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Public thanked for support during lockdown

Written by
Mavis Podokolo
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A-male-officer-controlling-vehicle-at-the-White-River-checkpoint

BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO 

AUTHORITIES have lauded the Honiara public for their cooperation during the 36-hour lockdown that ended 6am yesterday.

Incident Controller, Ministry of Health and Medical Services Dr Nemia Bainivalu thanked people for their cooperation in making the lock-down a success.

“I thank members of the public within the Honiara Emergency Zones for cooperation and adhering to lock-down regulations,” Bainivalu told reporters.

“And also for assisting us in the various emergencies that happened and for their cooperation during our simulation exercises with health teams that went into communities,” he added.

He said the Health ministry appreciated its partner ministries and stakeholders for making the lockdown a success.

Police to deal with detained logging craft

Written by
Jennifer Kusapa
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BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

POLICE says they are waiting on the Director of Public Prosecution for advice before they can deal with the detained logging craft intercepted during the lockdown.

Assistant Commissioner Simpson Pogeava stated this yesterday.

He said currently police are dealing with the 32 people arrested while the issue of the detained vessel awaits the DPP’s advice.

He said they are working with stakeholders and the ship owner on paper works that need to be forwarded to the DPP’s office.

Police Maritime patrols intercepted the landing craft outside of the Solfish area at Lunga at 8:35pm on Sunday night August 29 when the simulated lockdown was already active for Honiara..

From there the landing craft then escorted to the police Maritime at Aola to be kept awaiting further advice from the rightful authorities.

‘No jab no job’ comes into effective today

Written by
Mavis Podokolo
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BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO

PUBLIC servants and employees of state-owned companies who are yet to take their first COVID jab will not be allowed to enter their offices as of today.

That’s according to a Cabinet resolution designed to ensure employees of government and other state institutions get vaccinated.

In his national address in August, Minister of Health and Medical Services Dr Culwick Togamana confirmed that  the three groups of employees are as follow:

  • 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 three mentioned groups in the provinces where 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 the Cabinet also agreed that for provinces where vaccination rollout has not yet commenced, 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 the cabinet has set a national vaccination target to achieve 80 percent 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 yet to be confirmed.

Ministry yet to release full report of lockdown

Written by
Mavis Podokolo
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Point-Cruz-road-during-the-lockdown-on-30-August-2021-1

BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO

THE Ministry of Health and Medical Services is yet to release its outcome response effort for the 36-hour trail lock-down for COVID-19 response inside Honiara Emergency Zones.

“The Ministry will have a more detailed outcome of the 36 hour trail lock-down after finishing our de-brief of each particular area,” Incident Controller Dr Nemia Bainivalu said.

“We will provide you with the more detailed outcome after our meeting in the next few days,” he added.

Meanwhile, in a media briefing yesterday he highlighted few outcomes in terms of communication and logistics challenges faced inside the 36-hour lock-down period.   

32 arrests during lockdown

Written by
Jennifer Kusapa
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An-officer-checking-a-vehicle-at-the-Ranadi-round-about-checkpoint

BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

A total of 32 arrests were made during the lockdown.

Assistant Commissioner National Capital and Crime Prevention as well the RSIPF COVID-19 Police Operation Commander Simpson Pogeava confirmed this yesterday during the joint press conference.

Pogeava said 30 of the people arrested breached the restriction of movement while two others were arrested for brewing kwaso.

Pogeava said it is surprising to see people involved in unlawful activities like brewing of kwaso during the lockdown.

He said out of the total arrested one is a female.

He also said the 30 people were expected to appear in court yesterday while the two juveniles were released, their cases to be dealt with later today.

Pogeava also commended police officers for tirelessly carrying out their duties during the 36-hour lockdown as police officers were working 12hours and others more in dealing with the cases.

He said police are always there to support the leading agencies providing security and to make sure the regulations are complied with.

“Despite the arrests, I must commend members of the public; especially those in the emergency zone for their assistance in making the police operation a successful one. On behalf of all the officers who took part in the lockdown operation, I wish to thank you for all the positive feedback received on the work by RSIPF officers during the operation,” Pogeava added.

CPI drops 2.4 percent in June

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Press Release
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The country’s National Consumer Price Index (CPI) has dropped 2.4 percent to 106.6 in June 2021.

This is according to the latest Statistical bulletin released yesterday.

