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Premier Suidani forms new political party

Written by
Samie Waikori
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Former Malaita Premier, Daniel Suidani

BY SAMIE WAIKORI

AUKI

PREMIER of Malaita province, Daniel Suidani will take the first step towards setting-up a political party he has been preaching about during his tours around his province.

The political party is named “Umi For Change” (We are for Change) and a meeting was scheduled for 17th October to appoint an interim committee to spearhead the set-up of the party.   

In a public announcement made by his political advisor, Celsius Talifilu a meeting to set up an interim committee to spearhead the proposed Umi For Change party is set for October 17 2022 in Auki.

“Premier Suidani is getting ahead with setting up of the new UMI FOR CHANGE (U4C) political party he has been preaching about during his tours around Malaita province,” Talifilu said.

He said this is a preparation to ensure the party is ready for the upcoming 2024 election.

Talifilu relayed a call by the premier to those who wish to be part of this new party to be in Auki on the 17th of October 2022.

“This will be an important gathering where the interim committee will oversee the setting up of the party and who will be appointed.

“U4C party is formed as a political vehicle to advance policy issues that the MARA government has been advocating for.

“The premier believes that this is the right and appropriate way to further these interests and is calling on those who shared the same views to come and be part of the new initiative in Auki on the 17th of October 2022,” he said.

Commenting on the party during one of his tour in the province he said the idea behind the political party is to ensure Malaita province has united leaders in government who will represent common interests and issues of Malaita.

“We are behind a political party, a party that will carry Malaita province forward as one people.

“And in order to do that, by going about things we believe on, this is the only way. We must go together as a political party,” Suidani said.

He explained that as long as the party is launched, the electorates throughout the province are encouraged to affiliate to the party by membership.

Suidani said what will happen is, members of the party from each constituencies will choose their candidates based on accord to pursue their interest if he/she wins.

He said the idea is if a constituency has a membership of more than 5,000 voters and go for a single candidate, there is a high possibility for them to win the election.

Suidani also added that if members of the party come up with more than one candidate, a preliminary election will be conducted and the one with the highest votes will represent them all in the election.

Suidani said that prior to the next general election; the political party will preach in all constituencies throughout the province for electorates to be aware and get their membership.

USAID wharf project on Malaita halted due to land dispute

Written by
Samie Waikori
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Malaita Premier, Daniel Suidani.

BY SAMIE WAIKORI

AUKI

A wharf project proposed for Matangasi, Malaita Province to be funded under the USAID SCALE program is on hold due to land issues faced with the site for the project.

Matangasi is within the Mara Masike Passage in the southern region of Malaita province and was among other regions in the province that the SCALE program earmarked its projects to be implemented.

The Premier of Malaita Province, Daniel Suidani, confirmed the news, adding it did not go well with him.

He has however, accepted it with a call for greater understanding to make way for such important developments in the province to take place. 

Last Friday, Suidani held an awareness talk in Auki and relayed concerns raised by some people from the southern region, who asked if the SCALE program has plans for the southern region.

“Yes the southern region has a project, and it is the Matangasi Wharf project.”

Suidani said initially the SCALE program had proposed a wharf project for the Afio provincial sub-centre in the southern region of Malaita province.

He said after they learned that the national government also has a similar plan/project for Afio and where work is currently underway, they have to re-strategize and relocate to Matangasi (about a Kilometre into the passage from Afio).

He said later, the SCALE program was notified of a land dispute on the proposed site for the project, and it seems the Matangasi wharf project won’t eventuate for now.

Suidani said his office has learned from the SCALE program that funds allocated for the project is already in place and they are looking at other potential sites in the province.

He also said under the SCALE program was a similar wharf project for Luaniua in the Malaita Outer Islands, fisheries project for Adakoa, Gwaigeo and others.

Dash-8 operational October 14: CEO Kraus

Written by
Mavis Podokolo
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DASH-8

BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO 

DASH-8 is expected to be operational by October 14 during the start of the peak session where a lot of people will be travelling for holidays, says Solomon Airlines Chief Executive Officer Gus Kraus.

Mr Kraus echoed this in press conference this week.

“We trying to ensure that dash-8 is up and running by the 14th of this month.

“We getting into the peak session and a lot of people haven’t been moving to see their families for the last two years so we expect a good amount of travelling over the Christmas and probably around February onwards we in turn to look at our promotional airfares,” Kraus said.

