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Nurses found to be selling drugs: Gov’t

Written by
Mavis Podokolo
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Chairperson for NHA and Secretary to the Prime Minister, Dr Jimmie Rodgers.

BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO

Government has accused nurses of illegally selling medical drugs.

Secretary to the prime minister, Dr Jimmie Rodgers uttered this allegation during a press conference last week.

He also suggests that this alleged practice is caused by nurses’ low salaries.

“There are observations nurses selling drugs. They should not be selling drugs, that is illegal.

“If nurse were found selling drugs, it means drugs are coming from the National Medical Store and Government suppliers,” he said.

“The other reason is because maybe their earning is very low hence, they want to supplement it; but it is still wrong.

“They should not be selling because you might never know that you are selling good drugs but if you don’t know enough about it you could kill someone,” he said.

Rodgers said “for Solomon Islands, even the shops are selling drugs, but they are not supposed to sell drugs because the Pharmaceutical Benefits Act is very clear.

“Only pharmacies can sell and there are no other laws in this country, but then again because there is no much way of implementing these laws thus, people can buy medicine anywhere in town.

On the same note adds, a minor corrupt activity at the National Medical Store has been identified and has raised public concern. This is regarding NSD selling drugs to pharmacist.

“That said, the Ministry of Health is looking at ensuring whatever is bought for the public its management must be such that is accountable.

“There is no problem that NSD suppling for pharmacists because that provided for but it must be through a proper procurement process and must send money through Finances and through hidden accounts somewhere,” Rodgers said.

MEHRD starts notifying successful applicants for SIG scholarship awards

Written by
Ofani Eremae
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BY NED GAGAHE

APPLICANTS or students who have applied for the Solomon Islands Government (SIG) scholarship for 2023 are being urged to log in their accounts on the Solomon Islands Tertiary Education and Skills Authority (SITESA) online portal.

In a latest statement yesterday posted on their Facebook page Ministry of Education and Human Resource Development (MEHRD) advised candidates that they have now commenced notifying successful recipients on the online portal.

“Applicants or student who have applied are advised to log into their accounts on the SITESA online-portal.

“Successful recipients for the SIG Scholarship 2023 are currently been notified through the SITESA online portal.

“This notification is inclusive of the Awardees’ Conditional Offer and other notifications required for the facilitation to the next steps.

“Only successful applicants are being notified.” MEHRD said.

The prolong delay to release award have caused frustration to applicants who said that the most regional institutions have already kicked off lectures on 13th February.

The applicants said such delay will cause problem to them in terms of registration and aligning their offers with that of universities.

Meanwhile, the applicants have repeatedly called on SITESA to update them on the scholarship progress.

They said the SITESA website is one of the platforms which SITESA can use to communicate crucial updates about the status and progress of the scholarship awards.

However, the website was not updated since December 2022.

Policy statement next: Premier Fini

Written by
Samie Waikori
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Premier of Malaita province, Hon Martin Gaote’e Fini.

BY SAMIE WAIKORI

PREMIER of Malaita province Martin Fini says his government will immediately work on their policy statement after all have been sworn-in.

The premier told SunAuki yesterday they look forward to begin soon.

He said things will be unfolding and one of the very important aspects of any newly formed government is the swearing-in, for ministers to take their portfolios.

“Next after this is, we will sit-down together and begin to work on our policy statement.

“Once we finalise it, we will than declare to the public to aware of and work together on implementing it,” Fini said.

Fini does not rule out the possibility of adopting some of MARA’s [former Malaita provincial government] policies.

He adds, they will be look only at priority policies to take onboard into their new policy.

Fini said considering the short period of time they will lead the province; their focus will be on priority areas of development for the province. He said that above all, it’s about working together with donors, stakeholders and people of the province to move the province forward and realise its potentials.

PM Sogavare to attend special retreat in Fiji

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
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Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare.

By EDDIE OSIFELO

PRIME Minister Manasseh Sogavare will attend the Pacific Islands Forum Special Retreat in Fiji from February 22-24.