National statistician Douglas Kimi said through the year, compared to the same month in 2020, the National CPI dropped 0.6 percent.

He said the most significant changes by major expenditure groups from the previous month include:

– Food and Non-Alcoholic Beverages: (+0.2%),

– Alcoholic beverages, tobacco and narcotics: (-14.1%)

– Housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels: (-0.5%)

– Furnishings, household equipment and routine household maintenance:  (-0.1%)  Health: (+0.4%)

– Transport:  (+0.3%)

– Recreation & Culture:  (+1.7%)

– Miscellaneous (+0.2%)

Mr Kimi said the Solomon Islands inflation rate for the month of June 2021 calculated on a three-months moving average basis was -1.5%.

“The corresponding inflation rates for imported items was -2.2%, while other (domestic) items inflation rate was -1.1%.

“The Solomon Islands underlying rates of inflation based on a 3-months moving average was observed between -1.7% and -0.8% for June 2021.”

He said the headline inflation rates for the respective provincial towns calculated on a three-months moving average basis were: Honiara: (-1.1%); Auki: (-0.4%); Gizo: (+2.7%); and Noro: (-6.5%).

–SINSO PRESS

Ministry condemns attacks on NRH workers, vehicles.

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Press Release
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THE Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS) says it is deeply and utterly disappointed at several incidents of rock throwing at NRH vehicles and workers including illegal roadblocks in Honiara during the lockdown period.

“MHMS condemns such outrageous and cowardly acts in the highest possible terms,” the ministry said in a statement.

On Sunday night a health land cruiser was stoned at stone field, Kaibia heights and another at Lungga area.

A third land cruiser was blocked at April Valley, Panatina.

A bus used to support NRH operations sustained two broken windows at No.3 area and St. John Ambulance had to turn back from an actual emergency run around Feraladoa area due to road block.

“Drivers and health workers narrowly escaped injuries from these incidents,” the statement.

“As a result, an emergency case that needed to be brought urgently to NRH emergency could not be reached,” it added.

“Shift of NRH nurses delayed, resulting in delays with attendance to NRH inpatients and timely administration of medications.

“Nurses and health workers were traumatized let alone the costs that will now be incurred for repairs.

“As such, health would like to issue the following statement to those few members of the public whom for unknown reasons decided to stone, block and obstruct health vehicles whilst in operation both for COVID-19 drill lockdown operations and normal continuity of health services.

“What you are doing is putting lives at risk not only of the sick who urgently needed to come to NRH and inpatients but also the hospital medical workers, the very people who have unselfishly made significant sacrifices to their families for your health and lives and that of your families, friends and the country.

“Both medical and public health workers around the world, continue to be applauded, glorified and saluted immensely for their sacrifices, commitment and dedication towards their profession, more especially during this time of the pandemic and even during lockdowns.

“Yet, here in Honiara we witnessed a small minority of ungrateful and disgruntled citizens who seem to have some issues with NRH workers or probably NRH vehicles, which if true is plainly insane, and decided to lodge an attack from the dark.

“There is no common sense in all these. Some of the runs made that night were to drop off NRH nurses who may have cared for your family and friend throughout the day effortlessly, these workers could have also been your mother or father, family member or friend or work colleague.”

The statement said other runs were part of logistical support towards health lockdown operations that is crucial towards sharpening health’s COVID-19 community transmission response, should the virus find its way into the communities.

“Again, this is for the sole purpose of serving you to the best of health’s ability and capacity in the event of an actual COVID-19 community transmission.

“All medical workers in fact swore on oath to preserve your health and in turn your lives, if this is how we are going to treat them, then there is something seriously wrong that needs urgent attention.

“Therefore, the Ministry of Health is making a strong call to all parents and guardians, church and community leaders, elders and chiefs to support the work of health by advocating and raising awareness around the important work of health to community members more especially the youths and young adults.

“Health can do its work in serving the public much better if there is simply an act of respect, regard and support from the public for the work that it is doing.

“Despite these actions, health remains steadfast to continue serving the health needs of our people and our country.”

Varivao applauds Aust plans to open up to Kava imports.

Written by
Brian Lezutuni
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General Manager of Varivao Holdings, Benjamin Hageria with kava products bought, stored and ready for export.

By BRIAN LEZUTUNI

As the kava market slows, plans by Australia to allow importation of commercial quantities are being welcomed by one of the country’s leading kava exporters.

