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MINING INTEREST

Written by
Brian Lezutuni
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Garden sites at West Rennell are dug up by Bauxite Mining companies. What left are holes filled with water.

New application for prospecting licence in Rennell

BY JARED KOLI

A new mining company has lodged an application for prospecting licence for bauxite mining in Rennell Island, Renbel Province.

Director of Mines Nicholas Biliki confirmed this toIsland Sun yesterday.

Mr Biliki said the mining company, Nickel Exploration SI Limited lodged its application on Thursday last week, June 3, 2021.

He said the company is a locally incorporated mining company registered in the Solomon Islands Company Haus.

Mr Biliki said the Mines and Mineral Board will meet soon to look into the new application and decide on it.

“Depending on a due diligence process undertaken now, the application will be deliberated on maybe in the third quarter board meeting which is three months away,” Biliki said.

He said a social media post which was posted in a popular local Facebook forum yesterday was misleading to suggest that the Mines and Mineral Board have accepted the mining company.

“There is still no decision reached yet on this new application. We cannot just accept a company, it has to satisfy all the necessary process and requirements,” he said.

Biliki adds the he is not sure about their particular area of interest (tenement) but the application is for Rennell.  

The new application comes seven months after the Mines and Mineral Board cancelled Winning license to prospect bauxite on Rennell Island.

This was due to failure by Winning Mining Limited to meet any of the conditions of its licence. One is making a commercial discovery and publishing data from its findings.

The Asia Pacific Investment Development (APID) has also been de-registered from the West Rennel Land Parcel No. 298-005-1 as the title holder effective as of October 2020.

Currently, all mining operations in Rennell are on hold. 

Rennell Island, a largest raised coral atoll in the world is rich in bauxite but over the years, logging and mining operations have torn the rocky atoll apart, placing people’s livelihoods at stake. 

Local Environment Activist, Lawrence Makili earlier told Radio Australia that the government should not allow any more mining on Rennell, and all mining applications should be frozen. 

Isabel volunteers first anti-corruption office

Written by
Jennifer Kusapa
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BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

ISABEL province has volunteered to have the first provincial anti-corruption office once Solomon Islands Independent Commission against Corruption rolls out to the provincial level.

Premier Leslie Kikolo said Isabel province aspires to be the provincial leader in paving best practices in effective governance.

He said Isabel is the first provincial government to comply with the audit requirement and standard based on the international Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS).

“And so, I wish to request to host the first-ever provincial anti-corruption office in Buala once SICCAC begins nation-wide roll-out,” Kikolo said.

Kikolo said he believes in a transparent system and therefore his government strives to uphold good governance, accountability and best public service practice.

He also highlighted that in the last five years regarding the Provincial Capacity Development Fund PCDF performance audits Isabel province has performed above average, and in 2019/20 report Isabel had moved up to 65 points.

Therefore, Kikolo said that they are aspiring to lead the score cards by 2022.

Isabel with high girl-deaths rate

Written by
Mavis Podokolo
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Isabel Premier Leslie Kikolo.

BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO

ISABEL province has the highest record of girl-deaths due to cervical cancer.

Leslie Kikolo Premier of Isabel gave the above statement at the second Appointed Day celebration held in Buala recently.

“We have the highest record of girls’ death due to cervical cancer,” he said.

Kikolo said the province also recorded 70 percent of their deaths are Non-communicable Diseases related (NCDs).

“To curb these deaths, the province has managed to improve water supply with 90 percent access provincial wide, however access to improved sanitation remains a challenge and it lags at only six percent access,” he said.

Kikolo said in terms of improving health access, the Provincial Capacity Development Fund (PCDF) funds has enabled the construction of three new clinics in Hoffi (Maringe district),Valavu (Bugotu district) and Koisisi village (Hograno District) and  rehabilitation of existing clinics in Kamaga, Guguha and Kolomola clinics has been carried in these health centres.

“These health facilities are equipped with labour rooms, waiting rooms and small outpatients. Communities in these locations who once used to travel miles to seek medical attention now can access them in a few minutes from home,” he said.