A well-placed source confirmed PM Sogavare will lead a small delegation to attend the meeting next week.

The Special Retreat came about after the 17 members of PIF, except Kiribati, adopted the Suva Agreement in Fiji last July, with the aim of working together to advance the interests of the Pacific.

Kiribati refused to attend after PIF failed to uphold the ‘gentlemen’s agreement’ to rotate the post of Secretary General.

If the leaders had followed the ‘gentlemen’s agreement’, the SG should come from any country of Micronesia.

Instead, the leaders voted Henry Puna from Cook Islands in Polynesia to be the SG.

This created a rift in the Forum, which the Micronesian countries have agreed to leave the Forum until the SG is given back to them.

Last July, PIF leaders met and adopted the Suva Agreement, even without the presence of Kiribati.

According to Island Times, the ratified Suva Agreement addressed the concerns raised by the Micronesian member countries that the regional body was not inclusive, that it wasn’t honouring agreements, the “gentlemen’s agreement” of rotating leadership of the organisation.

The conditions contained in the Suva Agreement included having the current Secretary-General Henry Puna serve the remaining year and half of his three-year term and for the Micronesian candidate to be appointed as the next SG. There will be two SG deputies, one from each of the two subregions not represented by the Secretary-General. Furthermore, the Office of Pacific Ocean Commission (OPOC) will be a separate office and will be based in Micronesia. Currently this position is also held by the PIF Secretary-General.

Lastly, there will be an in-country office for PIF to be opened also in Micronesia. These details will be discussed between the Micronesian Presidents.

Minister of Foreign Affairs and External Trade, Jeremiah Manale told media recently during the visit of PIF Secretary General, Henry Puna in Honiara, that the Special Leaders Retreat will give them some of the details in terms of implementing the Suva Agreement and also reflects on Japan’s proposal to release treated nuclear water into the ocean.

Japan is moving to start dumping the one million tonnes of treated wastewater from the damaged Fukushima Daiichi power plant into the Pacific Ocean, in few months’ time.

This treated water was used to clean up the Fukushima plant after the nuclear accident that followed the earthquake and tsunami on March 11, 2011.

Manele said indeed much of our economy and livelihoods depend upon the resources within our ocean.

He said Solomon Islands welcomes further engagement with Japan on this matter to ensure all the necessary data and information needed to reassure Pacific countries that our ocean will not be affected in the slightest way, are obtained and scientifically verified.

“We are a region that has experienced first-hand the effects of the negative impacts of a nuclear testing legacy and it is our wish that such events do not repeat themselves.

“As a signatory to the 1985 Rarotonga Treaty, Solomon Islands remains supportive of a nuclear free region,” he said.

PIF SG Puna is expected to lead a delegation to meet with Japan’s Prime Minister on March 7 to urge him to at least defer the proposed discharge for as early as March or April.

STADIUM WORKERS PROTEST

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
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The main stadium for the 2023 Pacific Games in Honiara.

CCECC mysteriously drops wages of labourers at KGVI Pacific Games stadium project

By EDDIE OSIFELO

LOCAL workers engaged by China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) for the Stadium Project staged a sit-in protest at King George Six Stadium yesterday morning.

This comes after CCECC published an article in the media recently that despite the undeniably harsh and inflation laden impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic in all of CCECC’s works in the Solomon Islands, especially with the 2023 Pacific Games Project, CCECC undertook, in full compliance with its contractual obligations, to proceed with its ongoing projects in proactive manner, within and in full conformity with the Laws of the Solomon Islands.

The company said whether it be SI laws on Labour and Employment ensuring workers’ salary is paid in accordance with the current legislated minimum wage rates according to profession.

“We paid salary even more than the minimum allowed wage, with overtime pay for works done over the regular hours of work per day, and CCECC share to the workers’ contribution to the Solomon Islands National Provident Fund, plus food, transport, accommodation and other allowances paid very fortnight including personal or work protection equipment.”

