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PM: November riots cost $700m

Written by
Jennifer Kusapa
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Fire officers trying to put off fire at the kukum area during the riot. PHOTO: Mavis N Podokolo

BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

PRIME Minister Manasseh Sogavare says last year’s November riots has cost $700million.

He adds that it will cost more to rebuild.

In his recent national address Mr Sogavare said the social and economic impacts of this unfortunate and shameful event will continue to be felt throughout 2022.

PM Sogavare said the pain and suffering of the recent riots and looting are still fresh but yet these businesses put our people first before themselves. 

“This is a testament that there are good people out there who cares deeply for the welfare and well-being of our people and country, despite their own hardship. For that, I wish to thank you from the bottom of my heart,” he said.

He stressed that businesses that were built over the years through hard work were razed to the ground in a matter of minutes and hours.

“Yet when Honiara experienced the outbreak of community transmission and lock downs, it was these businesses assist people in Honiara with food and the necessary logistics to feed the people.

“They were quick to forgive and responded to the needs in such situation,” the prime minister said.

Sogavare highlighted the November riot and looting was the biggest man-made disaster ever to hit the country and it subsequently delayed the passage of the 2022 budget as well.

“The last few months have been the most challenging since the civil unrest we experienced some 21 years ago. On 24th November 2021, an attempted coup was made when certain people attempted to breach Parliament to force me to resign and topple a democratically elected government,” Sogavare said.

“And so, when this did not succeed, they took to the streets and looted our beloved city. Businesses were burnt to the ground for no reason at all, leaving more than 1000 people without jobs.

“These people had people who also depend on them.”

Fair Glory given permit to sail to Western Province

Written by
Ben Bilua
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BY BEN BILUA
Gizo

MV Fair Glory has been given the greenlight to sail to Western Province on the 28th of this month.

Chairperson of Western Provincial Disaster Operation Committee confirmed this to Island Sun Gizo in an interview yesterday.

Jeffery Wickham said stranded passengers bound for Western Province will board the ship after fulfilling COVID-19 Safety Travel requirements.

He said a special committee has been established to facilitate bookings and other requirement before the 28th.

Wickham adds that WPDOC and Western Provincial Government have identified three ports for the passengers to disembark.

He said ports of call are Seghe, Noro and Gizo.

“We have our reasons prior to making this decision. First, these three places have health facilities to carry out swabbing on incoming passengers before they went for home quarantine/home isolation.

“Second, these places seems to be the centers of different parts of Western Province.

“And third, we don’t want to expose our communities to get the virus,” Wickham said.

He said health officials so as police officers will be present at different ports to manage people’s movement.

Wickham said people who are stranded in Western Province can board ship on its return.

He said there are procedures put in place in order to obtain a pass to board the ship on its return.

“Any passenger who wish to travel to Honiara must contact the ship owner and WPDOC for arrangement,” Wickham explained.

He said arrangement begins now and passengers must take the opportunity to obtain their pass before travelling date.

PDOC discusses cemetery for Auki

Written by
Samie Waikori
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BY SAMIE WAIKORI

AUKI

PROVINCIAL Disaster Operation Committee (PDOC) Malaita has recently discussed a proposal towards a cemetery for Auki town.

This is in preparation for the current covid-19 transmission in Auki town and Malaita province.

Chairman of PDOC, Inspector Charles Eddie Koto told this paper that they discussed the matter and forwarded it to Lands office in Auki to locate a potential land for the cemetery.

He said this is where discussion had reached and they are liaising with the provincial lands office for advice on the matter.

Koto who is also PPC for Malaita said the proposal becomes an integral component of the current covid-19 preparation for any uncertainty.

He said “this is our discussion on the matter, and we are behind it.

“But for now, we will continue to send covid-19 related deaths to families and relatives for burial at their home villages in the province,” Koto said.

He said PDOC through Emergency Operation Centre for covid-19 at Kilu’ufi hospital and MPG are also discussion and working on number of areas to deal with transmission in the province.

Koto said they will continue to liaise with responsible national authorities and the public of Malaita province as the situation is taking its toll.

