MORE tests results from the flights carrying the two new recorded cases are still pending, according to Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare.
“I have also been advised that some tests from both flights are still undergoing laboratory analysis. The Incident Controller is still waiting for some more results,” Sogavare said.
“It is my hope that we will not pick up any more positives. However, at this stage we cannot rule that possibility out,” he added.
He said that in regards to genome sequencing on the virus, the National Laboratory cannot do it.
“So it is not possible for me to inform you what variant of COVID-19 these two people have.
“However, it is likely that the infection from the passenger from Fiji is the Delta variant, and the one that came from Dubai is the Omicron variant.
“We will send the samples to Australia for identification of the COVID-19 variant that is in the country now,” Sogavare said.
Sogavare also confirmed that two new cases of COVID-19 was diagnosed at the NRH laboratory.
This has now increased the country’s COVID-19 cases diagnosed in the country to 22.
“One of these new cases is a 10-year-old boy who returned from Fiji with his family on 22nd of December.
“Because of his age, he was not vaccinated. However, the rest of his family have been fully vaccinated and have all tested negative.”
“The second case is a national that had just returned from Dubai. He was fully vaccinated with the last dose taken in July this year,” he said.
ALL fully vaccinated Solomon Islanders are advised not to travel to countries affected by the omicron variant.
Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare issued the reminder in his national address on Sunday 26th December when speaking of measures made by the National Health Emergency Operational Center (NHEOC).
“All fully vaccinated Solomon Islanders are advised to not travel to any country affected by the Omicron variant of COVID-19, except for those that travel to remain overseas for more than two months,” he said.
“In other words, anyone who travels out of Solomon Islands to any Omicron variant affected country will not be allowed to re-enter the country for a minimum of two months, and they will only return if our borders reopen.
“Any Solomon Islander who has not been vaccinated will not be able to travel overseas because no country will allow a non-vaccinated person to enter their borders,” Sogavare said.
INVESTIGATION into the October 2021 blast that killed a father and his son behind Betikama, east Honiara, is yet to be concluded.
That’s according to officer in-charge of the Explosive Ordnance Disposal division of the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force Inspector Clifford Tunuki.
“We are yet to conclude our findings,” Tunuki told Island Sun yesterday.
He said since investigation is currently ongoing, he will not discuss the matter further.
“Further information can only be provided when we conclude our findings,” Tunuki stated
The October blast is said to have involved a galvanised pipe believed to be a Bangalore torpedo.
Previously, police say none of the measurements taken from Japanese and US technical manuals match this particular item.
According to Tunuki the galvanized metal that caused the blast was not a munition.
He said they normally locate it but it may have been an abandoned demolition charge (which is what a Bangalore torpedo is).
“Currently we are continuing our investigations and have gone to as far as the US to try and confirm where and when this item was manufactured.
“It may have been an improvised device manufactured as far back as World War II (WWII).
“Until we have completed our investigations there is no point in speculating.
“Investigation is ongoing and we are trying to determine the best answer to a difficult question and that takes time,” Tunuki said.
He also said given the number of battles fought in Guadalcanal and the greater Solomon Islands there are a lot of UXOs and sometimes-raw explosives just lying around.
“If you do not know where something has come from, if it looks like it is from WWII and if it has a hidden space then it could contain explosives or energetic material.”
Umi citizens holding the shell money(tafuliae) ready to hand to Teddy and family
A MALAITA woman has called on Solomon Islanders to uphold peace and unity for the good of all as the country enters the festive season and another year.
Ender Rence was speaking during a citizen-led reconciliation that took place at the All Saints Church on the 19th of December 2021.
This was between Neddie Kelly Luito, survivor of an attack that took place after the recent riots, and a non-political group called UMI Citizens. Rence, who represented mothers and children of Malaita and Solomon Islands, strongly condemned the incident that happened to innocent people during the unrest.
“It was total nonsense when people loot, steal, burn, and going around killing another fellow Solomon Islanders in Honiara,” she said.
The incident significantly disturbed our peace, especially for women and children.
“Our peace is disturbed when we cannot go to purchase or sell our produce at the market.
