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SILENT THREAT

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Temotu government tackles rhinoceros beetle before it spreads further in province

A similar story everywhere, not only in the country but worldwide – many once-prioritised problems are overshadowed and left to fester by covid-19 and are now giving cause for alarm.

For Temotu province, amid its activities in preparation for any potential entry by covid-19, its government is quelling the Rhinoceros Beetle, the highly devastative palm pest.

Temotu provincial government recognises that while most of its efforts are directed against covid-19, it must also address the Coconut rhinoceros beetle threat that is already present and growing in Temotu.

In a media statement yesterday, the Temotu Provincial Executive said it passed resolutions to prevent further spread of Rhinoceros Beetle following confirmation of its presence in the province.

Biosecurity officials of the Ministry of Agriculture & Livestock (MAL) last week confirmed that two islands in the province, Vanikoro and Neo have been invaded by Rhinoceros Beetle. Preliminary findings revealed Vanikoro is almost covered by the beetle except a few areas like Buma Island, Peu and lavaka area

On Neo island report revealed it started on the centre of the island and is now moving down to coastal areas including Neo village.

“If there is nothing done now, it will continue to spread with a devastating effect on coconut plantations in these two islands and is a great threat to other islands in the province,” the province’s Executive said.

According to the MAL team, they have advised members of the communities to chop down any affected coconut in the villages and promised to return to the islands in four months’ time. When asked why four months? They explained that samples taken will be sent overseas to identify the beetle type so that appropriate eradication measures can be applied, and it takes that long to receive results.

But Temotu provincial feels this is too long to wait and if nothing is done now, the whole islands may be covered including other islands in the province.

For this reason, the TUGRA executive government is not just waiting for the national government but is putting Temporary Preventative Measures to contain the spread of the beetle until the return of the Ministry to eradicate the dangerous beetle.

On Thursday, October 22, 2020, the provincial executive passed the following nine point resolution as temporary preventative measures in their effort to contain the spread of the beetle in the province;

  1. All planting materials from the two confirmed rhinoceros beetle invaded islands of Vanikoro and neo is hereby prohibited to be taken to any other islands in Temotu Province
  2. Prohibited planting materials includes commercial plants, botanical plants, floral plants, cosmetic plants, medicinal plants, edible root crops and fruit trees and any such other flora from the two islands including Honiara
  3. All edible fresh root crops, fruits and vegetables from Vanikoro and Neo islands are restricted items and are not allowed to be taken to any other islands in the province unless properly washed, cleaned and cooked
  4. TPG to work closely with the Ministry of Agriculture & Livestock to determine facts surrounding the importation of the beetle to Temotu Province and to take appropriate actions
  5. TPG to ensure the Ministry of Agriculture & Livestock to fast track support to help eradicate the Rhinoceros beetle from the province.
  6. All local and international boats especially logging ships can only leave port of call from Vanikoro and Santa Cruz between 6am to 5pm each day, including all ships departing Honiara ports to Temotu Province
  7. Any planting materials found to have been taken from these two islands to other islands will be confiscated and destroyed as soon as they are collected by the authorities
  8. All authorities shall include provincial government, NGOs, churches, education officials, agriculture extension officers, health officers, chiefs and village leaders. All are hereby authorized to support implementation of this TPM and help prevent the spread of the beetle by prohibiting the movement of plant materials specified in points 1.2 & 1.3 above
  9. The enforcement of these resolutions commences today, October 22, 2020

In endorsing the resolution, the provincial executive is seeking help from national government including the Marine Division of the MID to help prevent any ship destine to Temotu Province not to leave Honiara at night and to prevent any planting materials to be taken on board the ships.

The province is seeking support to help supply of cutting equipments to help the provincial agriculture team to cut affected coconut palms. Supply of chain saws and fuel is needed to cut the palms and local investors especially logging companies in the province is called to help in this effort.

Media urged to report accurately

    Written by
    Eddie Osifelo
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    CHIEF Electoral Officer Jane Waetara urges media to report with facts and responsibility in order to avoid mis-information and panic.

    This comes as the media platform has expanded from traditional media to social media that ultimately changes the communication landscape.

    Mrs Waetara said SIEC recognizes the important role that Media plays in contributing not only to people’s better understanding and the importance of the electoral process, but also enabling full public participation in elections to ensure that people’s voices are heard.

    “Amongst others, some of the function of the Media within the electoral context is commonly referred to, as a watchdog, an educator for voters and candidates alike, an effective platform and space for public voices to be heard through transparent dialogue and debates, etc, etc,” she said.

    However, she said at the same time, it is equally important not to forget that reporting accurately and with responsibility is of great essence as well, because misinformation has potential to create uneasiness or fear amongst people, and can lead to fear.

    “More so, during the uncertain times we are going through now, and if I may make special reference to the fact, we now have a number of declared covid 19 cases in the country, your role becomes even more critical.

    “In other words, information communicated through various means must be accurate and factual to enable people to make informed decisions on their responsibilities to vote during elections and at the same time, follow covid19 safety measures to keep safe,” she said.