In late July, Varivao Holdings Ltd suspended kava purchases from local farmers due to limited market demand and financial hardship brought by the pandemic.

Benjamin Hageria, the General Manager of Varivao Holdings told Island Sun that opening up the Australian market to commercial kava importation will be good for business.

In mid-July, Australia’s Minister for International Development and the Pacific, Senator Zed Seselja told Pacific journalists that commercial kava imports into Australia could begin as soon as the end of this year.

At the moment, Australia only allows kava to enter the country if it is carried by travellers for their own personal use. Each traveller is allowed a maximum of 4kgs of kava.

Since it ventured into the kava business in 2008, Varivao has exported kava to countries such as the United States of America, Kiribati, Nauru and Marshall Islands. It is also responsible for distributing kava products in the domestic market.

“My company is looking ahead to exporting kava to Australia,” an elated Hageria said.

“Australia has a higher population of Pacific people and consumers of kava, and our company is working on a plan based on our research and findings from the Australian market.


General Manager of Varivao Holdings, Benjamin Hageria.

“I want Solomon kava to enter and be sold in the Australian market.

Hageria said he postponed buying kava due to the market being slow and the difficulty faced by the company in supporting kava farmers.

“Kava famers kept coming, but I told them to wait a little bit due to the challenges faced in the international market.

“We also have competition from our neighbouring countries who export kava as well.

Minister Seselja said consultations about re-starting commercial imports into Australia via a pilot programme have been ongoing, the most recent being a Kava Forum in Canberra in June.

The pilot programme was first promised in 2019 by the Prime Minister of Australia, Scott Morrison as part of his commitment to the Pacific under the Pacific Step-up.

“It was delayed as a result of COVID, but we intend to progress it over the back-end of this year,” Minister Seselja told regional journalists.

Kava drinkers in Australia, who are being forced to pay as much as SBD $2107 ($350 AUD) for a kilogram of impure kava from black market, will be delighted.

With reduced international travel due to the COVID-19 pandemic, supplies usually provided by travelling friends and family have decreased dramatically creating a shortage which has pushed up prices.

Wantok Bosco celebrated in style

Written by
Press Release
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Some of the youth that take part in the program

Students and youths in the three Don Bosco institutions over the weekend gathered at Tetere Don Bosco Hall, east of Honiara, to celebrate the Wantok Bosco day.

The event was animated by the Salesian brothers and sisters from the three Don Bosco institutions; namely Henderson, Gizo and Tetere Don Bosco.

Three of the female youth took part in the program

Parish Priest (PP) of Tetere Christ the King and the Rector of Don Bosco Tetere Fr Robinson Parappilly said Wantok Bosco day is one of the important events for students, staff and the Salesian brothers and sisters of the three brother schools.

youths at the three days program

“The gathering purposely to unite the Salesian Brothers and Sisters, Students and young people from the three Schools under one roof to share, have fan together and listen to talks that will curve their lives for God. It is also to allow young people to come together for the prayer formation,” the rector said

He added the event is celebrated annually, last year a similar event was held at Don Bosco Henderson and this year they celebrate the event at Tetere Don Bosco.

School Rector Fr Parappilly while delivering his talks

The talks were facilitated by the Salesian cooperators from the three schools which include reason and discernment, the importance of religion in the life of young persons and loving kindness as an attitude of service.

A youth from the Unity Ministry Taloa of Red beach Mr Victor Pule said indeed the programme is significant for youths and himself as a young person.

some of the Salesian Sisters at the Program

“The programme is very important especially for youths and young people in our communities. “It is good to spend our times listening to talks and Gods words instead of roaming around and involve in unwanted activities that will destroy our connection with God,” he said

He said from the talks he now has a clear understanding on how he should discipline himself accordingly especially to what he should follow in his personal life.

Grop green presenting thier discussion

The event was held for three days commencing on Friday, August 27, ending on Sunday.

The theme was ‘Don Bosco youth Holy formed and sent for service’.

–CATHOLIC MEDIA

China funding is a shame – sharp/soft power at work: TSI

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Press Release
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TRANSPARENCY Solomon Islands is flabbergasted to sight the Letter written by the Prime Minister of Solomon Islands to the Financial Controller of the Office of the Prime Minister and Cabinet informing him of full Caucus’s agreement with regard to the remaining balance of the Peoples Republic of China Constituency Development Fund for 2020.

