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Vessel with positive crew quarantined

Written by
Mavis Podokolo
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BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO

AN overseas ship carrying a crew who was tested positive for covid-19 last week in the Western Province remains under quarantine, pending the outcome of another test result.

That’s according to Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare in his nation-wide COVID-19 address yesterday.

The vessel, MV Vimaru Pearl, is here to pick up logs in the Western Province.

“The vessel is currently on quarantine pending the outcome of another test to be collected today (yesterday),” Sogavare said.

“If the test comes back and result is still positive the vessel will be asked to depart from our country to go back to its base port,” he added.

“However, if the result comes back negative the Oversight Committee will allow the vessel to load its logs for export from one single port under strict health supervision and the vessel will depart after the loading.

“I assure you all that there will be no risk to Stevedores and operators involved in the loading if the test result comes back negative.

“I am also happy to inform you that stevedores that will be used to load the logs have all been fully vaccinated with two doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine.”

Sogavare said stringent health protocols will be observed during loading if the vessel is cleared to load its cargo before departing later this week.

“In announcing this case I am happy to inform you that cases diagnosed on vessels do not count against our numbers which remained at 20.

“This case like the other four we have previously diagnosed on two vessels will be recorded under a different category,” Sogavare said.

He stressed the crew member that tested positive have tested negative twice before the vessel’s departure to Solomon Islands.

Sogavare said the crew also tested negative on the first of two post arrival tests taken on 6th July 2021.

“He tested positive on the second post arrival test on 13th July 2021.

“In total he tested negative three times before the positive test.”

Crime prevention meeting with east Makira leaders

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Press Release
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A leader speaking during the meeting

COMMUNITY leaders of East Makira recently attended a crime prevention strategy consultation conducted by police in the province.

Provincial Police Commander (PPC) Makira-Ulawa Province, Superintendent Peter Sitai and team facilitated the meeting from 8to 9 of July 2021 for leaders of Namah, Pihuru, Nagarawawa, Nahuhu and Karie,

This followed claims that these communities have experienced law and order issues of which leaders were unable to control antisocial behaviours happening in their communities.

The communities have experienced widespread trafficking, selling and smoking marijuana, kwaso brewing, illegal sale of alcohol, damage of properties and going armed in public places.

“The situation has caused community members particularly the women, children and elderly people to live in fear every day,” a statement from the police said.

“The outcome of the meeting has been fruitful as leaders have come to identify various causes that include weak community governance, leadership, impacts of logging and none engagement of youths,” the statement added.

PPC Peter Sitai speaking during the consultation meeting

However, the meeting also identified possible ways forward to address the issues that include reactivating the tasks of Crime Prevention Committee, realignment of existing sectors and regular meetings.

In a closing remarks, Silas Wagatora, Provincial Member for Ward 13, apologised on behalf of all levels of community leadership and called for support for the work of the police, stating there is no time to waste.

“It is about time that leader’s rise and work together towards fighting antisocial activities affecting our people,” Wagatora said.

Japan offers to provide covid-19 vaccines for SI

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Press Release
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Prime Minister Suga Yoshihide of Japan, left, and Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare during the virtual bilateral meeting held on 1 July 2021.

JAPAN has offered to provide COVID-19 vaccines to Solomon Islands it is current manufacturing once the World Health Organisation (WHO) approves it.

The AstraZeneca vaccines will be provided through the COVAC facility.

Japanese Prime Minister Suga Yoshihide made the offer during a virtual meeting with Prime Minister Sogavare early this month.

The two leaders also reaffirmed their bilateral cooperation during the meeting.

A government statement issued yesterday said the virtual meeting that connected the two leaders from Honiara and Tokyo was held before the Pacific Islands Leader Meeting (PALM 9) with Japan on Friday 2 July.

“At the meeting, the two Leaders discuss common issues of concern and the Prime Minister of Japan outlined the Pacific Bond Kizuna policy to strengthen the linkage and connection between Pacific Island countries and Japan when he announced that the ‘Pacific Island countries are indispensable partners for Japan’,” the statement said.

“On the support towards COVID-19, Japan has reaffirmed its commitment to assist Solomon Islands in its response to COVID-19,” it added.

The statement said Japan also offered to provide AstraZeneca vaccines manufactured in Japan through the COVAX facility once approved by WHO. 

