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Yokohama shows the way to disaster preparedness

Written by
Ofani Eremae
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Journalists from the Pacific and the Caribbean, along with their program coordinator from the US pose for a photo following a flood demonstration at the Yokohama Disaster Risk Reduction Learning Centre. Photo: Floyd K. Takeuchi

By OFANI EREMAE

AS global temperatures continue to rise, weather experts have warned of more intense cyclones, flooding, and rising sea levels.

The Pacific region, they say, is on the frontline of climate change. So, the future of the region’s inhabitants is at stake.

Already, we have seen an increase of Category 5 hurricanes, as well as flash-flooding, that have terrorized communities across the region, and made life harder for them.

The number one question worth asking is, are we prepared to face this disaster and minimize the loss of lives?

In Solomon Islands, the 2014 devastating flash-flood that ripped through capital Honiara is a stark reminder of our lack of preparedness.

It was the worst and most severe flooding (and certainly not the last) to have hit the country. At least 21 people lost their lives, while hundreds were left homeless.

Simply, no one expected the flooding to be so intense and that families living on the banks of Mataniko River, and who have lost loved ones, did not prepare for it.

In fact, our lack of disaster-preparedness is our biggest failure in the face of rising global temperatures.

Training people to prepare and take care of themselves is all that is needed to save lives during a disaster.

And no one seems to do this better than the local government of Yokohama City in Japan, where I visited the other week.

I am part of a group of senior journalists from the Pacific and the Caribbean on a 10-day media fellowship sponsored by the Association for Promotion of International Cooperation (APIC) in partnership with the Foreign Press Centre of Japan.

When we called into Yokohama, a city of more than 3.7 million people, staff of the Yokohama Disaster Risk Reduction Learning Center (https://bo-sai.city.yokohama.lg.jp/en/ ) were eagerly waiting to demonstrate the work they are doing preparing residents of the city for any disasters.

“Preparation is everything if we are to save lives in times of disasters,” says Hiroshi Mizutani, Manager of Regional Disaster Prevention Division, Crisis Management Office of the City of Yokohama.

At the centre, residents, school children, and people with disabilities have all been given the opportunity to take part in disaster preparedness exercises designed to help people understand what to do during flooding, cyclones or earthquakes.

Besides, the city has also established 459 evacuation centres, located at selected schools that can be used in times of disasters.

The Yokohama Disaster Reduction Centre is opened to school-age children to learn disaster preparedness technics at a younger age.
 

Mizutani said it is important that people take responsibility for their own evacuation and safety during disasters. This is why the demonstrations and exercises the centre provide are important, he added.

The Pacific, in particular the Solomons, where disaster preparedness is terribly lacking, has a lot to learn from the Yokohama model.

This is a Japanese city that is prepared to share their experience with the Pacific and others out there.

Remember, global temperatures are rising. Floods and cyclones are now more frequent than ever before. The sea level keeps rising and is eating away our shorelines.

What are we waiting for?

We cannot wait for another flash-flood or a category 5 cyclone before we act. The worst is yet to come.

Solomon Islanders need to prepare now!

 

When a classroom is turned into a museum

Written by
Ofani Eremae
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The four-storey Arahama Elementary School building that has been turned into a monument to remember the 2011 earthquake.

By OFANI EREMAE

IT once served a thriving community of 2,200 residents.

But today the four-storey Arahama Elementary School, near Sendai city in Japan’s north, stood quiet as a monument left in memory of those who lost their lives in the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake in the Arahama area.

“It’s no longer used as a school,” Takayama Tomoyuki, who took a group of visiting journalists from the Pacific and Caribbean on a guided tour of the building, explained.

The journalists are in Japan on a 10-day media fellowship funded by the Association for Promotion of International Cooperation (APIC).

Tomoyuki said after the tsunami flattened the Arahama area, located just 700 metres from the Pacific Ocean’s coastline, residents of the area sat and discussed the future of the school.

“After much discussion, locals resolved to close the school and turned it into a museum,” he added.

That was because the neighborhood has been designated a high-risk area for disasters, so many former residents have resettled further inland, in the Arai Station area.

