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Construction of multi-million dollar hotel underway

Written by
Ben Bilua
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Behind view of the building on the shoreline

BY BEN BILUA
Gizo

One might think the photo below is a hotel somewhere overseas. If you are one of them, you are wrong. The photo is a snapshot of a $12.5 million three storey hotel project that is currently under construction at Gizo, Western Province.

A ground breaking ceremony was held on Saturday last week where Pastor Siope from the United Church gave a formal blessing before the construction kicked off.

Community elders, friends and families were also present to witness the beginning of one of the biggest developments at Gizo.

The man behind the project is Jacob Kwan, a striving local businessman who has established few hotels and homestay in Western Province.

He also owns a Construction Company called “TOOR Building Construction”

I sat down with Kwan this week to learn more about his proposed plan and what the hotel will offer when it’s open.

About the Project

The hotel will accommodate 32 self-contain rooms, a restaurant, a VIP bar, a Sports Wear Shop, a jetty designed for elderly tourists to offload baggage and drop off upon arrival as well as departure.

One interesting thing about that hotel is, it will be the first environment friendly building ever built at Gizo as it will be powered by Solar.

“This project is a joint venture between me and my business partner from France. The design of the building is drawn up by an architect from France.

“Our first objective is to make sure it will provide the necessary services for all age groups especially elderly tourists who wish to visit Gizo. 

Jacob Kwan middle holding a spade during the ground breaking ceremony with officials

“Focus of this first objective is to build a user-friendly jetty as existing jetties are not user friendly, especially to elderly passengers especially tourists. I want to build a jetty that is user friendly to all age groups,”

“Not only that, the hotel will be powered by Solar – an advocacy on its own, promoting green energy to reduce greenhouse gases,” Kwan said.

He said the timeline for the completion of the hotel is two and half years depending on weather and availability of resources so as building materials.

Kwan said TOOR Building Construction Company is leading the construction of the building and most of the construction workers are youths from rural communities.

“Currently we are at initial ground work trying to set a strong foundation before going into mapping out structure of the building.

“The area is soft so we are trying to compact the ground before proceeding to create the structure of the building.

“It is a challenging job but we are ambitious to make sure the first phase of the project is achieved,” he said.

Investment

12.5 million dollars is a huge investment that will have an impact to the province and also the country as a whole.

Part of the money that will be spent on materials and salaries will contributes to the economy through tax payments and other fees.

Did the Western Province and the National Government help the project financially? Nope! And the least Provincial and National Government should do is provide some leverages such as tax free for some of the building materials.

According to Kwan, the fund is from his own pocket and another portion comes from his business partner.

The area is been sealed off for the construction to kick off

“This is a huge project and I want the province or the national government to recognise how we as small business owners trying establish infrastructures that one way or the other help achieve the government’s objectives in terms of tourism facilities.

“I for one applied for the Stimulus Package to assist me with this project, but my application was rejected.

“It is saddening that to see people receiving the Stimulus Package doing less or nothing at all,” he said.

“I’m using my own investment to make my dream come true,” Kwan said.

The Vision

It is Kwan’s best interest to provide an efficient, well-organized and user friendly services. But most of, his vision is to promote healthy environment where both tourists and locals can enjoy while doing their business.

“Our environment best describe our lifestyles. Keeping our environment clean while taking responsibility to clean our surroundings is the best way to start.

“The best investment you’ve ever make is your own health,” Kwan said.

He encourages Gizo residence to maintain cleanliness within Gizo town and at the same time do away with the littering attitude.

Kwan said littering has been one of the major issues and it is time for every individual to be responsible to keep Gizo clean.

Inside the area where the hotel will be built

“While we promote tourism, we must be responsible to keep our town clean. We must make a stop to our traditional attitude of throwing rubbish from mouth to anywhere on the ground,”

“We must also establish network within our communities to clean the town.

“I must say that the first impression of tourists visiting our town depends on how clean we live and this reinforces the need for us to promote cleanliness in Gizo,” he said.

The hotel will be called Zaru and it will add value not only to the tourism services in Western Province but also the beauty of Gizo.

According to The Coral Triangle, Western Province is among the most popular destinations in the Solomon Islands’ nascent tourism industry and rightly so – visitors here discover a mosaic of jungle drenched islands, fringing coral reefs, lagoons and bone white beaches that are the very embodiment of the South Pacific.

