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Ship share-holder not privy to details of MOI trip

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
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The MV Solomon Prestige 2 in Ontong Java on its latest trip last week. PHOTO SUPPLIED

By EDDIE OSIFELO

ONE of the directors of Premium Food (SI) Limited that owns MV Solomon Prestige 2 has refused to give full details on who authorized the vessel to travel to Ontong Java last week.

The ship arrived at Luaniau island with the Patrol boat on Thursday 17th February and offloaded cargoes before leaving for Pelau on Monday night this week.

It is expected back in Honiara tomorrow.

Gabriel Victor Titili who holds 30 percent shares in the company said he is not privy to that information but his captain.

He said the vessel will be back on Thursday and things will become clearer after consulting his captain.

Yang Jian Qing, who owns JQY holds 70 percent shares in the company.

However, John Mao, one of the bech de mer agent of a Chinese in Honiara and a person who lives on Luaniau island, said the ship offloaded cargoes belonging to many local agents on the island.

Mao believed the Chinese in Honiara chartered the ship to Ontong Java.

He said his Chinese boss could not send cargoes on the ship due to internal politics with other Chinese business people.

Opposition Leader Matthew Wale understands that Secretary to Prime Minister Dr Jimmy Rodgers and Police Commissioner Mostyn Mangau both confirmed in a talkback show on Sunday that Prestige 2 travelled to Ontong Java without any authorization.

“So the question is if the SPM and the Police Commissioner have confirmed that the ship was not exempted to travel to Ontong Java then who gave the authorization for it to travel? Obviously, the ship should have not travelled unless authorization came from someone in a much higher authority than the Police Commissioner’s Office,” Wale said.

The Opposition Leader said reports that the ship was transporting cargoes for foreign beche-demer buyers in Ontong Java must also be thoroughly investigated.

Wale said the Police Commissioner must urgently investigate this matter and prosecute those involved.

Island Sun sent an email to Police Media but is still to receive any response to date.

Disregard for covid-19 safety rules rife in Auki

Written by
Samie Waikori
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Auki town.

BY SAMIE WAIKORI

Auki

The general disregard for covid-19 safety measures in Auki is irking authorities.

Chairman of Malaita’s disaster operations committee, Charles Koto voiced this to Island Sun yesterday.

He said the continued behavior of many in Auki public is putting everyone at risk, such as going out in public without face mask, standing or sitting close to other people, disregarding the two-metre distance law.

Koto reminds public that these careless attitudes will only encourage further spread of the virus in the province.

He said recently PDOC reopened Auki betel nut market and scaled up activity for Auki main market under schedule considering people’s need to support their livelihood.

Koto said the markets were opened under very strict conditions and people were tasked to enforce covid-19 measures, however it appears they are not.

He said not only the markets, but there are other services in Auki like public transports need to step up on application of the measures.

Koto said PDOC continues to monitor situation in Auki especially public movement and other activities and will advise public on developments ahead.

He called on residents in Auki and its surrounding communities to take up responsibility in this covid-19 campaign to protect each and everyone from the virus.

Koto said PDOC through EOC will continue to work with people in the province as face with transmission in the province.

Two Shortland communities face lock- down

Written by
Ben Bilua
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Patrol boat patrolling in the Shortland Islands.

BY BEN BILUA
Gizo

TWO communities in Shortland Islands will be on lockdown as of Thursday 24 (this week) following reports of community transmission.

Chairperson of Western Provincial Disaster Operation Committee, Jeffrey Wickham said Toumua village has registered five cases but fearing further transmission, WPDOC also considered Samanego village as the second community to be locked down.

In an interview with Island Sun Gizo, he said the decision was made to stop people’s movement while the Western provincial health team finds ways to reach the communities for swabbing.

Wickham stressed that there is a high possibility that the number of positives has escalated due to lack of tools to carry out testing.

“So, the lockdown will begin this Thursday and ends on Monday next week. However, lifting of this lockdown depends on the situation on the ground. We will extend the lockdown period when it’s needed,” he said.

Wickham said his committee is yet to determine the source of the cases.

He said health officials are working around the clock to pinpoint the source so that further mitigation will be made.

Wickham calls on people of these communities concerned to take extra precaution while follow COVID-19 safety protocols.