    Mrs Waetara said this is important as they approach the upcoming polling day on 18th November, next month, for voters in Central Honiara and North East Guadalcanal constituencies.
    She stressed this during the two days’ workshop on Election Media Code of Conduct Briefing for the upcoming North East Guadalcanal and Central Honiara Constituencies by elections at Honiara Hotel yesterday.

    The workshop ends today.

    Photo Captioned: SIEC CEO Mrs Jane Waetara. Picture: UNDP

    Land dispute over police post at Pelau sorted

    Written by
    Jennifer Kusapa
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    BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

    POLICE officers posted to the Malaita Outer Islands Pelau police post now have access to the facilities there.

    This was made possible after the longstanding land dispute on which the post stands was resolved, recently.

    Police Commissioner Mostyn Mangau said he was part of a delegation which included the permanent secretary of the Ministry of Police which went to meet and discuss with the chiefs of Pelau regarding the matter.

    Mangau said as a result of the talks, the land dispute was resolved.

    Mangau also said that through their discussion landowners and chiefs also allocated two islands between the Tasman and Lordhowe Border for police to reside and monitor the Border there.
    He said currently officers who were deployed there are now stationed at the border and not in the villages as they have been when they first deployed.

    “It was a very successful discussion with the leaders and Landowners there which come to an understanding where they are offering their two islands for police to reside during the Border operations,” Mangau said.

    He also said the officers at MOI are yet to be replaced since their deployment but since outstanding were sorted out, discussion on the next deployment is next.

    WE RESPECT OTHERS: MING

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    Sogavare(L) and Ming(R)

    Peoples Republic of China (PRC) respects the wish of other developing countries and never imposed ideas PRC’s Ambassador Li Ming says.

    He made this clarification over claim by academics saying the US$25 million assistance to Malaita is part of USA’s geostrategic struggle with China in the Pacific.

    Dr Terence Wood from the Australian National University’s Development Policy Centre said the US funding is 50 times what Malaita received in total from aid donors last year.

    “I’d almost certainly think that the United States is focusing on Malaita right now because it sees Malaita as a potential source of support, in its own geostrategic struggle with China in the region,” he said.

    The five-year funding for Malaita targets agriculture and the environment and aimed to boost the economy of the province.

    PRC Ambassador Li Ming told Island Sun that China is pleased to see other countries in and out of region provide assistance to Pacific Island Countries including Solomon Islands to benefit their people.

    Ming said China’s assistance to Solomon Islands and other Pacific countries is different to Western countries because it is based on equality, mutual respect and mutual benefit.

    He said there is no geo politic involved in any project that benefit Solomon Islands and Pacific Island Countries.

    “We do things through in-depth consultation and discussion.

    “We fully respect the ideas and wishes of other developing countries and never imposed ideas,” he said.

    According to Pacific Beat in Radio Australia, the funding comes as Malaita’s relations with the national government is at its lowest, because of its opposition to the government’s decision last year to switch diplomatic ties from Taiwan to China.

    Malaita continues to back Taiwan – which China sees as a breakaway province – and in recent months has called for an independence referendum.

    But Chad Morris the Public Affairs Officer for the United States Embassy in Papua New Guinea, has rejected this.

    He said support for Malaita was upon request by the government and has been in the works for the past two years.

    “Like with the many programs with the US government there is a fairly lengthy process to go through…there is no intention to make this a political move,” he said.

    On the ground, Malaita Premier Suidani has welcomed the funding, describing it as a gift from a true friend.

    “Nothing in such magnitude have ever been seen and felt by my people of Malaita Province since Solomon Islands gained independent in 1978.

    But in Honiara, the US announcement caught many by surprise including government officials.

    A government statement said the funding would be subject to government processes with Cabinet to have the final approval and cautioned against misinformation.

    THE FOURTH TEST

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    Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare. Photo supplied.

    BY MAVIS NISHIMURA POODKOLO

    Results to the fourth and final test for our quarantined students will indicate the situation of covid-19 in the country.

    The test was carried out on Sunday and yesterday.

    This round of tests determines whether quarantine periods should be extended or that students could be released back to society sooner.

    So, if the virus slips past this last test unnoticed, then all we have worked hard for will be for naught when a carrier is released into the community.

    However, with the laudable thorough and intense work by government since the first case to track, identify and contain the virus and eliminate it behind the walls of quarantine, the general outlook is one of optimism that ‘all will go well’.

    Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare, in his national address yesterday, put emphasis on this final and “most important” test, expressing the anticipation being felt as we all look forward to the results.

    “Based on our testing protocol for people arriving from high risk countries, the fourth the final test have been collected yesterday and today.

    “As I indicated in my statement last Thursday, this round of test is perhaps our most important. The results will tell us which way the covid-19 situation is heading within our quarantine stations, so we await the results in anticipation,” said Sogavare.

    He said the Oversight Committee will make a recommendation to Cabinet on whether the Quarantine period at the Chengs Quarantine Station will be extended and for how long, as well as the additional number of covid-19 testings during this period.