Front of the building facing the main road

There are a number of dive & adventure resorts scattered throughout the region.

Visitors discovered a mosaic of jungle drenched islands, fringing coral reefs, lagoons and bone white beaches that are the very embodiment of the South Pacific.

There are 11 major islands in total and besides the incredible reefs, there are sea grass beds where dugongs cruise as well as some very special wreck dives as the Solomon Islands saw some major battles during World War II.

The province is also home to the largest uninhabited island in the Pacific – a treasure trove of both terrestrial and marine biodiversity.

Mala MPAs urged to reconsider decision

Written by
Samie Waikori
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Executive member, MPA for ward 28, Hon Claudio Tei'ifi addressing the crowd during the protest in Auki.

BY SAMIE WAIKORI

AUKI

MEMBERS of the public in Auki staged a passive protest last week to call on nine MPAs of Premier Daniel Suidani’s executive who are reportedly planning to resign to reconsider their decision.

Protesters took the street of Auki and marched to the provincial chamber where they presented a petition to the MARA executive.

Speaking on behalf of the protesters, President of Malaita For Democracy Knoxly Atu said they staged the protest to give people the opportunity to express their disagreement about the purported action of their leaders.

Demonstrators in front of the provincial chamber last week.

“And their call was for those executive members who planned to resign or leave MARA government to reconsider their decisions and stay on with MARA,” Atu said.

“Malaita people want their leaders to stick together and work for the good of the people,” he added.

A member of M4D Jethro Siru added the protest is to show to the nine that people are not happy with their planned move.

“Everyone here wants a united provincial government that works to serve the interest of the people,” Siru said.

He said changing the government will not benefit anyone, but the politicians.

Gina opens education conference in Gizo

Written by
Ben Bilua
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Officials from Central Province Education Authority presents their gifts

BY BEN BILUA
Gizo

WESTERN Province Premier David Gina yesterday opened the sixth National Education Conference in Gizo.

He said his province was honoured to host the event.

“I on behalf of the government and people of this province warmly welcome you to Gizo,” he said.

Premier David Gina delivers his speech

“It is my hope that you will enjoy your brief stay with us in our province as we learn, share and unite together this week,” Gina added.

“I believe, for some of you, this would be your first trip to Western Province.

“If you are one of these first timers, I convey a big welcome and be informed that Gizo is not Western province.

“We have hundreds of islands, coral reefs, scenery beaches, rivers and hospitable people out there that you can visit if time permits.”

Gina said education is vital as it can set a foundation for a greater nation where joy, peace, progress and prosperity can be achieved.

Renbel Education Officer presents his gift to Premier Gina

He adds that the conference is a very important event that will establish new directions that would provide a systematic approach towards providing better access to education.

“I’m aware the subject of your discussion this week centers on the socialization with all stakeholders to form new directions and better prepared for the Education Bill is enacted.

“This is a very important and mammoth task and is no mean-undertaking.

“We need to question ourselves whether our education system have properly addressed the needs of the nation looking back 43 years ago since independent,” he said.

Performance from a Coomunity high school located west of Gizo Island

Gina told those present that the theme of the conference “Moving forward in Education now and beyond” speaks volume of the need for thorough evaluation of existing system to achieve positive change.

He said the present generation is responsible for making changes through refocusing and redirecting of potential requirements to address the need of the people.

Gina said the goal of the education system should be centered on the need to improve the lives of the people.

Rannoga Dancers

Delivering the keynote address, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education and Human Resource Development, Dr Franco Rodie expressed his gratitude towards Western Province for its commitments in preparations towards the event amidst COVID-19 challenges.

He also acknowledged the presence of the Premier of Western province and his executive during the opening of the conference.

Rodie further extends its acknowledgement donor partners and Educational Authority officials who made efforts to be part of the conference.

He said the country’s potential and aspiration depends on investment towards the development of the country’s children and young people.

PS Education Franco Rodie speaking during the opening of the Conference’s first session

Rodie said the existing government is very much supportive of the transformative role of education and training in building human capacity, empowering youths, women and marginalized groups.

“Discussion in depth of our people’s or country’s expectations and aspirations in education is deemed important because we can distill from such discussions, renewed commitments and plan that can enables us to develop the potentials of our country.

