New City Clerk Justus Denni (2nd right) with the Mayor Eddie Siapu, Deputy Mayor Cr. Robert Oge, Works Director Eddie Gaza, Cr. Charles Aiwosuga and Legal Officer Vincent Kohata (far right) during the signing
Honiara City Council New City Clerk Justus Denni official assumed duties as of yesterday.
Denni was appointed by the HCC’s Executive and approved by the Full Council following the formal process of selection done by the Ministry of Home Affairs.
In welcoming the new clerk, Mayor Eddie Siapu said his Executive, HCC Management and staff are pleased to have him to his new appointment within the HCC Administration.
“Let me congratulate our New City Clerk, Mr Justus Denni.
“Denni, you are not new to the administration of Local Government. Your previous experiences as the Provincial Secretary for Guadalcanal Province will greatly assist in the administration of Local Government in the City Council.
“Denni, you are not new to the administration of Solomon Islands Government. Again, your previous connections as the Permanent Secretary of Traditional Governance and Ecclesiastical Affairs will build and strengthen the net-workings of the City Council with the National Government of Solomon Island.
“Let me add with more emphasis, that Honiara City Council needs your experience and qualifications to move the agendas of the Council forward. Congratulations and we welcome you on board with open arms as you manage the Administration of the Council,” Siapu added.
In response, Denni thanked Mayor Siapu, his Executive and the Full Council for the trust and confidence they have for his appointment.
“It’s a challenging position but I look forward in serving the Council and the people within Honiara City.
“I will be guided by the intentions of the Executive and Governance, and also I have the core administration team and all departments within HCC which I look forward in working together with them as a team in taking HCC forward.
“Honiara is our home and we must make it pleasant and a liveable city for all.
“As the new City Clerk, I’m looking forward in bringing together citizens, stakeholders, churches, business houses, Government Ministries and communities to have a mechanism in place to allow us to work together,” Denni said.
Denni is from Guadalcanal Province. He replaces former City Clerk Rence Sore.
A group of Kwara’ae men who claim to be ex-combatants in the 2000 ethnic tension have voiced continued support for Malaita’s MARA government.
This group also has distanced itself from Moses Su’u, an ex-combatant from Kwara’ae who recently made headlines when he reconciled with the national government.
The Kwara’ae group held a meeting to consolidate their position on Sunday, Sept 12, at Gilbert Camp.
Their spokesman, Jezirel Mane, said they will not work together with Su’u, alleging he is involved in ‘dishonest’ dealings.
“We stand together with the Premier of Malaita Province Honorable Daniel Suidani and his government,” Mane explained.
“We will continue to stand together with MARA government and the Malaitans who supported MARA leadership, but not with those Malaitans that wants to disturb its leadership said Mane.
“Claims that Moses Su’u voice out in the media saying Kwara’ae x-combatants will not stand together with the Malaitans who want to stage any protests or petitions against DCGA gov’t is true, but we will not tolerate evil practices or work together with phony decision makings.
“It’s time to do things right for the betterment of our future generations, and not just like fools say one thing good on the other hand, but do things opposite of what they are saying.”
Meanwhile, responding to Mane’s claims, Su’u in an interviewed said it’s time for change thus Malaitans should be ironing out differences and move the province and the nation forward.
“We should now put our differences aside and work together for the common good of the people of Malaita province, and the country as a whole.
“We are running out of time, time is very important for such developments, but if we continue to drag or disturbing ourselves with such negative approaches we will not going anywhere.”
He defends his collaboration with the national government, saying:
“Reconciliation is vital for us in such trying times, we need to come together and work closely with our national government.”
Vaccination will no longer take place at the central field hospital (CFH).
This exercise ceased last week to allow the field hospital to resume its purpose as an isolation centre.
This was revealed by Ministry of Health and Medical Service office statement yesterday.
“All vaccination activates at the field hospital ceased as of last week with work soon to commence to return the hospital to an isolation ward.
“This will involve finalization of the work plan and workflow within the CFH including the systems and standard operating procedures, to be followed by the patients and health workers who will man the hospital,” the statement said.
This is to safeguard all slightest possibility of patients transmitting the virus to health workers is addressed.
Following the closure of the CFH, public are advised to receive their COVID-19 vaccination at the three sites in Honiara, the Children’s Park at Rove, space below Holy Cross opposite the ministry of infrastructure development and the Kukum field below Mbua Valley School.
