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Schools urged to cut costs

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
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By EDDIE OSIFELO

MINISTRY of Education and Human Resources urges schools to charge reasonable tuition fees to students as only 27 of the 40 weeks in the annual calendar is left.

This came after Saint Nicholas Anglican College posted on its Facebook page to maintain the fees as schools prepare to resume semester on 30th May.

The School Admin states if you need any further clarification, do please come to the school and see Deputy Operation (Leslie Fono) or Deputy Academic (Jon Patteson).

But Permanent Secretary, Dr Franco Rodie said schools need to consider the range of school fees endorsed by the Minister in accordance with the Education Act.

“I understand the costs in the town where schools need to pay electricity and water which they might impose additional fees,” Rodie said.

“Also, the school grants are not enough, therefore they may maintain the schools fees as of last year,” he added.

However, Rodie said schools should reduce their costs to relief the economic burden on parents.

Suidani announces new framework to support landowners

Written by
Samie Waikori
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Former Malaita Premier, Daniel Suidani

BY SAMIE WAIKORI

Auki

MALAITA Provincial Government has set up a framework “Malautolo” to support tribal landowners in the province benefit while protecting of their forest.

Premier Daniel Suidani and his political adviser Celsius Talifilu announced this during an awareness programme held at Malu’u market over the weekend.

Suidani said his government recently passed an ordinance to strengthen the conservation law that discourages logging activity above 400m sea-level.

He said under this ordinance Malautolo was created to support tribal landowners by liaising with them with partners and developing their forest to protect them.

Explaining the framework, Talifilu said Malautolo was set up to fortify the conservation law that calls for a stop to logging activity above 400m sea-level.

He said the law was established for environmental reasons and MPG thought it’s important to take a step further by creating an ordinance to strengthen the law and its programme.

Also, with the ordinance and framework, they are to ensure a programme that can become a beneficial tool for development in Malaita province, Talifilu said.

He said with the idea, MPG developed the ordinance to strengthen its advocacy on the law and to find alternatives and non-destructive ways for people to benefit from their forests.

Talifilu said the establishment of Malautolo has created a pathway for MPG to work hand in glove with partners on carbon trading by facilitating development upon the ordinance.

“That’s how Malautolo framework has come about and lot of things to do with Winrock under the USAID SCALE-NRM program relate to the set-up,” he said.

Talifilu said there are people and institutions in the world that willing to support programs that deal with protection of forests. And there are markets in the world that willing to participate.

He said Malautolo framework is there and interested tribal landowners are call to work together with them to protect and benefit by looking after their resources.

On that note, Talifilu said the framework also created with ambition to try and look at ways on how to educate younger generations on cultural values and norm.

He said nowadays, responsibility to educate children on their cultures rests on parents, but it never happens.

Talifilu said MPG through Malautolo is looking at ways to educate younger generation on their traditional values that would go along with development.

SolAir honours nurses with scenic flight

Written by
Press Release
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Solomon Airlines says ‘Tagio Tumas to our Nation’s Nurses’ on International Nurses Day, joining with eight other prominent Solomon Islands businesses and organisations to sponsor a VIP scenic flight for 18 dedicated nurses from the National Referral Hospital.

The 60-minute scenic flight operated by Solomon Airlines Twin Otter H4-SIC, took off at 9.20am yesterday from Henderson Airport flying over Central Province, across to Yandina and back along the coastline of Guadalcanal before landing again at Henderson.

On board are 18 nurses nominated for their exceptional efforts and dedication to care for patients during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Upon boarding, the nurses were welcomed and presented with a garland and refreshments, and upon their return, a souvenir certificate commemorating their flight.

To honour them, and recognise their incredible efforts as frontline workers during the pandemic, the following organisations have joined Solomon Airlines to make the flight possible – Solomon Island Ports Authority (SIPA), Solomon Power, Tourism Solomons, National Fisheries Developments (NFD), Solomon Island National Provident Fund (NPF), Heritage Park Hotel, Bank South Pacific (BSP) and South Pacific Oil.

“Together, on International Nurses Day we want to express our deep appreciation to nurses everywhere, and especially to our special guests and the National Referral Hospital, for keeping us safe, both through preventative measures, and in caring for those who are hospitalised,” said Mr. Brett Gebers, CEO of Solomon Airlines.

