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PATROL BOAT BASE SETBACK

Written by
Brian Lezutuni
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The Lofung Border and Patrol Boat Outpost site plan in the Shortland Islands

BY JARED KOLI

With a few days to go for Ground-breaking ceremony, the proposed multi-million dollar border patrol boat base project is staring up a brick wall.

Accusations, court threats and warnings are mounting against FAMOA Trust Board over Lofung land (on which sits the site earmarked for the new patrol boat base).

FAMOA trust board is the body which the national government is liaising with over the project. FAMOA is supposedly the representative of all the landowners.

But, some landowning tribes are saying this is not so, and are warning government against dealing and making arrangements with FAMOA and its working committee.

The Saraba Clan/Group, which claims land rights on Lofung land, said the government’s arrangement with FAMOA “will be a disgrace, irresponsible and loss on part of the Government if the case that will be filed in the High Court be ruled not in favour of FAMOA Trust Board”.

“As with the Kome Clan/Group, we will also be filing a case in the High Court soon or amidst the period of the ground-breaking and when the work starts at the site,” Mr Brenden Maena says in a statement on behalf of Saraba Clan.

Mr Maena claims that the FAMOA Trust Board’s registration as a charitable trustee and the transfer of the registered land at Lofung in 2003 obtained by FAMOA Trust Board were done by unscrupulous means. 

“Further we will be filing a case to the court claiming that land or site below the high-water mark at Lofung, Shortland Islands as customary land and owned by Saraba and Kome Clans.

“Lastly, the Australian Government is cautioned of releasing the fund and for spending their taxpayers’ money on the project at Lofung where the land or site is still in dispute and that would cause disharmony of peace among the people of Shortland Islands,” he warns.

Earlier this week, Alisae Laore of another landowning group also threatened to challenge the FAMOA Trust Board in court for selling the 20 hectares at Lofung.

Laore said FAMOA Trust constitution states it has no right to sell or lease land to the government.

He said even the constitution of FAMOA Council of Chiefs allows provision in Part 4 and Part 6 to identify true landowners and return the land back to them.

“Why did the FAMOA Trust Board ignore its own constitution?” he asked.

As such, Laore said he will challenge the Board in court for allegation of fraud.

Furthermore, Laore said the Board’s move to sell the land to the government defies its policy to return all alienated land to the original landowners.

Laore provided a deed of sale agreement signed by his grandfather in 1900s that they are the true owners of the land.

He said a chief’s decision of FAMOA Council of Chiefs was reached in 1988 which decided that they have the ownership right over that land.

Local businessman and surviving founding father of FAMOA Trust George Taylor has also called on the Commissioner of Lands to revoke the Perpetual Estate (PE) title held by FAMOA Trust Board.

Taylor said the PE title held by FAMOA for the past 20 years for whatever reason was illegal.  

“If FAMOA has fixed term estate (FTE) then it is 100 correct they own the land. The PE title was held illegally by FAMOA. The government must revoke the PE title.

“We are very happy with the project, it is a national project, but we are not happy with what the Government is doing with FAMOA Trust Board and its working committee.

“Government knows very well that this is wrong, but why entertained FAMOA,” he said. 

Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Police and Correctional Services, Karen Galokale earlier told Island Sun the current subject land is registered under FAMOA as legal Perpetual Estate holder and not a customary land.

But Taylor said the comments made by the PS were wrong and totally ignorant of this matter.

“You cannot talk from that chair to say FAMOA holds the PE title, you cannot process anything that is wrong, because the PE title with FAMOA is wrong.

“The Government have all the right with the project,” he said.  

Meanwhile, Chairman of the FAMOA Working Committee, Pellion Buare earlier said FAMOA still stands by its commitment to meet with the concerned parties after finalising all the arrangements with the national government. 

He maintained that FAMOA is the registered owner of Lofung land, which is the site for the project.

Meanwhile, Ground-breaking for the new outpost at Lofung has been set for June 23, 3021.

Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare and Australia High Commissioner are expected to attend the historic groundbreaking ceremony.

The Australian Government is funding the multimillion-dollar Border and Patrol Boat Outpost project, which Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare jointly announced in Honiara on October 7, 2019.

New health centre for Ghombua villagers

Written by
Press Release
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New Ghombua Rural Health Clinic officially opened. Picture taken during flag raising and singing of the national and provincial anthem song.

WALKING for hours under the scorching heat of the sun simply for medical attention, worst still, losing a family member or friend along the way will now be a thing of the past for around 5,000 villagers in and around Ghombua community, east Guadalcanal.

