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TOP DOCS LEAVE JOB

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
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NRH CEO Dr George Malefoasi. Photo by GCU

Hospital moves to replace doctors who refuse to take COVID vaccine

By EDDIE OSIFELO

THREE top anti-vax doctors at the National Referral Hospital did not turn up for work following Government’s ‘No Jab, No Job’ policy which came into effect on November 1.

Chief Executive Officer, Dr George Malefoasi confirmed this to Island Sun yesterday.

Malefoasi said they are working on ways to replace these three top doctors.

However, he said the departments are still continuing because they have specialist consultants on the ground.

Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Health and Medical Services Pauline McNeil told a Radio Talkback show on Sunday that out of the 17 doctors, three of them are still to get their vaccine.

She said three of the doctors still stand on their position not to get vaccinated.

Given their strong stand not to get vaccinated, McNeil said her ministry has respected their decision to not get vaccinated, and that is their stand.

“So, we let them to take their position, and we have appealed to them to reconsider their decision.”

For health workers, she said 76.8 percent of have at least got their first dose.

“Thus, we have thanked all our health workers from Malaita that about 96 percent of them have been vaccinated with at least one dose vaccination.”

The Permanent Secretary has assured that health workers are doing very well, thus she encourages all health workers to get their jab.

Suidani, Auki police deny claims on PM

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
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By EDDIE OSIFELO

MALAITA Premier Daniel Suidani and Auki police have denied any moves to overthrow Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare.

This was after some Government supporters claimed about 5,000 people are expected to visit Honiara after the proposed reconciliation at Aimela on November 18 to stage a protest against PM Sogavare.

A police officer in Auki said he is aware of a plan for people to come over to Honiara after the proposed reconciliation at Aimela on November 18.

But he said he is not aware of the purpose of the plan.

“We just watch the situation,” one police officer said.

Premier Suidani has denied any moves from his provincial executive to remove Prime Minister Sogavare.

Suidani said the planned reconciliation is purposely to allow tribes in Malaita to reconcile between each other in order to allow development to take place on their land.

He said it is always claimed in the media that no national development can happen on Malaita because of land dispute.

“We want to bring Malaitans together to reconcile to remove the notion of land dispute hindering developments on Malaita.

Malaita 4 Democracy is organising the planned reconciliation.

Suidani said the MARA government is not funding the reconciliation but come out from the expenses of the people.

“The tribes will bring their own food from their gardens to display during the reconciliation.

“We are not supporting it with any funding. This is happening at the initiative of  M4D,” he added.

Miner’s bid for Rennell bauxite being screened

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
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By EDDIE OSIFELO

MINISTRY of Mines, Energy and Rural Electrification is screening the application of Nickel Enterprise SI Limited (NESI) showing interest to do bauxite mining on West Rennell.

This comes as a so-called West Rennell Land and Resources Owners Association denounced the recent deal between the National Government and NESI.

Permanent Secretary, Dr Christopher Vehe said the company had submitted its application to the former director Nicholas Biliki.

Vehe said the application is currently going through a due diligence check on technical, financial and other requirements before it is tabled before the Mines and Mineral Board.

 The West Rennell Land and Resources Owners Association claimed that NESI is the replica of Asia Pacific Investment Development’s (APID) subcontractor, Bintan Mining SI Limited.

Island Sun checked the Company Haus and found out that NESI’s two directors are Ka Chun Michael CHUI and Long Long SU.

Private lawyer, Whitlam K Togamae is NESI’s contact point.

Solomon Enterprise PTE Limited owns NESI, a Private Company Limited by Shares, incorporated on October 12, 2017 in Singapore.

Bintan Mining SI Ltd is owned by Bintan Mining Corporation, incorporated in British Virgin Islands, and registered in Hong Kong as a ‘foreign company’.

Bintan’s two directors are Grace Mercado Aquino and Kwok Fung Wai.

Permanent Secretary Vehe said there are court cases of APID for judicial review after the Mines and Mineral Board cancelled its mining licence and Registrar of Titles in the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Survey cancelled its Perpetual Estate Title.