However, one of the local workers said this is not true.

He said they found out their their minimum wages have dropped from $9 to $7 and $10 to $8.

“When we asked manager, Ben Wong, he did not want to explain to us,” the local worker said.

“We will continue to sit in protest until the company sort out our issues,” he added.

CCECC in Solomon Islands employs 500 local workers to work on the Stadium Project for the upcoming Pacific Games in Honiara, November.

The local workers range from technical, skilled, semi-skilled, to unskilled labourers and more on other ongoing projects.

According to CCECC, the current salary payout for the local workers every fortnight alone is almost SBD $1 million.

“This not limited to the fact that even during the COVID-19 lockdowns in 2022, CCECC continued to employ local workers and provided accommodation with breakfast, lunch, and dinner to around 600-700 workers for the continuation and progress of the PG Stadium project,” CCEC said.

Sean Rii rocks at sold-out Canoe Bar

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
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Dezine and Sean Rii performed live at Canoe Bar, Pacific Crown Hotel last Friday. Photo supplied.

By EDDIE OSIFELO

Dezine led by famous Solomon Islands music sensational, Sean Rii did not let the fans down at Canoe Bar, Pacific Crown Hotel, last Friday night.

This after they provided them with two hours non-stop island reggae music to celebrate the Valentine’s Day.

More than hundreds of fans turned out to pay the $60 entrance, $120 VIP and booked out the $700 Hotel room to listen and danced to the tunes of Sean Rii.

Sean Rii, backed up by Unik 7 Band, that represented the country at Fest Napuan in Vanuatu last October, put the crowd on their feet with his famous songs, Green leaf, Jealousy, Keli Hila, Tuff Tumas, Genina, Ageva, Harilakwalo, Sore, Gial, Joysie and Faithful love.

These songs had hit the airwaves in Papua New Guinea, Australia and other Pacific Island Countries.

Pacific Crown Hotel Events staff, Alex Waimora said the show was a success and one of its first indeed.

“We tried as much as possible to improve in many ways of our shows at the hotel and I believe the Valentine’s show we did excel and set a level which we must now look towards,” Waimora said.

He said the turn out was spectacular but also not surprising as they normally have such huge turnout to Canoe Bar considering they have sufficient space.

“I think what was special about the Valentine’s night was a lot of the people came to see Dezine and Sean Rii and I believe a lot of satisfied customers too,” he added.

Sean Rii acknowledges the fans during his show at Canoe Bar, Pacific Crown Hotel last Friday. Photo supplied.

Apart from that, Sean Rii acknowledged the fans for turning up in numbers to enjoy his show and an opportunity for his mum to watch him performed on stage for the first time in Honiara.

This after Sean Rii has spent most of his time performing abroad in PNG, Australia and other Pacific Island Countries.

He returned home after the covid 19.

“Iam in tears when I see Solomon Islands fans enjoying my music, something that makes me proud to be a native of the islands.

“Guys, it’s great to be back in Solo and performing for you all. Also, great, thanks to my mother, who is here as well, it’s the first time for my mom to watch me perform live on stage.” Sean Rii said.

PCH wish to thank everyone that attended to make the show possible and also Unik7 and Dezine and Sean Rii.

Increase of house break-in a concern

Written by
Jennifer Kusapa
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Honiara

BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

THE increase of stealing in Honiara is concerning and Honiara residents are warned to look after their properties.

A concerned Honiara resident who was a victim of such robbery has called on responsible community leaders and parents to address the issue.

May Claire told this paper that she has been a victim twice and if this is continuing Honiara will not be a peaceful place to live.

“They go in groups and robbed people’s homes which is very serious and dangerous, those of us who resides in East Honiara are always victimised and we want the church leaders, police and even parents to work together and address the issue,” Ms Claire said.

She said it is time the government create any law to send people who are doing nothing in Honiara back to their provinces, to avoid such from happening.

