risk Oct-25 flight test positive to covid-19

BY BARNABAS MANEBONA

SOLOMON Islands has registered five new covid-19 cases.

Four of the new cases are returning soccer players while the fifth is a passenger from Korea.

It is not clear whether the new cases are asymptomatic or symptomatic.

This brings the national tally to 13 cases; four having fully recovered, no longer active; and nine current active status.

All active nine cases are from the high-risk repatriation flight of October 25 from Auckland, New Zealand. Swift government anti-covid measures had led to the detection and red-flagging of four initial cases from that flight and the separate quarantining of other high-risk persons from the rest of the passengers.

Government had earlier warned following the detections that reports of misbehaviour by one of the positive cases during flight had potentially exposed an unknown number of other passengers to the virus, hence more cases would likely be detected.

Thus, yesterday’s announcement by prime minister Manasseh Sogavare does not come as a shock for members of public.

Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare in his nationwide address yesterday said, “My good people, it is with great regret that I once again inform you all that after the second round of testing yesterday [Sunday], we have registered five more new covid-19 cases.

“Four of these cases are our returning soccer players. Thus out of the 16 players who returned from UK a total of [eight] are positive cases. The fifth case is from a passenger from Korea. All [five] new cases have been transferred to the NRH isolation units.

“These [five] new cases bring our total number of cases from the flight from Auckland on 25th [October] to nine.

“The total number of cases registered in Solomon Islands now is 13, of which the first four that were linked to the Philippines have now become negative.”

Prime Minister Sogavare said the four cases from Philippines that are now negative will be closely monitored and undergo further tests.

“They will be released once they satisfy all the testing protocols,” said the Prime Minister.

The returning soccer players are members of the local soccer academy, Royals Academy, who had been in England since last year training with an English soccer academy, Star, and playing short stints with low-level tier-nine clubs there.

Four of these players tested positive upon arrival here on October 25. One of them was reported to have refused to wear protective face mask while in the plane, and had also reportedly moved around while in flight, giving cause for government to be concerned that he may have exposed an unknown number of other passengers to the virus.

Prime Minister Sogavare, during his national address announcing the four new cases last week, condemned such irresponsible behaviour, connecting it to risking national security.

It is understood that the person will be dealt with by authorities after he is released from quarantine.

Solomon Islands so far has had a remarkable record of 100 percent asymptomatic covid-19 cases. Yesterday’s announcement by government did not disclose whether or not the new five are asymptomatic.

PM announces five new cases from Auckland flight

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Press Release
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Covid-19
Photo: Google

PRIME Minister Manasseh Sogavare today has announced five new COVID-19 cases in the country.

Speaking during his nationwide address today, the Prime Minister said four of the new cases are from our returning soccer players.He said the fifth case is from a passenger from Korea that also travelled on the Auckland flight.

“Out of the 16 players who returned from UK, eight are positive cases,” he said.

The Prime Minister said the five new cases now brings the total number of cases from the flight from Auckland on 25th October to nine.

“So the total number of cases registered in Solomon Islands now is 13, of which the first four that were linked to the Philippines have since become negative,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Prime Minister said the four initial cases from the Philippines although now negative will be closely monitored and undergo further tests.He said they should be released once they satisfy all the testing protocols.

Prime Minister Sogavare said daily health monitoring is continuing for all our quarantined passengers.

“Swabbing and further tests are also underway as part of our testing protocols,” he said.

The Prime Minister assured the country that all cases have been contained within the isolation stations as community transmission remains low.

–OPMC Press Release

Suidani eyes water business

Written by
Samie Waikori
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Premier of Malaita province Daniel Suidani

BY SAMIE WAIKORI

AUKI

MARA government is hoping to get water business with responsible stakeholders for its long term plan for the development of Auki and other parts of the province.

The plan is Auki Greater Master Plan and MARA government sees it important that the 30 years plan to have water as a vital component that encompasses processes and policy plat-forms to develop the province.

Premier Daniel Suidani made the statements during the launching of Auki Water Supply Up-grade Project in Auki last week.

Suidani said looking ahead, MARA government is working at finishing Auki Greater Master Plan. Thus, water accessibility is an important aspect of the proposed planned developments.

He said the plan is a “Mala 2050” visioning process and policy platform which will arrive at an idea of Mala in 2050 and what we should be planning for.

Saying the document focuses on planning for a greater Auki over that time period based on the following assumption;

“Firstly, Auki is assumed to encompass road or sea accessible areas of the following wards, 1-3 and wards 27-30, extending from Gwaunaru/Buma in the north and Su’u in the south.

“This area is define roughly by extend of existing road network, planned intended projects and availability of tracts of registered lands,” Suidani said.

