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Selwyn College alumni and students to clean up Honiara

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MEMBERS of the Selwyn Old Scholars Association (SOSA) along with current staff and students of Selwyn College Secondary School will be engaging in a general clean-up of Honiara city.

The clean-up will be held on Saturday 17 July starting 7am.

The clean-up is organised by SOSA executive and the Selwyn College Golden Jubilee Committee chaired by Mr Robert Iroga.

Iroga said SOSA members, students and teachers will be cleaning up Honiara city in their divisional groups and allocated zones.

He said Masi Division will be cleaning up the areas between the Saint Barnabas Cathedral to the Honiara City Council (HCC) and Kirio Division from HCC to Centre Point Underpass, opposite the Solomon Airlines Office.

“Noabu Division will clean up from Centre Point Underpass to YWCA or Chinese Embassy Office and Tahula Division from YWCA to Rove Bulk Shop.

“Kirio you are to pick-up rubbish and walk towards the Masi ground which will be coming from St. Barnabas and down to HCC. Noabu you are to collect rubbish and walk towards Tahula who will walk from Rove and head up to towards the city.

“All divisions are responsible for their members and each division is to provide water but we also encourage division members to bring own water as well.

“Transport is being arranged with HCC and others to pick up the rubbish soon after the collection is done,” Iroga explained.

He said Chengs Company who had always engaged in the cleaning up of Honiara city will donate rubbish bags and SOSA will provide hand gloves for rubbish collection.

All four divisions have been urged to come in their divisional colours which is white for Masi, blue for Kirio, gold or yellow for Noabu and green for Tahula.

All SOSA members, teachers and students will gather at the SMI grounds for a barbecue after the clean-up.

“This is an important event for SOSA and Selwyn College,” Iroga said.

Selwyn College is celebrating its 50thyears later this year, since the Anglican Church of Melanesia (ACOM) introduced secondary co-education at Najilagu in the Guadalcanal Plains in 1970.

Selwyn College which currently provides secondary education from Year 7 (Form 1) to Year 12 (Form 6) plus University of the South Pacific (USP) Foundation Programme (Form 7) is located at Maravovo in West Guadalcanal.

It had moved from its original location at the Guadalcanal Plains in the early 1990s to its current site after the 1986 Tropical Cyclone Namu which caused destruction to the school.

Vax for MOI begins July 23

Written by
Samie Waikori
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Vaccination roll-out program at Luaniua in Ontong java last year.....Photo supplied

BY SAMIE WAIKORI

AUKI

The second dose of covid-19 vaccination for Ontong Java has been set for July 23.

Sikaiana is next after Ontong Java.

Malaita’s health director, Dr Rex Maukera confirms to Island Sun that the national ministry of Health has informed his office of this date.

“On July 23 a team comprising medical staff from Honiara and Auki will leave via patrol boat to Lord Howe and then Sikaiana in the Malaita Outer Islands.

“The team will first deploy to communities in Lord Howe for the second roll-out of the covid-19 vaccination programme and to Sikaiana for their first covid-19 vaccination programme,” he said.

Maukera said preparation is well underway for this visit to the Malaitan Polynesian outliers.

He calls on eligible 18-years-and-above people on both (Ontong Java and Sikaiana) to cooperate and avail themselves to be vaccinated.

New partnership against covid-19

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UNICEF and the United States Government through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) yesterday announced a new US$1.5 million partnership to support governments around the region, including Fiji, Kiribati, Solomon Islands, Tuvalu, Nauru, Federated States of Micronesia and the Republic of Marshall Islands, with their preparedness and response plans for COVID-19.

 The Unites States Chargé d’Affaires, Tony Greubel, said:

“The United States is proud to be a partner to governments across the Pacific, including the Ministry of Health in Fiji, to respond to the ongoing COVID-19 situation.

“Strong partnerships and collaboration are critical in our efforts to stop the spread of this virus.

“This is a unique moment in history, and it requires leadership.

“We will continue to do all we can to build a world that is safer and more secure against the threat of infectious disease.”

This partnership will support the readiness, delivery, and post-delivery monitoring of COVID-19 vaccines in these Pacific island countries as well as supporting training on the effective management of the vaccines.