Shipping restrictions delays covid centre in Auki

Written by
Samie Waikori
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Auki provincial town of Malaita.

BY SAMIE WAIKORI

Auki

The work on Auki’s covid-19 centre at Aligegeo school is facing delays due to restrictions on ships from Honiara to the provinces.

Chairman of Malaita’s Disaster operations committee (PDOC) Mr Charles Koto however updates that work is nearing completion.

He said work is on renovating facilities within the school include girl’s and boy’s dormitory and the school chapel that will use for the operation.

Koto said work should complete this week, but lack of materials due to non-arrival of ships from Honiara to Auki will delay the completion of the work to next week

He said as long as the work is complete, covid-18 operation at Kilu’ufi hospital and general outpatient will relocate to Aligegeo School.

This paper understands that since the outbreak in Auki, cases have been isolated at their homes, motels and very limited cases at Kilu’ufi isolation centre.

The completion of the new covid-19 centre at Aligegeo School will provide a designated isolation centre for the province especially Auki town.

Gizo, Noro & Munda lockdowns postponed

Written by
Ben Bilua
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Gizo market

BY BEN BILUA
Gizo

WESTERN Provincial Disaster Operation Committee has postponed the proposed lockdown for Gizo, Noro and Munda.

Chairperson of WPDOC, Jeffrey Wickham said the decision was based on two reasons; first, the outbreak in Shortland Islands and second – lack of manpower.

He said WPDOC’s focus at the moment is on Shortlands as the risk of further transmission is high, so as lack of proper health facilities to care for sick patients will be devastating for peoples.

“It is sad that we have very limited manpower. Our frontline workers have been stretched to their limits but we acknowledged their sacrifices.

“Now, I want to explain why we postpone lockdowns for Gizo, Noro and Munda. Ok, as we know we have very limited man power so we look for the most needed zone for the lockdown – at the moment two communities in Shortland is at high risk so we decided to enforce lockdown for these communities.

“This will enable our front line workers to carry out swabbing and contact tracing. The purpose of lockdown is for swabbing and contact tracing, so, there is no point of a lockdown on Gizo, Munda, Noro and Shortland because our very limited number of frontline workers.

“We will focus on one zone first before moving on to other zones. In doing so we provides our health teams with space and time to do their job,” Wickham explained.

He said new dates for Gizo, Noro and Munda lockdown will be made known any time next week.

Medical supplies to South Guadalcanal

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
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MP for South Guadalcanal, Rollence Seleso with the consignment of medicine.

By EDDIE OSIFELO

FIVE clinics on the remote South Guadalcanal have been boosted with basic medical supplies like panadol, amoxilin and others over the weekend.

They are locating on Mbiti, Koloula, Kuma, Madakatcho and Parinaho.

The donation comes after Madakatcho has recorded three positive cases of covid-19 following swapping carried out by a nurse there.

Member of Parliament for South Guadalcanal, Rollence Seleso travelled to his constituency on Sunday to deliver the consignment of medicine after reports that these clinics have run out of stocks and lack of manpower.

MP for South Guadalcanal, Rollence Seleso drives the boat to his constituency on Sunday.

Seleso said his team had liaised with Guadalcanal Province Provincial Disaster Operation Centre (PDOC) and National Medical Store and the constituency supplemented the payment for the medicines.

He said two main clinics at Kuma and Madakatcha have received oxygen concentrator to deal with any severe cases of Covid-19.

In addition, Seleso used the trip to assess the situation on the ground by talking to the nurses and get their request to work on it.

Seleso said there is a plan in place to set up three teams namely the vaccination, swapping and awareness group.

“We realized many people have not get their vaccination.

Ward member for Diudi in South Guadalcanal with the consignment of medicine.

“However, the nurses have trained at Avuavu and Tangarare to do swapping,” he said.

Seleso said his team identified that the nurses also need PPEs following the three positive cases and ice boxes to preserve the medicines.

He said his constituency needs to be fully stock with medicines because of its remoteness and inconsistent shipping services.

With these basic medical suppliers, Seleso is confident his people can withstand the community outbreak of covid 19.

