(L-R) Actiung Premier of Malaita province, Hon Lenty, Minister, Hon Seleso, Faiako School Princpal, Mr Jones and MPA for ward 3, Hon Martin Fini are cutting the ribbon to officially open and hand over a project at Faiako, Malaita this year.
BY SAMIE WAIKORI
AUKI
Faiako Community High School on West Kwara’ae , Malaita province took ownership of a double story classroom building worth SBD$2 million on Thursday.
The project was officially handed over by Minister for Provincial Government and Institutional Strengthening (MPGIS), Hon Rolland Seleso and Acting Premier of Malaita province, Nelson Lenty to the communities of Faiako.
Speaking during the handing over ceremony Minister Seleso said the project was funded under the Provincial Capacity Development Fund (PCDF) to the province implemented by MPGIS and the national government.
He said the project costs $2, 167,210 and was designed to accommodate more than 240 students where 50 percent of whom would be girls.
(L-R) Actiung Premier of Malaita province, Hon Lenty, Minister, Hon Seleso, Faiako School Princpal, Mr Jones and MPA for ward 3, Hon Martin Fini are cutting the ribbon to officially open and hand over the project Faiako
Seleso said the new six classroom block will accommodate a population of about 6,747 and therefore, it expects that the school enrollment for Faiako will increase as a direct result of the new project.
He said the DCGA government has always placed great emphasis on primary and higher education amongst its top policy priorities.
“The government believes that creating a comfortable learning environment such as Faiako CHS will not only encourage parents to enroll their children, but also motivate the students to pass their exams,” Seleso said.
Minister Seleso hands over the key of the building to the acting premier of Malaita province, Hon Nelson Lenty.
He said the impacts of constructing the classroom will only be realized when pass rates for the school have increased, and this will depend on the combined efforts of teachers, parents and students themselves.
Seleso said the 240 students who will occupy these six classroom blocks belong to a generation that is the future leaders of not only Malaita, but also the entire country.
“It is therefore, clear that by investing in education, we are investing in the future of Solomon Islands. It is only through education that we can prepare the next generation of leaders of this country.
Students of Faiako prepare to present gifts on behalf of the school to the guests attending the handing over ceremony.
“We cannot move this country forward without high quality education that may only facilitated in a comfortable environment as demonstrated by MPG.
“I wish to appeal to the school authorities and the communities whose children would utilize this infrastructure to take great care of it.
“It is an expensive investment that many communities are requesting, but could not get.
“I therefore expect the communities of ward 3 (Buma) and the school authorities to help the province to maintain this valuable asset for many more generations to come,” he said.
A fundraising dinner was successfully held by the Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands Association.as part of a major activity to raise fund to commemorate PNG’s 46th independence on September next month.
The dinner was a dine and dance buffet style with onstage entertainment by PIVA and group and a PNG dance group.
It was held on Saturday 21st August at the Heritage Park Hotel (Car Park).
Papua New Guinea High Commissioner, His Excellency Moses Kual speaking during the event said the common cause of this activity is to commemorate our forthcoming independence.
“It is unequivocal that the challenges that confront us now in the face of Covid19 is daunting but to organize such event of this magnitude deserves to be commended.
“It reflects our true spirit of unity and our resilient nature”.
“PNG Solomon Islands fundraising committee, you have done a marvellous job. Thank You President Freeman Podarua and Team for your tireless effort,” His Excellency said.
“To our Sponsors, Mustard Seed, SP oil, NPF, Solbrew, BSP, National Fisheries, Development Limisted, George Company, Moses & Associates, Neo Horizon, Fmaily Medical Clinic, Capital Insurance Limited, Yumi Kabang and Delite, thank you all for making this event a success’.
“And to our host, Sanjay Bhargava, General Manager of Heritage Park Hotel, we are grateful for your gesture in hosting us at this exotic place, thank you”.
Former Prime Minster, Danny Philip and Member of Parliament for South New Georgia/ Rendova Tetepare was among the distinguished guest at the event, others include the General Manager for South Pacific Oil, Carson Koroa, Ronald Junimbo, General Manger for Hasting Deering, Gao Goumea, of Capital Insurance, Papua New Guinean Nationals, Families, Friends Guests and the Sponsors came for the event.
They said the Fundraising was great and the dinner was amazing, and everyone enjoyed it.
The organising Committee states that this fundraising dinner was a highlight of the preparation and there will be one or two more to go.
