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Sifoni: MARA remains solid

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Deputy Premier, Sifoni

MALAITA’S deputy premier Randol Sifoni has outrightly dismissed Alfred Sasak’s Solomon Star’s front-page story that asserts “Premier Suidani’s trip to Taiwan could bring his own downfall”.

The article claimed the Executive is looking at replacing Premier Suidani.

“This is a false story and has no truth in it,” Sifoni said.

“This is nothing but a headline story to please someone else’s agenda,” he added.

“As for the MARA Malaita Provincial Government, we are behind our premier from day one.

“And in this matter, the Executive has given him all the support the premier needed at a time that is challenging for him, his family, and Malaita Province.”

Sifoni also stated the MARA Executive is unmoved by “any rhetoric from anyone more so from the author of the story”.

“It is plain and clear that what Sasako is alleging is totally false, shameful, and has not got even an ounce of truth in it.”

The deputy premier further stated that what is publicly known about Sasako is that he is a desparate man and has lost touch with reality, especially the realities of Malaita Province.

“Sasako should stop politicizing our premier’s medical trip.

“Anybody who does not appreciate others that have given support during times of sickness and hardship can only be described as someone belonging to the demonic world.

“That would be an appropriate description befitting such ignorant and arrogant behavior.

“How could a trip for someone’s life that is supported on humanitarian grounds make any backfires to a political government?

“Anyone who has that thought in his brain showed an inhuman approach to the premier’s health and medical wellbeing.

“Let it be known to Sasako that the premier didn’t choose to be sick, he has a duty to the people he represents to try to stay healthy.

“In any case, his trip has not cost the province or the government anything. Thank you, Taiwan for her help towards our premier.

“All that has been written in the story are liars and that nothing is true about it.”

Sifoni warns Sasako to refrain from “making baseless stories like this”.

“Sasako’s uneducated knowledge about provincial government and assembly matters clearly showed he is far from reality.

“He should know that the failed motion last year against Premier Suidani that he was said to have involved in means there could not be any further motions of no confidence for the next 12 months.

“The motion of no confidence on Premier was in October last year and counting from October last year any new motion has to be after October this year 2021.

“There is no way a motion of no confidence could be staged anytime from now as alleged by Sasako.

“This is a requirement of the Provincial Government Act and no executive and assembly would do anything about it until after October 2021.”

Wale calls for full disclosure of Mamara

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Work on the Mamara City project last year.

OPPOSITION leader Matthew Wale calls on the Government to make full disclosures on all its dealings relating to the Mamara Township Development Project to date.

The call follows the statements by the PS responsible for Commerce and William Ling of Metropolis Pacific PTE Ltd published earlier.  

Wale points out that while the PS says that a decision is yet to be reached on the deal in respect of the proposed public services housing scheme, the developer is saying, their letter follows understandings already reached.

“This raises serious questions on the prices tag and the nature of any surrounding discussions,” Wale said in a statement yesterday.

“If the Mamara Development Act is to be fully complied with in light of the time that has lapsed, price amongst many others are matters of importance that should have been negotiated and addressed well before any commitments were made under the original agreement for public servants,” he added.

“This is more so now in light of the revelation that public servants are going to be paying for the houses through their own savings and or loans.  

“What guarantee do they have that they are not going to lose out in the end?”

Wale went on to add that with recent changes in the laws dealing with land, the recent Government policy redirection and budget constraints forced on us by the impact of Covid 19 and the impact of climate change, surely the government must have had concerns over the currency of the agreement hence considered taking steps to safeguard the interest of public servants and other investors.

“Clearly the prices seem too excessive for the type and quality of houses thus raising questions on affordability. Someone must explain.

“I therefore call on the Government to own up and to disclose all dealings leading up to the start of the project, and to inform public servants on the pros and cons of investing in the project. 

“Our people will live with the project for many years to come and so the PM must do the right thing.

“The PM must leave no stones unturned as he likes to say and come out clean,” the Opposition Leader further adds.

Plea to return stolen phone

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The Suspect.

A SENIOR public servant is requesting the return of his mobile phone after video footage from a shop in Kukum identified the likely culprit.

Director of Immigration, Mason Fugui calls on the girl (shown in the picture) to return his mobile phone to HF shop or call 7584778.

Fugui made the call after he identified the suspect in the CCTV obtained from HF shop, in front of the Cowboys Grill, Kukum.

In the CCTV, the suspect allegedly stole Fugui’s mobile phone on the counter when he left the shop around 4.30pm.

“I returned to the shop today (yesterday) and identified the suspect in the CCTV.

“I call on the suspect to return the phone because I have the evidence to give to police,” he said.

Fugui said he needs his phone because it contains his work, study documents and important contacts.

Second dose roll out starts

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First Member of Parliament to receive complete doses of COVID-19 vaccine. Congratulations Hon. Lanelle Olandrea Tanangada.

THE roll out of AstraZeneca vaccine second dose for those who received their first dose in March, April and May at the Central Field Hospital in Honiara commenced yesterday.