Arahama Elementary has served its residents since 1873. It is the oldest elementary school in the area.

Like many residents of the coastal areas of Sendai, Tomoyuki remembered the 9.0 magnitude earthquake and 8.4 metre high tsunami well, which hit the region on 11 March 2011.

“It came from that direction,” he said, pointing to the southern direction, just 700 metres down the road, where the tsunami, which caused the destruction, came.

“It brought with it debris and cars, and left them inside the first floor of the building,” Tomoyuki said.

“You see the sign up there, this is where the tsunami reached,” he added, pointing to the second floor of the classroom building.

Although one female student lost her life in the disaster, Arahama Elementary School had in fact saved 320 people on that day, who took shelter in the upper classrooms.

They include children, teachers and other evacuees, who made it to the building just before the tsunami came.

The 320 remained in the classroom until rescue helicopters came and got them out to safety throughout the night.

The first and second floors of the school were flooded by the tsunami.

Visitors can see the ripped floor tiles and bowed blackboards in the first-floor classrooms, and the high water mark of the tsunami on the second floor.

On the undamaged upper floors, each classroom has been converted into an exhibition space.

There is a room which plays films showing how people survived at Arahama on March 11, with footage of the school surrounded by the ocean.

In another room, a detailed 3D model memoralizes the homes and businesses that once stood in Arahama.

The buckled, dirty clock which marks the moment everything changed is preserved in a glass cabinet in a room on the fourth floor, alongside other relics of the destruction and educational displays about disaster prevention.

On the wall in the hallway of the second floor, hangs a plastic sign showing the high-water mark of the tsunami, which was 4.6 meters high when it struck the school. It was double that when it initially hit the beach

From the roof-top, there are clear views of the ocean, the ongoing recovery-related construction taking place, and 10 kilometers in the distance, downtown Sendai.

In the space between the ocean and the school, Tomoyuki spoke of the once thriving community of 2,200 residents and 800 houses.

Today, only swathes of sectioned blocks where families once lived, now transformed into a dried-out manicured grassland with no meaningful signs of the thriving life that once existed there.  

On the morning the journalists visited the school, there were many people who came to the school to learn about the tsunami, as well as those who came to pay their respects.

The reality of this beautiful school, which has served its residents for almost two centuries, being turned into a monument is unthinkable.

But with the neighbourhood now declared unliveable, Tomoyuki says turning the four-storey Arahama Elementary School building into a monument was the best way to remember a disaster that had claimed so many lives and changed the course of history.

turned into a museum

Health strategic plan covers climate change Health strategic plan

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
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By EDDIE OSIFELO

THE impact of climate on health-related issues is highlighted in the National Health Strategic Plan 2022-2031, launched at FFA Headquarters on Monday 7th November 2022.

The country is vulnerable to rising sea levels and natural disasters such as tsunamis and sea surges associated with cyclones; and around 35 percent of the country population live in low elevation coastal zones (0-10 metres above sea level).

The National Statistics Office estimates that Solomon Islands has a population of 721,455 at the time of the 2019 census.

The population is relatively young, with around 41 percent aged less than 15 years.

The population is forecast to increase to 912,567 by mid year 2031, an increase of around 191,000 from the 2019 provisional population count.

According to the report, warm temperatures increase the risks of water and vector borne diseases, such as diarrhoea and malaria, injuries and illnesses, and heat stress.

Further to that, the report states the country faces hazards that intersect with climate change, including poverty, inequality and poorly planned development.

It says climate change may increase the number of people at risk of heat related medical conditions, particularly the elderly, children, those who are chronically ill, and at-risk occupational groups.

The report also states climate change increases risks to food security through land degradation associated with salination of the soil in coastal areas, impacting nutrition and health.

Apart of that, Solomon Islands consists of six major islands – Choiseul, Guadalcanal, Malaita, Makira, New Georgia and Santa Isabel – and 992 smaller islands, atolls and reefs covering 28,466 square kilometres.

The topography ranges from thickly forested volcanic uplifts with deep ravines to low lying coral atolls.

