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Vaccine for children here soon

Written by
Mavis Podokolo
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BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO

SOLOMON Islands will soon have covid-19 vaccine for age group five to 11 years.

According to Ministry of Health and Medical Service Advisor Dr Yogesh Choudhri, donors have confirmed they would supply the vaccine.

“We have got confirmation from our donor partners that they would be able to supply the covid-19 vaccine for 5 years above and 11 years age group,” Choudhri said.

“We have made requestion to the National Therapeutic Drugs committee to consider provision of Pfizer for 5 years above and 11 years,” he added.

Choudhri also confirmed that the total national vaccination coverage of people aged 18 and above is still below 50 percent.

“All in all we have two thirds of the people at least received one dose of the vaccine who are 18 and above.

“The vaccination roll out for 12 years and above and 18 years below is also ongoing in different provinces,” Choudhri said.

He adds overall nationally 17 per cent of children between 12 years and above and 18 years below have been vaccinated with both doses of the Pfizer vaccine.

Lack of shipping hits hard on villagers

Written by
Jennifer Kusapa
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Nafinua Island in Star Harbour, Makira Ulawa province. Photo by Frigate Bird Island Lodge, Facbook.

BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

MEMBER of Makira-Ulawa Provincial Assembly for Ward 14 Solomon Mare says his people are suffering due to lack of shipping service to their area.

Mare said currently small business operating within his ward are without goods, and people in the villages are suffering.

“People cannot rely on local food alone. They also need soap, sugar, rice and other goods as well,” Mare told the Island Sun yesterday.

He calls on ship-owners that currently serve in Makira to include Marubay, Santa Ana and Namuga in their trips

“We have suffered long enough.

“Ships need to come to our area.

“Village canteens are now empty of cargo.

“Those who need to travel back to Honiara, especially students, are still stranded in the village although the academic year has started.

“Many cargoes and passengers are also stuck in town because of this problem.”

Mare said now that covid restrictions have been lifted, ship owners should now reschedule their trips to the province.

“I do not want to see my people continue suffer due to lack of transport to and from Makira.”

Police, immigration ready for border reopening

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
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Honiara International Airport

By EDDIE OSIFELO

THE Immigration Division and police officers are preparing to execute the operation plan ‘Keepim Yu Safe’ when our borders are reopened starting next week.

The operational plan was developed by Damien Pollard of the Australia Border Force to assist Immigration Division work at the airport, passport processing, visa management, border control, border compliance, maritime, and Solomon Islands-Papua New Guinea border.

As part of familiarisation with the Op Plan, the Immigration Division with Pollard have conducted a two-day workshop in Honiara starting yesterday.

The training aims to:

  1. Equip Immigration and Police officers with knowledge to execute the operation plan’s border reopening framework for international airports, maritime and SI-PNG traditional border crossing; and
  2. Understand the execution of a joint multi-law enforcement border operation plans to facilitate international border reopening.

Acting Director of Immigration, Chris Akosawa said this training needs to be completed this week because some Immigration officers will be posted to Shortlands next week.

Akosawa said the training is important for Immigration officers and police officers serving at the SI-PNG border to understand Immigration, customs, biosecurity, health, border treaties and MOUs to execute immigration operations.

“Besides operations in Honiara, we have existing MOUs with PNG.

“We have two border treaties Basic Border Agreement 2004 and Framework Treaty guiding principles 1997,” he said.

Furthermore, Akosawa said Solomon Islands has existing SI-PNG Royal Papua New Guinea police force MOU.

He said Immigration also has MOU with Biosecurity and Customs.

Further to that, he said it is important for Immigration and Police to understand the concept of multi-law enforcement agency because they are going to operate different legislations like customs, health, bio security and immigrations laws.

“These agencies have authority under their own directors and controllers.

“So, it is very important especially our police force to really understand how you going to support us during border operations,” he said.

Akosawa said Royal Solomon Islands Police Force is the principle law agency to enforce and support Immigration’s operations and keeping officers safe operating in a high-risk environment.

Cabinet has approved the reopening of borders following recommendations from the Border Opening Committee of the covid-19 Oversight Committee.

New disease remains a threat

Written by
Mavis Podokolo
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Technical advisor to Ministry of Health and Medical Services, Dr Yogesh Choudri

BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO

THE Ministry of Health and Medical Service says it is possible Solomon Islands may record monkeypox following two cases reported in Australia.

Dr Yogesh Choudhri, Technical Advisor to Ministry of Health, stated this.

“The new infection worries the Ministry,” Choudhri said.

“We have seen that two cases have been reported in Australia and other parts of the world are also reporting the cases so it is possible that we might get a case from one of these countries,” he added.

Choudhri said at the moment the ministry is keeping a closer eye on this new disease.

“We are making sure that we have the diagnostic capability here, we need to procure the reagent.

“So our lab has already started the process,” Choudhri said.