“Across the community we are indebted to them, and today we are showing our appreciation by treating them to a special experience we hope they will always remember,” he said.

“Solomon Airlines is also extremely grateful to our corporate partners. they answered our call to support the National Referral Hospital, and in doing so, have made this experience possible.

“So many of them, by the nature of their work and industries, are also at the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic and our national efforts to tackle it.”

Mr Gebers confirmed a special flight route had been planned to provide the finest possible views.

The aircraft departed Henderson, heading East over Oil Palms, flying towards Nuhu Island, tracking back towards Ngella and hugging the Southern Ngella coastline before turning North over Tulagi to view the Boromole Passage.

It will then turn West hugging the Northern Ngella coastline. From Sandfly Islands the flightpath will continue to fly over Savo Island for an aerial view over the volcano crater, and Russell Islands group before returning to Honiara via the Northern Guadalcanal coastline.

Kuku: we should not deal with bankrupt companies

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Press Release
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Hon. John Dean Kuku

The Leader of the Independent Group in Parliament has cautioned the Government against working with two bankrupt companies in Australia.

In a statement yesterday, John Dean Kuku says while he is happy to see the government working to resolve outstanding issues with Levers Solomon Ltd (LSL), he strongly cautions against dealing with Orbis Commodities Pty Ltd and Pacific Investments Holdings.

These two companies, owned by Willem Van Vlymen and his spouse Margriet Van Vlymen,  have been undergoing bankruptcy proceedings in Australia since 2017.

“It must be noted that Orbis and Pacific do not hold any legal title over any LSL or RIPEL land and properties in Solomon Islands, nor are they registered shareholders of LSL or RIPEL according to Company Haus records,” Kuku said.

His statement followed an article in the Island Sun newspaper that the Chief of Staff in the Office of the Prime Minister Robson Djokovic and the Attorney General John Muria Jnr are dealing with these companies through a Deed of Company Arrangement (DOCA) in order to acquire LSL and RIPEL properties in Solomon Islands.

Kuku explained:

“Orbis and Pacific Investments Holdings are connected to Pacific Investments, a third company registered in the Cook Islands, which is also under bankruptcy since 2017.

“On Company Haus records, Pacific Investments was under an appointed Receiver Manager from 15th March 2017.

“Through Pacific Investments, the Vlymens hold 50 percent shares in International Comtrade & Shipping (SI) Limited who holds 75.1% shares in both LSL and RIPEL.

“The remaining 24.9% shares are held by Lavukal Investment Limited.”

Kuku said it appears that the government has now shifted from its 2019 policy position, citing the OPMC statement in the Island Sun on Monday 9th April confirming that negotiations to acquire LSL only commenced in July 2021.

“In my recollection, in 2019 the government, through the RIPEL Cabinet Subcommittee mooted the idea of pursuing cross sectoral opportunities in development on areas that are not owned by Patrick Wong (the other shareholder in International Comtrade), LSL or RIPEL.

“In other words, LSL and RIPEL were to be excluded from the government’s proposal to develop areas that are free of LSL or RIPEL ownership.

“This is the preferred option because it circumvents any company liabilities and/or land related encumbrances.

“This begs the question whether the government has now abandoned that policy or is this yet another clever diversification of the same policy?

“It also raises questions on the status of the MOU signed in 2019 between the government and Russell Islands Investment Forum (RIIF), and the Central Islands Province under the previous policy.”

Setting aside the fact that Orbis and Pacific Investments Holdings do not hold any legitimate shares in LSL, hence do not own any properties in Solomon Islands, Kuku calls on the government to “clarify which LSL properties are to be acquired by the government under its proposed DOCA and what is the total value of those properties?”

“It is clear the DOCA deal would only serve the Vlymens beneficial interests above anything else.

“So what then is the ultimate aim of the DOCA and how does it benefit the Solomon Islands government?

“Is the government aiming to own shares in LSL and RIPEL (including liabilities) or is it only interested in acquiring the assets (excluding liabilities)?”

“If the government is only interested in acquiring land, then the DOCA is simply untenable and should be immediately abandoned,” Kuku said.

