PROVINCIAL Disaster Operation Committee (PDOC) Malaita is looking at re-strengthening its covid-19 measures as the virus resurges around the country.
PDOC chair, also acting PPC Malaita, Inspector Charles Eddie Koto told this paper yesterday:
“We will meet with the Emergency Operation Centre (EOC) for covid-19 at Kilu’ufi today (yesterday) and look at re-strengthening covid-19 measures and protocols for the province.”
Koto made the statement following what national Health Minister Togamana described as the “second wave”.
He said the new provincial covid-19 centre at Aligegeo has completed and ready for operation.
“With regards to our preparation so far, we will scale-up work on certain areas identified during the recent situation in the province that need improvement.
“We will communicate and work with responsible stakeholders on those areas soon as we continue to strengthening covid-19 preparation for the province.
“And areas of work will come out after our meeting and information on them will pass on to health centres, stakeholders and communities in the province,” Koto said.
The PDOC chair urged the general public of the province to resume all covid-19 measures and practices they once observed as covid-19 is resurging in the country.
He called on people to put-up face-mask, observe social distancing, hand-washing, sanitizing and try to limit movements as they will put up measures on that area.
Koto said lot of countries had severe experiences with their second wave of covid-19, and people are strongly urged to take all required precautions as another wave is forthcoming for the country.
Carnage on the streets of Honiara. PHOTO: Mavis N Podokolo
It’s a huge infrastructure loss, says finance minister
BY JENNIFER KUSAPA
Last year’s November riots have led to the destruction of $811 million worth of infrastructure.
Minister of Finance Harry Kuma revealed this during the 2022 appropriation bill.
Kuma said a Ministry of Infrastructure Development latest report on the riots showed an estimated loss of $811 million in 2021.
“This barbaric and senseless looting and burning of private businesses and properties have not only endangered the lives of many innocent individuals and families, but also represent one of the largest economic self-inflicted shocks the country has experienced since 2006.
“This is a great loss indeed that will take many years to recover from, the civil unrest had also severely impacted Governments fiscal operations.
“Preliminary indicators have shown that Government has lost $120 million in total revenue in the last two months of 2021 alone.
“Ongoing revenue losses for 2022 are estimated at $200 million.
“Sir, I am highlighting the costs of this politically motivated unrest and senseless looting of private businesses and properties to prove that, as a nation, we have not learnt any lessons from our past history.
“I do not know what the instigators of this civil unrest had planned for this country in doing what they did.”
The report also showed that a total of 81 businesses and buildings were affected.
This comprised of 53 fully damaged buildings, and 28 partially damaged buildings.
The total loss was equivalent to 6.1 percent of the pre-unrest 2021 GDP value.
“Therefore, as part of Governments recovery plans, the Government has approved a total of $200 million as a reconstruction and rehabilitation package, split over two years, to assist businesses affected by the unwarranted unrest.
“Government is also prepared to offer tax reliefs and exemptions to the identified businesses that were damaged and affected,” Kuma added.
MV Southern Coast 1 sailing in Weather coast region
By EDDIE OSIFELO
MV Southern Coast 1 made its maiden voyage to the Weather coast region of South Guadalcanal on Saturday living constituents both surprised and excited.
This after the vessel was blessed and handed over at the Point Cruz wharf in Honiara on Thursday.
Men, women, girls and children lined up on the beach early Sunday Easter morning to welcome their first ship, after many years of inconsistent shipping services to their region even though they are close to Honiara city.
Viso villagers welcome their new ship
Even villagers who walked to the church to celebrate their Easter service stood still and waved to the ship as it passed by.
It was a dawn of a new era for the mountainous Weather coast region that was tarnished during the ethnic conflict from 2000 to 2003 when ex-militant activities disturbed the people’s normal lives.
One of the old women in the village told Island Sun the constituency ship will reduce the cost of travelling to Honiara in terms of fare and freights on goods.
A boat carrying passengers and cargoes to one of the villages in Weather coast
She said it costs about $400 to travel on a boat to Honiara and $50 for freight on one bag of rice.
However, she said with the ship, it would drastically reduce the cost for them.
