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Hospital to implement screening measures soon

Written by
Brian Lezutuni
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BY JARED KOLI

The National Referral Hospital (NRH) will shortly be implementing COVID-19 screening measures at its car park area between the hospital and eye centre for all patients presented to the hospital.

Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare said these measures will improve the NRH’s ability to respond to any potential community transmission of COVID-19.

“Observing the current outbreak in Fiji, and how it impacts Fiji hospital systems, the National Referral Hospital will shortly be implementing COVID-19 screening at its car park area between the hospital and eye centre for all patients presenting at the hospital,” said the Prime Minister in his nation-wide address on Monday.

He said the public is reminded that only emergency cases or the very sick and referred cases will be allowed to go to the NRH.

Sogavare adds all other health complaints will be attended to at the respective clinics in Honiara city.  

“The NRH gates will be tightly guarded to prevent any unnecessary entry with tight restrictions on visiting hours and number of visitors and family members to care for their sick at the NRH.

“All infection, prevention and control measures within the hospital will be upgraded and strictly followed as if we are experiencing a community transmission.

“The public is asked to observe and adhere to the measures that will be implemented at the NRH,” he said.

HCC with no Clerk

Written by
Jennifer Kusapa
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BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

THE Honiara City Council is still without a City Clerk.

This is prompting councillors to call on the Ministry of Home Affairs to pull up its socks and find a candidate soon.

HCC Councilor Reginald Ngati told this paper that Home Affairs should quickly fill the position, as the City Clerk is the person responsible in overseeing the Council’s operations to ensure effective, efficient, and economic management of activities and planning of the Council.

He said as the Council is heading towards its budget the presence of the City Clerk is very important.

“I understand that there has been an advertisement published and three candidates have been interviewed, and I am asking why the delay in the appointment of the suitable candidate,” Ngati said.

He said the ministry must appoint someone who is neutral and a person who has wealth of experience that can “reform the council back to its original idea of why HCC was established”.

“HCC need people who think of serving the people and not for self-serving, HCC now is like a fundraising institution, an institution without any powers, and so we need someone who can put those things in order and for the smooth running of the council.”

This paper contacted the Ministry of Home Affairs for comments but was unsuccessful yesterday.

The position has been vacant since the former was kicked out earlier this year for several allegations of gross abuse of office.

Ngati calls on the AG

Written by
Jennifer Kusapa
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Honiara City Councillor, Reginald Ngati

BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

VURA ward Councilor Reginald Ngati has called on the Attorney General’s office to tighten up the Honiara City Council’s legal office to do its mandated duties.

Ngati made the call following statements made by a Magistrate regarding confiscated items not produced in court as exhibit by HCC Law Enforcement officers.

He said there are a lot of things needed to be put right in the council, the legal office needs to interpret the regulations properly so that officers know their roles when implementing the ordinances.

“I applaud the Magistrate who made the ruling concerning the behaviour of the HCC law enforcement officers, for not providing confiscating items like the cigarette rolls and betelnut fruits in court.

“I just wonder how some previous HCC cases got convicted without those exhibits,” Ngati said.

Ngati said he wanted the Attorney General’s office to look into those issues and tighten up the office, as there are a lot of wrong legal interpretation on issues within the HCC.

He also said that HCC is an institution run by law and ordinances and the legal office is very important to guide this institution.

Alumni celebrates strong Solomon Islands-Australia links

Written by
Press Release
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From left to right: Janice Ashwin Solomon Islands Australia Alumni Association (SIAAA) Secretary; Elizabeth Belapitu, SIAAA Alumni, Dr Lachlan Strahan, Australian High Commissioner to Solomon Islands; Hon.Lanelle Tanagada, Minister of Education & Human Development Resources, Dr John Fasi, SIAAA President and Louise Jennion, Team Leader, Australia Awards Solomon Islands

At its 2021 annual Gala Dinner on Saturday, the Solomon Islands Australia Alumni Association (SIAAA) celebrated the achievements of its members and the strong relationship between Solomon Islands and Australia.  The Gala Dinner brought members together under the theme ‘Linkages’, to network and share experiences.  The Minister for Education and Human Resources Development, Lanelle Tanangada, and the Australian High Commissioner to the Solomon Islands, Dr Lachlan Strahan were guests of honour at the event.