Ministry of Health and Medical Services will inform accordingly as fixed vaccination sites in Honiara move.
Standing: PS Health Pauline McNeil and World Bank Health Specialist/Economist Wayne j. Irava. Sitting from left, Newly recruited staff of the MHMS PMU Phillipe Bukah, Financial Management Officer, Unity Kofana, Procurement Officer, Louisa Fakaia Project Manager & Jahreth Limarii Environment, Social, Health Safety and Community Engagement Officer.
THE Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS) says it has established its Project Management Unit (PMU).
This unit, the ministry added, will start the implementation of the $40 million COVID-19 Emergency Response Project that was announced at the end of 2020.
“PMU will coordinate the overall implementation of the project and the management of its resources to ensure that the project development objectives are achieved in time and with quality,” a statement from the ministry said.
“With the completion of the office set up and key staff recruited, a welcome ceremony coinciding with launch of the unit was held today at the Ministry of Health’s headquarters where the newly recruited staff got the chance to meet with MHMS Senior Executive Management (SEM) and MHMS corporate staff including World Bank representatives,” it added.
Permanent Secretary McNeil at the event highlighted the importance of the unit.
“With increased donor funding towards our ongoing COVID-19 preparedness and response, the coordination, management and utilization of these funds is a challenge as the number of staff, which includes those of planning, finance, procurement etc. remained the same as pre COVID.
“Therefore, having this unit will greatly enable the ministry to properly coordinate and effectively utilize the funds for timely implementation of the project.
“More importantly, with the substantial amount of the project funds, the MHMS requires a dedicated team to provide the coordination, management, and tracking progress of the project’s deliverables.
“Having a Project management at the Ministry of Health is critical in ensuring timely implementation and execution of key MHMS projects and development.
“I am hoping that we can learn as much from this setup so that we can replicate for key strategic projects including the NRH Improvement and Development and other provincial projects.
“That said, I wish to express sincere thanks to World Bank for the support rendered which will greatly enhance our capacity and capability to prepare and respond to the COVID-19 pandemic and more importantly continue to enhance health systems across the country.”
Meanwhile, McNeil encouraged the PMU team to strive for excellence as the set-up is first of its kind and therefore can be used to demonstrate how we can better manage, utilize and report on donor funding’s received.
The Health Permanent Secretary also acknowledged the support from the Ministry of Finance and Treasury, who provided significant inputs into the initial negotiations with the bank that led to the funding support.
Wayne Irava, Health Specialist and Economist, from the World Bank who also attended the launch said that World Bank is very pleased to be supporting the ministry in its response and preparedness efforts towards the pandemic but also contributing towards strengthening the health system.
“Therefore, while this COVID-19 presents us with many challenges it has also offered us opportunities to partner, cooperate and collaborate with each other and in this case, partnership between World Bank and the Solomon Island Ministry of Health,” Irava said.
“We can all appreciate that this is a new project and the success of it all very much lies in our commitment and dedication towards the project.
“Thus, I wish the Ministry the very best with the new PMU unit now established and we are here to work alongside and support you,” Irava stated.
The PMU launch also include brief description and outline of the Project by the Project Manager Louisa Fakaia, who also assured of the unit’s commitment and determination towards the achieving expected outcomes set out in the project’s work plan.
The $40 million COVID-19 Emergency Response Project comprised of three key components.
First is the Emergency COVID-19 Preparedness and Response, which is to provide immediate support to implement prevention, preparedness and emergency response activities for COVID-19 across all levels of health facilities across the provinces.
Second is health system strengthening aimed at supporting health systems strengthening activities to ensure continuity of delivery of critical health services and to cope with the surge in demand for care posed by COVID-19.
Third component is Project Implementation and Management Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) which will support management and M&E of project activities and outputs.
Economic Association of Solomon Islands President, Reuben Tovutovu
ECONOMIC Association of Solomon Islands (EASI) has achieved a lot since 2016 up until now.
New elected President, Rueben Tovutovu highlighted this during his presentation at EASI Annual General Meeting at Heritage Park Hotel last Thursday.
Tovutovu said some of the achievements of EASI since November 2016 are:
April 2017: Undertaken research to quantify the cost and impact of traffic congestion in Honiara with the Ministry of Infrastructure & Development, and Ministry of Lands and Housing.
Attended the launching of ADB’s flagship report, The Asian Development outlook 2017.