 UNICEF, through this funding, will provide technical support to and work closely with the ministries of health to strengthen immunisation campaigns and develop effective public health messaging through several platforms to reach people with life-saving information and address misinformation or rumours surrounding vaccines.

 Additional support will also be provided to track progress, results, as well as the impacts of the programmes supported through this partnership.

“Children and their communities in every corner of the world are at risk from this pandemic,” said UNICEF Pacific Representative, Sheldon Yett.

“We thank the United States Government for its continued and strengthened partnership with UNICEF to ensure that Pacific island countries are able to mount an effective public health response to this crisis.”

 This one-year UNICEF and United States Government partnership plays a key part in supporting the ongoing planning and recovery activities in the seven Pacific Island countries.

It will strengthen the national capacity and resilience of healthcare systems, families, and communities to cope with COVID-19 and the risks of transmission.

Noni farmers learn together during field day, lauds MAL

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Freda Mudu from MAL Research Department explains to some of the farmers how to identify pest and diseases on Noni at the Pest and Disease booth. From behind, Deputy Secretary Technical (DST) Michael Ho’ota and Extension Department Director Andrew Melanolu.

A FIELD-DAY that offered excellent opportunities for Noni farmers in East Guadalcanal, Central Guadalcanal and Honiara suburb to share their experiences, sharpen skills and learn firsthand facts about noni crop/tree was successfully held on Monday 12th July 2021.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAL) through its Extension and Research Departments hosted the one day event at the T.W Enterprise Noni farm located at the former Livestock Development Authority (LDA) area in the outskirt of East Honiara.

Total of 49 Noni farmers participated in the field activities.


Some of the female farmers served by MAL Extension Department Principal Field Officer Elison Toramo learn about Noni Varieties at the Noni varieties and awareness booth.

Field day participants (farmers) learned practical methods on identifying pest and diseases, noni varieties and awareness, noni propagation or nursery, tree management, post harvesting and harvesting management and appropriate farm management.

The field demonstration activities were conducted to ensure farmers know how to manage their farms or noni trees for increase crop yield as well as the quality of their produce. Participants really admired the initiative.

Deputy Secretary Technical (DST) Michael Ho’ota said since Noni is a new crop, it is important that farmers get correct information about it from MAL research and extension officers to guarantee they know how to grow it sustainably in the country.


Farmers going through demonstration on pruning or tree management.

“Being a relatively new crop, MAL is challenged with having necessary agronomical information for Noni farming in Solomon Islands since it was not a crop under past governments list of priority crops for development and therefore no research has been done on the crop,” Ho’ota said.

“…MAL research is to embark on agronomic research of this crop,” he added.

“Without research we will not be able to advice on how to sustainably grow this crop in our country.

“Initial assessment has highlighted several issues with regards to noni varieties, farming systems, planting methods, nutrient requirements, irrigation requirement, pest and diseases.”


Farmers braved the scorching sun as they watch Field officer Patrick Fiasi and Caroline Harunari demonstrate how to do contour farming on slopes.

Therefore, he said the field day was an opportunity for farmers to get correct information from MAL Research and Extension staff in addressing some of the issues highlighted adding other technical issues will be identified and resolved through research.

Deputy Director of Research Department Martin Jaiki thanked all farmer participants for being able to attend and make the field day a success.


Chief Field Officer Timothy Roy explain to Noni farmers the post-harvesting management.

“Without you farmers this event would not have been successful. Thank you everyone who have involved in organising this event,” Jaiki said.

“Noni is a very new crop in the country and we farmers and agriculturists know very little about it (Noni),” he added.

“But through collaborative efforts of farmers and MAL we can develop and improve this crop based on technical and scientific knowledge as well as MAL supported trainings for farmers to bring up this new industry.”

He said that developing a new industry is not an easy undertaking but requires everyone’s (farmers, MAL and stakeholders) input to create a successful noni industry.


Farmers share experiences and knowledge on Noni farming.

T.W Noni farm manger and owner, Tamra Wale also thanked MAL for choosing her farm as the demonstration field to carry out the field activities where she believed many farmer participants have learned a lot through the information and experiences that has been shared together.