“In its ongoing bilateral development assistance, Japan will provide solar powered streetlights with the aim of contributing towards Solomon Islands climate action as well as continuing its support for the upgrading of the Honiara International Airport and the Phase 2 of the Kukum Highway project.”

Prime Minister Sogavare further acknowledge the ongoing support provided by Japan through bilateral and multilateral assistance.

“The relationship between the Pacific Island countries and Japan is very important at this time to advance our development aspirations moving forward, and we look forward to working very closely with Japan,” Sogavare said.

Prime Minister Sogavare reiterates that Solomon Islands will continue to work with Japan on areas of mutual benefit and assured Prime Minister Yoshihide of Solomon Islands support for Japan in international forums.

Stopping deadly Delta variant

Written by
Mavis Podokolo
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The Delta variant is keeping countries on edge

BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO

SUSPENDING incoming passengers into the country will minimise the chances of importing the highly transmissible COVID-19 Delta variant, Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare says.

“Best strategy to protect Solomon Islands from this highly transmissible and most dangerous variant of COVID-19 is to minimise the chances of importing it into our country,” Sogavare said in his weekly COVID-19 national address yesterday.

“The best way to achieve this is to suspend incoming passengers from countries with widespread and uncontrolled community transmission of delta variant of COVID-19,” he added.

He stated the oversight committee has been tasked to assess the next step in the country’s strategy to prevent the introduction of the Delta variant COVID-19 into the country.

Sogavare said in accordance to the World Health Organisation the delta variant of COVID-19 has been described as the most dangerous, fastest strain of Coronavirus that will pick off the most vulnerable people.

He stressed WHO estimated that the Delta variant is 55 percent more transmissible then the original COVID-19 variant first discovered in Wuhan in China.

Sogavare further stated that the Delta variant is now present in more than 100 countries and increasing daily.

It is spread by airborne transmission and can be transmitted without personal contact with infected person.

“I appeal to all citizens who are 18 years old and above that have not yet taken your first dose of COVID-19 vaccine to please go to any of the COVID-19 vaccination centres and take your first dose of COVID-19 vaccine.

“COVID-19 kills make no mistake about that the best way to protect yourself, your family and your communities is to get vaccinated.

“Work together with your government to carry us through this unprecedented time,” he said.

USP launches new BA programme

Written by
Brian Lezutuni
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BY JARED KOLI

THE University of the South Pacific (USP) School of Pacific Arts, Communication & Education (SPACE), in collaboration with the School of Business and Management (SBM), has launched a brand-new Bachelor of Arts (BA) Programme.

The new programme, ‘BA in Communication and Media’, will be starting in Semester 2, 2021.

It is a 24-course programme that combines courses from Journalism, Linguistics, Marketing and Management with a specialist subject in a field of your choice.

USP’s Senior Lecturer in Applied Linguistics Dr Fiona Willans and Journalism Programme Coordinator Dr Shailendra Singh informed Island Sun that the programme also gets students ‘workplace-ready’ with job application training, a workplace attachment, and a range of digital, communication and research skills built in.

“You can use the specialist subject either to target a communications role in a particular field (e.g. Pacific Heritage and Arts, Marine Science, Inclusive Education, Nutrition …), or to target a range of roles in NGOs or civil society organisations (e.g. Politics, Sociology, Governance …), or to pick up additional skills that look good on your CV (e.g. a new language or useful business skills), or simply to follow your love and study a subject that you’re passionate or inquisitive about, safe in the knowledge that a BA in Communication & Media will open doors to a wide range of jobs,” said Dr Willans.

Applications are now open and new students may join the programme in Semester 2 this year.

Continuing students may switch to this programme and cross-credit any courses they have already completed.

The programme requirements for the BA Communication & Media include UU100 -Communications & Information Literacy, UU114-English for Academic Purposes, JN101 – Introduction to Journalism, JN103-Media Law & Ethics, LN111-Introduction to Language Studies, MG101 Introduction to Management and two courses at 100-level from an approved specialist subject.

In the 200-level or year 2, students will undertake UU200 -Ethics & Governance, UU204-Pacific Worlds, JN201-Print & Online Journalism, LN216-Language Use in the 21st Century Pacific, MG206-Marketing Principles & Strategies plus 1 or 2 of: JN202-Radio Broadcasting, JN203-Television Journalism, LN211-Structure of English plus either 1 or 2 courses at 200-level from the specialist subject.