    “Based on normal practice, the quarantine period is normally extended from the last date of exposure, which in the case of Chengs, is the 13th of October 2020, the date when the last sample was collected

    “The extended period will apply to all students who are still at Chengs as well as to the students that had been shifted from Chengs to other quarantine facilities.

    “A separate risk assessment is being made for those who are quarantined at GBR quarantine station because no one has tested positive from this site. A decision on those quarantined at the GBR quarantine station will be made after the results of the fourth test are available,” said Sogavare.

    The number of active covid-19 cases in the country remains at three. All Asymptomatic.

    POLICE MEDIATE TENSION OVER DEATH OF INFANT

    Written by
    Samie Waikori
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    BY SAMIE WAIKORI
    AUKI

    POLICE are calling for calm following reports of threats made on the Maluu health centre by relatives of a dead infant.

    Police say the relatives are demanding compensation of 10 traditional shell-money for what they claim was “mishandling” by a nurse during the birth of a baby leading to the baby’s death.

    Provincial Police Commander Malaita, Chief Suprintendant Stanley Riolo said from reports, the baby died less than an hour after birth.
    Investigations are underway. Meanwhile, police are pleading the parents and relatives to refrain from doing anything unlawful and wait for the results.

    Riolo said the result of the investigation will pave way towards addressing the matter.

    AUKI POLICE ATTEND TO ‘THREAT ON SCHOOL’ REPORT

    Written by
    Samie Waikori
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    BY SAMIE WAIKORI
    AUKI

    AUKI police are heading to the northern region of Malaita to attend to reports of landowners threatening to close down a school.
    Lilifia school is situated in Baegu.

    Reports say landowners of land on which the school sits are demanding what they claim are outstanding payments or land rentals.

    Provincial Police Commander Malaita, Chief Suprintendant Stanley Riolo said his officers will leave today to attend to the incident.
    He explained that information received from principal of the school says the landowners demanded money from the school for transitional development into secondary division.

    Riolo explained landowners had allowed land for the school for free so far and in order to allow development progress they must get paid for their land.

    Thus, he said the school’s failure to meet the request has triggered the incident.

    Riolo said children, parents and staffs are affected by the incident since the school was demanded to close down by the landowners.

    Lack of rooms poses huge problem: PM

    Written by
    Mavis Podokolo
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    Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare. Photo supplied.

    BY MAVIS NISHIMURA PODOKOLO

    THE National Oversight Committee of Covid-19 and the camp management are facing lack of adequate quarantine facilities to ensure students have individual rooms.

    Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare stressed this yesterday when announcing the third positive case of covid-19 in country.

    “Fellow citizens, one major constraint faced by our oversight committee and the camp management had been the lack of adequate facilities to ensure each student has individual rooms.

    “However, we have now managed to secure some additional facilities. Our Health Surveillance team is conducting in-depth risk assessment on the students today (yesterday).

    “Those students whose risk exposure are considered low risk will be moved to the additional facilities to complete their quarantine there. Chengs quarantine station will however remain the main quarantine station for many of the students.”

    COMMUNITY TRANSMISSION RISK LOW: PM

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    Covid-19
    Photo: Google

    BY MAVIS NISHIMURA PODOKOLO

    DESPITE the climbing number of covid-19 cases, the risk of community transmission remains low.

    Government is quick to reassure citizens of this, following yesterday’s announcement of a third case of covid-19.

    Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare, in his special national address yesterday, promised that the covid-19 will be contained within the Chengs quarantine centre, and will also be eliminated there.

    “Fellow citizens, the announcement of this 3rd positive case of Covid-19 does not change our assessment that the risk of community transmission is still low.

    “Our focus continues to be on containment of the virus within the Chengs quarantine station and eliminate it from there.

    “If we need to shift some students to other locations, it will be done such that there will be no risk of community transmission during the process, and that the new locations will also be under very tight security and management control,” said Sogavare.

    He said the results of the forthcoming fourth round of testing under the testing protocol will take place between days 19 and 21 after arrival in the country which will be between Sunday, October 18 and Tuesday, Oct 20.

    Sogavare said this round-four test will give a better indication on the status and the likely projection of the covid-19 infection in the country.

    Chinese nationals alleged of breaching quarantine protocols yet to be charged

    Written by
    Jennifer Kusapa
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    BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

    POLICE has confirmed that the two Chinese nationals alleged of having breached quarantine protocols are yet to be charged.

    Deputy Police Commissioner Ian Vaevaso said the investigation has been completed and the file has been sent to the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions for viewing.

    “That process has been completed and the file has been sent back to the investigators with recommendations that there are issues needed to be patched up before deciding on the charge against the two,” Vaevaso said.

    He said that currently the file is with the investigators and once those issues raised by the DPP’s office are sorted, then the file will be sent back to them for advice on what charges will be laid.

    This is the investigation into the incident involving two Chinese nationals at the Pacific Casino Hotel covid-19 quarantine centre on September 3, 2020.

    It was reported to police that a vehicle entered the Pacific Casino Hotel premises and a parcel was passed to another person in the vehicle by the Chinese national under quarantine at the Hotel through the ventilation window of a room on the southern side of the premises.

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