She urged farmers to go back and apply what they have learned to their farms to boost their productivity.

Bernard Garo, Chairman for Northwest Guadalcanal Noni Farmers Association (NWGNFA), acknowledged MAL for making the opportunity possible to make sure farmers have the chance to broaden and sharpen their knowledge on this cash crop.

“What happen today is not by chance,” Garo said.


Some of the farmers that were part of the field day.

“MAL is ordained to be here today,” he added.

“It is by God’s plan that we are able to be here today so that we can work together for this initiative of making Solomon Islands one of the most powerful country to be in this new industry, Noni.”

Garo also thanked farmers for making all sacrifices to be part of the event.

“You are the key people. Without you farmers, this industry will never happen.

“Your presence today gives signal to MAL to take on board this initiative and you will be the front liners in this industry.”

Ho’ota, Extension Director Andrew Melanolu, Planning Director Peter Rarahabura, Bernard Garo Chairman for North West Guadalcanal Noni Farmers Association (NWGNFA), senior officers of MAL Extension and Research Departments and Noni farmers from East Guadalcanal, Central Guadalcanal and Honiara outskirt attended the field day. –

Source: MAL Media

Political parties face charges

Written by
Brian Lezutuni
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BY JARED KOLI

TWO political parties are facing criminal charges for failing to provide their financial statements to the Political Parties Commission for the November 2020 elections.

They are United Party (UP) and the Solomon Islands People First Party (SIPFP).

Political Party Commission Registrar Jasper Highwood Anisi told Island Sun yesterday they will shortly advise the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) and National Criminal Investigation Department (NCID) to lay formal charges against the two parties.

This is for breaching Section 59 and Section 65 of the Political Parties Integrity Act 2014.

Mr Anisi said the two political parties have failed to adhere to the Act by not providing their financial statements to the Commission after the November 18 election.

According to Section 59 (1) of the Act: “A political party shall, within 90 days after the close of the polling in an election, lodge with the Commission in the prescribed form a financial statement of donations received, including their sources, and election expenses.”

Subsection (2) said: “For the purpose of subsection (1), the financial statement of the political party must also include the donations received, their sources and election expense by the political party for each candidate.”

Section 65 states: “A political party that contravenes section 59 (financial statement of income and election expenses), commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine of $15,000 penalty units.”

Anisi said following the lapse of the 90 days, they gave the two parties a two-week grace period. Both did not respond to the commission by the end of this grace period.

“The Office have the discretion to give a grace period, the Commission has the power to extend it but we have exhausted all channels so we have to follow what the Political Party Integrity Act (PPIA) stated as per section 59,” Anisi told Island Sun in an exclusive interview yesterday.

He said the commission is serious with the PPIA and wants to see the audit reports of parties contesting in the National General Elections.

“If parties are not complying with the Act, we will prosecute them, we will take them to court because the provisions have been set there.

“We are currently putting final piece of evidences together, when we are satisfied with all the evidences, we will compile them and advise DPP office and national police investigation to lay charge on the two parties,” he said.

Anisi said this is an administrative punitive measure in the PPIA to penalise political parties who have breached the Act.

In the event the two parties plead guilty in court, they are liable to pay a fine. A non-payment of the fine imposed by the court will see the two parties deregistered.

“On the basis that they did not pay the fine, we will deregister them – this is an administration penalty where we penalise them, so we will proceed with the two parties on the National By-election of Central Honiara,” Anisi said.

The decision of the commission can only be challenged in court through Judicial review, if parties are not happy with the decision of the commission.

“The decision of the commission can be appeal against in the court, the commission made the decision based on the section 59 of the Act that is why we will proceed on it,” he explained.

Anisi warns political parties that will be contesting future elections that this is one of the important aspects of compliance with the Act.

Island Sun understands that United Party members in the current parliament are Alfred Efona and Peter Kenilorea Jnr, and Peoples First Party members in the current house are Clezy Rore, Chachabule Amoi and Frederick Kologeto.

Meanwhile, just last month, June 29, Chief Electoral Officer and Commissioner, Jane Waetara urged candidates contesting South Choiseul National By-Election on May 19, 2021 to submit their Election Campaign expenditures accounts before September 15, 2021.