Leading the line to receive the second dose was Attorney-General John Muria followed by Chairman of Caucus Namson Tran, Minister of Education and Human Resource Development (MEHRD) Lanelle Olandrea Tanangada, Police Commissioner Mostyn Mangau and members of the RSIPF including staff of Solomon Airlines, Customs etc.

Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare, Health Minister Dr Culwick Togamana and other government ministers and officials who also received vaccination on day one of COVID-19 vaccine roll out will receive theirs this Sunday after returning from the Isabel Province 2nd Appointed Day.

“On this note, the Ministry of Health would like to inform that for all those who will be receiving their 2nd AstraZeneca vaccine dose, you can receive your 2nd vaccine jab either on the exact day as stated in your vaccination card or within 14 days following the date on your cards,” a ministry statement said.

Attorney-General Mr. John Muria the first Solomon Islander to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

“The second dose is important to further boost the body immune system to fight against COVID-19,” it added.

 At the Central Field Hospital, there are two tents set up in front of the hospital, one for those to receive their first dose of Sinopharm vaccine and the other for AstraZeneca second dose.

Please carry your vaccination card when you come to receive your second dose.

Inside the hospital, the 54 cubicles are separated into two groups, one for administration of Sinopharm vaccine and the other for AstraZeneca vaccine.

Sinopharm vaccine is open for all persons 18 years and above in Honiara and Guadalcanal province who have ease of access to the hospital whilst AstraZeneca is only for those coming to receive their second dose.

Health is calling on all eligible people (18 years and above) to come forward for the Sinopharm vaccine. Let us take proactive measures to protect ourselves and our country against COVID-19. It is critical that we are all aware that in the event of a community transmission; we will scramble for the vaccines but it will already be too late as our bodies will require time to build these antibodies or soldiers to be able to wrestle with the virus.

We plan to roll out the COVID vaccine to eastern and Western parts of Guadalcanal Province and will inform you about the details of the roll out in future press briefs.

–MHMS

UNICEF committed to help SIG achieve SDG6

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Mavis Podokolo
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BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO

UNICEF has assured commitment to working with Solomon Islands Government to achieve Sustainable Development Goal-six.

This was echoed by Abigail Tavera, UNICEF RWASH officer.

“UNICEF remains committed to working with the government of Solomon Islands in achieving Sustainable Development Goal 6 ‘Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all’ by 2030.

“I would like to remind us all that we only have less than a decade left to 2030.We have a lot of work to do. We need to create the correct enabling environment for homes and for institutions like schools, health facilities, public places to be bale access to good WASH services,” Tavera said.

She adds by thanking the ongoing support of donor partners, civil society organisations, communities and for the continued technical and financial support to guide efforts towards meeting vision 2030 for Solomon Islands.

Scholarship awards before semester 2

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Mavis Podokolo
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BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO

SCHOLARSHIP awards for successful students will be issued before semester two, says Director National Scholarship Division (NSD) 2021.

Director Curtis Kalu yesterday said: “We have explained this over and over again previously even in radio sessions and that scholarship awards to be issued to successful students before semester two, 2021 starts.”

Permanent Secretary to Ministry of Education and Human Resources Development Dr Franco Rodie explained during the launch of this SIG online scholarship that a total of 1000 in country scholarship are made available for 2021.

Rodie said the increase in the total number of in-country scholarships for 2021 is a re-alignment of awards within the current budget estimates. First, this is done in consideration of the uncertainty and re-adjustment in tertiary training following Covid-19 pandemic responses in the countries of training.

On the same matter Minister for Education Lanelle Tanangada highlighted that in terms budgetary allocation for the ministry, the reduction in the budget will have significant impact on the new 1,000 in-country scholarships allocated for this year.

“From the 2020 revised budget of $105,250,466 to $50,000,000 in 2021, sees 52.5 percent cut.

“It needs to be highlighted that this will have significant impact on the new 1,000 in-country scholarships allocated for this year. 

“There is reduction in the budget by $108,053,581 which is 26.96 percent,” she said.

The 2021 Scholarship allocation by categories offered according to MEHRD are Pre-Service, Pre-Service- Constituency, In-Service – Public Sector (fully funded), In-Service – Private Sector (fully funded) and In-Service Teachers.

Medical ward, most occupants

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National Referral Hospital

BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO

MEDICAL ward at the National Referral Hospital has the highest bed occupation rate with 88 percent, it is reported.

Chief Executive Officer for National Referral Hospital Dr George Malefoasi said according the hospitals statistics medical ward (adult ward) is one of the busiest department in terms of length of admissions (1,090), as well as patient day-care (13,468) in 2020.

“Medical ward has one of the highest bed occupation rate of 88 percent in 2020. Medical ward also has some of the longer stays in the hospital in 2019 it was 14 days average length of stay which slightly reduced in 2020 with 11.8 days,” Malefoasi said.

He said the National Referral Hospital death record from 2018 to 2020 shows medical ward making up 34 percent of all cumulative deaths, 1,688 in total over the three years period.