He said they want to celebrate that in line with the 60th anniversary starting a bit later.

“Speaking on peak season it’s hard to measure the impact of people to go home and especially in this economy there will be a lot of government officers travelling, like leave fares for teachers, doctors and nurses

“So we need to make sure we cater for them first and February we will be starting to look at some of promotional areas,” he said.

Kraus adds, they will be putting the Solomon Airlines Logo, on the dash-8 and the twin otter so that the 60th anniversary flies with the aircraft.

Airlines to look at airfares: CEO Kraus

Written by
Mavis Podokolo
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New CEO of Solomon Airlines, Gus Kraus.

BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO

SOLOMON Airlines will be looking at its exorbitant airfares and rates.

This follows continuing complaints by customers and members of the public.

Airlines Chief Executive Officer Gus Kraus confirmed this to local journalist in a press conference held this week prior to the Solomon Airlines 60th anniversary.

“We are mandated by the board to look at air fares so we will do that. This one of the program we will be focusing on,” he said.

“On February 2023 we will focus on fares and promotions and that leads straight into the 2023 Pacific Games.

“It is bad to not plan for the games so we gonna be ready for it and we are looking at a timely meeting with the Games committee we have some ideas we like to them about.

“They already some ideas as well that will want to talk to us about. Will get that going,” he said.

Cabinet eases entry restrictions

Written by
Press Release
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Honiara International Airport

Cabinet yesterday approved further easing of restrictions to enter Solomon Islands on incoming travelers, especially, the removal of the 72 hours PCR test prior to entering the country.

Since the re-opening of borders on July 1 and the subsequent expiry of the State of Public Emergency (SOPE) on July 24, the Ministry of Health and Medical Services stepped up its surveillance and database, which, indicated isolated cases of covid-19.

“Cabinet has considered that the trend towards evidence-based approaches to restrictions reflects the evolving nature of the pandemic also help restore confidence in travel while help keeping both visitors and tourism workers safe,” a government statement said.

“Current evidence shows that current travel restrictions are primarily effective at the early stage of the pandemic and may help to delay a pandemic, however, the effect of travel restrictions decline over time as cases are inevitably imported,” it added.

“Cabinet also noted that most countries around the world have either lifted or have partial requirements for entry without and have adopted different models of approach such as easing of burden on health facilities.

“Cabinet further noted that, in terms of the likelihood of importation of new variants and starting a new wave of outbreak in Solomon Islands is low while vaccination coverage of atleast one dose for those 18 years and above currently stands at 70 percent while for double doses at 53 percent.”

In its conclusion, Cabinet maintained that only travelers who are not citizens of Solomon Islands must be fully vaccinated with proof of complete vaccination against covid-19 requirements are permitted to enter the country while nationals who are unvaccinated can enter the country subject to proof of negative PCR test 72 hours prior to entering the country.

Meanwhile, the statement said Cabinet has directed the Attorney General’s Chambers to work with the Immigration Division to amend the Immigration Regulation in order to accommodate the changes to the pre-arrival requirements, particularly, the removal of the 72 hours PCR test prior to entering the country requirement for travelers.

“Government will soon announce when this exercise will come into effect as soon as the regulation covering this requirement is amended.

“It further directed the Ministry of Health and Medical Services to step up on its surveillance capacity and capabilities and as appropriate expand and increase its surveillance sites in the provinces from 13 to 20 and to continue delivering and administering its covid vaccination rollout programme and ensure to increase coverage to 80 percent with at least one dose.”

Ship heading to Sikaiana after almost eight months

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
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Sikaiana Island. PHOTO GEORGE HERMING

By EDDIE OSIFELO

THE 200 people living on the isolated island of Sikaiana in the Malaita Outer Islands are expecting a ship to serve them soon after being denied the service over the last eight months.

This came after the Central Tender Board in the Ministry of Finance and Treasury approved Kii Shipping as a franchise to serve this uneconomical route on a one-year contract yesterday.

Ministry of Infrastructure Development permanent secretary, Stephen Maesiola confirmed this after the CDB meeting yesterday.

Maesiola said he would liaise with his officers to inform Kii shipping on this new contract.

“I don’t know when the ship will travel to Sikaiana.

“But if the ship needs money for fuel, the ministry can help,” he said.