Low investment in child protection

Written by
Mavis Podokolo
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BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO

EVIDENCE shows that the level of public investment in child protection in Solomon Islands is very low.

That is according to the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Women Youth, Children and Family Affairs Dr Cendrick Alependava at the one-day inception workshop on economic Costs of Violence against Children (VAC) in Solomon Islands held on 9th November 2022.

“Existing evidence shows the level of public investment in child protection issues, particularly in prevention of and response to violence against children, which is a core part in child rights, is very low,” Alependava said.

He said the relevance of violence against children in Solomon Islands is very high.

Alependava stressed the DHS survey 2015 indicates 85.5 percent of children aged two to 12 experience some form of violent discipline, with 22 per cent reporting ‘severe physical punishment’. Similarly, in the 2009 Child Protection Baseline Survey, 72 per cent of parents reported having used violent or physical discipline against children in their households.

He adds with that the aim of this Analysis (workshop) is to produce evidence on the economic implications of violence against children for Solomon Islands.

Alependava said it will estimate the economic loss, in the form of a certain percentage of GDP, due to the prevalence of violence against children (VAC) in the country. It will also supplement the rights-based approach normally used in advocacy around VAC as well as show us that it has economic consequences that hold us back, as a country in our economic growth.

“With this study, we aim to form a broader coalition around prevention of and response to violence against children and enhance our chances in advocacy for resource allocations and mobilization, both with the government, especially to our leaders and policy makers as well as our Donor partners. In addressing violence against children, we can all help to put our beloved Solomon Islands on a more positive economic growth trajectory,” he said.

Gov’t cuts budget for medicine

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
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By EDDIE OSIFELO

THE Government has only provided a budget of $35.8 million in its 2021 budget to purchase medical stocks including medicines, drugs, dressings, equipment and commodities.

This was despite the value of the stock at the National Medical Store in Honiara was set at $92.6 million in December 2020.

A report in the National Health Strategic Plan 2022-2031 launched Monday this week in Honiara confirmed stock availability for critical and essential medicines at National Medical Store (NMS) remained constant since 2017.

In 2017, there was 90 percent of stock available, with 72 percent in 2018, 93 percent in 2019 and 82 percent in 2020.

While for stock availability for critical and essential medicines at Primary Health Care Facilities dropped in the last three years.

In 2017, there was 72 percent in stock at the PHCF but dropped to 38 percent in 2018, 24 percent in 2019 and 32 percent in 2020.

The report states while they have good confidence in the medicines and consumable data coming from the NMS, National Referral Hospital, Second Level Medical Stores (SLMS) and some Area Health Centres due to their use of M-Supply, they have low confidence in stock availability data at all other health facilities.

Further to that, the report states the storage situation at the NMS is deteriorating due to inadequate storage relative to population growth and this has been compounded since the COVID19 outbreak.

It says 19 SLMS in the provinces supplement storage at the NMS and support distribution at provincial level.

“There is a five year plan for new strategically located SLMS storage facilities to be established (for example, in the Shortland Islands) but this has yet to be realized.

“Buffer stores in Noro, Kilu’ufi and Guadalcanal provinces are planned as higher capacity SLMSs to address some of the national security risks associated with the NMS and also to reduce pressure on it,” report says.

Moreover, a National Medical Equipment Committee oversees the procurement, distribution and management of medical equipment for tertiary, secondary and primary health care services in line with Role Delineation Policy (RDP) guidelines.

It says many health facilities lack basic medical equipment.

The report says this Committee will be amalgamated to the Infrastructure Committee and renamed “Infrastructure and Medical Equipment Committee.”

STILL NOT FRIENDS?

Written by
Irwin Angiki
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Deputy Premier apologising to PM and Govt

MARA distances itself from Tuesday’s reconciliation with PM Sogavare

BY IRWIN ANGIKI

The Malaita Alliance for Rural Advancement (MARA) government of Malaita has distanced itself from a reconciliation with Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare this week.

Malaita Deputy Premier Glen Waneta, on Tuesday, initiated a reconciliation ceremony with Mr Sogavare during the ground breaking for Suava Bay’s growth centre and market projects, North Malaita.

