Home Blog Page 730

Many taking second wave lightly, says Rodgers

Written by
Mavis Podokolo
-
0
Honiara is the beating heart of the country's economy.

BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO

Authorities say it’s worrying to see certain people have taken the second wave of covid-19 lightly.

“The most concerning bit in the country is the second wave of covid-19.What health has been observing is people taking the second wave quite lightly and some not really serious,” Secretary to the Prime Minister Dr Jimmie Rodgers said.

He said there are a lot of people walking around without masks in the capital.

“This kind of action will continue to increase the spread of COVID-19,” Rodgers said.

He adds in terms of vaccination rate it is also increasing and that is good news.

“But if we are going to open our borders to international travellers, we need to increase vaccination above the recorded 45 percent of the national figure.

“We need to reach or exceed 70 percent of vaccination coverage nationally. Once we open our international borders we are opening it to other variants of covid-19,” he said.            

Attorney General John Muria Junior said the country is experiencing second wave and COVID measures must be applied.

“We still require people to wear mask when leaving there houses or homes, bus conductors to ensure passengers to wear masks, shop owners to ensure people comply to covid-19 safe measures etc…the orders have not been revoked,” Muria said.

“So I’ll call on people to adhere to those measures because they are still operational to ensure we protect ourselves, protect our families and communities to contain the spread.”

Updated information is the public’s need, says Tozaka

Written by
Ben Bilua
-
0
Member of Provincial Assembly for Ward 10 in Western Province Freedom Tozaka.

BY BEN BILUA
Gizo

The public of Western province need updated information regarding the status of covid-19 in the province.

Freedom Tozaka made the statement in reference to report published by the Ministry of Health and Medical Services which states that there has been no COVID-19 reports received from Western province over the past three days.

 “Information is needed at this stage of second wave of COVID-19. The health Division should come out very clear with the updated data.

“This is very important for public information for Western Province.

“It is alarming as well that little children have been effected and I do call on the responsible Authority to come up with the correct data so that people can know and only then people will adhere to COVID-19 safety protocols.

“Remember informations and communication can save many lives.

“Please do not repeat what happens during the first wave in the months from Jan to March,” he said.

Tozaka said frequent update on the latest status of COVID-19 in Western Province is paramount to establish precautionary measures.

He believes that the first wave has given enough lessons for health officials to improve more on information dissemination and awareness.

Tozaka said chain of command within Western Province needs to step up when it comes to dissemination of important information for the public.

This paper sought comments from Gizo Health Division but unable to get feedbacks yesterday.

According to MHMS Western Province has recorded a total of 2107 cases. However, the number could decrease as authorities is in a process of cleaning the data and remove duplicates record. Latest update will be made public in the next address.

Marovo constituency to fix ship to boost trade for fishermen

Written by
Ben Bilua
-
0
Marovo MP, Chachabule Amoi

BY BEN BILUA
Gizo

MAROVO Constituency Development Office has announced an ingenious plan to assist fishermen of the constituency.

The constituency will fix the ship, LC Swift to transport fisheries and agriculture products to Honiara.

Member of Parliament for Mavoro Constituency, Chachabule Amoi has already initiated work on bringing over new bottom plates from Singapore to replace the hull of the ship.

Repairs will be done at Noro.

Furthermore, the constituency office is looking at installing an ice making machine which can produce 70 per day somewhere at Seghe to supply blocks for fishermen and livestock farmers.

In the buildup of the plan, remaining 12 boats of a total of 160 boats/canoes should be completed this month and will be distributed in June.

A total of 160 horsepower engine is expected to be delivered along with the 160 boats/canoes as well as 200kg Esky each for storage of perishable goods and products. According to the constituency office, all these projects will be executed this year with the hope to supply fish and other products to the PG2023 when it occur next year

Marovo eyes massive handover in June

Written by
Ben Bilua
-
0
Marovo lagoon. PHOTO: UN PHOTO

BY BEN BILUA
Gizo

MAROVO Constituency is looking ahead to a massive launching of its completed projects so as kicking of some of its project for 2022/2023.