Much smaller activity includes coffee night and etc. and the money raised will go towards the independence Celebrations which is in weeks’ time.
The program then concluded with some best prize awards for the night.
PREPARATIONS toward the Education Authority Conference is progressing well in the Western Provincial Capital, Gizo,
Some changes include; upgrading of Gizo Road and evacuation of betel nut vendors from MSG Building to newly opened Banana Valley Market.
On Thursday, students of Gizo Community high School both primary and secondary sector took part in a trial parade from the Western side of Gizo to the MSG Building.
In an interview with Island Sun Gizo, Principal Education Officer of Western Province, Freedom Tozaka said the Conference will take place from the 6th to 10th next month at the Gizo Outback Packer Conference room.
“So, on Monday 6th September, there will be a parade from West Gizo to the MSG Building where the opening ceremony will take place,” he said.
Tozaka said delegates are expected to arrive at Gizo from the 4th to 5th September ahead of the important event on the Education Calendar.
He adds that delegates from donor partners such as DFAT, MFAT and UNICEF will also attend the conference.
“We are expecting teachers and school leaders from Temotu in the east to Shortlands in the west. We have been preparing for this important event and we hope our preparation will make sure the conference will run smoothly,” Tozaka said.
Part of a group of Solomon Islanders who went under the Australian Seasonal Workers Programme and Labour Mobility Scheme. PHOTO AUSTRALIAN HIGH COMMISSION OFFICE
By EDDIE OSIFELO
MINISTRY of Foreign Affairs and External Trade is willing to send up to 5000 people to work under the Labour Mobility Scheme in Australia.
This despite few incidents of workers involving in a brawl and a fatal car accident in Queensland.
However Permanent Secretary, Collin Beck said they have to be mindful because the employers are those who are registered.
Beck said those workers who participate are registered under the Australia system and can benefit from their health care system.
However, he said attitude problem is an issue the ministry is working on to address.
But Beck said compared to other country, the behaviour of Solomon Islands workers is very good.
“It is the confidence and trust the employers have on our workers,” he said.
So far between 7000 to 8000 applications are before the Labour Mobility Unit.
Beck said there are two flights going to Australia next months which should increase the number past 2000.
Island Sun understands Australia has offered 12,500 spaces for Pacific Island Countries to apply for to work in their farms.
The family of the Late High Commissioner to Papua New Guinea, Barnabas Anga travelling back to the Solomon Islands recently.
MINISTRY of Foreign Affairs and External Trade has asked the media and people to allow the Government to deal with the issues relating to the family of the late Barnabas Anga.
This after the wife of the long and dedicated Solomon Islands diplomat, who was the High Commissioner to Papua New Guinea, expressed her disagreement on how their unapproved arrival was administered.
Mrs Joyce Anga described the handling of the unapproved arrival as ‘failed them big time.’
Permanent Secretary, Collin Beck told the media in a press conference on Wednesday that the Government is already looking into the issue.
“We ask cooperation from the media family to allow the Government to deal with this,” he said.
Attorney General John Muria Jnr added that due to the issue’s investigative nature, they will not comment on it.
“Government will not comment on it until the investigation is completed, whether it is illegal or not is a matter for the courts to determine,” Mr Muria Jnr said.
Speaking to SIBC News, Madam Anga said the public has been misled that they have not complied with COVID-19 pre-departure testing requirements for Solomon Islands.
“Our dad passed away nearly two months now. After his passing on, we have been quarantined for nearly two months in Port Moresby and we have gone through three COVID-19 tests. I have already taken my first COVID-19 Vaccine while in Port Moresby.
“If they refuse us to enter the country, what else do they need? If three tests were done, does that mean I still do not meet the COVID-19 protocol in Solomon Islands?” she questioned.
Madam Anga said they are not stranded, they followed all the government’s advice on all the necessary requirements to enter the country but when they checked-in at Jackson’s International Airport in Port Moresby, the Government called them and advised them not to board the flight.
“Losing a dad in a foreign land with a boarding pass in my hand on that night, I decided not to listen to them. Why do you call at the last minute when we are about to board the flight?” she says.
Madam Anga said it took a week for the Government to communicate with them including the head of mission in Port Moresby on the necessary COVID-19 protocols and pre-departure COVID-19 tests to return to the country.
“I cannot understand why they do not allow us to board the flight. I would say the Ministry of Foreign Affairs failed us big time, you do not know your job. I am not happy with how they handled our case,” she said.
She added that the Office of the Prime Minister that the media statement released does not take into account what is going on between them and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
“There must be a lack of communication between them.”
