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Women empowerment – surprise donation to Seif Ples

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Press Release
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A Cheque of 15 thousand dollars was handed over to the Deputy Center Manager for Seif Ples, Mrs.Falu Maesugea by the staff of SITCO

SEIF Ples is dedicated to women empowerment especially those who have survived gender-based violences and require help.

Seif Ples was established in 2014, under the Ministry of Police and Justice and the Ministry of Health and Medical services to provide comprehensive care for survivors of Gender based violence (GBV).

Women empowerment nowadays is seen as key to economic growth, political stability, and social transformation. World leaders, experts and scholars alike are giving their voice to this critical endeavor. 

Women empowerment in Solomon Islands continues to be a challenge which many are committing to overcoming in order to improve the welfare of women and the nation as a whole.

The services provided by Seif Ples to survivors of GBV include; medical attention, physiological first aid, accommodation and a SafeNet hotline free call 132.

Seif Ples works in parallel with the Cristian Care Center in east Guadalcanal to provide accommodation for the survivors.

Due to the need and demand for a shelter for the survivors of GBV in other main provinces, the Christian care center have opened a second center in the Malaita province early this year.

The care Centers have played a tremendous role not only in accommodating the survivors but in providing good counseling and spiritual and emotion healing to the them.

The safe net initiative is one of the unsung heroes that have provided safety and comfort to thousands of GBV survivors.

This network involves, the church, the police, medical, and a whole community of care giver volunteers.

 Organizations like Seif PLES depend a lot on the community, Government, and private sector for donations to fund their programmes.

They very recently got a surprise donation from a women group working for Solomon Island Tobacco Company (SITCo).

SITCO though its DEW Programme, which is an inhouse development program for women, donated 15k to the Seif Ples organization.

During the hand over, the woman representative of SITCO, stated that Seif Ples gives hope for the women who are victims of Domestic Violence and Abuse. “It is a safe haven for women who are in need of support and healing”. There are different forms of women empowerment and an approach adopted by Solomon Islands Tobacco Company (SITCO) is to empower women through women.

This is carried out under the umbrella, Discover & Expand your Wings (dubbed DEW) which is an initiative taken by SITCO women to participate in motivational discussions with some of Solomon Island’s most inspirational women including, Ethel Sigimanu, Ethel Francis, Dr Alice Pollard and many some local female inspirations as well as diplomatic women such as the NZ High Commissioner, Her Excellency; Georgina Roberts and the Australian Deputy High Commissioner, Sallyan Vincent.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      

ROUGH TIME

Written by
Brian Lezutuni
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USP main campus in Laucala, Fiji.

Solomon Islands scholars fear as Fiji hit hard by dangerous covid-19 variant

BY JARED KOLI

Studies and living expenses are becoming tougher for Solomon Islands students as coronavirus cases continue to climb in Fiji.

A student at the University of the South Pacific (USP), Laucala campus, told Island Sun the second wave of the virus affected them physically, mentally and worse, prices of food in supermarkets have skyrocketed.

New cases are recorded every day in Fiji with over 700 active cases now in isolation since the re-emergence of the virus in April 2021. Forty-seven new cases were reported on Friday, and 105 cases alone yesterday, the highest daily cases recorded so far.

In the same month, the country’s Permanent Secretary of Health Dr James Fong confirmed that the highly dangerous and more contagious Indian variant of the coronavirus was discovered to be the variant infecting Fijians.

A number of students expressed to Island Sun the current situation they are facing is difficult and one that needs the government to seriously look into.

“Compared to last year, now it is totally different, life is hard here, the government need to think seriously about it,” said Bentley Dililibata, a USP Bachelor of Commerce student under the Solomon Islands Government scholarship.

“Mentally, students find it hard to cope with school work. When you are busy trying to get down with studies, and next is the Fiji Government announce several newer cases,” he said.

Dilibata said things are becoming expensive as well, and call on the government to seriously think about the situation the students are in.

A student residing in the USP Student Halls, Eugene Qavibatu said now students need to show a pass at the gate before they are allowed to go out to the supermarket for shopping, which is only allowed for an hour.