Court documents in the NSW Supreme Court revealed that the DOCA proposed by the Solomon Islands Government was “thought to be between AUD$15 million (SBD$83 million) and AUD$20 million (SBD$110,674,600), which would be enough to pay off all creditors of Orbis and Pacific Holdings in full.”

Kuku said:

“The Attorney General’s letter that recently appeared in the media has financial implications on the 2022 Budget though it did not appear in the Appropriation which immediately raises a series of questions on how the government is going to finance the arrangement.   

“There are better ways of dealing with the policy than the government’s present strategy of entering into negotiations with bankrupt foreign companies.

“It is no different to rioting and looting our national coffers.”

Canada supplies 16k level-3 face masks

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Press Release
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Group photo with consignment of face masks. L-R Dr Yogesh Choudhri MHMS Senior Advisor, Mrs. Pauline McNeil, MHMS Permanent Secretary, Mr. Mostyn Mangau Police Commissioner, Hon. Dr Culwick Togamana Health Minister, Cornelius Walegera Deputy Secretary Foreign Affairs and Wesley Kukutu Manager National Medical Store.

Canada has supported Solomon Islands with 16,800 level-three medical grade face masks.

This assistance has been described by the ministry of Health as a ‘boost’ to Solomons’ campaign against covid-19.

In a joint media statement yesterday, the ministry of Health (MHMS) and Police (RSIPF) hailed this support from Canada.

During a special event Health Minister Dr Culwick Togamana joined by Police Commissioner Mr Mostyn Mangau , Deputy Secretary Ministry of Foreign Affairs Cornelius Walegerea, Health officials and National Medical Store staff gathered yesterday afternoon for an official event with a Canadian flag as part of showing appreciation to the wonderful support received from Canada’s Novoshield company that donated the medical masks and to Air Canada cargo that freighted the cargo with support of Solomon Airlines into the country. 

“Thank you everyone for coming to this special event where we all, on behalf our government and people stand in great salutation to the people of Canada whose support has seen the delivering a sum of 16,800 Level 3 made in Canada medical grade surgical masks and N95 masks to support our ongoing fight against COVID-19,” Minister Togamana said.

From the 16,800 thousand face masks, 8000 masks are allocated for RSIPF officers working on the frontline against COVID-19 while the remaining will be distributed across the country’s health service points. 

In his brief remarks, Togamana said the country is still battling with COVID-19 with current efforts focusing on preventing further entry of new variants, mitigating further spread of the Omicron and Delta variants in country, managing the sick and preventing the further loss of lives. 

“In doing so, our COVID-19 workers both in Health, Police and other sectors are providing critical support in their effort to help combat COVID-19. Ensuring they remain healthy and any risks to their health and lives mitigated is paramount and therefore these supplies received from Canada will make a significant contribution towards the safety of our officers when discharging their duties, against COVID-19,” Togamana said.

Police Commissioner Mangau said that as a recipient, the force would also like to register their appreciation to the people of Canada and all those involved in facilitating the delivery of the masks to the benefit of first responders. 

“These face masks will surely help my officers who are supporting health frontliners at this time of COVID-19 community transmission and the force is looking forward to further its relationship with the police of Canada,” Mangau said. 

Both the Ministry of Health and Royal Solomon Islands Police Force acknowledged Mr Ashwant Dwivedi, the Solomon Islands Consul General to Canada who has been instrumental in liaising with Canadian organisations to seek their support.

“In expressing our appreciation, please allow me to single out Mr Ashwant Dwivedi, our Solomon Islands Honorary Consul General to Canada who has been instrumental in liaising with Novoshield, whose efforts have seen the delivery of the masks here today,” Togamana said.

Togamana also acknowledged and thanked Air Canada and Solomon Airlines management and workers for coordinating the freight of the cargo into Honiara as part of Humanitarian support. 

“Once again thank you to our Hon. Consul General to Canada Mr. Dwivedi who continues to seek Canadian support for our front-lineworkers, to Novoshield Company, Air Canada, and Solomon Airlines for the supplies that we now receive and will be deploying for our COVID-19 workers.” 