The office of the prime minister has labelled the reconciliation as something “that was not planned as part of the official programme”.

In a media statement yesterday, the OPMC said: “Malaita’s Deputy Premier Glen Waneta on the occasion of the ground breaking ceremony at Suafa Bay, North Malaita, acted on a conviction by placing a Tafuliae (Shell Money) on Prime Minister Hon Manasseh Sogavare (that was not planned as part of the official program) and pleaded for forgiveness on behalf of the Malaita Provincial government for the setbacks caused to the rest of the nation.”

Sogavare has accepted this apology, also granting his forgiveness, according to the OPMC statement.

This was done on the understanding that the apology and begging for forgiveness was done on behalf of MARA for the political differences between it and Sogavare’s DCGA government.

“Prime Minister Sogavare assured the Malaita Deputy Premier, the National Government has fully accepted his apology saying, there is now no resentment between SIG and MARA.” The OPMC statement concludes.

However, in an attempt to clarify this yesterday, MARA has annulled any notion of a reconciliation between it and DCGA.

Rather, it claims the reconciliation was on a personal level for the PM being married to a Malaitan woman, the fact that she is from the northern region in which the ground-breaking ceremony was held, that she had accompanied her husband to the occasion, and that during last year’s November riots the couple’s home was damaged by looters, some of whom may have been Malaitans.

The MARA statement, disseminated by Premier Daniel Suidani’s political advisor Mr Celsius Talifilu yesterday evening said:

“It must be correctly stated that the reconciliation that took place between the Hon Prime Minister and the Deputy Premier was a kastom ceremony conducted in recognition of the fact that madam Sogavare is a Malaitan and she had accompanied her husband who is the prime minister to Suafa, Malaita province. And that during the recent riots in Honiara, there would be Malaitans who were also involved in the damaging of the PM’s property at Lunga.

“The reconciliation was to apologize to the PM for being married to a Malaita woman and that during the recent riots their property among other things was destroyed by looters that would also include people from Malaita province. Therefore by kastom, it is prudent that the Deputy Premier says sorry and apologies to madam Sogavare and her husband the Prime Minister on behalf of the people and government of Malaita province.

“The Deputy Premier would also like to state clearly that the reconciliation cannot be seen as a reconciliation between the MARA government and the DCGA government. That was not what the reconciliation was about. It was rather a kastom ceremony to say sorry and apologize to someone who is an in-law to a tribe in the northern region of Malaita.

“To be clear the reconciliation at the Suafa growth center has not altered nor changed any policy positions of the MARA Malaita Provincial government. This includes the MARA government’s position on development principles as set out in the Auki Malaita Communique and the 15 points log of claims submitted to the DCGA government on the second appointed day of the province in August. On the latter, it was the DCGA government that made the request for the log of claims. The MARA government is still waiting for any official responses from the DCGA government.”

While this statement from MARA may have cast dark clouds on a reconciliation many Solomon Islanders were looking forward to, it gives some hope going forward for the two governments.

In concluding, the MARA statement says: “It could be that this is a stepping stone to a more concrete reconciliation ceremony in the future where the issues contained in the 15 points log of claims to the DCGA government could be discussed and addressed. Similarly, other issues of concern between the two governments could also be settled once and for all.”

Meanwhile, witnesses to the reconciliation told Island Sun last night that they did not hear Deputy Premier Waneta mention anything as claimed by the MARA statement at the occasion.

“We heard Waneta say that he acted on behalf of Malaitans and the MARA government and that the reconciliation was to apologise to PM Sogavare and humbly ask his forgiveness for ‘whatever our shortcomings, what we caused to the nation and setbacks we caused’,” the witnesses say.

“Perhaps Waneta may have forgotten to explain to the prime minister and everyone present what the sudden reconciliation was for.”

