Vaccination roll-out program at Luaniua in Ontong java last year.....Photo supplied
BY SAMIE WAIKORI
AUKI
People in Ontong Java, Malaita Outer Islands, are facing covid-19 risk head-on, and are calling on the national government to assist them.
Border crossers of the SI-PNG border arrive at the islands unchecked.
And, the local covid-19 committees of the Luaniua and Pelau have had to face them with no personal protective equipment (PPE).
Senior Administration Officer for MOI region under MPG, Mr Manford Kelaho said about five different boats had arrived at Luaniua through the SI-PNG border and were dealt with by the covid-19 committee in Luaniua.
Kelaho said most of these boats were alleged to have come from the nearby Tasman Islands, one was a foreign sailing boat.
He said their illegal entry and opening door for potential intrusion of covid-19 to their communities and country is a huge concern.
“Like, for the situations encountered, members of Luaniua covid-19 committee had taken the situations out of covid-19 protocol due to non availability of covid-19 equipment on the ground.
“One of the cases the committee found difficult to deal was those onboard of the sailing boat as they tried to communicate with them on the campaign, but they didn’t until the boat left after a week on the island.
“The possibility for illegal entry especially through Luaniua route via SI/PNG at MOI is prevalent as police border security only focus at Pelau route through the border,” Kelaho said.
On that note, he calls on responsible authorities to step up border security at MOI and equip both Luaniua and Pelau covid-19 committees with safety covid-19 gears.
Kelaho said the committees were established under directives from responsible government agencies.
The signatories to the arrangement sitting in front (from left) Minister for Communication and Aviation Hon. Peter Shanel Agovaka, New Zealand High Commissioner Georgina Roberts and Minister of Finance and Treasury Hon. Harry Kuma. Officials who witnessed the signing ceremony standing (from left) Joe McCarter NZHC, Moses Virivolomo PS MCA, Jimmy Nuake DS MID, McKinnie Dentana PS MoFT, Susan Sulu PS MNPDC, Australian High Commissioner Dr. Lachlan Strahan and Zubin D’Sousa NZHC.
A funding arrangement of SBD1.4 million to support provincial airfield upgrades at Seghe and Taro was signed on Monday at the New Zealand High Commission in Honiara between New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT), the Ministry of Communication and Aviation, and the Ministry of Finance and Treasury.
The agreement will enable major upgrades to provincial airports in Seghe and Taro, which will improve connectivity across Solomon Islands and increase economic development opportunities in Western Province and Choiseul. The arrangement signed on Monday will assist Solomon Islands Government officers, working with New Zealand as lead donor, to support the airfield upgrades, carry out monitoring, engage and consult with communities, and ensure social and environmental safeguards are in place.
The upgrades are currently estimated to cost around SBD240M, and include sealing and lengthening Seghe and Taro runways to make them all-weather and capable of landing the Dash-8 aircraft. The upgrades will be co-funded by New Zealand, Solomon Islands, and Australia.
High Commissioner Georgina Roberts noted the importance of partnership in delivering this critical infrastructure to benefit Solomon Islands communities.
“In taking on this large investment we seek to practice kotahitanga to draw strength from our diversity and acknowledge that all of us have a unique but complementary part to play to ensure successful delivery of these airfields.
“The arrangement signed today articulates and confirms Solomon Islands Government’s commitment to this project in partnership with New Zealand and Australia.”
Minister of Communication and Aviation Peter Shanel Agovaka acknowledged the hard work over the last few years from all parties to improve connectivity in Solomon Islands.
“Our domestic partners, the Western Provincial Government, Choiseul Provincial Government, respective landowners, and the travelling public are looking forward to the implementation and completion of the projects,” he said.
“The national government and relevant ministries remain committed to ensuring this priority infrastructure project is completed.”
PEOPLE of Pelau in ward 32 of Malaita Outer Islands are recipients under the Malaita government’s FAD programme.
Fishing aggregating device (FAD) are new inventions used to promote sustainable fishing, and Malaita province is utilising FAD across its communities.
Malaita government (MPG) this year has budgeted for six FAD, six to be installed at the mainland and one in its outliers, specifically Pelau, Ontong Java.
Speaking to this paper yesterday, Senior Administration Officer for MOI region under MPG, Mr Manford Kelaho said a team from MPG visiting Lord Howe communities last week installed the FAD at Pelau.
He said the people of Pelau are delighted to receive the FAD and thank MPG for the support.
Kelaho said this is the first of such fisheries project to reach Pelau and will be a lift to their habitual inshore fishing activities to off-shore activity.