He said that individuals who may come from countries that records monkeypox or exposed to monkeypox and likely to develop monkeypox symptoms like body rush with blister all over the body, fever, sore throat, headache, muscle ache must immediately report to the ministry so that they can launch proper investigations to see if it is monkeypox or not    

“So keep a close watch on that,” Choudhri said.

He adds in terms of prevention there is already a vaccine for it but is not yet available here.

“So we encouraged the use of mask to protect you from contracting this new infection that can be spread via droplets,” Choudhri said.

Woman faces court over unpaid taxi bill

Written by
Jennifer Kusapa
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BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

A woman accused of assaulting a police officer and displaying offensive behaviour within police premises will return to court on June 13.

The woman appeared in court yesterday, but said she needs a lawyer to represent her.

Paul None from the Public Solicitor’s Office told the accused to visit their office and seek legal representation.

Police said on 18 April 2022 the defendant took a taxi and refused to pay her bill.

The taxi driver then took her to Central Police in which she argued with the police officer on duty at that time and also use abusive words at the officer.

Police claimed the woman used abusive words and also shouted at the officer saying that she is a landowner and told the officer on duty to go back to their home.

Malaita, the least vaccinated province

Written by
Samie Waikori
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BY SAMIE WAIKORI

Auki

SINCE the roll out of covid-19 vaccine (AstraZeneca) in Malaita province last year, only 19 percent of eligible population of nearly 90,000 had completed their doses.

It’s a worrying statistic and it means only 19 percent of population above 18 years in the province are protected from covid-19, while 81 percent are not.

Director of Malaita Provincial Health, who is also the Chairman of Malaita EOC, Dr Rex Maukera expressed the fear in the wake of the lifting of covid-19 restrictions.

The restrictions were lifted last Friday.

Maukera said the statistic shows the province still has a long way to achieve its aim to ensure the eligible population are fully vaccinated and protected from covid-19.   

He said covid-19 vaccination coverage for the province is 36 percent for those with first dose and only 19 percent for those that completed their second doses.

“The biggest contributing factor to this low vaccination rate in the province is ‘hesitancy’,” Maukera said.

“That is the majority of people continue to believe in unreliable information from sources like social media and others,” he added.

Maukera said the current vaccination rate shows Malaita is the least vaccinated province and that signals catastrophe in the event of a future covid-19 outbreak.

“The good news however, is covid-19 vaccination is continuing in Auki town and at the moment the provincial health is administering the roll-out of AstraZeneca, Pfizer, Johnson & Johnson and booster vaccines.

“There will be another roll out of the vaccines in the province and communities are asked to support the provincial health on the program.

“And I asked all stakeholders in the province to support the provincial health by passing right information to our people so that they understand and accept the vaccines.

“There were incidents where health workers facilitating the vaccines were chased and threatened by certain communities.

“Everyone must understand that we are trying our best to provide health services to our communities and we depend on them to make it happen.

“I call for cooperation from communities to support the upcoming vaccination roll-out to protect the province from covid-19.”

Maukera said as Pfizer will be part of the roll out; they hope the eligible population can be able to get their vaccine to protect them and everyone from the virus.

He said as covid-19 restrictions are lifted, Malaitans are asked to continue uphold hand washing, face masking and social distancing.

Maukera said the EOC for covid-19 at Kilu’ufi hospital will continue to monitor the COVID situation in the province.

Vanuatu media supports MASI boycott of ‘One-question press conference’

Written by
Irwin Angiki
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BY IRWIN ANGIKI

Vanuatu’s media association has thrown its weight behind its Solomons counterpart’s decision to boycott the joint press conference with China’s foreign affairs minister.

Dubbed as the ‘One-question conference’, yesterday’s media event did not sit well with Solomons Media Association (MASI) after a government invite indicated that the local media was allowed only one question – and that would be to Solomons’ foreign minister.

China’s foreign minister, Wang Yi, was to be asked only one question; but that privilege was given to China’s media.

Furthermore, selected few mainstream media agencies were allowed only one representative each. A good number of journalists, especially those taking news for international outlets were shut out.

MASI has decried this farcical arrangement, actioning it with a boycott of the joint press conference.

In a show of solidarity, Vanuatu’s media association (MAV) president Mr Stevenson Liu emailed MASI president Ms Georgina Kekea yesterday supporting the boycott decision, and calling on Pacific governments to “allow press freedoms at all times”.

“The Media Association of Vanuatu, MAV declares its solidarity with the MASI regarding the decision by MASI to boycott the coverage of the Chinese delegation to the Solomon Islands.

“People are expecting us, the Media to be their eyes and ears and to ask questions on their behalf.

“Not allowing the Media to freely demand answers from Government and the Chinese delegate is a slap to the principles of Freedom of Information and democracy.

“Therefore MAV is supporting the stand taken by MASI and demands pacific governments to allow press freedom at all times.

“This is the freedom to inform ordinary citizens and upholds democracy.