“Only super markets are currently opening doors for people but things are becoming more expensive, for example a 10 kilogram of rice which usually cost FJD$17 now costs $19, fruits such as orange which used to cost FJD$2.70 is now $4 to $5,” Qavibatu said.

“Everyone is complaining, fifty dollars now will enable you to buy just a few things compared to before the outbreak of the pandemic here,” he adds.

Another student at USP who wished not to be named, said the situation is not safe anymore, and all students have to abide by the health and hygiene protocols and follow strict measures imposed by Fiji authorities.

“We have to stay at home and only go out to the supermarket for food and essentials. We are getting tired of staying at home but we have to abide to Government strict measures in order to protect us as well.

“Worse is prices of goods have increased dramatically,” the student adds.

The student said students that are studying under scholarships funded by Tonga, Tuvalu, New Zealand and others have received allowance to support them during these hard times.

“For us SIG sponsored students, some of us are living on noodle and taiyo (Soltuna canned tuna) to survive each day,” the student said.

This newspaper was informed that a SIG students Covid 19 Task Force Committee have submitted a request to the Government to consider allowance for students affected by the covid-19 re-emergence battling Fiji.

Queries sent to the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education and Human Resources Development Dr Franco Rodie on the matter went unanswered over the weekend.

However, Island Sun was told that a Covid 19 Task Force Committee comprise of student leaders studying in Fiji institutions have submitted the request to the national government through the Education Attaché based in Suva, Fiji, Francis Tavava.

Similar request from Solomon Islands students in Papua New Guinea was also forwarded to the national government.

Fiji-based Solomon Islands Students Association President has asked this paper to follow up on the issue of Covid-19 allowance with the Education Attache in Suva for comments . Island Sun is following up on this issue.

In April 2020, when Fiji was hit by the first wave of Covid 19, SIG sponsored students studying in Fiji were given special Covid 19 assistance allowance. In May the same year, the assistance was also extended to private sponsored students.

According to a statement issued by Fiji Ministry of Health on Sunday Fiji recorded a total of 1118 cases in Fiji since the first case was reported in March 2020. There have been 312 recoveries and 4 deaths due to COVID-19. A total of 6 COVID-19 positive patients have died from pre-existing non-COVID-19 related illnesses.

APID takes legal action to reinstate West Rennell land.

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.

BY JARED KOLI

Controversial miner, Asia Pacific Investment Development (APID) is taking legal action against the deregistration of West Rennell Land and is appealing to defend the cancellation of its Mining Licence.

On October 19, 2020, the Registrar of land titles de-registered APID from West Rennell land Parcel No. 298-005-1 as the titleholder after much debate on the issue.

“… the deregistration of West Rennell Land Parcel Number 298-005-1, we would like to clarify that the matter is already before the court. APID’s Legal Counsel is currently working to get this Title reinstated soon its name through the legal process.

“Similarly, another appeal process is underway to defend the cancellation of the Mining Licence,” the company in a statement to Island Sun over the weekend, said.

It says the cancellation of its mining licence by the Minister of Mines only further complicated the current difficult situation already faced by the mining operation in west Rennell.

Responding to a front-page story by this newspaper on Tuesday last week, the logging turned mining company says any new mining application over West Rennell is illegal and cannot proceed or be processed until such time the issue of the cancellation of its mining licence is determined by the court.

On Tuesday last week, Director of Mines Nicholas Biliki said a new mining company, Nickel Exploration Solomon Islands (NESI) Limited lodged a new Prospecting Licence application for bauxite mining in Rennell Island.

NESI has come out publicly on this issue in a statement to Island Sun on Friday, June 11, confirming it had lodged two applications for prospecting on Rennell Island.

“Those applications have been lodged to the Director of Mines and are presently pending before the Board. The applications comply with the requirements of the Mines and Minerals Act and are to be assessed according to law,” it said in the statement.

NESI said it is a separate legal entity to APID who was the former holder of a mining lease on Rennell Island.

“APID’s mining lease has been cancelled. NESI’s applications were lodged after that cancellation occurred. Notwithstanding the cancellation of the mining lease, under the Mines and Mineral Act, the holder of the mining lease is still obliged to attend to any outstanding remediation works,” it said.

