THE Government has given another lifeline to unvaccinated public servants until the end of January 2022 to get vaccinated.
Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare in his nationwide address on Monday this week said public servants have been given another chance to get vaccinated between November 1st 2021 to 31st January 2022.
This week the Prime Minister also highlighted that as of 1st November 2021, public servants who have chosen not to be vaccinated will no longer attend to their workplaces.
He said they will be put on half pay with no benefits till end of January 2022.
However, he said if they get vaccinated between 1st of November 2021 and end of January 2022, they will return to the workforce.
“I still call on my good public servants and hope that they will reconsider their positions and get their vaccinated like all other public servants,” he said.
However, Prime Minister Sogavare said the government will respect their decision if they wish to remain unvaccinated.
“If they decide to remain unvaccinated by the end of January 2022, they will self-terminate their employment with the public service,” he said.
THE Government has sent a 14-man delegation to the 26th United Nation Climate Change summit (COP26) in Glasgow, United Kingdom, despite the economic impact caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
The delegation comprises of four technical people from Ministry of Environment, Climate Change Disaster Management and Meteorology (MECDM), one from Ministry of Infrastructure Development and one from Ministry of Foreign Affairs and External Trade.
The rest in the delegation are Government accredited members from other regional organisations and youth groups.
Ministry of Environment, Climate Change Disaster Management and Meteorology (MECDM) Permanent Secretary, Dr Melchior Mataki, who is not part of the delegation, said Cabinet has endorsed the trip to COP26.
“We actually have lost out on range of issues because negotiations haven’t taken place in the last two years since the last one was held in Madrid (Spain),” he said.
Dr Mataki said there are critical things that Solomon Islands needs to be part of the multi-lateral process so that our voice is not lost.
He said Solomon Islands is going to raise her voice on 7 key asks through the Small Islands Developing States (SIDS) and Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS) on the negotiation table by end of this week.
Dr Mataki summarises that one of them is to push for the need for ambition.
“We are pressing the global emitters to cut emission down from 1.5 degree Celsius.
He said secondly, Solomon Islands want to have access to the Climate Finance because there are a lot of barriers put into it.
“We are at the frontline of climate change with little historical responsibility.
“So as the rest of the Pacific and SIDS, we must ensure the major emitters take the lead to reduce the emissions,” he said.
Thirdly, Dr Mataki said Solomon Islands want to rule book of the Paris Agreement concludes in this COP26.
He said the Rule Book of the Paris Agreement is outstanding for the last five year.
Dr Mataki said it is important to meet the key goal of United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) to keep temperature below 1.5 degree Celsius.
According to UNCC, the Paris Agreement is a legally binding international treaty on climate change. It was adopted by 196 Parties at COP 21 in Paris, on 12 December 2015 and entered into force on 4 November 2016.
Its goal is to limit global warming to well below 2, preferably to 1.5 degrees Celsius, compared to pre-industrial levels.
To achieve this long-term temperature goal, countries aim to reach global peaking of greenhouse gas emissions as soon as possible to achieve a climate neutral world by mid-century.
The Paris Agreement is a landmark in the multilateral climate change process because, for the first time, a binding agreement brings all nations into a common cause to undertake ambitious efforts to combat climate change and adapt to its effects.
MORE than 50 people including chiefs, elders, school teachers and youths last week gathered at Imagination Island Resort to condemn the killing of primary school girl last month.
The meeting also gave an opportunity for chiefs, elders and youths to strengthen cooperation to assist police find the culprits to face justice.
In a statement to Island Sun Gizo office, chiefs, elders, leaders and the people of Kolombangara Island described the act as “brutal, horrendous and cowardice killing of an innocent child”.
The leaders also condemned the action in a strongest form.
“Chiefs, Elders and leaders came together on the 27th of October to mourn and also to deliberate on how best to deal with the current issue in our cultural and customary practices.
“As leaders and law-abiding citizens of our community, it is time to show strength, quality leadership and maturity in dealing with the murder of this child and also other impacts that have affected our communities and people.
“We condemn the killing, but at this stage cannot direct any blame on one particular grouping as it will be premature to do so while Police are still investigating the case.
“We value the good work of our police, who have been working around the clock to bring the perpetrators to justice and we call for support from individuals, families and community members to come forward with evidences to assist our Police with the case,” the statement said.
It states that a resolution has been agreed upon between relevant Stakeholders to ensure the security and safety of people, especially school children, girls and women are safeguarded at all levels.
