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222 gov’t workers yet to get their jabs

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A total of 222 public officers have decided not to be vaccinated and the first 54 are now self-terminated under the Government’s No Jab No Job policy.

The first 54 officers have been verified and confirmed by their respective human resource managers following the January 31, 2022 deadline.

Public Service and respective ministries are undergoing verification for the remaining 168 employees.

Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Public Service (MPS) Nego Sisiolo confirmed this situation to the Oversight Committee.

In a statement, Sisiolo said arriving at this decision was a very long and a carefully calculated process.

The MPS has advised public officers in a circular on August 6, 2021 of the “No Jab No Job” policy outlining the rationale behind the policy and the consequences of failing to adhere to the policy.

A second circular reminding officers was issued on September 22, 2021 which provided a grace period to give time for officers to get their vaccines.

The circular further warned officers of the deadline and the consequences is self-termination.

Sisiolo said an advisory will be sent to the Ministry of Finance and Treasury following the verification process to cease the salaries of the remaining 168 officers who are not vaccinated. 

He explained, a number of public officers, because of health or other reasons are given extensions.

MPG cracks down on street vendors in Auki

Written by
Samie Waikori
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BY SAMIE WAIKORI

AUKI

MALAITA province is coming down hard on street vendors and other unlawful activities along the street of Auki town.

The exercise is to ensure businesses are keep at their designated places and also part of enforcing covid-19 measures within the town.

Person in charge of the operation, Mr Jethro Siru said this week they are cracking down on vendors selling betel-nut, cigarette and those playing ludo in the street of Auki.

He said as directed from MPG, they will be monitoring the street of Auki to make sure such activities are to be avoided for a clean Auki town.

Siru also said that these activities are illegal along the street of Auki and has no provision for under the management of Auki town.

He said MARA government has built a betel nut market facility in Auki and there shouldn’t be excuse for people to bring the business onto the street.

Siru said there are designated places for the businesses in Auki town and people should cooperate with MPG and support each other during this trying time.

He said activities pertaining the illegal businesses also pose high risk to the current situation as face with covid-19 transmission in the province.

Siru appealed to vendors for understanding and thanked them for cooperation shown towards the operation this week.

Wale hails gov’t support for Ukraine

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Leader of Opposition Mathew Wale. Picture Supplied

OPPOSITION leader Matthew Wale has thanked the Prime Minister and the Foreign Affairs for supporting the UN resolution to reprimand Russia’s invasion in Ukraine.

The Opposition Leader on Tuesday this week wrote a letter to the Prime Minister encouraging the Government to support the UN resolution.

Wale in his letter asked the Prime Minister to seriously consider condemning the unprovoked invasion of the sovereign nation of Ukraine by Russia.

The Prime Minister in response to the Opposition Leader acknowledged the Opposition’s position and support on the matter.

The Prime Minister in his letter also acknowledged that Solomon Islands has a duty to protect the principles upon which UN stands, which includes the respect for territorial integrity and security interests of members states.

“Thank you Prime Minister and the Foreign Affairs for doing the right thing.

“As a member of the global family, we have made a stand that Solomon Islands must join with the rest of the world to condemn the breaching of the UN Charter by the unjustified actions of a member state on another,” Wale said.

The Opposition Leader said Solomon Islands’ stance is also inline with the UN Charter and its principles to respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of each other.

“I believe our position is also clear that Solomon Islands itself is a sovereign nation and that we should not be influenced or pulled by the nose in making decisions at the international level,” he said.

The United Nations General Assembly on Wednesday this week overwhelmingly voted in favour of the resolution in condemning Russia’s invasion in Ukraine.

In a rare emergency session called by the U.N. Security Council, the resolution was supported by 141 of the assembly’s 193 members, five voted against and 35 abstentions.

Private lands officer’s case moved March 31

Written by
Jennifer Kusapa
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BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

PRINCIPAL Magistrate Felix Hollison has adjourned the case of a Private Land acquisition officer to March 31 for setting of trial date.