The projects include; Gasini market house, housing projects, sanitation projects, fisheries project and wharf project at Chea which are expected to kick off next month.

The event will also give an opportunity for the constituency office to give an update on its proposed projects and also projects that have already rolled out.

According to Member of Parliament for Marovo Constituency, Chachabule Amoi, some of the project have been completed while others are expected to complete before June.

He said the Gasini Market House is near completion along with a seawall to protect the market sea front.

Amoi said a total of 200 dwelling houses have received their roofing iron to date and 200 more to be delivered.

He explained that the materials exclude community halls and churches that had also received roofing iron from the constituency.

“There are also 400 units of flash toilets available for those who want proper sanitation.

“The toilet sets can be collected from Dokudola development estate when formal arrangement are made between the constituency office and the supplier,” Amoi said.

He said the highlight of the event will be the launching and distribution of 160 boats/OBMS and eskies and opening of the Gasini market.

“This is going to be a huge event because all 160 boats will travel to Gasini to join the opening of the market house,” Amoi said.

Meanwhile he said the constituency office has also distributed relief supplies to the constituency during the height of COVID-19 in Marovo area.

Amoi said approximately 2,000 plus 20 kg island sun rice were distributed to every communities in Marovo as a response to the COVID19 lock down in Marovo recently.

Constituency boundaries body yet to begin work

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
-
0
Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare inspecting a guard of Honour at Tulagi

By EDDIE OSIFELO

THE Constituency Boundaries Commission is still to commence work following the recent appointment of the Chairman and two other members.

Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare confirmed this in Parliament when asked by Opposition Leader Matthew Wale during the Committee of Supply of the 2022 Appropriation Bill.

Sogavare blames the delay of work on the situation faced by the country at the moment.

However, he said the point is taken because the constituencies of our boundaries have not been reviewed for long time now.

According to Electoral Commission, the Constitution requires that a review of constituency boundaries be conducted by the Constituency Boundaries Commission at least every 10 years.

The most recent redrawing of constituency boundaries occurred in 1997 (increasing the number of constituencies from 47 to 50).

In 2009 the Parliament rejected a recommendation from the Commission to increase the number of constituencies to 67.

Sogavare said the Act itself needs to be relooked at because it leaves Parliament with nothing to do.

He said Parliament is only allowed to reject or approve it, there is no discussion between Parliament and the Commission.

“Once it rejects it, that’s the end of the story.

“The failure of last one was the Commissioner made some recommendations to Parliament and cannot agree because everyone want their constituencies to split it up,” he said.

“We cannot move ahead on this. If the process gives room for further discussions probably, we can move,” he added.

However, Sogavare justified the way rural development is expounded is through constituencies.

He said there are constituencies that are so big now and need to relook to split it if want fair distributions of rural development assistance to our people.

These include big constituencies in Malaita, Guadalcanal, Western Province and Temotu outer islands because of distance.

Electoral office needs $23.6m for elections: PM

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
-
0

By EDDIE OSIFELO

PRIME Minister Manasseh Sogavare says the Solomon Islands Electoral Commission will need about $23.6 million to conduct elections and by-election this year.

This includes provincial elections in Choiseul and Western provinces and by-elections for West Kwaio and Honiara City Council Vuhokesa ward respectively.

Sogavare told Parliament during the Committee of Supply in the 2022 Appropriation Bill that Government will seek contingent warrant to get Commission to do what is mandated of them by the constitution.

According to Electoral Commission, plans to hold the West Kwaio by-election has been in place since last year and the Electoral Office has ever since prepared, however factors affecting the delay have been beyond the Commission’s control.

The budget implications brought by this pandemic covid-19 across all sectors has sheared electoral budgets from the government even further.

Funding and budget cuts were some of the setbacks to implementations of these plans.