Auki senior fishery officer, Mr Matthew Isihanua (right) assisted by villagers at Pelau in the FAD preparation.
The aim of FAD is to discourage fishing at inshore fishing grounds to avoid over harvesting and encourage offshore fishing.
Meanwhile, Kelaho said there are more such fisheries projects planned for Malaita outer islands.
He said the proposal is for two FADs and a fisheries centre for Luaniua. “Work is on the proposal and as it eventuates, it will be established.”
Kelaho said MPG is working tirelessly to ensure services is distributed equally to its people and part of it is now reaching the three wards in MOI.
Zaza Gina left and Fabina Lilo right with the owner of Hambere Village Stay Venty Maena in the middle at one of the single room guest house
BY BEN BILUA Gizo
OFFICERS from the Western Province Tourism Department took time out from office to visit operators yesterday.
The Officers, Fabina Lilo and Zaza Gina travelled to Kolombagara Island where they met with the owner of Hambere Village Stay after visiting a site that a local is planning to build a home stay at Sausaga village.
Hambere Village Stay guest houses. One of the guest house is still under construction
The visit is part of a series of visits that the Western Tourism Department had carried out since the beginning of this year.
Speaking to Island Sun, Fabina Lilo who is responsible for tourism operators in Kolobagara said the visit is a normal routine where her office rolls out on a daily basis.
Fabina and Zaza hike to one of the proposed tourim site at Sausaga village
She said the purpose of the visit is to encourage operators to continue with their business.
“We understand that our operators are badly affected by the COVID-19 and our presence with our operators is one of the strategy to encourage them.
A bay where yatches can hide from bad weather at Kolombagara
“Additionally, we also want to see how we can help our operators with trainings in preparation for the borders to open.
“Furthermore, we encourage our operators to improve their facilities so that they can tap the market when the border is open,” Lilo said.
She said her office will carry out an important training early next month and that the visits is to inform the operators about the training so as facilitating logistics to bring all the operators to Gizo for the training.
White sandy beach at Sausaga proposed homestay site
Owner of Hambere Village Stay, Venty Maena said he is happy to see the Western Tourism Officials visiting operators.
He said such visit encourages operators like himself to find innovative ideas that would improve his homestay.
Maena said COVID-19 has put operators in a position that they look at the future with nothing but darkness.
“We are suffering from this pandemic and seeing officials from the Tourism office in Western Province is a huge encouragement for us.
“From our discussions, we know that good things are coming and I must applaud our tourism officials,” he said.
Some of the bird species that attract tourists to visit Hambere Village Stay
This paper understand that Western Tourism Industry is looking at creating its own bubble to help tourism operators.
In an interview with Island Sun earlier this month, Fabina Lilo said the Go West Bubble is targeting domestic market especially Asian communities who have expressed interests to be part of the bubble.
“So, we are discussing the possibility to create our own bubble. This idea has been circulating within our partners and we are hoping to get thing started by August this year,” she said.
Breath taking view at the proposed Sausaga tourism site
Lilo stressed that Western Province has a lot to offer though tourism industry has been badly affected by COVID-19 border restrictions.
She said there are activities earmarked for the later part of this year and the proposed bubble will fall in line with the activities.
“In terms of activities, we have fishing competition which will be held next month followed by JF Kennedy Swimming competition on 2nd August.
“We also have the Lagoon Festival and other small events that are supposed to be held this year.
“However, these proposed events depend on fund, as we all know, the money side of this events are quite challenging due to the state of our economy,” she said.
Lilo said Western Tourism Division is trying its best to keep the industry alive though it’s been badly affected by COVID-19.
People of the Saroba and Quormi Tribes at the ceremony
Lofung disputing tribes reconcile
BY JARED KOLI
Disputing tribes of Lofung land, the site for the multi-million-dollar new Patrol Boat outpost in Shortland Islands, reconciled yesterday with assurance for the groundbreaking and development of the national project to proceed.
The disputing tribes, Gome, Quormi and Saroba tribes come to good terms and ironed out their differences with FAMOA Council of Chiefs, the FAMOA Trust Board and FAMOA Working Committee in what was described as a symbolic reconciliation ceremony witnessed by more than 200 people.
Chiefs, Elders, Women, Youth and Children from the disputing communities converged at Tuha to exchange traditional food and cash, shake hands, pray and smile to each other since the dispute that kept them away from each other, according to statement from the Government Communication Unit (GCU).
