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MARA gov’t’s reunion begins

Written by
Samie Waikori
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Former Deputy Premier, Randol Sifoni (left) handshakes with Premier Daniel Suidani (right) as they exchange shell monies to reconcile past events they had gone through.

BY SAMIE WAIKORI

AUKI

AFTER the recent political impasse that had rampage the MARA government, deserted MPAs started to reunite with the government after almost five months of differences.

Yesterday, the former Deputy Premier under MARA government, MPA for ward 30, Randol Sifoni has reconciled with Premier Daniel Suidani and members of his executive and received back by the government.

Deputy Clerk to the Provincial Assembly, Ms Florence Idufo’oa has confirmed yesterday.

She said the reconciliation was happened between Sifoni and Suidani and was witnessed by members of the executive government and chiefs within ward 30 of the Langa Langa lagoon.

According to a statement released by Malaita Provincial Development Forum the two leaders had reunited in a brief reconciliation ceremony yesterday in Auki,

“The former Deputy Premier, Randol Sifoni re-joined MARA government after a brief reconciliation ceremony with the premier and number of MARA executive members today.

“He will now hold the vacant position of the Deputy Speaker of the Malaita Provincial Assembly.

“In the spirit of putting the past in the past, the two leaders shared that uniting Malaita for its development surpass any political differences and therefore reconciled whatever happened in the past as the best way to move forward.

“Both leaders shared that as leaders, moving forward in the spirit of brotherhood for the common good of the people of Malaita province is the top priority of their leadership.

“Both acknowledged the past and learn to move forward,” it said.

The re-inclusion of Sifoni brings MARA government to a majority of 18 MPAs in the government while the non-executive bench with minority of 15 MPAs.

SIPA vaccination site opens

Written by
Mavis Podokolo
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BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO

THE COVID-19 vaccination site at the Solomon Islands Ports Authority Premises at point has reopened its vaccination roll-out programs for second dose and the unvaccinated qualified individuals.

This was confirmed by Dr Yogesh Choudhri senior advisor for Ministry Health and Medical Services yesterday.

Choudhri vaccination site below the Holy Cross will open soon. Discussions are currently underway to move this vaccination centre to the Ministry of Infrastructure and Development parking lot.

He also adds that Vaccination centre for Kukum area will resume soon if new tent.

Island Sun Paper understands that vaccinations centers inside Honiara have closed due to the Honiara unrest.

Meanwhile, the two introduced vaccines that are currently administered in the country are AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine and Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccines. Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine is also already shipped into the country but id yet to be administered.

Christians Must Be Peace Makers and Peace Builders

Written by
Press Release
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His Grace Archbishop with Fr. Gabriel, Dicon, Catechist amd Alter Servers after 9am Mass

CHRISTIANS should be peace makers and peace builders instead of involving in violence and stealing.

His Grace Archbishop Christopher Cardone OP Archbishop of Catholic Archdiocese in Honiara shared this during his welcome home Eucharistic Mass and First Sunday of Advent at the Holy Cross Cathedral on Sunday.

He said the recent unrest is a difficult situation for the country.

Archbishop Chris urged Christians to refrain from involving in any of the unlawful activities, especially in buying from the looters or even take anything that was stolen from the shops.

“We are in the Advent season, the season that begins the Christian Liturgical Year and focuses on Christ’s threefold coming: past, present, and future. First, it is remembering His humble first coming in the town of Bethlehem two thousand years ago. Secondly, it calls us to give thanks for His presence and continual coming to us through His Word and Sacrament. Finally, it is the looking forward with hope and longing to His Second Coming in Glory.

Christians Greeted His Grace after 9am Mass

“In the Gospel Jesus tells us to be vigilant, do not sleep, Jesus Tells “pray to have the strength to escape the tribulations that are to come and to stand upright with the lord”

“Therefore, Our Message is to be Vigilant, Stay awake, Pray and Hopeful”

“Last week has been very hard in the history of Solomon Islands, 3 days of violence, stealing, hatred and distractions.

“We should be peacemakers and peace builders instead of involving in causing distractions, he continued, “for St. Mathew Gospel, also says, “Blessed are the peace makers, they will be the children of God”.

“This advent we need to reflect why this situation happened the second time and what caused Chinatown a targeted area.

“What causes violence, hatred that made people feel so bad that forced them to do terrible and distractive violence?” he continued.

“It is important for us to reflect upon the events of past few days and know that God Loves us. He is with us in good times and in bad times. And even in worst disasters where we experienced, that God is present among us.

“I hope that we don’t pay goods from people who steal or take anything from the stolen goods,” he said.

He appealed to all Christians in the country to stay away from violence.