5,300 employees lost jobs due to covid-19

Written by
Ben Bilua
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Crowded busstop at the Honiara Central Market.

BY BEN BILUA
Gizo

THE Central Bank of Solomon Islands has estimated that 5,300 employees lost their jobs due to covid-19 last year.

Using the proxy indicator on membership contributions to Solomon Islands National Provident Fund (SINPF), CBSI found that a total of 61,093 active contributors was recorded in 2020 but this figure decreased to 55,790 in the first quarter of 2021.

In its report released on May 7, CBSI states that the current data compared to last year’s data shows a reduction of 5,300 contributors.

The report believes that people have lost jobs due to the impact of covid-19 to the country economy.

It states that the most affected sectors includes Accommodations (Hotels) Constructions, Transport and Forestry.

The report highlights that the biggest employer in the country is the public service with a total of 20,713 headcount of employees recorded in the first quarter of 2021.

The report states that actual data of unemployment is lacking in Solomon Islands as such identification of actual unemployment is difficult to pinpoint.

“Unfortunately, the country does not have unemployment statistics like in other countries. The Central Bank of Solomon Islands use proxy indicators for EMPLOYMENT data instead, when assessing the labour market,” it states.

Fotana tribe offers land for airport

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
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Allan Siau of Fotana Tribe in East Fataleka gives the concept plan to establish a third International Airport on their land to Acting Prime Minister, Manasseh Maelanga in Cabinet.

By EDDIE OSIFELO

THE Fotana Tribe in Ward 14 on East Fataleka in Malaita Province has offered its land to the Government to build a third international airport.

The tribal members last Friday met with Deputy Prime Minister Manasseh Maelanga and handed him the concept plan.

They were accompanied by Member of Parliament for Fataleka and Minister of National Planning and Development Coordination, Rexon Ramofafia.

This is to allow responsible ministries like Ministry of Communication and Aviation and Ministry of Infrastructure Development to carry out a feasibility study on the land.

Allan Siau of Fotana Tribe with MP for Fataleka, Rexson Ramofafia with the concept plan to establish a third International airport on Malaita.

Co-chair of the voluntarily team that push for the concept plan, Allan Siau said the idea behind is to attract tourism and curb urban migration to Honiara City.

Siau said since Independence in 1978, Malaitans have migrated to Honiara and other provinces in search of economic opportunities.

He said the team believe in creating another economic hub for this country to allow Malaitans to work on their land.

Siau said the concept is part of COVID-19 Free Agro Tourism Investment.

Proposed site for Fotana sea port

Maelanga was happy to see the initiative offered by the Fotana Tribe.

He assured the team to take up the concept plan in Cabinet for discussion so that relevant ministries can pursue the feasibility study on the land.

Health investigates diarrhea deaths in Gizo

Written by
Mavis Podokolo
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Western Provincial capital Gizo

BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO

HEALH authorities are investigating the deaths of five children at the Gizo Hospital reportedly due to diarrhoea.

Dr Dickson Baora, director of medical and health services at Gizo Hospital, confirmed to Island Sun yesterday that investigation is now underway to confirm the main grounds of the deaths at Gizo Hospital, Western province.

“There is a health investigation underway to confirm five children deaths due to diarrhoea. This needs to be confirmed after the investigation,” he said.

Boara said at the moment they are mobilising their teams to investigate the source of diarrhoea outbreak; “it could be from the drinking water, food preparation or other sources, this needs to be verified.

“We are sending some diarrhoea samples to test stools at the medical lab to verify the microorganism responsible for this type of diarrhoea. We will also begin immunization for the kids to prevent this diarrhoea.

“We are also strengthening our clinics by sending, diarrhoea drugs, and other medical items to help our nurses in the rural communities to deal with the diarrhoea in the rural communities. The health services primary aim now is to prevent any deaths to diarrhoea,” he said.

He also confirms that there is an increase in diarrhoea cases at the Gizo hospital and some surrounding communities in Western province, especially in children.