Please respect the late Anga’s family because we have been through a lot while in PNG and now we are here, please give us some form of respect because we are still mourning the loss of our dad,” she said.
Madam Anga has written to the Government demanding the Government to clarify the actions done towards her family.
“The Solomon Islands Government (SIG) needs to clarify the actions done towards my family as this is not only a matter of the hands of law but a sensitive situation due to the fact that children are involved.
“Please observe the psychological effects of the situation towards the children and show some respect for your long and loyal servant my Late husband Barnabas Lauia Anga and treat his children the way they should be treated.
“Family of late H.E Barnabas Lauia Anga are Solomon Islands citizens and so we have every right to step into our own country. If SIG has any different agenda behind the treatment my family is receiving, please, my family deserves a clarification,” she wrote.
A landowner is calling on Steven Dila and his parties to follow legal process and iron out the ownership issues over the Kwalebesi land in North Malaita.
This after Dila continued to put three legal notices on newspapers in 2018, March and August 2021 despite the High Court striking out the case in 2020.
Ambrose Oiofa Dolofera of Kao tribe questioned why they continued to put notice when the issue was dealt with by the High Court already.
Dolofera said this is an abuse of court process.
“We want to test the ownership of the land in court.
“Three notices are waste of time and money and delaying time to come to conclusion of the issue,” he said.
Seventh Day Adventist Church has a 85 years lease over the land since 1932.
However, the lease has expired in 2017.
SDA has built a school, clinic and church on the land.
There was an airstrip established on the land but was shut down due to its uneconomical route for flights.
Dolofera said the ownership of the land needs to be sorted out because SDA wants to renew the lease.
He said it is important for right people to benefit from the rental of the land in future.
ATTORNEY General John Muria Junior has defended the $15,000 fine impose a penalty for people breaching the lockdown starting tonight and ending 6am Tuesday.
Speaking to the media, Muria Junior said the fine is a maximum penalty and up to the court to determine.
He said the court will mitigate the factors.
“Last time someone was fined only $1000.
“If you are a serial offender, then court will say you can’t learn so would give $15,000 and put the person in jail. But this at its extreme,” he said.
Muria Junior said to a first offender, court will mitigate.
“What the executive will do is to set the maximum but can’t go over the maximum,” he added.
Furthermore, the Attorney General said in some places, the seriousness of breach is high because it is a matter of public security and safety.
“Personally, I think it is still small for life of another if you are going out or if that breach causes an outbreak.
“$15,000 is small for price to pay for,” he added.
However, Muria Junior said when it is a lockdown, it is a serious thing and about life and death.
A new Atyidae prawn as reported bv the expedition team
BY PRIESTLEY HABRU
A log carrier vessel anchors few kilometres offshore on Rakata River mouth on Isabel Province in the Solomon Islands in April 2021.
Upstream an expedition by a group of French and local biologists had discovered at least two new freshwater shrimps in 2019 which was new to science.
Rakata River, in the north-western end of Santa Isabel Island is infested with freshwater water crocodiles. In fact, a young soccer player was attacked and swallowed by a crocodile just a few kilometres upstream from the Rakata river mouth.
The new shrimps were found further upstream away from the crocodile infested brownish water.
Apart from the crocodiles, Rakata River has been disturbed by logging activities. A bridge made of logs is visible when I made the trip upstream on an outboard motor-powered canoe, passing the location where 13-year-old Kitchner Damutalau was attacked by a huge crocodile in October 2020.
Entrance to the crocodile infested river
The trip was to get a sense of the natural habitats where the freshwater shrimps were discovered. Sadly enough, it didn’t take me long to discover the dangers these freshwater shrimps and fish face on Rakata River, especially from the impacts of logging.
“Trees upstream have all been logged and now the loggers have crossed the river to the western side,” Kingsley Tugumana, my tour guide told me.
He said Mas Pacific International Company is currently logging the upper Rakata River and toward the western end of the river.
In fact, logging first entered Isabel Province within the vicinity of Rakata River, just few kilometres east of the river, where the Suavanao airstrip is now located.
Bridge made of logs across the Rakata River
“I came with the Eastern Development Logging Company when it first entered Isabel Province from the Western Province in 1994,” said Tugumana.
He had accompanied the scientists who discovered the freshwater shrimps in 2019 and is a resident of nearby Baolo village.
