PM Sogavare and his delegation visiting the noni stall
BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO
THE Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock has launched its 10-year plan for Agriculture Sector Growth Strategy and Investment aimed at capturing the nature of Agriculture investment.
Speaking during the launching and commemoration of the World Food Day, Permanent Secretary for MAL Ethel Francis said this is the first-ever plan launched which will capture the nature of agriculture investment.
“Today (yesterday) we are officially launching our first ever 10-years Agriculture Sector Growth Strategy and Investment Plan 2021-2030.It is the first time we have a longer term plan to capture the nature of agriculture investment in that agriculture it takes time before you fully realise the return of your investment,” Ms Francis said.
Farmers taking part on the parade yesterday
“Our country vision for agriculture sector as presented in this strategy is for our nation to have a “A sustainable, competitive and profitable agriculture sector that enhances economic growth, food sovereignty and prosperity for all Solomon Islanders”. It identifies strategic opportunities and outline ambitious pathways to revitalise the sector,” Francis said.
She said the overall goals are to increase agriculture sector contribution to GDP, increase self-sufficiency through local food supply chains, decreased levels of stunting in children under five years, increased agricultural productivity and value addition , increased profitability for all value chain actors and decreased levels of people living below the poverty line.
Mr Daniel displays with his young helper dressed in copra bag
Jimmy Saelea on behalf of Food Association Organisation (FOA) commended the government through the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock for having accomplished a historic milestone in the development of the 10-year Agriculture Sector Growth Strategy and Investment plan.
“FAO is pleased to have collaborated in this significant achievement with mal and OFAD in putting the plan together.
“This is a significant achievement for the government and MAL and Agriculture sector, more so the country. The agri-food systems in the country will now have a clear plan with which development partners and others may wish to invest. FAO support for plan does not stop here. Already FAO consultants are developing project concept notes and proposals to implement the plan,” Mr Saelea said.
IN the Western Province, climate change has spelt death for many islands, but it has also given birth to one.
Across the jewel seas of the province, there are regretful scenes as small but beautiful islands fall victim to sea level rise caused by climate change.
A report published by Solomon Islands Government Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, Disaster Management and Meteorology on August this year states that, sea level is expected to increase between 0.29 to 1.05 metres by 2100 and will exacerbate coastal erosion and storm surges which already huge problems for low are laying islands.
In some cases, some coastlines may retreat by 30 metres by 2050.
The prediction is based on sea level data from the Honiara tide gauge with records starting from 1981.
A few minutes’ boat drive to the west of Gizo lies a wreckage of Nusa Ivili Island reduced to coral due to sea level rise.
Nusa Ivili was an inhabited Island but its beauty attracted people to frequently visit the island for picnics and leisure activities.
According to Freedom Tozaka, he and his friends last went to the island for a barbeque when returning from Choiseul province back in 2018.
Gizo resident, Freedom Tozaka
“I’m speechless to see how fast this island has sunk underwater. It is sad to see this island gone in a matter of 3 years.
“I was here in 2018 and this Island was full of life,” he said.
Further down, what used to be a ridge connecting Mburuburu islands, Nusa Belama and Sulumania Island has been reduced to sand drowning that one can barely see the landscape underwater.
Some of these small islands belong to Tozaka’s tribe and he said that with them some of their culture and traditional heritage have gone.
Tozaka is from one of the big islands in Western Province called Vella La Vella – few miles from the Islands.
His tribe’s connection to the islands came along way since head hunting days.
“These islands are our lives, we are connected to the islands and what lives within. We are helpless as climate change robbed us without warning. We cannot do much to save these islands,” Tozaka said.
A ridge connecting Mburburu Island, Nusa Belama Island and Sulumania Island reduced to Island due to sea level rise
When he was a child, Tozaka travelled to the island with his parents on a Seagull Engine for a picnic every weekend.
Now at sixty years old, Tozaka said the islands’ landscape has changed.
“These islands are getting smaller in size and there’s not much life within them, unlike in the 80s where we shared these paradise with the seabirds.
