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Don’t throw the risk to us: Western PS

Written by
Ben Bilua
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WPG PDC Officials who attended the meeting yesterday

BY BEN BILUA
Gizo

PROVINCIAL Secretary of the Western Province is calling on the Oversight Committee and the national government not to throw risks to the Province.

Jeffrey Wickham made the comment in response to the Government’s proposal for international ships to do clearance at the Noro International Seaport.

Speaking to the media yesterday, Mr Wickham said the Noro International Seaport is not ready to do clearance due to lack of facilities and resources, especially when it comes to COVID-19 standard procedures.

“We have submitted our recommendations in October last year to better prepare Noro International Seaport for this type of situation but the government ignored our recommendations.

“Now the government through the oversight committee wants to force their way in to do what they want at Noro, this is not the right procedure. A right minded person can see the risk that not having proper setup will pose huge risks to people,” he said.

Island Sun Gizo sights eight (8) recommendations that the Western Provincial Disaster Operation Committee (PDOC) sent to the government after their meeting with stakeholders at Noro last year.

Recommendations are as follows;

1. A jetty must be ejected within or close to Noro Seaport for the swab team.

2. A prefabricated building must be built for swabbing and POE teams. The building must accommodate shower and toilets, changing room, briefing room, PPE storage room, Waste PPE area, decontamination area and must be fenced.

3. There is a need for a 15 seater van to transport the swab teams to holding sites or quarantine.

4. A 60hp and boat for swabbing team transport to ships and also transporting samples to Gizo Hospital.

5. A small incinerator to burn PPES and swabbing wastes at Noro.

6. Budget for the swab operation.

7. A one-ton pickup truck for waste management at quarantine site and swab team holding site

8.  Freezer to store samples at Noro.

According to Wickham none of the above recommendations were made available since his team submitted the document.

He said there is no way that ship clearance will go ahead at Noro unless the recommendations are met or made available.

“Western Province will stick to its plan for the safety of its people. We will not allow ship clearance to be done at Noro. Full stop! Wickham says.

Sogavare: Be prepared to see the worst of COVID-19.

Written by
Mavis Podokolo
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Prime Minister, Manasseh Sogavare

BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO

PRIME Minister Manasseh Sogavare has warned the country to be prepared for the worst of the deadly virus.

In his address yesterday, the Prime Minister said he can only pray that the community transmission will be contained and the country will overcome it.

“Be prepared to see many people getting sick, some getting very sick and many may even lose their lives.

May God almighty bless and protect us all during this challenging time for our nation”.

“May he protect our front liners that are putting their lives on the line once again to ensure all of us are safe, “Sogavare said.

He echoed the above statement in his special national address yesterday in Honiara.

NRH outpatient services closed

Written by
Mavis Podokolo
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The National Referral Hospital (NRH) in Honiara

BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO

ALL outpatient services at the National Referral Services are closed.

This was confirmed by the office of the Ministry of Health and Medical Services yesterday.

“All NRH Outpatient services will be closed except for emergency department which includes.

–          Shortness of breath

–          Chest pains

–          Severe headaches

–          Painful boils

–          Severe abdominal pain

–          High fever and injuries

Call National referral Hospital on phone 44073, or 21068, or 44000 for any queries, “the Ministry of Health said.

Ministry of health also mentioned that all Honiara City Council health clinics will provide health services except for Vura and Mbokonavera clinics.

Suidani: I do not have authority to impose lockdown

Written by
Press Release
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Premier of Malaita province Daniel Suidani

MALAITA Premier, Daniel Suidani says he does not have authority to impose lockdown in his province despite calls for him to do so.

In a statement, Suidani said the Premier including himself has no legal authority to impose any lockdown as the power rests with the Prime Minister under the current state of emergency regulations.

The Premier’s statement also comes as Ongtong Java, part of the Malaita Outer Islands is under a national lockdown due to community transmission of covid-19 on Pelau Island.

This has resulted in calls and concerns raised by some quarters of the province questioning why the premier has not made any calls for lockdown amidst the revelation that COVID 19 has now reached community spreading status.

He said at the provincial level there is a committee set up to deal with this issue.

“The committee would from time to time provide updates to me as and when new information comes through,” the Premier said.

At this stage the premier would like to call on all Malaitans to listen to the advice of authorities who are responsible for dealing with COVID 19.

Avoid any unnecessary movements in our communities. Do not spread rumors and help our authorities when they call upon you to assist. Avoid large gatherings and visit your nearby medical facility when you think you may have been in contact with infected persons.

Source: Office of Premier, Malaita province

Isabel imposes travel restrictions

Written by
Admin
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THE Isabel Provincial Government has imposed travel restrictions as a result of covid-19 community transmission in the country.