One key resolution is organize a cultural and customary rite to the families of the deceased to calm and subdue the current volatile situation, while police continued with their investigations.
“We appreciate words of condolences and condemnations from Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare, Premier of Malaita Province Daniel Suidani, Children Affairs minister Freda Tuki, Gizo-Kolombangara MP Lanelle Tanagada, Mayor City Council, Women’s Group, Churches Groups, Youth groups, and many others who haves shared with us in their words of sympathy and condolences to the family,” the statement said.
Economic Association of Solomon Islands President, Reuben Tovutovu
By EDDIE OSIFELO
ECONOMIC Association of Solomon Islands (EASI) has suggested some solutions to address the local content issues in infrastructures in the country.
This was after a study carried out between 2005-2017 states that about USD$490 million have gone through the country in infrastructure projects.
EASI President, Reuben Tovutovu asked “What are some benefits to the local contents?”
Tovutovu said infrastructure is key to grow the economy.
However, Tovutovu said some of the challenges is capacity issue.
“When you bid for international projects, you are competing with big players in region and world.
“How can you compete with them, some of them have been competing in all the continents,” he added.
“Not only financials but human resources.
“Some machines you need to build road, wharves and bridges cost millions of dollars,” he said.
Tovutovu said the way forward are:
Serious need to identify opportunities to improve procurement practices that can facilitate local content in infrastructure implementation and delivery in the country.
Need to deliver a greater understanding of the costs and benefits from local contents in the implementation of infrastructure in the country.
Infrastructure policy needed a plan on how local content can be rolled out over next 10 years, example, how much percent of all infrastructure projects to be local contents starting with 30 percent in year 1 to 40percent to 50 percent in year 10.
Tovutovu said in the way local constructors will have confidence to invest in new and expensive equipment and machines and hire qualified manpower
He suggested to make it compulsory through policy that by year 10 of the plan, at least 50 percent of the workforce are locals
DEPUTY Commissioner General Dennis Marita has met with officials from Israeli pharmaceutical company CODE PHARMA who have identified the Solomon Islands as one of the Island nations in the South Pacific where they plan to further develop a groundbreaking medical antiviral drug against COVID-19.
Codivir, an innovative new drug from Code Pharma, now appears to have the potential to revolutionise the fight against the Coronavirus.
Code Pharma claimed that in a successful phase 1 clinical trial, the affected patients were back on their feet within 48 hours without side effects.
In welcoming DCG Marita, Alessandro Rosso said that the State of Israel was privileged to have received a representative from the Solomon Islands attending the Expo 2020 Dubai and to further discuss the options of possible cooperation with our Ministry of Health.
DCG Marita responded that whilst the Solomon Islands is considered a Covid free nation, there were still reservations amongst many people of the risks associated with taking the vaccine.
He added that the Solomon Islands would be interested to learn more about this new invention and initiative in fighting this global pandemic that is currently impacting the world today.
“I have also contacted our Expo 2020 Commissioner General, Ambassador Moses Kouni Mose including the Head of COVID 19 Health Task Force team under the Ministry of Health & Medical Services (MHMS) in Solomon Islands, Dr Nemia Bainivalu for their notification in this regard.”
DCG Marita further requested if a virtual meeting could be organized between all stakeholders involved.
The meeting concluded with both parties agreeing to pursue further dialogue in helping to raise more awareness on the proposal presented by CODE PHARMA.
Also in attendance were Assi Alkobi, the Global Business Development Director and Alaa Balal, Economic Director for the Israel Pavilion
CHIEFS, elders and leaders of Kolombangara Island have called on their people to refrain from any unnecessary compensation demands in the wake of the recent killing of a school girl on the island.
The leaders made the statement in advance to remind those who may intend of doing that.
“We must dissociate ourselves from any compensation demands that were outside of our agreed resolution,” they said in a statement.
“Compensation can only be pursued when perpetrators are identified and charged,” they added.
“We cannot stake our demands left and right without legal justification.”
The statement further adds that families and parents who were employed around Kolombangara must share the sadness with the immediate families of the deceased.
“We wish to assure workers and members of the public around Kolombangara and its surrounding communities that as responsible leaders, we will continue to work with Police and other stakeholders to ensure justice is served.
“On the same token, we also appeal to workers from other provinces and islands to respect our children, girls and women.”
CHOISEUL Provincial government has reconciled and ready to move on with the province’s business after the motion and election of new premier.