DBSI now an entity of GCF

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Press Release
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Chief Executive Officer of Development Bank of Solomon Islands (third from right) and staff, with the representatives of NDA, SPREP, and the Commonwealth Climate Finance Access Hub.

A MEETING to nominate the Development Bank of Solomon Islands (DBSI) to be an accredited entity to the Green Climate Fund (GCF) was held in Honiara recently.

Reps from the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) – Green Climate Fund (GCF) Solomon Islands Readiness project, National Designated Authority (NDA) of Solomon Islands, Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, Disaster Management & Meteorology attended the meeting.

They held discussions with the Chief Executive Officer and senior staff members of DBSI.

Speaking on behalf of the NDA representative during the meeting, Deputy Secretary Technical,

Chanel Iroi stated that the nomination to be an accredited entity to the GCF is critical and a priority for the SIG as the bank is supporting development at different scales in the country.

“It is also part of the Government efforts to effectively respond to the impacts of climate change and build the resilience of the country’s socio-economic sector as well as long-term climate-proof infrastructure developments,” Iroi said.

The GCF is a key funding mechanism under the Paris Climate Agreement that supports developing countries’ efforts to adapt their economies to the impacts of climate change through low-emission and climate-resilient investments.

SPREP’s Climate Finance Readiness Advisor, Fred Siho Patison who is based at the Pacific Climate Change Centre (PCCC), highlighted in the meeting that the accreditation process will take some time, but the support will initiate the process for DBSI to strengthen its fiduciary policies and processes to meet the GCF accreditation requirements.

He further re-iterated that such support is part of SPREP’s role as an accredited entity to the GCF in the region to support member countries.  

The DBSI board meeting later in April endorsed the support for accreditation and looks forward to collaborating with the SI GCF NDA and SPREP to get the accreditation process complete.

In welcoming the DBSI Board’s decision, Iroi thanked the CEO of DBSI, Nafitalai Cakacaka, saying “this accreditation will enable the Solomon Islands’ response to the threats of climate change further by opening access to GCF and climate financing to eligible stakeholders in the country”.

“Such access to climate financing mechanisms is critical for economic growth, security and the well-being of Solomon Islanders,” Iroi said.

The GCF Readiness 1 Solomon Island is strengthening the SI National Designated Authority (NDA) Capacity and Strategic Engagement with the GCF, which include support to national entities towards accreditation to the GCF.

The SI NDA support to DBSI is in addition to ongoing collaboration with the Ministry of Finance and Treasury and the National Transport Fund for accreditation to the GCF.

The SI SPREP GCF Readiness Support project is hosted by the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, Disaster Management and Meteorology.

Western Teachers urged to return to schools

Written by
Ben Bilua
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Western Provincial capital Gizo

BY BEN BILUA
Gizo

WESTERN Province Education Authority (WPEA) has called on teachers under their authority to return to their respective schools.

WPEA made the call following announcement made by Ministry of Education and Human Resource Development for classes to resume as of May 23.

Principal Education Officer of Western Province, Freedom Tozaka said WPEA has mobilised intervention in preparation for schools to resume.

Tozaka said part of the intervention is to assist School Administration to revisit and set up Standard Operation Procedures (SOP) and Incidental Standard Operating Procedures (ISOP) as required under the State of Public Emergency (SOPE).

He said all teachers (those who have been vaccinated) must make efforts to return to their respective schools before May 23.

Tozaka adds that School committees and COVID-19 committees must liaise with schools administration within Western Province and parents to make sure procedures are well put in place before classes begin.

Mala direct staff to know fate soon

Written by
Samie Waikori
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BY SAMIE WAIKORI

Auki

UNVACCINATED direct staff of Malaita province will know their fate soon.

Human Resource Manager of MPG, Richard Misi told this paper yesterday the decision on this matter is on the executive and Deputy Provincial Secretary, Mr David Tuita Filia, to decide.

Misi said in February 2022, when MPG enacted the ‘no jab no job’ policy by cutting salaries of its unvaccinated staffs, and about 50 had been on half pay.

Since then, he said, many have taken their vaccines, and now only nine remain unvaccinated.

Misi said the improvement came after number of awareness carried out on the policy with staffs and consultation with heads of divisions to liaise with staffs on the policy.