Hosted a seminar on ‘Public Finance reform’. – presenter Gordon Darcy Lilo.
June 2017: Co-hosted a seminar with SICCI on Honiara’s traffic congestion.
September 2017: Collaborated with SICCI on the review of PAYE tax with Ministry of finance and treasury (MoFT).
2017: SINU seminar talks on the theme ‘Economics and Finance’. – Dr. Luke Forau.
January 2018: Paid a courtesy call to the Prime Minister.
March 2018: Country partnership framework.
: Australian Volunteer for development programme.
March 2018 (23rd) – presentation by the Deputy prime minister – Leadership and Development in Solomon Islands.
April 2018: ICT events budget panelist.
2019: Seminar Presentation with Tourism Solomons
2019: Collaborated with SICCI on a written submission to reduce electricity tariffs
2019: Seminar on Intellectual property Rights with Ministry of Justice and Legal Affairs
2019: EASI Members participated in the VAT review with IRD
2019: Seminar of the Tina Hydro Power Project and its socio-economic benefits, with MOFT
2020: Oxfam Project: Issues based study on SIG Budget and service delivery
August 2020 – January 2021
2021: Collaborated with SICCI on “Private Sector Pathway to COVID-19 Recovery Strategy” Launch –
2021: Co-host the launching of ADB’s flagship report, The Asian Development outlook 2020 at Heritage Park Hotel
Telecommunication Commission of Solomon Islands (TSCI) Project: Market Analysis of Telecommunication Data from March – April 2021
May 2021: Awareness talk at Tenaru Secondary School
Tovutovu said EASI short term plans are to:
Continue to increase and expand awareness programmes to schools.
Continue partnership talks with TCSI
Continue to liase with Australian Volunteers Program
Its Medium and Long Term are:
Continue to strengthen the association by increasing membership.
Organise economic debates and quizzes for schools.
Continue to network with other organisations.
Establish economic research centre/institute.
Enhance teaching and learning of economic science in Solomon Islands
EASI was established in 2001 by prominent economist in Solomon Islands and registered as a charitable organization under the Charitable Act No. 41 of 2001.
Since establishment in 2001 association went through an optimistic path coupled with challenges mostly due to financial constraints and weak membership base.
Since 2001 and 2015, EASI went through rigorous planning and transition
EASI has regularly involved in policy dialogues with the Parliamentary Accounts committee and the bills committee.
Renbel Premier Hon. Willy Tuhagenga taking the first COVID-19 jab for Renbel province
RENNELL and Bellona (Renbel) launched their COVID-19 vaccination roll out last Wednesday.
Makira-Ulawa Province followed on Thursday.
This leaves Temotu, the only province yet to launch its COVID-19 vaccination roll out program before nation-wide launch and commencement of roll out is completed.
Over 200 people gathered at the Renbel provincial capital, Tingoa, to join the launch program.
L-R Health Director George Pego, Premier Tuhagenga and National Director of Nursing Michael Larui cutting the ribbon to launch the COVID-19 vaccination roll out.
Delivering his address at the event, Renbel provincial health director George Pego, welcomed the provincial premier, executive and assembly members, community and church leaders, elders and chiefs and health workers in Honiara deployed to Renbel to support the roll out.
National Head of Nursing, representing the Ministry of Health and Senior Executive Management and the public were also present during the event.
“I welcome you all to this important event that marks the official launching and commencement of the roll out of COVID-19 vaccines in Rennell and Bellona province. Big welcome indeed and thank you for making the effort to attend this launch”.
Pego outlined the preparations that the provincial health team have undertaken prior to the launch.
Seventh Day Adventist Pastor, Solly Tengemoana receiving his first jab
“Cold chain assessment to ensure that storage capacity meets necessary requirements conducted and happy to inform that we are now ready to distribute and administer the vaccines,” Pego said.
“All personnel to be engaged in the roll out of the vaccines have been trained ready to receive their jabs today as part of preparations to roll out the vaccines,” he added.
“While waiting for further support we have mobilized provincial health resources to ensure timely deployment of teams and vaccines.
“Roll out plan finalized and will involve three teams, Tingoa, Tegano and Bellona, which will comprise of 8-10 members that constitute the tasks involved for pre vaccine health check, registration, administration and monitoring for side effects as well as risk communication.
“We are ready.”
Senior Catechist, Anglican church receiving his first COVID-19 vaccine dose.