Ministry of Health and Medical Services office in their recent statement said as part of the Ministry’s routine surveillance activity, 15 stool specimens were tested of which five tested positive for Rotavirus on rapid diagnostic test (RDT); three of the positive cases were from Gizo Hospital and two positive cases from Good Samaritan Hospital.  

The health statement said some samples have also been sent to the Royal Brisbane Hospital for further confirmation and investigation by the National Medical Laboratory.

“MHMS outbreak management team has been activated and currently mobilizing the necessary resources to support Western Provincial Health team in Gizo to respond to their current situation. Some supplies deployed already,” the health statement said.

The ministry of health is strongly advising the public to regularly wash hands with soap and clean running water after going to the toilet, after touching dirty surfaces and before eating or preparing food.

“Properly cover food and ensure drinking bottles and containers are properly covered from flies. Always boil drinking water. Parents if you have babies who are 10 or 14 weeks old, and yet to receive the rotavirus vaccine, please visit your nearest clinic for vaccination,” health statement said.

Isabel losing coastlines: Kikolo

Written by
Jennifer Kusapa
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Nagoibo villagers on Isabel predict that within a generation, their village will be eaten up by the sea if action is not taken to mitigate the effects of sea level rise. PHOTO ALFRED PAGEPITU

BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

PREMIER of Isabel Province Leslie Kikolo says coastlines along villages and islands of Isabel are slowly eaten away by sea-level rise.

He said like any province in the country, Isabel also experiences climate change impacts.

“As a way forward, there must be a well-organised lineage of both national and provincial government policies on climate change mitigation and prevention.

“The impacts of climate change are real, we are slowly losing our coastlines, while some islands are slowly turning into islets. While in land we are losing land for housing and gardening and also losing fertile soil due to soil erosion and flooding,” Kikolo said.

He said it is important that infrastructural designs, homes and other related issues being considerate of climate change and natural disasters to avoid unnecessary public cost stemming from ill-planning

Kikolo said climate change is one of the global environment pandemics.

He also calls on the Isabel people and communities to be creative and take action to mitigate the impacts of climate change.

“There are internal development partners who are willing to support local initiative to mitigate the impacts and I encourage you to seek out those assistance and support to prepare our communities,” Kikolo added.

Big drop in visitor arrivals

Written by
Press Release
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Tourists visiting Gizo in 2018.

A SIGNIFICANT decline in international arrivals was recorded since restrictions were imposed on International flights by the Solomon Islands Government towards the end of March 2020.

This was the result of the Visitor Arrivals report released by the Solomon Islands National Statistics Office on Friday 4th June 2020.

Government Statistician Douglas Kimi said the State of Public Emergency (SOPE) response towards preventing Solomon Island residents and citizens from the COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in the notable decrease.

Kimi said total arrivals for third quarter of 2020 were 807.

“This is an increase of 143.8% compared to the previous quarter (2nd quarter 2020). Compared to the same quarter a year ago, a decrease of 94.3% was recorded,” Kimi said.

“Returning residents made up 75.0% of arrivals for third quarter 2020. This was followed by Visitors with 24.0 % of arrivals and the remaining less than one percent were Intending residents,” he added.

The National Statistician said visitor arrivals for the third quarter increases by 295.9% to 194 visitors, compared to the second quarter 2020 figure of 49 visitors.

“There was a decrease of 97.5% in visitors arrivals from third quarter 2019 to third quarter 2020.”

Meanwhile, Visitors by Country of Residence Arrivals by country of residence for the third quarter 2020 showed that Australians (43.3%) remain the largest group of visitors to the Solomon Islands.

There was an increase of 342.1% to 84 in Australian visitors compared to the second quarter of 2020 figure 19.

The next largest group of visitors were from China (18.0%), followed by New Zealand (17.0%), Other Asia (10.3%) and Canada and PNG (4.6%).

Visitor arrivals by month showed that September recorded the highest number of arrivals in the third quarter of 2020 with 103 visitors. This was followed by month of July with a total of 52 visitors and August the least with 39 visitors.