Patrick Vilaka, who worked as a boat driver for Western Province Education Authority, shares a similar sentiment saying that close to three small islands have perished recently around Gizo.
There is no official record on the number of disappearing Islands in Western Province. However people like Vilaka who frequently cruising the area have done their own math.
“For me, these islands are my traditional beacons when travelling at sea during bad weather. I used these islands for navigation. Now that they are gone, I find it quite difficult to navigate around these areas when travelling at night or during bad weather,” he said.
Amidst these sad events, there is a bright side of climate change that makes some people smile.
Approximately, 20 kilometres from Gizo, lies Leorava Island which recently came back to life.
Austin Beto, a 75 year-old local residence who live close to Leorava Island said the island was once a dinky little sand rising above the sea level but over the years, the island slowly expanded and in 2009, trees grew and full of life.
Austin Beto
Beto, who lived at Epanga Island in the late-1970s, recalled that his family used to go to Leaorava Island for picnics and fishing in 1990s.
“There was no trees that time but a beautiful beach filled with seabird eggs. Fish was also abundant on the island.
“It is interesting to see what the island has become,” Mr Beto said.
For Vilaka, Leorava Island is a new beacon when travelling eastward from Gizo.
“Leorava Island is like a transit destination for me when travelling from Noro to Gizo. I used to come and rest on the island before going to Gizo,” he said.
Like anywhere in the world, Solomon Islands is vulnerable to climate change.
In his statement during the launching of Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) this year, Minister of Environment, Climate Change, Disaster Management and Meteorology Titus Fika said Solomon Islands takes adaptation as a matter of survival and not just an option.
He said short to medium term adaptation priorities are set out in the country’s National Adaptation Programme of Action.
“Long-term adaptation plans will be captured in new National Adaptation Plan. Relocation of communities in low-lying and artificial islands must be supported now rather than later,” Fika said.
He said Solomon Islands is serious in meeting its mitigation targets as a moral contribution towards the goal of the Paris Agreement and at the same time to call on bigger emitters to drastically and immediately reduce their emissions to keep global temperature rise below 1.5 oC.
With its limited resources, below average support for resilience programs and other climate mitigation and adaptation activities, and a higher-than-average risk of climate-induced disasters, the people of western province are especially vulnerable.
Premier Suidani is carried on a platform as he and his delegation was welcome by Malaitans in Auki .
Second no confidence motion filed against Malaita premier
BY SAMIE WAIKORI
Auki
MALAITA Premier Daniel Suidani is poised to face his second motion of no-confidence within a year when the Provincial Assembly meets towards the end of this month.
Members of the non-executive group filed the no confidence motion with the Office of the Malaita Provincial Assembly Speaker in Auki yesterday.
“I received notice of the motion at 11am today,” Speaker Ronnie Butala told Island Sun yesterday.
“After looking through the content of the notice, I’m satisfied it had met the criteria under standing orders 106 and 107,” he added.
“The notice will take seven clear days (excluding Saturday and Sunday) from the date of submission before it can be tabled in the provincial chamber for MPAs to debate.”
Butala said the motion will be debated on 27 October.
He has not provided contents of the motion.
Following the sacking of his deputy Randall Sifoni and the subsequent resignation of six executive members, Suidani is believed to be running a minority government.
In October last year, Suidani defeated the first no-confidence motion that was tabled against him.
Incompetence, financial mismanagement and abuse of office were some of the reasons given by provincial assembly member David Baerara for bringing the no confidence motion against Suidani last year.
However, when the motion was finally moved it was defeated by 24 votes to nine.
Suidani is an outspoken critic of the national government’s decision last year to switch Solomon Islands’ diplomatic relations from Taiwan to China.
His government’s refusal to allow any aid from Beijing into the province has been a source of friction at both the provincial and the national levels.
The vehicle that was involved in the incident at the Tenaru bridge. PHOTO BENJAMIN AFUGA
BY JENNIFER KUSAPA
THE man charged for causing death to five people at the Tenaru bridge in July this year is facing manslaughter.
