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Business Excellence Awards is back for 2021

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Press Release
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The 2021 Business Excellence Awards returns on Saturday 20th November at the Coral Sea Resort and Casino hosted by the Solomon Islands Chamber of Commerce & Industry (SICCI).

Solomon Islands’ leading business event, the Business Excellence Awards returns for the 7th time and will take place on Saturday 20th November at the Coral Sea Resort and Casino from 6:00pm.

The Business Excellence Awards (BEA) was initiated by SICCI with the support of the Solomon Islands Government in 2013 and has since been the premier event for Solomon Islands’ business community attracting increased submissions over the years.

The BEA offers the chance to reinforce credibility, pursue new ventures, build profiles and unparalleled networking opportunities. Overall, it is an occasion for celebrating success, sharing stories and inspiring others. 

This year ten (10) businesses and/or individuals will again be honoured at the award ceremony in the following categories:

•             Small Business of the Year Award

•             Medium Business of the Year Award

•             Large Business of the Year Award

•             YESCI Entrepreneur of the Year Award

•             Inclusion & Diversity and Local Diversity

•             Entrepreneur of the Year Award

•             Agri Business of the Year Award

•             Contribution to Sustainable Development and Community Award

•             Innovation & Technology Award

•             Prime Minister’s Business Excellence Award

The awards ceremony gives the perfect platform for business owners to take a fresh look at their operation and have it assessed by experts. A new panel of independent experts will again be selected to judge the awards.

SICCI is pleased to once again be partnering with the Solomon Islands Government to host this event.

The 2021 BEA will have the theme ‘Challenges to Opportunities in a COVID-19 World’.

Chair to SICCI Board, Mr Ricky Fuo’o explains the theme:

“We want to recognise the hard work and effort of local businesses to continue operating despite the situation with the global pandemic. In the midst of this challenge, businesses have shown that they have preserved with opportunities that were also presented.”

The 2021 Business Excellence Awards will seek out businesses including Small Medium Enterprises (SMEs) whose creativity, innovation, capability and strong leadership have helped them achieve success.

In addition to an engaging award ceremony, you can once again expect an evening with inspiring keynote speeches and exciting performances from our local talent.

Nominations are now open (as of Wednesday 13 October 2021) and SICCI is calling on all businesses to enter relevant categories and you will be able to compete for up to two awards.

The Prime Minister’s Business Excellence Award will be the only category your business cannot enter, being a judges’ only decision.

If you have never taken the opportunity to enter your business in this prestigious awards event previously, this is your chance to be recognised on a national scale.

To nominate your business or another outstanding business you know of please contact the SICCI office on 39542 and speak with Simaema Neilsen or email [email protected]  

Applications can also be downloaded from our website www.solomonchamber.com.sb  

Nominations closes on Friday 29 October, 2021.

Tickets to the Business Excellence Awards are on sale now on SBD$8000 per table and SBD$800 per person. Ticket sales will close on Friday 5th November, 2021.

For Media enquiries please contact Philip Lilomo on 39542 or via email at [email protected]  

-SICCI Media

Hovi School plans to have Form-6 by 2025

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
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Gao Bugotu CPO Francis, Hovi Adventist Secondary Principal, Forest, MP Manetoali and MRD Agnes Tanihorara ready to cut the ribbon for the opening of the new classroom.

By EDDIE OSIFELO

HOVI Adventist Secondary and Primary school in Gao Bugotu, Isabel Province aspires to reach Form 6 by 2025.

This year, Seventh Day Adventist (SDA) run school registered Form one and Form two.

Principal Gilbert Fores said Hovi Secondary school is likened to a new born baby forced to be born last year and probably because of underweight it had 50/50 chance to survive thus it underwent nursery as it were with basic necessities, which are of course the classroom, the staff house and the resources.

Students of Hovi Adventist singing the national anthem.

He said with exception of present dormitories and ablutions, these are not directly funded.

Further to that, Principal Fores said the school thanked Ministry of Education, SDA education authority and Isabel Province education for their efforts to register Form 1 and Form 2 this year.

“We are getting on well although still crawling and malnourished with resources, but the young girl is growing and will grow beautifully,” he said.

“Before you, are our students, they are so important to us, they are what we here for, it is for them that we sacrifice our money, time, skill and possession.”

MP Manetoali, Agnes Tanihorara, CPO Francis and Principal Fores with the new generator and printing machine.

A total of 80 students have enrolled, with 44 in Form 1 and 36 in Form 2.