Waetara said that this is to comply with Section 125 of the Solomon Islands Electoral Act (SIEA) 2018.

Island Sun is seeking comments from the Solomon Islands Electoral Office in relation to individual candidates contesting the past by-elections who have failed to submit their Election Campaign expenditures as required by the SIEA 2018.

According to Section 125 of the SIEA, a candidate whose election campaign expenses exceed $500,000 commits an offence, and a maximum penalty for this is $50,000 or five years imprisonment, or both.

Foreigner tests positive in Gizo

Written by
Ben Bilua
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BY BEN BILUA

A crew of a foreign ship has tested positive for covid-19 in Gizo, Western province.

Western province’s Covid-19 Response team announced the positive case yesterday following a series of tests carried out on a number of incoming ships.

The patient is a crew of an international cargo ship which has been under quarantine outside Gizo since its arrival in the province last week.

He is among eight crews and his test came back positive after the third and final test.

Speaking during a meeting yesterday, Chairperson of Western Province Response Team, Jeffrey Wickham said the response team has activated its Response Plan in an effort to contain the virus from transmission.

“The crew are now under strict quarantine supervision in the ship and our frontline workers who have been doing the testing are under quarantine.

“Our front-line workers have followed required procedures during the testing. Furthermore, they have all been vaccinated and this we believe gives us a leverage that we can contain the virus on the ship,” he said.

Wickham said all the frontline workers including their families will be quarantined at Gizo Hotel Quarantine Facility and the hospital isolation site.

He said the patient is a crew of a cargo ship called MV Vimaru Pearl which left the Philippines and Vietnam – two countries listed as high risk in the world on June 27.

“The ship left Philippines and headed to Vietnam where it’s picked up the crews. Prior to their departure in Vietnam, the crew underwent two tests which came back negative.

“Upon arrival in Western Province, the ship underwent 21 days quarantine and testing,” Wickham said.

He said the first on July 5 and second test on July 13 all came back negative; however, the third and final test came back positive.

Wickham calls on the public to stay calm, listen to responsible authorities and follow instructions.

He urges people to stop spreading rumours that would cause panic for the general public.

This finding may mean that Solomon Islands loses its covid-free status after having enjoyed it for more than three months.

More updates will follow tomorrow.

22 students positive for covid-19 in Fiji

Written by
Brian Lezutuni
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USP main campus in Laucala, Fiji.

BY JARED KOLI

Another 12 students in Fiji have reportedly tested positive for covid-19, bringing the total to 22.

Two weeks ago, 10 Solomon Islands students were reported having tested positive. Yesterday, Island Sun was reliably informed of 12 more cases.

But, the Ministry of Education and Human Resources (MEHRD) and the Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS) are still not aware about this.

A student leader who is in contact with the positive cases informed Island Sun that the Solomon Islands High Commission Office in Fiji and the Education Attaché (EA) in Fiji have been silent on this matter.

The student leader who wants to remain anonymous, said only the Solomon Islands Students Association (SISA) office has reached out to assist the covid-19 positive cases.

“However, if the current positive cases keep increasing for Solomon Islands students, and if no help rendered from the authorities, SISA savings will not be able to provide assistance to the students.

“It was unacceptable when I see the recent Prime Minister’s address that things are not that serious here. In actual fact, I think the EA and High Commission Office here are not considering this issue seriously.”

The source said another 12 students tested positive after the initial 10 positive students were reported early this month. They are all currently quarantined at their homes.

The student leader said the High Commission Office and the EA have not even informed students on the increase of cases so as to inform and keep students aware of their current status regarding the virus.

“On the part that they said they are not sick, it was not true some are sick and experience difficulty in breathing or shortness of breath. Currently they are only receiving help from SISA office.

“We are not aware when they will seek assistance from the national government or when the government to step in and assist us on this issue; the government take it lightly but the cases here is increasing.

“It has been four months since we are without any assistance, all these positive cases receive help from SISA only to pay and distribute food to them,” the well-placed source said from Suva yesterday. 

The source adds, housemates of those who have contracted the virus have taken their swabs and are waiting for their results.

