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Two missing at sea near border

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
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By EDDIE OSIFELO

Two people are reported missing in the western Solomons after their boat encountered rough seas last Friday.

Search and Rescue department in Solomon Islands Marine Authority said the boat was returning from Mono in Shortland Islands to Noro in Western Province.

A officer in the department said the boat had left Noro early in the morning to drop off a dead body at Mono.

“After dropping off the dead body at Mono, it returned to Noro.

“On its return, it got lost due to rough seas,” officer said.

He said Police of Kulitanai and Taro resumed their search yesterday after searching parts of Shortland, Vela la vela and Kolombangara.

“The search could not move far out due to rough seas.

“However, search will continue until the boat is located,” he said.

Further to that, the officer said a boat that went missing between Gela and Honiara was picked up on Saturday by another boat.

He said everyone in the boat was safe.

Five CSII officers promoted

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Five new promoted correctional officer pose for a photo shot after the formal Announcement with Commissioner and Deputy Permanent Secretary of the MPNSCS

FIVE officers of the Correctional Services Solomon Islands (CSSI) have been promoted to the ranks of sergeant and staff sergeants.

CSII Commissioner Gabriel Manelusi announced the promotions yesterday.

They are Bernard Kungka, Vincent Polycarp Melanoli, Dennis Bule, Joven Feao and Reuben Denimana.

Two were promoted to the rank of sergeant while three to staff sergeants.

Manelusi congratulated the five on their promotions stating they become immediate role models in their jobs.

“You must lead by example and be God fearing,” Manelusi reminded the five.

“You must be the first line of supervision for correctional officers and also know that you are an essential asset in the daily operation of a Correctional Centres and Commercial Enterprise. 

“You’ll provide staff with directions and resources to do their jobs and act as a source for offenders seeking additional guidance or redirection.”

CSSI Press

Hospital COVID-19 alert remains active

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The National Referral Hospital (NRH) in Honiara

THE National Referral Hospital (NRH) COVID-19 alert measures are still in place and remain active until further notice, health authorities say.

They issued the advisory in light of the current delta variant threat to the communities.

“There is no room for complacency,” the statement said.

“All people visiting the hospital for referrals, acutely ill, and emergencies will be screened,” it added.

“The similar screening actions held during the lock down exercises will continue. 

“Therefore, the public maybe turned back and instructed to present themselves at their nearest Honiara City Council clinics or proceed for COVID-19 screening at the white tents in front of NRH with ongoing restrictions to the number of visitors and caregivers for the sick inpatients.”

NRH COVID-19 alert, involves strict monitoring of all entry points into the hospital.

The public car parking area at the Eye Centre is closed off for the duration of the alert period with strict management of in and outflow of vehicles to and fro emergency to accommodate space for the two tents be set up there purposely for COVID-19 screening and triaging (determining priority patients).

“All normal Outpatient Department Treatment (ODT) will be referred to Honiara clinics with referrals to the hospital to be managed mostly for only the very sick.

“All patients will undergo questioning as part of the screening and possible COVID-19 testing based on responses received.”

Dr George Malefoasi, NRH Chief Executive Officer (CEO) explained that the undertaking is crucial for the hospital’s preparedness and actual response to a community transmission situation.

“Moreover, the COVID-19 alert is important to monitor our COVID-19 situation as it is also a means through which we can quickly pick up any COVID-19 case from the community,” Malefoasi explained.

He added that with COVID-19 we must not take any chances as the virus can find its way into the community undetected.

The only means through which we can swiftly pick up any of these cases outside of quarantine and isolation wards is to conduct COVID-19 screening and if need be COVID-19 testing, Malefoasi stated.

“We kindly remind the public to adhere to the following, those only emergency cases is taken to NRH with all other non- emergency cases to Honiara City clinics to prevent any disappointment.

“All family members and friends of NRH patients are kindly requested to limit visitation to the hospital and avoid crowding at the Morgue.

“We apologise for any inconvenience this has caused but it is critical for the preservation of our health in this pandemic times.”