“Our peace is disturbed and absent when we cannot go and fetch water or go to the garden.
“Our peace is disturbed worrying whether or not basic services such as water or electricity will continue to be provided for our needs.
“Whether, our families are safe in their various places of residence or work.
“Whether we are going to have enough food to put on the table or where are we going to get our next meal?
“The uncertainty leaves us insecure and vulnerable.”
Rence highlighted the importance of connection and unity between our various people and provinces.
Ender Rence handing the cash money to Teddie
“We are a country with a very small population. People are connected either through blood, friends, or intermarriage,” she said.
Rence stressed how intermarriage has and continues to connect people from different provinces making us related one way or another.
She gave an example of her aunt Esther Lembu, who is also the aunt of the survivor Neddie Kelly Luito, who is from the Western province.
“We are one family whether related or connected through intermarriage.”
Rence asked the survivor to accept the reconciliation gift and forgive the perpetrator to have lasting peace.
“Satan has blinded us to do bad things but looking unto Jesus, the Alpha and Omega is the only one who will give us true forgiveness and peace as promised in the Bible in Philippians 4:6.
“The Lord Himself told the disciples, ‘Peace I leave with you: My peace I give you. I do not give you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid”. (John 14:27).
“Peace Jesus gives us through forgiveness by his blood will sustain us in the tumultuous times ahead!”
Rence thanked organisers of Umi citizens for giving her the opportunity and the Chief Rence Sore and family rep of Teddy for accepting the “Say sorry” ceremony.
The ceremony ended with Umi Citizen giving a shell money (tafuliae) and $500 cash as part of Malaita say sorry Culture to Neddie and his relatives)
Everyone has a goal in life and that is to live a good life without anxiety or misery.
However, the requirement to live a good life comes with greater challenges that one has to overcome physically, mentally and spiritually.
Each step we make decides our fate for the better or worse, as such decision making through critical thinking is paramount in every ways of life.
This is a story of John Hutton – an expat who tried his luck doing business in Solomon Islands.
Hutton is a professional canoe (boat) builder from New Zealand but had lived in Australia.
He is currently in Gizo looking after his business while assisting locals with employment and training.
I met Hutton last week and had a brief conversation. This week Hutton approached me again after he read the article I wrote about Danny Kennedy and his business, Dive Gizo. He (Hutton) asked me to write another feature story about his business journey in Solomon Islands.
Right! Enough of promoting myself, let’s go back to the article.
Hutton’s business was first established in 1991 on Choiseul Province where he started off by manufacturing water tanks, esky and boat repair.
Sales were not as expected but the operation went on for five years before he moved to Honiara.
“Market was the huge issue for my business as the location was remote,” Hutton said.
Around 1997 he established a manufacturing site at JBM, east of Honiara – still manufacturing water tanks, boat repair at the same time slowly manufacturing new boat.
As his business picked up and the future looked bright, the ethnic tension broke out.
“I sent my family back to Australia and I moved to Gizo with few things I managed to gather. I lost important manufacturing tools worth thousands of dollars during the tension. I regret losing my things but that is life, at one stage in life we will lost everything,” Hutton said.
The year that followed, he went back to Australia while monitoring the situation in the country. In Australia, Hutton went for further training in Boat Building and other trainings related to sea transport.
John Hutton and his staff doing a final touch to the ready that is ready to be handed over to WPG Lands Department
Equipped with the required knowledge, he returned to the Solomon Islands in 2008, and went straight to Gizo and re-establishing his business, now called the Gizo Marine Services Limited.
“I started my business again. Let’s put it this way, I started this business with zero, I had to go back to the beginning.
“I started with building water tanks and also repairing canoes (boats). Business was terribly slow. Back then I had only two staff and we managed to produce four to five canoes per year,” he said.
Hutton recalled that in 2013 his business slowly picked up and he managed to make substantial sales and in return he employed 13 local staff. He is not only providing employment to his staff but also training on boat building and other required knowledge within the industry.
100hrp Engine on a boat that is manufactured by Gizo Marine Service. Hutton and his boys are still working on the fittings
“I trained people who want to become boat builder free of charge, knowing that these people will make a living and support themselves and their families from the knowledge I gave.
