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Giro highlights steps to maximise tuna benefits

Written by
Brian Lezutuni
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THE Minister of Fisheries and Marine Resources, Nestor Giro has highlighted a number of strategic approaches his ministry is taking to ensure the country receives maximum benefits from Tuna fisheries.

Minister Giro and his senior officials were in Noro over the weekend to support and commemorate World Tuna Day in the Tuna Capital.

He said the National Government through the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources would continue to assist Tuna companies in Noro, to ensure that they too get maximum benefits.

“I wish assure you that the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources, as the responsible Ministry for the development and management of the tuna fishery had taken strategic approaches to ensure our tuna resources are well managed to ensure Solomon Islands receives maximum economic and social benefits,” Giro said.

Among these steps is the Ministry’s mission to create and consolidate job opportunities from existing tuna fishing and processing industries.

The other is the to create new jobs and economic opportunities for wider cross-section of the population through new policy initiatives while at the same time support Infrastructure developments – through new investments for onshore facilities – in this regard the Ministry is taking lead in the Bina Harbour project.

Also on the list of approaches is the mission to support and consolidate the PNA Vessel Day scheme for both Purse seine and longline fisheries while beefing up collaboration with Parties to the Nauru Agreement (PNA) partners to leverage additional income streams and benefits from certification of shared tuna resources.

The other two approaches include reviewing legislations and legal frameworks to accommodate recent changes within the tuna fisheries and Dedication of staff to ensure tuna fisheries are promoted towards a “National Priced Asset” where the Government want to drive the future of our Tuna towards.

This year’s World Tuna Day was celebrated on the Theme “TUNA OUR PRICED NATIONAL ASSET” to reflect and acknowledged the importance of Tuna to Solomon Islands.

The Ministry of Fisheries had generated an annual revenue of more than $300 million dollars from tuna resources for the national budget in the last few years.

“This is something we are proud of since our contribution to our Treasury is the second highest after the Ministry of Finance’s IRD and Customs.

“This revenue is collected from Access fees and sales of fishing days (VDS) to both local and foreign companies,” Giro said.

Regardless of the uncertainties and challenges from the COVID 19 pandemic, the Ministry of Fisheries is working in collaboration with PNA and FFA Secretariats in trying to manage the risks and impacts of this pandemic.

For instance, the Ministry continues to maintain observer placements on our domestic vessels to ensure domestic fleets maintain their Monitoring, Surveillance and Control (MSC) requirements and status in light of the suspension of the Regional observer programme as a direct result of covid-19.

Minister Giro also highlighted the need to support efforts towards managing these important tuna resources.

“Our tuna stocks are currently healthy, but cannot be taken for granted. My Ministry will always work with other FFA and PNA members to ensure this important tuna resource is properly managed, so that our future generations can still access this important resource,” he said.

Gela villagers want new constituency

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
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By EDDIE OSIFELO

PEOPLE of Sandfly/Buenavista in Central Islands are asking for a separate constituency.

This was after the ward has seen an increase in its population numbers, while at the same time experienced lack of support from Central Islands province Member of Parliament for Gela, Bartholomew Paropolo.

A ward member, who asked not to be named, said the Constituency Boundaries Commission needs to give additional constituency to Sandfly/Buenavista.

“I think it is time we have our own constituency to run our affairs,” he said.

“Leaders who represent CIP in the past up until now always come from Gela and Sandfly/Buenavista,” he added.

There are about 26,051 people in Central Islands province covering the Russell Islands, Gela Islands (Florida Islands) and Savo Island.

In 2009, the Constituency Boundaries Commission has recommended a total of 17 additional constituencies in its report to be tabled in Parliament.

The Commission recommended four additional constituencies for Malaita province, whilst Guadalcanal and Western provinces each get three additional constituencies.

All the other provinces including Honiara will each get an additional constituency.

The most recent redrawing of constituency boundaries occurred in 1997 (increasing the number of constituencies from 47 to 50).

 In 2009 the Parliament rejected a recommendation from the Commission to increase the number of constituencies to 67.

Fisheries minister highlights importance of tuna

Written by
Brian Lezutuni
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FISHERIES Minister Nestor Giro was the official guest at the World Tuna Day celebrations at Tuna Town of Noro in the Western Province, Friday.

His delegation comprising Deputy Secretaries Patterson Lusi, Rosalie Masu, and Director of Fisheries Edward Honiwala flew into Munda in the afternoon flight and had only about an hour to make it to the official opening ceremony.

Last Thursday, the Ministry of Fisheries, Honiara–based industry members and Forum Fisheries Agency joined hands together to celebrate the day in Honiara.

The celebrations included a parade through Honiara’s Central Business Districts, speeches, canned tuna label draws, quizzes and Tuna dish competition with a radio talk back show on Sunday.

