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7 quarantine stations active

Written by
Mavis Podokolo
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King Solomon quarantine site .

BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO

SEVEN quarantine stations remain active to accommodate in-coming individuals to serve their mandatory quarantine period.

This was confirmed by Jonathan Tafiariki from the Camp management.

“In Honiara we have seven quarantine stations remain declared for use quarantine use these include Vimo, Chengs, Pacific Casino Hotel east wing, Honiara hotel east wing, King Solomon hotel, Heritage and GBR,” Tafiariki said.

He said these quarantine stations are no go zones.

“We continue to urged the public to respect the quarantine stations and not to go closer them,” Tafiariki said.

He thanked those who completed the quarantine process and for abiding with quarantine regulations.

Tafiariki said some have breached the quarantine regulations but they thanked them for their patience.

“We continue to ask those who will be coming into the country to abide with our quarantine regulations so we can contain the virus within the quarantine walls and avoid community transmission.”

$800 Million Provincial Assistance Program Announced.

Written by
Press Release
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PS Stanley Dick Pirione

The National Government has recently announced an $800 million dollar funding program for Provincial Governments over a period of five years targeted at developing economic and incoming generating infrastructure projects.

This funding assistance will be allocated through and administered by the Ministry of Provincial Government and Institutional Strengthening (MPGIS).

Details of the funding program will be finalized and outlined to all nine Provincial Governments soon. This is likely to be injected into the Provincial Capacity Development Fund (PCDF) to boost development programs into Provinces.

Permanent Secretary of the MPGIS Stanley Dick Pirione revealed this major funding initiative during a recent dialogue between the National Government and the Malaita Provincial Government.

“The national government through the Ministry of Provincial Government and Institutional Strengthening will be supported with an $800 million funding over the next 5 years, part of this funding will go to economic or income generating infrastructure projects.

“All Provinces including Malaita will benefit from these programs,” Pirione stated.

This five-year funding program was announced after an earlier announcement of the Government’s decision last year to increase the current funding allocation for the PCDF from $30 million to $60 million in this year’s development.

The 100 percent increase of the PCDF demonstrated the national government’s commitment to continue the positive impact of the funding in Provinces.

The increase of the PCDF reflected the national government’s confidence in Provincial Governments to continue to impact peoples’ lives through small infrastructure developments.

Vanuatu repatriation flight next month

Written by
Mavis Podokolo
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Solomon Airlines airbus

BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO

REPATRIATION flight for Vanuatu is set for next month since Vanuatu is still COVID-19 free says Dr Jimmie Rodgers Secretary to the Prime Minister.

“For Vanuatu we are hoping that they will come next month. Vanuatu is still COVID-19 free at this time. Whoever bought flights to come in here as much possible we will not import COVID-19 into the country,” Rodgers said.

He said for now on they will not mix people that come from different flights in different quarantine stations.

Rodgers explains that one flight will be accommodated in one quarantine stations. So that if there is any extension it will not affect others that come from different flights.

He adds for the weekly Brisbane flights it will continue with limited passengers who fulfil all requirements.

Rodgers stressed they are hoping to bring in students from Fiji and other countries with high priority TA’s for government.

“For now, we are reviewing those flights,” he said.

Dr Franco Rodie Permanent Secretary for Ministry of Education and Human Resources Development also stated that there are Solomon Islands graduating students remaining in Vanuatu these are law students who need to come back.

“So, we are planning before the end of February to bring them home.”

“There others as well in Fiji who will need to come home as well and so we are given green light to resume flight to bring them home. All continuing students will remain in their country of studies,” Rodie said.

Carbon trading, the best choice: Bosma

Written by
Ben Bilua
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BY BEN BILUA
Gizo

Natural Resources Development Foundation Boss, Wilko Bosma says carbon trading is the best approach landowners can benefit through while enjoying a safer and beautiful environment.

He said one conservation group in the country known as Sirobe Forest Conservation is selling its carbon credits beginning last year.

“Sirobe Forest Conservation is the first group that involved in the global carbon trade activity and we are pleased to be part of the process,” Bosma said.