On Tuesday this week, the villagers  gathered in excitement to witness the opening of their new Rural Health Clinic (RHC).

Guests escorted by pathfinders, flags raised, national and provincial anthems sang, speeches, choirs from community men and women followed by red velvet cake and ribbon cutting and community feast with presentation of gifts were part of the celebrations to mark the official opening of the clinic.


GP Deputy Premier and Health Minister touring the clinic’s pharmacy.

Though a joy-filled event, time was also spared for the entire community to come to a stand -still with the laying of wreaths to remember family members and friends who have passed on and those who have dreamt of a clinic but never lived to witness their dream come true.

“Truly a historic moment for our people,” community and church leader Silas Ratu said.

“We have witnessed the devastation that lack of a easy to access clinic can cause and today we are overjoyed that we have our own rural health clinic just steps away from our homes,” Ratu stated.


Mothers came out in numbers with their children to listen to the speeches during the official opening of the clinic.

Chief Issac Lewa, who was also given an opportunity to speak, only stood and repeatedly uttered the words: “Thank you, thank you, thank you to each and everyone of you!” to demonstrate that words cannot even begin to describe the tremendous joy within the community.

The construction of the AHC was made possible with funding from the Provincial Governance Strengthening Program ( PGSP) – Provincial Capacity Development Fund (PCDF) implemented through the Ministry of Provincial government in partnership with the community and contractor, Reinunu Construction.


The smiles says it all. “ Yaaaaay! We now have our own clinic, thank you everyone

The Ministry of Health and Medical Services, through its Guadalcanal Provincial Health team, provided the technical support in terms of design including all necessary works to enlist Ghombua with the medicines supply chain and placement of a nurse at the clinic.

Both the Deputy Premier Lazarus Rima and Provincial Health Minister Francis Iso in their remarks reiterated the province’s commitment towards service delivery to the people and the need for community members to look after the facilities provided.

“Guadalcanal is glad to have qualified for the PGSP-PCDF over the past years and has used the opportunity to engage in various projects, throughout the province,” Rima said.

“Last financial year, Guadalcanal had embarked on 15 projects, 14 of which were completed, and Ghombua is amongst the 14 completed projects,” he added.


New Ghombua Nurse Rebecca Masaodo who previously worked at the Totongo Clinic in East Guadalcanal assuring the community of her commitment and dedication towards serving their health needs in her remarks.

“Thank you to the Ministry of Provincial Government, Ministry of Health, community members, contractors and all stakeholders whom have contributed towards this clinic.”

The Provincial Health Minister Iso in his remarks acknowledged the community for their determination and commitment towards the project that had enabled it to come to its fruition.


Mothers preparing food for a feast to mark the opening of their new clinic.

“Your support is the backbone to the success of this project and I hope other communities can also learn from Ghombua’ s commitment and cooperation in working together to achieve this important health milestone for the community,” Iso said.

“It is important that the facility is taken care of since it is now in your hands to continue providing the much needed health services to our people now and into the future,” he added.

Dr Joel Denty, Director of Guadalcanal provincial health, used the occasion to highlight the importance of respecting the facility and the health workers, the nurses who will be working there.

“I would like remind you all that there are many cases in which health facilities have been disrespected including nurses working these clinics, which have resulted in their closure,” Denty said.


A villager carrying a wreath to lay in honour of all those who have passed on.

“This must not be the case here,” he added.

“The last thing we want is to close the clinic. Treat the facility well including the nurse who will take care of more than 5000 people that is within the catchment area of Ghombua.

“With this kind of number the nurse herself will not be able to even find time for leisure, even banking in Honiara.

“She will be overwhelmed and therefore take care good care of her as we work on getting additional nurses to assist her.”

Head of St John Ambulance, Douglas Kelson, who provided new bed linens for the clinic also offered to provide two of St John volunteers to assist the nurse for the time being until an additional nurse is recruited.


Douglas Kelson ( L) handing over more bed linens to Deputy Premier Hon. Lazarus Rima inside Ghombua Clinic.

Kelson said St John Ambulance will also be installing two-way radio at the clinic to ensure smooth communication and swift action for any emergency cases that needs urgent medical attention at the National Referral Hospital.

The event, which was also attended by Guadalcanal Provincial Ward Member, Holsey Chainivila and Rose Tala provincial Minister for Women, Youth and Children, came to a successful close.

—MHMS

Western Education conducts retirement practice reforms

Written by
Ben Bilua
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Students and teachers who were part of the forum

BY BEN BILUA
Gizo

WESTERN Province Education Authority (WPEA) is undergoing major reform on School’s retirement practices.