Yesterday the Public Prosecution substituted the charges of causing death to five people by reckless and careless driving to that of manslaughter.
Having the initial charges substituted to manslaughter charges the defence is seeking time so that they obtain further instruction from the defendant for a plea on next occasion.
Deputy Chief Magistrate Ricky Iomea then adjourned the case to October 25 for possible plea to be entered.
This is the case of Danny Benson who was arrested and charged in relation to the fatal road accident at the Tenaru Bridge East of Honiara on July 7, 2021 that took the lives of five people.
Police said the man was carelessly driving the vehicle from the Burns Creek area and his way up to Tenaru Bridge, the driver of the land cruiser saw an incoming vehicle on the Bridge and a parked vehicle at the western end of the Bridge, so the driver of the land cruiser decided to drive through the old Tenaru Bridge where a fundraising was happening.
The vehicle drove straight towards the crowd, hit several people and later stopped. The driver of the land cruiser escaped after the accident but was later arrested. It has been confirmed that the suspect was drunk. Some unknown person later burnt down the land cruiser into ashes.
Emy Rusi of the Public Solicitor’s Office appeared in court on behalf of her colleague Henry Kausimae who represents the accused yesterday.
A total of 100,620 doses of Pfizer covid-19 vaccine has been confirmed to arrive in the country on October 29, 2021.
Permanent Secretary for Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS) Pauline McNeil said this over the weekend.
“We are expecting our 100,620 doses of Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine will arrive in the country on the 29th of October 2021,” McNeil said.
McNeil said this is administered through the COVAX facility with the support of UNICEF.
“In preparation for the arrival of the Pfizer vaccine, we have now had the ultra-cold chain the equipment which is positioned and stationed at the National Medical Store,” she said.
McNeil said the equipment has the capacity of minus 70 and minus 80 degree Celsius to store the Pfizer vaccine
“So, we have that installed and positioned lo medical store and we are expecting four smaller versions for that equipment that will be arriving,” she said.
Dr Sarah Habu (far right) of the Ministry of Health with Solomon power staff at the main head office.
COVID-19 threat to our health and lives is indiscriminate, every single person more especially those unvaccinated are at risk of getting very sick, admitted to the hospital and die from COVID-19.
As seen in many other countries including our neighbours Fiji and Papua New Guinea, the devastation of COVID-19 spans far and wide affecting almost all socio and economic sectors of the country.
Therefore, it is only fitting that collective efforts to fight against COVID-19 by every single member of the society and across all sectors.
Last week, the Ministry of Health is pleased to roll out COVID-19 awareness to staff of each department of the country’s electricity power provider, Solomon Power.
This includes corporate division, finance and customer services, regulatory and metering team, transmission, distribution, and generation.
A wonderful opportunity indeed that saw many whom have already taken their vaccines doses attending the sessions to increase their knowledge about the vaccines to spread the message to their families and friends.
MHMS’s Dian Maggie Row presenting to Solomon Power Staff COVID-19 vaccines.
Few who are yet to get their jabs had the opportunity to ask questions to Ministry of Health’s health promotion officers and doctor accompanying the team to ensure that all concerns, doubts, fears and anxiety properly addressed.
Director Health Promotion Adrian Leamana said that health promotion unit engaged to manage risk communication related to the current COVID-19 vaccine roll out is encouraged to see requests from various organizations and institutions for COVID-19 vaccine awareness.
“It was a pleasure indeed for our team to have conducted the session with Solomon Power last week and more importantly that even those who already had their jabs also attended to acquire more information about the vaccines to share with their families and friends,” Leamana said.
“There is significant level of limitations that our teams are facing in pushing these messages right down to the majority of our population at homes and in our most rural and remote communities,” he added.
“Therefore, using family and friends network can be effective and efficient in ensuring these messages trickle down to where it should reach.”
PRIME Minister Manasseh Sogavare says the top-down approach inherited by the Government under the 2021 Policy Redirection will continue to support the overarching twin objectives of the Government.
And that is to keep Solomon Islanders safe from the spread of covid-19 and to maintain our economy afloat and accelerate economic recovery.