“Life will be full of fun if we help each other stand up on their feet and not suppress people for their ignorance,” he said.
Business was escalating for Hutton that the Gizo Marine Service broadened its productions with encouraging market in all its products.
But that does not stop him from trying to be innovative.
“I put more money on research and development, now focusing on building seaworthy canoes.
“My research proved me correct and now we can manufacture high-tech build-in safety features in all the boats to guarantee customers’ safety at sea so as the values of customers hard earn money.
“Gizo Marine Service products, especially boats are known for their strength and safety features unlike other manufacturing companies.
Gizo Marine Service product floating at PT109
“Our boats are suitable for fishermen and the transport industry, especially tourism operators because of their conformity.
“Quality control is paramount, nothing goes out our doors unless we are hundred percent sure the product is ready and our customers are satisfied.
“We also do back up services for free when customers are not happy with our products.
“Absolute value of money is what we are trying to do and without a doubt we are the most qualified boat builders in the country, check our product for proof,” Hutton said.
He said three from Isabel Province, five customers from Honiara, one customer from Makira, more than five customers from Western Province have bought Gizo Marine Service’s manufactured boats and they are happy with the results.
Hutton adds that Gizo Marine Service has exported two so far and hoping to export more when the pandemic is back to normal.
He said his operation has been slowing down due to COVID-19.
Hutton said the increase in material parts so as border restriction have put his business at an awkward situation.
“All our materials are imported overseas and now we have few materials to continue with operations.
Two highpowered boat
“COVID-19 has helped me and my team to think smatter and plan better,” he said.
Hutton started building boats, tanks and other relative products since he was 17.
Now at 63 years of age, he still good at what he does.
“As far I remember, I’m in this business for over 46 years and I still love my job. It’s a passion that I can’t go from and I’m trying to be innovative based on my customer’s recommendations.
“We currently manufacturing a fast craft (100hp) boat. The project is called a Demonstration model boat with hydraulic steering fitting and other features that customers will love,” he said.
Soon to be WPG Land transport. Manufactured by Gizo Marine Service at Gizo
Hutton said his business has manufactured and sold over 69 boats over the past nine years, all of which comes back with welcoming comments.
He said the Barracuda 23 brand is the boat to own with a cost around SBD69, 000.00 and orders can be made directly to Gizo Marine Service.
Hutton said Gizo Marine Service is keen to sell products outside of Western Province.
Hutton’s resilience is a good example for other small business operators who want to make a living out from their expertise.
After my interview with Hutton, I realised that hard work and commitment are two important component of success.
Maneke MP for North Guadalcanal hands over the vehicle keys to Chairman of Ulukolu Corporative Association
BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO
ULUKOLU Corporative Society for the first time received a vehicle for transportation funded by the People’s Republic of China through the North Guadalcanal Constituency.
The vehicle gifted to Ulukolu Corporative is worth more than $370,000.
Speaking at the handover ceremony Member of Parliament for North Guadalcanal Constituency Samson Maneka confirmed that this vehicle is for transportation for people and also commodities so people in communities can be able to sell their local produce to earn a living.
“With this, I urged you to please take good care of this vehicle and respect leaders that are given authority to look after it,” Maneka said.
Blessing of the vehicle
In response managing director of the Ulukolu Corporative Society Felix Garimane said he believes the Ulukolu Association knows what is best for its people.
“We have no doubt that Ulukolu association can run this project successfully that is my strong declaration promised through faithful and honest leaders. Eyes of the constituency are upon Ulukolu today I wish the constituency a prosperous peaceful future,” Garimane said.
Chairman of Ulukolu Association Casper Kanai on the same note thanked Maneka for the gift and promised they would take good care of it and use it for its rightful purpose.
On the same event a women representative Madalyn Limola said the handover of this vehicle will now address the long standing needs for women vendors in terms of transporting their commodities for sell at the Honiara Central Market.
Sam Toba adds this is an early Christmas gift for the 11 communities that formed the Ulukolu Corporative Society.