He said other provinces had already enacted the policy and there is no exception for Malaita province, but MPG wished to take a friendly approach on the matter with its staff.

Misi said in doing so, MPG had set March 1, 2022 as deadline for its direct staffs (also begin of new financial year) to get their vaccines.

Also there were awareness and consultations been held with staffs that should provide staffs enough time to decide on the vaccine.

He explained that reason for taking friendly approach with staffs was because need to consider other existing acts together with the SOPE that came the policy prior to any decision.

Misi said MPG will continue to take efforts and try to exhaust all avenues on the matter before taking any action on the policy if they satisfy.

He also said that one of their main concerns is to ensure unvaccinated staff prepare for their termination and leave the province in an understandable nature of the policy.

Misi said the grace-period imposed by MPG on the policy for its direct staff lapsed on 1st March and it’s already two months overdue that actions should have been taken.

He said MPG respects the rights of its staffs on the vaccines and with that they also exhausted all avenues to protect its staffs on the policy, hence the policy is mandatory and must be acted.

National vaccination coverage at 47 percent 

Written by
Mavis Podokolo
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BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO

THE national vaccination coverage rate currently stands at 47 percent.

Minister for Health and Medical Services Dr Culwick Togamana confirmed this.

“The vaccination program has faced many challenges  leading to lower coverage,” Togamana said.

“For instance the national coverage level of covid-19 in two doses  is 47 percent and of those aged 18 years and over nearly one third of population of Solomon Islands, 18 years and above is vaccinated with at least one dose,” he added.

Togamana highlighted that there is also high hesitancy to vaccination expressed by Solomon Islanders towards vaccination in the country.

“And am sad to say that I received chains of communication amongst my technical medical doctors who are still debating and throwing ideas why vaccine is not necessary etc. It is very sad,” Togamana said.

He added they have to keep emphasising this because covid-19 vaccination have started a year ago on March 2021- enough time for the country  to achieve full vaccination of the target population.

“So sad we haven’t achieved that,” Togamana said.

He said people must take the vaccines when they are healthy before getting the disease.

“Complacency and hesitancy had contributed to the lower uptake of COVID-19 vaccines.

“When the Delta and Omicron waves battered the country, many had no immunity against the virus and suffered severe disease and death.

“Even 144 deaths reported are too many for the country, but we think the actual number could be even higher. “We are receiving feedback from the vaccination teams that more people are now coming forward to get COVID-19 vaccines,” Togamana said

Plan to combat threats

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
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Oil spill on Rennell Island

By EDDIE OSIFELO

THE Immigration Department has 10 years Strategic Plan to counter and combat eminent threats facing the country now and into the future.

Some of the eminent threats include irregular migration, people trafficking and smuggling, environmental crimes, economic crimes, drugs smuggling, geopolitics and transnational crimes.

The purpose of the Strategic Plan is to provide direction and guideline of Immigration division to enhance its development in the immediate, medium and long term.

Deputy Director of Immigration, Chris Akosawa stated this during his presentation on the plan at the Immigration Strategic Planning Workshop in Honiara yesterday.

Akosawa said Solomon Islands has experienced irregular migration like the arrival of Bangladesh and Asian.

He said more people want to come to Solomon Islands after the reopening of the border after the World Expo in Dubai recently.

Further to that, he said Solomon Islands has experienced people trafficking and smuggling in the logging, mining and fishing industries, which is the main figure of labour exploitation and exposing communities to threat like sexual violence.

Akosawa said on environmental crimes, there are illegal harvesting of resources.

He said in economic crimes, there are cases of companies operating illegally in the country.

Akosawa said in drugs and smuggling, Solomon Islands is a transiting spot from the route of South America down to here and heading to Australia, New Zealand and Europe.

He said on geopolitics, Solomon Islands has experienced the impacts of Ukraine war and need to prepare for Bougainville Independence which the Papua New Guinea Parliament will ratify in 2025.

Akosawa said it is important for Immigration to have a plan to protect the citizens and economy.

The Immigration Division will coordinate with National Border Security and National Security Strategy which Ministry of Police and National Security is the custodian.

The Immigration Division used to come under Royal Solomon Islands Police Force from 1978 to 1983 before it moves to Ministry of Commerce, Industry, Labour and Immigration.

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