Mr Sogavare in his speech during the launch of the 2022 Budget yesterday said the proposed 2022 Budget Strategy Framework is crafted to support the Government’s priority intention and to build a strong resilient economy.
Therefore, he said it is incumbent that the 2022 budget is formulated to achieve the following principles;
Protect our people from the spread of COVID 19. To continue to strengthen our domestic COVID-19 response “firewalls” and ensure all Solomon Islanders are protected from the deadly COVID -9, especially the delta variant.
Support realistic development investments. The government commits to focus on new targeted projects or investments that have already started in 2021 which are expected to yield higher economic returns in the short to medium term.
Streamlining operational costs. Improving the quality of spending through managing critical pressures, removing unproductive areas of wastages and ensuring critical operational expenditures are considered.
Promoting sectoral and stakeholder coordination. Improve planning and implementation of the budget through greater sectoral coordination and collaboration to improve service delivery.
And most importantly, to strengthen macro fiscal stability and discipline and to build back SIG finances.
Sogavare said building on from the 2021 budget, the Government will continue to prioritise the Productive and Resources sectors.
He said these two sectors are major drivers and enablers of economic growth.
“This does not mean that other sectors are not important, they will continue to be supported,” he said.
Under the Productive Sector, Prime Minister Sogavare said the Government is aiming to support infrastructure and communication investments, support food security, create employment and entrepreneurship to empower youth and women.
“We will provide support to value adding projects, encouraging new MSMEs, recapitalization and revitalization of CEMA, support exporters through DBSI and CBSI credit facilities to encourage private sector growth,” he said.
Sogavare said the Government will also support and diversify our export base to increase production of exportable goods and facilitate access to finance through DBSI and CBSI credit facilities to encourage private sector growth.
He said this includes support to land reforms.
Under the Resource Sector, the Prime Minister said the Government aims to build a resilient environment to support socio-economic development, create innovative development models, review and strengthen development frameworks of extractive industries, support strategic development through Public Private Partnership (PPP), and maximize economic benefits from our natural resources.
“Ladies and gentlemen, under the Fundamental Sector, the government aims to address the ongoing development constraints through embarking on structural and institutional reforms across the government including tax reforms, improving good governance reforms and developing robust legislations and policies to drive investment and growth,” he said.
Sogavare said the Government will also prioritise and make commitment to ensure the Solomon Islands National University (SINU) and Provincial Government PCDF program are adequately supported in 2022.
He said this is to ensure the ongoing services and developments in these sectors are supported to strengthen the Government’s commitment to build and strengthen our resilience.
“In these developments, the government encourages strong collaboration and coordination amongst all ministries in terms of planning and implementation of the 2022 budget, to ensure key sectors establish working relationships to address cross-cutting needs through cost sharing arrangements to fast-track implementation of key government priorities,” he said.
Furthermore, the Prime Minister said to advance better partnership and fruitful relation, the Government will also work closely with our development partners during the 2022 Budget preparation to prioritize key Government investments in 2022 and onward.
Solomon Airlines officials, stand with representatives from the Solomon Islands Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Australian High Commission and Strongim Bisnis, to announce the discounts for vaccinated holiday-makers.
Solomon Airlines announced new discounts for vaccinated passengers yesterday.
The holiday discounts are part of the Solomon Islands Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s (SICCI) “Bisnis for Vaccines” campaign, and are supported by the Australian Government initiative, Strongim Bisnis.
The new holiday discounts will apply to ‘Iumi Tugeda Holidays’ packages purchased by any Solomon Islander or Solomon Islands permanent resident who can show proof of their COVID-19 vaccination.
A 20 per cent discount will be applied to bookings of Iumi Tugeda Holidays packages, where all eligible travellers have received their first vaccination during or after 15 October 2021. A 10 per cent discount will apply if only some of those travellers are vaccinated.
In addition, a 10 per cent discount will be given to those Iumi Tugeda Holidays travellers who received their first vaccination before 15 October 2021, or are making their second Iumi Tugeda Holidays booking since the start of the promotion.