Gov’t launches new business products

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GOVERNMENT last week launched two projects that it hopes will boost the Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSME).

The projects are the Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSME) Credit Line to Development Bank of Solomon Islands (DBSI) and the MSME management database.

Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Commerce Riley Mesepitu said this was an exciting day to launch the two new products for the benefits of micro, small and medium enterprises.

DBSI’s customer relations manager Stanley Peter Havae said the products will enable entrepreneurs access a sectoral credit funding support to expand on products, interest payment support and loan guarantees under the scope and lending policies of DBSI.

“Targeted sectors include agricultural production and related industries, fisheries sector, tourism and agro-forestry,” Havae said.

“With the minimum loan of $10,000 to maximum of $3,000,000 at a low interest rate of 8% per annum over period of 5 years,” he added. 

Havae said entrepreneurs will afford to access the MSME credit line facility with purposes to improve existing or start new businesses.

“Get working capital requirement and assist with export credit facilities to sustain the economy during this difficult COVID 19 pandemic.”

Director of Business Development Division Morris Raápai also took the opportunity to further explained the benefits of the MSME credit line facility and MSMEMIS data base to support the MSMEs.

Commerce minister Frederick Kologeto highlighted that investing on human resources to develop micro, small and medium enterprises involving women, youths and all working aged citizens is vital in the DCGA’s re-direction policy with strategy to create employment and income generation for recovery and transformation of the economy of Solomon Islands.

He said that investing on human resources to develop micro, small and medium enterprises involving women, youths and all working aged citizens is very vital in the DCGA’s re-direction policy with strategy to create employment and income generation for recovery and transformation of the economy of Solomon Islands.

Kologeto also stated that in lower income economies like Solomon Islands, a large share of MSMEs are informal enterprises and serve as a source of livelihood for the base of the pyramid population.

“It is more strategic to create employment and grow small and medium enterprises that transforms the informal into a broadened economic formal sector with innovative, creative and successful entrepreneurs,” Kologeto said.

“The DCGA government in recognizing the importance of MSMEs sets the re-direction policies to access appropriate business financing,” he added.

Deputy Secretary – Technical MCILI Eric George encouraged everyone to collaborate in cultivating the culture of entrepreneurship as a way forward to nurture MSMEs.

“This is through finance for MSME scale industrial enterprises, financial literacy training and mentoring programs.

“Although small-scale enterprises have key roles in industrial development in developing countries, one of the biggest challenges they face is access to financial services,” George stated.

Two-day lockdown review conducted

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Group photo of Health PS Mrs. Pauline McNeil, MHMS Senior Executive Members and lockdown observers, volunteers/actors and medical and public health emergency response members.

THE Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS) last week completed its two days After-Action Review (AAR)workshop following the COVID-19, 36 hours lockdown exercise.

The workshop was specifically to review all health operations during the exercise.

A statement from the ministry said the review was conducted for different functional components of the COVID-19 response.

These include Emergency health teams, Emergency Operation Centers, Surveillance (Contact tracers and swab team), Clinical Management and Patient Referral Pathway, Isolation, Risk Communication, Quarantine, Logistics, laboratory, and St. John’s Ambulance.

The review also involved volunteers engaged for role-plays during the lockdown and all participating sectors.

In addition, representatives from the WHO, Australian Health Commission and British High Commission also participated in the AAR.


British High Commissioner Brian Jones providing some feedback on health operations during the lockdown.

Speaking at the opening of the after-action review, Health Permanent Secretary Pauline McNeil thanked all medical and public health officers engaged in responding to COVID-19 community transmission as part of the lockdown exercise including the volunteers and observers.

“Thank you to each and every single one of you for all your efforts during the lockdown exercise,” McNeil said.

“Your response as if the exercise was an actual community transmission is highly commendable and reflects your seriousness to stand ready to serve your people should the need arise, to the best of your knowledge, skills and capabilities,” she added.



Logistics team group discussions.