Principal Fores said it is more than what one stream classroom requires, and let alone one dormitory requires as well.

“However, that is not their problem, that is our problem and challenge.

“And requires us to say ‘let’s do something’,” he said.

Fores said the school wants also to thank the communities, teachers and students for their tremendous support in the development of the school so far and what they see today are the hands of all of them put together.

Hovi Adventist Principal Gilbert Fores and MP for Gao Bugotu Samuel Manetoali.

He said the school vision is ‘transforming lives into a new person’.

The school motto is “Everything with God”.

Fores said part and partial of their student learning that this school practically uphold are both the academic and discipline, academic, student acquire knowledge.

“Discipline, shaping student lives to be a better boys and girls, they are left and right hand of true education.

“So over time we reduce from 80 to 60 serious student who put education a priority,” he said.

Hovi Adventist Secondary and Primary school opens new classroom.

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
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The new extension classroom funded under the project.

By EDDIE OSIFELO

Students and staff of Hovi Adventist Secondary and Primary school in Gao Bugotu, Isabel Province have witnessed some tangible development in their small campus.

This after their Member of Parliament, Samuel Manetoali and some individuals have assisted the school to complete an extension of a class room for form one to form 3, one staff house, one generator and printer and photo copy machine.

Speaking at the handing over on Wednesday, Principal, Gilbert Fores said “what you see physically as far as school facilities is concern to provide a conducive learning environment for our students are contributions of many heart giving individuals, groups and communities.”

Hovi Adventist Secondary principal, Gilbert Fores speaking at the ceremony.

“Today we applaud with thanks to Honourable Manetoali, for his major contribution in donating to the school 90 iron sheets, 8 bags of nails, 6 rolls of sessilation, 6 roll chicken net, cements, that house the classroom of form one to form 3 as well facilitating its timbers for it structure also roof of one staff house, one generator which lighten the classroom especially for their prepertories (study) and one dual purpose machine (printer&photo copy machine for the school),” he said.

Fores said their priority needs that are lining up are dormitories, school chapel, classroom (Science, Home Economics/Technology) and staff houses.

Students of Hovi ready to garland the guests.

Ministry of Rural Development has congratulated the school for its achievement.

Agnes Bopi. Tanihorara, Principal Rural Development Officer (M&E), said MRD is currently implementing development needs in the rural constituencies, and one of them is education.

She said MRD is a strong support and advocator of education development in the country.

Mrs Tanihorara speaking at the handing over ceremony.

“I analyse data in the Ministry and Gao Bugotu is doing good in implementation of projects.

“I am happy to witness this development so I can provide factual information to the Ministry,” she said.

MP Manetoali, who is also the Minister of Ministry of Traditional Governance, Peace and Ecclesiastical Affairs, said the achievement reflects collaboration between the communities, school and him.

“I provide the materials and the community help to build the classroom and staff house.

“If we continue to work together, we can move the mountain,” he said.

The school enrolled a total of 80 students, with 44 in Form 1 and 36 in Form 2.

DON’T LISTEN TO FALSE THEORIES

Written by
Mavis Podokolo
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Thelma measuring the mils before carrying out an injection. PHOTO BEN BILUA

Clinician warns public of covid-19 assumptions

BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO

A senior physician at the national referral hospital (NRH) is calling on the public to be aware of false theories and conspiracy messages about covid-19 and its vaccines.

Dr Jones Ghabu urges people not to listen to these rumours.

“Please my people don’t listen to theories that are not realities. Don’t listen and believe assumptions,” Ghabu said.

“Reality shows that covid-19 is real, it kills people and cripples health systems by increasing demand for medicines, oxygen and manpower,” he added.

“My people we don’t have the capacity to treat and handle an outbreak,” Ghabu said.

“If there is an out breaking here in the country people will and clinicians will be watching each other dying from covid-19.

“Doctors from neighbouring Papua New Guinea are experiencing it right now.

“With that let us continue with our strategies. These include population protection strategies (system approach) and Individual person protection strategies (clinical approach).”

Ghabu explained systematic approach means maintaining the border and quarantine to stop the virus from entering, Isolation in which to contain and eliminate, and Public health measures like social distancing, hand hygiene and mask.

He said clinical approach encourages health life style, vaccination, treatment but currently there is no promising treatment for SARS CoV2, but when worst comes to worse as doctors treating sick people, they will never quit the fight by throwing in everything they can in Solomon Islands setting.