Yesterday the case was mentioned via zoom and a pre-trial conference was conducted orally before the court.

Magistrate Hollison said the trial date will be set when the presiding magistrate resumes work in the coming weeks, therefore he adjourned the case for 28 days.

The accused Laury Penrose Palmer of Western Province is charged for with Corrupt Practices, contrary to section 374 (c) of the Penal Code

He was alleged of falsifying land documents when he was appointed as a Land Acquisition Officer (LAO) by the Commissioner of Lands to acquire the customary lands of West Rennell for Mining in February 2015.

Prosecution alleged that Penrose at the capacity of a servant, willfully and with intent to defraud his employer, the Commissioner of lands and produced an acquisition report which contains some false information dated October 2 2014, which to his knowledge is intended to mislead his employer, the Commissioner of lands by claiming that he had posted notices of the acquisition hearing at Labagu, Teabamagu, Tigoa, Matahenua and at Kagua producing Land title documents which claimed to be agreed and signed by Joseph Taupongi.

Prosecution alleged that all the documents produced by the accused was falsified.

The purpose of the acquisition is to allow Asia Pacific Investment & Development Limited (APID) to commence their mining operation.

It is further alleged that during the acquisition process, it is alleged that he appoints, Dictor Maitaki (ward 5), Joseph Taupongi (ward 3) to which he strongly denied, Sylvanias Kaipua (ward 4) and William Tino (ward 6) to be the respective trustees of the West Rennell Customary Land and produced an acquisition report to the Commissioner of Land.

Steward Tonowane of the Public Prosecution’s Office appears for the crown while Whitlam Togamae Law firm is representing the accused.

Passengers undergo five-day quarantine

Written by
Ben Bilua
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Passengers luggage upon arrival at Noro Port on Wednesday

BY BEN BILUA
Gizo

PASSENGERS recently repatriated from Honiara to the Western Province will undergo five days home quarantine.

The home quarantine period is part of Western Provincial Disaster Operation Committee requirement enforced for all passengers.

MV Fair Glory’s repatriation trip was described as successful when police and health officials put out a well-coordinated operation in three ports.

Passengers were swabbed upon arrival while police provided security resulting in no disturbance reported.

MV Fair Glory called in on Seghe, Noro and Gizo ports on Wednesday.

Last group of passenger arrived at Gizo around 7pm on Wednesday.

The ship returned to Honiara departing Gizo yesterday morning with stranded Honiara passengers who have been in Western Province since the outbreak.

Island Sun Gizo understands that Western Province is the first to repatriate its people who were stranded in Honiara.

IDC assures Tatamba communities of removal of MV Estrella

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MV Estrella berthing at Tatamba wharf.

Isabel Development Company (IDC) Managing Director James Habu has assured Tatamba ward and surrounding communities that MV Estrella will be removed from Tatamba wharf once enough fund is available.

MV Estrella has been berthing for over a year after experiencing machinery failure.

This has raised concern to Tatamba ward and surrounding communities of potential environmental impact to coastal area and marine resources.

Not only that it also affected the travelling passengers and other vessels accessing the wharf.

Two concern members from Tatamba ward, Wayne Manutai and Kenneth Oleva who took the initiative to discuss the issue with Mr Habu said it was sad to know the current situation IDC is facing.

Manutai said from their discussions they were informed that IDC is really down on its knees as far as financial strength is concern and that has affected the operation and services of IDC.

Adding more problem is the impact of Covid-19 pandemic felt by everyone.

Manutai said the IDC management also share the same concern to remove the vessel from Tatamba wharf but they could not do much without money.

Mr Habu informed Mr Manutai and Oleva that someone from Tatamba ward have requested the company to move the vessel to anchor at nearby island at Tanabuli but there is no fund to even purchase an anchor.

It was also suggested to move the vessel to Cockatoo Island and again IDC need money to do that.

According to Habu some parts to fix the problem already purchased last year and are still at the Ports Authority waiting for clearance.

He said IDC again need money to clear them and that has delayed the progress of work in maintaining the vessel.

