ALL frontline workers in Honiara and Guadalcanal will be given their booster doses of COVID-19 vaccines as soon as possible.
This was confirmed by Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare in his latest national address on December 26th Sunday 202.
“All frontliners in Honiara and Guadalcanal province will be given their booster doses of COVID-19 vaccines as soon as possible,” Sogavare said.
He also urged all school-aged children between 12-17 years old and pregnant in Honiara and Guadalcanal Province to go for Pfizer vaccine.
“All school-aged children between 12-17 years old and pregnant women that live in Honiara and G. Province please go for your Pfizer vaccines as soon as possible.
“The Ministry of Health and Ministry of Education will advise on locations for Pfizer vaccines and when they can be accessed.
“For eligible adults that have not yet been vaccinated or not fully vaccinated, please ensure you take your vaccination immediately.
“The Ministry of Health will advise on where people in Honiara and Guadalcanal can access your vaccines.
“Please do not delay. COVID-19 is on the country now,” Sogavare said.
THE Prime Minister has just announced a further two cases of covid-19 at quarantine today.
This after the parents of the 10 year old earlier detected this week for the virus were also tested and found to be positive. The family arrived in the country last week from Fiji.
This brings to four the number of covid cases at quarantine. Another passenger from a flight bringing in participants from the Dubai Expo 2020 was also tested positive.
Prime Minister, Manasseh Sogavare earlier told local media that there is high possibility that the case from Fiji is from the delta strain of the virus and the Dubai case, the omicron which is peaking in parts of the world.
Meanwhile, all close contact of the Covid-19 patient (Dubai) who came through the Brisbane flight have all come back negative. Repeated tests will be carried out.
Altarboys leading the processing of candidates for confirmation and His Lordship, Bishop Peter Houhou and clergies to begin the consecration mass.
BY SAMIE WAIKORI
AUKI
PREMIER of Malaita province, Daniel Suidani congratulates communities of Dala Roman Catholic parish for the effort rendered towards the completion of their newly consecrated church building.
Speaking after the consecration mass on Monday at Dala (South), Suidani says the successful installation of the church building came as a result of the true spirit of partnership.
Premier Daniel Suidani and team who are also part of the ceremony.
He says upon what has been heard on the project, it has been proven that unity is the key virtue portrayed by communities within Dala that led to the competition of the project.
“This is one of the disappearing virtues or qualities within communities in the province which our forefathers of this island had lived and enjoyed,” the premier said.
The newly built and consecrated Dala parish church building.
“Unity comes with collective ideas and working together and when its presence is in the community, the fruit is what we had witnessed in the consecration of this new church building,” he added.
“On that note, I wish to praise the past and present people of Dala for the wonderful church history you have that contributed one way or the other to spread Christianity in the province.
Bishop Peter Houhou apoints a candidate to receive her sacrament of comfirmation.
“Education as one would count under the church history of Dala has contributed or paved way to many elite Malaitans especially within their areas.”
According to Suidani there are people up there who will count on Dala as where they begin or have contributed to their journey of success.
Panpipers entertaining the crowd during consecration of Dala Church on Monday this week.
He says with that Dala is a model, modern community for the province and it can say with visual church infrastructure in place like Dala mission CHS.
Suidani calls on the people of Dala and its parishioners to keep on the working together and live united as one people to face challenges and success together.
Fiona B. Kovingre, the only female solider currently serving with the PNG contingent, cutting the Christmas cake with Ms Tahi, a member of the PNG-SI Association.
PAPUA New Guinea-Solomon Islands Community held their Christmas celebrations on December 18 at Harmock Beach, west of Honiara.
Family, friends and PNG nationals gathered at the venue to mark Christmas along with the PNG soldiers currently serving here.
High Commissioner Moses Kaul welcomed the contingents of special forces.
“I have this special pride to say today is not just an ordinary day, but our PNG Day. We welcome the presence of the PNG contingent for coming here to the Solomon Islands,” Kaul said.
PNG High Commissioner to Solomon Islands Moses Kaul addressing the event.
“This occasion is part of our recognition of you. Although you’re under busy schedule, yet you take this time to come and be part of this program, it’s very special,” he added.
“Evident fact here is because it’s Christmas season, and this occasion is to mark Christmas, it’s time to share, exchange, reflect and unite as one big happy family, so you (PNG Special Forces) you too are family here today.
Defence Advisor Craig Solomon, right, and a member of the PNG community here.