SIAAA membership comprises alumni from Australian tertiary institutions and from Australia Awards scholarships in Australia or the region.

SIAAA President Dr John Fasi said the event provided an opportunity to celebrate the contributions of Australia Global Alumni in their home country, across the Indo-Pacific region, and for some on a global scale.

In her opening remarks at the Gala Dinner, Tanangada said, “The Solomon Islands is fortunate to have such an enduring partnership with Australia…whose government both values and supports the importance of education in our country and across the Indo-Pacific region.

“We are so fortunate to have so many Australia alumni, many of whom have gone on to become leaders in government, the private sector, academia and their communities.

“I would like to acknowledge the important and ongoing work of the Solomon Islands Australia Alumni Association (SIAAA) committee, organizing committee and its entire membership of around 400 people. This body provides further links between scholars and our countries.”

In his remarks, the Australian High Commissioner, Mr Strahan said, “Australia Awards is fundamental to meeting the needs of Solomon Islands’ economy and providing sufficient skills for economic growth.

“For this reason, the Australia Awards scholarships program has long been a key component of Australia’s development assistance to Solomon Islands.  It is also about building warm and friendly people-to-people links between Australia and Solomon Islands, as one of our closet neighbours.”

Guest speaker, Australia Awards alumni Dr Transform Aqorau stressed the importance of the responsibility that comes with the privilege of attaining an Australian tertiary education and encouraged the alumni in attendance to build their linkages in-country and with Australia for mutually beneficial development outcomes.

Mr Aqorau completed a PhD in International Fisheries Law and Management at the University of Wollongong in 1997, was recently awarded the 2021 Member of the British Empire (MBE) for services to national and regional development and the diplomatic service.

Guest speaker Elizabeth Belapitu, Senior Mines Inspector in the Ministry of Mines, Energy and Rural Development, said that her Australia Awards scholarship to study a Bachelor of Engineering (Mining) with Honours at Curtin University (Western Australia) and her subsequent experience as a woman in a male-dominated sector helped her to understand the importance of empowering women and young girls undertake studies in the field of statistics, technology, engineering and mathematics to make difference in Solomon Islands development.

–AUSTRALIA AWARDS SOLOMON ISLANDS

Papa Mau front liners discharged

Written by
Mavis Podokolo
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BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO

Frontline workers quarantined at GBR in relation to the MV Papa Mau covid-19 incident have been released.

Their release is reportedly in line with testing protocols and quarantine guidelines.

This was confirmed by Pauline McNeil, permanent secretary to Ministry of Health and Medical Services, in a radio talkback show on covid-19 updates on the SIBC.

“Persons who are quarantined at GBR in relation to MV Papa Mau covid-19 incident were released following testing protocols and quarantine guidelines.

“Thank you so much to frontlines who maintaining and complying with measures that are put in place,” McNeil said.

She adds, at the moment only four people at the quarantine. Two pilots at the King Solomon Hotel. One person at SA quarantine station and one foreign ship crew member at Pacific Casino – this person needed hospitalisation so after getting medical treatment the person is now serving mandatory quarantine period. He will return today if his vessel comes.

McNeil said for National Referral Hospital Isolation facilities there is no patient there

“At the moment we have no patients at the NRH, Isolation facilities we still very much zero indicators at the moment. Zero patients, zero community transmission and zero detected cases at the quarantine stations.

So, we are still very much on a zero platform,” she said.

Woman heads land board

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
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Honiara

By EDDIE OSIFELO

A WOMAN has been appointed on Monday to lead the Land Board in the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Survey.

Samantha Tuti was a voting member before her appointment as chairlady.

She replaced outgoing chairman Alfred Soaki, whose two-year term ended on Monday.

Former Guadalcanal Premier, Stephen Panga was also elected to the post of Vice Chairman, replacing former Commissioner of Land, Silva Dunge.

Dr Divinal Ogaoga was also appointed as a new voting member.

Tuti said she looks forward to the challenge and is thankful for the confidence that her colleagues have in her to lead the Board.

She said it is a new experience for her but her experience in other boards previously and currently would help her in her new role.