In a statement last night, the speaker of the provincial assembly, Lawrence Hayward said this is part of the government’s efforts in monitoring and/ or preventing community transmission of Covid-19 within its rural communities.

 He said they are currently imposing a curfew, restricting anyone and everyone from travelling to Isabel Province from 6pm (19/01/22) to Sunday (23/01/22).

“The Isabel Provincial Government urges all to observe and comply with the travelling restrictions imposed by the curfew.

“I pray that you and your loved ones are well and safe,” he added.

Meanwhile, the speaker has further appealed to the people of Isabel Province to strictly adhere to lockdown rules, regulations and preventative measures put in place by the Authorities to prevent further spreading of the Corona virus. “If you haven’t taken the jab, please do so at the earliest convenience,” he added.

SFA allegedly backed Gov’t to defeat vote

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
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By EDDIE OSIFELO

SOLOMON Forest Association is alleged to have backed the Government to defeat the no-confidence vote tabled against Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare last month.

Thirty-two members of DCGA voted against the motion with 15 supporting and two abstaining on the floor of Parliament.

Opposition Leader Mathew Wale filed the motion against Sogavare, accusing him of multiple corruption by using money from foreign loggers and China to secure his support in the house.

A reliable source told Island Sun the agenda to discuss the support for Sogavare during the vote came about after SFA Secretary Philip Tiew called all members to a meeting on Friday, 19 November 2021.

According to the email sent by Tiew to all SFA members, he said the agenda of the meeting included the discussion of the new Determine Value Schedule for fourth Quarter of Year 2021 proposed by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Finance and Treasury.

Tiew said because of the importance of the meeting, their President requested that only the owners, managing directors/directors and or senior executives are invited to attend.

“Your strong and rapport supports to SFA is much appreciated. Look forward to your participation in the meeting,” he said.

However, the source said SFA called the meeting as an excuse to raise funds to bribe ministers to support Sogavare in the anticipated vote of no confidence.

The source claimed small logging companies have contributed around $30,000 and big companies donated between $100,000 to $200,000.

But SFA President, Johnny Sy said he believed during those days nobody knows what’s going on, what they only knew is there will be Parliament seating that’s all.

Sy confirmed SFA did call a meeting to inform their members about the outcome of their meeting with the Permanent Secretary of Finance, which he don’t deny it, cause Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Forest always have consultations with the industries and member’s need to know the outcome.

“Maybe your reliable source didn’t understand when I ask them if they like to donate some more funds as their personal support for the Kukum Hospital equipment cause SFA can only fund the full hospital building but not including equipment because SFA funds are insufficient for Kukum Hospital that we are building for the people of Solomon Islands.

“During that meeting we also planned our ground-breaking before I left Honiara for my annual leave; unfortunately the riot happen before the planned ground breaking so we decided to postpone and will need to consult our members if we will still proceed on our plan to build and donate to SIG,” he said.

Sy said he was out of the country since December 3 so “how can I involve in the motion of no confidence?”

The SFA meeting took place before protestors turned violent and looted and burnt buildings at Chinatown, Kukum and Ranadi following an anti-government protest from November 24-26.

There are currently 74 logging companies that are members of SFA.

Be cautious with use of rainwater

Written by
Mavis Podokolo
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An image of the spread of sulfur dioxide in the region following last weekend's volcanic eruption in Tonga

BY MAVSI N PODOKOLO

SOLOMON Islanders are urged to be cautious when using rain water despite no laboratory tests to ascertain the concentration of sulphur dioxide in the atmosphere following the Sunday volcano eruption in Tonga.

Satellite images have revealed sulphur dioxide from the recent volcanic eruption has reached a number of Pacific Island countries, including the Solomon Islands.

Yet local experts say there is still no cause for concern as from the concentration levels shown from the satellite images, it is still safe to use.

 Chief Geologist of the Geological Survey Division in the Ministry of Mines, Minerals, Energy and Rural Electrification, Thomas Toba said from the satellite image shared, the volcanic ash cloud covered our region with an estimated concentration of 24.1mg/m2.

“This is in reference to area covered rather than volume but we must take all measures to ensure that our health is not compromised,” he said.

He said comparing this concentration level to the standard Ash- Advisory reference figures from Hawaii, they can say that the value shown in the image shared is comparably low to trigger much concern to our population.

“But prior to laboratory tests, this could be conservative as well.

“So, whilst awaiting results people can take all precautionary measures to avoid serious health issues, especially when using rain water from tanks.

Meanwhile, Mr Toba has advised local authorities to consult standard references from re-known volcano monitoring institutes when conducting laboratory tests on the issue.

“The advice we can render prior to any laboratory quantified tests is to lookup standard references from re-known volcano monitoring institutes in terms of volcanic ash, as a provision to guide and educate us on what to do and also understand what we are looking at in terms of the concentration value we are looking at here (24.1mg/m2).