“This group is one among two other groups in Fiji and Vanuatu who have been identified by NAKAU – a Pacific based organisation who help facilitate this kind of investment,” he added.

Bosma said another two more organisations will join the carbon trade investment this year if things turn out positive.

He stressed that carbon trading has potential benefits for landowners who are willing to surrender their land and forest for the betterment of the world.

“So, when you go into carbon trading you are simply helping normalize global emission and the good news is; you as the resource owner will get benefits in a form of cash for the carbon credits audited on your area.

“Furthermore, you can still harvest your trees in a small scale operation such as milling timbers for houses and also commercial.

“The point is, carbon trading is trading your forest’s function is decreasing or inhaling carbon dioxide while producing oxygen.

“I emphasis and encourage landowners to keep your forest. If you already logged your forest, don’t allow re-entry rather choose to preserve your forest for better purpose,” Bosma said.

He said carbon trading is the best alternative today for landowners to invest unlike in the previous years where is no benefits for communities or tribes who preserve their forests and land.

NRDF aims to save 9,821.7 hectare of forest

Written by
Ben Bilua
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Wilko Bosma showing the maps of protected areas and the ones that on NRDF radar this year. Far right are the certificates of Protected Areas

BY BEN BILUA
Gizo

NATURAL Resources Development Foundation (NRDF) is looking at saving 9,821.7 hectares of forest as part of its mission to preserve and conserve forest in the country.

In an exclusive interview with Island Sun Gizo, Wilko Bosma said has saved 6,362. 7 hectares last year and is looking at saving another 3,459 hectares of forest this year.

He told Island Sun that the 6,362.7 hectares of land and forest is a combination of three conservation areas which have been legally protected.

“These conservation areas belongs to Siporae Tribal Forest Conservation, Sirebe Forest Association and Padezaka Tribal Rainforest Conservation Association.

“This year, we are looking at assisting another three tribal groups to legally protect their forest and this is where we will achieve saving 9,821.7 hectors of land and forest,” Bosma explained.

He said NRDF is working closely with Ministry of Environment, Conservation Department and also Ministry of Forestry to achieve the government’s anticipation to conserve 15 percent of the country’s forest.

Siporae Tribal Forest Conservation Certificate of Registration

“So what we do is that, we are working the ground while government institutions like the Ministry of Forestry and Environment assist in the process to register the sites as protection area.

“We face challenges at times but the good news is, we managed to help at least three conservation groups protect their forests from logging and mining,” Bosma said.

He said NRDF will continue to work with tribal groups this year with much anticipation of establishing more forest protected areas in Solomon Islands.

Bosma said more than 80 percent of the country’s forest have been damaged by logging and mining.

“While our country depends entirely on logging for its revenue, we have to look beyond logging and establish environment friendly economic activities.

“It is NRDF’s wish to support local communities to preserve their forest or harvest logs in a sustainable manner,” he said.

Natural Resources Development Foundation (NRDF) is a local organization which was established in 2004 to address the problem of the ongoing exploitation of forests resources by foreign logging companies. 

As a non-governmental organization, NRDF believes that natural resources are fundamental to the wellbeing of local people and their environment and strives to provide sustainable resource management opportunities to communities in the Solomon Islands in order to protect these precious natural resources for current and future generation. 

NRDF is a small organization consisting of a team of highly experienced staff members who are accompanied by several local extension officers and overseas volunteers and consultants, to strengthen the team’s capacity.

NRDF’s head office is located in Gizo, the Provincial capital of the Western Province. It also has a field office in Choiseul Province, near the village of Panarui.

Starting as a very small organization NRDF is now recognized by communities, National and International NGO’s and the Solomon Island Government as a major stakeholder in forest management and conservation activities.

In more recent years NRDF has taken the lead in linking Forest Conservation with Climate change mitigation.

As a Licensed Coordinator, NRDF implements projects that combines Forest Protected Areas with PES crediting activities under the framework and methodology of the Pacific based Nakau Programme.