Following on from the excitement of that celebration, the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources delegation converged on the Tuna town with the same Tuna Message, which Minister Giro highlighted in his speech.

He reiterated the importance of Tuna to the economy of Solomon Islands and livelihoods of the people saying it is “our priced asset”.

“As the Minister responsible for Fisheries, I am happy once again, to announce our Theme for this years’ World Tuna Day; ‘TUNA…OUR PRICED NATIONAL ASSET’,” Giro said.

“The theme reflects the importance of Tuna to our National Economy and to our livelihood.   Tuna is our national asset with high value,” he added.

He told those that had gathered for the occasion which include the Western Province’s Provincial Secretary, Jeffery Wickham, Industry representatives and residents of the town, Tuna fisheries continue to grow and contributes significantly to our national GDP.

“In Noro, the fisheries and infrastructure developments are increasingly growing. Thanks to NFD Ltd and Soltuna, our two leading TIASI players in this sector,” he said.

 The Fisheries Minister also revealed that there has been a significant increase in employment in the tuna sector in the last 2 years.

He said more than 2,700 local people are employed, which from his Ministry’s record, shows more than 75% are employed in the processing sector and 25% in the fishing sector.

“We understand that, many more are employed indirectly through this sector,” he added. Meanwhile all activities organised for the celebrations ended on Sunday.

Source: MFMR

EDITORIAL- Let’s keep our guard on….

Written by
Brian Lezutuni
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TWO of 14-crew members of a vessel that arrived in Honiara last week have been tested positive for COVID-19.

The PNG-registered landing craft sailed from Lae under a private charter arrangement.

The COVID-19 Oversighted Committee vessel exemption committee was only aware of the arrangement when the vessel sailed into Point Cruz Harbour.

Immediately, and due to a serious threat, it ordered the crew members to undergo covid-19 tests.

Although all crew were tested negative before boarding in Lae, two returned with positive tests, prompting authorities to put the vessel into immediate quarantine.

Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare said in his nation-wide address yesterday:

“This vessel has been put into immediate quarantine.

“No one is allowed to board the vessel without the permission of the Incident Controller, and no one from the vessel is allowed to disembark.

“The two positive cases are currently isolated on the vessel, while our health team for execution develops a vessel and cargo containment and decontamination plan.”

This is a quite a shocking incident and one that could have resulted in the spread of the pandemic had the two crews were not detected.

It therefore calls for more stringent measures when it comes to foreign vessel arrivals.

Interestingly, this particular landing craft, MV Kopi Chief, came under a private charter that was arranged without the knowledge and approval of the Oversight Committee.

How could they do this?

Did the local charterer realize the risks it put on the country when they make the arrangement?

The threat from COVID-10 remains high. We just cannot let our guards down yet.

Government must continue to employ stricter and stringent measures at our borders to protect us all from COVID-19.

Any companies or individuals putting our country at risk must be dealt with promptly and severely.

Police assures continued support towards MCCC

Written by
Brian Lezutuni
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BY SAMIE WAIKORI

AUKI

AUKI Police has assured continued support in their partnership with the Malaita Christian Care Centre (MCCC) in Auki to deal with victims and issues of Domestic Violence on Malaita province.

PPC Malaita, Mr Stanley Riolo made the assurance during the official opening of MCCC’s newly completed facility in Auki over the weekend.

In congratulating MCCC for the achievement, Riolo highlighted that the facility is very important to police as they share similar a responsibility with MCCC when it comes to issues on violence.

“On behalf of the Commissioner of Police, we would like to thank MCCC for sheer hard work resulted in completion of the new care centre as witnessed,” he saluted MCCC.

Riolo said the expansion of MCCC from Honiara to Malaita province was made upon the high rate of domestic violence (DV) experienced in the province.

He said with that MCCC saw the need to expand its service to the province to provide care and a safe home for people or victims when it comes to DV or gender based violence against children, girls and women.

“On our side, we always work closely with MCCC to ensure victims are in safe environment and receive the service needed whenever at MCCC in Auki.

“And under the partnership, police will not only provide security to the care centre, but ensure whatever case comes before MCCC and police must go to court,” Riolo said.

On that note, he assured MCCC that the provincial police will continue to work together with them in the campaign to address DV issues in the province.

Riolo also made it clear that MCCC is not only for particular denomination, race or other distinctions, but for everyone who come across DV in the province.

189 in mandatory quarantine period

Written by
Brian Lezutuni
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King Solomon quarantine site .

BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO

A total of 189 quarantine occupants are currently serving their mandatory quarantine period at the Institutional Quarantine Facilities.