Speaker of Choiseul Province, Greg Sokeni said a brief reconciliation ceremony occurred after the voting of new premier.
This occurred between the ousted premier and the newly elected Premier, Benjamin Harrison.
He adds that both leaders also exchanged words of encouragement to each other after the declaration of the voting.
Sokeni said the election of new premier and deputy speaker was done peacefully without any disturbance from the public.
“The voting was done through a secret ballot and the results are as follows; we have two candidates for the premier post and the result was 10/6 in favor of Harrison.
“Only one candidate was nominated for the deputy speaker’s post as such the winner was unopposed,” he said.
Sokeni said swearing in of the premier, deputy premier and executive portfolios have been completed on Monday.
He said the next task is to facilitate an Assembly meeting as soon as possible so that the leaders can table the province’s review budget for the remaining months of this year and next year.
Participants and facilitators with kava chips now sun dried on a raised bed after washing and processing demonstration.
THE Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAL) through its Western Province Extension Division has successfully conducted a four-day series of farmer training on piggery and kava for members of the Sirubai Voko Tribe Association (SVTA).
SVTA is a community-based organization in South Vella La Vella Island, Western Province.
Funded by SVTA, the series of trainings ran from 11th-15th October, 2021 at Valapata community with the aim to equip existing and interested pig farmers with knowledge and skills to boost their pig production for improved profitability and also impart them with the right skills and knowledge on kava cultivation practices to guarantee they produce quality kava for local market and overseas export.
Kava roots and chips being cut in required sizes and sorted before sun drying.
The series of training also provided an opportunity for the farmers to share experiences and learn together especially on pig farming and kava production techniques and at the same time able to attained technical recommendations from MAL officers for guaranteed farming improvement.
Senior Livestock Officer for Western Province, Margaret Telemahau said the trainings were very successful with farmer participants acknowledged MAL for the knowledge and skills shared that would certainly support them on ways to improve their pig and kava production.
One of the women group did a presentation during the piggery training.
“The training were conducted in series, like we conducted kava training from 8:00am – 4:30pm during the day while training on piggery we started it off after 4:30pm till late each day,” Telemahau said.
“It was a success and we manage to complete the trainings successfully,” she added.
“Piggery farming has been recognized as one of the profitable undertaking among our rural farmers.
“This enterprise has proven to be one of the most important livelihood alternative.
“Generally, pigs are reared for pork, considering the increasing trend of pork consumers in our country during special occasions.
“Piggery farming will certainly take an industrial form of livelihood in Western Province in the future if piggery farmers around the province (Western province) see the potentials and roles piggery enterprise plays,” Telemahau said.
Demonstration on kava harvesting
Meanwhile, on Kava she said the training was very important to ensure farmers are entrenched with practical capacities to produce quality kava for the local market as well as export market.
“It is an important training because the knowledge and skills acquired will help them to improve and practice proper ways of kava harvesting and processing.
“Kava training involved both theory and practical and farmers have learned a lot from the field demonstrations,” she said.
Telemahau also took the opportunity and congratulated SVTA for being a role model and taking the lead in the initiative to ensure its members organized themselves and trained on practices to boost their farming for improved productivity and profitability.
She also thanked SVTA for its funding support towards the training.
Telemahau added that MAL Extension Division in the Western Province is looking forward to support SVTA with more similar trainings in the future.
Total of 47 participants including men, women and youths who are members of SVTA attended the series of trainings.
Kava roots and chips being cut in required sizes and sorted before sun drying.
Topics covered for the piggery training include; animal welfare; pig and the community; planning piggery project; pig management/ system of pig keeping; disease and parasites; feeding and different breeds of pigs while kava theory and practical sessions include management, harvesting, washing, sorting, cutting and sun drying.
SVTA (Sirubai Voko Tribe Association) consist of family members of the Sirubai Tribe, South Vella La Vella Island.
The association (SCTA) works closely with Community Based Organisations (CBO), NGOs, Government Ministries and communities with the vision towards self-reliant community, fostering good governance, healthy lifestyle, maintaining of food security and natural resources management with the mission strive towards sustainable natural resources management where people are secure in terms of food securities, socio-economic activities and having a healthy life.
THE Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAL) through its Isabel Extension Division has successfully concluded a three-day training on kava pre-processing for farmers from Keregu, Haevo and Buma villages in Isabel Province from 13th-15th October, 2021.