Island Sun yesterday reached out to MHMS advisor Dr Yogesh Choudhri, MEHRD Permanent Secretary (PS) and National Scholarship Division Director – if they were already informed of this and what steps the government would take.

Only MEHRD PS Dr Franco Rodie responded. Mr Rodie said he will not comment as he has not received any update on the cases.

“I have not been updated on the cases you referred to so I will not comment.

“For your information, all SIG sponsored students in Fiji have received their allowances for the month of July and the rest of semester 2 allowances have been remitted to the Education Bank Account in Suva and will be made available to them accordingly,” said Rodie.

Fiji is recording a surge in coronavirus cases daily. It had 647 new cases and one death to report for the 24-hour period that ended at 8am on Tuesday.

There have been 59 deaths due to covid-19 in Fiji; 57 of these deaths during the outbreak that started in April this year.

According to Fiji Ministry of Health, Fiji also have recorded 27 covid-19 positive patients who died from the serious medical conditions that they had before they contracted covid-19; these are not classified as covid-19 deaths. 

“There have been 230 new recoveries reported since the last update, which means that there are now 9,725 active cases. There have been 11,962 cases during the outbreak that started in April 2021. We have recorded a total of 12,032 cases in Fiji since the first case was reported in March 2020, with 2,221 recoveries.”

Wale queries Mamara project

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
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By EDDIE OSIFELO

LEADER of Opposition, Matthew Wale has questioned the Mamara New Capital City at Northwest Guadalcanal.

This followed complaints from people regarding the construction of the 1,000 to 1,300 houses, planning, equipment used and the move by developer, Metropolis Pacific Pty Ltd, a Singaporean company, to sell all the houses to the Government.

The development came about based on the Mamara- Tasivarongo- Mavo agreement Act’ passed in parliament in 1995 to govern the development of the Mamara- Tasivarongo- Mavo areas.

Speaking at the special adjournment motion in Parliament on Monday, Wale said there is need for greater transparency on the agreements, stakeholders and activities involved in this important undertaking.

“We note that there are subsidiary companies involved in activity that was not anticipated in the Mamara Mawo Tasivarongo Act and the original agreement.

“We note also the developer’s assumption that government will buy properties to on-sell to public servants,” he said.

“We note also the exemption in the Act from normal planning requirements for the developments.

“We view all these with great concern. Greater transparency will allow for informed discussion about this project and garnering stronger public support for it, and to glean what lessons we can from it on models of development,” he said.

Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare said there needs to be more discussion to be pursued on such approaches.

However, Sogavare said this development reflects the call for decentralisation of developments outside of Honiara as stipulated in the Townsville Agreement.

Committee recommends withdrawal of new bill

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
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Chairman of the Bills and Legislation Committee John Maneniaru

By EDDIE OSIFELO

THE Bills and Legislative Committee has recommended that the Ministry of Communication and Aviation (MCA) withdraws the Telecommunications (Amendment) Bill 2021.

The Committee made the recommendation when officials of MCA and a draft officer in the Attorney General’s office appeared before them in Parliament on Tuesday.

Chairman of BLC, John Maneniaru said the panelists and the Committee agreed on a number of amendments to some of the clauses. It is unclear what these recommendations are.

Maneniaru said MCA will deliver their decision when they appear before the Committee today.

Island Sun understands it is highly likely the host ministry will withdraw the bill.

And, since the Bill had gone through a first-reading in Parliament (on Monday this week), it will likewise have to be withdrawn on the floor.

The Bill aims to amend the Telecommunication Act 2009 to ensure that all SIM cards are registered.

It establishes the minimum age for purchasing Sim-cards at 15 and requires person to provide valid ID when purchasing the SIM-cards from the service providers or their agents.

The service providers and the agents will be responsible for establishing an electronic registry for recording accurate information to identify the purchasers.

Director of Communications in the Ministry of Communications and Aviation, Alwyn Danitofea informed BLC on Monday that it is important to have the amendment bill passed so that when a person commits a crime, they can be responsible for what they are doing.

“Without having a name register to SIM-cards, it will be hard to implement a cybercrime bill which is in the development process.

“Registration of sim cards is really important because when someone is interacting using mobile phones, we know the person who is communicating,” Danitofea said.