Saudi minister shows interest in Sol-Tuna

Written by
Press Release
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Saudi Arabia’s Deputy Minister for International Economic Affairs Mr. Bandar Alchemies views Solomon Islands products at the SI Pavilion in Dubai

SAUDI Arabia’s Deputy Minister for International Economic Affairs, Saudi Ministry of Economy and Planning, Bandar Alchemies, visited the Solomon Islands Pavilion on Sunday 9th January, 2021 as part of his Government’s familiarization tour to Pacific Island Countries (PICS) attending Expo 2020 Dubai.

After a brief welcome and introduction by Deputy Commissioner General and Pavilion Director Dennis Marita, Minister AlKhamies was particularly interested in probing the prospects of having SolTuna and Kokonut Pacific including a few of our branded products made available on Saudi Arabia shelves in the future .

Minister AlKhamies was also mindful of the relatively high costs of transporting products from the Solomon Islands to the Gulf Region but added that there were always avenues in which such logistic challenges could be addressed to ensure a fair Return on Investment to both parties.

The Saudi Minister was eagerly inquisitive to know more about the name Solomon, which Team Solo was again privileged to explain.

DCG Marita in acknowledging the visit by Minister AlKhamies said that the Solomon Islands was always eager to look beyond its borders.

Saudi Arabia’s Gross Domestic Product from 1986 to 2020 was approximately US$700.12 billion.

DCG Marita provided Minister AlKhamies with copies of the various Investment publications together with a gift pack which included SolTuna and Pacific Kokonut products.

Minister Al Khamies was accompanied by Hagat Al Yabis, Fahad Al Abdelsalam and Abdulrhaman Tirki.

ARREST RUMOURS DENIED

Written by
Samie Waikori
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Patrol boat 06 berthing at Auki wharf.

Koto: police are in Auki to maintain law and order

BY SAMIE WAIKORI

Auki

HONIARA Police are not in Auki to arrest anyone, Malaita’s acting head of police Eddie Koto says.

He instead said they are there to maintain law and order following an incident in the provincial capital last week that sparked hostility and likely confrontation between various groups of people in the province.

Koto made the explanation to the Island Sun yesterday following widespread speculation that Honiara police, who arrival on board Patrol boat Taro on Sunday, are in Auki to arrest those who are behind the recent rioting in Honiara.

Rumours have it that Premier Daniel Suidani is among those to be arrested.

Honiara police have been accompanied by members of the Papua New Guinea police who are in the country as part of the Solomon International Assistance Force (SIAF).

But Koto said the deployment is primarily to maintain law and order in Auki after the attempted abduction incident in Auki last Thursday.

He said since last month Auki police have been without numbers because some officers are on their annual leave.

“We currently have very limited officers on the ground to deal with anything that might arise and support is needed especially with the tense situation like what happened last week.

“This is where the deployment had come about and that is to support Auki police with resources and bring back normalcy to people and communities in the province” he says.

Koto says the team will be in Auki for sometimes and they will be engaging with the public of Auki to carry out policing work and awareness programs.

He says this is to ensure law and order is maintained and to restore public trust and confidence in the police.

“….yes we are aware of speculations about the deployment and that it was a cover-up to arrest people of interest to the police in Auki.

“But this is not true and I want Auki residents and the people of Malaita to know that.”

Koto says he had consulted Premier Daniel Suidani on the purpose of the deployment upon their arrival in Auki so the MARA government is aware of the purpose of the police presence.

He says they are working together with the provincial government and are supporting them with logistic as well liaising with the premier, and updating him on their work in Auki.

Koto calls on the public of Auki and the traveling public of Malaita to support the team and Auki police while they are there to restore law and order.

He said the PNG officers on the ground are not military personnel, but police officers.

He says rumors can sometimes cause fear, anger and other negative reactions from people.

DJOKOVIC HITS BACK

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
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‘Opposition is looking for a scapegoat’

By EDDIE OSIFELO

ROBSON Djokovic has hit back at the latest attack launched against him and his employment with the Government by an appointee within the Opposition office.