Michael Larui, MHMS National Director of Nursing in his remarks acknowledged the support from Renbel premier, executive and assembly, the provincial health director and emergency operation centre team, community and church leaders and elders for supporting preparations for vaccine roll out and the launch itself. “Allow me to share that with the recent 36 hours lockdown in Honiara, health conducted its lockdown operations review and found that whilst there are improvements, there are also gaps, challenges and issues, therefore our best option for now is to ensure that all persons 18 years and above get vaccinated,” Larui said.
People lining up the vaccination centre to get their vaccine dose.
He also conveyed regional statistics of cases and deaths including those of neighbouring countries like Fiji and Papua New Guinea where COVID-19 has greatly impacted their health systems and people.
“So let’s not wait but get vaccinated.
“That said let me wish the Renbel province all the best in its roll out of COVID-19 vaccination across the province.”
Premier of Rennell and Bellona Willy Tuhagenga expressed sincere thanks towards the National and Provincial Ministry of Health for efforts to deploy the vaccines to Renbel together with all necessary preparations.
He also acknowledged donors and development partners such as People’s Republic of China, Australia, New Zealand, Japan and the COVAX Facility with support from WHO and UNICEFF who have to date donated and provided COVID-19 vaccines, part of which has been allocated to Renbel.
Part of the crowd that attended the launch event.
“Getting these vaccines into the country is not an easy task, therefore I thank the DCCG government, Oversight Committee and all others for contributions made towards getting these important vaccines into the country and our province,” Tuhagenga said.
“My good people given the state of our health systems, challenges with access to specialist health care and our population size, a community transmission will indeed be devastating for us,” he added.
“Therefore, you will not regret your choice of taking your jab as of today.”
Health workers too getting jabbed with COVID-19 vaccines during launch event
He called on the people of Renbel to not believe any rumours or information that are not from reliable sources such as social media and non-health workers and to only trust vaccine information from Health authorities and technical agencies such as WHO and UNICEF.
“That said, I wish to call on community chiefs and elders, church leaders, and all persons 18 years and above to come forward and get vaccinated against COVID-19.
“Let us support this roll out program.
“My government assures of its commitment to support the roll out and to demonstrate this I am offering myself to be the first to take my jab and urge you all to follow suit,” the premier said.
On the launch date 54 people came on that day to get their first vaccine dose including government ministry personnel, health and police, community and church leaders.
Minister Seleso asked to revoke ‘resigned’ members
BY CHARLES KADAMANA
SIX members of the Suidani-led Malaita Province executive have reportedly resigned, a letter the Island Sun cited yesterday claimed.
The letter, dated 13/9.2021 and signed by the recently sacked deputy premier Randal Sifoni, was addressed to Provincial Government minister Rollen Seleso.
“I write to advice you that office of the premier has confirmed receiving resignation letters from six provincial ministers,” Sifono, who is MPA for Ward 30, claimed in the letter.
He named the six as:
Elijah Asilaua, MPA Ward 11
Alick Ofo’ofo, MPA Ward 26
Ivan Tonafalea, MPA Ward 4
Francis Wateliu, MPA Ward 23
John Kehosi, MPA Ward 31
William Longa, MPA Ward 32
Sifoni requested Seleso to revoke the appointments of the six as provincial ministers.
Island Sun was unable to verify the resignation claims with the named MPAs last night.
Also, this paper did not cite the resignation letters of the provincial ministers, except that of Asilaua, who is the Minister for Forestry, Mines and Energy.
Asilaua’s letter was dated 3/9/21.
He accused Premier Suidani of making decisions without consulting the executive.
“Your decision-making is not consistent with the principles of good governance and democracy,” Asilau said in his resignation letter to the premier.
He also stated Premier Suidani’s style of leadership is dividing the people of Malaita and this is affecting the function of the executive and its ability to deliver much needed services to the people.
“As members of the Malaita Provincial Executive we are mandated to represent our people and make sure that their views are heard during executive deliberations.
“Instead, the voices of our people have been suppressed and silenced by your non consultative approach and total disregard to the governing rules of the Malaita Provincial Government, an institution born under the constitution of Solomon Islands under the Provisions of the Provincial Government Act.”
Asilau also accused Premier Suidani of entertaining the Malaita for Democracy (M4D), a pressure group operating within Auki.
When contacted last night, acting premier, Nelson Lenty, said his office has not received any letters of resignation from its members.