Restrictions on international flights also had adverse implications on visitors travelling predominantly for tourism purposes. Third quarter 2020 recorded zero tourists whose purpose of travel was for holiday and vacation.

Ends with Chart 1 showing that the returning category make up the largest proportion of all arrivals while the visitors and intending resident categories make up the lesser share this quarter.

–SINSO Press

PM arrives in Temotu

Written by
Press Release
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0
PM Sogavare, Premier Forau and members of the Temotu Provincial Executive.

Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare has arrived in Lata ahead of the 38th Second Appointed day commemoration of Temotu Province.

The anniversary celebration takes place today.

Shortly following his arrival in the provincial capital yesterday, Mr Sogavare met with the Premier of Temotu Province Clay Forau and members of the Temotu provincial executive.

The Prime Minister met with the Temotu provincial executive to share some information and updates of mutual interest between the Government and Temotu province.

Premier Forau used the opportunity to express support of the Temotu provincial executive and its people to the Prime Minister and the Democratic Coalition Government for Advancement (DCGA).

Forau highlighted shipping as one of the important needs for the province.

Sogavare acknowledged the issues and needs of the province and expressed the Government’s serious concern to address the needs of Temotu Province in the shipping industry.

Sogavare is expected to travel to other parts of the province as part of his trip and as impressed upon Premier Forau during their meeting, one of his main intentions to travel to Temotu as part of joining the second appointed day is “to have the opportunity to listen and witness firsthand, the issues and needs of the people of Temotu Province”.

Sogavare will officiate as Guest of Honour in today’s programme.

He is accompanied by the Minister for Provincial Government and Institutional Strengthening Rollen Seleso.

–OPMC PRESS

Gov’t policies must maximise resources

Written by
Ben Bilua
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Central Bank of Solomon Islands. Photo by CBSI

BY BEN BILUA
Gizo

THE Central Bank of Solomon Islands (CBSI) highlights that the country’s long-term economic growth depends on how the government drives its policies to fully utilize existing resources.

In a statement released recently, CBSI states that the country has enormous resources capable of driving economic growth in the long term but the absence of strong policies continue to be a challenge.

Resources identified in the report includes; Natural resources, Capital, Human Capital and Technological Progress.

“If a country has a plentiful supply of natural resources and the ability to exploit or make use of them then the economy will be able to expand,” the statement said.

“Having plentiful natural resources does not guarantee economic growth however, the means to exploit them must also exist. In some instances the existence of natural resources and who exploits them has caused conflict and led to reduced economic growth for some countries around the world,” it added.

“When we talk about capital we are usually referring to machinery and equipment which helps us produce goods.

“By increasing the stock of machinery in the country we are increasing our ability to produce goods and hence we are expanding our economy.

“To get machinery and equipment, a country must invest and so the level of investment in an economy will impact future economic growth.

“As we said before, we can work overtime for a while to produce more and we can use machines every day, all day but eventually the machine will break so we must continually invest in machinery and equipment.

“When demand in an economy is high so that we are using our machines and equipment every day, all day (we are working at maximum capacity) it signals to the boss that it may be time to invest in more capital.

“We refer to a country’s workforce as human capital.

“Although we cannot determine the quantity of workers we have in an economy we can influence the quality of the workforce.

“By improving education standards, we can improve the quality of the workforce, this again requires investment.

“The existence of machinery and capital which help us produce goods more efficiently is thanks to technological progress. To improve our ability to produce goods in the future we need technological progress to be on going. Investment again is needed, in education and research,” the report stated.

It emphasized that the government must focus on policies which impact the quantity, quality or ability to exploit the areas identified so that the economy can be able to produce more.

It also states that the policies must focus on the supply side to improve the country’s productive capacity of the economy.

For example, there is a need of strong policies on promoting education and training to improve the quality of the workforce, promote research and development to ensure on-going technological progress, investing in infrastructure (roads, wharfs) to improve the ability to exploit resources and promoting sustainable exploitation of natural resources to ensure the sustainability of economic growth.

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