: SICCI Chairman, Ricky Fuo’o and COVID-19 Police Operation Commander, Assistant Commissioner Simpson Pogeava during the meeting on Tuesday 24 August. Photos: SICCI Media.
POLICE this week held a meeting with Solomon Islands Chamber of Commerce & Industry (SICCI) and private security firm heads to discuss plans prior to the proposed 36-hour lockdown exercise from August 29 to 31, 2021.
A police statement said the discussions were undertaken with a view to ensuring important security services could continue during the lockdown exercise.
COVID-19 Police Operation Commander, Assistant Commissioner Simpson Pogeava says the meeting updated SICCI and private security firms on police operations during the lockdown, including processes to ensure that security firms were able to continue providing security services safely.
“During the meeting understandings were bridged with SICCI as the body, which most security businesses are affiliated under,” Pogeava said.
“Some of the companies will need to apply for exemptions to enable them to continue their important operations during lockdown, maintaining the security of persons and premises.”
Pogeava says during the meeting, both parties discussed procedures to ensure details such as names of security employees, identification, vehicle registration numbers and descriptions of vehicles were provided to police well in advance so that exemption letters could be issued where appropriate.
He says that for those firms and personnel exempted, the National Disaster Management Office (NDMO) will issue all vehicle passes.
“All agencies are supposed to have their own IDs, which are supposed to be carried by all individuals during movements.
“Other details will be provided to police officers manning checkpoints.
“All companies under SICCI should liaise with SICCI for other detailed advice before submission of exemption applications to the Commissioner of Police.
“Please try to make it before Thursday this week so that police have ample time looking at application letters before issuing exemptions.”
Pogeava said police also discussed matters with the heads of private security firms and it was agreed that clear security plans would assist to manage some of the frustrations experienced in previous lockdown exercises.
All exemption applications will be submitted to the Police Operation Centre (POC), Rove Police Headquarters, not later than 27 August 2021.
During the lockdown operation, police can be contacted on the following phone numbers (Police Operation Centre) 27895, 27894 or police free toll line 999.
APPROPRIATE legal action will be taken against anyone who breaches the State of Public Emergency (SOPE) regulations without approval and without compliance to our pre-departure requirements.
Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare during his nationwide address this week said this applies to incoming passengers whether foreigner or citizen.
The Prime Minister echoed the warning following the latest two unapproved entries by Solomon Islands citizens that opened up the country to potential entry and transmission of COVID-19.
Sogavare said citizens of this country have the responsibility to protect this country.
The Prime Minister re-emphasised that no-one is above the law.
“Please work with us to facilitate your return. Please respect the laws governing your re-entry during the SOPE. Please do not enter the country illegally and without approval. If you do, you will be charged after your mandatory quarantine period. If you bring COVID-19 into the country by illegally entering it, you will face the consequences of your action that endanger the lives of the rest of the population of this country,” the Prime Minister highlighted.
Sogavare urged Solomon Islanders who are stranded outside Solomon Islands, that the Government is making every effort to bring them back home.
However, he said repatriation of citizens must be done “to make sure that we do not inadvertently bring the Delta variant into the country.
“It takes only one COVID-19 positive person to enter the country undetected to spread the virus throughout the country,” he said.
The Prime Minister said the saddest thing about these two illegal entries is that the Government had already put in place the arrangements to bring those citizens home within the next few weeks.
“By entering illegally, you have put yourself in trouble by breaching the SOPE regulation, and you have also put the country at risk from COVID-19,” he said.
TWO permanent secretaries have been re-appointed by Government for the next four years.
They are Riley Mesepitu of Ministry of Commerce, Industries, Labour & Immigration and Karen Galokale of Ministry of Police, National Security and Correctional Services.
Government House Private Secretary, Rawcliff Ziza confirmed they took their oaths yesterday.
Mr Mesepitu made his way up to PS level after he was the former Under Secretary, Director of Industry Development and Director Industry Development Division in the same Ministry.
He was the former General Manager of Solomon Islands Small Business Enterprise Centre (SISBEC) and Human Resource Executive of Solomon Mutual Insurance Limited
Mesepitu holds a Master of Business Administration at the University of Waikato.
He got his Bachelor Degree in Management and Public Administration and Economics at University of South Pacific.
Ms Galokale is a lawyer by profession.
She holds a Master of Development Policy at Korean Development Institute.
