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$60M needed for 2023 games sewage facilities

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
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Solomon Water’s General Manager Mr Ian Gooden

By EDDIE OSIFELO

SOLOMON Water needs about $60 million to provide sewages for key games facilities for the Pacific Games in 2023.

Chief Executive Officer, Ian Gooden revealed this during the 2021 Infrastructure Symposium at FFA recently.

Gooden said there are about 10 facilities that will require water and waste water servicing.

He said one is the accommodations and SIFF facility and the National Sports council ground.

“We need funding in the next 12 months,” he added.

Furthermore, Gooden said one of the impacts is the Kukum Highway project.

“We need sewage that will go under the road and from the Ministry of Fishery to Ranadi that is 1.4 kilometers of sewage that needs to be laid under the lane.

“That has not been taken into account and not funded. We are trying to work through that,” he said.

Gooden said they have a large sewage project for Ranadi that worth around $15 million US dollar and that includes deep sea ocean floor.

“Unfortunately, we are not funded for that, the project has been broken into four parts and would cost 20 percent to 35 percent more because we are forced to build in four different parts.

“The plan B is we continue to put raw sewage into the environment and vicinity of the SIFF and National Sports Council ground. That is not accepted to us and take us back to safe water and provisions,” he added.

In addition, Gooden said within their 30 years plan, they intended to build a new water treatment plan at Lunga worth around $50 million.

He said it is not funded and hasn’t started yet.

“We have done all the feasibility work,” he said.

Fake vaccination cards discovered

Written by
Mavis Podokolo
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BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO

AN investigation is being launched after fake vaccination cards were reportedly discovered.

This as the country continues to face a slow vaccination rate.

Secretary to the Prime Minister Dr Jimmie Rodgers confirmed this yesterday at a radio talk back show on the Solomon Islands Broadcasting Corporation.

“It has come to our notice there are vaccination cards that have been faked we are investigating the cards that have been sold to  people and people are actually writing names and putting dates on those cards  and they are fake cards,” Rodgers said.

He said “it is very important that when you have cards it must be a genuine card therefore”.

Rodgers uttered they are now working closely with the Ministry Foreign Affairs and External Trade to ensure the upcoming flight that will leave for New Zealand on this Wednesday night carrying 150 RSE workers on labour mobility must have authentic vaccination card.

“So, with MFAET we have requested to them that we will be checking 150 cards belong to 150 travellers to ensure they are authentic. Only those that hold authentic cards will be allowed to board the flight”.

“Those that have photocopy card will be disqualified to board the flight,” he said.

Rodgers said a call will be made to the 150 people within the next 24 hours for them to bring in their cards to be validated because if any fake card is picked out the whole future of the labour mobility programme to New Zealand might actually be endangered.

“We cannot risk that thing. So the message to anyone that might be holding a fake card please know that is wrong and that is illegal and if get caught you will be prosecuted and whoever supply the fake cards will also be prosecuted,” he said.

8 denied on Fiji-repatriation flight

Written by
Mavis Podokolo
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Solomon Airlines airbus

BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO

OF the 141 people booked to board the recent Fiji repatriation flight, eight people were disqualified from boarding the flight due to strict COVID-19 measures.

According to Dr Jimmie Rodgers Secretary to the Prime Minister ,out of the eight people one did not turn up to do COVID-19 tests so that person was denied the right to fly.

Dr Rodgers stressed that of the seven two daughters of a family of five were tested positive with COVID-19 and so the whole family members were not allowed to board.

He said one student was indeterminate, meaning the persons tests is is not a definite positive nor it is a definite negative, so for safety it is regarded as positive so the person plus the person’s roommate was also denied to board.

“So, that leaves us with eight people unable to come over on the recent Fiji repatriation flight .Which means only 132 passengers boarded the flight on the 29th of October 2021,”Rodgers said.

He reiterated that on that flight 105 adults were all fully vaccinated ,27 children not vaccinated and also of that group of 105, 22 were positive previously fully recovered , tested negative and fully vaccinated.