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Mbokona and White River schools get brand new trucks from West Honiara Constituency office

Written by
Irwin Angiki
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The West Honiara Constituency has donated a brand new three-tonne truck each to the White River School and the Mbokona School. The donations total to $685,500. (Pictured) Handing over the vehicles to the recipient schools, (left to right) Lord Mayor Eddie Siapu hands over to Mbokona school principal Joel Throter, West Honiara CDO Brian Taupiri, MID deputy PS Alan Lilia hands over to White River school principal Hampton Bekepio.. Photo by Irwin Angiki

BY IRWIN ANGIKI

Mbokona and White River schools are the latest to receive brand new three-tonne trucks from the West Honiara Constituency Office.

In a boisterous handover ceremony yesterday at the White River school, the principals of both schools received the vehicle keys.

This is part of the constituency office’s commitment to schools in West Honiara, which saw three schools receive a new three-tonne truck each in 2016 from the constituency office – Bishop Epalle, St John and Tamlan.

Yesterday’s donation costs a total of $685,500 – which West Honiara Constituency had sourced from the Ministry of Infrastructure Development (MID) national transport fund.

Both principals thank the MP for West Honiara, Namson Tran for the donations, which they describe as one of their schools’ main needs.

White River Principal, Hampton Bekepio underscores why it is important that a school has its own truck.

Bekepio says White River staff, students, parents and guardians have depended on public transportation, and private transport, for all activities relating to school matters.

However, he points out that one area which demands that the school has its own truck, and that public transport cannot help out in, is during times of natural disaster.

“There are critical situations and circumstances in which using public transportation will not be readily accessible or available to students and staff.

“For instance, in times of natural disasters such as earthquake, tsunami, cyclone, flash-flood, etc, schools need to have their own vehicle in order to effectively execute the disaster risk management plan to evacuate the students and teachers safely to their homes.”

In his keynote Bekepio said it has been a long wait and receiving a new truck is counted as one of the school’s milestone achievements since its inception 50 years ago.

West Honiara Constituency CDO Brian Taupiri giving his keynote address

Bekepio points out the importance of transportation in education, saying it is an important part in everyday activities relating to education.

“We spend at least 10 minutes travelling from home to work, or to school every day. This is transportation.”

West Honiara Constituency’s donation sees an end to a lot of expenses for the school, Bekepio adds.

“The cost of hiring vehicles to deliver materials to school is quite expensive, and many ongoing school projects were not able to be fully realised due to financial hassles incurred in transportation costs.

“There are some annual events, such as organized sporting activities, world teachers day celebration, school graduation, students and teachers attending various events organized by the government and NGOs, school excursions, and many other programmes, have continued to stretch our limited budget every year around in terms of the cost involved in providing transportation.

“Thus today, we are very happy to receive a new vehicle. Words cannot express our sincere gratitude and joy.

“We have waited many years, since 2016, when the first three vehicles were given to the first three school recipient. Today is the moment we’ve been waiting for.

“We thank MP for West Honiara Constituency Namson Tran for this timely gift. It was worth the wait.”

He also extended the school’s gratitude to the MID for providing funds from the national transport fund initiative.

Mbokona school Principal, Mr Joel Throter, echoes Bekepio’s sentiments, adding that receiving a new truck is also a milestone achievement for his school.

Due to the school’s location, it is quite a walk for staff and students using bus transport from home, and quite costly for taxi users.

With Namson Tran’s donation, this will be reduced, Throter said.

He echoed appreciation and gratitude to West Honiara MP Tran, CDO Brian Taupiri, the Ministry of Infrastructure Development, represented at the occasion by deputy permanent secretary Alan Lilia.

Happy White River students looking forward to the handover

On behalf of the West Honiara Constituency Office, CDO Brian Taupiri congratulated the schools and encouraged each one to take care of the trucks.

“Congratulations on your receipt of the new trucks. With this receipt comes responsibility. Please take care of the trucks, service them regularly and keep them in good conditions.

“It is hard for anyone to just give you a new truck.”

He reiterated MP Tran’s vision to support education in his constituency and reassured West Honiara schools of the Constituency office’s ongoing plans to help schools improve their services.

Mr Taupiri said one of MP Tran’s top priorities for his constituency office’s development plans is supporting education.

And, this involves supporting education initiatives, institutions, and programmes within the constituency, Taupiri explains.

“Apart from school fees, the constituency office also helps in logistics support and assistances to improve schools provide their services.”