Pauline McNeil permanent secretary to Ministry of Health and Medical Services said the health team is still continuing to monitor the environmental health measures, the infection prevention control measures at the quarantine sites and also monitoring surveillance for people who are still staying at the quarantine stations.

“So right now as I speak there were about 189 people still serving their mandatory quarantine period,” McNeil said.

She adds by acknowledging those who continue to remain in the quarantine stations for their full cooperation with all frontline workers across the country.

Arthorny General John Muria Junior echoed the same sentiment.

Muria said quarantine is still running and 189 people still serving their quarantine period.

The statements were echoed over the weekend during the Oversight Committee radio talk back show on COVID-19 update in Solomon Islands

Sinopharm official launch this Friday: PM

Written by
Brian Lezutuni
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0

BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO

THE official launch of Sinopharm covid-19 vaccine is scheduled for this Friday following approval from the National Drugs Medicine and Therapeutic Committee.

Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare confirmed this yesterday in his national address.

Sogavare said the Covid-19 vaccination Technical Working group presented the proposal for the use and roll-out of the Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccine in Solomon Islands to the National Drugs Medicine and Therapeutic Committee.

He said following independent assessment the Committee (National Medicine and Therapeutic) granted the certification of the Sinopharm vaccine and approved its use and roll-out in Solomon Islands.

“I am pleased to announce that the Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccine will be launched this Friday the roll out will commence in Honiara.

“Since we only have 50000 doses of Sinopharm vaccine we can only vaccinate 25000 people because it requires two doses to be administered at an interval of four weeks,” Sogavare said.

MUP Assembly repeals WDA ordinance

Written by
Brian Lezutuni
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Makira Premier, Julian Maka'a

THE Makira Ulawa Provincial Premier, Julian Maka’a has informed visiting Minister of Provincial Governments and Institutional Strengthening, Rollen Seleso that his government had repealed the Ward Development Authority under the Community Governance Ordinance.

And he says the MUP Assembly has replaced it with Ward Development Committees.

Maka’a says a provincial planning team will soon travel to the Wards around the province to complete the formation of the Ward Development Committees according to the Minister of MPGIS’ guideline on participatory planning.

He says team members have just finished a-three-week training in Kirakira facilitated by the Ministry’s Provincial Capacity Development Fund.

But Premier Maka’a says “the Makira Ulawa Provincial Government will continue dialogue with the province’s four Members of Parliament to see how best we can use the provincial expertise to deliver services on their behalf and our people”.

Maka’a informed Seleso about the moves at the recent handover ceremony of an Eighty Beds Boys’ Dormitory and an Ablution Block to the Anglican Church of Melanesia’s run National Secondary School at Pamua, Makira on May 7, 2021.

By George Atkin,  Kirakira Correspondent

Star news ‘misleading’, claims Foreign Affairs

Written by
Brian Lezutuni
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0

THE Solomon Star news item on 14 May claiming that “no formal agreement between the US and Solomon Islands Governments is required for the SCALE program” is grossly misleading.

A statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and External Trade over the weekend rejected the news item, describing it as “ambiguous”.

The statement said Solomon Islands remain under a State of Public Emergency and has put in place specific requirements for all foreign partner nationals to satisfy before entering the country.

“The entry requirements include valid work permit and appropriate visas and mandatory pre-departure COVID-19 tests and specified health and quarantine requirements,” the statement said.

“The details are set out in the Travel Advisory 17 and 18 issued in March and April respectively by the Chair of the Oversight Committee,” it added.

“Solomon Islands welcome United States engagement in the country and look forward to supporting the SCALE program, the MCC Threshold Programme, and the re-establishment of the Peace Corp Volunteer Programme.

“The agreements and arrangements for the programmes are currently under discussion by officials of both countries and are expected to be completed soon.

“A general bilateral development framework between the two states is being proposed by Solomon Islands.

“Solomon Islands would like to see the bilateral relationship with the United States grow and build on cooperation and where respective laws of the both states are followed.

“Furthermore, Solomon Islands want to see the development assistance provided by the United States contribute to the social and economic development of the country.”

Kirakira bound airline goods tampered with

Written by
Brian Lezutuni
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0

OWNERS of goods in Kirakira, the Provincial Capital of Makira Ulawa Province, have complained that their goods airlifted on Solomon Airlines have been tampered with.

They complained that when their parcels arrived at Solomon Airlines’ Office at Ngorangora Airport Terminal, Kirakira, items have been removed.

They claim the items could not have been removed at Ngorangora airport terminal but from their original place of embarkation, which is at the Domestic Terminal at Henderson Airport.

They requested the airline workers dealing with cargoes that are bound for provincial airports to be careful, so similar incidents do not occur.

 By George Atkin  Kirakira correspondent

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