She also explained that while it can be acknowledged that there has been a lot of improvements compared to last year’s lockdown exercise; the current exercise has enabled health to note more areas for improvement.

“We can all agree that systems, processes and procedures across health teams and from the national to the provincial level needs to be strengthened, synchronized well including an improved execution of coordination, command and communication for efficient and effective response.

“This AAR gives us this opportunity to put our heads together and come up with best ways forward for responding to COVID-19 community transmission.


NRH Director of Nursing Fr. Selwyn Hou how is the head of planning for NRH community transmission response presenting his group’s outcome of his group’s discussions.

 “I urge you all to put our heads together in this AAR and work together to identify issues, problems and gaps and come up as a team best ways forward.”

During the AAR, participants were divided into their functional areas discussing and debating what happened, what went wrong and what could have been done better to identify gaps, propose solutions and planning ways forward to improve responses to COVID-19 community transmission.

Group work, presentations, open and frank discussions and debating were all part of the AAR.


Participants listening closely to group presentations to understand how their own groups can link up better with others.

At the closing, National Health Emergency Operation Centre (NHEOC) Incident Controller, Dr Nemia Bainivalu, thanked all members of the emergency response teams for the great effort put into the AAR.

“Every single points raised, problems and issues identified and proposed solutions for more efficient and effective ways forward have been noted both within health’s control and beyond and will be presented to the National Disaster Management Office (NDMO) lockdown review next week”.

–MHMS

Vaccination roll-out continues at slow rate

Written by
Mavis Podokolo
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Isabel Provincial Health Director Dr Tony Quity, who is also the son of Rt Reverend Bishop Ellison Quity, taking his COVID-19 jab at the launch event.

BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO

COVID-19 vaccination rollout in the country continues, but a very slow rate, it is reported.

This was reported by the National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC).

“Vaccination roll-out continues but at a slow rate. Members of the public 18 years and above are strongly encouraged to be vaccinated,” the report situational report said.

“Over sight Committee through the Ministry of Health and Medical Services is calling out on all nationals to get vaccinated given the increase in cases throughout the region and more so the Delta-variant which is of great concern to the country.

“With this vaccination roll-out for all citizens including foreign nationals continues for Honiara, Guadalcanal, Western, Choiseul and the Malaita Provinces. Roll-out to the remaining provinces is progressing which includes training for all front liners.

“The Government remains committed in ensuring there is a zero COVID-19 community transmission and have been successful so far in containing it within the quarantine walls.”

Write shop for climate change

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
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Participants of the Grant proposal writing workshop that focused on Climate Change and Climate Finance Access

By EDDIE OSIFELO

PARTICIPANTS of the Grant proposal writing workshop that focused on Climate Change and Climate Finance Access are preparing for a writeshop on September 13.

This is after the 26 participants on-venue and 25 online participants completed the two-day workshop on theory and project proposal writing basics and processes in Honiara last week.

The workshop was facilitated by SPREP Pacific Ecosystem-based Adaptation to Climate Change (PEBACC) Country Manager for Solomon Islands, Fred Siho Patison in partnership with Australia Pacific Climate Alumni Network, Solomon Islands National University and The University of the South Pacific Solomon Islands Campus.

Gaylyn Puairana, National Coordinator for the Australia Pacific Climate Alumni Network in Honiara told participants in the opening of the workshop that the objectives are to:

  1. provide or present information on the basics concepts, issues, impacts and effective ways of writing project proposals in terms of Climate Finance Access;
  2. and also provide an opportunity for Climate Alumnus, Australia Awards Alumnus and students from University of South Pacific and Solomon Islands National University (SINU) and partners to learn and share together.

She said the participants are expected to develop a proposal and submit to a donor as the outcome of this trainings.

Patison’s team consist of local experts in climate change including Douglas Yee, Jimmy Kereseka and Viara, who also formed the BioClimate Eco-Analytics.

His team informed the participants on the RIO Conventions and UNFCCC and the Green Climate Fund and the Adaptation Fund.