His Grace Archbishop Christopher Cardone OP share Homily and advicing christians to be Peace Makers

“Violence must stop, hatred must stop and we must live as a community to rebuild our nation, and be a place to have justice for all, not just for the wealthy parliament but for all because Justice is peace,” he said.

He appreciated the good initiative that Phil Bradford of Island Enterprise put out to all. The Message of Hope to Never Give Up.

Even if Solomon Islands faces this terrible situation, there have been a lot of good things that has happened in the Solomon Islands that we may have forgotten.

“Therefore, as we are in the season of Advent, we need to ask ourselves Questions what should we do to make us go out from this situation?

“What is our hope? Who will guide us? Who will be the peace makers?

“Pray, Hope and be Vigilant is the message we should take,” he said.

Meanwhile he shared his greetings and regards from family in New York to Solomon Islands, where he spent almost 5 months due to COVID,

BY: CATHOLIC COMMUNICATION

Padakeza Rainforest Declared a Protected Area

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Press Release
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Another conservation achievement is up for applaud – the launching and declaration of the Padezaka Tribal Rainforest Conservation Area as a legally designated National Protected Area.

Tuesday morning this week, Sasamungga Village hosted yet another conservation achievement for the country.

Benjamin Harrison, Premier of Choiseul Province, officiated the launching and declaration of another forest area under the Protected Areas Act 2010, on behalf of the Minister of Environment, Climate Change, Disaster Management and Meteorology, Bradley Tovosia (who was unable to attend due to the present situation in Honiara).

The protected area covers more than 4,800 hectares of forest, and forms a portion of the Padezaka Tribal land in Babatana Ward, South Choiseul, and Choiseul Province. This forest area now becomes the third forest protected area (by law), and also the largest so far, in the country.

Delivering the speech, the Premier praised and commended the chiefs, elders, and members of the Padezaka Tribe and partners for their dedication, leadership, and commitment to conservation and sustainable development. “Your dedication for this journey is truly admired and hope you continue to be a ‘lighthouse’ to other communities and resource owners who share the common goals of protecting and sustainably managing their natural resources” he stated.

He also acknowledged with appreciation, the technical and financial support provided by Integrated Forest Management Project (IFMP), Global Environment Facility (GEF) funded Project implement by FAO through the Ministries of Environment, Forestry and Agriculture. Since 2018, this project through the leadership of Mr Fred Tabepuda (IFMP Choiseul Field Coordinator), guided and supported by partners such as Natural Resources Development Foundation (NRDF) and Ecological Solutions Solomon Islands (ESSI), who have worked hard to achieve the protection of Padezaka ’s tribal forest. He also thanked the National Government through Ministry of Environment’s Division for Environment and Conservation, Choiseul Provincial Government, Lauru Land Conference of Tribal Community (LLCTC) and Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund who supported these initiatives and programmes throughout the years.

The ceremony was highlighted with the handing over of the Certificate of Protected Areas Registration signed by the Minister of Environment to the Chief Godfrey Gatarukusa of Padezaka Tribe. This symbolized the fulfilment of the formal requirements and confirmation that the forest area now stands as an officially designated national protected area. These declared sites will remain out of bounds for all destructive activities including logging and mining etc

The area will now be managed by the Padezaka Protected Area Management Committee and its rangers, guided by the site’s management plan under the Protected Areas Act 2010. In addition to other four declared sites, these sites remains pillars for conservation and protection of our significant natural biodiversity and cultural values.

–GOVERNMENT COMMUNICATION UNIT

Manakwai High School successfully closes 2021

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Press Release
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Manakwai CHS Graduands

A total of 57 students from years 6, 9 and 11 have graduated at Manakwai Community High School.

This year’s programme was hosted under the theme “Developing Learners For Better Future Through Education”.

Principal Mr Norman Baeramo, addressing the occasion, said the school comprised primary and secondary sectors.

In the Primary sector, 146 student students with 10 teachers with the help of five Distance and Flexible Learning (DFL) student teachers.

“The Manakwai Primary School sector started in 1991. This program marks the 30th year of the primary sector.”

The secondary sector enrolls 128 students with 11 teachers along with four additional teachers on special arrangement by the school board of management. The Manakwai Community High School sector started in 1998.

According Baeramo, the school achieved very little with school infrastructure; nevertheless, they concentrated more on the student’s academic development.

The primary sector however recently received a new classroom block which is now used by the students. The supply of electricity was already connected to the classroom building.

Form 5 Dux award recipient Leeland Watson

“Developing learners for better future through education is a process full of discoveries and surprises. When the learners have and equip themselves with the right knowledge, skills, support and environment, it’s amazing what they can produce.