APID’s lawyer, Gabriel Suri said APID has challenged the cancellation of the registration of Perpetual Estate of PN. 298-005-1.

He said the parties are still waiting for a ruling.

Furthermore, he said APID appealed against the cancellation of the Mining Lease No. 1/2014 by the Minister for Mines.

He said the parties are still waiting for the court’s ruling.

MPGIS: new Mala ministers to be formalized soon

Written by
Press Release
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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).

The Ministry of Provincial Governments and Institutional Strengthening (MPGIS) has dismissed an Island Sun report that claimed Minister Rollen Seleso delays the endorsement of MARA Government appointments.

In a statement, the MPGIS said it has already engaged in the process of formally appointing new ministers submitted by Premier Daniel Suidani.

“But unlike Choiseul Province, the documents from the Malaita Assembly are incomplete,” the statement said.

“The Assembly Clerk only submitted a basic cover letter listing the names of newly appointed executive members plus a copy of an appointment gazette draft, but no further details,” it added.

“We are still waiting for individual copies of sworn statements and details of Executive members before we can confirm with AG Chambers to proceed with the draft Gazette instrument.

“These are basic administration matters and Minister Seleso has already given instructions for the formal appointments weeks ago.”

The statement said in the case of Choiseul Provincial, the Clerk had submitted all required signed documents including signed copies of swearing-in documents by the minister of the new executive members under their new Premier, upon which the Minister duly appointed.

 “We are yet to receive signed sworn copies from Malaita Province despite sending an email to the clerk and his assistant officer,” the statement said.

“The premier should not be worried.

“He should proceed with his Provincial Government’s business and not to worry about administrative matters.

“The Minister has already given his approval and the Gazette should take place once the draft in finalized from the AG Chambers,” the statement added.

It said this case should not be confused with similar cases when the premier was overseas and under quarantine.

“Those previous cases should be clarified by our laws or courts.

“But the requests when the Premier is in the country are straight forward. The Ministry will process as instructed by the Minister.”

Church members urged to get their COVID jabs

Written by
Mavis Podokolo
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BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO

SECREATRY to Prime Minister Dr Jimmie Rodgers is calling on everyone in the country, church members in particular, to get their vaccination.

Rodgers made the call following reports that COVID-19 deaths in Fiji are mostly church members and leader.

“The plea from me to everyone in the country and in particular our church members, please take this seriously,” Rodgers said in a talk-back show, Sunday.

“I think there could be theological debate on whether this is right or wrong,” he added.

“There are some that says this is the mark of the beast (666)

“Let me ask you all, if COVID-19 is the mark of the beast then what is the measles vaccine?

“What is the tetanus vaccine? What is the Tuberculosis vaccine?”

Rodgers stressed these are the vaccines that save the people and the children of this country exactly the same way as COVID-19 vaccine is.

“COVID-19 vaccine is not the mark of the beast it is God that give us the wisdom to make sure we have something that protect his creation which is you and me.

“So let us not interpret this wrongly.

“I beg you, please do not use knowledge that maybe misdirected so that we convinced people not protect themselves.

“I beg you please get vaccinated,” he said.

Pfizer vaccines arriving today

Written by
Mavis Podokolo
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BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO

THE third COVID-19 vaccine to be introduced in the country, the Pfizer vaccine, is confirmed to arrive today.

Permanent Secretary for Ministry of Health, Pauline McNeil announced this Sunday.

“We will receive 100 thousand doses of Pfizer vaccine this week on Tuesday (today),” she said.

“We are looking forward to receiving Pfizer vaccine especially for less than 18 to 12 years and above and pregnant women.”

McNeil stressed for now the Ministry of Health has been working closely with Ministry of Education and Human Resources Development to map out to administer COVID-19 doses in schools.

That is still an ongoing discussion.

Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare on Friday 12th November confirmed in his national address that Pfizer vaccine will arrive in the country today.

Sogavare said Pfizer have been approved by the World Health Organisation for Emergency use for all persons 12 years and above.

He said that rollout will commence in Honiara and slowly expand to the provinces.