The training was part of the ministry’s (MAL) willpower to impart kava growers in and around the country with necessary knowledge and skills to produce quality kava and ensure farmers meet requirements for overseas market.
It involved both theory and field demonstration activities.
Kava trainer and MAL Extension officer for Isabel Province Casper Manelugu said the training was a success.
“Farmers who attended these demonstration trainings stated their gratitude to the Ministry of agriculture and Livestock for possibly making these training available to their doorstep. It is the first of its kind especially concerning this new introduced crop since it was introduced in the country,” Manelugu said.
He said the training was very important because it equip farmers in and around the country with the same aspect on kava management and its quality assurance to make sure farmer growers meet the requirements and demand for international market.
The three days kava field demonstration training includes; field management; harvesting; sorting; washing; drying; grading and storage.
“It was a successful training and it was obvious that a good number of kava farmers had learnt a lot from these two days field demonstrations and have enjoyed the activities especially during the session such as pruning, harvesting and washing.
“Some of the participating farmers have never access to such pre-processing field demonstration training, therefore they have voiced out their appreciation to MAL for reaching out to them with the practical training,” Manelugu said.
MAL through its Extension Department is anticipating to provide further similar trainings to support farmers within the area in the future.
Manelugu thanked participants for their time and commitment proven during the trainings and also acknowledged MAL management through its Extension Department in Honiara for the continuous support to the Isabel Western Province Extension Division.
Cabinet agrees to decrease period spent in quarantine.
BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO
CABINET has agreed to decrease quarantine period for travellers who wish to enter Solomon Islands by modifying it into three categories according to COVID-19 risk profile of countries, says Dr Jimmie Rodgers.
Dr Rogers Secretary to Prime Minister said this modification is also carried out on quarantine requirements and the pre-departure requirement for travellers.
He stressed this modification was made in three folds.
The first one is whatever changes set in place will still be able to protect our country. Secondly many countries are now reopening their borders and this means quarantine conditions must be made slightly more attractive so that people and investors can come into the country. And thirdly is to commence re-generating the country’s economy so, these three are balanced and are currently focused on.
Rodgers said for the categories initially there are five but now the Over Sight Committee has narrowed it down to three.
“The first category is people traveling from COVID free countries now need to do one pre-departure test within 72 hours of arriving in Honiara and there quarantine period reduced to seven days from the current 14 days mandatory quarantine period,” he said.
Rodgers said when they are in quarantine they will only have one test on day six or seven and if the result returned negative they will be discharged.
“Now if some one is from COVID-free country and comes into the Solomon’s from a moderate risk country that person will be quarantined for 10 days and will have two tests. If that person comes through a high risk country that person on arrival will be quarantined for 14 days and will have three tests. This is what the regulation mentioned,” he said,
In addition Rodgers said for moderate risk countries and now Fiji is part of this there is one pre-departure test required within 72 hours of arrival and then 10 days quarantine after arrival and during the quarantine will be having two tests one within 48 hours day two and last one between day 10 and nine.
“If test results returned negative the person will be discharged. If however the person from a moderate risk country come through a high risk country then the person will be quarantined for 14 days and will have three tests before discharged,” he said.
Rodgers further adds the final group is from high risk countries with high rate of community transmission.
He said they must present two pre-departures tests one between day nine and 11 before departure and one within 72 hours of arrival in Honiara.
He said on arrival they will have 14 days quarantine. Currently this group will go through 21 days quarantine and will have three tests that will take place on day 13 and 14, if tests returned negative they will be discharged on day 14.
“So, the reason for the decrease of quarantine periods is because of the requirement of full vaccination. If travellers are not fully vaccinated they will be denied entry into the country except if they are exempted under the regulations”.
“Very importantly for each of the categories there will be risk assessment done by health and the IC will increase pre-departure requirement or post-arrival requirement depending on the risk.”
“If the risk is picked up before there will be changes to keep the country safe,” he said.
Rodgers said the most important part of the decision by the cabinet is that it is now a mandatory requirement that any one 18 years and above who want to come into the country must be fully vaccinated meaning they can only travel into Solomon Islands after having two doses of vaccine except for Johnson vaccine which is single dose.
And they can only travel four weeks after the final dose, so that is mandatory there is no exception except in very few circumstances that are defined in the regulation.
He echoed the above statements yesterday during the Office of the Prime Minister and Cabinet’s (OPMC) radio talk back show on COVID-19 update on the Solomon Islands Broadcasting Corporation (SIBC) in Honiara