Schools operating under Western Province Education Authority are now provided with official stamps in an effort to make sure financial transactions are property receipted.

In an interview with Island Sun Gizo office, Principal Education Officer of Western Province, Freedom Tozaka said the initiative is a mechanism that WPEA thinks best as far as proper use of School grants is concerned.

“We always talked about transparency but we forgot very simple approach can lead to achieving so called transparency.

“We need to look at available approaches, simple as the one we embark on (providing stamps) to make changes.

“I believe that providing avenues or platform for organisation to follow is the best way forward,” he said.

Tozaka said his office will distribute the stamps to schools in the coming weeks.

He warned school administration that retirement without proper receipt will not be considered truthful and that issuing of receipt in any financial transaction is paramount.

“My office will not tolerate excuses for failing to provide official receipt as we have already make this easier for schools to comply.

“I must encourage school administrations or whoever responsible for school grants to be responsible in the welfare of their financial reports.

“Make sure the financial report must be accommodated with official receipt, that is the message I want to put across,” Tozaka said.

On the same note, he urge school administrations to make use of the official stamps to achieve the purpose of transparency in the use of school grants.

Violence as a Human Rights abuse

Written by
Admin
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DEAR EDITOR,

A worrying number of wom­en in the Solomon Islands experience domestic vio­lence.

Statistics have shown al­most 64% of women in our society have encountered domestic violence at some point in their lives.

Others never pursue help since domestic violence is accepted as a private matter which is normal.

It is also evident that some police are reluctant to im­pose their duty to protect victims from private acts of violence.

Moreover, our culture plays a role in silencing victims, that man dominates house­hold hence incidents of do­mestic violence should not be reported.

Daily occurrences of do­mestic violence happen at homes but only 5% of the women report to police. Incidents are underre­ported because women are unsatisfied with the police response and response du­ration.

Others fear for their lives and avoid reporting inci­dents to the police due to receiving threats from of­fenders.

Families and communities must be heedful and vo­cal of such incidents and should report to responsible authorities.

Domestic violence is a hu­man rights abuse. Although domestic violence is re­garded as a private matter to some women, the human rights structure delivers a tool to challenge this opin­ion and reframe it as a mu­tual problem that society as a whole must address.

Our government recognizes and responds to the high rates of violence against women with significant Acts like the Family Pro­tection Act.

Therefore, Police and re­sponsible authorities must have the responsibility to exercise due diligence to prevent, examine and pun­ish violators by imposing maximum penalties as the laws allow and protect the victims.

JILGINA KIMISI

S11015706

USP HONIARA CAMPUS

127 join nursing service

Written by
Mavis Podokolo
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Julia Karufe, Aryan Sio and Paru Fiona with their certificates of nurse registration

BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO

UP to 127 young men and women joined the nursing service yesterday in a ceremony held to confer their status as “registered nurses”.

This new lot are expected to further boost the country’s human resource capacity in the health sector.

They received their nurse registration confirmation yesterday at the Holy Cross Cathedral, Honiara.

Speaking on the occasion, National Head of Nursing Council Solomon Islands and guest speaker Michael Larui encourages the newly registered nurses to work with their full scoop of practise to meet the needs of the health system.

Beckster Harrison and Hellison Wasi with family members

Larui said nurses have been key part of the leadership during the current public health crisis

“While I acknowledge the work of colleague nurses, I wish to challenge us to ensuring that all patients receives patient –centred and high-quality care,” Larui said.

Clayrickeith Bulehite congratulated by family members

“Nurses are central to the design of health systems that focus on public health, prevention and primary care,” he added.

Larui told the nurses that their voice has the community’s trust, therefore nurses must get and pass right information to the public and not to entertain misinformation and disinformation in relation to the current COVID-19 pandemic.

Some of the male nurses ready to receive their full registration to become Registered Nurses

“This voice is needed now more than ever. During public health emergencies and disasters, vulnerable populations are at a risk of poor to severe illness.

“As nurses, we must strengthen the support to following up on the disabled communities and increase the country’s contraceptive prevalence rate by improving  family planning and child health services,” he said.

One of the female nurse receiving her badge

Larui also encouraged nurses to ready to be deployed to rural health centres.

“Absenteeism and lateness to work, conflict of interest and insubordination must not be the norm instead; nurses must be professionally competent in their practice and conduct.

Three of the female nurses ready to receive their full registration to become Registered Nurses

“The profession needs you to contribute nursing meaningfully to the overall health service delivery,” he said.