“How we frame education now affects what is possible later. Choosing our words carefully is paramount.

“Fatalism is high right now, and the public needs your help to see what’s possible and where they fit into creating positive and effective change.

The long que of officials and students taking part during the parade

“By strategically framing this moment and the solution that can see us to the other side of it, we can mobilize greater public will for long-term social and systematic change,” he said.

Rodie said the education system in the country is exciting yet challenging and that needs collective supports from stakeholders to minimise or address the challenges.

He told education officials present during the opening program that the responsibility to influence, make positive change and improve access to education in all levels depends entirely on collective participation of the Ministry of Education and Provincial Education Authorities.

Officials from Malaita Education Authority waves to the crowd after presenting their gift

“It is you and I together with the support of the government, community and development partners that can improve the quality of education standard in the country,” Rodie said.

CLOUD OVER AUKI

Written by
Samie Waikori
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Auki provincial town of Malaita.
  • No official resignation from 9 MARA members yet
  • No instructions to swear-in newly appointed deputy premier
  • No statement from MARA on ‘crack’ in ranks

BY SAMIE WAIKORI

Auki

THE speaker for Malaita province says he is yet to receive any official instructions from the Ministry of Provincial Government and Institutional Strengthening (MPGIS) to swear in the new deputy premier.

Ronnie Butala told Sun Auki he has already received a letter from Premier Daniel Suidani instructing him to facilitate a swearing-in for MPA Glen Waneta, the newly appointed deputy premier.

However, Butala says his office is answerable only to the Ministry of provincial government (MPGIS), thus will wait for any ‘confirmation’ from Minister Rolland Seleso before he can proceed.

Butala said this is the formality and his office cannot just carry-out the oath without advice and letter of appointment from the Minister of MPGIS.

“This is the formality and my office is just waiting for advice from the minister to carry-on the swearing in of Waneta.

“It must also be cleared that my office is only to facilitate the process and approval to that must be made from the minister.

“Because after facilitating the process (swearing-in), document must send back to minister for gazzetting as the appointment is made,” he explained.

Butala meanwhile, said his office has already prepared required documents for the swearing-in of Waneta.

Waneta was appointed as the new deputy premier following the sacking of the former, Randol Sifoni, by premier Daniel Suidani last week.

Meanwhile, Butala says his office has not received resignation letters from the nine executive members who are reportedly planning to leave the MARA government.

He explains that the process of resignation for an executive member is that the resignation letter be submitted to the deputy premier who will forward it to the provincial secretary (PS) and then to the minister of MPGIS.

Butala said his office will then be notified by the Minister of MPGIS.

He adds that other provincial offices such as the provincial clerk will also be notified by the MPGIS minister.

Butala said his office will work closely with the minister in such a situation and if advice is for election (if need be) then his office will facilitate the election process.

He confirmed his office is aware of the plan by some of the executive members to resign from the Malaita Alliance for Rural Advancement (MARA) government.

Attempts by Sun Auki to speak with the acting deputy premier on this issue was futile before this paper went to print last night.

‘Plans in place for mentally ill persons’

Written by
Jennifer Kusapa
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BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

THE Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS) says it has plans in place for persons with mental illness during a lockdown.

MHMS Covid-19 Incident Controller, Nemia Bainivalu says in the event of a lockdown they “catch” persons with mental illness who roam the streets of Honiara and place them in the mental health facility at the national referral hospital (NRH).

For those they cannot “catch”, MHMS refers their cases to the police “to deal with them”, says Bainivalu.

Bainivalu was responding to questions asked on whether or not the Ministry have plans to look at mentally ill people during a lockdown exercise and during a real lockdown in response to any covid-19 community transmission here.

He said they have plans and during the 36-hour lockdown; they have a facility provided for them and those ones where they manage to get them, they keep at the facility at the National Referral Hospital.

“We actually took some out of the streets and place them at the facility, but others we cannot catch them because they are moving from place to place very fast, and we have arranged with the police to deal with them,” Bainivalu said.

Bainivalu also said they have arranged with the Correctional Services to place the mentally ill at the facility CSSI uses to admit inmates in.

During the previous three lockdowns, persons with mental illness were reportedly allowed to roam the streets of Honiara.

Several social media posts have images taken of few freely roaming around in various locations in Honiara.