“My message to you is prevention is better than cure. Please adopt healthy life style and o get your vaccine,” he said.

Police: lack of vehicles affected our work

Written by
Jennifer Kusapa
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Police Response Team (PRT) patrolling the Honiara City road

BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

THE Royal Solomon Islands Police Force has admitted that lack of vehicle has contributed to their inability to respond and serve daily policing needs to the communities in Guadalcanal.

RSIPF made the response after the court raised concerns over Henderson Police not performing their responsibilities to serve summons to witnesses.

Police said that under resourcing frontline Policing is a fact that is beyond the ability of Guadalcanal Police and its Executive to manage. 

Police said that Guadalcanal Police have submitted to the Royal Solomon Island Police Force (RSIPF) Executive for additional vehicles but were unsuccessful due to lack of funding.

“The RSIPF Executive has deliberated on the issue and has developed possible options to procure vehicles for the frontline policing but due to the RSIPF Annual Budget constraints and the current Solomon Island Government (SIG) cash flow problem has contributed hugely into not progressing this urgent procurement in a timely manner.”

Police also said they are working on ‘Vehicle Impact Report’ to the Government to support their argument that they urgently need vehicles for the frontline policing.

“Therefore, there is no doubt that lack of vehicles at the frontline has contributed hugely into the organisation’s inability to response and serve the daily policing needs of our communities and important stakeholders. 

“It will be further worsening and has a huge impact into the frontline policing, if the issue of vehicles is not resolved quickly,” police said.  

Police also clarified that regarding the vehicles at Rove Police Headquarters, most of the existing operational vehicles are old and are listed for SIG sale by tender soon. 

Chief Justice Sir Albert Palmer commented that the RSIPF must think outside the box when performing their duties because availability of fund will be a problem for the government.

Chief Justice reminds officers of basics of police duties.

Written by
Jennifer Kusapa
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The High Court of Solomon Islands. Photo by SIBC.

BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

The High Court has reminded police officers to be punctual, vigilant and responsible when it comes to executing orders given by the courts.

Chief Justice Sir Albert Palmer highlighted this on Tuesday when he spoke to two leading officers of the Henderson police station who had been summoned before the courts earlier.

On Monday this week, the High Court gave summons for the officer in charge of the Henderson police station to appear in court following revelations by public prosecutions (DPP) that officers there had failed to make notice witnesses to appear in court.

Superintendent Edwin Sevoa and Senior Sergeant Saxon Sai turned up on Tuesday to answerable for this failure.

Speaking to Mr Sevoa and Mr Sai, Chief Justice Palmer said:

“Police officers are to be punctual, vigilant and responsible with regards to trials reasonable time should be allowed to service of summons issues by court and that is important in this case three weeks was given for the summons to be served and police officers on their part should see summons are served on witnesses and they appeared in court on the date required for hearing.”

Sevoa and Sai said the reason their officers had not given the DPP’s summons to the witnesses was due to logistics challenges.

However, Palmer said they did not have a vehicle to serve the summons but from Henderson Police station to the Solomon Star area, as been revealed by the officers, was about 10 to 15 minutes, why not take a bus or just took a 15 minutes’ walk to the area?

“In doing that they will earlier aware that the witnesses were no longer there during the three weeks when the summons were just lying down in their office without actioning.

“This case was set for trial but delayed due to the absence of witnesses it is so important that on a day, the trial is listed all stakeholders must ensure everyone ready for the trial and that is happening in this case.”

Sir Albert also explained in court the roles and responsibilities of police officers especially on serving the summons.

“How is the summons served? Every summons shall be served by a police officer primarily in Solomon Islands Summons are served by Police officers and given the challenge regarding transport challenges police officers must think outside the box, rather relying on that RSIPF vehicle.”

Stop comparing Malaita with other provinces: Suidani.

Written by
Samie Waikori
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Premier of Malaita province Daniel Suidani

BY SAMIE WAIKORI

AUKI

PREMIER of Malaita Province, Daniel Suidani has asked that people stop comparing Malaita with other provinces as they are still healing.

He said critics often gaze at Malaita province other than other provinces when it comes to development, but why it is so?

Everyone should appreciate the fact that all provinces deserve development and that could only happen when people stand united and work together.

Premier Daniel Suidani recently said that despite these critics and odds, Malaita province is healing right now and will continue to heal.    

He said at the moment, Winrock and Green Power Tech under the USAID Scale project are on Malaita and the MARA government and its people must be applauded for bringing them to the province.