Galokale received her Bachelor of Laws and Professional Diploma in Legal Practice at University of the South Pacific in Fiji.
Before taking up the role as PS, she used to work at the Office of the Prime Minister & Cabinet as Deputy Secretary/Cabinet and Assistant Secretary to Prime Minister.
She was also the Legal Assistant of Development Bank of Solomon Islands.
Villagers of Peochakuri village in South Guadalcanal watch the MV Haura going ashore on their beach. PHOTO SUPPLIED
By EDDIE OSIFELO
SOLOMON Islands Maritime Authority (SIMA) is investigating the incident which saw MV Haura wrecked on the beach of Peochakuri village in South Guadalcanal last Friday.
Acting Director, Jonah Matau said SIMA is investigating the incident to determine the cause.
He said details of the investigation will be made known by his Director, Thierry Nervale, who is currently overseas.
However, Matau said in such situation, the owner of the vessel must remove it from the beach.
“If he cannot remove it, then the owner needs to discuss with landowners and authority on how to go about it.
“If the ship is insured, then it will be alright,” he said.
According to reports posted on Yumi Tok Tok on social media, MV Haura ran aground following an engine problem.
It is not clear how it went ashore but Facebook posters claimed the ship developed engine problems, drifted and went ashore.
YTTF has no further details at this stage.
“But reacting to this incident, many Weather Coast people have already expressed their concerns and sadness on Facebook because MV Haura is the only ship that has been serving the people of Weather Coast.
“Both South and East Guadalcanal do not have ships like some provincial constituencies,” Benjamin Afuga said.
He said the Weather Coast is considered as an uneconomical route although it is just around the corner of the Island of Guadalcanal.
“Known for its rough seas and unpredictable weather patterns, the weather coast is a common graveyard for a few ships.
“Few years ago, the MV Baruku also went aground at the Weather Coast of Guadalcanal,” he said.
A man who was found guilty for killing another man has been given a life sentence, with chances for parole after 12 years.
The murder took place at Avatai village, Lavaggu, west Rennell on February this year.
High Court Judge Justice Maelyn Bird after imposing a life sentence also made orders that the minimum sentence the defendant will serve before entitled to parole is 12 years.
shley Ghapuika was charged with one count of murder contrary to section 200 of the Penal Code (Cap 26).
Justice Bird said the charge of murder is one of the most serious of offences prescribed under the laws in the country, to manifest its seriousness, the maximum sentence that the courts will impose is one mandatory life imprisonment.
The incident occurred on February 15, 2021 between 7am and 8am, the deceased and one other went to light their solbako smoke at a kitchen, when the defendant went into the kitchen holding a 24 inches long bush knife.
“You went and stood behind the deceased and cut the deceased behind his neck and pulled out the knife full of blood. The deceased slowly fell down on the floor of the kitchen. You were still standing behind him. You held the knife and hid it behind your legs, you then retreated to the kitchen door, went out from the kitchen and escaped along the road towards Lake Tegano, the deceased was transport to Tigoa Mini Hospital but died,” Ms Bird said.
Bird also said according to the autopsy report dated February 16, 2021 by Dr Roy Maraka, it shows injuries to the neck causing death.
Upon conviction for the offence of murder, the courts are obliged to impose the mandatory life imprisonment on an offender. Apart from imposing that sentence, the court is also required to determine and consider the minimum sentence that the accused must serve before he/she is entitled for parole.
“I must take into account the facts of your case, the aggravating and the mitigating features tother with case authorities in this jurisdiction.
“I have also taken note that whilst in remand in custody, you have involved yourself in prayer activities and bible studies, I must say that it is a way forward for yourself and you are expected to live a changed life onwards. Learn from this mistake and try not to reoffend in future,” Bird said.
Margaret Suifa’asia and Martha Matukera of the Office of the Director Public Prosecution appears for the crown while Allan Tinoni of the Public Solicitor’s Office represents the accused
THE Chief Education Officer of Western Province has called on the government to further scrutinise section 47 of the Public Health Emergency Bill.
Section 47 (1 and 2) of the Bill provides administrative penalties by way of forfeiting property and payment of costs.
Commenting during the inquiry hearing on the bill last week, Mr Hopeful Piosasa said Section [47] needs to be expanded to look at the seriousness of nuisance or offences against the particular section and relevant penalties that are applicable.
He said general interpretation of the clues carry more complication in practical sense as forfeiting of properties satisfies the law but causing hardship to citizens.