Caucus agreed for the funds to be paid out as additional National Development Funds to support constituencies COVID-19 economic recovery effort.

It said that the funds are held at the ESCROW Account jointly operated by Solomon Islands Government and the Embassy of the Republic of China.

The first question Transparency Solomon Islands asks is who holds the authority and the decision-making power of the political parties that form the Executive Government.

In whose hands is the Executive Government of the people of Solomon Islands eating out of politically and for whose benefit. 

What can be seen is a foreign Government financing the people of Solomon Islands Executive Government to stay in power, for the benefit of that foreign government and the party that holds the Executive Power of the Solomon Islands Government.

The timing of the release of the funds speaks volumes with regard to the true purpose of the ESCROW Account – National Development Fund.

The use of Solomon Islands Government in his memo is misleading. Solomon Islands Government includes those members of Parliament not in the Executive Government, the Governor General as the Head of the State, and the Judiciary – the three arms of the government.

In this case the beneficiaries of the so-called National Development Fund are only the Members of Parliament who are in the Executive Government no more nor less.

The funds can therefore be assumed to be for political financing than for National Development.

China through its Embassy here in Honiara is involved in political activities of this country when that should be an activity left to the people of Solomon Islands to be engaged in – making, preserving, and amending the rules under which they live in with their government. 

Would China allow for such a practice in China. 

The answer is no, so why do it here in Solomon Islands. Now that this has become public, the Executive Government needs to inform the public who the signatories to the ESCROW Account are.

In examining the ESCROW Account, Transparency Solomon Islands reflects back on its submission to the Parliamentary Foreign Relations Committee that was tasked with the issue of Taiwan/China Relationship switch 2019.

Whilst Transparency Solomon Islands acknowledges the Prime Minister’s statement that it has always been the Executive Government who decides on such matters, it is our view that the Parliamentary Foreign Relations Standing Committee is the legislatures process that provides checks and balances for the Legislature, as well as ensuring the Executive Government does not misuse and abuse the unlimited power and authority of the State.  

The Committee provides public participation, inputs, scrutiny, monitoring and evaluation of the Executive Government’s plan making it more transparent and accountable to the people of Solomon Islands.

At that time and in media, Transparency Solomon Islands as do others shared views that Solomon Islands is not ready for this relationship and that it should prepare itself first, by strengthening its already very weak and corrupted poor governance systems and put in place systems that would ensure the country benefits transparently and accountability and with integrity from this relationship.

Transparency Solomon Islands shared publicly and to the task force information on how the Chinese Communist Party influences and the many forms it comes in or takes.

As can be seen in this so-called National Development Fund the Executive Government fails to inform its people   and more importantly provide an avenue for people of Solomon Islands to comment on the ESCROW Account of China.

It is important that the Executive Government and China provide the avenue where citizens of our country can raise their views and know how ESCROW Account is in the best interest of the people of Solomon Islands whose power is being exercised by the three arms of the Government.

Some of the forms the Communist Party Influences take.

1.            Economic Influence both licit and illicit –

Here in Solomon Islands climate change has affected us, our families, our land, and communities. Logging companies harvesting logs in Solomon Islands are doing so at 19 times the sustainable rate.

More than 80% of Solomon Islands log exports go to China.  

In the meantime, Solomon Islands loses 1,440 square kilometres [556 square miles] of tree cover between the year 2001 and 2017.

This acreage continues to increase at an alarming rate.  The accrued benefit of these resources is not paid to the country or the owners of these resources but to the loggers.

The Solomon Islands State of Environment reported that the forest harvest rates are a concern for the environment and long-term sustainability of the forestry sector.

Whilst forestry is a major contributor to the Solomon Islands economy, forest logged, and logs exports remain a very serious concern for long-term sustainability and climate change mitigation.

Trees as young as five to ten years were re-harvested, pictures of round log the size of a coconut trunk were posted on social media, Western Province raised its concern with regard to the size of logs appearing too young to be harvested and the story goes on.

China is committed to addressing climate change.  Whilst this is the case, it seems it does so only in China. There is no law in China banningthe trade of unsustainable trade of round logs.

This means all the imports are perfectly legal.  The high risk of illegality at the point of harvest is of no concern to China. 

Illegally harvested logs through trespass, into conservation areas, with no timber right hearing process, with fake licence, etc. are example but are of no concern to China. 