Discovery
One of the scientists on the expedition Valentin de Mazancourt said an undescribed species of Macrobrachium (large freshwater shrimp) was collected in the Rakata River, but all the other shrimps belonged to species already known.
Local biologist David Boseto from Ecological Solutions Solomon Islands (ESSI), who was also part of the expedition to Rakata River, said there were only two new species of shrimps Caridina intermedia and Caridina barakoma that were found in the river.
The two shrimps are among 11 which are new to science described from the Solomon Islands out of 24 species reported in total.
Caridina barakoma is a new species named after a village on Vella Lavella Island where it was first discovered in 2016 in Vala Kadju River. It is endemic to Solomon Islands and was found elsewhere in Choiseul, Kolombangara, Vella Lavella, Isabel and Guadalcanal.
The second shrimp discovered on Rakata River Caridina intermedia had also been found on Choiseul, Kolombangara, Vella Lavella, Isabel and New Britain in Papua New Guinea.
In an academic journal ‘Solomon’s Gold Mine: Description or redescription of 24 species of Caridina (Crustacea: Decapoda: Atyidae) freshwater shrimps from the Solomon Islands, including 11 new species’, co-author Valentin de Mazancourt stated the shrimps were found on six islands namely Choiseul, Isabel, Malaita, Vella Lavella, Ranongga and Kolombangara.
“The shrimps live in virtually all the rivers on the six islands,” he added.
Out of the 11 new shrimps found, six are endemic to Solomon Islands namely Caridina barakoma, Caridina choiseul, Caridina turipi, Caridina piokerai, Caridina nona and Caridina sikipozo.
Caridina choiseul, a new species described in our paper
“Indeed, among our 24 species of the Solomon Islands, 12 are shared with Indonesia, 10 with Vanuatu and 6 with Papua New Guinea. On the other hand, only 4 species are shared with Australia and 3 with New Caledonia,” de Mazancourt said.
The regional diversity of freshwater shrimps or Caridina according to the authors of ‘Solomons Gold Mine’ exists in the Indo-Pacific.
Authors of the journal stated that when focusing on endemic species of Caridina, the maximum diversity occurs around the Coral Triangle between the Philippines, Indonesia, and Papua-New Guinea.
“According to our study, the Solomon Archipelago belongs to this maximum diversity area.”
This makes Solomon Islands a hotspot for a diversity of freshwater shrimps which ‘remains poorly known’ according to the ‘Solomons Gold Mine’ journal.
Deputy Director of Conservation in the Solomon Islands Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, Disaster Management and Meteorology (MECDM) Mr. Josef Hurutarau said this was an important finding which will contribute to the understanding and increase knowledge of local biodiversity especially life under freshwater in Solomon Islands.
Wilson Eta, Isabel Provincial Environment and Climate Change Officer said the discovery of the shrimps on Rakata River shows the island has an abundance of freshwater organisms.
Shrimps and the Environment
De Mazancourt from French Ichthyological Society (SFI), based at the Muséum National d’Histoire Naturelle (MNHN), Paris, France, explained that shrimps are the cleaners of the rivers by sweeping the substrate.
“They limit the accumulation of organic matter and allow it to circulate in the food web when they are being eaten by predators such as fish or birds.
He said shrimps play a significant role to the freshwater ecology and the environment in general.
“As without them, the rivers would have an excess of organic matter that could lead to eutrophication, with proliferation of algae that often asphyxiate the environment and cause the disposition of many animals, fish in particular but also their predators.
De Mazancourt said the main threats to these shrimps are actually threats to their environment. And there are many for example, deforestation caused by mining or logging increases the soil erosion, which causes deposits of mud in the rivers and covers the biofilms that the shrimps eat and clog their gills.
“Deforestation can also cause droughts because of changes in the local climate, and these shrimps cannot survive without water in the river. Since these shrimps migrate between the sea and the rivers, the construction of dams or bridges can also be a threat if it doesn’t leave a way for them to circumvent it and colonize the upstream of the river.”
De Mazancourt explained that all native freshwater species in Solomon are migratory species, and they spend a part of their life in the Pacific Ocean.
He said as the temperature will change, the direction of ocean currents will be modified and this will modify the distribution of all species in the Pacific islands.
“In rivers the increase of the temperature will change the distribution inside it and several species, living only in cool water, in altitude for example, will disappear.”
The eventual harsh habitat of the shrimps on rivers like Rakata and given the rate of logging in Solomon Islands is unsustainable, if continues will cause deforestation.