Prior to that, his people have relied on herbal medicines to heal them from the sickness.

Canadian firm donates masks to fight COVID

Written by
Press Release
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A Canadian Company is sending medical grade, Level 3, three-layer masks to Solomon Islands to assist the country with its fight against a COVID-19 outbreak. 

Solomon Islands had escaped Covid-19 through community transmission until recently which has spread widely across many parts of the island nation.

Local health authorities this week have said that lab testing of samples confirms that the Corona Virus in the country is that of the deadly Delta Variant.

Novoshield, a British Columbia, Canada based company has come to the rescue by donating to the Solomon Islands Consulate General in Canada, 25,200 Level 3 medical grade three layer masks, to be sent to Solomon Islands.

Additional 500 N-95 masks are specifically being made available to support officers of the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force [ RSIPF].

A statement from the Solomon Islands Consulate General said these level 3, three-layer medical masks are all produced in Canada and carry a seal of approval from Canada’s Health Ministry, Health Canada. 

“These masks are tested for splash resistance, synthetic blood resistance and have a rating of over 98 percent,” the statement said. 

 In an effort to support the members of the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF), 5,000  masks are specifically made available for the RSIPF at the request of the country’s envoy to Canada, Honorary Consul-General Ashwant Dwivedi.

In addition 500 N-95 masks are also being made available to RSIPF.

NovoShield President Jason Zanatta said that he is pleased to stand with the people of Solomon Islands in these challenging times.

 “I and my team here at Novoshield are pleased to extend these supplies of Level 3 medical three-layer masks to help support the people of Solomon Islands in their fight against COVID-19,” Zanatta said.

 “At the minimum we would like to commit to an immediate donation, and we look forward to being of assistance in the very near future,” he added.

Accepting the medical supplies, Consul General Dwivedi thanked Zanatta for responding to the call for urgent and immediate assistance.

 Speaking at the event at Novoshield’s operations office, Dwivedi said that Solomon Islands economy is devastated as a result of COVID-19 pandemic.

 “Solomon Islands is at war – war with Covid-19 pandemic,” Dwivedi said.

“Its first casualty even before community transmission, was its tourism sector, which has had its doors shut since COVID-19 first made its first appearance in 2020,” he added.

A nation that was supported by the tourism sector, beaches that would have footprints left behind by tourists are today left unattended, untouched.

“We are badly impacted through loss of unfortunate lives and revenue due to COVID-19. 

 “We can always recover the loss in revenue in the near future.

“However, the loss of lives, loss of fathers, uncles, aunties, or someone dear in community or family is something we cannot replace.

“It is difficult times like this when friendship counts.

“And today’s support from Novoshield tells us that although we may be 9,000 miles apart in distance, we remain one family – one strong Commonwealth family.”

Dwivedi continued: 

“The young nation, we call the Pacific paradise which stood on guard in the Second World War to bring peace and prosperity to the international community, today needs all the help it can get from Canadians.

“We are one family. One strong family.

“Today’s assistance will go a long way. Thank you, Tumas Novoshield, Jason, and employees.

“We are together in this fight against COVID-19.

 “It’s citizens like Jason and companies like Novoshield who make Canadians proud.

“And I take the renewed opportunity to thank you on-behalf of the people of Solomon Islands for your kind donation.”

Dwivedi said that the level 3 medical three-layer masks are a seal of confidence which will assist the first responders and all others in need.

“These made in Canada masks will also provide added confidence to our police force and medical professionals in their fight against COVID-19.

“This is a timely response to my call for assistance and I thank NovoShield for the kind donation,” he said.

Based on Government of Canada information, the donated medical masks are similar to those widely used by Canadian and international medical professionals and carry the highest ratings as it has three-layer protection instead of one layer or two layers.

It has a viral efficiency rate of 99 percent, as certified by Canada’s Ministry of Health.

 The donated Level 3 mask is highest rated for medical and surgical face masks.

This mask features an adjustable metal nose piece and non-latex ear loops for easy wearing and added comfort.

The largest study of masks yet details their importance in fighting COVID-19 and emphasizes the value of choosing a surgical mask.

