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Govt to control movement of foreigners in and out of SI

Written by
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.

“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

Written by
Press Release
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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

Written by
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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Press Release
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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

Written by
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.

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