A FAMOA Chief shakes hands with a woman from the disputing party
“The symbolic ceremony now ironed out disputes regarding the land in question and gave assurance for the development to proceed,” it said.
Chairman of the FAMOA Council of Chiefs and Trust Board, Chief Lawrence Hotomo said the ceremony builds a bridge that now connect the disputing parties together, which gave the assurance to the Government and Donor partners the confidence the allow the project to proceed without disturbances over land.
“The ceremony shows the way forward for us people of Shortlands that our traditions are alive and well in settling our internal disputes.
“We are very happy that this ceremony helped us to come together to say sorry and accept each other once again to set the way forward for development in our Islands,” Chief Hotomo said.
Chief Morris Boch leads his people to say sorry at the ceremony
Quormi and Saroba tribes who claim land rights over the land had threatened to file a case in the High Court case against FAMOA Trust Board on reasons that the transfer of the registered land at Lofung in 2003 obtained by FAMOA Trust Board were done by unscrupulous means.
In a statement to Island Sun last week, the two tribes cautioned the Australian Government of releasing the fund for the project at Lofung because the site was still in dispute, and by doing so, would cause disharmony of peace among the people of Shortland Islands.
Another disgruntled Shortland man, Alisae Laore who also claimed landownership right over the land had also threatened to challenge the FAMOA Trust Board in court.
According to GCU, yesterday’s ceremony was “symbolic indeed” and gave more assurance and hope for the people at the common Western Border between Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea.
Chief Maurice Boch of Gome Tribe told the gathering that he and his people say sorry for their differences to the FAMOA and are now willing to sacrifice their patience and support to the National Border Security plans and economic development aspirations of the people of Shortlands.
“Our long Journey has come to the river where we shall cross over to the other side and work together with our Council of Chiefs and Trust Board to benefit our people,” Chief Boch said.
The ceremony was witnessed by visiting senior government officials, the police, FAMOA Chiefs and people of surrounding communities that expressed joy through traditional dancing and music.
Top leaders from the National Government and the Australian High Commission in Honiara are expected to attend the groundbreaking ceremony Wednesday this week.
Meanwhile, the historic ground-breaking for the new outpost will be held tomorrow Wednesday, 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 7 October 2019.
According to the Australian Government Department of Defence, this is part of its long-standing security cooperation with the Solomon Islands, underpinned by their bilateral security treaty.
“Defence’s support for a border and patrol boat outpost will enhance infrastructure and security cooperation between our countries, and support Solomon Islands’ border security. It aligns with the Solomon Islands’ three-phased approach to strengthen surveillance, response capability and protection of the western border.
The outpost will be used by the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) and other agencies in the country to support the people in western Solomon Islands.
The design will feature environmentally sustainable elements and will be appropriate to regional conditions, and will include a wharf capable of replenishing Guardian-Class patrol boats, accommodation buildings, and storage facilities.
THE covid-19 pandemic has forced people of Malaita Outer Islands to continue engaging in illegal harvesting of beche-de-mer to generate income to support their families.
According to Eddie Honwala, director for Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources, most of the illegally harvested beche-de-mer confiscated between 2020 and 2021, came from Malaita Outer Islands.
“Most of the individuals involved in the illegally harvesting of beche-de-mer are from Malaita outer Islands. With two foreigners residing in Auki. Of the two foreigners one has paid his fine and one case is still processing
“Between 2020 and 2021, more than 50kg of different species of beche-de-mer were confiscated from both individuals and companies,” Honiara said.
AE Ltd property at Rove, West Honiara. Robert Leeson
By EDDIE OSIFELO
A GROUP of men engaged by foreign consultant Dr Deogratias Harorimana vacated a piece of land they’ve been occupying for several years at the Rove seafront, last weekend.
The men left following an order AE Ltd, title holders of the land, issued against Deo’s illegal occupation of the site.
Deo and a company he reportedly established only on paper, Bay Complex Development, proposed to build a hotel on the site.
According to Robert Leeson, who posted on social media, Deo claimed to have already spent millions for the design of the hotel project.
In the design, Deo’s AIPF Ltd is designing the work for client, Bay Ventures Ltd.
However, Leeson claimed ‘Bay Ventures Ltd’ is a fake and illegal company that is not registered with Company Haus, and no records of it.
“Did Deo through AIPF developed this plan and marketed it for funding to construct a huge complex under the name of a fake/illegal company that he himself owns or a shareholder in?
“If AIPF is a reputable company, why associate with a fake company not registered? Authorities must investigate,” he stated.