“Education is not an easy journey. Each year is different and 2021 is no exception. Some of us have gone through and have come to a crossroad and there is a need to think and decide which way to go from here.

The parents were told by the Principal that the best thing to spend on their children is time.

“Children will not remember you for the material things you provided them. Your children will become who you are; so be what you want them to be.”

The Principal made some recommendations to the Education Authority and Ministry. He wishes to see a fair distribution of subject teachers to each school according to the specialized subject areas. He also recommends that the current school establishment of eleven teachers be increased to fifteen. He finally highlighted the need for the school to be given the opportunity to have a form 6 arts.

The 2021 Dux Prizes

Year 9 -Hudson Selwyn

Year 11 -Leeland Watson

HEARTBREAKING MOMENT

Written by
Mavis Podokolo
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Honiara School principal Allen Ketei.
  • Honiara based schools close early
  • Innocent students victimised

BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO

Honiara High School teachers and students are still traumatise following the heartbreaking situation where four of its classrooms were burnt down in the recent social unrest.

Apart of the classrooms an ICT lab, school library and one workshop were also burnt down while a school hall was partly damaged due to heat.

School principal Allen Ketei in an interview with this paper yesterday said the situation is really devasted and heartbreaking especially for those who serve the school for a long time.

He said with the burnt down of the classrooms and other important infrastructures worth more than SBD5 million it will affect the school’s new intake of form 4 next year.

Not only that, it will affect students to access quality education.

“This is very sad story for the school.

 “This situation is unfortunate and heartbreaking for those of us serving the school for long time and work hard to improve this school”.

“It is really devastated and we teachers and students are traumatised by it. We love this place because this is where nature our students and called it our second home and workplace,” he said.

Ketei said as the result of the situation the school management have recommended to the Honiara City Council Education Authority (HCC) to close early until further arrangement is done with the Ministry of Education to rebuild it.

He said with the current situation, form four students will be affected while forms 5, 6 and 7 are okay.

Ketei said at this stage the school is considering options how best they can assist students to complete their studies but that will depend very much on the supports they receive as well support from the Ministry of Education.

He adds over the years they have built the reputation, the quality and promoting leadership and made some progress but the recent destruction has pulled them down to zero level.

Despite of the situation they are not giving up.

“We will not give up; we will rebuild this school for our children and the nation. As a leader I will stand with the teachers to rebuild this school because this is our country’s,” Ketei said.

He stressed that the situation provides the school admin and current teachers to look at alternate ways to re-booster the trauma and the side effects of the destructions of the school.

When asked whether the school will conduct an investigation to identify the culprit, he said that they will depend on police.

For that purpose, he appeals to stakeholders, aid donors, former scholars, families, communities, and friends of Honiara to help them rebuild the school.

Meanwhile the Ministry of Education and Human Resource Development in its circular message recommends all Honiara based Education Authorities to close this year’s academy as of yesterday.

Permanent Secretary Dr Franco Roddie said while law and order eventually restored the threat still remain.

He said the ministry following the social unrest conducted a brief survey for early closer of schools and received anonymous respond from the schools.

Based on that he approved the recommendation to close as of yesterday and not wait until Friday.

He clarifies that the circular message does not includes schools in the provinces.

SOPE extends for another 4 months

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
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National Parliament of Solomon Islands

By EDDIE OSIFELO

PARLIAMENT has extended the State of Public Emergency yesterday to another four months.

Both the Government and the Opposition have supported the motion moved by Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare on the need to protect the country from the outbreak of covid-19 in the community and float the national economy.

The Governor General has declared the State of Public Emergency on 24 November 2021, pursuant to Section 16 subsection 3 of the Constitution.

This comes as the covid a new Omicron COVID-19 variant was discovered in Sydney, Australia.

Sogavare said this SOPE is to protect the country and the people and not to trample on your fundamental rights.

Furthermore, he said Solomon Islands is lucky not to have community transmission following low vaccination coverage.

Currently, Solomon Islands has reached

“I encourage people to come forward to get vaccination.

“It seems most are not taking heed of the call,” he said.

Sogavare said it disappointing to note some well-educated elites have refused to get vaccination and advocating against vaccination.

He said currently the government is stepping its ‘No Jab, No Job’ vaccination programme.

“Currently public servants with no jab are not allowed to enter their work station.

“These public servants can continue to work but at home but their salaries were cut by 50 percent,” he said.

Sogavare said by 31st January 2022, public servants with no jabs will be treated as self-terminated and their employment with the government will be ceased on the day.

He said the security and wellbeing of our people take precedent.

DCGA Prepares to face the motion

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
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By EDDIE OSIFELO

THE Democratic Coalition for Government Advancement (DCGA) is preparing to face the motion of no confidence on Monday, December 6, 2021.

Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare stated this in Parliament during the debate on the motion to approve authorization of expenditure in advance of 2022 Appropriation Bill 2022.

Minister of Finance, Harry Kuma seeks that National Parliament of Solomon Islands, in accordance with Section 103 (1) of the Constitution to empower him to authorize the issue of money from the consolidated fund for purpose of meeting expenditure necessary to carry on public services at a level not exceeding the level of these services in the previous financial year, until the expiration of four months from the beginning of the financial year 2022 or the coming into operation of the 2022 Appropriation Bill 2022, whichever is the earlier.

Sogavare said government has a lot of things to deal with after the recess of Parliament.

However, he said they will come back to face the Motion of No Confidence.

“We are preparing to face motion of no confidence Leader of Opposition raised it but he sees the support of government remain here.

“So, you think twice before moving that motion come that time the motion matures to move it,” he added.

However, Sogavare said the passage of the budget resolution was itself a vote of confidence for the government.

“There are many ways to defeat the government, but they (Opposition) support the motion.

“This is vote of confidence to the government and its policy,” he added.

Opposition Leader, Mathew Wale filed the motion of no confidence on Sunday 28th November 2021 following the riot and looting since last Wednesday to Saturday.

Wale told Radio New Zealand on Saturday after urging Sogavare to step down that the basis for the unrest is political, so requires a political solution.

He said ultimately the Australians cannot provide a solution to their current situation.

“The basis for it is political and therefore the solution for it must be political.

“This really calls for leaders to take some decisive actions,” he said.

Further to that, Wale has categorically denied instigating the unrest that is going to cost the country billions of dollars after study on loss and damages complete.

Parliament has adjourned to next week.

Govt to assist affected business houses

Written by
Press Release
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The fantastic shopping building that was burned down by looters.

Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare has announced that the National Government will assist business houses that were destroyed during last week’s unrest in Honiara.

Many business houses in the China Town, Kukum and Ranadi commercial districts have suffered from looting and burning during the unrest.

Speaking in Parliament today, Sogavare said the Government is already working on a recovery package to assist businesses that suffered last week’s destruction.

“As a responsible government, the government will come up with a recovery package for those who lost their properties during last week’s unrest,” Sogavare said.

The Prime Minister is already advancing discussions with development partners to explore ways to help in the rebuilding and recovery process.

In addition, Sogavare also announced that the Government will also beef up the capacity of the Solomon Islands Police Force (SIPF) to withstand future unrests.

Last week’s unrest sunk the economy and further challenged the government’s twin policy objectives to contain and annihilate COVID 19 from community transmission and to sustain the economy.

The ruined businesses are amongst the contributors to the government’s tax revenue. These businesses’ tax contributions have helped to ensure main services such as health, security and education and utilities are maintained.

“The assistance package that government will put together is like “trying to pull up a sunken economy,” Sogavare said.

Meanwhile, Sogavare has commended the Opposition Leader and Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee and Members of Parliament for passing the Motion of Supply.

The passage of the motion of supply now empowers the Minister for Finance to authorize the issue of monies from the Consolidated Fund for the purpose of meeting expenditure necessary to carry on public services at a level not exceeding the level of these services in the previous financial year.

The spending will continue until the expiration of four months from the beginning of the financial year 2022 or the coming into operation of the 2022 Appropriation Act 2022.

Parliament is adjourned for 30 November 2021.

GCU

Social unrest disturbs Bill to pass

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
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Solomon Islands National Parliament

By EDDIE OSIFELO

GOVERNMENT could not bring the 2022 Appropriation Bill 2022 to pass in Parliament following the unrest in Honiara last Wednesday.

This is in accordance with Section 103 (1) of the Constitution to empower Minister of Finance to authorize the issue of money from the consolidated fund for purpose of meeting expenditure necessary to carry on public services at a level not exceeding the level of these services in the previous financial year, until the expiration of four months from the beginning of the financial year 2022 or the coming into operation of the 2022 Appropriation Bill 2022, whichever is the earlier.

Kuma said the budget documents have been finalised for printing when this unfortunate situation escalated prevented it.

He said the unlawful distraction of property has escalated so far and caused damage to public properties and business houses at Chinatown, Kukum and Ranadi.

“Further damage on businesses will have ramification on our domestic economy and altered expenditure mix on government finance.

“Government will run against time to pass the 2022 budget,” he said.

The Opposition has supported the government to pass the resolution.

Chairman of Public Accounts Committee, Douglas Ete urged the government to table the 2020 budget outcome and the 2021 mid term review to help the committee in its planning and analysis.

Minister Kuma said Cabinet has already approved both reports but due to administration issue has delayed their tabling in Parliament.

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