Church skips prayer due to king tide

Written by
Ben Bilua
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A house at Fishing Village during low tide.

BY BEN BILUA
Gizo

THE unusual king tide which affects low lying islands in the country has forced Transfiguration Church at Fishing Village, Western province, to skip one of its programme.

Speaking to Island Sun Gizo, church member Emma Edau said for the past few weeks their church has been filled with salt water due to the high tide.

This has forced the church to postpone their programmes.

“As strong Christians we normally gather together in our church for prayer daily, but this unusual tide has stopped us from going to church.

“Our church leaders encouraged us to pray in our household and that is what we do at the moment,” Edau said.

Island Sun understands that the Fishing Village is vulnerable to sea level rise.

The village is sitting on coral stones filled with ground in a muddy mangrove area.

Residents of the village have been filling ground in an effort to raise the ground few metres above sea level.

Neighbouring villages have also been reported to be affected by the king tide.

Report reaching this paper says the tide has also flooded few houses during high tides at Nusabaruku village.

MRD undertakes reforms

Written by
Press Release
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Permanent Secretary of MRD, Allan Daonga.

The Ministry of Rural Development (MRD) is undertaking fundamental reforms to keep up with change amidst increasing demands for better service delivery to all Solomon Islanders.

These reforms include;

  • Development of the MRD new information/database management system to track, capture and store information on the progress of projects under Constituency Development Fund (CDF) program in order to promote accountability and transparency.
  • Constituency Planning Strengthening Project (CPSP) which aimed at improving the CDF accountability for sustainable development results.
  • MRD functional review which is currently proceeding to assess practical efficiencies and effectiveness of the ministry in fulfilling its mandate.

“Government through the ministry is determined to improve the effectiveness of the CDF and to deliver sustainable development results through these reform initiatives,” Permanent Secretary Allan Daonga said in a statement.

MRD is one of the government’s line ministries mandated for the management and administration of CDF and supporting socio-economic rural development within the 50 constituencies throughout Solomon Islands.

“The CDF programme constitute nearly a quarter of the government overall development budget allocations annually. However, there is no proper tracking mechanism to be able to track the progress of the projects under this program in order to promote accountability and transparency.

“Also, there is no reporting mechanism to guide government policies regarding the program. Therefore, MRD through its management has listed the development of this Information Management System that would help address the aforementioned shortfalls in its capabilities,” Daonga emphasised.

On the reforms of Constituency Planning Strengthening Project (CPSP) the Permanent Secretary said that MRD is taking a leading role in reforming the constituency planning process to ensure its priorities are consistent with the National Development Strategy (NDS) Objectives and other related international and regional strategies including the Sustainable Development Goals that Solomon Islands has subscribed to by 2030.

“Strengthening the planning and institutional arrangements are fundamental to address the current situation and must be championed at both the constituency and national levels.

“Provisioned under the Legal Notice 164 and the CDF Act 2013, MRD is responsible for the coordination of the RCDF in close collaboration with 50 constituencies towards delivering tangible development results in the rural areas.

“The CDF Act Section 6, emphasize the need to have Constituency Development Plans developed to guide the distribution of the CDF.

“However, the enforcement of the CDF Act is limited as regulations accompanying the CDF Act is yet to be gazetted. Despite of the level of funding provided, there is very little information on how RCDF funds are used and in what manner it is allocated for development purposes at the constituency level.

“So, CPSP once implemented sequentially would realise the overall goal of the program which is, “to improve the CDF accountability for sustainable development results.”

The third fundamental reform which currently undertaken by MRD is the functional review.

A fulfilment of the reforms is the establishment of the Communication and Public Relations Unit of the ministry.

“The Functional Review will assess functional efficiencies and effectiveness of MRD in fulfilling its mandate, specifically how the different Units within Rural Development Division function to deliver the overall mandate of the Ministry,” Daonga said.

The review also asses the other departments within the ministry on the same.

The Permanent Secretary is adamant that the revised structure will position the Ministry to best deliver its key mandates, the Corporate Plan performance indicators, NDS implementation and DCGA Reprioritisation Policy priorities that will enhance delivery of services to the people of Solomon Islands.  