Member of Parliament for South Guadalcanal, Rollen Seleso earlier said contrary to common belief, South Guadalcanal constituency, though remote and considered an uneconomical route, is full of potential in terms of contributing to the national economy.
He said it was because of the lack of reliable transportation that our people have been unable to fully participate for such a long time.
“People have left their cocoa and coconut plantations and opted for other easier means of income as we face problems in getting our goods to Honiara,” he added.
Veramoho villagers celebrate the arrival of MV Southern Coast 1
“In fact, there was a time in the past when the constituency was the highest producer of cocoa in the whole of Solomon Islands.
“We also have the sweetest taros which will now be able to reach Honiara soon,” he added.
Seleso said South Guadalcanal constituency has come a long way in finally achieving the acquisition of its very first ever shipping vessel.
He said this, in itself speaks volume on the gratitude and joy that they now have.
“South Guadalcanal is just on the other side of the island. It is so near…. yet so far away…so remote.
“Some say that we are a people living on the edge….and this is all true, “he said.
Seleso, who is also the Minister of Provincial Government and Institutional Strengthening said frequent and reliable transportation has been a challenge for their people for as long as they have lived.
Member of Parliament for South Guadalcanal, Rollen Seleso singing on MV Southern Coast 1
“Modern day transportation is expensive and dangerous for our people rendering us out of reach of the economic opportunities presented by our capital city, Honiara.
“It is somewhat funny that some of our kids only come to know Honiara because of education or medical reasons,” he added.
However, Seleso said owning and operating a ship is no easy task.
“It is even more challenging when such an asset is owned by the people.
“I am happy to say that this vessel is a blessing for my constituency and people, but now the onus and challenge is on us to respect and look after it,” he said.
Children of Peochakuri welcome their new ship on the wrecked MV Hauran
“I urge our people of South Guadalcanal and all travellers to take ownership and responsibility over this ship.
“The success or failure of this ship depends on us,” he added.
A business arm of the Constituency, the South Guadalcanal Corporate Service Company Ltd (SGCSCL) will manage and run the vessel.
The ship arrived in Honiara on Monday night and is expected to commence its scheduled trip to the constituency and other parts of Guadalcanal this month.
PREMIER of Malaita province, Daniel Suidani and team are planning to meet landowners and communities of Honoa, in the province’s south, where it has been eyed for a provincial sub-centre.
Honoa is in ward 19 of East Are Are.
MPA for ward 19, Meshack Maukera, who will be leading the delegation relayed that to Island Sun, yesterday.
He said the visit is part of a trip to hand over a PCDF (Provincial Capacity Development Fund) funded market building project at the neighbouring community of Manawai.
Maukera said the team will leave Auki to Manawai on Thursday.
On Friday they will deliver the project to Manawai community.
He said the project is a milestone for Manawai community and its surrounding communities, and that it will contribute one way or the other to the livelihood of people as intended.
Maukera said on Saturday, the delegation will leave to Honoa where they will have the opportunity to visit the proposed site for the provincial sub-centre.
Island Sun understands that there are a number of PCDF projects that were also completed in the province and awaiting hand-over to recipient communities.
They include Maka Primary School, Waneagu CHS, Sinasu Assembly Hall, Ote RHC and Sikaiana Crushing mill.
According to provincial Minister for Finance and Treasury Nelson Lenty, these projects were already completed except for their retention payments, which will be paid after six months of defect liability period.
He said that for 2022-2023 development estimate, MPG will be implementing a total of 19 PCDF projects as per approved by the Provincial Planning Development Committee (PPDC) in February this year.
Lenty said as recommended by MPGIS, Malaita plans to utilize 42% PCDF projects on economic infrastructure, 28% on non-economic, admin 20% and 10% on the GIS.
A recent opinion poll undertaken in Honiara following last November’s riots found more Solomon Islanders wanted the country to be diplomatically aligned with liberal democratic countries.
APMI Partners, Asia Pacific region’s leading provider of market research, social research, economic research, fieldwork services and market-intelligence based consulting, carried out the research.
This is to determine the view of the adult population relating to issues such as which countries the Solomon Islands should be diplomatically aligned towards, which countries the Solomon Islands should receive financial aid from, the level of foreign investment in key industries such as forestry and the level of perceived government corruption.