The statement adds NESI is supportive of the performance of rehabilitation works to remediate past extractive activities on Rennell Island.

It says none of its directors are the directors or former directors of APID, the former lease holder.

NESI said it has four directors, two of its directors are Patrick Wong and Fred Tang of Bintan Mining SI (BMSI) Limited.

“Mr Wong and Mr Tang both have valuable experience in mining. However, neither Mr Wong nor Mr Tang are shareholders of NESI. NESI has foreign investment approval and the financial support of its parent company, who has agreed to provide it with adequate financial resources to carry out effective prospecting operations,” the statement said.

Following recent media disclosure of NESI’s application, Erick Tema, a member of the West Rennell Land and Resources Owners Association came out to denounce any forms of mining operation in West Rennell.

Mr Tema told SIBC last week that NESI comprises of the same people with (BMSI) Limited that changed and registered its name again as NESI.

“The land is ours; we have reclaimed it from APID and will never let it again to foreigners,” Tema said.

However, NESI’s statement said their applications do not relate to the land which is registered to Erick Tema and family.

“Mr Tema has been a long-time supporter of mining on Rennell Island and has previously supported the mining endevours of Worldlink Resources Ltd and then later, Winning Resources, both of whom were foreign owned and controlled and have had their tenements cancelled,” it said.

The statement purported that Tema had recently supported another mining company named Florida Mine Investment Company Limited to undertake mining on the land which is registered to him and his family on Rennell Island.

Mines Director Biliki last week said he was not sure about their particular land of interest in Rennell that NESI is applying for the Prospecting Licence but said the application is for Rennell.

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.

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.

NHPL covid test soon

Written by
Mavis Podokolo
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BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO

THE National Public Health Laboratory (NPHL) will soon perform covid-19 testing for individuals who wish to fly out of the country.

This was confirmed by Vincent Suriga, laboratory science officer, NPHL, during a ground breaking ceremony of NPHL new office space last week.

 “National Public Health Laboratory is ready to run COVID-19 tests for those who will be flying out of Solomon Islands. The only delay we have at the moment is the positing of covid-19 testing equipment’s to meet covid-19 testing guidelines and protocols.”

He said the NPHL has a GeneXpert machine that will be used to carry out the test. The machines have four chambers but only two chambers are working at the moment.

He also said World Health Organisation (WHO) will fund a qPCR machine, its room is already made available at the NPHL.

“The only work left to do is positioning and arranging inside of the Laboratory to suite COVID-19 testing protocols before testing for covid-19 for those who wish to fly out overseas,” he said.

He stressed the laboratory will only conduct covid-19 test for those who will be flying out of the country. For incoming passengers they will be tested at the National Referral Hospital molecular lab.

Minister for Ministry of Health and Medical Services Dr Culwick Togamana also said the “GeneXpert machine is now ready, the cabinets installed, the reagents are already here  but it is positioning all the testing apparatus otherwise the NPHL is ready and equipped to start do the covid-19 testing it is only the matter of when”.

Mutual cooperation is vital for new university

Written by
Brian Lezutuni
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Arch-Bishop-Leonard-Dawea-dedicating-the-laying-of-the-foundation-stone-of-the-proposed-John-Coleridge-Patteson-University

BY JARED KOLI

The establishment of the John Coleridge Patterson University (JCPU) needs mutual cooperation with stakeholders.  

Archbishop of the Anglican Church of Melanesia (ACoM) The Most Reverend Leonard Dawea said mutual cooperation and partnership with genuine stakeholders such as the Solomon Islands and Vanuatu Government, overseas traditional partners, Guadalcanal provincial government, churches and local communities in such a national project is vital.

Archbishop Dawea said cooperation and partnership are effective conduits to development and success in any project undertakings.  

“Nothing can be difficult for a collaborative and supportive hands of friendly community that are always available to help,” he said.

The Archbishop said establishing a university is not an easy undertaking. It needs clear strategic outlook and positive mindset to pursue the project forward for accomplishment.

“But more so, I would like to think that the mutual cooperation and partnership with genuine stakeholders is vital.”