Discounted bookings can be made by calling Solomon Airlines on (677) 36362 or emailing [email protected] Proof of a COVID-19 vaccination must be shown when paying.
Solomon Airlines Manager Commercial, Colin Sigimanu said “We are proud supporters of vaccination efforts in our country to protect our communities, and this has not changed with the current COVID-19 pandemic.
“Vaccination is critical to being able to open our national borders to international visitors again, and so that our economy, tourism and international trade can recover.”
“The discounts available through our Iumi Tugeda Holidays program provide an extra incentive to reward those who support this national effort.
“Without this momentum, many businesses, especially in our tourism sector will struggle to survive.
“This latest offer provides a twofold benefit, as we increase support for the Iumi Tugeda Holidays program, we support more local operators and also the momentum towards ensuring their future,” he said.
The announcement of Solomon Airlines discounts coincided with the return of its A320 aircraft.
The aircraft completed an extensive maintenance C-check, which ensures the aircraft is in good operating condition. The announcement also coincided with SICCI’s third ‘Bisnis for Vaccines’ prize draw.
This prize draw is available to all Solomon Islanders and permanent residents who received their first COVID-19 vaccination during or after September 2021.
SICCI’s prize draw was also supported by the Australian Government initiative, Strongim Bisnis. Australian High Commission Acting Counsellor Economic, Alex Stephens said “Australia stands side by side with the Solomon Islands Government in its efforts to execute its vaccination rollout and strengthen its COVID-19 resilience and preparedness.
Supporting SICCI’s ‘Bisnis for Vaccines’ campaign is one of the ways we can contribute towards that goal, while helping Solomon Islands businesses during challenging economic times.”
There are still two remaining Iumi Tugeda Holidays available for vaccinated people to win. To enter, visit SICCI’s Facebook page. The next winner will be drawn on 29 October 2021.
Ms. Sally-Anne Vincent (Acting Australian High Commissioner)
More than 4000 people in seven communities affected by the Tropical Cyclone (TC) Harold in April 2020 will now benefit from a newly restored and constructed water supply system.
Previously, community members had to walk more than 1.5 kilometres to fetch water for cooking, drinking, cleaning and bathing. This support relieves the burden of women, children and carers for people with disabilities who often are the ones collecting water for family use.
Jointly funded by the Australian Government and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), this initiative came at the request of the National Disaster Management Office (NDMO) in the aftermath of TC Harold to support the most affected communities in West Gudalcanal: Vatulovo Savoulu, Visale Community High School, Veuru, Mangakiki, Verahue, Hulavu and Selwyn College- .
Ms. Sally-Anne Vincent (Acting Australian High Commissioner) and Mr. Berdi Berdiyev (UNDP Country Manager) standing in front of a new water tank with COVID-19 stickers at Selwyn College.
Francis Sade, the Guadalcanal Province Premier, received the infrastructure and tools on behalf of the communities and thanked the development partners for this important effort during the project handover ceremony held at Visale on October 13, 2021.
“I would like to appeal to all the 490 households or the 4134 individual beneficiaries to take ownership of all these water supply infrastructures.
“We are grateful to our development partners such as UNDP and the Australian Government for reaching out to us during our most vulnerable moments.
Hon. Francis Sade (Premier of Guadalcanal Provincial Government) turning on a newly constructed water supply at Visale DIVIT community, while the Under Secretary Technical of Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, Disaster Management and Meteorology looked on.
“Thus, the responsibilities of ownership are now on your (communities) shoulders,” said Premier Sade.
Speaking on behalf of the recipient communities, Principal of Selwyn College Fr Davidson Ngwaeramo noted, “our communities are prone to natural hazards such as cyclones, flooding and landslides which damage our water sources. This intervention is a blessing for us, so we must care for the water infrastructures.”
The UNDP’s Disaster Risk Management (DRM) project, which is implemented in partnership with the Ministry of Environment Climate Change and Disaster Management and Meteorology (MECDM) with the financial support from the Australian Government, took on the initiative to work with the Guadalcanal Province and Rural WASH Programme of the Ministry of Health and Medical Service (MHMS) to construct the water supply systems.
