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Covid fight is not over: PS McNeil

Written by
Mavis Podokolo
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BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO

COVID-19 fight is not over as increasing numbers of cases in Fiji and Papua New Guinea is still a concern for Solomon Islands, says Pauline McNeil.

Mrs McNeil, permanent secretary to the ministry of health, echoed this statement yesterday when speaking of covid-19 updates in the country.

“I want to say that the COVID-19 fight is not over yet with as number of COVID-19 cases is still increasing in two of our neighbouring countries in the region Fiji and PNG is a concern for us and so we all have a role to play

“I want to again reach out to everyone that we have our part to play. One of the part that you can play is to get vaccinated of COVID-19 if you are eighteen years and above,” she said.

McNeil adds, Solomon Islands is COVID-19 free for almost two months now. The last registered case which is the 20th case was reported over two months ago.

“I want to thank all front liners on Health, Camp management, our Partner ministries, police and biosecurity and customers who have continued to work together to try and address our ongoing efforts and for continuous prayers of family, friends and churches.

“I also thanked donor partners for their support in our response to fight against COVID-19,” she said.

McNeil further stressed that the Central Field Hospital (CFH) is still accommodating vaccination roll out.

The first dose of Sinopharm is still ongoing and second doses of AstraZeneca is recommencing as well.

“I reach out to people who yet to come for their second dose to come forward to get you second dose of AstraZeneca,” she said.

“For provinces West, Choiseul and Border their first doses complete their second dose will happened sometimes later this month.”

John Coleridge Patteson University creates future

Written by
Charles Kadamana
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Arch Bishop Rt Reverend Dawea, PS Dr Franco and Premier Francis Sade unveiling the official logo of the university

BY CHARLES KADAMANA

The proposed John Coleridge Patteson University will create a better future for future generations in the country, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry Education and Human Resources Dr Franco Rodie says.

He made the comment during the dedication and laying of the foundation of the university at Kosu land, North Guadalcanal on Saturday.

He said he is honoured to witness the laying of foundation of the university that will be established soon in the country.

Arch Bishop Leonard Dawea dedicating the laying of the foundation stone of the proposed John Coleridge Patteson University

He said this is not the first time for the Anglican Church of Melanesia to plant a seed in education.

“I am pleased that you have planted the seed because it means to me and my ministry that you are creating a future for our future generation.

St Nicholas choir participating in the ceremony

“We are creating futures but they have to determine the future that they want.

“It is our responsibility to create a future by establishing this institution so that they too can realise their full potential,” Rodie said.

He said the university once completed will create opportunities for future generation to access higher qualification.

Chief and landowners welcoming the guests and officials

He said it is important the country increased the participation rate of Solomon Islanders to do tertiary education.

He said the participation rate of Solomon Islanders in tertiary education is only 3.5 percent which is way behind compared to other pacific countries like Papua New Guinea, Cook Islands, Samoa and Fiji.

Arch Bishop Rt Reverend Leonard Dawea presenting Chupu to landowners

With the emerging university coming ahead he is looking forward for young generation to take up opportunity to access better education.

He acknowledges the landowners for recognising the important of education by allowing their land.

GP Premier commends churches for taking the lead in education sector

Written by
Charles Kadamana
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From left, Premier Sade, Minister Samuel Manetoáli, Rt Reverend Dawea and Dr Rodie cutting the cake

By CHARLES KADAMANA

Premier of Guadalcanal Francis Sade has commended the Anglican Church of Melanesia for taking the lead in investing in the education sector.

Speaking at the dedication and laying of the foundation stone of the proposed John Coleridge Patteson University in North Guadalcanal on Saturday, he said the first education institutions in the country were established by churches.

He said the government “came behind” and he wished to reiterate to the churches to continue taking the lead in education because “our country needs society that has values”.

He said his provincial government will continue to work together with churches to promote values and for that they are giving back some of the schools to be run by churches.

He said in most public schools the children are not behaving well compared to schools run by churches.

Guests make their way for the official ceremony

“I see in most public school, the children are not behaving as what we are expecting. We need our people to behave so that they respect each other and you can only find that on schools run by churches.

“I wish to congratulate every church in taking part in education sector of this country,” Premier Sade said.

He said his provincial government will continue to support and work with every education authority to make sure the partnerships with his government are strengthened so that everyone can deliver the education goal of the government in the country.

“With what we do here, I am proud that we continue to develop our country through Guadalcanal province and my government will continue to support in the development that is coming up and we will continue to render our support whether technical or in other areas where the churches need to work together in this university,” he said.

He encourages the community around the area of Malango and Tasiboko to respect the project.

He said the proposed university will benefit their future generation.