The plight of the Sikaiana people came to limelight after the Member of Provincial Assembly on Malaita province, Ezekiel Teusa told this paper this week.

Teusa said there are no food, medicine, and that the school has closed to allow children to accompany their parents to the smaller islets to forage for food.

More and more people are also getting sick, according to Teusa.

Concerned individuals from Sikaiana in Honiara have rallied together to call on their MP and the national government to send a ship with relief supplies to the isolated atolls.

Spokesperson Tera Tavao, during their meeting on Sunday, said they resolved to exhaust all means of reaching out to their MP Martin Kealoe Mokolo, and the national government to ask for a ship to be sent to Sikaiana.

Mokolo could not be reached for comments, however MOI constituency development officer (CDO) John Selwyn says the constituency cannot help the people on Sikaiana because of lack of funds.

“[MOI] constituency cannot charter a ship because the funds for this year have all been exhausted, expended according to their allocations.

“Sikaiana usually depends on the government franchise system which services uneconomical routes.

“But the contract for MV Airi expired earlier this year, and MID has put up this service for tender but the process is slow and the tender is yet to be made,” he said.

However, with government stepping in, it is good news for the Sikaiana people to access food and other necessities from Honiara to end the starvation.

Work on Tina Hydro project picking up again

Written by
Press Release
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Chief Executive Officer of Tina Hydro Limited (THL), Younghoon Chang made a courtesy call to acting Prime Minister Manasseh Maelanga, yesterday

WORK on the Tina Hydro Project is picking up again after COVID-19 and few other issues put a brake on the progress of the project.

Chief Executive Officer of Tina Hydro Limited (THL), Younghoon Chang revealed this when he made a courtesy call to acting Prime Minister Manasseh Maelanga, yesterday.

“Covid-19 and few other issues have affected progress of the project but I am happy to say that implementation began to pick up recently with a ground breaking ceremony planned for November,” Changa said.

Maelanga told Chang that Tina Hydro project is a national flagship project, which is important for the reduction of the cost of electricity in Honiara by reducing reliance on diesel fuel to generate electricity.

“We are looking forward for the successful implementation of the Tina Hydro project to help us reduce the high cost of electricity to our people,” Maelanga said.

Tina Hydro Limited (THL) is the entity implementing the Hydropower Facility and Access Road of the Tina River Hydro Development Project.

Korea Water Resources Corporation (K-water) is the selected private sponsor (in association with Hyundai Engineering Company) of Components 1 and 2.

As the main project sponsor, and shareholder in the PC with management control, K-water will lead the PC and ensure that it is managed effectively and all of its contractual obligations are fully met.

K-water will, therefore, be responsible for building and operating the HPF, and ensuring that the EPC contractor effectively executes its contract. K-water is the preferred O&M contractor.

Hyundai Engineering Company is the selected private sponsor (in consortium with K-water) of Components 1 and 2.

PROVINCES PENALISED

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
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Central to miss out on remaining PCDF funding this year

By EDDIE OSIFELO

CENTRAL Islands province will not receive any funding from the remaining $20 million Provincial Capacity Development Fund (PCDF) this year.

Malaita and Makira Ulawa provinces are entitled to receive only 20 percent of the PCDF.

The Joint Oversight Committee of the Ministry of Provincial Government and Institutional Strengthening made this decision following their meeting with the concerned provinces in Tulagi, Central Islands, yesterday.

All three provinces have appealed to the JOC to consider their cases after their budgets were not considered by the Public Accounts Committee.

According to a provincial government insider, JOC, which also included Temotu, Rennell and Bellona and Guadalcanal, has rejected the appeals of the three provincial governments.

The insider said Central Islands has passed the assessment but because of political wrangling, their PAC and Assembly have failed to meet to pass the budget in March and June.

Island Sun could not reach the new Premier of Central Islands, Polycarp Galaigu.

However, Malaita Premier Suidani’s advisor, Celsius Talifilu posted on Malaita Development Forum on Facebook that in the case of Malaita, it has not met two minimum conditions.

Talifilu said the two minimum conditions are all related to the Public Accounts Committee that have not met last year to deliberate on the 2021 revised budget.

“As one would remember after the defeated motion of no confidence last year. Members of the Public Accounts Committee – PAC which were all non-executive members resigned from the committee in protest of the failed motion of no confidence.

“Virtually there was no PAC at that time to deliberate on the revised 2021 budget because all of them have resigned,” he said.