MRD vision is to ensure all rural Solomon Islanders become meaningfully participated in development activities to improve their social and economic livelihood.

–MRD PRESS

Marita attends culture program

Written by
Press Release
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DCG Dennis Marita with Mr Trinh Quoc Anh (left) and Mr Passakan Prathombutr (right) together with a Thailand Pavilion staff

Solomon Islands Deputy Commissioner General and Pavilion Director Dennis Marita attended a Cultural Exchange Programme organised by the Vietnam and Thailand Pavilion on Saturday, 13 November 2021.

Marita was greeted upon arrival at the Thailand Pavilion by Passakan Prathombutr, Senior Executive Vice President of Digital Economy Promotion Agency and Vietnam Pavilion Director Mr Trinh Quoc Anh.

The week-long Loy Krathong Festival is one of the highlights of the pavilion’s events calendar.

During this period, it is customary for families and friends to make and float their own artistic and decorative Krathong, which translated means “to float a basket”. Loy Krathong is traditionally used as a way of saying goodbye to misfortune and the problems of the past year and making wishes for the coming year ahead

Similar to the Solomon Islands, the Vietnamese also use a bamboo musical instrument called T’rung, which has been considered as a familiar symbol of Vietnamese people’s life and soul to create distinctive musical instruments.

The authentic sounds from the Vietnamese blended in well with the contemporary musical arrangements of the Vietnamese musicians.

Marita said that it was important for countries with rich cultural background to encourage exchange programs and initiatives so that our future generations can continue the traditions of preserving our unique identity.

“Vietnam and Thailand are countries with rich Cultural Heritage and history going back centuries, the same as Solomon Islands. The magnificent demonstration of traditional music using traditional instruments (of mostly bamboos) by the Vietnamese band is really beautiful, authentic and inspiring indeed. It reminds us of the panpipe music of Solomon Islands which the country is looking forward to also showcase during our National Day here on the 21 Dec 2021. Solomon Islands is looking forward to cultural exchange programmes between the three countries in the future.”

–GOVERNMENT COMMUNICATION UNIT

SIICAC rolls out anti- corruption awareness

Written by
Press Release
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Kia Community Reps, IPG staff and MPA Kia ward with SIICAC Team

The Solomon Islands Independent Commission against Corruption (SIICAC) has completed a week-long anti-corruption awareness program in Kia village, Isabel province last week.    

A Government statement said the awareness program is part of SIICAC’s first cycle of nationwide anti-corruption campaign program that the Commission is beginning to roll out across the country.

“The program included presentations about SIICAC’s establishment as an agency under the Anti-Corruption Act and its mandated roles and responsibilities to combat corruption in the country,” the statement said.

“The team also held discussions and question and answer sessions on corruption issues with the Kia community members,” it added.

“A separate awareness session and discussion was also held during the week with youths from the community.”

Eta Council of Chiefs and Kia Community Representative Chief Douglas Boi Rove thanked the team saying the awareness program was very informative as it was the first time for some of the community members to learn and know about SIICAC and its role.

Boi Rove assured the team that people in Kia village are happy to work with the commission and join in the anti-corruption campaign in our societies.

Member of the Isabel Provincial Assembly for Kia Ward Sam Watson said the Isabel Provincial Government, IPG, is working closely with the National Government through full support to SIICAC in the anti-corruption campaign in Isabel Province.

The current campaign is a lead up event to the upcoming International Anti-corruption day celebration on 09th December.

The Isabel Provincial Government has planned to host the International Anti-corruption day celebrations in Buala this year.

IPG has also supported the current awareness program to be conducted around Isabel province in collaboration with the Office of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, OPMC, and UNDP.

SIICAC Director General John Kouni thanked the Kia Community, Isabel Provincial Government, Solomon Islands Government and UNDP for cooperation and support rendered towards the work of the Commission.

Anti-Corruption campaign is a top priority of the Democratic Coalition Government for Advancement (DCGA) under its redirection policy to support and fully establish SIICAC to effectively carry out its mandated role.

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