He said investment in education is one of the keys to sustainable development and so the community should take pride of it.

Farmers benefit from MAL rehab programme

Written by
Press Release
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Assistant Field Officer Vulolo, Wendy Sikapu Hands over a chainsaw to a cocoa farmer Mr. John Manengelea of Gautina Village in Central Guadalcanal witnessed by GP Agriculture Extension Division Principle Field Officer Ms. Jemarlyn Tanhimana.

Two cocoa farmer groups in North and Central Guadalcanal are the latest beneficiaries of chainsaws under the Sustainable Economic Growth and Export Strengthening (SEGES) Programme of the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAL).

They are Samba cocoa farmers and John Manengelea from the Unity Cocoa Enterprise from Ghaobata and Vulolo wards.

Chief Field officer for Guadalcanal agriculture Extension, Joseph Wotomaru said the support was part of the cocoa rehabilitation initiative under MAL SEGES programme 2020 – 2024 which aimed at empowering farmers and buyers to improve productivity and revenue earnings.

He said the chainsaws will help the beneficiaries to maintain and rehabilitate their ageing cocoa farms to improve cocoa tree vigour and yield. “The chainsaws were given to farmers with farms over 20 years and trees over grown, purposely to conduct radical pruning.”


Extension Assistant Field Officer Ghaobata Moses Losi hands over chainsaw to Samba Cocoa Farmers representatives Ismael Boboli and Christian Bonai of Samba community, Ghaobata.

“Some smallholder cocoa farmers especially in Guadalcanal Province are not equipped with the necessary tools and practices to rejuvenate their aging cocoa farms and I believe such support would help them maintain and revitalize their old farms, than to establish new cocoa farms that would take up three to four years before yield.”

The four main objectives of the SEGES programme is to;

  • Make sure farmers, associations, producers, buyers and exporters are empowered to increase productivity and to increase revenue earnings.
  • Enhanced copra productivity through rehabilitation and support to CRB activities
  • Enhance Cocoa Productivity through Rehabilitation and Genetic improvements
  • Support Kava developments to increase productivity in all the Provinces

–MAL PRESS

GUALE’S UNTAPPED MILLIONS

Written by
Press Release
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THE Guadalcanal Provincial government should be collecting more than $90m per annum from its property rates alone.

This was revealed during a presentation to the Provincial executive government by the Provincial revenue division last week.

The projected property rates are a result of a three months study conducted by the GP Revenue Division in both northwest and northeast Guadalcanal. It also covers some of the land areas within Honiara City.

The current Guadalcanal Province property rates is 0.3%, and is calculated by the ‘Unimproved Value’ of the rateable land owned by Guadalcanal Province and all the property owners in Guadalcanal are liable to pay the property rates (under the Property Rate Ordinance). The report is being projected from 2020 to 2025.

In addition, it also covers three different main areas; agriculture, commerce and residential, on the parcel numbers, lot numbers, areas in square meters, rates (dollars/square meter), and unimproved value, and etc.

According to the GP Executive Government, one of the reasons why there are poor service deliveries in Guadalcanal is due to the fact that these local revenues have never been properly collected in the past.

As a consequence, one of the current GP Executive’s top priorities in the next financial year is to boost its revenue sector.

In the meantime, the names of all the property owners will be publicly published sometimes in August to ensure they are well aware of their tax obligations to the province.

The Revenue Division also states that they’re yet to do the land valuations and estimates how much land rates Guadalcanal Province has.

Premier Francis Sade reiterates during the presentation that his Executive Government will continue to pursue its 2019-2023 Policy in terms of boosting the local revenues.

In the meantime, a new revenue management ordinance is currently being drafted and expected to be tabled during the next Provincial Assembly.

—GP Media

Kira Kira Police sets up Crime Prevention Team in West Makira

Written by
Brian Lezutuni
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Kirakira station, in Makira/Ulawa Province

The Kira Kira Provincial Police Headquarters of Makira Ulawa Province has set up a Crime Prevention Committee in Arosi two of West Makira in efforts to stop people from brewing, selling and consuming the illegally brewed alcohol, Kwaso and from taking part in unlawful activities.

Provincial Police Commander, Peter Sitai said the first Crime Prevention Committee has been set up at Oneibia Village in Arosi two and its members help Police Criminal Investigators with their investigations into Kwaso production and consumption resulting in consumers committing unlawful activities.

He said the Oneibia Crime Prevention Committee Chairman is Reuben Renga who has reported to Kira Kira Police that Kwaso is one of the main crime drivers in his community.

And Mr Sitai said Mr Renga has reported the latest Kwaso related incident in that area that occurred around 3.am of May 28, 2021, when a man, while being intoxicated with Kwaso, entered a nurse’s private house at Ngarigohu Clinic and harassed her.