The chief of staff within the Office of the Prime Minister and Cabinet was responding to George Kosui, an economist working with Opposition leader Mathew Wale.

Kosui had question why Djokovic, who is also a nephew of Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare, is still being engaged by the government when he has a criminal record.

But Djokovic said Kosui was simply repeating the same rhetoric.

“He has nothing else to say so again attacking my credibility,” Djokovic said.

“The issues Kosui raised have already been answered,” he added.

“I have not breached or broken any laws.

“Check the Queensland law in relation to past convictions and no conviction has been recorded,” he said.

Djokovic said in relation to his citizenship status, the matter is before the court.

“Talk to my lawyer Wilson Rano for any legal queries.

“Talk to Special Secretary to Prime Minister, Albert Kabui about my role at PMO and when I was employed.

“Check my curriculum vitae for qualifications. It speaks for itself,” he added.

Djokovic said the Opposition are looking for a “political scapegoat” to undermine the Prime Minister.

Kosui has been questioning why the prime minister, the Courts, Public Service, and Immigration Office are seemingly turning a blind eye to serious allegations against Djokovic.

He touched on an article by the country’s top academic, Dr Tarcisius Tara Kabutaulaka, published on 3 December 2019.

In it Kabutaulaka said, “Robson Djokovic has been in the limelight for all the wrong reasons since being sighted with Julian Moti handcuffed on the tarmac of Munda airstrip.”

He said the chief of staff has become one of the issues of concern, with the risk and concern that he could be riding on our judiciary and other systems in his struggle to keep his job and avoid repatriation from the country.

In his article, Kabautalaka questioned some of the issues that involved Djokovic, the COS who happens to be PM Manasseh Sogavare’s nephew as well.

Amongst others, some of the issues the PMO need to clarify are: 

  1. Does Djokovic have a work permit in the Solomon Islands?
  2. Is it legal for a foreigner to hold a political appointee (or public service) position in the Solomon Islands?
  3. What is Djokovic qualification that justify his expertise to take up the job
  4. What does Djokovic do daily, his duties in the PMO?
  5. Why is he allowed to continue working when cases are still hanging over his head?
  6. Why does the PM continue to employ a convicted criminal, drug user, and addict, and fraudster forgoing good governance principles?

Kosui said if the issues questioned above are not enough, then what issues are deemed serious that will give the court, PMO, Public Service, and Immigration Office the reasons for keeping Robson Djokovic in the top job and in the country.

He said nobody would dispute the fact that Robson Djokovic is an indigenous Solomon Islander, but he is not a Solomon Islands citizen when he opted for Australian citizenship and gave up his Solomon Islands citizenship.

Other questions that need to be clarified by the PMO include:

  1. Is the Government Caucus aware of the criminal cases that the court in Queensland, Australia has charged Robson Djokovic to continue supporting his candidacy for the SSPM (refer to SBD news – 24 March 2021)?
  2. Does the PM think it is ethically right to employ a convicted criminal, drug user/addict and fraudster?
  3. Why is Djokovic’s case taking such a long time before the courts in SI to make a decision?

Kosui said the longer it takes for the courts, PMO, Public Service, and Immigration Office to address this long outstanding issue, more questions will be asked as to how the judiciary system and responsible authorities are handling this controversial issue which was seen by many as the manifestation of corruption since his involvement in the Julian Moti saga.

“Yes, Robson Djokovic has been in the limelight for all the wrong reasons and it is only relevant now that the courts decide on this case quickly so that the issue is put to rest to protect the country from abuse.

“It is unwise and ethically unjustifiable to allow a foreigner with a questionable background to hold a top job in the Office of the Prime Minister of the country,” he said.

$2,000 fine for man who breached lockdown order

Written by
Jennifer Kusapa
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BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

PRINCIPAL Magistrate Felix Hollision has ordered a man to pay a fine of $2000 after being found guilty of breaching the recent curfew orders.

The defendant, Bruno Junior Sepo Todonga, is a 23-year-old man from Ghombua village on Guadalcanal Province and residing at Mbokonavera 1 in Honiara.