“So that is to assure the public inside the country that no one came on that flight that  is positive of COVID-19 everyone negative, of course the children cannot be vaccinated but all 27 of them tested negative of COVID-19,” Rodgers said.

He stressed test results of this Fiji-repatriation flight is currently worked on at the Molecular laboratory at the National Referral Hospital.

“We are hoping that results will be all negative but of course the test within 72 hours does not give the status of COVID-19 on the day of the test,” Rodgers said.

Honiara to benefit from Solomon Power $1bn programme

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
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By EDDIE OSIFELO

HONIARA stands to benefit $500 million from Solomon Power five years $1 billion SBD capital programme from 2022-2027.

This is because it has a customer base of 23,000 people.

Solomon Power Chief Executive Officer, Donald Kiriau highlighted this during the 2021 Infrastructure Symposium at FFA recently.

Kiriau said under the programme, Western will get $80 million, Malaita -$80 million and Guadalcanal – $80 million.

He said Isabel will get $70 million.

Kiriau said Choiseul Province, Makira Ulawa, Temotu and Rennell and Bellona will share $40 million each.

He said only Central Islands Province will get $30 million under the programme.

In addition, Kiriau said there is estimate that only 17 percent of our population has access to electricity and only 72 percent of Honiara has access to electricity.

“So, there is an ambitious plan for Solomon Power to bring more of our people to access electricity because as we all know electricity enhances standard of living for everybody.

“On that note, Solomon Power is faced with a lot of issues and challenges particularly in bringing energy to our people. This includes the tyranny of distance, scattered islands and high costs of operations,” he said.

“We note that 40 percent to 50 percent of our costs is fuel.

“For Solomon Power, our key investment plans are guided by the following strategics over the medium term and in turn these are linked to our National Development Strategy, Our National Energy Policy and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Renewable Energy roadmap,” he said.

Kiriau said under these govern policies, Solomon Power aims to ensure 90 percent to 100 percent renewable energy for Honiara by 2030 and an ambitious 100 percent access to electricity by 2050.

“So, with our mid-year term plans 2022-2027, one of our key goals is Strategic initiative is that we realise the importance of diversify our reliable assets into more renewable energy solutions.

“So that is the only way forward that is Tina Hydro, Solar farms and hybrids solutions,” he said.

Furthermore, Kiriau said they have to ensure that their royal customers value their service and particularly a service that is safe and reliable.

“And thirdly an operational excellence model that supports strong performance, delivery and returns to stakeholders, government and the people of Solomon Islands,” he said.

Kiriau wish to thank their development partners such as Australia, World Bank, ADB, New Zealand and others for supporting Solomon Power with its ambitious goal of bringing more people into the greed.

Choiseul to elect new premier today

Written by
Ben Bilua
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Disposed Choiseul Province Premier Watson Qoloni.

BY BEN BILUA
Gizo

CHOISEUL Province will elect a new Premier today following a motion of no confidence against the former last week.

In an interview with Island Sun on Friday, Speaker of Choiseul Province, Greg Sokeni says his office has received nominations for the Premier and Deputy Premier’s position.

He says the election of the Premier and Deputy Premier will be conducted based on the standing orders of Choiseul province followed by swearing in of the officials when time permits as the province is in dire need to proceed with its business.

Sokeni says one of the province’s important business is to appropriate the revised budget.

Western Speaker clarifies political impasse

Written by
Charles Kadamana
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Provincial Assembly Hon Speaker Adrian Sinabule Gina

BY CHARLES KADAMANA

Speaker of Western Province Adrian Gina says he has been fair to both sides of the Assembly when he adjourned the last meeting to November 7 due to lack of quorum.

Despite the November 7 adjournment, 17 provincial members who are challenging Premier David Gina’s leadership on Monday this week held an Assembly meeting following instructions from the Minister of Provincial Government and Institutional Strengthening (MPGIS) Extraordinary Gazette Notice on October 14.

The ministry’s intervention has pushed the political impasse in Western province into the court for judicial review after Premier Gina challenged the order.