He said a police source has named the two Kwaso producers at Oneibia Area at the Piapia Village and neighboring Bwabwa settlement.

Mr Sitai said the Oneibia Crime Prevention Committee Chairman Mr Renga has also reported the CPC team has confiscated distillation utensils/apparatus that are being stored at Chief Aunimuri’s house at Piapia.

Mr Sitai says Mr Renga has reported two separate cases involving an ex-prisoner of Anuta Island off shore of Oneibia Village, who was allegedly being involved in a rape case while the other involves intimidation and malicious damage at Hada Village also of Arosi two.

Meanwhile PPC Sitai said Kira Kira Police Headquarters is sending this week a Police team to the area in an Operation Code Name ‘Free Arosi 2’ to investigate the reported cases.

And Chairman of Oneibia Crime Prevention Committee, Mr Renga has assured Kira Kira Police Headquarters that his Committee members are ready to support the police crime investigators with their investigations.

He adds they are armed with information on the criminal activities and those committing them.

By George Atkin

  Kira Kira

Male student takes his own life in Makira

Written by
Brian Lezutuni
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Kira Kira Police of the Makira Ulawa Provincial Headquarters says its crime investigators are investigating a report that a male student from Nuku Kaisi in the Makirima Area of West Bauro, Central Makira had taken his own life.

PPC Peter Sitai said his crime investigators who have been to the scene have yet to find evidence as to whether or not the student, whose name has not been revealed, may have died as a result of suicide.

He said what the crime investigators had been told so far is the student had a rope around his neck when his body was found between 1pm and 2pm of June 1, 2021.

Mr Sitai adds his crime investigators had discovered the young Tikopian male student had a failed relationship with a girl.

But he said investigations into the boy’s death are continuing, and he appeals to those with information on the fatal incident to report them to the CID Office in Kira Kira Police Headquarters.

By George Atkin  Kira Kira Correspondent

PM ENDS FAR EAST TOUR

Written by
Press Release
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PM Sogavare surrounded by the Happy Children of Tikopia

Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare and his delegation arrived back in the Temotu Provincial Capital Lata on Friday, after spending almost two days visiting Chiefs, community leaders, schools and clinics at Tikopia, Temotu’s remote island. 

This is part of the Prime Minister’s weeklong engagement with the Provincial Government and people of the country’s most eastern Province.

The trip started Monday 7 June when the Prime Minister left Honiara as guest of honour at the Temotu Provincial Second Appointed Day celebrations on 8 June.

His delegation left Lata for Tikopia just before Tuesday midnight.

After about 16 long hours braving high swells and strong winds, Prime Minister Manasseh and Madame Sogavare, Government Ministers and the Temotu Provincial Premier arrived at Safoa Community High School, Tikopia.

The arrival welcome at Safoa was overwhelming.

Prime Minister Sogavare was accorded a real traditional warriors welcome and attire.

Welcoming Prime Minister Sogavare on behalf of the Chiefs and people of Tikopia, an emotional Mathew Vaka Apairotu said, “some, if not all of us here never had the chance to meet any Prime Minister in our lifetime let alone hearing it from the radio. Today, not anymore, the people of Tikopia meet you in person.”

He said, the former Governor General, the late Sir George Lepping visited them some 27 years ago and that was it. 

Mr Apairotu on behalf of the Chiefs and people of Tikopia thanked the Prime Minister for coming out all the way to them.  

The Chief’s representative also thanked the Democratic Coalition Government for Advancement, DCGA, for steering the country safely in this pandemic. Adding, the people of Tikopia owe their health especially in this pandemic to the wise decisions of the government resulting in the current COVID 19 free status. 

He said, the visit brings the government closer to the people on Tikopia.

“It reinforces national unity, that we are one family, a Solomon Islands family.”

 Reciprocating the welcome, Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare was overwhelmed that he can personally meet the Chiefs and people of Tikopia, listen to their challenges, visit schools and a clinic on the Islands, without having to wait in the office for the reports.

The Prime Minister also thanked the Chiefs and leaders of Tikopia especially for its human resource contribution in the development of Solomon Islands.

He assured the chiefs and people of Tikopia that their plea for improved health services is not ignored. A new Health facility will soon be built with Government assistance. 

In Education, the Prime Minister said, while it is welcome news to hear that Government support through the constituency especially in classroom buildings was strongly evident, Government wants to pursue the idea of a modern Library built for the students on the island of Tikopia.

The Prime Minister also applaud Tikopian leaders for upholding the island’s rich and unique culture of respect. He said, while norms and culture continues to break down in most parts of the country, it is encouraging to feel, breath and experience the highest form of respect on the Island. 

