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Medical services open during 36-hr lockdown

Written by
Mavis Podokolo
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Technical advisor to Ministry of Health and Medical Services, Dr Yogesh Choudri

BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO

Medical services will be available for public during next week’s 36-hour lockdown, government says.

Doctors and nurses at the national referral hospital (NRH) will be working their normal routines, and members of public needing medical attention during lockdown are being urged to go there.

Clinics of the City Council will likewise remain open too.

Loti Yates, director for National Disaster Management Office (NDMO), at a local media conference on the 36-hour lock-down said:

“Doctors and nurses are encouraging general public and people residing in the Honiara Emergency zone who will be-needing medical assistance during the lock down to go to nearest health facilities to seek medical support. 

“Do not wait for the lock down to pass before seeking medical aid because at that time a person’s health issue might reach a complication stage which will lead to death,” Yates said.

“On your way to your nearest health centre bring your medical card with you and when you pass the check points explain to them(police) why and where are going.”

Dr Yogesh Choudhri, senior advisor to the Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS), said in the course of the upcoming lock-down exercise, NRH will still be providing health services.

Choudhri said clinics of the Honiara City Council will also be providing health services to the people of Honiara.

“Hence if you need health services in the course of the lockdown please go to your nearest clinic,” he said.

Covid students in Fiji all recovered: Rodgers

Written by
Mavis Podokolo
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Dr Jimmy Rodgers

BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO

SOLOMON Islands students who recently tested positive to covid-19 in Fiji have all recovered.

Dr Jimmie Rodgers, secretary to Prime Minister, said this yesterday at a radio talkback on covid-19 updates in Honiara.

“So the good news here for their parents and the Solomon Islands government is that all students tested positive for COVID-19 and those that presenting COVID-19 symptoms are all recovered.

“We are still working on how we can support them better. The Solomon Islands high commission office here, the education attaché also working with us.

“We will be making sure that when the time is right, those where to be repatriated including some of us will be repatriated. But the danger of bringing the virus into the country,” he said.

Lock down legal: AG

Written by
Mavis Podokolo
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Attorney General John Muria Jnr

BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO

THE 36-hour simulation lock-down exercise is legal and has hefty penalties if breached.

This was confirmed by the Attorney General John Muria Junior.

Mr Muria in radio talkback yesterday said according to court the lock-down orders are constitutional, meaning it is valid.

“Please respect them and adhere to them. If you breach it you will be arrested. Penalty for breaching the lock-down is SBD10,000 or five-year imprisonment,” he said.

Dr Jimmie Rodgers, secretary to the Prime Minister, said the simulation lock-down is a legal exercise.

“It is not like a mock.

“This because it is established under law it requires people to also follow,” Rodgers said.

Police commissioner Mostyn Mangau speaking on the same matter reminds people and communities within Honiara Emergency zones that “it is a trial lock-down exercise but if breached you will be arrested and be dealt with by the Police compliance team.

“Only people who are exempted under the lock-down will be allowed to move around.

“For essential services we need them to mobilise to provide essential services this for those who are exempted. If you know that you are not exempted to come out you will be deal with for any breached on our lock down,” Mangau said.

He said police will be on high alert to ensure the orders are enforced and executed.

“This is to allow the Ministry of Health to run their exercise in trying out their Standard Operating procedures in case the delta variant enters the country the front line officers are prepared to deal with.”

‘Thank you Australia’

Written by
Press Release
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Part of a group of Solomon Islanders who went under the Australian Seasonal Workers Programme and Labour Mobility Scheme. PHOTO AUSTRALIAN HIGH COMMISSION OFFICE

Wale urges gov’t to forego processing costs for seasonal work following intake increase

Leader of the Opposition Matthew Wale acknowledges and thanks the Government and People of Australia for their continued support to the Pacific Island countries and people in these trying times.

The acknowledgement follows recent confirmation by the Australian High Commission Office in Honiara that the labour quota for Pacific Island countries under the Seasonal Workers Programme has been increased to 12,500.

“This is a notable increase. 

“It is both timely and is a clear demonstration of the Australia government’s sincerity in lending a hand where it really matters to the ordinary people of the Pacific,” said the Opposition Leader.

Wale adds, “With the increase and inclusion of health and home care workers, new doors are now open for a lot more Solomon Islanders to benefit from the arrangement.

“This is good for both families and the country as a whole moving forward hence, I extend my hearty appreciation to the Government and people of Australia.”

Meanwhile, Wale stressed that the announcement also calls for improvements in the domestic systems handling the scheme, adding that with proper planning, Solomon Islands numbers can take advantage of the increase to up its domestic quota.  

“A starting point as I have stated earlier is for the government to do away with the processing costs. 