MID deputy PS Mr Lilia echoed the advice for recipient schools to take care of the trucks.

“On behalf of the MID Minister, and the MID PS, I congratulate the West Honiara Constituency for its successful application to the national transport initiative plan, under MID, to purchase these two vehicles, and the successful handing over today.

Boys from Mbokona school to witness the handover (1)

“These two vehicles should improve the transportation needs of the two schools.

“To the White River school administration the Mbokona school administration and, please take care of these wonderful gifts to you, take care of them, keep them safe, and make sure they serve their purpose from today and years to come.”

White River and Mbokona school students sure know how to celebrate. Following the handover, a parade to mark the vehicles’ maiden voyage was run, with the trucks filled with jubilant students from both schools.

The parade started from the White River school to the roundabout opposite the Didds refueling station, then back to the respective schools.

The students chanted “Thank you, Namson”, along with their schools’ names as the vehicles weaved in and out of traffic.

The handover was graced by the Constituency Development Officer (CDO) of West Honiara, Brian Taupiri, Honiara City Mayor Eddie Siapu, Councillor for Mbuburu Mostyn Saferio, MID deputy PS Alan Lilia, and staff of the West Honiara Constituency office.

Mrs Sogavare donates chairs to women vendors.

Written by
Mavis Podokolo
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Madam Sogavare hands over the chairs to Moreen and team

BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO

Madame Emmy Sogavare has handed over 200 chairs to the Honiara Central Market Vendors Association (HCMVA).

This was done with the aim of helping keep the association operating and serving its rightful purpose.

Mrs Sogavare, wife of Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare, during the handover on Monday said this assistance is part of her appreciation and support to rural farmers especially women who have worked very hard to earn for their families.

“This assistance is part of our recognition to your accomplishment in your daily struggles. I know this support will provide you with a comfortable place for you to sit and be able to sell your fresh products displayed on the table,” she said.

Sogavare on the same note thanked the Peoples Republic of China (PRC) for assisting her in supporting women of this nation in this kind of income generating activities.

President for the Honiara Central Market Vendors Association Moreen Sariki in response said thanked Sogavare for assisting the vendors.

“These chairs will not only provide a comfortable space for vendors to sell their produce but will also support the association in generating money through these chairs,” Sariki said.

She adds that the chairs will be made available for hire at a fee of $5 per chair.

The handover was held at the Prime Minister’s private Residence at Tasahe.

Japan funds water supply projects to Fauala and Afio communities in Malaita.

Written by
Samie Waikori
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H.E Yoshiaki turns on the tap of the newly handed over water suply project to Afio community as witness by Premier Suidani and MPA for ward two, Hon Benjamin Baetalua and members of Afio community.

BY SAMIE WAIKORI

AUKI

COMMUNITIES of Fauala and Afio in Central Kwara’ae constituency have benefited from Japan’s water supply projects under its Grassroots and Human Security Project for Solomon Islands.

The water projects which cost USD69,250 each, around SBD1.1 million, is aimed to improve public health infrastructure in Solomon Islands through installing water supply systems or sanitation facilities for communities.

Officiating the handover of the projects on Monday was His Excellency, Miwa Yoshiaki accompanied by a team from the Japan Embassy office in Honiara, Premier Daniel Suidani and members of his executive, rep from provincial RWASH and Malaita provincial health.

H.E Miwa Yoshiaki gets a drink from the Japan’s funded Fauala water supply project that is handed over to Fauala community on Monday this week.

Speaking during the handover ceremonies, HE Yoshiaki said the people and government of Japan are very happy to provide Fauala and Afio communities with water supply systems.

He said water is an absolute necessity of life and that nobody can live without water. Adding that it also important for industries or related activities as the country is developing.

Yoshiaki said the availability of water supply in the communities will support people with all activities of life that require water.

Thus, he urged the communities that now they have received water projects, it is just the beginning of a long development journey ahead.

Yoshiaki said the water projects are development themselves and will also contribute to other developments the communities will pursue in future.

(L-R) Juri Kikuchi, Lady Yoshiaki and H.E Miwa Yoshiaki after being presented with shell money gifts by the community of Fauala on Monday this week.