He said as part of the plan, MPG sees the following as initial anchor projects for 2020-2025.

“The number of projects envisages and is currently being pursued by the province and is at var-ious stages of preparation.

“These are important elements going forward in planning the overall development of the greater Auki area.

“These developments include Bina tuna processing plant and port as well as southern Langa Langa water supply scheme.

“Kilu’ufi hospital and health services precinct stage one, Auki seafront performance area, cruise visitor zone and craft market.

“Mawa timber processing and provincial forestry nursery zone, Queen Elizabeth Girl’s National High School and residential, business and industrial area demarcation,” he said.

On that note, Suidani said Bina tuna processing plant project is an investment requires proper water supply and the province under the MOU signed with MFMR has been working closely with the ministry on the area.

ESP list going around ‘not true’

Written by
Barnabas Manebona
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MoFT Permanent Secretary McKinnie Dentana. Photo by SBM

BY BARNABAS MANEBONA

LIST of Economic Stimulus Package (ESP) project applications circulating since last week amongst the public is ‘not a true one’.

Ministry of Finance and Treasury (MoFT) Permanent Secretary (PS) McKinnie Dentana and Chairman of the ESP Committee said probably there were some leakage earlier coming out from their ministry or from the Prime Minister’s Office but the list going around is not true.

In response to question during yesterday’s ‘Covid-19 Talk-Back Show’ on whether a list going around of over 16 project applications is the final list of payments or will it be further assessed and reduced, the PS explains that the appropriate information will be made in the proper channel which is to be on the proper website.

Mr Dentana in confirmation said he has not seen ‘what list’ is actually going around but he has heard there are a lot of lists circulating.

“I have not seen what list is actually going around but I have heard there are a lot of lists going around,” said Dentana.

“First of all I will say probably there was some leakage coming out from the Ministry of Finance or from the Prime Minister’s Office, but I just want to explain here that the list going around is not a true one. That is the first point and the second point is all appropriate information as we have said in the previous Talk-Back Show will be made in the proper channel.

“Proper channel that can access to everyone, every day, every night, in years, the information will be available on the proper website.”

Since last week, Dentana said they are continuing this week over the ESP letter of offer and contract to be issued to those who are recipients, probably to reach next week as well.

“We have completed all process on most of the activity on the stimulus package so since last week, and this week, ‘and probably next week’, letter of offer, contract and also payment will start to be released.”

Gov’t proceeds to recruit new nurses

Written by
Mavis Podokolo
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Registered nurse taking make their pledge.

BY MAVIS N. PODOKOLO

SEVENTY-EIGHT newly graduated nurses are in the process of being recruited, with some ex-pecting to start duties today.

Pauline McNeil, Permanent Secretary to Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS), said this is necessary to fill in the gaps.

 “Going forward to fill in the gaps my team at the Ministry and the National Nursing council headed by Michael Larui are in the process of   signing the contracts for 78 new graduates and the signing started on Friday, October 30,” McNeil said.

“We have already made submissions to the Ministry of Public Services two weeks ago to fast-truck the recruitment of the 78 new graduates,” she added.

McNeil said because of the urgency their contracts were fast tracked on Friday.

“We are also moving forward to bring on our 15 recently retired nurses on board to mentor and coach these new recruits.”

National Director of Nursing, Michael Larui said he met the new graduates on Saturday and briefed them about what’s expected of them.

He said they will distribute the nurses to the National Referral Hospital and clinics in Honiara while others will serve in covid-19 operations.

Police to enquire into bribery attempt on PPC Malaita

Written by
Jennifer Kusapa
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BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

POLICE Commissioner Mostyn Mangau says no formal complaint has been raised to the po-lice about allegations of bribery in Malaita.

Two separate bribery allegations on the PPC Malaita and also on two members of Provincial Assembly were reported in media recently.

Mangau, responding to questions during a recent media conference, said that he is aware of allegations being discussed in the social media but there are no formal complaints reported to the Police about those bribery allegations on the MPAs.

But if those allegations are true then come forward and report to the police, Mangau said.

Regarding two officers of a logging company attempting to bribe the PPC Malaita, Mangau said, he will check on Auki police as to whether any enquiry has been made into that allegation.

He said there is still no update on those issues and police will follow-up on that allegations.

Last week, Opposition Leader Matthew Wale condemned the alleged bribery attempt by the two officers of a logging company on the Malaita Provincial Police Commander in Auki.

Wale commended PPC Riolo for refusing to accept the bribe and publishing the incident.

“In this PPC Riolo has shown a good example to other public officers to emulate in exposing corruption,” Riolo said.