App to easily access SI law will be online in June

Written by
Jennifer Kusapa
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Attorney General John Muria Jnr

BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

THE Attorney General’s Chamber in collaboration with the Solomon Islands Justice Program are currently working on finalising an App to allow ordinary Solomon Islanders access the laws of this country on their mobile phones.

Attorney General John Muria Jnr revealed that the App is called the Law blo Iumi App and it is anticipated that the App will be online before June this year.

“Although our laws are available online on Paclii, the Law blo Iumi App aims to ensure further ease of access to our laws”, AG Muria said.

He said the App would allow ordinary Solomon Islanders to have access to our laws through an App that can be downloaded on to their phones.

PM: November riots cost $700m

Written by
Jennifer Kusapa
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Fire officers trying to put off fire at the kukum area during the riot. PHOTO: Mavis N Podokolo

BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

PRIME Minister Manasseh Sogavare says last year’s November riots has cost $700million.

He adds that it will cost more to rebuild.

In his recent national address Mr Sogavare said the social and economic impacts of this unfortunate and shameful event will continue to be felt throughout 2022.

PM Sogavare said the pain and suffering of the recent riots and looting are still fresh but yet these businesses put our people first before themselves. 

“This is a testament that there are good people out there who cares deeply for the welfare and well-being of our people and country, despite their own hardship. For that, I wish to thank you from the bottom of my heart,” he said.

He stressed that businesses that were built over the years through hard work were razed to the ground in a matter of minutes and hours.

“Yet when Honiara experienced the outbreak of community transmission and lock downs, it was these businesses assist people in Honiara with food and the necessary logistics to feed the people.

“They were quick to forgive and responded to the needs in such situation,” the prime minister said.

Sogavare highlighted the November riot and looting was the biggest man-made disaster ever to hit the country and it subsequently delayed the passage of the 2022 budget as well.

“The last few months have been the most challenging since the civil unrest we experienced some 21 years ago. On 24th November 2021, an attempted coup was made when certain people attempted to breach Parliament to force me to resign and topple a democratically elected government,” Sogavare said.

“And so, when this did not succeed, they took to the streets and looted our beloved city. Businesses were burnt to the ground for no reason at all, leaving more than 1000 people without jobs.

“These people had people who also depend on them.”

Fair Glory given permit to sail to Western Province

Written by
Ben Bilua
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BY BEN BILUA
Gizo

MV Fair Glory has been given the greenlight to sail to Western Province on the 28th of this month.

Chairperson of Western Provincial Disaster Operation Committee confirmed this to Island Sun Gizo in an interview yesterday.

Jeffery Wickham said stranded passengers bound for Western Province will board the ship after fulfilling COVID-19 Safety Travel requirements.

He said a special committee has been established to facilitate bookings and other requirement before the 28th.

Wickham adds that WPDOC and Western Provincial Government have identified three ports for the passengers to disembark.

He said ports of call are Seghe, Noro and Gizo.

“We have our reasons prior to making this decision. First, these three places have health facilities to carry out swabbing on incoming passengers before they went for home quarantine/home isolation.

“Second, these places seems to be the centers of different parts of Western Province.

“And third, we don’t want to expose our communities to get the virus,” Wickham said.

He said health officials so as police officers will be present at different ports to manage people’s movement.

Wickham said people who are stranded in Western Province can board ship on its return.

He said there are procedures put in place in order to obtain a pass to board the ship on its return.

“Any passenger who wish to travel to Honiara must contact the ship owner and WPDOC for arrangement,” Wickham explained.

He said arrangement begins now and passengers must take the opportunity to obtain their pass before travelling date.

PDOC discusses cemetery for Auki

Written by
Samie Waikori
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BY SAMIE WAIKORI

AUKI

PROVINCIAL Disaster Operation Committee (PDOC) Malaita has recently discussed a proposal towards a cemetery for Auki town.

This is in preparation for the current covid-19 transmission in Auki town and Malaita province.

Chairman of PDOC, Inspector Charles Eddie Koto told this paper that they discussed the matter and forwarded it to Lands office in Auki to locate a potential land for the cemetery.

He said this is where discussion had reached and they are liaising with the provincial lands office for advice on the matter.

Koto who is also PPC for Malaita said the proposal becomes an integral component of the current covid-19 preparation for any uncertainty.

He said “this is our discussion on the matter, and we are behind it.

“But for now, we will continue to send covid-19 related deaths to families and relatives for burial at their home villages in the province,” Koto said.