Patison also taught the participants on the objective tree and problem and the Theory of Change to develop a proposal for climate change grant.

The participants have expressed their gratitude towards the local experts for enhancing their knowledge of climate change issues.

First Fathers Day flight

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Passengers boarding the VIP scenic flight prior to pilot briefing and take off at Henderson Airport

Solomon Airlines first-ever and and fully sold out ‘Fathers Day VIP Scenic Flight’ departed at 9.35am on Saturday treating its special passengers to a very special joy flight of 75 minutes, from take-off to touchdown with spectacular views of over 300kms of scenery.

Departing from Henderson Airport on board Solomon Airline’s new Twin Otter H4-SIC, most of the sightseeing journey was operated under 1000 feet altitude, providing close and uninterrupted bird’s eye views.

Solomon Airlines first ever Fathers Day Scenic Flight passengers pose for a group photo prior to boarding. The flight was sold out.

The flight path was determined by Solomon Airlines expert pilots Captain Steve Aumanu Junior and Captain Alex Takola who flew their passengers East from Henderson Airport over Guadalcanal Plains Palm Oil Ltd GPPOL, North to Tulagi and over the Ngella (Florida) Islands, then West across Savo Island for a bird’s eye view of Savo volcano, then flying over Yandina in the Russell Islands, before returning via the Guadalcanal coastline.

Fifteen passengers were hosted on the flight. All guests were warmly welcomed with a floral garland, posing for a group photo before being treated to Delite chocolate biscuits and bottled water on boarding.

Passengers Jhanvi and Seema Pratap receiving their VIP gift pack filled with SolTuna and Cathliro products

On the return to Honiara each passenger also received a VIP gift pack, including premium goodies from Soltuna and Cathliro, and a Souvenir Certificate to commemorate their flight.

“Our team put a lot of thought into creating this flight as a special experience for Fathers and their families to create memories to last a life time,” said Colin Sigimanu, Manager Commercial for Solomon Airlines.

Solomon Airlines staff Melinder Alu and Serema Forest holding garlands to provide passengers on arrival

“Today’s Father’s Day VIP scenic flight was a tremendous success, our thanks to those passengers who joined us, and to our captains and the many staff who made this day possible. We hope to offer more special and memorable experiences like this flight, on other occasions in the future,” he added.

–SOLAIR PRESS

Frontliners walk-out

Written by
Mavis Podokolo
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National Referral Hospital

No Jab no job effect hits NRH

BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO

A number of frontline workers at the National Referral Hospital who refused to be vaccinated have left their job due a memo urging mandatory vaccination for public servants.

This was confirmed to this paper by Dr George Malefoasi, Chief Executive Officer, National Referral Hospital.

“I can confirm to you that few of our frontline health care workers have decided to refrain from their duties, due to the memo concerning the mandatory vaccine agreed by cabinet,” Malefoasi said.

He stressed that services are not affected because the rest of his health care officers have received their COVID-19 doses.

“Those who walked away are the very few and the ones that refuse to get vaccinated.

Malefoasi said they have advised health care workers to come back to work and wait on the advice from the Ministry of Public Services before further action can be taken. 

It was agreed by cabinet on Friday 30th July 2021 at one of its sittings that the above-mentioned groups of people not receiving their first doses of COVID-19 vaccinations will not have access to their workplace.

Minister of Health and Medical Services Dr Culwick Togamana last month confirmed that the three groups of people to take the vaccine are as follows;

  • all public servants and employees of the central and provincial governments and eligible members of their families,
  • all staff of state-owned enterprises [SOEs] and other government institutions / subsidiaries and eligible members of their families
  • employees of private companies undertaking work at the front-lines – such as shipping agents, airlines, stevedores, crews of fishing vessels and eligible members of their families.

Togamana said this applies to the three mentioned groups in the provinces where the COVID-19 vaccination rollout had already commenced including Honiara, Western Province, and Choiseul Province, Guadalcanal Province and Malaita Outer Islands to receive their first doses of COVID-19 vaccination by 31st August 2021 and their second dose by 30 November 2021.