He said when there is no name attached to mobile phones, it has issues because if there is something wrong to a user or a client using the service, it’s difficult to tag the names to the person responsible. 

“These are the security challenges prior towards the end or 90s or early 2000s. Misuse of the technology is becoming obvious so other countries have done this.

“This is why it is important to have mobile phone SIM-cards to register to have a name tag register to the user,” Danitofea said.

Meanwhile, through the Australian Attorney-General’s Department, the Australian Cyber Cooperation Programme are supporting Solomon Islands’ cybercrime legislative reform and development of necessary instruments to implement the legislation.

Protest over failed Fiu Bridge project

Written by
Samie Waikori
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Demonstrators in Auki showing placards stating their intentions during yesterday's peaceful protest.

BY SAMIE WAIKORI

AUKI

West Kwara’ae communities have come out voicing their disappointment at the Malaita government’s handling of the failed Fiu Bridge project proposal.

Members of communities in wards two, three and four (in West Kwara’ae constituency) staged a peaceful protest yesterday in Auki.

The purpose of the protest was to express their dissatisfaction at the Malaita government in its hardline anti-China stand, which is sacrificing much needed development for the province, such as the recent Fiu Bridge upgrade project.

Acting premier Nelson Lenty responding to the protest made by Hon Fini yesterday in Auki.

Protesters came in trucks bearing banners with messages begging answers from the province’s government regarding the Fiu Bridge project.

Leaders in the three wards decided to stage the protest in a meeting held at Gwaunaru village on May 29.

Spokesman for the demonstrators, MPA for ward three, Martin Fini, said the protest was to convey their grievances as “concerned Malaitans for development”.

Hon Martin Fini (left) shakes hand in delivering the petition document to the acting premier Hon Nelson Lenty (right).

He said they have drafted a petition demanding the Malaita government to clarify the future of the project.

The petition states:

1. We the elders of Ward two, three and four of Central and West Kwara’ae constituencies duly demand that Fiu bridge project funded by the World Bank must implemented forthwith.

2. We agreed that our elected Provincial Assembly Members shall consult with relevant authorities either provincial, national or any other stakeholders to ensure the project is implemented without unnecessary disturbance.

3. we do not agree with the position that the Malaita provincial Government Executive takes in dealing with the project.

4. We will only support the provincial position when they assure us that whatever step they intend to take will not affect the timing and the funding of this project.

5. We further demand that the so called “Political Advisor” to the premier not to directly involve in the current Fiu Bridge project as his contract had been terminated and any such advice is deemed as illegal,

6. Fiu bridge construction must be implemented as it connects the northern and eastern regions to Auki and the southern region to Gwaunaru’u airport.

7. We note that halting of the project affect the transport owners of wards one, two, three and four in the provision of essential service to the aforementioned wards and to other regions of Malaita.

8. We firmly believe that better infrastructures are essential for the movement of goods and services to markets at cheaper cost, which encourage farming and commercial activities in our respective wards.

9. We further believe that halting of the Fiu bridge project would affect the tar-sealing component of the Auki Road network from Auki Township to Dala in west Kwara’ae constituency and from Auki to Bina in west Kwaio constituency.

Fini delivered the petition to acting Premier Nelson Lenty at the provincial office yesterday.

Hon Fini addressing the acting premier on behalf of the demonstrators.

In response to the petition, acting premier Lenty acknowledged the group for exercising their democratic rights in bringing their grievances by way of a peaceful protest and petition as law has provided for.

He assured the demonstrators that their petition will be discussed by the Malaita Executive in their meeting next week.

Late last month, the government-funded Fiu Bridge upgrade project proposal was scrapped after the Malaita provincial government refused to entertain it due to the presence of a Chinese company as a bidder, which also happened to be the sole bidder.

Malaita’s government was acting on the Auki Communique, a document founded in November 2019 in response to the national government’s switch from Taiwan (a democratic ally) to its current communist ally, the People’s Republic of China (PRC).

The Auki Communique directs the Malaita Government not to engage with any Chinese entity, even if it means foregoing any development prospects for Solomon Islands’ biggest province.

Malaita’s staunch Premier, Daniel Suidani, launched the Auki Communique on November 16, 2019.

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