Dawea thanked responsible government ministers along with Guadalcanal Premier, chiefs and local communities who were present to witness the historic landmark ceremony on Saturday, marking the commencement of JCPU project at Kosu land in central Guadalcanal.

 He also pays a special tribute to former trustees of the land, and the landowning tribes who have been working together with the church and offered the land to be purchased for the establishment of JCPU.

Public advice on hygiene as diarrhoea cases soar

Written by
Mavis Podokolo
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BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO

PUBLIC are being strongly advised to continue practising health measures due to increasing number of diarrhoea cases recorded lately.

This call was made yesterday by the Permanent Secretary to Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS) Pauline McNeil in a radio talkback show on covid-19 update.

“Rotavirus is common amongst the children under the age of five. Hence, we want to again reach out to public to strongly advise you to continue to practise some health measures especially on regular hand wash after toilet, when preparing food you have your hands cleaned with running water with soap and also continue to ensure you boil your drinking water and properly cover your foods,” McNeil said.

She called on parents who have children with an age range between 10 and 14 weeks to receive rotavirus vaccine from the nearest health facility to be inoculated.

McNeil said the rotavirus vaccine was launched last year.

She reiterated that the Ministry of Health and Medical Service last week gave out an advisory alert in relation to the increasing cases of diarrhoea which was reported in Gizo, Western Province, Good Samaritan Hospital, Lata hospital and National Referral Hospital.

McNeil said the cases are being closely monitored.

She said out of the cases, six deaths have occurred, five were reported in Gizo and one in Guadalcanal.

“With the report on behalf pf the ministry I want to convey our sympathy to parents and who have lost their children last week,” McNeil said.

Covid fight is not over: PS McNeil

Written by
Mavis Podokolo
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BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO

COVID-19 fight is not over as increasing numbers of cases in Fiji and Papua New Guinea is still a concern for Solomon Islands, says Pauline McNeil.

Mrs McNeil, permanent secretary to the ministry of health, echoed this statement yesterday when speaking of covid-19 updates in the country.

“I want to say that the COVID-19 fight is not over yet with as number of COVID-19 cases is still increasing in two of our neighbouring countries in the region Fiji and PNG is a concern for us and so we all have a role to play

“I want to again reach out to everyone that we have our part to play. One of the part that you can play is to get vaccinated of COVID-19 if you are eighteen years and above,” she said.

McNeil adds, Solomon Islands is COVID-19 free for almost two months now. The last registered case which is the 20th case was reported over two months ago.

“I want to thank all front liners on Health, Camp management, our Partner ministries, police and biosecurity and customers who have continued to work together to try and address our ongoing efforts and for continuous prayers of family, friends and churches.

“I also thanked donor partners for their support in our response to fight against COVID-19,” she said.

McNeil further stressed that the Central Field Hospital (CFH) is still accommodating vaccination roll out.

The first dose of Sinopharm is still ongoing and second doses of AstraZeneca is recommencing as well.

“I reach out to people who yet to come for their second dose to come forward to get you second dose of AstraZeneca,” she said.

“For provinces West, Choiseul and Border their first doses complete their second dose will happened sometimes later this month.”

John Coleridge Patteson University creates future

Written by
Charles Kadamana
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Arch Bishop Rt Reverend Dawea, PS Dr Franco and Premier Francis Sade unveiling the official logo of the university

BY CHARLES KADAMANA

The proposed John Coleridge Patteson University will create a better future for future generations in the country, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry Education and Human Resources Dr Franco Rodie says.

He made the comment during the dedication and laying of the foundation of the university at Kosu land, North Guadalcanal on Saturday.

He said he is honoured to witness the laying of foundation of the university that will be established soon in the country.

Arch Bishop Leonard Dawea dedicating the laying of the foundation stone of the proposed John Coleridge Patteson University

He said this is not the first time for the Anglican Church of Melanesia to plant a seed in education.

“I am pleased that you have planted the seed because it means to me and my ministry that you are creating a future for our future generation.

St Nicholas choir participating in the ceremony

“We are creating futures but they have to determine the future that they want.

“It is our responsibility to create a future by establishing this institution so that they too can realise their full potential,” Rodie said.