According to Global Witness, Solomon Islands is one of the poorest nations in the Pacific region which is heavily dependent on the forestry sector and yet the country’s forests continue to disappear faster.
Solomon Islands exported more than 3 million cubic metres of logs in 2017, more than 19 times a conservative estimate of the annual sustainable harvest, according to Global Witness.
A recent report commissioned by the Solomon Islands’ Ministry of Finance suggested that if logging activities continue at their current pace, natural forests will be exhausted by 2036.
Satellite images by Global Witness show that logging roads in the Solomon Islands are twice as long as the Yangtze River in China who imports 82% of the logs the Solomon Islands exports.
On Isabel itself, the vicinity of Rakata River has been heavily logged which could easily destroys the habitat of shrimps and other freshwater fish on the river.
Benefits to custodians of rivers
Custodians of our rivers and streams often opted for logging than see the long-term benefit of our freshwater supply and the shrimps and fish that thrives on them.
There may not be direct economic benefits from protecting rivers and its inhabitants but shrimps endemic to Solomon Islands could be of some commercial values to the locality or people behind their discoveries.
Shrimps endemic to Solomon Islands are Caridina barakoma, Caridina choiseul, Caridina turipi, Caridina piokerai, Caridina nona and Caridina sikipozo.
“This provides visibility to the inhabitants of the area the shrimps were first discovered,” de Mazancourt said.
The list of endemic freshwater shrimps is not exhaustive and de Mazancourt noted that every fieldtrip allowed revealing at least one new species even when visiting the same island multiple times.
My guides David Bero, left, and Kingsley, right.
“Given that there are many different habitats, it is very likely that new species will be discovered in the future.”
He said the most important thing to protect these shrimps is to communicate about them.
“If people learn about their diversity and their importance to the environment, they will understand the importance of protecting them and their habitats.”
Furthermore, Deputy Director of Conservation Mr. Hurutarau said the discovery of the new shrimps add to Solomon Islands record of its rich biodiversity.
“I think this will bring prospect of more researches coming to Solomon Islands and investments for biodiversity conservation.”
Hurutarau said the Solomons Gold Mine report on the shrimps and freshwater fish must be made available to resources owners and communities who have consented to these studies.
He noted that shrimps are also source of food to other animals in their hierarchy and it would be interesting to understand if these can be easily breed as a source of protein and food security.
Protecting freshwater habitats
Deputy Director of Conservation Mr. Hurutarau said much as he would like to convince custodians of their areas hosting important habitats for certain unique species, the Solomon Islands Government and partners need to support them against threats like pollution from logging, overharvesting or disturbance from agriculture or irrigation.
“The Ministry can assist to facilitate those sites or land areas protected under the Protected Areas Act 2010,” Hurutarau added.
Although there are no specific activities targeting shrimp conservation at the moment, he said the ministry will continue to raise awareness on these new discoveries and ascertain their conservation status which will be helpful to allocate resources.
“We are aware that there are communities who are doing water resources conservation which can also assist toward shrimp conservation.
Kingsley Tugumana depicting how to catch shrimps on the Rakata River
“Or even forest conservation programmes which cover aquatic sites (rivers and streams) can actually contribute to the whole other species conservation which exists within those sites.”
Isabel Provincial Environment and Climate Change Officer Mr. Eta said the usual practice in the province has been community-based conservations.
“We do not initiate them, but it is up to each landowning group or community to request our involvement, before we start to engage with them.
This ensures that it is community initiated and driven; and has a high chance of sustained commitment by the community.
He added that such scientific findings open up opportunities to work with resource owners to conserve their areas.
Eta said logging and other extractive developments will always be a challenge to conservation of resources in Solomon Islands where landowners opt for a more direct financial benefit than a long-term one.
“It takes lots of convincing and negotiation to strike a balance, otherwise those who support logging always wins. But we can always try,” he added.
What’s next?
The scientific research which led to the discovery of the shrimps is important and is needed to increase our knowledge of the existence and abundance of the many ecosystems in the archipelago says Isabel Provincial Environment and Climate Change Officer Mr. Eta.
“But it should not stop there; it should not be just academic; it should be able to be translated into meaningful outcomes.
“Researches like these should able to impact change; sadly, it is all academic and only raises the profile and status of those involved in that research in the academic science community.”
Eta said even the community of Kolopakisa, the nearest village to Rakata River does not even have an interest on the two shrimps being discovered in the river.
“That is what I meant that such researches need to have meaningful outcomes derived from it. What can we do with the academic knowledge?”