“MAV hopes the people of Solomon Islands acknowledges the stand taken by MASI and understand and support their journalists in their quest to fight for the right to know.”

In a press statement on Wednesday, President Kekea explained MASI’s disappointment.

“Solomon Islands is a democratic country and when media freedom is dictated on someone else’s terms, it then impedes on our democratic principles.

“The Chinese delegation’s visit is an important and historical one for our country and our members plays an important role in making sure it provides the right information and awareness on the importance of the visit to our people.

“Journalists should be given the opportunity to ask questions on behalf of the people.

“According to the programme, the press will be given the opportunity to ask only two questions. One from a Solomon Islands journalist directed to the Solomon Islands Foreign Affairs Minister, and one from Chinese media, directed to their Foreign Affairs Minister.

“How ridiculous is that? If we want to interview our Foreign Affairs Minister, we can just do it without the event. What is the whole purpose of hosting such an event for the Press when they are only allowed one question and directed to their Foreign Minister only?”

Ms Kekea said even the discriminatory manner in which journalists are selected to cover the event does not bode well with the Association.

“MASI thrives on professional journalism and sees no reason for journalists to be discriminated against based on who they represent. Giving credentials to selected journalists is a sign of favouritism. Journalists should be allowed to do their job without fear or favour.”

She said the reason given that the arrangements were done that way because of COVID protocols ‘is an excuse’.

“We have community transmission, people are crowded in buses, shops, markets, banks and so forth so this is a very lame excuse,” she said.

She said Press Freedom is enshrined as a fundamental element in our country’s constitution.

“Same as the Prime Minister has defended democracy in parliament after the November riots, MASI is also defending democracy in this space.”

5 agreements formalised

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
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China's Foreign Minister, Wang Yi and his Solomon Islands counterpart, Jeremiah Manele in Honiara. PHOTO: SIBC

By EDDIE OSIFELO

SOLOMON Islands and China have formalised five Memorandum of Understandings (MOU) yesterday.

Minister of Foreign Affairs and External Trade, Jeremiah Manele announced this yesterday during a joint media event with visiting Chinese Foreign minister Wang Yi.

Journalists were only allowed to ask two questions during the event. No follow up questions have been allowed.

Manel said the MOUs include:

  1. Mutual visa exemptions and enabling visa arrangements between the two countries.
  2. Health cooperation
  3. Deepening Blue Economy that aims to foster developments and economics investments in the marine sector.
  4. Cooperation in disaster risk reductions, which provided for emergency supplies system and contingency plan in Solomon Islands and China in terms of disaster reduction and management measures.
  5. Exchange of letters and formal declaration of sister relations between Honiara and Jiangmen City.

Manele said they also witnessed the exchange of letters for the funding assistance from China Development Cooperation Agency.

Solomon Islands established diplomatic relations with China in late 2019.

New equipment to Forestry

Written by
Press Release
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Vaeno Vigulu, left, receiving the donated equipment from FAO’s Raushan Kumar.

The Ministry of Forestry and Research (MOFR) received video conferencing equipment donated by Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.

With this facility being installed, MOFR will be able to efficiently conduct meetings with other ministry colleagues as well as with partners and stakeholders.

This will enhance the communication ability of ministry officials.

The brief handover ceremony was conducted at MOFR head office.

FAO’s Technical Advisor, Raushan Kumar handed over the video conferencing equipment to Permanent Secretory Dr Vaeno Vigulu.

Vaeno recognized the FAO’s support in ensuring effectiveness in connectivity and communication.

Due to unavailability VC facility, it was difficult to attend national, regional, and global virtual meetings and now this facility available, meetings can be attended in a more professional manner, he added.

FAO’s assistance to MOFR is to empower the ministry’s outreach to all stakeholders.

Kumar acknowledged that FAO recognises the importance of such facilities and happy to assist MOFR.

Six years for abusive father

Written by
Jennifer Kusapa
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0

BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

A FATHER, 37, guilty of having sex with his 14-year-old daughter has been jailed for six years.

Justice Maelyn Bird imposed the sentence on the man, who cannot be named for legal reasons.

Justice Bird told the man, from Central Province, that it is a disgraceful act for a father to commit such offence on his biological daughter.

She said the father has caused phycological and emotional abuse on his daughter and it is revealed in court that the daughter attempted suicide three days after the incidents occurred.

“You should be ashamed of yourself instead of providing love, security and protection on your daughter, you turned around and sexually abused her,” Justice Bird said.

“You committed the offending inside your very own home, a place of each child in a family should be safe and secured, but is has turned into a crime scene,” she added.

“You should be a responsible and respectable father and lead by example.”

After sentencing the accused to six years, Justice Bird also made orders that period already spent in custody by the accused will be deducted from the total sentence imposed.

This incident occurred in 2020 and 2021.

The father was charged with sexual abuse on a child, domestic violence and psychological abuse.

The matter was reported to police after the girl told her grand-mother about her father’s actions.

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