Judicial independence vital for future: Sir Albert

Written by
Jennifer Kusapa
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Chief Justice Sir Albert Palmer. Photo by RNZ

BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

STRENGTHENING judicial independence is vital for the future of this nation and her people, says Chief Justice Sir Albert Palmer.

He said it is well recognised that the economic prosperity of any developing country like depends, at least in part on the confidence of the international community to invest here.

Sir Albert said, wherever the justice system is not robustly and demonstrably independent, investors can have little confidence that any commercial dispute will be justly determined and their investment properly protected.

” Wherever the institutions of justice are unable to function to meet the legitimate needs of the communities they serve, there can be no real justice.

“Wherever the enforcement of the criminal law is at the whim of the few; and powerful individuals act with impunity outside the law, justice is neither done, nor seen to be done”, He said.

Sir Albert said it is for these reasons that the National Judiciary seeks the next step towards greater institutional independence and be prepared to assume the real burden of that greater independence.

“And it is for one clear reason that the people of Solomon Islands deserve a system of justice that is organised along modern principles of judicial independence: to assist each and every one of them in their journey towards a better life and greater opportunities for their children, Sir Albert said.

He also highlighted that the lockdown and community transmission that has recently impacted Honiara city last year has brought to the forefront the importance in having the Judiciary’s budget secured so that its activities can be delivered without delay and hampered by the unavailability of finances as has been the case.

 Court cases and circuits in the last year again have had to be scaled down, cancelled or deferred in some instances. 

“This is highly unsatisfactory and needs to be seriously addressed.  Every year we are faced with this same situation and it is high time this issue is looked into by the Government”, Sir Albert highlighted.

Malaita’s unvaccinated staff receive half pay

Written by
Samie Waikori
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BY SAMIE WAIKORI

Auki

NON-vaccinated direct employees of Malaita received only half of their salaries yesterday as the province started to implement the “no jab no job” policy.

According to information received from the provincial government, up to quarter of the staff were affected because of their failure to comply with the policy.

The policy should have been imposed on the first payday of this month; however the province decided to move it to this payday to allow staff to get their vaccines.

The provincial government has long been lenient on its effort to safeguard its employees, but since the COVID outbreak in the province, it decided to get tough on those who refused to vaccinate.

Also part of the province’s efforts to stop the transmission, number of awareness program on the policy and the vaccine were provided to staff.

Last month, a circular was issued to the unvaccinated staff on the policy.

A spokesman said the province had done all it could do in as far as awareness is concerned so not it’s time to implement the no jab, no work policy.

According to information Island Sun has obtained, the province employs 188 staff – 144 of them have been vaccinated while 46 are yet to do so.

Of the unvaccinated 46, there are those who claimed they have underlying medical conditions, but they failed to provide medical reports to back their claim.

As such, the province decided to treat them as unvaccinated.

Muria: existence of SOPE important

Written by
Jennifer Kusapa
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Attorney General John Muria Jnr

BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

ATTORNEY General John Muria Jnr says the existence of a State of Public Emergency today is more important than it ever was.

He said the State of Public Emergency continues into its sixth declaration to protect our citizens; the Government continues to put in measures to ensure the population is protected, despite the ongoing community transmission.

He said the successfulness of our fight against COVID-19 is dependent on the cooperation of our people to the measures put in place by the Government.

Whilst the Constitution provides for imposition of these restrictions in an Emergency or public health emergency, it is also equally important that our Citizens continue to be protected by law.

This is where the role of the Courts is important.

He however said, the Courts must always balance the competing interests of all people.

“A person’s liberty must not be used to the detriment of fellow citizens. For example, A restriction on the movement of a person, is legislated to ensure that 600,000 others are protected,” Muria stressed.

“It is very disheartening to see that fellow Solomon Islanders intentionally disregarding these measures. Amongst them are our well-educated Solomon Islanders.

“I would like to convey my deepest condolences to those who have lost loved ones during these times. The State of Public Emergency Regulations contains a number of restrictions on the liberties of our people”, Muria said.

He also said the Courts will need to brace themselves for the emerging areas of law that may arise from issues relating to COVID-19.

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