Despite of the financial difficulties Mr Habu assured that once the company have enough money MV Estrella will be removed from the wharf.

He said he will further discuss the matter with his colleague Manager Collin Feitei on the concern raised to him.

Habu said at the stage the company need people who can manage the operation as expected.

He said since he took up office there is small progress been made and hope IDC is still heading towards good recovery.

According to a person who is well aware of the situation of the vessel it needs around $500,000 to put back the vessel up and running again.

Mr Estrella is among five vessels that run by IDC. The other includes MV Arnavon, MV Isabella and MV Ortega and MV Onogou.

MV Isabella is also currently berthing at Cockatoo Island while MV Ortega has been sold to a private business man.

IDC is the longest shipping company in Solomon Islands established in 1971 as a private company. It have 249 shareholders which bunched into 49 trustees monies collected.

Since its establishment: the company have Ligomo 1,2,3,4 ,5, Fern , Isabella , Estrella , Onogou, Ortega , and MV Arnavon .

A total of 11 ships they purchase since then.

It is the vision of the founder Late Willy Betu and Isabel leaders those years that we enjoy it now. 

Parliamentarians should lead by example in rolling out vaccination to communities  

Written by
Mavis Podokolo
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BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO

MEMBERS of Parliament have the duty of care to lead the vaccination roll out programe to their communities.

This was highlighted by Dr Jimmie Rodgers Secretary to the Prime Minister and member of the Oversight Committee in a Press Conference held at Mendana Hotel yesterday.

“The role of Members of parliament is to encourage and took the lead in taking vaccination roll –out programs to their communities. They have the right to assist health teams in terms of logistic support before nurses deployed and actually do vaccination on the ground,” Rodgers said.

He said these Members are the ones that will bring the communities together because they are put into parliament by their community members.

“They have the duty of care to their people to make sure they are leading the chat,” Rodgers said.

He confirmed that there are Members of parliament that are working hard behind the scene to ensure their people are vaccinated.

“I want to thank all the MP within the government and other leaders in leading the chats when it comes to vaccinations,” Rodgers said.

Implementing partners for USAID SCALE A&E visit sites in the province

Written by
Samie Waikori
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Premier Daniel Suidani and USAID SCALE team meeting with communities in East Malaita during their recent trip to the region....Photo supplied

BY SAMIE WAIKORI

AUKI

A team led by premier Daniel Suidani and USAID SCALE A&E (Green Power Technology) recently visited proposed sites for projects in the province.

Suidani who is the chairman of Malaita Province Infrastructure Advisory Committee (MPIAC) joined Green Power Technology staff, Mr Joseph Gesiau and visited Malu’u, Atori and several communities in the Eastern Region of Malaita.

According to a statement from PARU, the team was also accompanied by provincial minister for Eastern Regional Affairs, Preston Billy.

“Following the 12th meeting of the Advisory Committee on the 16th of February, it was identified the need to decentralize some of the infrastructures under the SCALE A&E component to other regions of Malaita.

“This includes Cocoa Solar Dryer facilities and also the coconut crushing mill facilities.

“To facilitate the decentralization approach it agreed that the advisory committee visits the substations with the aim of identifying spaces on provincial land that would accommodate such infrastructures,” it said

The premier and team also visited Manu and Adakoa during the trip.

Also during the trip, Mr Gesiau shared with communities of Adakoa that according to timeline, the infrastructure projects will be tendered soon.

“Currently, Green Power Technology and its partners are on the design stage and after that will be the tendering for the construction of the facilities.

“This is expected to happen soon,” he said.

A report of the trip will prepare to present in the next meeting of the Advisory Committee.

Tribe supports US SCALE Project

Written by
Samie Waikori
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Premier Daniel Suidani and team meeting with landowners of Ha’alau tribal group at Kelakwai village in Central Kwara’ae....Photo supplied

BY SAMIE WAIKORI

Auki

PREMIER of Malaita province, Daniel Suidani recently met with Ha’alau tribal group of Fiu River upon an invitation regarding the proposed USAID SCALE project at Gwaigeo.