The other voting members are:

  1. Minister’s appointment nominated by Cabinet – Waeta Ben Tabusasi
  2. Minister’s appointment nominated by SICCI – Natalina Hong
  3. Minister’s appointment nominated by Ministry of Women – Samantha Tuti
  4. PS Lands – Stanley Waleanisia
  5. PS MID – Stephen Maesiola
  6. PS Environment – Dr. Melchior Mataki
  7. PS Provincial Government – Stanley Pirione
  8. PS Commerce – Riley Mesepitu
  9. Former Honiara City Clerk – Rence Sore
  10. Nomination by Chairman, Honiara Planning & Development Board – Ray Andresen
  11. Chairman, Guadalcanal Planning & Development Board – Timothy Ngele

Non-voting Members:

  1. Commissioner of Lands (Acting) (Secretary) – Alan McNeil
  2. Valuer General – Joyce Galo
  3. Surveyor General – Jimmy Ikina
  4. Director of Physical Planning – Rowley Wanega
  5. Registrar General – Joseph Aleve Malanga

According to MLHS website, the Land Board makes all decisions relating to allocation of interest in registered land in Solomon Islands.

This includes the power to grant and transfer Fixed Term Estates, the power to set land premiums and rentals, the power to decide whether to allocate interest in land by direct allocation or by ballot or auction, and the power to grant temporary occupation licenses.

The Land Board was formed after the National Parliament passed the Land and Titles (Amendment) Act 2014, which came into effect on 1 December 2014.

Prior to this, all decisions on allocation of interest in land was done by the Commissioner.

In some cases, the Land Board has delegated certain types of decision-making back to the Commissioner of Lands, including transfer of Fixed Term Estates between non-government parties.

PM congratulates Solomon Submarine cable for new innovation

Written by
Brian Lezutuni
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Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare.

BY JARED KOLI

Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare has congratulated the Chief Executive Officer, Board and Management of Solomon Submarine for the newly launched alternative of volume-based pricing model.   

Prime Minister Sogavare said Volume based pricing simply charges by the Gigabyte of the data that is transferred by the retailer.

“Let me share with you a new and exciting development by Solomon Submarine Cable. Our very own cable company has launched an alternative of volume-based pricing model in addition to the traditional bandwidth pricing model to provide flexibility to its customers.   

“Volume or traffic pricing lowers the barrier threshold to entry to the market to allows new and smaller internet service providers to engage and simply grow with their traffic without a fixed commitment in bandwidth,” said the Prime Minister.

He said volume pricing is a more traditional retailing model that allows the operator to sell its unit for data at a known margin to help their business.

Sogavare said the operators can use as large the bandwidth as the network will allow, so ensuring consistently fast services to their customers.

In this way, the operator removes any speed constraint to its customers and charges them for the usage, much like customers use and pay for water.

Ultimately, smaller providers can enter the market and the competition will be beneficial to users who can look forward to faster, cheaper and reliable internet services.

“Let me congratulate the Chief Executive Officer, Board and Management of Solomon Submarine cable bleeding the world in this innovation,” the Prime Minister said in his fortnightly nation-wide address on Monday.

Boost for pig industry

Written by
Press Release
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MAL Permanent Secretary Ethel Tebengi Frances and Chairman of SIPFA John Kwaita sign the MoU as reps from MAL and SIPFA watch on.

THE Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAL) through its Livestock Department has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Solomon Islands Pig Farmers Association (SIPFA) on 4th August 2021 towards development of the country’s pig industry.

Permanent Secretary Ethel Tebengi Frances signed on behalf of MAL while John Kwaita, who is the chairman of SIPFA, signed on behalf of the association members.   

The MoU formalized the willingness of MAL to allow SIPFA to use and rent a portion of its (MAL) property or land known as the Honey House near Burns Creek in east Honiara to sell and distribute stockfeed to pig farmers in Honiara and the provinces, in support of developing the industry.

Kwaita said quality stockfeed has always been the biggest challenge for the Piggery and Poultry industries in the county. 

“The availability and affordability of quality stockfeed for the livestock industry is key to the success of this industry,” Kwaita said.

“Therefore, the signing of this MOU between MAL and SIPFA for the lease of MAL property at the Burns Creek Honey Association site is a step into the right direction,” he added.

“With a further support from the government, we are anticipating the establishment of a proper shed for the production of stockfeed for piggery, which will benefit all our association members and many more local farmers across the country.”