Island Sun contacted AE Ltd but its officers decided not to comment, saying the matter “is no longer an issue since Deo’s men have already vacated the site”.
Deo opted not to comment as well, saying it is an issue to do with AE Ltd and not his company.
The Shadow Health Minister has called on the ministry of Health to ‘put its act together’.
This call follows worrying developments in the health sector including health workers not working together, and absenteeism at the national referral hospital (NRH).
The Opposition Spokesperson for Health and Member of Parliament for Ranongga/Simbo constituency Charles Sigoto calls on the Ministry of Health to make sure that the quality of our health care and services is not undermined in these trying times.
This call follows remarks by the Prime Minister in his national address on Monday,June 14, 2021 wherein he claimed that health workers are not working together, a statement also echoed by the Permanent Secretary, and the CEO of the National Referral Hospital, when appearing before the Bills and Legislation Committee, suggesting absenteeism in our top hospital is becoming a major concern, especially among the nursing cadre.
The Shadow Health Minister points out that in a country where doctors and nurses are scarce and overworked, these revelations are serious public concerns, adding that they indicate deeper disparities in the Health system which can undermine the key objective of providing ensuring that efficient and competent health care and services.
“Nursing care is an integral component of patient care and so it crucial that any issues affecting nurses are not taken lightly or ignored. The Ministry must be proactive in conflict resolution especially at this time where the COVID-19 thread is still high.
“Also, top management must ensure that practical systems are developed to ensure that all our nurses are on deck for front-liner roles as and when required but also giving them quality rest time. This is very important if we are to give true meaning to the slogan – IUMI TOGETA AGAINST COVID 19 slogan and keeping Solomon Islands COVID 19 free,” says Mr Sigoto.
“I wish to however commend the government and our frontline health workers for their efforts so far in containing and keeping the virus at bay. Improved communication lines with top management and operating systems will only improve these good efforts,” the Opposition MP adds.
Sigoto also urged all health workforce to exercise restraint and best judgment, adding that these are trying times but at end of the day, the interest of all our health patients and our all our people in keeping Covid 19 out of the country must be kept paramount always.
“This demands unprecedented levels of commitment and dedication and so it is important that due process is invoked to address grievances.”
Part of a group of Solomon Islanders who went under the Australian Seasonal Workers Programme and Labour Mobility Scheme. PHOTO AUSTRALIAN HIGH COMMISSION OFFICE
Leader of Opposition Matthew Wale has called on the government to take a more proactive approach to ensure more Solomon Islanders can exploit the opportunities offered by the Australian labour mobility schemes.
Responding to a report by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation that Australia is in desperate need for at least 26,000 farm workers right now, Mr Wale said the Solomon Islands government’s current approach is merely responsive and passive.
He says our government should be proactively seeking out where these 26,000 farm jobs are, who the farmers are, and working to recruit 26,000 young Solomon Islanders to match to this need.
The Opposition Leader says the government’s target of reaching 2,000 of our workers in Australia by the end of December 2021 is just not good enough in view of the number of farm jobs needed in Australia now.
Wale points out that for a truly proactive approach, the government should not administer the labour mobility schemes but totally contract the responsibility out to the private sector on an incentivised basis that rewards the contractor on the number of Solomon Islanders matched to employers in Australia.
He says to maximise job opportunities for Solomon Islanders in Australia under the schemes, it is important that Solomon Islands has capacity in Australia actively searching for such opportunities, adding that this is not being done at the moment, and he doubts a government department or unit could do such work.
“But this is what our young people desperately need to happen. Government is always going to be constrained by lack of resources, bureaucracy and red tape,” says the Opposition Leader.
Wale said it is tragic that the government seems unmoved in seeking to substantially increase the number of Solomon Islanders working in Australia, noting that our young people desperately need jobs, Australian farmers desperately need 26,000 workers right now, but our government only hopes to reach 2,000 of our workers in Australia by the end of 2021.
The Opposition Leader went on to add that “This is simply a terrible outcome for our people and economy. It is inexcusable in light of the need in both countries. There are no jobs for young Solomon Islanders in our own economy. In fact life has become very hard. There are many households that are struggling to even have one meal each day. There are many kids who are out of school because parents cannot afford school fees.
“Our government’s economic policies will not address these hardships. But one thing it can do is be more proactive is securing the farm jobs in Australia for young Solomon Islanders.
“It would go a long way toward relieving the hardships that families face, and improving cash flow through the economy from the remittances. It’s a no-brainer of a policy, but government needs to outsource this function if we hope to exploit these opportunities for our people,” the Opposition Leader adds.