“We need to expand the clues based on a more practical way – penalties must value the offence. Forfeiting citizen’s properties is taking away properties from citizen’s hard earning and lives.
“For example, if a person deliberately not wearing a mask, the government should penalise the person based on the seriousness of the offence.
“But, if there is a building or property that continuously creating situation that breached the public emergency law, or situation where can affect the health of the people, then the provision should apply,” Piosasa said.
He said the bill is established to deal with emergency situations, and offences will not only be committed by Solomon Islanders but also by foreigners.
Piosasa suggests that the penalties should have equal emphasis on both locals and foreigners as the only way for the virus to enter the country is from the outside.
He said foreign threat is more serious than domestic threats as such strong warning should be enforced on foreigners or foreign vessels.
“It could be a fishing boat illegally fish within our EEZ or it could be somebody coming in illegally.
“There has be some kind of expansion on this clue to accommodate such scenarios.
“Like for example, if a foreign vessel illegally enter Solomon Islands, the government may forfeit the ship.
“But if this clue is only applicable to Solomon Islanders, rightly and logically we need to look at the seriousness of the offence before jumping into applying the provision – meaning relevant penalties should apply,” Piosasa said.
In Malaita and across Solomon Islands, roads, bridges, and airports are vital connectors between people, markets and essential services.
In Malaita, the Solomon Islands Roads and Aviation Project (SIRAP) is moving towards the construction of three bridges and rehabilitation of roads that will ensure faster, safer and easier access to health services, education and family across the province.
Tender processes and bid selections are underway for three bridges on the North Road (at Koa, Bio 1 and Bio 2) as well as unsealed road rehabilitation that will see major repairs to all 42 kilometres of the East Road and 17 kilometres of the North Road, improving connections and trade for thousands of Malaitans.
In Malaita, nearly 110,000 people (almost 70 percent of Malaita province population or 18 percent of the total country population) living in the 19 wards connected by the main roads included under the project are set to gain direct benefits from the project.
An additional 15,000 people in five additional wards that connect to the main road network by boat will also see benefits from the project.
In Western Province, the project is moving ahead with critical work on Munda Airport to ensure more reliable air travel to the tourism hub; supporting hundreds of jobs for the province, both during construction and through tourism opportunities in the future.
Early designs for the Munda International Terminal have been submitted ahead of schedule and once work commences construction will be carried out over an 18-month period.
The tender process for the refurbishment of the runway at Munda airfield is currently open. This activity will require specialised heavy equipment being brought into the province to ensure repair works are long-lasting and sustainable.
“We are pleased to see SIRAP moving ahead in both Western Province and Malaita, which is where the majority of SIRAP’s roads work will take place,” said Moses Virivolomo, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Communication and Aviation.
“These important early preparation stages will soon lead to construction, delivering lasting benefits for the people of Western and Malaita provinces and beyond.”
“Long term investments in safer, more reliable and lasting transport infrastructure is key in ensuring our people and provinces can thrive into the future. These works in Malaita and Western Province will not only improve trade and access to markets but will connect people and families across the province with essential services and each other,” said Mike Qaqara, Acting Director of Civil Engineering in the Ministry of Infrastructure Development.
“Despite the challenges being presented by the COVID pandemic we look forward to progressing this project as quickly as possible across the country. The Solomon Islands Road and Aviation Project is being implemented by the Solomon Islands Government, with funding from the World Bank. The US$56.1 million project is funded through a US$20.5 million grant and US$30.5 million credit from the World Bank, with the Solomon Islands Government providing US$5.1 million for complimentary projects and support.
Isabel Provincial Health Director Dr Tony Quity, who is also the son of Rt Reverend Bishop Ellison Quity, taking his COVID-19 jab at the launch event.
ISABEL Province launched its COVID-19 vaccination program Monday, which saw heads and representatives of the tri-system of governance – Premier Leslie Kikolo, Rt. Reverend Bishop Ellison Quity and Chiefs rep Oliver Hiromana taking their first jabs.
The launch made Isabel the 7th province to launch and commence roll out of COVID-19 vaccines – leaving Makira, Temotu and Rennell and Bellona the remaining provinces.
Over 100 people – both government workers including the public gathered – gathered at Buala for the event.
Many listened with great curiosity.
Speeches delivered at the launch event and the vaccination of leaders that followed greatly helped to address doubts, fear and anxieties amongst the public.