He was charged with one count of Restriction of Movement of Persons in Honiara: contrary to Regulation 5(1), (2) (a) and (b); and 9(1) of the Preservation of Public Security Regulations 2021 and section 3 of the Preservation of Public Security Act [Cap 27] and 21(a) of the Penal Code [Cap 26].

Prosecution said on December 4 2021 at about 0049 hours or 12:49am, the defendant was not at his place of residence at Mbokonavera 1 but was seen together with three others travelling in a white 2-ton truck along the Honiara City Council roundabout, an area designated as an emergency zone during the restriction period without any lawful excuse.

The defendant was driving the said vehicle at the time and he was intoxicated.

He pleaded guilty to the charge and was remanded in custody for not giving a valid and satisfactory explanation as to why he did not comply with the police bail conditions for him to appear in court on a date in December 2021.

Principal Magistrate Felix Hollision in sentencing the accused said the present case must generally be treated as more serious than the trial lockdowns and curfews because the relevant regulations were in place to contain the lawlessness within our nation’s capital from the 24 to 27 November 2021.

Hollision said the regulations were made for the preservation of public safety in Honiara because of the riots, burning and looting of shops and other private businesses between the 24 to 27th of November 2021. Three people also died during the course of the riots. This present offence occurred at least a week later after the said events.

The defendant was under the influence of alcohol at the material time and is very serious as he was the driver of the vehicle.

“Driving under the influence of alcohol aggravated his offending compared to his three other co-defendants who were his passengers.

“I am of the view that this case should considered as falling towards the lower end of the spectrum in terms of its severity, hence, I am satisfied that a penalty fine is appropriate for the present case”, Hollision said.

Hollision also made orders that the accused Todonga must pay the penalty fine of SBD 2000. by January7 2022 at 4:30pm, in the event that he fails to pay his fine, he shall be imprisoned for 3 months.

“I hereby order that he be released from custody so that he can be able to pay up his fine.

“I hope that he learns from his mistake and not to commit any offence in the future. This should also send a deterrent message to the public that adherence to our laws is important and the failure to do so has consequences”, Hollision added.

SIAF will remain as long as they are required: Osborne

Written by
Jennifer Kusapa
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0
SIPDP-Commander-Paul-Osborne-thanking-newly-promoted-officers

BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

DEPUTY Commissioner (DC) Solomon International Assistance Force (SIAF) Commander Paul Osborne revealed during the Commissioner’s weekly conference this week that SIAF will remain in Solomon Islands as long they are required to.

Responding to questions asked on how long the mission will stay in the country, Mr Osborne said SIAF will continue to remain here and support the RSIPF as long as they are required.

“I can only assure you that SIAF will continue to remain here and support the RSIPF as long as we are required, as long we are needed and as long as the decisions are made for us to stay here,” Osborne said.

Osborne said SIAF is a police mission comprise of police and military components and they have successful in supporting RSIPF during the recent unrest in November 2021 to restore law and order and maintain peace and security in and around Honiara.

He said countries inside SIAF are Australia, New Zealand, Fiji and Papua New Guinea and all of the countries and those part of the components of the SIAF who are here have a long history of working with the Solomon Islands and the RSIPF.

“So, we have a great deal of understanding of each other’s abilities, I think that is the whole mass of this success of the operation,” Osborne said.

He also said that one thing the public need to know is that SIAF is not taking sides in relation to the issues regarding the civil unrest, our only function here is to support the RSIPF to do responsible operation for the security of the capital in and around Honiara.

“We will always support our security family partners, because we think it’s the right thing to do, when such circumstances arise,” Osborne said.

Around 300 personnel deployed to the Solomon Islands during the unrest from Australia, New Zealand, Fiji and PNG, and that number has been adjusted, Osborne said.

He said he will not reveal the exact number that are currently in country due to reason of security capability.

When asked whether China will be part of SIAF once they come to assist RSIPF, Commander Osborne said No, they are not part of SIAF.

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