“Small as they may be, they can be a hindrance discouraging people that really need the opportunities to impact the domestic cash flow and industry needs in our rebuilding efforts.

“The Solomon Islands government must get its act together and work proactively to fill more than half of the 12,500-increase by March 2022,” the Opposition Leader said.

–OPPOSITION PRESS

Gizo police to set up crime prevention committees

Written by
Ben Bilua
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Gizo Police station

BY BEN BILUA
Gizo

Gizo police is looking at establishing crime prevention committees in communities there.

A notice was circulated to churches to inform community leaders and residents on the proposed meeting scheduled today evening, tomorrow and Wednesday.

According to the letter, RSIPF officers will hold a meeting with Hill Top Community today at 5pm, District and Water Pump Communities tomorrow and Banana Valley Community on Wednesday.

The series of meetings will assist community leaders and residents to form a Crime Prevention Committee as part of a programme called “Tugether Iumi Mekem Gizo Town Safe and Peaceful”.

The committee will then formulate bylaws in an effort to maintain peace, safety and well-being of residents.

Crime Prevention is a four-year program established in 2019 and will end next year 2022 with the aim to provide police with better intelligence in communities so that criminal issues can be dealt with as they develop.

The RSIPF Crime Prevention strategy builds on previous approach and incorporates problem solving driven by stakeholders and communities in the absence of police.

Part of the strategy is to reinforce the key roles of leaders in communities and the traditional role of chiefs in crime and harm prevention activities as well as mediating and solving issues.

ANYTIME,ANYWHERE,ANYONE

Written by
Brian Lezutuni
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NCPD Supervising Director, Inspector Steve Sunaone speaking during the meeting at Lela on Tuesday

Citizens have power to arrest

BY JARED KOLI

ANY private person or civilian has the power to arrest anyone who commits a criminal offence.

This is according to the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) National Crime Prevention Department (NCPD) during an awareness with the chiefs and community leaders of the Tandai House of Chiefs on Tuesday at Lela in Northwest Guadalcanal. 

Constable Joel Saumanu of NCPD said a private person or civilian can do arrest to a certain level and hand the suspect to the police.

He said this is called ‘Arrest by Private Person’ provided by law in Section 21 and 22 of the Solomon Islands Criminal Procedure Code.

Section 21 Clause (1) states: “Any private person may arrest any person who in his view commits a cognisable offence, or whim he reasonably suspects of having committed a felony provided a felony has been committed.”

Clause (2) states: “Persons found committing any offence involving injury to property may be arrested without a warrant by the owner of the property or his servants or persons authorised by him.”

Section 22, Clause (1) had it that, “Any private person arresting any other person without a warrant shall without unnecessary delay make over the person so arrested to a police officer, or in the absence of a police officer shall take such person to the nearest police station.

Clause (2) adds: “If there is reason to believe that such person comes under the provisions of section 18, a police officer shall re-arrest him.

Clause (3) furthers: “If there is reason to believe that he has committed a non-cognisable offence, and he refuses on the demand of a police officer to give his name and residence, or gives a name or residence which such officer has reason to believe to be false, he shall be dealt with under the provisions of section 19. If there is no sufficient reason to believe that he has committed any offence he shall be at once released.”

The Tandai House of Chiefs requested the RSIPF through NCPD to assist them in setting up the committees to fight crimes in the Tandai area.

The initiative attracted around 100 chiefs and leaders in the Tandai House of Chiefs, from Barana to Doma gathered at Lela in Northwest Guadalcanal on Tuesday to dialogue and establish their Crime Prevention Committees (CPC) to address crime and lawlessness in the area.

Speaking after the awareness meeting, NCPD Supervising Director, Inspector Steve Sunaone said citizens have legal reasons to carry out their work and become law enforcers in our nation.

Mr Sunaone said the Tandai leaders really have the strong desire to change their community.

“They request us to come and make awareness about Crime Prevention Committees, in particular to ensure that CPC is establish in their communities.

“Tandai area is close to the city, and it is not immune to lawlessness as well. It’s more like empower them to take ownership of their community while giving them certain approaches which is recognised under the crime prevention strategy to enforce law and order within the communities,” said Sunaone.

Paramount Chief of the Tandai House of Chiefs Francis Peroqolo on behalf of the Tandai House of Chiefs thanked the team from the NCPD, and told each of the representatives that attendant the workshop to return to their various zones to form their CPC and start implementing their community by-laws.

7 held on illegal border crossing

Written by
Mavis Podokolo
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Police officers patrolling the Western border with Bougainville. PHOTO ABC

BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO

Seven Solomon Islands nationals have been detained for entering the border from Bougainville without authorisation.

The ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS) in a media statement said this occurred over the weekend.

“All seven were apprehended by the police and are currently being held at the Nila quarantine station where swabs were collected and COVID-19 testing performed.

“COVID-19 test results for six returned negative while 7th person will need to be re-swabbed as the sample collected from the person was spoiled. All will be quarantined for 21 days at the Nila quarantine station with additional COVID-19 testing as per testing protocols in place for all incoming travellers.

“MHMS again reminds everyone at the border that nothing is more important than the health and lives of our people, which is currently at great risk of COVID-19,” the statement said.

The Ministry thanked community members, families who assisted the authorities with detecting and informing the ministry about these people for appropriate actions.

“If you see any illegal border entry, please inform us or the police and do not interact with them.

“We are also working with other partners of the SIG to bring SI citizens in Bougainville to Solomon Islands. Let’s continue to work together to protect our people and country against COVID-19.”

SIG & USA partners to advance SCALE Project

Written by
Press Release
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THE National Government is working closely with the United States Government in progressing the design and programming of the SCALE Project.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs & External Trade is leading the coordination together with the Ministry of National Planning & Development Coordination.

A Government statement said the current status of the SCALE project is now awaiting the conclusion of a Bilateral Framework document to guide the USA and Solomon Islands arrangement.

“Cabinet has already endorsed this document which is now with the US embassy for their endorsement,” the statement said.

“Once the US Government have their inputs it will be sent back to us for finalisation,” the statement added.

It further said that such framework is important to guide engagements between both countries especially on the development cooperation front; similar to what we have with other traditional partners like Australia, New Zealand etc.

The Government statement said that since there are no bilateral formalities to guide engagements between both countries; there are still no funds paid under the SCALE programme to date.

CBSI has also confirmed that it has not received any SCALE funding under the US Government, through any of its USD accounts to date.

“It is in our best interest that such development cooperation is aligned and responds to our national development priorities, complies with requirements of Donors and is implemented in a manner that is efficient and in line with International Principles of Aid Effectiveness,” the statement said.

The statement said progressive meetings between the Government and US Government will be held next week.

Suidani thanks Taiwan

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
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Premier of Malaita province Daniel Suidani

BY EDDIE OSIFELO

PREMIER of Malaita Province, Daniel Suidani has thanked the Republic of China (Taiwan) for saving his life.

This was after doctors in Taiwan found no disorder in his brain during the Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan in Taiwan recently.

Speaking from Brisbane, Australia to mark the province’s 38th Second Appointed Day, Mr Suidani said, “As you are aware, Taiwan helped me to check my condition after doctors in Honiara referred me to do CT scan.

“We thank God that time when they (doctors) do MRI with me in Taiwan, what they suspect was not found.

“No matter, the doctors in Taiwan gave me medicines that really helped me,” he said.

Therefore, Suidani thanked Taiwan for saving his life.

He also extended his gratitude to the President of Taiwan and the good-hearted people that helped him in the trip to Taiwan.

Further to that, Suidani said he was surprised that some people in Malaita continue to ‘crucify’ him for the medical trip to Taiwan.

Suidani is expected to return to Honiara when international flights open early next month.

Malaitans in Australia helps Kiluufi

Written by
Samie Waikori
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) Rep from Kilu’ufi nursing staff, Mr Alfred Toata, Dr Rex Maukera, Ms Anna Masioa, Deputy Premier, Hon Randol Sifoni and Kilu’ufi hospital secretary, Mr Douglas during the handing over of the donated clinical items at Kilu’ufi hospital yesterday.

BY SAMIE WAIKORI

AUKI

Malaitans living in Gatton, Australia have donated towards the province’s main hospital.

Yesterday, the Kiluufi hospital received sets of wheel-chairs and other hospital equipment from Ms Anna Masioa who delivered the support on behalf of the Malaitans in Gatton.

Speaking during the handover ceremony at Kilu’ufi hospital, Dr Rex Maukera on behalf of people and medical health services in Malaita province thanked the friends in Gatton for the support.

He said the donations will go a long way in serving the health and medical needs of the people of Malaita.

Maukera said the items donated included 10 wheelchairs, theatre clothing, sanitisers, mother birthing kits, and many more clinical items.

“The support will really help our people especially the elderly ones and disables within the psychio and therapy rehab who really need the items as they will be distributed to them.

“Also other items provided will help the people of the province especially during this time of pandemic,” he said. 

He said the donated clinical items will be distributed to other health facilities in the province.

The handover ceremony was attended by Ms Anna Masioa on behalf of friends in Gatton, Dr Maukera and his staffs, and supervising premier Randol Sifoni.

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