The meeting was successfully convened at Kelakwai village where landowners expressed their support towards the development of the project.

In a statement from PARU, the premier met with the Ha’alau tribal group after a request was sent to his office on the planned developments under the USAID SCALE project at Gwaigeo.

The meeting aimed at seeing how the tribal group could be part of the development on their land.

It was a successful meeting where the tribal group expressed their continues support to such development as they have done with other development in the past.

On the same note, Premier Suidani expressed his gratitude towards the group and encourage continue working together with them.

The project is one amongst other livelihood projects proposed under the USAID SCALE program for Malaita province. 

Australia to fund new Telco towers here

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Left to Right: Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Finance and Treasury, McKinnie Dentana; HOTP Ewen Macdonald, Chief Executive Officer, Solomon Telekom Company, Christina Lasaqa, Secretary to the Prime Minister, Dr Jimmie Rodgers, Minister for Communication and Aviation, the Hon. Peter Shanel Agovaka, Australian High Commissioner to Solomon Islands, H.E Dr Lachlan Strahan, Chairman, Solomon Telekom Company Limited, Mr Baoro Laxton Koraua, OurTeleKom Chief Technical Officer, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and External Trade, Collin Beck, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Communication and Aviation, Moses Virivolomo, PS Police, National Security and Correctional Services, Karen Galokale.

Australia will provide grant funding for the installation of six new 3G/4G telecommunications towers across three provinces: four in the Shortland Islands in Western Province, one in Isabel Province, and one in Malaita Province.

This follows a request by the Solomon Islands government to its Australian counterpart for help in this sector to boost it with its covid-19 response efforts.

On March 2, 2022, the Minister for Communication and Aviation, Peter Shanel Agovaka and Australia’s Head of the Office of the Pacific Ewen McDonald exchanged signed copies of a funding arrangement worth SBD37.6 million (AUD6.5 million) for six new telecommunications towers to be built this year, a media statement from the Australian High Commission said.

The support for the towers was requested by the Solomon Islands Government as part of its COVID-19 preparedness and response efforts.

Agovaka said the project aligned with the Government’s National Development Strategy and the National Security Strategy.

“Enabling security, welfare, and connectivity for communities in remote parts of the country especially along the Western border is a key priority of my Ministry.

“We are grateful for Australia’s ongoing support to improving connectivity in Solomon Islands. The support is a testimony to the strong partnership between our two countries in the telecommunications sector that builds on the success of the Coral Sea Cable project to deliver improved internet connectivity to the people of Solomon Islands,” said Agovaka.

The increased 3G/4G internet coverage, particularly across the Shortland Islands, will enable more efficient and effective management of the border with Papua New Guinea. 

Chair, Solomon Telekom Company, Baoro Laxton Koraua, expressed pride at receiving the project on behalf of the people of Solomon Islands.

“These towers are absolute gems for the company and the country and will improve current network coverage across the country,” he said.

Mr McDonald said that the agreement was an example of Australia’s ongoing commitment to improve connectivity especially for people living in the remote parts of Solomon Islands.

“These towers will increase connectivity, which is important not only for the Solomon Islands Government’s ability to respond to humanitarian emergencies and natural disasters, but also for boosting business opportunities for communities along the border, and strengthening health and education outcomes,” said Mr McDonald. 

The towers will utilise Ericsson mobile communications equipment, NEC microwave links and Australian-supplied towers.

The construction package will be fully funded by Australia.

Our Telekom has committed to installing, owning, operating, and maintaining the infrastructure as part of its broader mobile network.

All six towers are expected to be operational by the second half of 2022.

Present at the event were several senior Government officials including Secretary to Prime Minister, Dr Jimmie Rodgers, permanent secretaries for Communication and Aviation Moses Virovolomo, Finance and Treasury, Mckinnie Dentana, Foreign Affairs and External Trade Collin Beck, Police, National Security and Correctional Services Karen Galokale, and CEO, for Solomon Telecom Company Ltd Christina Lasaqa.

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