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Gov’t defends NDF money

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An example of the NDF achieving its purpose is the recently refurbished and electrification of the Seghe Area Health Center in Marovo Constituency

THE Democratic Coalition Government for Advancement has denied accusations that the Prime Minister’s $200,000 National Development Fund (NDF) is for political expediency and NOT for development.

This after Opposition Leader, Mathew Wale described the continued funding of the so-called National Development Funds (NDF) by the People’s Republic of China (PRC) directly to support the Prime Minister and MPs in his government as “shameful”.

Documents show the PRC Embassy in Honiara has pumped in $7.8 million to support the 39 Members of Parliament in the Government.

Each member received $200,000 from the total funding.

However, the Prime Minister Press Secretariate has responded that this is not true.

“The NDF was first established by the ROC when they provided these funds for discretionary use by the Prime Minister,” it said in a statement.

“Previous Prime Ministers have exercised their discretion in allocating these funds. However, when ROC gave these funds they did not require that these funds be used for development projects,” the statement added.

“This has now changed under the Peoples Republic China but only until 2022.

“This arrangement is to ensure a transitionary period after we switched diplomatic relations and will end in 2022.

“However, under PRC, the NDF will only be used for development projects upon application.”

It says Opposition MPs may wish to submit their proposals to the Prime Minister’s Office if they wish to.

“Wale’s false ignorance is shameful.

“It is NOT the PRC’s intention to interfere with national politics nor an egregious breach of Solomon Islands sovereignty as Wale erroneously claimed,” PMO said.

“PRC does not even intend this to undermine the government’s ability to maintain semblance of independence in its foreign policy, far from it.  

“These funds are for developing the constituencies through projects. For example, these NDF was used in the Marovo Constituency to connect the hospital to the main power grid, repainting of the full hospital, electrical rewiring and refitting, purchase and installation of ceiling fans and air cons,” it said.

“Wale was there last week during the inquiry into the Public Health Emergency Bill, yet he has accused the Government of using the funds for political purposes when these funds were actually used to benefit the sick people of Marovo Constituency.

“The politicization of the diplomatic switch to PRC overt and covert by some of our politicians is becoming childish and tedious,” it said.

“We should all be focusing on development and not on politicking,” it said.

The Embassy of China in Honiara has not responded emails Island Sun sent them for comments.

ENDS///

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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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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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

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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

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