In the 300-level, students will take JN303-Journalism Production, LN317-Qualitative Analysis of Texts, MG303-International Marketing plus 3 or 4 further courses from: JN301-International Journalism, JN302-Journalism Research, LN311-English in the Pacific, LN315-Corpus Linguistics & Language Technologies and MG301 Management of Service Operation plus either 1 or 2 courses at 300-level from the specialist subject.

ACOM to replace MV Southern Cross

Written by
Ben Bilua
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MV Southern Cross. Photo supplied

BY BEN BILUA
Gizo

THE Anglican Church of Melanesia (ACOM) will purchase a new and bigger mission ship for the church.

Speaking to the parishioners at St Luke Anglican Church, Archbishop Leonard Dawea said the church is now in the process of selling MV Southern Cross, the mission vessel that has served the church over many years.

He said the Council of Bishops in their recent meeting agreed to sell Southern Cross while work is in progress to scout and purchase a replacement.

He said the decision was made due to the changing weather pattern and climate, which rendered Southern Cross inadequate to further carry out the church’s mission of spreading the gospel.

Archbishop Dawea said MV Southern Cross has been used mostly for bishop’s missions within Solomon Islands and other ACOM countries like Vanuatu, Papua New Guinea and part of New Caledonia.

Often referred to as a “floating church”, the history of MV Southern Cross dates back to 1867, with nine Anglican ships having been named as the Southern Cross.

The early pattern was that the Southern Cross worked out of Auckland and made two trips each year to the New Hebrides and the Solomon Islands, and to Norfolk Island (1867-1920), each lasting three to four months.

The ship visited all of the Melanesian Mission stations, delivered supplies, changed personnel and collected students to take back to Auckland and then Norfolk Island to study.

Police chief visits 2 Guale stations

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Press Release
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Commissioner Mangau and team (right), RSPF officer and a village elder (left) in front of the Avu Avu police station

POLICE Commissioner Mostyn Mangau was joined by other officials to visit the new Avu Avu and Aola police stations on Guadalcanal last Friday.

Among officials were Minister of Mines, Energy and Rural Electrification Bradley Tovosia; Minister and Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Police, National Security and Correctional Services and the Commander of Solomon Islands Police Development Program (SIPDP).

A police statement said the team took the opportunity to inspect the police stations and monitor their progress towards completion.

“It also provided an opportunity to visit RSIPF officers manning those police stations and thanked the building contractors and local communities who have been working at the sites since March this year,” the statement said.

“The building projects are part of a larger SIPDP project that was also building a police station at Wagina in Choiseul province and police barracks at Tetere police station,” it added.

“The buildings have been designed by the SIPDP in consultation with the Ministry of Infrastructure and Development and the RSIPF. 

“They have been constructed using local materials provided by local contractors and designed to be self-sufficient using solar power and on-site water storage.”

During the visit, Police minister Anthony Veke says the design of these buildings was impressive and the local materials being used will ensure these structures will last for a long period of time.

“With careful and regular maintenance, we can maintain an effective long term police presence in those communities,” Veke said.

Mangau said the police stations at Avu Avu and Aola and the police barracks at the Tetere police station will be completed in August this year and ready to support police operations.

The police station at Wagina is expected to be completed in September this year.    

The SIPDP program intends to provide further infrastructure support to the RSIPF over the next four years, building more police stations and other specialist structures based upon a capability gap analysis, which has been undertaken in close consultation with the RSIPF and Ministry of Police National Security and Correctional Services.   

China lights up Seghe hospital

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Press Release
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A Chinese Official with locals at Marovo

CHINA’S funding support to Solomon Islands through the Rural Constituency Development Fund (RCDF) is making impact in rural Marovo in the Western Province following the successful installation and launching of a hybrid solar power system at the Seghe Rural Health Center (RHC) over the weekend.

This support now enables Seghe health workers to perform lifesaving delivery operations on pregnant mothers and other general medical operations at night after many years of working with lanterns or battery powered torchlights.

A joint delegation from the People’s Republic of China’s Embassy and the Government travelled to Seghe over the weekend to launch the Solar Hybrid system and other solar projects installed at a number of schools.

Member of Parliament for Marovo Constituency Chacha Bule Amoi spearheaded the project through the PRC assistance under the RCDF programme to fix the long time need of the Seghe Rural Health Center.

The funding included the re- wiring of the Center’s electrical system and the eventual supply of power by the Solomon Power Hybrid Solar system.