He said PDOC through Emergency Operation Centre for covid-19 at Kilu’ufi hospital and MPG are also discussion and working on number of areas to deal with transmission in the province.

Koto said they will continue to liaise with responsible national authorities and the public of Malaita province as the situation is taking its toll.

Shipping restrictions delays covid centre in Auki

Written by
Samie Waikori
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0
Auki provincial town of Malaita.

BY SAMIE WAIKORI

Auki

The work on Auki’s covid-19 centre at Aligegeo school is facing delays due to restrictions on ships from Honiara to the provinces.

Chairman of Malaita’s Disaster operations committee (PDOC) Mr Charles Koto however updates that work is nearing completion.

He said work is on renovating facilities within the school include girl’s and boy’s dormitory and the school chapel that will use for the operation.

Koto said work should complete this week, but lack of materials due to non-arrival of ships from Honiara to Auki will delay the completion of the work to next week

He said as long as the work is complete, covid-18 operation at Kilu’ufi hospital and general outpatient will relocate to Aligegeo School.

This paper understands that since the outbreak in Auki, cases have been isolated at their homes, motels and very limited cases at Kilu’ufi isolation centre.

The completion of the new covid-19 centre at Aligegeo School will provide a designated isolation centre for the province especially Auki town.

Gizo, Noro & Munda lockdowns postponed

Written by
Ben Bilua
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Gizo market

BY BEN BILUA
Gizo

WESTERN Provincial Disaster Operation Committee has postponed the proposed lockdown for Gizo, Noro and Munda.

Chairperson of WPDOC, Jeffrey Wickham said the decision was based on two reasons; first, the outbreak in Shortland Islands and second – lack of manpower.

He said WPDOC’s focus at the moment is on Shortlands as the risk of further transmission is high, so as lack of proper health facilities to care for sick patients will be devastating for peoples.

“It is sad that we have very limited manpower. Our frontline workers have been stretched to their limits but we acknowledged their sacrifices.

“Now, I want to explain why we postpone lockdowns for Gizo, Noro and Munda. Ok, as we know we have very limited man power so we look for the most needed zone for the lockdown – at the moment two communities in Shortland is at high risk so we decided to enforce lockdown for these communities.

“This will enable our front line workers to carry out swabbing and contact tracing. The purpose of lockdown is for swabbing and contact tracing, so, there is no point of a lockdown on Gizo, Munda, Noro and Shortland because our very limited number of frontline workers.

“We will focus on one zone first before moving on to other zones. In doing so we provides our health teams with space and time to do their job,” Wickham explained.

He said new dates for Gizo, Noro and Munda lockdown will be made known any time next week.

Medical supplies to South Guadalcanal

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
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0
MP for South Guadalcanal, Rollence Seleso with the consignment of medicine.

By EDDIE OSIFELO

FIVE clinics on the remote South Guadalcanal have been boosted with basic medical supplies like panadol, amoxilin and others over the weekend.

They are locating on Mbiti, Koloula, Kuma, Madakatcho and Parinaho.

The donation comes after Madakatcho has recorded three positive cases of covid-19 following swapping carried out by a nurse there.

Member of Parliament for South Guadalcanal, Rollence Seleso travelled to his constituency on Sunday to deliver the consignment of medicine after reports that these clinics have run out of stocks and lack of manpower.

MP for South Guadalcanal, Rollence Seleso drives the boat to his constituency on Sunday.

Seleso said his team had liaised with Guadalcanal Province Provincial Disaster Operation Centre (PDOC) and National Medical Store and the constituency supplemented the payment for the medicines.

He said two main clinics at Kuma and Madakatcha have received oxygen concentrator to deal with any severe cases of Covid-19.

In addition, Seleso used the trip to assess the situation on the ground by talking to the nurses and get their request to work on it.

Seleso said there is a plan in place to set up three teams namely the vaccination, swapping and awareness group.

“We realized many people have not get their vaccination.

Ward member for Diudi in South Guadalcanal with the consignment of medicine.

“However, the nurses have trained at Avuavu and Tangarare to do swapping,” he said.

Seleso said his team identified that the nurses also need PPEs following the three positive cases and ice boxes to preserve the medicines.

He said his constituency needs to be fully stock with medicines because of its remoteness and inconsistent shipping services.

With these basic medical suppliers, Seleso is confident his people can withstand the community outbreak of covid 19.

Prior to that, his people have relied on herbal medicines to heal them from the sickness.

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