One question asked “Do you prefer the Solomon Islands to be diplomatically aligned more towards China or liberal democratic counties?”
The overwhelming majority of 91% answered “Liberal Democratic Countries” with only 9% answering “China”.
In another question, asked “Should the Solomon Islands receive financial aid from China?” 79% answered “No” and 21% answered “Yes”.
In terms of the level of perceived government corruption, one question asked “Do you believe that there exists corruption in the national government?” where 83% answered “Yes”.
A subsequent question asked “Over the last 12 months, do you believe that the level of corruption in the national government has decreased, remained the same or increased?” where 68% answered “Increased”; 21% answered “Remained the Same” and 11% answered “Decreased”.
The survey used a methodology where a nationwide, representative survey of 1,526 adults throughout the nine provinces of the Solomon Islands was conducted between 25th November to 7th December 2021.
MV Southern Coast 1 is ready to serve the people of Guadalcanal following its blessing and hand over at the Point Cruz wharf on Thursday.
Member of Parliament for South Guadalcanal, Rollen Seleso purchased the $2.6 million vessel under the National Transport Fund from the Anglican Church of Melanesia after winning the bid.
The original value of the vessel was $3.1 million but both parties agreed to settle on the current value following some good negotiations.
The vessel was formally named Southern Cross, which the church used to move around the country to share the gospel to the people.
Speaking at the handing over and blessing of the vessel in front of guests and constituents, Seleso said South Guadalcanal constituency has come a long way in finally achieving the acquisition of its very first ever shipping vessel.
Minister Seleso and DPM Maelanga cutting the ribbon to officially hand over the ship to South Guadalcanal.
He said this, in itself speaks volume on the gratitude and joy that they now have.
“South Guadalcanal is just on the other side of the island. It is so near….yet so far away…so remote.
“Some say that we are a people living on the edge…..and this is all true, “he said.
Seleso, who is also the Minister of Provincial Government and Institutional Strengthening said frequent and reliable transportation has been a challenge for their people for as long as they have lived.
Guests who attended the handover and blessing of MV Southern Coast 1 at Point Cruz wharf
“Modern day transportation is expensive and dangerous for our people rendering us out of reach of the economic opportunities presented by our capital city, Honiara.
“It is somewhat funny that some of our kids only come to know Honiara because of education or medical reasons,” he added.
Seleso, a first time MP said the achievement that they witnessed was a culmination of vision, understanding, cooperation, hard work, dedication and sheer determination of a lot of key players including government, ministries, groups and individuals.
However, Seleso said owning and operating a ship is no easy task.
“It is even more challenging when such an asset is owned by the people.
Member of Parliament for South Guadalcanal and Minister for Provincial Government and Institutional Strengthening, Rollen Seleso made his address.
“I am happy to say that this vessel is a blessing for my constituency and people, but now the onus and challenge is on us to respect and look after it,” he said.
“I urge our people of South Guadalcanal and all travellers to take ownership and responsibility over this ship.
“The success or failure of this ship depends on us,” he added.
Contrary to common belief, South Guadalcanal constituency, though remote and considered an uneconomical route is full of potentials in terms of contributing to the national economy.
“It was because of lack of reliable transportation that our people have been unable to fully participate for such a long time.
“People have left their cocoa and coconut plantations and opted for other easier means of income as we face problems in getting our goods to Honiara,” he added.
Girls enjoying on board MV Southern Coast
“In fact, there was a time in the past when the constituency was the highest producer of cocoa in the whole of Solomon Islands.
“We also have the sweetest taros which will now be able to reach Honiara soon,” he added.
A business arm of the Constituency, the South Guadalcanal Corporate Service Company Ltd (SGCSCL) will manage and run the vessel.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Infrastructure Development, Manasseh Maelanga expressed his happiness and pride the see the ship.
Gifts presented to DPM Maerlanga, Premier Sade and Bishop Loe.
Maelanga said he was happy to see funds given were implemented which resulted in South Guadalcanal purchasing a ship.
He said Government has also supported other constituencies in terms of transportation as part of its policy.
Guadalcanal Premier Francis Sade congratulated South Guadalcanal constituency, DCGA and the people who made this initiative come true.