Amongst these outstanding electoral events, are voter registration update for Choiseul and Western provinces and their subsequent provincial assemblies’ elections.

At the moment, the Electoral Commission is implementing HCC Vuhokesa ward by-election, in Central Honiara Constituency with shared cost from Council funds. 

Electoral commission has its own activity calendar within its four-year electoral cycle of which activities are being planned and budgeted for accordingly.

Gov’t to work closely with electoral office on propose extension of parliament.

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
-
0

By EDDIE OSIFELO

GOVERNMENT will work closely with Solomon Islands Electoral Commission to do consultation with the people before deciding to defer the elections to 2024.

Under the constitution, national elections must be held every four years. The next election is due next year.

However, Government is locked with the option to extend the Pacific Games in 2023 to another year because it will lose the hosting right and penalised heavily by the Pacific Games Council.

Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare told Parliament yesterday during the Committee of Supply of the 2022 Budget that according to the Charter, they cannot host the Pacific Games when the Olympic Games happens in 2024.

The Olympic games is scheduled to take place in France from 26 July to 11 August 2024.

Further to that, Sogavare said the government will need $43 million to do the bio metric registration.

He said the intention is to do it at the third quarter.

“For voter registration we want to put in place and get the system running in place towards end of this year and peak up in 2023.

“Registration is key, if we have updated every day, we can go to polls after Parliament dissolves,” he added.

In addition, Sogavare told Parliament the government will need $49 million to do the elections.

He highlighted also the number of Electoral Reforms that needs to be enacted before the next elections.

The reforms include out of constituency vote for Solomon Islanders living abroad, hold the national and by election on the same day and amend the Political Parties Integrity Act.

However, Opposition Leader, Mathew Wale said the intention of the Electoral Act is for instantaneous registration daily, when parliament dissolves, next day elections can go ahead.

“But that did not happen because resources are not allocated to Electoral Commission for all the years.

“We are aware where we are because of government’s neglect to allocate resources to them,” he said.

“On the point of the reforms, I am not sure how many years we need to postpone elections to carry out because there are quite long list of reforms,” he added.

Wale said judging of government productivity in past years up until now, they will need a very long time to get all of that done.

“I don’t think those reforms are necessary grounds for extension of elections.

“In any case as law as it stands, is that every four years then Parliament to finish,” he said.

Wale said there ought to be prudent to allocate funds, once government decides to postpone elections, obviously those funds could be reallocated that deems require.

He said to leave it out when laws are not changed, then Parliament must dissolve after four years.

“Otherwise, we will reach a situation where government says we proceed with what current law requires then we are not giving time to pass supplementary for Commission to kick in to run registration,” he added.

PM Sogavare said they can do it other way, there are budget instruments to allocate resource to it if they need to go to it.

SI-US talks a success: PMO

Written by
Press Release
-
0
Visiting U.S rep, Kurt Campbell

Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare warmly welcomed US National Security Council Coordinator for the Indo –Pacific, Kurt Campbell to Solomon Islands following a friendly and productive meeting on 22 Friday April, 2022.

The two countries reaffirmed their friendship and committed to strengthen their relations and work together on all issues of mutual concerns.


Visiting delegation leader Kurt Campbell reassures Prime Minister Sogavare that the United States is back “We will do better,” and committed to do more in Solomon Islands.

Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare acknowledged with gratitude United States revitalized relations with Solomon Islands and welcome once again US decision to re-establish its Embassy in the country and acknowledge the recent signing of MCC Threshold Programme.

The senior White House Official added, US will provide more assistance in addressing unexploded ordnance, supplying COVID 19 vaccines, provide medical support, reopen the Peace Corps program and look at expanding the SCALE Programme to other provinces.

US is committed to ensuring the clearing of the WW2 EOD and would look into the issue of oil spill in the Iron Bottom Sound.

On the China-Solomon Islands Security Cooperation, “We have no say on the SI-China agreement. We respect Solomon Islands sovereign decision. There is no misunderstanding,” stated the White House Official. 