SULPHUR- DIOXIDE EXPOSURE & SOME HEALTH RISKS

 Sulphur dioxide can affect our Health in specifically in these ways

 – Irritates skin and mucosa membranes of the eyes, nose, throat and lungs

 – High concentration can cause inflammations and irritation of the respiratory system especially during heavy physical activity.

 Resulting Symptoms can include

– Pain when taking a deep breath

– Coughing, throat irritation

 – And breathing difficulties

– High concentrations can affect lung function, worsen asthma attacks and worsen existing heart diseases in sensitive groups. This gas can also react with other chemicals in the air and change to

Opposition probes China bank, airline

Written by
Press Release
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Leader of Opposition, Matthew Wale

LEADER of Opposition Matthew Wale has probed the Office of the Prime Minister & Cabinet and the Solomon Islands Chinese Business Council (SICBC) on the proposed plans to establish a Chinese Bank and Airline in the country.

The Leader of Opposition in a statement said he is aware there was a meeting on 3rd November 2021, between the SICBC and the Prime Minister at the OPMC.

Wale said amongst one of the agendas discussed was a proposal to establish a Chinese Bank and Airlines in Solomon Islands.

“It would be in the best interest of the people in this country and for transparency purposes for the OPMC and the SICBC to come clean with the proposed idea for the Chinese Bank and a China Airlines to be established in the country,” he said.

The Leader of Opposition said he is aware that the proposed Chinese bank is to cater for Chinese investors who are keen to invest in the country and the Chinese Airline is to operate direct flights from China to Solomon Islands.

Mr Wale said he is also aware that SICBC is working together to link the private sector here with investors in China.

“These undertakings must be done transparently and the OPMC and SICBC must make sure all due processes must be adhered to and that we should not allow bogus investors to come into the country,” he said.

The Leader of Opposition further adds the Prime Minister and his associates has a history of dealing with scam investors like the Skyline Investment Group, an Asian group that promised to build the Honiara International Airport and road upgrade in 2015.

“The fear of such to happen and the influx of Asian bogus businesses to operate in the country is a major concern and therefore such proposal should be clarified for the sake of transparency,” Mr Wale reiterated.

RSIPF involves in lockdown operations in Honiara

Written by
Press Release
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The roundabout at the Honiara City Council

THE Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) has activated its operations following the approval of the 60 hours lockdown yesterday evening.

The RSIPF when activating its operations, deployed officers to their strategic locations with the Emergency Zones as of 6PM last night,

Deputy Commissioner Operations, Juanita Matanga said the lockdown started at 6pm last night and will finish at 6am on 22 January 2022.”

DC Matanga said police are providing security in support to the Ministry of Health and Medical Services as the leading agency, following information that a COVID-19 community transmission was recorded here in Honiara.

Ms Matanga said from the police operational perspective, there will be boundaries from Poha Bridge in North West Guadalcanal to Alligator Creek in the Eastern side of Honiara International Airport, within Honiara and part of Guadalcanal policing jurisdiction.

 “I call on all communities in Honiara to adhere to Health protocols and cooperate with each other to protect our family, community and the country as we try to manage the transmission of COVID-19 in our communities.

Police will be out there should you need assistance, do not hesitate to call in at the nearest checkpoints.

“It is a lockdown and police will arrest and charge those who breached it. I ask you, my good people in Honiara, to stay home during the lockdown. Other essential services will be exempted and work during the lockdown period to attend other essential services,” DC Matanga said. 

–RSIPF

Person of interest in Noro

Written by
Ben Bilua
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BY BEN BILUA
Gizo

WESTERN Provincial Health and Medical Authority sent a team to Noro today to carry out a COVID-19 test on a person who was in close contact with the patient who tested positive in Honiara yesterday.

Acting Director of Health and Medical Service Dr Michael Belande said samples will be brought to the Gizo hospital to determine the results.

He also said a contact tracing team was activated to investigate any third-party contact or more from the patient.

“Currently the patient is in isolation.

“Furthermore, our next plan of action will be determined by the test results,” Belande said.

“If the result comes back positive, we will then increase our surveillance so as our procedures,” he added.

Belande said the Western Province’s Health and Medical Service has activated its Covid-19 Response plan.

He adds that the Health team will refine its standard procedure to meet expected outcomes and most of all stop further transmission.

“We will free up staff to undertake needed roles as per our response plan.

“This is a decision we made in our meeting today because we know our Honiara-based front-liners will be busy with cases in Honiara.

“It is our hope that our workforce will cater for the needed services should there be any worst-case scenario,” Belande said. He said the Gizo vaccination center will be relocated to MSG building so that the previous vaccination center will be used as a fast track clinic, where testing of patients with coronavirus like symptom will be done.

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