As long as it is not harvested illegally in China these are allowed to reach their shores. Logging has caused a lot of problem to the social well-being of the communities.

It does not bring genuine development to the lives of people.

As other countries in Southeast Asia and Africa tightened restrictions on timber exports through such measures as log export bans, China has turned to other sources of timber such as the Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea.

High demand in China for timber continue to put pressure on Solomon Islands Forest depleting it to the level way beyond its sustainable rate.

Had the Executive Government done its work in the best interest of Solomon Islands, it could have negotiated with the People’s Republic of China (PRC) for certain standards for sustainable with regard to logs/timber it imports from Solomon Islands.

China’s demand for logs is depleting the forest resources of Solomon Islands.

China could and still can introduce certain standards for sustainable harvest of forest resources similar to the Pacific tuna harvest with the introduction of IUU [Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated] harvesting of tuna.

China importing 80% of round logs from Solomon Islands and as our diplomatic partner it could do the same instead of providing political financing through the National Development Fund of the ESCROW Account to the Executive Government MPs only.

This is but one example that the Executive Government could have negotiated from the beginning and now, serving the country.

Instead it is now coming out what they negotiated for or sold our country for Political Financing through National Development Fund financing only the members of parliament in the Executive Government in order for them to stay in power.  Solomon Islands is a democratic State.

It is not the private company of those members of parliament in the Executive Government running is a business to serve their cronies.

2.            “Sharp power/ Soft Power” to manipulate the political and information environment

The ESCROW Account is nothing more than Corrosive Capital provided by China to the Executive Government of the people of Solomon Islands. It is “Sharp power” at work to manipulate the political and information environment.  

It is State-backed capital that lacks transparency or accountability and flows from authoritarian regime into Solomon Islands where there is weak rule of law putting our democracy at risk.

This is a bad deal concluded behind closed doors for the benefit of the Executive Government of the Day.

Whilst to date it is noticed that China has not behaved as it did in our neighbouring countries, let us not be confused for this could be the start of something big and beyond our control.

Slowly Solomon Islands is witnessing the manipulation of information, focusing on winning the information battle, shaping the national media and online environments, propaganda, borrowing the boat, buying the boat, shaping the discourse, and neutering debate.

The ESCROW Account is nothing more than Direct Political Interference, using ‘captured” elites to shape policy, supporting pro-China cronies and candidates and targeting investments for political influence.

We have seen pushbacks that lead to “sharp power” in other countries such as Australia, Maldives etc. 

Transparency Solomon Islands accepts that China is our diplomatic friend, and they can do good for us, but this cannot happen if our representatives think of themselves than the country. China must be congratulated has changed its approach from loan to grant in Solomon Islands.

This is a good sign, but this non-transparent ESCROW Political Account should be of concern to every right thinking Solomon Islanders. We need to watch out for Corrosive Capital for there are correlations between corrosive capital and governance failure in recipient countries.

Solomon Islands already has Governance gaps as a recipient country of any of these types of corrosive capital. 

It has weak laws and where rule of law is also weak. There are lack of checks and balances over government. ESCROW Account or the National Development Fund’s Governance from its country of origin is non-transparent, non-compliant and state-directed it would seem from the Prime Minister’s memo. 

The danger is that Solomon Islands as a recipient country allows negotiations behind closed doors, it has huge gaps in standards and implementation, rule of law is weak and the civil society inactive. 

Having these issues, it will be very prone to any “sharp power” and the political and economic intention of such funding as held in the ESCROW Account/National Development Fund.

How the ESCROW Account, the so-called National Development Fund has been allocated or being a discretionary fund for the ruling DCGA government demands the putting in place Corrosive Capital prevention and mitigation standards and practices.

It is also time for citizens and their representatives together build internal defences for our young democracy. It is time to assess the ESCROW Account – National Development Fund against its capacity, ability, and accountability to the following; Sovereign-Upholding; Transparent; Financially sustainable; Locally engaged; Geopolitically Prudent; Environmentally sustainable; Corruption -Resistant.

Transparency Solomon Islands calls on the Executive Government to explain to the people why the $200,000.00 is given to those in the Executive Government only. 

Is DCGA telling the people of Solomon Islands that Solomon Islands has been re-drawn and is made up of only 39 Constituency. Isn’t this discriminating, divisive, and threatening peace and stability.

If people are arrested for causing instability is the Executive Government excused by the law.

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