Yoshiaki urged the communities to take great care of the water projects to benefit the generations to come.

He also thanked the provincial RWASH office in Malaita, Malaita provincial government and two MPAs for wards two and 29 for supports behind the successful completion of the projects.

On that note, reps from the communities acknowledged people and government of Japan through their embassy in Honiara for the support.

Silas Maefoa from Afio village said for the first time in three decades their community has a decent water supply system.

Members of Fauala during the handing over of their water supply project on Monday this week.

“All along our women and children fetched water from nearby river and other water sources for our used.

“The project is indeed a relief and will definitely ease the water burden we once endured in the past,” he said.

Robert Rade Buai from Fauala village also shared similar sentiments as his community too faced challenges of water in the past.

He thanked Japan for the support of the project that will have great impact on the life of people in their communities.

More than 1,000 people from the two communities will benefit from the water projects.

Sogavare proclaims King Yeshua to reign

Written by
Brian Lezutuni
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PM Sogavare pledging his allegiance to God Almighty at the event

BY NED GAGAHE

PRIME Minister Manasseh Sogavare has declared King Yeshua, Lion of the tribe of Judah, Jesus Christ to reign in Solomon Islands.

Mr Sogavare boldly made the proclamation when he addressed the All Pacific Arise and Sukkot 30th anniversary celebration in Honiara on Monday.

The PM’s proclamation was received with overwhelming praise and worshiping.

It was then sealed off with a signing and was witnessed by seven Pacific nations and Dr George Annadorai, president of Asia Shalom.

(L-R) PM Sogavare, Dr George Annadorai lifting his hands in worship while a representive from Pacific joined in the worship after the declaration

“Today the great day of the Feast of Tabernacles, the day that the Prime Minister of Solomon Islands Manasseh Damukana Sogavare signed and declare Jesus as the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

“This day will be written down in the history of Solomon Islands both in the physical and in the spiritual realm and witnessed by seven South Pacific nation’s representatives.” A statement by the APA said.

Seven Pacific nations were represented at the event including Australia, New Zealand. The Pacific nations are Vanuatu, Papua New Guinea, New Caledonia, Niue, Fiji and Samoa.

The event was celebrated from October 9-18. Had attracted a sizeable audience at the Maranatha Hall, East of Honiara.

Milo Silata and other Pacific delegates got down into praise and worship after the landmark declaration

In the Solomon Islands participants had come all the way from all the nine provinces for the celebration.

The absolute majority being from Malaita in particular the Northern region where the prayer movement was birthed in 1991.

In his keynote address Sogavare said:

“I can only proclaim to you this day that Solomon Islands has a new Prime Minister and He is King Yeshua, Lion of the tribe of Judah, Jesus Christ. I am his servant, a humble steward for His Glory and His Glory alone.”

PM and lady Sogavare being led after the event

“First of all, I give thanks, praise and honor to the Creator, Our Father, Our Almighty and Eternal God. I stand here before HIM with the greatest humility.

“On behalf of the Government and the people of Solomon Islands, I also wish to warmly welcome our brother and sisters who have travelled from afar to our shores to be part of this historical event.”

“I am truly blessed to stand here today in the presence of God Almighty and this congregation bearing witness to this historical proclamation. It is my conviction that it is by divine design that this historical event is hosted here in Solomon Islands. It is the will of God Almighty.

Maranatha Hall was packed with hundreds of attendees to witness the historic proclamation.

“On the outset, I am obliged to reaffirm the blue print of Solomon Islands in God; and hereby make the declaration under the preamble of the Solomon Islands National Constitution, and I quote;

“We the people of Solomon Islands, proud of the wisdom and the worthy customs of our ancestors, mindful of our common and diverse heritage and conscious of our common destiny, do now, under the guiding hand of God, establish the sovereign democratic state of Solomon Islands.

“Furthermore, our national anthem is a prayer, a prayer for a united country where we are all equal before God. It is a prayer for unity, joy, peace and progress. A prayer for the manifestation of a nation united through God’s guiding hand where men shall brothers be, make nation see.”

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