US’s core concern is China establishing a military base in Solomon Islands, this will have regional security implications.

The Prime Minister responded, contrary to misinformation promoted by anti-government critics, the Solomon Islands – China Security Cooperation is not about China establishing a military base in Solomon Islands but is about supporting the state to address its internal hard and soft security threats. It is not directed at any external security interest.

The Solomon Islands – China Security Cooperation compliments other bilateral and regional security arrangement Solomon Islands is a Party to. 

Prime Minister Sogavare was also acknowledged for his outstanding leadership through the many challenges facing the young nation. 

The two states registered appreciation for the talks and committed their officials.to meet in September to advance identified areas of cooperation. —PMO

Temotu loses covid-free status

Written by
Mavis Podokolo
-
0
Corona

BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO

TEMOTU Province has lost its covid-19 free status after cases were reported there.

Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health and Medical Services Pauline McNeil confirmed this yesterday. 

“Temotu province for the first time has reported seven covid-19 cases following covid-19 tests carried out on Saturday.

“This is expected due to community transmission across the country and movement of people to and from the provinces,” McNeil said.

She said the cases are in reference to 14 passengers who have travelled from Honiara to Temotu and were detected in quarantine on Temotu.

“All close contacts of the 14 passengers were also quarantined and further investigation is still ongoing,” McNeil said.

She adds for Malaita province 11 new cases were detected and total case count to date 1103.For Guadalcanal Province with 81 new cases, so total case count as of yesterday stands at 711.

McNeil stressed that Western Province have not submitted report for the last three days as of Sunday(yesterday) but their total case count stands at 2107.

A health team at the ministry is still working to finalising their data so hopefully their report should be ready in the next update.

She said for Choiseul province they have recorded seven new cases with total case count stands at 463.

For Isabel 27 new cases, so the total case count for Isabel stands at 1027.

No report was received from Makira regarding the new cases, so their total case count is 1203.

Renbel with two new cases, total case 222.

Central Islands Province reported 61 new cases of Covid-19. Their total case stands at 674.       

China responds to U.S statements on Security agreement

Written by
Admin
-
0

THE Chinese government says it objects to any third-party interference with its security cooperation with the Solomon Islands.

The Chinese embassy in Honiara made this statement in light of recent warnings by a United States delegation about potential regional security implications brough about by the recent Solomon Islands-China Security pact.

The United States delegation said they have significant concerns and will respond accordingly if steps are taken to establish a de facto permanent military presence, power-projection capabilities, or a military installation

However, the Chinese embassy viewed the U.S delegation warning as an exposure of some countries condescending acts in disrespect to other nations.

“In accordance with the principles of on equal footing, mutual respect and non-interference into each other’s internal affairs, the cooperation in security and other fields between China and Solomon Islands conforms to international law and norms and is conducive to regional stability and development,” it said.

The Embassy said both China and Solomon Islands have repeatedly emphasized that reports on so-called Chinese military base in Solomon Islands are misinformation fabricated by those people with ulterior motives.

It said since the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Solomon Islands, the exchanges and cooperation between two countries in various fields have yielded fruitful results and been warmly welcomed by two peoples.

“Any attempt to inflame the situation, provoke tensions and stir up confrontation in the Pacific Island region does not serve common interests of regional countries and is doomed to fail, the statement reads.

In his meeting with the visiting delegation on Friday. Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare reiterated to White House Indo-Pacific coordinator Kurt Campbell that there would be no military base, no long-term presence, and no power projection capability under its security deal signed with China.

The U.S. delegation thereby outlined specific steps Washington would take to advance the welfare of the people of the Solomons, including by expediting the opening of an embassy, boosting cooperation on unexploded ordinance and sending the Mercy hospital ship to address health issues.

They also said Washington would also deliver more vaccines and would advance climate and health initiatives.

1...729730731...1,675Page 730 of 1,675