Speaker Gina said the bottom line of what actually happen was there were two notices issued to convene the Assembly meeting on 8 July and 28 August but prior to the day of the sitting on 28 August, five members of the executives resigned on 21st of August.

He said because of that he took time to get the position of the ruling government on their situation so he further moved the meeting to 21 September.

He said during that meeting only eight members of the ruling government attended while 18 provincial members boycotted it.

So, he invoked standing order 71 to get a quorum.

Under the standing order 71 it states that when at any time during a sitting (a) the Speaker determines a quorum is not present, (b) a member draws the speaker’s attention to the lack of a quorum the proceeding shall not continue until a quorum is present.

Based on that he adjourned the meeting to November 7.

“They were given the opportunity to debate the decision on the floor of the Assembly on 21st September.

“Right after I adjourned the meeting, they were caught by surprised and in respond they gave one petition and motion of no confidence but I already adjourn it.

“This is where the point of argument started.,” he said.

Gina said if they don’t agree on his decision the only place to sort out their disagreement is in the court.

“I cannot leave this office when these are still hanging on my neck,” he said.

Sharing his view on the litigation, leader of the non-executive group Ramrakha Talasasa said the Assembly is the right place to solve the political impasse and not the court.

He said the litigation will be time consuming and those who will suffer the most are the people of Western Province.

Talasasa said the public of Western Province has been a bystander with lots of questions pending answers.

“Just for public’s information, of course there are opportunities to go to court with these issues but we don’t feel that the court is the right place to address these matters.”

Two MPA join MARA

Written by
Samie Waikori
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Deputy Premier, Hon Glen Waneta between the two newly sworn-in ministers, Hon Simon Ke’ebo (left), Hon Jimmy Daoni (second from right) and Clerk Matthew Maefai (right).

BY SAMIE WAIKORI

Auki

THE MARA government yesterday sworn-in another two MPAs following Wednesday’s failed no-confidence vote in Auki.

Jimmy Daoni was one of the 18 who supported the no-confidence motion filed against Premier Suidani.

He joined the MARA Government on Tuesday.

Simon Ke’ebo was all along a non-executive member, but his name was not amongst the 18 that signed that signed to support the motion.

He also joined MARA on Tuesday.

These two MPAs had been with the non-executive since MARA government was established and this was their first time to be in the government.  

They joined MARA government this week and just after two days on the government side they were sworn-in to take up ministerial portfolios.

Daoni, MPA for Ward 10, was sworn-in as new minister for climate change while Ke’ebo, MPA for Ward 27, is the new minister for southern region.

According to the office of the provincial clerk, the swearing-in ceremony was facilitated by commissioner of oath and witnessed by Deputy Premier Glen Waneta and members of the executive government.

The inclusion and swearing in of the two MPAs has increased number on the MARA side to 16, leaving the non-executive with 17 – a majority of one.

Island Sun was informed that several MPAs on the non-executive will soon join MARA.

SI wants students to pay local fees in Australia

Written by
Press Release
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Solomon Islands High Commissioner to Australia Robert Sisilo

SOLOMON Islands High Commissioner to Australia, Robert Sisilo, strongly believes more students from Solomon Islands and other Pacific countries will study in Australia if they pay the same local fees like Australians and others with permanent residency status.

“Unfortunately, they don’t and instead pay the same tuition fees like other international students which start at around $25,000 (Australian dollars) per year of study,” Sisiol said.

“We currently have 40 students in Australia, 14 are funded by Australia and 26 by the Solomon Islands Government,” he added.

“Many more would be here if only they pay local tuition fees instead of the prohibitively expensive international student fees,” Sisilo told the Canberra Pacific Roundtable of Pacific Nations in Australia with the ACT Government’s Commissioner for International Engagement and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

The Roundtable, held on Wednesday this week, focused on the activities Solomon Islands and other Pacific Island Countries are planning post COVID-19 pandemic and how the ACT Government and the business community can assist moving forward.

It identified climate change and its impact as another activity that deserves serious consideration.

“Australia’s commitment over the weekend to a net-zero 2050 target is a very important step forward and I commend the Prime Minister for taking this to the COP26 UN Climate Change Summit in Glasgow next week.