“And most of these deaths were due to end-stage and NCD complications.

“These statistics showed burden of the diabetes and other NCDs is having an impact on the limited resources and services of the NRH and MHMS,” Malefoasi said.

The sentiments were revealed at the opening of the National Referral Hospital Diabetic centre.

Sogavare in Buala for Isabel Day

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Warriors carrying PM Sogavare

BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

PRIME Minister Manasseh Sogavare and his delegation arrived in Buala yesterday evening.

Mr Sogavare and his delegation were welcomed with an Isabel traditional style welcome where warriors carried him from the wharf to the Provincial Assembly area where he was officially welcomed by the Isabel Provincial executive and Members of the Provincial Assembly.

Crowd along the shoreline watching the arrival of the Prime Minister and his delegation

Sogavare will be the guest of honour at the ceremony today and will be in Buala till June 4 before leaving for Honiara.

He is accompanied by the Minister of Provincial Government Roland Seleso along with the three Isabel members of Parliament and MP for North East Guadalcanal Ethel Vokia.

PM Sogavare welcome by the Premier Leslie Kikolo

Attending the Isabel second appointed Day 37th anniversary celebrations are premiers of Guadalcanal, Western and Deputy Premier of Choiseul province along with permanent secretaries of various Government ministries.

The official celebration of Isabel day will be celebrated today at the Provincial Head Quarter Buala.

Isabel Provincial Police Commander Leonard Tanhimana salutes the PM as he disembark from Patrol Boat Gizo

Western Premier reconciles with Buala community

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Jennifer Kusapa
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Buala chiefs welcoming the Premier Gina at Buala village

BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

AN emotional reconciliation was held yesterday afternoon between the Premier of Western Province and the Buala community following the death of an Isabel man in Gizo on the afternoon of May 10, 2021.

Premier David Gina speaking at the ceremony in Buala yesterday thanked the Premier of Isabel province and the deceased’s relatives for accepting the reconciliation to be held.

He said that their initial programme was to attend the Isabel second appointed however, the unfortunate incident occurred.

Gina said he had told his delegation to cancel the trip for Isabel day, since the deceased was killed in the Western Province and rather focus on planning a reconciliation with the relatives of the deceased.

“However, the news of our trip cancellation for the Isabel day reached the Isabel premier, he called me and we talked about it, and finally we are planning to attend the Isabel day and a reconciliation will be conducted.

Gift presented to deceased relatives by Premier and his delegation

“That is why we are here a day before the second appointed celebration,” Gina said.

Gina also said the ceremony will be recorded.

Premier and his delegation came with gifts and also a token of money presented to the mother of the deceased.

Meanwhile former Member of Parliament Varian Longamei on behalf of the families and relatives of the deceased thanked the premier for their initiative to conduct the reconciliation, to mend peace between the two parties.

Mother of late deceased shock hands with PS Jeffrey Wickham of Western province

He said the ceremony will continue the strong relationship between Buala communities and the people of Gizo. 

“We are so thankful for your initiative and we accept the reconciliation from our heart,” Longamei said.

Making Borderline safe for women

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Clean-up at the Borderline Community

HONIARA City Council Youth Division, in partnership with Plan International Solomon Islands, aims to transform Borderline Area to become a “Safe Place for Women and Girls”.

In what can be termed as “first of its kind”, Honiara City Council Club Members under the “Safer Cities for Girls”, a Project supported by Plan International Solomon Islands, carried out a Safety Walk survey to identify safety issues facing girls in the area.

Safer Cities for Girls’ Project Officer for Honiara City Council, Bratt Tohiaki Puia said the survey revealed that all women and girls in the area admitted not feeling safe in public spaces, public transport and within their own communities.

Honiara City Council, working together with the “Borderline Community Boys Club, and Girls Club” aims to re-create Borderline Setting to be a “Honiara Community Light House for the communities in and around Honiara.

He said HCC Youth Division believes that changing Borderline Community Residents’ mindset has the potential to bring about positive outcomes to Honiara City and its communities.

“Borderline”, just outside Honiara City, is a Community dominated by self-employed and unemployed people. It’s a rough neighbourhood even by local standards and the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force officers would have difficulties entering the neighbourhood, and only do so in groups and never at night.

The “Safer City for Girls’ Project”, comes as a result of a survey conducted by an “independent team of locally –based researchers”.

The Project was executed in two phases covering White River, Rove, Mbokona in West Honiara, and Borderline, Kukum, King George School, Panatina in East Honiara.

In early May, 2021, HCC Youth Division carried out a “clean-up campaign” at Borderline communities to provide high visibility to display the Project so that people may give their support towards it. 

In response, community leaders, church leaders, chiefs and people who are residing at Borderline have pledged to work closely with the HCCYD and its Youth Clubs to ensure that the course of the Project is fully implemented.

Safer Cities for Girls Project is supported by funding from Australia Non-Government Cooperation Program and implemented by Plan International Solomon Islands in Partnership with Honiara City Council and YWCA

—PLAN INTERNATIONAL & HCC JOINT RELEASE

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