Provincial Assembly Speaker Ronnie Butala also told the Island Sun his office has not cited any resignation letters.
He said normally, executive members who intend to resign will have to tender their resignation letters to the premier or in his absence, the deputy premier.
“The office of the premier would then pass on copies to the office of the speaker,” Butala explained.
“From there on, the provincial secretary would facilitate the letter and forward it to the provincial government minister,” he added.
“That’s the process.”
Premier Suidani is still in Australia awaiting his return, and could not be reached for comments last night.
In recent weeks, his government has been shaky with reports of 12 of his executive members intending to resign.
Ivan Tonafalea, the provincial Youth minister rumoured to be among the 12, has since denied the claim, stating he is still with the MARA government.
ON Wednesday, 8 September, hundreds of newly literate people gathered at Foubaba Community School in West Kwaio, to celebrate International Literacy Day.
The day’s activities were organized by the Siesie Ward Literacy Programme.
The programme, which has been a special project of LASI (Literacy Association of Solomon Islands) since 2017, includes village communities from Sinasu to Loulana.
Arriving by truck and by foot, literacy students and teachers who have been involved in the literacy initiative arrived at Foubaba Community High School to celebrate the completion of literacy classes in Kwaio, Pijin and English.
When the programme was ready to begin, classes gathered in groups to form a parade lead by the Mao Dancers from Siubongi Village.
The young boys in traditional Kwaio dress sang and danced the proud literacy students into the gathering place.
Young literacy graduates reading Pijin Scriptures.
The National Coordinator of LASI (Literacy Association of Solomon Islands), Priscilla Maeniuta and Michael Saeni, LASI Training Coordinator, were special guests at the event.
Mrs Maeniuta praised the students for their hard work in completing the courses and encouraged them to continue their education and skills training.
She also encouraged the parents who have learned to read, to ensure that their own children learn to read and write and in that way they can help break the chain of illiteracy in Solomon Islands.
LASI National Coordinator, Priscilla Maeniuta.
Michael Saeni thanked the teachers and students for their efforts and hard work and congratulated them on their achievement.
He also thanked Ludavic Mo’osumae, Community Literacy Coordinator for Siesie Ward, and the organizing committee for the International Literacy Day.
The Director of LASI, Priscilla Maeniuta and Michael Saeni, LASI Training Coordinator werespecial guests at the event.
Also in attendance were Blondie Akwasia and Hilda Waitahi from COESI (Coalition forEducation Solomon Islands).
The LASI staff is grateful for the support of Ezekiel Obimae ,the principal of Foubaba Community School.
A proud new reader with her Kwaio New Testament.
Mr Obimae in his address said he was pleased to see the literacy programme in the community and pledged his ongoing support.
He said that as parents have learned to read and write, it has had a positive impact on students in school.
The highlight of the programme was the awarding of certificates to the students.
More than 150 students; women, men and children proudly went forward to receive their certificates as their names were called.
Each community literacy class had prepared a short demonstration of their newly acquired skills.
Literacy class demonstration.
Following the programme, Francis Maekoto and Andrew Steele from Malaita Island Scripture Use had Kwaio New Testaments and Dauru Agorua Nanaua Falafala Na God Gani Mai Gani, Kwaio Bible story book for sale.
Some of the literacy students were very pleased to purchase them so they can put their new skills to use.
POLICE say their investigations into the $300,000 that was stolen from their custody have been completed, but no charges have yet been laid.
An officer who was responsible for the police exhibit room has been suspended over the matter on half pay.
“Investigations into this case has finally been completed,” Police Commissioner Mostyn Mangau told reporters yesterday.
“The case officer is now putting together all the evidence to be forwarded to the Director of Public Prosecution for advice,” Mangau added.
The missing $300,000 was money police recovered from the operator of One-link Pacifica, a scam scheme that has robbed many Honiara residents of their hard-earned cash.
Police stored the money in their well-secured exhibit room at Rove police headquarters when it gone missing in October last year.
Mangau did not announced the missing funds until early this year – much to the shock of One-Link victims and the public.
The police chief assured the public then that the case will be given priority in terms of investigation but it took almost the whole year to reach where it is now.
Recently, there have been public calls for the police executive to come clean on the case,
There were reports that the officer who stole the money shared it with certain police executives.
Recently, police say cases like this take time to investigate.
Mangau yesterday said the investigation focused only on one person – the suspended officer.
Meanwhile, case of the One-Link operator is still before the courts.