Schools visited during lockdown

Written by
Mavis Podokolo
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NDOC education Chairman Christopher Sakiri

BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO

A total of 24 out of 38 schools have been visited and monitored by the National Disaster Operations Committee (NDOC) Education during the 36 hour trail lock-down inside Honiara Emergency zones.

NDOC education chairman Christopher Sakiri told reporters during the 36-hour lock-down NDOC education was activated and operational.

“During the lockdown we managed to visit 24 schools out of the 38 schools but from initial information about rock-throwing we managed to visit 24 schools to check if the schools were locked and have securities looking after them,” Sakiri said.

He said they found that not all schools were locked and have securities.

Sakiri said they engaged 16 staff during the lockdown.

“Some of them manned the office while others remotely communicate directly to the Emergency Operation Center at the Ministry of Education,” he said.

He added they were tasked to support the two boarding schools that are inside the Honiara Emergency Zones – King George Sixth School and Betikama Adventist College.

“We were also tasked to ensure that learning continues to happen for all schools within the SOPE,” he said.

Sakiri stressed they’ve talked to and advised school leaders to ensure that all students are given home work for Monday or if not from Saturday and Sunday and Monday.

He adds for King George and Betikama College, they have their own SOP activated during the 36 hour lock-down – meaning only teachers responsible should be moving around.

SICCI launches ‘Bisnis for Vaccines’ campaign

Written by
Press Release
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The Solomon Islands Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SICCI) has launched a campaign with the aim to get private sector support to encourage and drive vaccination as the country continues its fight against COVID-19.

The “Bisnis For Vaccines” campaign will reward anyone who has received their first jab and those who are fully vaccinated with prizes following draws in the coming months, the Chamber said in a statement yesterday (Wednesday 1 September, 2021). Due to the current low take up rate of COVID-19 vaccinations in the Solomon Islands SICCI has decided to run this incentive with the support of the of businesses to focus the eligibility for the draw on those vaccinated from 1st September onward.

“SICCI has reached out to its members and a number of businesses operating in the country have already come on board to support by donating cash and other prizes for fort-nightly draws to drive this initiative forward.

“To register for the fort-nightly draws you must be partially or fully vaccinated from 1st September, 2021 and will be required to present your COVID-19 Vaccination card at the registration site. Registration site is at the SICCI Secretariat Office at Hyundai Mall, room 223 and Y-Sato Office at Commonwealth Street.

“At the time of registration, you will be required to show an ID card that has a photo on it which can be your NPF Card, Driver’s License, Voter Register Card or a Passport Bio page,” the SICCI statement said.

Prizes include:

  • $250 for those partially vaccinated (one draw per fort-night)
    • $500 for those fully vaccinated (two draws per fort-night)
    • Four (4) 10kg bag of rice for those partially vaccinated (first jab)
    • Four (4) 20kg bag of rice those fully vaccinated (second jab)

The first draw will be made on Wednesday 15 September, 2021 and will be conducted by Prime Minister Hon Manasseh Sogavare as a show of support by Government to this private sector led initiative which aims to boost vaccination numbers among our citizens.

The draws will be conducted live through social media (Facebook) and winners will be contacted to collect their prizes.

Meanwhile SICCI encourages other businesses who are interested in participating directly in this effort to get in touch with the Chamber Secretariat.

“Our communities and our businesses face the reality of being shut down if we have even a single case in our communities, as such, leadership and support for Solomon Islanders getting their jab is necessary and should be a priority.

“The private sector and business are ready to support Government vaccinate the targeted population to keep our country safe from this deadly virus,” SICCI Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Ms Natalina Hong, said.

“Vaccination is one of the main ways to protect our communities and businesses to reduce the possibility of community spread if and when our borders are reopened,” she added.

SICCI acknowledge the following business and companies who have come forward to support the “Bisnis For Vaccines” campaign:

  1. Y-SATO Marine
  2. AJ & Blum Ltd
  3. BRED Bank
  4. Bank South Pacific (BSP)
  5. SolTuna Limited
  6. Reeves International 
  7. ANZ Bank
  8. Solrice Limited
  9. Gold Ridge Mining Limited (GRML)
  10. South Pacific Oil (SPO)
  11. Fivesafe

Staff at the SICCI Secretariat will be hosting a live session on the SICCI Facebook page on Friday 3 September to respond to questions from the general public relating to the “Bisnis For Vaccines” campaign.