Isabel Provincial Health Director Dr Tony Quity in his address highlighted the need for people to get vaccinated.
“These vaccines itself, its availability in the province or country, will do nothing to us if all persons 18 years and above in Isabel and the country do not come forward to get it,” Dr Quity said.
Premier of Isabel Leslie Kikolo, Chief Rep Oliver Hiromana & Rt. Reverend Bishop Ellison Quity all receiving COVID-19 vaccine jabs at the launch event.
“Getting the vaccines into our bodies is what matters the most,” he added.
“Our provincial health system though work is ongoing to improve it, is not yet enough to be able to tackle any community transmission of the virus.
“Thus, the only means there is to enable us effectively fight against the health effects of CVOID-19 is to get vaccinated.”
Representative of the chiefs, Oliver Hiromana in his remarks strongly urges the people of Isabel to not take the vaccine roll out lightly.
“Our government and the Ministry of Health have worked really hard to get these vaccines to our province so we must play our part in coming forward to get vaccinated,” Hiromana said.
“Besides, we have heard that our children below 18 years are not yet eligible, which means their protection against the COVID-19 very much lies with us the adults in getting vaccinated,” he added.
Church representative Rt. Reverend Bishop Ellison Quity advocated for ethical decisions to be made with regards to the vaccines, especially at this time of pandemic.
“Ethical decisions are needed more than ever to save us from the pandemic,” Rev Quity said.
“We do not have the cure thus we need to take preventative measures, as prevention is better than cure,” he added.
“Refusing to get vaccinated, you will be the one spreading the virus thus causing harm to others.
“If your wife or husband, children or any members of your family gets really sick, hospitalized or die because they contract the virus from you, do not blame the government, nor the church and chiefs.
“Blame yourselves.
“COVID-19 does not respect anyone, weather you’re a clergy man, politician, or someone of high or low status it can affect us all.”
Health Permanent Secretary Pauline McNeil, who was in Isabel early this week to join the launch program, shared the realities of the devastation caused by the virus globally as well as within the Pacific region.
Mothers who are part of the crowd coming forward to witness vaccination of their leaders
“Let me be frank, as I speak, families are torn, children left without parents, pregnant mothers who rightfully deserve to be the first to hold the new life that they bring into the world instead die while giving birth,” McNeil said.
“Couples and family members saying their final goodbyes only through mobile phones, medical workers playing God as to who lives and who dies due to shortage of oxygen bottles, economies shrink and people left without jobs, lockdown badly affecting livelihood, let alone the mental health issues.
“These are real devastating experiences caused by COVID-19,” she added.
“Unimaginable if it was to happen to us, that is the very reason why the Ministry of Health is working tirelessly to get the vaccines close to you and the only request we have to all of you is to come forward and get vaccinated.
“It is safe and effective to prevent us from falling severely sick, hospitalized and die from COVID-19. It is COVID-19 that kills.”
Premier Kikolo told those who attended that at the start of the pandemic, the people of Isabel have been adhering to COVID-19 public health measures as instructed by public health experts, including limiting travels outside of our borders.
“These have greatly enabled us to keep us safe from COVID-19,” Kikolo said.
“Today we have another opportunity to further enhance our ability to stay protected against COVID-19 diseases through the COVID-19 vaccines which is also the most best and effective means through which we can return to normalcy,” he added.
“In the event of a community transmission, getting fully vaccinated can help in breaking the chain of transmission, protecting others and stop further development of new strains.
Isabel panpipe group providing entertainment
“These are messages from our health experts which we must pay close attention to and action immediately by taking the vaccines.”
Kikolo also used the occasion to reiterate the, “No Jab, No Job” policy of the government while assuring that Isabel provincial government will continue to support the national government, ministry of health and provincial health teams in the current efforts against COVID-19 and vaccination roll out.
Over 21,000 people in Isabel province are eligible to receive the vaccines.
Total of 3,200 doses of AstraZeneca vaccine doses have been deployed to the province for initial roll out with more batches of the vaccines to be deployed in the coming weeks and months.
Following the launch, 235 doses have been administered which is the highest recorded so far from all provincial launches and MHMS is looking forward to similar outcomes with vaccine launch from the remaining provinces.
An overwhelmng turn-out for the vaccination launch in Auki.
A total of 73,780 doses of COVID-19 vaccines have been administered so far, Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare says.
The Prime Minister said the total doses include both Sinopharm and AstraZeneca 1st and 2nd doses.