Representing the National Disaster Council and the National Disaster Management Office, the Deputy Secretary (Technical), MECDM, Mr Chanel Iroi, expressed his gratitude to the development partners, the Provincial Government, Ministry of Health and Medical Services Rural WASH programme and ADRA for the productive collaboration.
“This project demonstrates the need for Disaster Management and Risk Reduction to utilise the existing arrangements defined by the National Disaster Management Plan 2018,” said Iroi.
As the International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction was observed on the same day, the handover event was a reminder of how climate change can lead to developing countries experiencing even more extreme weather events in the future, which can have a disproportionate effect on vulnerable communities in terms of mortality and damage to critical infrastructure.
Group photo of the key officials and beneficiaries from Vatulovo Savoulu, Visale Community High School, Veuru, Magakiki, Verahue, Hulavu and Selwyn College, who received the much-needed rehabilitated water supply and rainwater catchment systems.
The theme for this year’s International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction highlights the need for deeper international co-operation so developing countries can reduce their disaster risk and disaster losses.
Speaking to this theme, the Acting Australian High Commissioner to Solomon Islands, Ms Sally Anne Vincent, highlighted the need for a stronger cooperation amongst development partners.
“Supporting rural community development is a key priority for Australia, and we are pleased to have been able to support this important work in partnership with the National Government through the MECDM and the NDMO, the Guadalcanal Provincial Administration, UNDP and ADRA,” said Acting High Commissioner Vincent.
She added, “This partnership highlights one of the key themes of disaster risk reduction – enhancing cooperation. It also ensures communities are safer and more resilient.”
Reinforcing the message, UNDP Country Manager, Mr Berdi Berdiyev, commended the strong partnership with the community-based organizations, NGOs and Government institutions at provincial and central levels that was forged during the implementation, noting that “this was a truly joint effort and is a good example of the importance of working together when responding to a disaster.”
UNDP helps countries manage and mitigate disaster risk through preparedness measures and pre-disaster recovery planning and strengthen early warning systems and develop contingency plans and support systems.
Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare and his delegation walk down on the escalator.
By EDDIE OSIFELO
AJ City Mall at Lunga on the east of Honiara has opened its doors to the public yesterday.
The $120 million dollar investment offers offices for rent, gym, food courts, pubs, cinema, clinics and many other more.
Few businesses have already rented spaces in the building.
Speaking on behalf of AJ Enterprise Limited Director Aron Dawen Zheng at the grand opening, Chief Executive Officer, Ellen Inahia Maruarofa said AJ Hall is a dream come true for Zheng.
“Zheng always dreamt of constructing a large and unique building that hosts different businesses and service providers under one roof.
Government Ministers and guests witnessing the opening of the AJ City Mall
“Not only that, but he (Zheng) dream of founding a building that gives a glimpse and taste of the outside world into our community. And in doing so give a face lift the Lunga area,” she said.
“And it is only right because Lunga is the gateway into Honiara City hence the AJ City Mall will hopefully become the first impression of Solomon Islands when our borders open to tourists and visitors from abroad.
Guests and members of the public witness the cutting of ribbon to officially open the building
“Zheng will not erect any fence around AJ City Mall, simply because he wants people to have ownership and respect for the building,” she said.
“Zheng hoping that leaving the building open will influence our people to learn and respect such development which will benefit us all, as Solomon Islanders,” she added.
Some of the invited guests visit inside the AJ City Mall
As such, Zheng is urging other colleagues with businesses in Honiara City and the country, to invest and beautify our country.
“It is true that our primary objective as business owners is profit and to survive in the competitive business environment.
“But lest we forget, we must also give back to the country by making it look more beautiful and transforming this City into a modern one that we can all be proud off,” she said.
Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare, Premier of Guadalcanal, Malanga Chief, Walter Naezon, Willies and Electrics, Chinese Ambassador Li Ming, members of Parliament and other dignitaries have attended the grand opening.