-SICCI Media

HCC lags in climate emergency declaration

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
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By EDDIE OSIFELO

HONIARA City Council is still to make any progress on the issue of climate change to date.

This is after former City Mayor, Wilson Mamae declared a Climate Emergency on behalf of Honiara City Council on Friday, September 20, 2019.

The Declaration is a bold step which reflects the Council’s determination to support its communities in regards to the threat of climate change.

Current Mayor, Eddie Siapu said there is still no work done on it after the launching.

HCC Chief Health Inspector in the Environmental Health Division, George Titulu said he is not aware of this matter.

However, Titulu said his division has introduced the Environmental Learning City.

He said under this project, the Council provides environmental learning facilities to the communities.

One officer of UN Habitat who used to work at HCC said one of the setbacks is because there is no climate change officer in the Council.

He said there are Planning officers there but they are busy with daily applications.

During the launching, former Mayor Mamae said climate change is “truly the challenge of our generation. It will affect our lands and oceans, it will affect our flora and fauna, and it will affect our people and cultures”.

He said all of the climate change challenges Solomon Islands as a whole faces, Honiara City also faces.

Mamae noted that these challenges include flooding, landslides and erosion, health effects, higher temperatures and changes in growing seasons for farmers.

He said it was for this reason that the Council declared a climate emergency.

Mamae noted that emergencies had been announced in countries and cities including the UK, New York, Paris and Auckland, but that Honiara’s declaration makes it a climate leader in the Pacific.

He said the key affirmation in the document – that the Council “affirms, as Solomon Islands Government did in the Kainaki II declaration endorsed at the Fiftieth Pacific Islands Forum, that climate change is the single greatest threat to the livelihoods, security and wellbeing of the peoples of Solomon Islands”.

As a response to climate change, Mamae said the range of steps the Council is taking.

“This includes the drafting and implementation of new policy around climate change and disaster management, as well as continuing a range of strategic partnerships to support Honiara communities in regards to climate change.

“These partnerships include UN-Habitat’s ‘Climate Resilient Honiara’; World Bank with the CAUSE project; and the LEAF project supported by JICA,” he said.

He said that “our government and Council are just part of the solution. We need input and participation from communities across the city and country to ensure real action is taken on climate change. We thank all of you in civil society organisations, school programmes and church and community groups who have already demonstrated real leadership and courage in that regard”.

Father now faces rape charges over daughter

Written by
Jennifer Kusapa
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0

BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

THE prosecution has filed amended charges against a man alleged to have sexually abused his daughter in 2014.

The 46-year-old man is accused of having sexual intercourse with his 12-year-old daughter.

Previously he entered a not guilty plea on the incest charges and his case was listed for trial on September 6 to 17 of this year.

Yesterday’s appearance was for an interim mention.

However, prosecution said they made amendments to the initial charges.

A public prosecutor appeared on behalf of the prosecutor in carriage of the file, told the court that prosecution amended counts 3 to count 8 incest to that of rape.

Prosecution said they amended the charges conferencing the victim, and amended the charges of incest to rape charges.

Presiding Principal Magistrate Fatimah Taeburi adjourned the case to September 7, so that amended charges are filed to the defence and also the accused to be re-arraigned on the amended charges.

Magistrate Taeburi also said that since the incest charges are now amended to rape charges, defence to elect a form of preliminary inquiry into the matter for committal to the High Court for trial.

Police arrest 3 during kwaso raid

Written by
Press Release
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0

LATA Police in Temotu Province have arrested three suspects in a raid for brewing kwaso (homebrew) at Nole farm area in Santa Cruz Island on September 1, 2021.

Operation Manager, Temotu Province, Inspector Walter Leleina says the raid was conducted following information received regarding kwaso brewing in that community.

“Police entered three dwelling houses and confiscated a total of 60 litre of home-brew,” Leleina said.

“Three suspects were arrested and placed in police custody awaiting further dealings,” he added.

“The kwaso products are recorded as police exhibits for court.

“I want to appeal to our law-abiding citizens to provide information that will assist the Police to get rid of kwaso from our communities.

“Police cannot do this alone. It needs the support of our people.”

Lata police can be contacted on phone 53184 or 53070 to report anyone involved in Kwaso brewing in our communities.

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