New nurses told to spread correct messages

Written by
Mavis Podokolo
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Vezilyn Isom places a badge on one of the male nurse who was commissioned yesterday.

BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO

NEWLY registered nurses are reminded to not spread false and misleading information about the COVID-19 pandemic.

National Head of Nursing Michael Larui made the reminder to the 127 new nurses who officially joined the nursing service yesterday.

His reminder came in the wake of the recent report that says some of health workers are spread misinformation on vaccines.

“Misinformation and disinformation about COVID-19 has spread more widely and quickly than the virus itself through network,” Larui said.

“The spread of flash and potentially dangerous claims during a lethal pandemic clearly poses a threat to our national security,” he added.

“For example, even with the announcement of a vaccine that is safe and effective, there is growing misinformation about the immunisation and groundswell movement of anti-vaxxers.

“The initial slow response and turnout to vaccination in Honiara even by health workers was testament to this.

“Nurse’ voice has the community’s trust, therefore nurses must get and pass right information’s to the public. This voice is needed now more than ever,” Larui said.

Violation of Human Rights

Written by
Admin
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Dear Editor,

As a concerned citizen of this country, I strongly urge our government to recognize the rights of persons with disabilities and hold perpetrators accountable.

I am deeply saddened to learn that in West Honiara, a 40-year-old man has sexually abused a young girl with disability who has become pregnant as a result. This outrageous and abhorrent behaviour should not be treated lightly nor entertained in our communities. 

It is disheartening to also learn that the justice system has failed, yet again, to adequately investigate and punish the perpetrator. Laws should be passed in parliament to protect persons with disabilities, especially women and girls with disabilities, from being exploited, sexually and physically abused. Right now, there is no specific law to protect them and who knows when another young woman or girl with disability will become the next victim.

Our government is a signatory to the United Nations Conventions on the Rights of Persons with Disability and therefore has an obligation to protect their rights. This man’s act is a gross violation of the girl’s right to freedom from exploitation, violence and abuse (Article 16). Persons with disabilities do not enjoy the same level of security as an abled person. They are more vulnerable to the different forms of violence and abuse.

Therefore, I call on our Government and relevant authorities to pass laws to protect the rights of persons with disabilities, to ensure their freedom and to protect them from any forms of violence and abuse.

Veronica Manedika

S11047351

USP SI Campus.

2 DEAD INFANTS FOUND

Written by
Brian Lezutuni
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Police silent over discoveries

BY JARED KOLI

Lifeless bodies of two newborn babies were discovered dumped in two separate locations this week, one in Honiara on Monday and the other in Northeast Guadalcanal on Tuesday.

Few days on, and police are yet to make a statement on these horrific discoveries.

On Monday, a man discovered the dead body of an infant allegedly dumped in a stream at Water Pump area in west Honiara. On Tuesday afternoon, students of Ngalibiu primary school stumbled upon a body of a dead baby boy at the Ngalibiu riverside near Tetere in Northeast Guadalcanal.

Island Sun has managed to get an account of the Ngalibiu incident from students who made the discovery, relayed through a teacher.

“The students were there to cut firewood when one of the students saw the dead baby trapped at the bank of the river, at first he thought it was a doll. But upon examining it, they realised that it was actually a dead baby, stuck just at the riverside,” William Simata, a primary school teacher at Ngalibiu relayed.   

“It was a dead baby boy and still had a fresh look as though he was thrown at the river and got stuck there not long ago. Maybe because the current of the river was not strong enough to carry it away.

“It is still covered with white coating and the umbilical cord still attached,” Simata said.

Security officers at GPPOL station-1 heard of the discovery and went over to the scene and took the dead infant to their base. They then called the police. The matter was attended to by Tetere Police officers.

Details of the discovery at Water pump on Monday is sketchy but a student who was among a crowd that went and witnessed the discovery told Island Sun that it happened on Monday afternoon. It was discovered by a man.

Explicit photographs of both discoveries have flooded Facebook.

Police Media unit did not respond to enquiries by this paper yesterday.

However, an officer at Tetere Police Station when called yesterday said there has not been any arrest. He could not confirm if preliminary investigation on the matter has started.

Calls made to Guadalcanal Provincial Police Commander yesterday went unsuccessful.

The alleged infanticide cases come just two months after a body of a female infant was found in the Holy Cross Cathedral area in Honiara (early April).

Infanticide is a crime of a mother killing her child within a year of birth.