“Any person covered under the above categories who chooses not to get their 1st dose of vaccination by 31st August will not be allowed to access their place of employment, and any person in the three categories not fully vaccinated by 30th November 2021 will be taken as having chosen to self-terminate their employment,” he said.

Togamana said Cabinet also agreed that for the provinces where vaccination rollout is yet to commence, all employees under the above 3 categories will have 60 days [2 months] to get their first dose of vaccination and the last date to take their 2nd dose of vaccination will be 12 weeks from the date of the closing day for the 1st dose period.

“Like those in Honiara, Western, Choiseul, Guadalcanal provinces and Malaita Outer Islands, any person under the above categories who chooses not to receive their first dose by the end of the period for taking the first dose, will not be allowed to access their workplaces, and if they still choose not to be vaccinated by the closing date of the 2nd dose period will be taken as having chosen to self-terminate their employment,” he said.

Togamana adds that the mandatory vaccination came about because cabinet has set a national vaccination target to achieve 80 percent of their 1st dose vaccination coverage nationally by 30th November 2021, and 80 percent 2nd dose vaccination coverage nationally by 28 February 2022.

“It is not the government’s intention to punish people. Its intention is to protect the total population of this country from COVID-19,” he said.

Meanwhile, the total number of the three groups of people who have received their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine is not yet confirmed.

‘NO BRIBES PAID’

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
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Demonstrators in-front-of-the-provincial-chamber
  • Malaita MPA dismisses accusations; declared he is still with MARA govt
  • MARA thanks protestors for calm behaviour.

By SAMMY WAIKORI and EDDIE OSIFELO

ONE of the nine Malaita MPAs accused of plotting to bring down Premier Daniel Suidani has dismissed claims he was paid to be part of the group.

Ward 4 MPA and the province’s Youth minister Ivan Samuel broke his silence on Friday following widespread accusations that led to a protest in Auki.

“There was no bribe paid and I am still a member of the MARA government,” Samuel told the Island Sun.

“I can only be removed from MARA if I tender my resignation or sacked by the premier,” he added.

“At the moment, this was not the case.

“I am still the minister for Youth

“I did not resign.”

Samuel was accused by Malaitans as being part of the nine MPAs who left for Honiara last week at the behest of Deputy Prime Minister Manasseh Maelanga.

The political turbulence has led to a protest by disgruntled Malaitans in Auki last week who want to see MARA stay into power for its remaining term.

MARA, under the leadership of Suidanai, has refused to accept the China switch and vowed to keep China out of Malaita.

The national government has been accused of working behind the scene to bring down Suidani so that a new government friendly to China can come in place.

The nine reportedly planning to resign were allegedly part of the national government’s plot.

Samuel said he did not receive any bribes as many had claimed.

He said it was sad to see Malaitans accusing him and calling him all sorts of names.

“Malaita will never be sold,” he said.

The other eight MPAs could not be reached for comments.

Meanwhile, the MARA Government has thanked protesters for upholding the law during their peaceful march.

The protesters called on the group of executive members who are planning to resign from MARA government to reconsider their decision and remain with the government.

Speaking on behalf of MARA government, an executive member, MPA for Ward 28, Claudio Tei’ifi acknowledged the protestors for raising their concerns within the bounds of the law.

Tei’ifi, who was called to receive the protesters, said people are aware that a number of executive members are planning to resign from MARA government.

“But at this point of time, no resignations has happened yet,” he said.

“The process is a resignation letter from an executive member must go through the premier’s office, the speaker and clerk to the assembly and will prove those who resign,” he added.

“For now, there’s no resignation and we’ll wait to see what will happen before we might think of taking any more moves,” Tei’ifi said.

He assured the people that he will take their demands to the MARA executive for their discussions.

Tei’ifi called on people to maintain the peaceful behavior shown during the protest and refrain from any unlawful activities that will jeopardize the safety of everyone.

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