Suidani said that they are in the province and this is because of the strong stand by the people and government of Malaita province.

“This is an indication of togetherness and nothing is impossible when people have one mind to go.

He said it is said that nothing is happening on Malaita province, Malaita is late for development.

The question is, “who or which province are you comparing Malaita province with? Suidani asked.

Even small it might be, he said Auki town now has two new garbage trucks, a betel nut market, MPG employees get their salary at the right time and many developments are happening in the province on a small scale.

Suidani said the province is healing right now and will continue to heal. He said as you can see things are happening, Malaita is healing.

“And I want to tell you that many good things are coming,” he said.

MCA to establish internet surveillance department

Written by
Ben Bilua
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BY BEN BILUA
Gizo

THE Ministry of Communication and Aviation (MCA) will establish a new department to manage internet usage in the country.

Director of Information, Communication and Technology Services Alwyn Danitofea made the statement during the National Cybersecurity Policy consultation at Gizo yesterday.

He said the department will be called Solomon Islands Computer Emergency Response Team (Solomon – CERT).

Danitofea said Solomon – CERT will be supervised under MCA until such time the body is capable of functioning independently.

He adds that Solomon – CERT will be responsible for providing service related to cybersecurity to the government, statutory bodies, law enforcement agencies, business and internet users.

“It focuses on; promoting cybersecurity, providing coordination on cybersecurity related functions, raising awareness, supporting institutions and businesses in prevention, detection, response and recover cyber-attacks, maintain a 24/7 call center, supporting law enforcement agencies in investigating digital forensic investigation, managing and reporting incidents, auditing and providing special support to critical infrastructure providers,” Danitofea said.

MARA signs 9 project under USAID for Malaita province.

Written by
Samie Waikori
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Premier-Daniel-Suidani-meets-members-of-his-executive-upon-his-arrival-at-Auki-wharf.

BY SAMIE WAIKORI

AUKI

IMPLEMENTATION will soon commence on nine projects signed by the MARA government and Green Power Tech under the USAID Scale funded projects on Malaita province.

Malaita Premier Daniel Suidani recently announced this in Auki saying work is currently progressing on projects ahead of discharging them.

“As the chairman of the Green Power Tech committee under the USAID program in Malaita, I have approved 9 projects for Malaita province two weeks ago from Brisbane,” he said.

Suidani said the projects will be built by Green Power Tech and sites for the project have been earmarked.

He said the approved projects are; Bonale pineapple factory, Luaniua wharf, a pig feeders’ factory for the province, Malu’u fishery, Gwaigeo Kava factory and warehouse, Afio fisheries and warehouse and another project for Atori.

Suidani reiterated that the projects are already approved and Green Power Tech is now working on them.

He said “you heard the news from the mouth of the horse and no-one will blind you about the work of USAID in Malaita” Winrock is already on the ground and working.

On that note, Suidani assured Malaitans that he will not be afraid to talk on any good things (developments) for his people.

Like for these projects, I had already signed them and why hide it from people, he said.

Suidani said Winrock under the USAID Scale project has established office in Auki and should there be any queries, come and talk with them.

He said they are here to work with resource owners or Malaitans and the MARA government will continue to stand firm and support them in all areas required. 

Second vax dose has minimal effect: Choudri

Written by
Mavis Podokolo
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Technical advisor to Ministry of Health and Medical Services, Dr Yogesh Choudri

BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO

The effect of the second dose of the covid-19 vacccine is minimal, says Yogesh Choudhri, senior health advisor.

Choudhri says this in response to findings that most people who got their first jab, did not return for their second.

“We would request the people to start coming for their second dose of vaccination starting from June this year,” he said.

Choudhri said there are people he spoke to and they said they have some side effects of the vaccine so they are not coming to get their second jab.

“But that is not true with the second dose actually you will get very minimal side effects so we would seriously encouraged that people to come and get their second dose of vaccine,” he said.

Choudhri adds there are 58 thousand doses of vaccines still remaining, this includes both Sinopharm and AstraZeneca COVID-19.

He confirmed in few weeks of AstraZeneca will be coming in the few weeks as well. Pfizer will be shipped later next month.

“So far, no adverse event reported on the vaccine, most of the events are mild and they are being expected in terms of pain in the arm, head ache, body ache those are the side effects that are being reported,” Choudhri said.

He stressed for country to reach 90 percent coverage a target to aimed to re-open the border ,the country will be needing 334000 people to get vaccinated.

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