Kwaita thanked MAL for the support towards setting up of this very important component of Piggery Industry, and for their continuous support to Livestock Industry.

MAL, through its Livestock Department, congratulated SIPFA for the partnership and looks forward to working closely with SIPFA for the development of livestock industry across the country.

Bonale pineapple factory project makes positive progress

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Press Release
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Key partners engaged in advancing the development of the Bonale Pineapple Factory project in West Kwaio, Malaita Province are making steady progress regardless of the negative impacts of covid-19 on the Government’s financial position.

The Ministry of Commerce, Industry, Labor and Immigration is implementing the DCGA Flagship project in partnership with the Ministry of National Planning and Development Coordination, the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development, the Malaita Provincial Government and the Bonale Land Trust Board.

A pre-feasibility report consolidated by the partner agencies have so far indicated the viability of the Project following the conclusion of a Geo-tech study, a business model, a food technology study including land use plan and water technical site studies have been successfully completed.

The other important components still to be completed are the environment impact study and the architectural drawing and BOQ to prepare for construction in 2022 while the terms of reference to engage a consultant for the architectural design and bill of quantity has been completed.

A proposal seeking support from the US SCALE project was also submitted through the Ministry of National Planning and Development Coordination to seek further support from the SCALE program.

Dialogue was recently made with the SCALE project consultants to seek support for the environment impact assessment study, factory design and construction in 2022.

The MCILI coordinating team is currently exploring other options including the Public Private Partnership approach to boost private sector technology and innovation in this development project.

“This would gradually increase levels of private sector participation with transfer of entrepreneurial skills and knowledge to increase production and quality products that meet required standards in the domestic and international markets,” a statement from the MCILI said.

This project has a competitive advantage to advance infrastructure construction since Bonale land is customarily registered and free from dispute.

The projects business model would involve a cooperative society model that promotes entrepreneurship to boost industrial commercial estate development. It enhances innovation through infrastructure, value adding and downstream processing of raw materials into local pineapple products.

Pre-feasibility studies have indicated that the Bonale Pineapple Factory Project has the potential to promote healthier lifestyles and diets. It also has the potential to boost domestic and global demand for nutritious, organic and diverse superfood products processed from Ripley Queen and Smooth Cayenne local pineapple fruits.

The Solomon Islands national government commends the cooperation of the Malaita Provincial Government, the Bonale Land Trust Board and land owning groups, farmers, community leaders and citizens for their positive support towards the project.

The National Government is fully committed to the successful implementation and delivery of its policy priorities in the interest of economic empowerment, national stability and wellbeing of the citizens.

–GOVERNMENT COMMUNICATION UNIT

56,000 plus doses administered so far

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Press Release
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vaccination sites in Honiara.

A TOTAL of 56,928 doses of COVID-19 vaccines have been administered so far, Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare says.

Sogavare highlighted this during his nationwide address, Monday this week.

The data is as of Saturday 7th August 2021.

Sogavare said13, 188 people have now been fully vaccinated, whilst 30,552 people have received their first doses and are now waiting for the second doses.

He said this is only 3.2 % of the total eligible population to be vaccinated of the 414,327 people.

“Fellow Solomon Islanders, COVID-19 vaccination is the only proven way to counter the spread of COVID-19,” he said.

The Prime Minister, however, said last week was the best vaccination week since the COVID-19 vaccination program was rolled out in March this year.

He said a total of 9,000 people came out to receive their first and second doses of COVID-19 vaccination.

“I am profoundly happy and thankful to all of you who are turning up in numbers to get vaccinated to protect yourselves and members of your families that cannot be vaccinated against COVID-19,” he said.

Prime Minister Sogavare said if we continue with this current vaccination rate, we will be able to administer the first doses to cover our total eligible population of 414,327 people in 40 weeks, which takes us into June of 2022 and perhaps to December 2022 for full vaccination.

“This is too long. The Delta variant or other newer and even more dangerous variants of COVID-19 could invade our country way before our population is fully vaccinated.

“COVID-19 will not wait for us to be vaccinated before it enters. It is in our collective interest to get vaccinated before it enters our country,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Prime Minister has renewed calls for all citizens who are 18 years and above, to get vaccinated as soon as possible.

“This is your duty to protect yourself, protect those you love and protect your country,” he said.

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