He said over the past five weeks, from July 17 to August 20, 2021, a total of 38,118 doses of COVID-19 vaccines have been administered, compared to 35,662 doses in the 16 weeks between the launch on March 23 to July 17 this year.
Sogavare said this represents an average of 7,623 vaccination doses administered per week, compared to an average of 2,220 doses administered per week, in the 16 weeks between March 23 to July 17, 2021.
“Let me thank all of you, members of the public for turning out in numbers to get your vaccination doses. Please let us keep driving our vaccination efforts together to ensure as many as possible are vaccinated as soon as possible. That is the surest way to protect our children that cannot be vaccinated,” he said.
The Prime Minister said at least 18,217 people have received their 2nd dose of vaccine.
He said they are now fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
“They are now safe from falling severely ill, or from hospitalization or even death from COVID-19 in the event of a community transmission,” he said.
The Prime Minister said these 18,217 individuals, representing only 4.4 percent of the total eligible population of 414,327 people, will slow down community transmission and protect children below 18 years of age.
“We need to increase this percentage to above 80 % to be able to protect those that cannot be vaccinated,” he said.
Prime Minister Sogavare said a further 37,346 (9.0%) people have received their first doses and are expected to get their second doses.
“Please ensure that you return for your second dose on the time written on your cards or 7 – 14 days before or after the date on your cards,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Prime Minister said 8.8 percent of the target population in Honiara and Guadalcanal province have been fully vaccinated.
For Choiseul province 10.1% and for Western province 4.1 percent.
“Nationally 13.4% of the eligible population have received either one or 2 doses of COVID vaccine. We will continue to provide updates on the progress each week,” he said.
The COVID-19 vaccination roll-out in Honiara, Western, Choiseul, Guadalcanal, Malaita, and Central Provinces are continuing.
Prime Minister Sogavare said the vaccination launch also kicked off in Isabel Province today.
The roll out in Renbel province will start on August 30.
Hon Nelson Lenty (left) receives the copy of the petition from Mr Knoxly Atu (right) in-front of the assembly chamber building in Auki yesterday.
Petition to MARA govt demanding removal of Sogavare’s secret agent
BY SAMIE WAIKORI
Auki
A GROUP of Malaitans yesterday staged a peaceful protest in provincial capital Auki to demand the removal of deputy premier Randol Sifoni.
They accuse Mr Sifoni of “secretly” working with PM Sogavare’s government to change the leadership of the MARA provincial government, headed by Daniel Suidani, who is currently in Brisbane awaiting his flight home.
The protest to remove Sifoni comes days after he was accused of issuing a letter to the media last week, without the provincial executive’s knowledge, stating the Malaita Provincial Government did not support the petition a Honiara-based Malaita group submitted to the Prime Minister’s office.
The protesting group has demanded Sifoni to step down within 24 hours for his alleged working against the MARA government.
The group presented a petition to the MARA government to back their call, which provincial finance minister Nelson Lenty received on behalf of Premier Suidani and his executive.
Part of the crowd gathered in front of the assembly chamber during the presentation of the petition to the MARA government.
Knoxly Atu, spokesman for the group, delivered the petition, which states:
1, The decision reached demanded that we no longer have confidence in his (Sifoni’s) leadership and must tender his resignation immediately.
2, He must not stand against the constitutional rights of Malaita Honiara community and their petition to Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare.
3, He has been working in secret with the DCGA with the aim of changing the leadership of MARA government by allegedly giving 11 executive members $10,000 each.
4, He has been working behind the fence with the aim to amend the Auki Communiqué.
5, We demand that the MPG (MARA executive) to remove the deputy premier from his position within 24 hours.
Receiving the petition, Mr Lenty thanked the group of their peaceful protest.
He said the office of the premier will always listen, be obliged and respect people’s democratic right and will never oppress the people.
Lenty said the MARA government started its executive meeting yesterday and they will do their best to look into the matter within the next 24 hours.
“On behalf of the office of premier, I call on you to hold on to the respect you had shown during the protest because this is Malaita, our place and all people and properties around are ours,” he said.
Speaking on behalf of the police in Auki, Michael Ramosaea appealed to the public of Auki to maintain peace and refrain from instigating any unlawful activities.
He said since the petition is now with the executive, people must allow them to look through and address the issue.
Ramosaea thanked the crowd for their peaceful behaviour.