Other guests who witnessed the handing over and blessing of the vessel were Minister for Planning Rex Ramofafia, MP for North Malaita Senly Filuala, Minister of Aviation and Communication, Peter Shanel, Guadalcanal Premier, Francis Sade and Anglican Bishop of the Diocese of Guadalcanal, Benedict Loe.
SITCO GM presenting a traditional shell money to PM.
The Prime Minister’s factory visit to Solomon Islands Tobacco Company Limited (SITCO) was hailed a success.
Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare used the occasion to acknowledge the decision made by SITCO management to stay and continue the investment despite the company being a victim of the looting and burning during the riots of November 2021.
PM Sogavare also took the opportunity to hail SITCO’s management and its workers for their show of resilience to bounce back from the looting and damages to the company, and continuing business.
PM Sogavare said such show of feat should be replicated in the government machineries as well.
Group photo
The Prime Minister further acknowledge SITCO’s management for ensuring that the welfare of its staff members and workers are prioritized after the November 2021 riot and also during the COVID- 19 community transmission.
PM Sogavare assured SITCO management and staff that government will ensure that the business environment is conducive for investors like SITCO.
PM Sogavare made the assurance that government will heavily consider a police station to be located at Ranadi.
SITCO General Manager Kazi Mushfiqur Rahman also commended the leadership of the Prime Minister for keeping the economy afloat despite of the challenges of November 2021 and the COVID- !9 community transmission.
Rahman urged Prime Minister to continue to provide the right investment environment for SITCO and other investors.
The factory visit offers the opportunity for Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare to see firsthand SITCO’s cigarette and tobacco production.
THE specimens collected from the current increased cases of covid-19 will be sent to Australia to determine the variant.
This is confirmed by the Minister of Health and Medical Services Dr Culwick Togamana in his national address on Thursday 14th April 2022.
“A new cohort of samples from testing done this week and late last week will be sent for genome sequencing to rule out any other variants with the current increase of COVID-19 cases detected in the capital this week,” he said.
Togamana said “we will keep you briefed about the results once they become available.”
He adds that lab samples are frequently being sent overseas on weekly basis to Australia for genome sequencing and so far, results remain to be that of the Delta variant.
Togamana further stressed that such re-infections or increase of cases are rare but can happen to individuals who have low body defence against COVID-19 or if another variant of the virus strikes the person.
Honiara is the beating heart of the country's economy.
BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO
NO lockdown will be imposed despite the surge in covid-19 cases in Honiara as of Thursday, according to the Minister of Health and Medical Services, Dr Culwick Togamana.
He mentioned this during his national covid-19 update on Thursday.
“The current situation in Honiara is a matter of concern as one of the new infections recorded yesterday happened to an individual who was tested positive for COVID-19 in the past,” Togamana said.
He said “No lockdowns have been imposed for now, but I am strongly urging the Lord Howe and Alligator Creek Communities to start observing COVID safe practices protocols.”
Togamana said face masks have been distributed in the Lord Howe community and will be provided in the Alligator Creek Community.
He further reminds members of the public to avoid unnecessary travel now within and in and out of Honiara.
“Such re-infections are rare but can happen to individuals who have low body defense against COVID-19, or if another variant of the virus strikes the person.
“NRH and HCC are now on alert mode, increased testing is being carried out in selected communities such as Lord Howe settlement,” Togamana said.
ACTING Chairperson of the Western Province Disaster Operation Committee says the COVID-19 situation in the province is slowly improving.
Patrick Toiraena said data from Gizo Hospital shows the number of positive cases has been decreasing compared to previous records.
He said the rate has determined it has dropped, however the WPDOC is still waiting for actual data from the Ministry of Health to verify the information.
“According to data collected from Gizo hospital, positive case rate is around 20 percent – meaning if 100 patients are tested, 26 patient will likely to come back positive,” Toiraena said.
He said WPDOC is working with its stakeholders to determine whether to revoke the February Gazette order or not.
Toiraena said revoking the gazette order means everything will be back to normal.
“At the moment the gazette order remains as is it for now till assessments determine the potential reasons to revoke the gazette order,” he said.