Amoi also financed other components of the Center’s refurbishment work through funding support from the RCDF programme.

Head Nurse at Seghe RHC, Oleander Haro was relieved with the lighting improvement, which will ease the burden of attending to patients, especially, pregnant mothers at night.

“Our mini operating theater is now functional with this power system and this is a huge relief for us to attend to patients at night,” she said.

Previously, the hospital’s operating theater was powered by a generator, which most times is unreliable.

“On behalf of the staff members of the center I thank the PRC for funding the power supply under its component of the RCDF,” Haro said.

China Embassy Counsellor Gong Rui said PRC is glad to support the project and that it appreciates Honorable Chacha for endorsing the request for assistance, which materializes in the connection of the power supply to the health center.

Counsellor Rui and other PRC officials also visited other RCDF- related- funded projects.

They visited Nazareth village and other schools to see the impact of solar lights, which were funded by PRC through the RCDF.

Counsellor Rui was impressed with the positive impacts of the projects on the lifes of the people.

Counsellor Rui’s recent visit to Western Province makes it the fifth time for any PRC officials.

Power to hospital, boats to constituents

Written by
Ben Bilua
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0
Community in Seghe in front of the hospital during the launching

BY BEN BILUA
Gizo

CONSTITUENTS of Marovo in Western Province last week saw the launch of the Seghe Hospital Electrification Project and the delivery of 20 boats for fishermen.

These, according to Constituency Development Officer Tyson Ghera, were funded by China through the Constituency Development Fund (CDF).

Hon Chachabule with officials from PRC at the boat manufactoring site

Ghera said another 100 boats under the same project will be delivered later this year, to be followed by the distribution of outboard motor engines.

“The interesting part of this fisheries project is that the boats were built by locals of Marovo, which is an additional benefit to constituents,” Ghera said.

Hon Chachabule and official from PRC cut the ribbon to officially hand over the facilities to Seghe community

“Seghe Hospital is now connected to 24-hour electricity from Solomon Power,” he added.

Ghera said Marovo MP Chachabule Amoi is looking into other assistance to boost economic activities that would bring tangible benefits to his people.

Boats ready to be distributed to fishermen of Marovo

New ambulance for clinics in West Makira

Written by
Brian Lezutuni
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0
New ambulance that was handed over to Wango and Aringana clinics in Arosi One, West Makira. Photo. SUPPLIED

BY JARED KOLI

A brand new ambulance has been officially handed over to Wango and Aringana clinics in Arosi One, West Makira thanks to the West Makira Constituency Office for recognising the much-needed life saving land transport. 

The constituency office handed over the keys of the new ambulance to the nurses and committee members of the two clinics on Friday July 16, witnessed by police officers, World Vision CVA Team, and people of the surrounding communities.

Member of Parliament for West Makira Constituency Derick Manu’ari told Island Sun that the ambulance costs $600,000, and was funded through the Rural Constituency Development Fund (RCDF).

“The two clinics are situated close to each other, and the ambulance is purposely to provide easy access for emergency cases from these clinics to be taken to Kirakira Hospital,” Mr Manu’ari told Island Sun in an interview from his constituency over the weekend.

He said the ambulance is an original version equipped with inbuilt life saving devices ordered directly from the manufacturer.

He said sick patients from the Weathercoast side of Makira where there is no access to roads can be transported by boat to Arosi one, and the ambulance can pick them from there to Kirakira hospital. 

“At the moment, it is difficult and very expensive by boat from Haununu and Arosi 2 in the weather coast side of Makira to Kirakira hospital, many sick patients have died along the way by boat.

“With the ambulance, boat can transport the sick patients to Arosi One and ambulance can pick them there to Kirakira where road is accessible.

“It can transport emergency cases from Arosi to Kirakira at any time,” said the West Makira MP. 

Mr Manu’ari said this is part of their plan to improve health services in the constituency.

“This is part of our plan to improve health services in the constituency. It is also our vision to build a mini hospital at the Weathercoast side of constituency. But this is something that will require further consultations with relevant authorities.”

In the meantime, we are currently improving existing clinics and clinics that are not accessible to roads will soon be given Outboard Motors to boost their services to our people.”

The constituency office had also already purchased wheel chairs and is ready to dispatch them to clinics and people living with physical disabilities within the constituency,” Mr Manu’ari said.

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