Eta said his office and The Nature Conservancy (TNC) has been involved with members of the Kolopakisa community in various undertakings including conservation activities.
The expedition team at Suavanao Airstrip from left to right, Clara Lord, Ralph Raymond, David Boseto, Michael Vaghi, Davis Pesala. In the back are Philippe Keith and Romain Causse
He said his office is always open to interests from community and resource owners and he would welcome an interest by the community of Kolopakisa to conserve that freshwater environment of Rakata River.
“If it is initiated by the community then we will help them to achieve their interest for conservation.”
Eta said Rakata area was a Japanese army base during the Second World War in the Pacific so it has a historical and cultural significance. The cultural aspect of the river he referred to are the crocodiles which are revered with ancestral connections to the custodians of the river.
The significance of Rakata River historically and culturally is reason enough to push for its protection and conservation.
“But the initiative and desire for conservation has to come from the communities themselves,” Eta added.
As my skipper James Sau manoeuvred the 40 horse-powered boat to exit the crocodile-infested Rakata river mouth out to the deep ocean, images of how the late Kitchner was specifically targeted by the reptile as he and his two friends crossed the river on that fateful October, kept replaying on my head.
It was as if the log carrier vessel anchoring offshore was waiting hungrily to snatch the remaining logs from the forests that are protecting Rakata River and its freshwater shrimps upstream.
This story was supported through an ABC International Development’s Climate Change Story Grant
Wale calls for postponement of COVID-19 mock exercise
By EDDIE OSIFELO
OPPOSITION leader Matthew Wale calls on the Prime Minister to postpone the 36-hour mock lockdown set to start Sunday 6pm.
Wale made the call yesterday.
He said the public notice forewarning the public that persons acting in breach will be arrested, prosecuted and fined may be unconstitutional.
Wale added views expressed by former judge and Governor General Sir Frank Kabui suggesting, in the absence of Covid 19 in Honiara posing a real threat to the public, the arrest or prosecution of any person caught acting in breach of an order under the Emergency Regulations will lack jurisdiction in law.
Sir Kabui relied on facts arising out of the previous lock-down exercise in supporting his views.
“This is a serious legal issue of public interest,” Wale said.
“It is not a question of whether the order for a lock-down is lawful but rather, whether giving effect to the order by actually arresting and prosecuting people found to be acting in breach in a simulated exercise is reasonably justifiable given the limited scope of section 16 of the Constitution,” he added.
“It is important to prepare our people for the worst-case scenario through practice however, it cannot come at the expense of openly violating our people’s fundamental rights under the Constitution.
“I therefore call on the Prime Minister and the Oversight Committee to call off the planned lock down and to take the matter to court for an independent ruling on all legal questions arising.
“This is too important to be brushed under the carpet.”
Meanwhile, Attorney General John Muria Junior has defended the $15,000 fine to be imposed a penalty for people breaching the lockdown.
Muria said the fine is a maximum penalty and it’s up to the courts to determine, taking into considerations mitigating factors.
“Last time someone was fined only $1,000.
“If you are a serial offender, then court will say you can’t learn so would impose $15,000 and put the person in jail. But this at its extreme,” he said.
Muria said for first offenders, the court normally considers mitigator factors when determining the amount of fine.
“What the executive did is set the maximum so the courts can’t go over the maximum,” he added.
Furthermore, the Attorney General said in some places, the seriousness of breach is high because it is a matter of public security and safety.
“Personally, I think it is still small for life of another one if you are going out or breach that causes an outbreak.
“$15,000 is small for price to pay for.
“When it is a lockdown, it is a serious thing and about life and death.”
THE Market Manager of Gizo Market has warned vendors that discrimination is not allowed at the market.
He made the call following his administration’s decision to allow vendors to sell cooked food at the market last week.
Moffat Maeta said vendors must share the services to earn money to help their needs.
“We welcomed those who are not properly trained on food catering to sell their products and I call on those who are trained not to discriminate others at the market.
“It has come to our attention in the previous years that some women are abused by other women forcing the victims to stop selling their products at the market.
“This call is to make sure vendors come together and sell their products freely or without discrimination,” he said.
Maeta also calls on vendors to be responsible in working after the Market’s facilities and properties so that services will continue to be provided.
“If they pay for chairs or other things that belongs to the market, please return them to where they should be stored before leaving the market so that you can use the resources the next day.
“Our market provides us the opportunity to earn money as such we need to work together,” he said.