The handing ceremony was held on December 22, 2021.
WILLIE Tuhagenga, the premier of Renbel Province who was ousted in a controversial motion of no confidence last week, insists he is still the legitimate holder of the position.
Members of the Renbel Provincial Assembly elected Japhet Tuhanuku as the new premier during a meeting on 20 December 202, at Moreno Rest House on Rennel.
But Tuhagenga told the Island Sun the meeting was illegal because the Provincial Speaker breached standing order 62 when he issued a notice for the meeting.
Under Standing Order 62, the Speaker may adjourn commencement day of date of the meeting after consultation with the premier where unforeseen circumstances make it impracticable or impossible to proceed as scheduled.
Furthermore, Tuhagenga argued any call for assembly meeting is vested on the power of the premier and not the speaker.
“In fact, I’ve advised the speaker to schedule the assembly meeting on 6 December, however due to logistic and funding issues, the proposed meeting date was deferred to January 2022,” Tuhagenga said.
“But when I announced the date on 6 December, the non-executive requested for a special assembly meeting on 20 December with the main business being a motion of no-confidence in the premier,” he added.
According to the notice issued on 10 December the Speaker calls to convene the meeting on 20 December under Standing Order 58.
Tuhagega said the same notice was issued to him on 14 December, which means there is no clear seven days from the date of service of the notice.
He questioned the validity of issuing and approving the date.
“This is an assembly meeting and I should be consulted prior within clear seven days.
“It ought to be made clear that I have no intention to defer the assembly meeting as there are certain requirements that must be fulfilled before the meeting can proceed.”
Tuhagenga said he’s taking the matter to court so that it can be sorted out.
He said there will be negative implications on the province if this issue is not sorted.
Tuhagenga said this so-called change of leadership through illegal means will set a bad precedence for the province and will affect its development and progress.
The province’s Speaker could not be reached for comments.
Comments are also being sought from the Ministry of Provincial Government and Institutional Strengthening.
A recent mining exploration on Isabel Province. Photo by Axiom Mining Solomon Islands.
By EDDIE OSIFELO
THE landowning tribes on tenement D in Bugotu, Isabel Province, have refused to sign the Surface Access Agreement with Solomon Islands Resources Company Limited to carry out nickel prospecting on their land.
This was after Director of SIRCL, Charles Meke said SIRCL has signed a Surface Access Agreement with landowners of Tenement D and Tenement E after number of consultations were held with them.
SIRCL also held a Prospecting License over Suma tenement after it signed SAA with the landowners.
Hong Kong based New Origin owned SIRCL and New Asia, however it sold it to another Hong Kong company, Hangzhou Gowin Mineral Product Ltd.
As such Hangzhou Gowen Mineral Product automatically owns SIRCL and operator, New Asia after it bought the 100 percent shares from New Origin.
One of the landowners of Tenement D, Jay Fraction said the first original SIRC had given 6 months to negotiate its SAA with Tenement land owners, but was unsuccessful.
Fraction said later SIRC Management sold off their companies’ shares to Hangzhou that also owns the controversial Win Win Mining Investment company currently operating at Turarana in Central Guadalcanal at Turarana that has a bad reputation been outlined in media.
He said the SIRC Hangzhou took over, however reapplied for another three-month extension on its Letter of intent.
“The mineral Board rejected the application for the extension because the land owners of tenement D does not want or even supported SIRC.
“There was no public meeting held on villages or even to call for land owners to meet, none of this requirement was done,” he said.
Fraction said most of the landowners of Tenement D do not support new administration of SIRCL and do not want to sign the SAA.
He said few landowners on tenement D signed with the former SIRC during the past Letter of Intent , but the land trustee refused to sign SAA with the new administration of SIRCL.
Furthermore, Fraction said landowners were also surprise that even the SIRCL Letter of Intent expired on Friday 17th December 2021, the company still insists and forced land owners to sign their SAA.
He said the SIRC still continue to contact the landowner to sign the SAA on Monday 20th December.
Fraction said this is a clear corrupt company which the Ministry of Mines officers’ officer should aware of such unlawful and un procedural process and should had been inform the company reps regarding it.