According to Section 206 of the Solomon Islands Penal Code, infanticide is punishable by law.

“Where a woman by any wilful act or omission causes the death of her child being a child under the age of twelve months, but at the time of the act or omission the balance of her mind was disturbed by reason of her not having fully recovered from the effect of giving birth to the child or by reason of the effect of lactation consequent upon the birth of the child, then, notwithstanding that the circumstances were such that but for the provisions of this section the offence would have amounted to murder, she shall be guilty of felony, to wit, infanticide, and may for such offence be dealt with and punished as if she had been guilty of manslaughter of the child.”

PM ‘extremely’ sad with health workers

Written by
Mavis Podokolo
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Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare. Photo supplied.

BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO

PRIME Minister Manasseh Sogavare has expressed ‘extreme’ disappointment at health workers who are reportedly promoting misinformation on covid-19 vaccines.

Mr Sogavare in his national address on Monday this week said a small group of health workers are spreading information which question the safety and efficacy of the two covid-19 vaccines government is using in its vaccination rollout.

“I am extremely disappointed that a small group of our health workers are promoting misinformation about the safety and efficacy of covid-19 vaccines.

“It is extremely sad that this group has decided not to look at the evidence of the impact of covid-19 vaccines on breaking the cycle of the global pandemic and have instead spread misinformation to the public,” he said.

Sogavare said in all the countries that have managed to slow down and to reverse the trend of covid-19 infections, almost all of them are due to covid-19 vaccines.

“Let me be clear on this point. The two vaccines that we are using in Solomon Islands, the AstraZeneca and the Sinopharm vaccines have been approved by the WHO for emergency use. They have also been approved by our own approving authority in the country.

“While I respect individual points of view, I will not allow deliberate misinformation to scare people that wish to protect themselves from covid-19.

“If such deliberate misinformation continues, those involved will be held accountable in accordance with provisions of the relevant Regulations,” he said.

While being extremely disappointed and sad with the health workers, Sogavare was expressively grateful to citizens who have come forward to be vaccinated.

“I urge you all, please get vaccinated so that in the event the virus reaches our borders and our quarantine stations you will be protected against it,” he said.

Border patrol base faces court threat

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
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The Lofung Border and Patrol Boat Outpost site plan in the Shortland Islands

By EDDIE OSIFELO

THE original landowners of Lofung in the Shortland Islands plan to challenge the FAMOA Trust Board in court for selling the 20 hectares land for the Border and Patrol Boat Outpost.

Spokesperson, Alisae Laore told Island Sun yesterday this is in response to them having been left out of consultations with the national government regarding this development prospect.

Laore said the FAMOA Trust constitution states it has no right to sell or lease land to the government.

He said even the constitution of FAMOA Council of Chiefs allows provision in Part 4 and Part 6 to identify true landowners and return the land back to them.

“Why did the FAMOA Trust Board ignore its own constitution?” he asked.

As such, Laore said he will challenge the Board in court for allegation of fraud.

Furthermore, Laore said the Board’s move to sell the land to the government defies its policy to return all alienated land to the original landowners.

Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Police and Correctional Services, Karen Galokale earlier said the current subject land is registered under FAMOA as legal Perpetual Estate holder and not a customary land.

“Hence, Government deals with the right title holders, that is, FAMOA Trust Board. A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was executed with FAMOA last year and a provision of the MOU states that any land issues with customary land owners will be dealt directly with FAMOA,” Ms Galokale said.

She said according to FAMOA Constitution, FAMOA represents all the customary landowners through their respective chiefs hence locals are not left out as claimed and the Government expects FAMOA to deal with the communities directly.

However, Laore provides a deed of sale agreement signed by his grandfather in 1900s that they are the true owner of the land.

He said a chief’s decision of FAMOA Council of Chiefs was reached in 1988 which decided that they have the ownership right over that land.

Laore said “although the High Court does not recognise this decision, customarily we still claim ownership right over the land”.

Chairman of the FAMOA Working Committee, Pellion Buare earlier said FAMOA is not just an association.

He said FAMOA is a Trust Board, it is actually the registered owner of Lofung land, which is the site for the project.

“FAMOA, however, still stands by its commitment to meet with the concerned parties after finalising all the arrangement with SIG,” he said.

The ground breaking ceremony for the proposed development is set for Wednesday next week.

Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare and Australia High Commissioner are expected to attend the ceremony.

PS Galokale said tender and bidding process for the new patrol boat base is yet to be done, and work is yet to commence on the ground.

The new patrol boat outpost project will be built with support from the Government of Australia.

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