Talifilu said since PAC virtually did not exist at the time, there was no report produced on the 2021 revised budget.

“Thus, the assembly did not meet regarding the budget variations.

“That is the second minimum condition that MPG failed on,” he added.

A total of $40 million was allocated under the PCDF.

However, $20 million was already allocated to all nine provincial governments.

Looming wet and cyclone season here

Written by
Brian Lezutuni
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BY NED GAGAHE

As the country transitions into a wet cyclone season, the Solomon Islands Meteorological Services (SIMS) yesterday warns the public of looming bad weather.

Each year, the tropical cyclone season starts in November and ends in April the subsequent year.

Solomon Islands is prone to tropical cyclones and up to three cyclones are forecasted in a year, even small storms can quickly turn into tropical cyclones bringing with it extreme winds, and torrential rain that can cause flash flooding and destruction.

In April 2020, widespread destruction was caused by the powerful tropical cyclone Harold in the Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, Fiji, and Tonga. In the country, 27 people lost their lives in the Taimareho boat tragedy.

SIMS Chief Forecaster Eddie Maru has reiterated the need to prepare, in an interview with the Island Sun.

Maru stated the impacts of tropical cyclones obviously demonstrate the need to develop better awareness and preparedness in strengthening the resilience of local communities and schools against the devastating impacts of tropical cyclones.

He said the wet and cyclone season starts from November to April the subsequent year.

“Be prepared -Weather Ready,”

MARU .

“Understanding the early warning information of any natural hazards and what to do before, during, and after any disaster is very important,” he added.

“Adhere to warnings and listen out to the what–to–do information issued by National Disaster Management Office tailored from the cyclone warning messages issued by SIMS before, during, and after the cyclones.

“Cyclones are extremely dangerous and are associated with which can cause prolonged heavy rain that causes flash flood, landslides, mudslides, and rivers to flood and bursts their banks.

“People living near hill slopes, low lying areas, and near river banks must quickly evacuate to safer grounds to avoid fatalities.

“Associated damaging or extreme winds can damage homes, properties and may cause loss of lives, cut or trim tall trees near homes.

“Storm surges can cause coastal flooding and damage properties, therefore people living near low-lying coastal areas must evacuate to safer grounds.

“Mariners, small boats, and ship owners must adhere to warnings and make good decisions as the seas will be extremely rough and not safe for traveling during the cyclone.”

Meanwhile, Maru and his SIMS team recently concluded a pre-cyclone preparedness awareness in schools and communities in Honiara over the past weeks.

He said the purpose of this program is to inform the schools and communities of the impacts and disasters associated with tropical cyclones as we approach the season.

“It is hoped that through the awareness programs people will be able to better appreciate the impacts of tropical cyclones and make informed decisions when early warning messages are disseminated.

“We believe young students are enthusiastic about spreading the message to their extended families during end year holiday.” Chief Forecaster Maru said.

SPREP hails PINA and MASI for successful Media Summit.

Written by
Mavis Podokolo
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Part of the delegates attending PINA's Summit in Honiara. PHOTO: PINA

BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO

THE Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) office has congratulated the Pacific Islands News Association and the Media Association of Solomon Islands (MASI) for a successful Media Summit.

The statement was relayed to the participants of the summit by Karl Kuper, on behalf of SPREP during the closing of the weeklong event on Thursday.

Kuper paid tribute to the MASI President Gina Kekea and her assistant Douglas Marau, on behalf of SPREP for hosting a successful regional event.

“We thank you for hosting such a successful regional event,” Kuper said.

“It has been a while since our country has hosted a regional event of this calibre and we sincerely appreciate you our pacific family for gracing our shores with your presence and participation,” he added.

Kuper also acknowledges all media personnel for their work in helping to amplify our Pacific voice.

“We look forward to working with you all in our journey ahead and to tell our Pacific stories our Pacific way. 

“Take note that we, the pacific as a family, are going to COP27 to continue the good fight for which we will be counting on you, the media as our platform to share our perspectives,” he said.

President of the Pacific Island News Association (PINA) Kora Nou mentioned that the PINA board has met and have agreed that the next host of the PINA Summit will be Niue.

“Thank you everyone for making this 6th  Pacific Media Summit a success,” Nou said.

He extended his acknowledgement to the MASI executive and support staff for all the efforts and hard work put together to making this summit a successful one.

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