“Due to such attitude we landowners don’t have confident on the authority supervising such programs.
“Also, the landowner fears that this would result in forgery in land trustee’s signature,” he added.
Fraction said the company must respect their tribes concern , and not individual’s tribe member’s interest.
“We the land trustees and landowners’ owners of tenement D call on the Director of Mines to verify the signatories; with land trustees which had been appointed by our tribes.
“Tenement D land trustees fully aware that most of land trustee and landowners did not sign on SIRC SAA or supported SIRC Company,” he said.
Fraction said the landowners call on the government with responsible Authority to respect the landowners right and their freedom of choice on which company they prefer.
“We all want developments and our economy need to be raised ,but we need genuine investors who understand our culture and also investors who interested in long term development plans not only for the purpose of mining alone,” he added.
Premier of Western Province Christian Burley Mesepitu.
BY BEN BILUA Gizo
PREMIER of Western Province says the disbanding of Area Council is a curse that is haunting the country since the system changed back in the 1990s.
Christian Burley Mesepitu said the establishment of Area councils back in the 1980s was a blessing as it brought the government close to the people.
He said the Area Council was a focal point for rural communities to interact with the national government.
But, Mesepitu said the disbanding of Area Council was a very bad move by the government then as it distance the government and people in the rural areas.
He adds that the disbanding of the Area Council was also questionable it was passed by a mere Cabinet decision as an approach to diminish financial relief sever communities from the formal state apparatus.
“Note that almost 80 to 90 percent of Solomon Islands population live in rural areas whilst the National Government is located in Honiara, so the culling of the area council leaves Provincial Government as the only form of government that is close to the people.
“It is in my view that the closest we can access and link our traditional governance system through the chiefs is to recognise their roles by providing a special position in the area council so that matter and agenda pertaining to traditional governance can be addressed through a formal government system which is the area council, however it was abolished in the 1990s hence it left a vacuum or disconnection of traditional governance representatives in the formal government structure,” Mesepitu said.
Solomon Islands cultural performers have raised the country’s profile a step higher with another electrifying performance at the Solomon Islands National Day celebration at the Dubai Expo 2020 on Tuesday 21 December.
Iare Pan Pipers from Makira Ulawa, two artists from the Kaumakonga contemporary band from Renbel and Solo Artist James Kauhiona from Amamata contemporary band of Malaita Province took center-stage throughout day at the main Expo Pavilion highlighting Solomon Islands ethno music to the world.
Dressed in indigenous costumes, the performers introduced a new hysteria to expo visitors mostly from the Arab world to the country’s indigenous music and dance that resonates our past and present way of island living.
The groups stole crowd attention for half of the day before the formal program was commenced with a flag raising ceremony and official speeches from Chief guest Chief Guest H.E Sultan Mohammed Al Shamsi, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs & International Cooperation for International Development Affairs and Solomon Islands Minister of Commerce, Industries, Labour and Immigration, Hon. Frederick Kologeto.
“I am proud to represent my country at this event and to tell the people that there is a place called Solomon Islands in the world map,” said Kennedy Tekatoha of Renbel Province.
“I am honoured indeed to represent my country and expose my culture to the world,” said Raymond Mainge, a member of the Kaumakonga contemporary band.
With his stunning panpipe sounds blended with guitar, Solo artist James Kauhiona of Are’ Are in Malaita Province was the sensation with his ancestral chants.
“I’m very proud to raise our country’s profile at the international level and to show the world of our cultural diversity which is our strength that other places do not have,” Kauhiona said.
Similarly, Iare pan pipe front man, John Mark Huta expressed pride to show the world the unique sounds that Solomon Islands has.
“We are blessed with the unique sounds that we have and I am very proud to show the world what our country has. If they want to see more they are welcomed to visit our country to explore the many different sounds that we have,” Huta said.
The performers concluded the day at the Solomon Islands Pavilion with a final appearance at a dinner hosted by the SI Pavilion staff attended by members of the Expo Pacific Family including friends from Fiji, Vanuatu, Australia and Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands Community in Dubai.