However, Wale was also concerned why the PPC did not immediately order the arrest of both officers and their boss to whom he spoke on the phone.

The Opposition Leader said these people are so bold in going to the RSIPF Auki provincial office to commit their crime.

“It was important that not only should the evidence be collected on the spot, but that they should also be arrested forthwith,” the Opposition Leader stressed.

Wale said the attempted bribery of the PPC is a serious matter and should not be left un-punished.

“The RSIPF is the premier law enforcement agency in Solomon Islands and these people obviously intended to compromise its work in relation to a matter directly affecting them or their company.

“We all, but especially police officers, must jealously guard the effectiveness and impartiality of the RSIPF against such malign activities aimed at undermining the rule of law in Solomon Islands,” the Opposition Leader adds.

“It is important that we do things properly and according to laws of the country, and ordinances of the Province and not allow people to flout our laws.

“I therefore call on the Police to immediately pursue investigations into this allegation and arrest those involved.”

He said PPC Riolo’s actions demonstrates quality that is required by the people in our public offices, especially the Police force.

“PPC Riolo, your decision shows your dedication to the rule of law and your job as a senior police officer, and serves as an example to other public officers,” Wale said.

Get prepared for developments ahead: Suidani

Written by
Samie Waikori
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Malaita Premier Daniel Suidani.

BY SAMIE WAIKORI

AUKI

PREMIER of Malaita province, Daniel Suidani has called on his people of west Fataleka and the province to prepare for developments ahead.

He made the call during handover of a PCDF-funded market building to the people of Taeloa over the weekend.

“My good people of West Fataleka, you might hear stories of development support that is coming to Malaita province. Let me demystify and clarify any doubts in your mind about the sup-port.

“We know the State of Department of the United State of America have announced recently that Malaita province will be the focus of its $25m grant under their scale programme,” Suidani said.

He said in preparation for the support, people must work together to harness the benefits that will come under the programme and affiliated projects.

“I can assure you that west Fataleka and ward five will not benefit from this support if we are not ready to work together as one people.

“I urge you to start organising yourselves in readiness of the support. It’s time we must talk together as tribes or families in readiness.

“Let’s not have the attitude of waiting for things to be put on a plate for you. That attitude will not bring any good to us or our communities.

“Let’s not wait for others to tell us what to do rather let’s put our God’s given knowledge and wisdom into good use and in preparation for the opportunities. We cannot sit and wait and hopping change will somehow appear like a miracle to us.

“I believe west Fataleka will continue to contribute to the development of the province and push the boundary frontier of development to ensure our place continues to move on the right development trajectory.

“No that will never happen. We will have to get involve and get organise.”

Repa-date not yet fixed for graduating students

Written by
Barnabas Manebona
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BY BARNABAS MANEBONA

REPATRIATION date is not yet fixed for Solomon Islands graduating students this year over-seas but national government is thinking on ‘the second week of December’.

As soon as all arrangements are formalised then they will announce the date of the actual ‘travel back’ said Permanent Secretary (PS) Dr Franco Rodie of the Ministry of Education and Human Resource Development (MEHRD) during yesterday’s Coronavirus (Covid-19) ‘Talk-Back Show’.

As understood the government is planning to repatriate students who should be able to complete their studies while ongoing students are to remain in host countries because of the difficulties in terms of quarantine measures as well as travel restrictions, Dr Rodie assures those to remain that they will do their best over their allowances from December to New Year.

“In terms of the repatriation of graduating students, if you have been following very carefully on all the decisions or plans that we have, earlier on we mentioned for students who are currently studying in Fiji based institutions, Papua New Guinea [PNG], Vanuatu particularly USP Emalus Campus as well as Samoa and some in Australia and New Zealand, [that] we are planning to repatriate students who should be able to complete their studies or graduating students,” said Dr Rodie.

“So just for your interest, in Fiji we have 368 graduating students, Samoa [4], PNG [77], Vanuatu with 84, Australia with 19, and New Zealand [4].

“Now for ongoing students in those institutions, there are about 898, so these are the students that we are planning for them to remain in the host countries because of the difficulties in terms of quarantine measures as well as travel restrictions. We will make sure for these students, they receive their allowances from December 2020 until February when they are expected to resume their classes.

“All in all, ongoing students, 898 those who are going to remain in those institutions and for graduating students who we are going to repatriate are about 530.

“Now we have not really fixed the date for them to be repatriated but we are thinking of second week of December, as soon as all the arrangements have been formalised, then we will announce the date of the actual travel back to the Solomon.

“So those are the repatriation arrangements for our graduating students and those who are going to remain in those host countries or institution.”

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