She said the South Pacific Games is months away and such attitude and behaviour should be stopped.

“Communities and leaders must together to address such issues so that when our Pacific neighbours are here, they can enjoy without being robbed”, Ms Claire said.

Malaita’s new gov’t to meet over direction for next 4 months

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
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By EDDIE OSIFELO

THE new Malaita Provincial government led by Premier Martin Fini, will meet in Auki this week, to discuss their policy direction for the four remaining months in office.

This came after people of Malaita are waiting to hear the policy direction of the new government since coming into power last week.

The MARA government led by Daniel Suidani in the last three years, was ousted in a motion of no confidence on the 7th February.

Suidani’s team has boycotted the meeting and also the election of the new Premier last Friday because of pending application before the High Court.

His government was known for standing up democracy after the National Government switched diplomatic ties to China in 2019.

As a result, MARA responded with a policy to block any Chinese investments on Malaita.

However, new Premier Fini told Island Sun in an exclusive interview that his team will need to meet to discuss the issues of China.

He said there will be consultation done with the people also before his government can make any official stand on China.

Furthermore, Fini believes due to short timeframe, there is likelihood of his team not coming up with a new policy.

He said they might look to adopt some priorities of the MARA government’s policy which benefit the people of Malaita.

“Policy is just a guidance, but the implementation is very important,” he added.

The rest of his team will take their ministerial oaths today before resuming their official duties.

Malaita’s defeated revised budget likely to be ‘relooked at’

Written by
Samie Waikori
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BY SAMIE WAIKORI

IT is likely that the Malaita Provincial Assembly will relook into the provincial revise budget 2022/2023 that was defeated on the floor of the assembly about a month ago.

According to information obtained by SunAuki, the newly elected government through the office of the provincial speaker will be liaising with MPGIS for advice on the budget.

As long as the newly elected government is settled down, they will follow-up on the matter to see whether the defeated revised budget will still be tabled or not.

Recently, the Minister for MPGIS has issued advice that was likely for the resubmission of the revised budget. The advice was given afte the revised budget was defeated.

“To have the 2022/2023 revised budget resubmitted, it must be re-submitted through the whole financial procedures process including having PAC deliberation on the Bill.

“This must however, be in the next meeting and not in the current meeting,” he advised.

The MPG is looking along that line to see the re-processing of the budget, but will depend on advice from MPGIS as they will pursue.

They want to ensure the budget is pass for the current operation of the province, before the next budget that will be a new provincial budget for 2023/2024 financial year.

SITESA delay with SIG scholarship list for 2023 questioned

Written by
Ofani Eremae
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0

BY NED GAGAHE

Calls have been made for Solomon Islands Tertiary Education and Skills Authority (SITESA) to update when the list of Solomon Islands Government (SIG) scholarship for 2023 will be released.

Most if not all tertiary institutions here and the region kicked off lectures on Monday, February 13 or earlier but the list of 2023 Solomon Islands Government (SIG) scholarship is yet to be released.

The prolonged delay will likely cause problems with registration and aligning scholarship offers with that of universities.

Many frustrated applicants have taken to Facebook demanding that division responsible – Solomon Islands Tertiary Education and Skills Authority (SITESA) clear the air over what is causing the delay and why.

“It is now two and half months after the due date. Why take so long?”

“The results were due to be released before the end of January 2023 however it is now February and two weeks behind the schedule released date,” one commentor said.

Another commentor said on Facebook most or all universities including USP lectures have kicked off on Monday 13 February 2023 or even earlier.

Attempts to talked to SITESA CEO was unsuccessful yesterday, a walk-in attempt to speak with other senior officials was denied.

When asked if they aware that most institutions have already commenced lectures and delay would cause adverse effect on the students in terms of registration.

“Yes, we are aware of it.” The official replied.

Questions were sent yesterday to SITESA.

An official said they will respond to that accordingly.

The scholarship was opened on October 14, 2022 and closed on December 4, 2022.

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