The Prime Minister also handed over token of appreciation in cash to community leaders on behalf of their communities. 

Prime Minister Sogavare and delegation also visited Tukutaunga Rural Health Clinic and provided logistic support for the clinic’s medical supplies.   

Terano Primary School at Ravenga district was also visited. Students of the school treated the Prime Minister and his delegation to some of the unique traditional Tikopian dance.

The Prime Minister acknowledged the school’s administration, past and present for raising some of the country’s best human resources both in private and public sectors.

The Prime Minister further donated 20 Thousand dollars as a token of appreciation towards Terano Primary School. 

Prime Minister Manasseh arrived back in Lata on Friday, onboard Patrol Boat Gizo.

The Prime Minister was expected to spend Sabbath with church members in Lata yesterday (Saturday 12 June).

Mr Sogavare is due back in Honiara today.

—GCU

World Vision completes hygiene distribution on Makira

Written by
Press Release
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WVSI BHA Community Development Facilitator Elnata Taisia Sogote'e handing over the hygiene Kits to Head Mistress of Hamariko Primary School Anneth Danga Siola.

World Vision Solomon Islands COVID 19 Project has completed its distribution of hygiene kits to Schools, communities, churches and buses on Makira Ulawa Province.

The project is funded by USAID through the Bureau of Humanitarian Affairs (BHA) to ensure communities, churches and schools are better prepared for COVID 19 outbreaks.  

Project’s Community Development Facilitator for Makira Elnata Taisia Sogote’e said the project team in the province has done distribution of hygiene kits which included soaps, hand sanitizers, mask and hand gloves. COVID 19 Information, Education, Communication Materials (IEC) were also distributed together with the kits.

Mrs Sogote’e said ten churches, eight schools, three communities in Ward 8,9,10 and 11 and three buses in Kirakira benefited from the distribution.

“We are done with the distribution of the hygiene kits especially to Catholic Church Kirakira, SDA church in Kirakira, Anglican Church in Kirakira, SSE Church in Kirakira,, Baunusughu SSEC church, United Church, Kirakira, Manita Anglican Church, Kaokaorangana Anglican Church, Waita Anglican Church and Maniora SDA church,”


Water tank at the Baunasugu SSEC Church. 

“The schools were Manama Primary School, Hamariko Primary School, Waimapuru Primary School, Kaunusughu Primary School, Pamua Primary School, FM.Campbell CHS, Arohane Primary School and Waita Primary School while the communities were Tawani, Togori and Wango,” She outlined.

She further said, the installation of WASH facilities like Tippy Taps and Water tanks to Churches and schools has also started.

“On the other part of the Project which is WASH, our contractors have done installment on tippy taps and tanks to other Churches and schools and work is progressing on others where we hope soon we will be able to complete them,” she said.

This project is also implemented in Temotu, Honiara, Guadalcanal and Malaita Province.

–WVSI

Puna warns PIF countries on accessing loans

Written by
Ben Bilua
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PIF Secretary General, Henry Puna

BY BEN BILUA
Gizo

SECRETARY General of the Pacific Islands Forum has called on member countries to be wary of loans as COVID-19 continues to stretch Pacific Island’s economic base.

Speaking during the Pacific Small Island Developing States (PSIDS) Access to Finance Dialogue last week, Henry Puna said understanding the types of loans available is very important during this time of COVID-19 crisis.

He also urged development partners to rethink and develop new innovative financing option so as solution that not only meet the immediate needs of recovery, but also supports longer-lasting economic systems, that are sustainable for Pacific SIDS.

Commenting on the current situation, Puna said the impact of COVID-19 to respective economy in the Pacific is evident and projection has it that Small Island Developing States, will suffer more than other Developing States.

“This is a critical time for our Blue Pacific region, and indeed for our Blue Planet, and SIDS timely access to finance is therefore absolutely crucial.

“The question has to be asked is, are the international financial instruments available to us as SIDS, sufficient to meet our needs in unprecedented situations such as this? If not, why not? What can be done to improve this?

“I would offer that, the rigidity of our international financial systems, call into question their relevance and responsiveness, to the specific circumstances of SIDS, in emergency situations such as this.

“Furthermore, I would also offer that we, as a region, must continue to encourage and call, for the revision of traditional financing criteria, to take into account our vulnerability to climate change and natural disasters, as Pacific SIDS.

“Further, we should also encourage the review of funding disbursement mechanisms. Often, access to financing is hindered by burdensome requirements and demands, on our national financial systems, which are often unrealistic given our small administrative capacities, and the context within which Pacific SIDS operate,” he said.

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