“But there are some countries that have come up with more ambitious targets for 2030 and I would urge Australia to also do the same,” Sisilo said.

These two key areas, education and climate change, are part of the ACT Government’s international engagement strategy to explore and create opportunities for possible partnership with Solomon Islands and other Pacific Island Countries.

The others are tourism, defense, renewable energy, health and sports.

The Commissioner for International Engagement, a co-host of the Roundtable, was established to reach out and engage internationally to fulfill the 2050 Vision for Canberra “to be recognized as one of the world’s great innovations, creative and art cities while remaining the world’s most livable city”.

The first Roundtable was held in 2019 and this was the second.

No COVID persons on flight

Written by
Press Release
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NO COVID-19 positive persons arrived on board the repatriation flight from Fiji yesterday, the Ministry of Health says.

It was responding to social media rumours that three COVID-positive persons were allowed on the flight.

“These rumours are not true,” a statement the ministry issued said.

“COVID-19 tests were performed on all passengers listed to travel on the flight, results for all returned negative except for three persons. 2 confirmed positive and 1 inconclusive,” it added.

“Two of the positive cases were children of the same family and were not vaccinated as they are below 18 years of age.

“As such the two children together with their family were denied boarding the flight.

“The third case with inconclusive result is a student.

“Inconclusive results are neither positive nor negative and usually in such cases, COVID-19 retesting is done.

“Nevertheless, with the current precautionary measures in place, all inconclusive test results are treated as positive therefore coupled with time constraint in relation to flight scheduled both student and his roommates whom he was in close contact with were also denied boarding the flight.

“Therefore, from the 132 passengers who boarded the flight, none of the them tested positive for COVID-19 as opposed to the rumors.

“107 have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19 with the remaining 25 passengers under the age of 18 years thus not yet eligible for vaccination.

“Nevertheless, all have generated negative test results for COVID-19 which is a key criterion for all incoming travelers and have been practicing COVID-19 key preventative measures days before boarding.”

The ministry said as per the policy of Solomon Islands, no one who is tested positive for COVID can board the flight to Solomon Islands.

“The Ministry maintains enforcing strict repatriation protocol, procedures and standards and therefore any person not adhering or having breached the regulations or did not meet the criteria of the repatriation protocol will not be allowed to board the flights.

“As part of pre-arrival assessments, every person repatriated had to undergo COVID-19 test within 72 hours of intended arrival in Solomon Islands.

“All the people proposed to board this flight were tested for COVID-19 on October 26, 2021.

“Furthermore, as per the regulation, all eligible individual travelling passengers have provided full evidence of completed COVID 19 vaccination before travelling to the country.

“However, despite fully vaccination status all travelling passengers will have to follow the mandatory quarantine and testing regime in place in the country.”

The ministry said it is also aware of the unvaccinated population below 18 years old who are on this flight, but there are already existing mechanism to address such situation.

“The period of quarantine will be determined based on risk assessment which is an ongoing process and will differ for those who are vaccinated and those who are not.

“It has been a long wait for our nationals from Fiji to return.

“Flights from Fiji has been delayed since the Delta variant hit Fiji and our country has then worked tirelessly, ensuring safety of our nationals are of the highest concern.”

The ministry re-iterates plans to open the borders.

“The risk of importation of COVID-19 is always there, so please get vaccinated to protect yourself, your community, and the country.”

Two ministers in Australia for medical attention

Written by
Admin
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MINISTER of Finance and Treasury, Harry Kuma is currently seeking medical attention in Australia.

Kuma travelled to Australia last month after he felt the medical complication in his body.

Sources confirmed MoFT has already issued memos to all line ministries to inform them on the absence of the Finance Minister Kuma.

Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare is currently the Acting Finance Minister and he will likely to table the 2022 Supplementary Appropriation 2022 Budget in the November sitting of Parliament.

In the meantime, Minister of Environment, Climate Change, Disaster Management and Meteorology, Titus Fika is also seeking medical treatment in Brisbane.

A staff in the Ministry confirmed that Minister Fika is still to return home.

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