“You are here because your small brother had call on you, that’s why you are here to give a hand.
“You are already here during the time of RAMSI; you are here to reinforce that same duty.
“And to help support stabilize the unrest situation that we have been experiencing for the past following weeks here in Honiara. People and the Government of Solomon Islands are happy to have you here.
“Our deployment here has demanded our colour, representation in the process of engagement that we continue to demonstrate and this has led for us to continue to polish these Melanesian conceptions.
“It’s not that we will interfere with the line of your duty, but it’s that we will support you in any other ways as Papua New Guineans for a good and better outcome.”
Kaul also highlighted the achievements of PNG-SI Association.
Association members and their families during the party.
He said he has taken a personal pride on the association since his tenure at the beginning of this year, witnessing cooperation and dedication.
“Let me take this opportunity to acknowledge whoever who commits your time and effort, it’s your sacrifice, I must acknowledge these things.
“We are Papua New Guineans, it shows our colour, our pride and our way of doing things. We owe these to our hearts.”
Contingent commander Perou N. Dranou in response said their being at the Christmas event feels like they were just in Papua New Guinea.
“I don’t see any difference between PNG and Solomon Islands.
BBQ food being served during the occasion on the beach. Photos by Lynnissha Runa of the PNG High Commission.
“We faced similar problems just recently in Enga, Southern Islands of PNG.
“And I believe through that experience we can bring that understanding to help our Solomon Islands police to stand up strong to face these kinds of issues.
“How you (PNG Community here in Honiara) received us, we feel privilege that we will miss our Christmas away from home, but still we feel as if we are having our Christmas in Port Moresby.
“To whatever reasons that we are here for, we will try our best.
“We assure the PNG-SI Association and the High Commission, we will work enough in our good ways, and we will try our best, together with the other fellow Pacific contingents to help achieve peace, since Solomon Islands wants us to be here a little bit longer to help the RSIPF.
PNG-SI Association members during the Christmas Party at Lela Beach.
‘Our purpose is to give confidence back to the police and the Government of Solomon Islands.”
Fiona B. Kovingre, the only female in the contingent added:
“It’s the first time for me on an overseas mission, but I’m very comfortable among my male counterparts.
“It’s quite challenging for me, working with some of the new people that I don’t work with, but I’m very comfortable now.
“I don’t feel different from them. It’s not a new thing for me. I’ve been in many Police operations out in the highlands and in-country.
Food being served during the Christmas party
“The only thing is that we will be missing our families this Christmas and New Year, but being part of this Christmas program, we already feel at home.”
Francis Peter of the PNG-SI Association acknowledge the presence of everyone present at the event.
More than 500 people attended the event. – Lynissha Runa of PNG High Commission
Bomb that was safely remove to Hells Point for render safe.
Police: keep away from all WWII devices
BY JENNIFER KUSAPA
MEMBERS of the public have been warned to keep away from World War II bombs (Unexploded Ordinances or UXO) because these devices were designed to kill and destroy.
The warning came after one person died and another in critical condition last Friday.
The duo were tampering with a World War II bomb at Hells Point, east of Honiara, when it exploded.
Officer In-charge (OIC) of the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Team of the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) Clifford Tunuki said his advice to the public is to keep away from any WWII devices.
“If anyone sees any bomb or any item that you are suspicious of; call your nearest police station or the free toll line 999,” Tunuki said.
“You are putting you life at great risk if you try to open or play with any WWII bomb,” he added.
He said from the evidence located and gathered at the scene, it indicated that the two men were tampering with the bomb, causing it to explode.
Tunuki said a hammer, screw drivers, hacksaw blades, spade and bush knives found at the scene confirmed this.
Fresh ground excavations using spades were also seen at the site.
Multiple UXOs items were lying around the incident site and others on top of the excavated soil.
He said upon arrival of the EOD team, the victims of the bomb blast were still at the incident site.
St. John Ambulance was alerted and later transported the victims to the National Referral Hospital (NRH).
“The condition of the other casualty is a matter for the health authorities to let us know,” Tunuki said.
“Our condolences to the family and relatives of the deceased for the loss of their loved one.”
“I kindly remind us that bomb is designed for two purposes. They are designed to kill and destroy.
“Always remember that if you suspect an item that may contain something dangerous or you do not know what it is, then call the Police free toll line on phone 999 or call EOD on phone 7495215.”
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.