He said the university once completed will create opportunities for future generation to access higher qualification.

Chief and landowners welcoming the guests and officials

He said it is important the country increased the participation rate of Solomon Islanders to do tertiary education.

He said the participation rate of Solomon Islanders in tertiary education is only 3.5 percent which is way behind compared to other pacific countries like Papua New Guinea, Cook Islands, Samoa and Fiji.

Arch Bishop Rt Reverend Leonard Dawea presenting Chupu to landowners

With the emerging university coming ahead he is looking forward for young generation to take up opportunity to access better education.

He acknowledges the landowners for recognising the important of education by allowing their land.

GP Premier commends churches for taking the lead in education sector

Written by
Charles Kadamana
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From left, Premier Sade, Minister Samuel Manetoáli, Rt Reverend Dawea and Dr Rodie cutting the cake

By CHARLES KADAMANA

Premier of Guadalcanal Francis Sade has commended the Anglican Church of Melanesia for taking the lead in investing in the education sector.

Speaking at the dedication and laying of the foundation stone of the proposed John Coleridge Patteson University in North Guadalcanal on Saturday, he said the first education institutions in the country were established by churches.

He said the government “came behind” and he wished to reiterate to the churches to continue taking the lead in education because “our country needs society that has values”.

He said his provincial government will continue to work together with churches to promote values and for that they are giving back some of the schools to be run by churches.

He said in most public schools the children are not behaving well compared to schools run by churches.

Guests make their way for the official ceremony

“I see in most public school, the children are not behaving as what we are expecting. We need our people to behave so that they respect each other and you can only find that on schools run by churches.

“I wish to congratulate every church in taking part in education sector of this country,” Premier Sade said.

He said his provincial government will continue to support and work with every education authority to make sure the partnerships with his government are strengthened so that everyone can deliver the education goal of the government in the country.

“With what we do here, I am proud that we continue to develop our country through Guadalcanal province and my government will continue to support in the development that is coming up and we will continue to render our support whether technical or in other areas where the churches need to work together in this university,” he said.

He encourages the community around the area of Malango and Tasiboko to respect the project.

He said the proposed university will benefit their future generation.

He said investment in education is one of the keys to sustainable development and so the community should take pride of it.

Farmers benefit from MAL rehab programme

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Press Release
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Assistant Field Officer Vulolo, Wendy Sikapu Hands over a chainsaw to a cocoa farmer Mr. John Manengelea of Gautina Village in Central Guadalcanal witnessed by GP Agriculture Extension Division Principle Field Officer Ms. Jemarlyn Tanhimana.

Two cocoa farmer groups in North and Central Guadalcanal are the latest beneficiaries of chainsaws under the Sustainable Economic Growth and Export Strengthening (SEGES) Programme of the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAL).

They are Samba cocoa farmers and John Manengelea from the Unity Cocoa Enterprise from Ghaobata and Vulolo wards.

Chief Field officer for Guadalcanal agriculture Extension, Joseph Wotomaru said the support was part of the cocoa rehabilitation initiative under MAL SEGES programme 2020 – 2024 which aimed at empowering farmers and buyers to improve productivity and revenue earnings.

He said the chainsaws will help the beneficiaries to maintain and rehabilitate their ageing cocoa farms to improve cocoa tree vigour and yield. “The chainsaws were given to farmers with farms over 20 years and trees over grown, purposely to conduct radical pruning.”


Extension Assistant Field Officer Ghaobata Moses Losi hands over chainsaw to Samba Cocoa Farmers representatives Ismael Boboli and Christian Bonai of Samba community, Ghaobata.

“Some smallholder cocoa farmers especially in Guadalcanal Province are not equipped with the necessary tools and practices to rejuvenate their aging cocoa farms and I believe such support would help them maintain and revitalize their old farms, than to establish new cocoa farms that would take up three to four years before yield.”

The four main objectives of the SEGES programme is to;

  • Make sure farmers, associations, producers, buyers and exporters are empowered to increase productivity and to increase revenue earnings.
  • Enhanced copra productivity through rehabilitation and support to CRB activities
  • Enhance Cocoa Productivity through Rehabilitation and Genetic improvements
  • Support Kava developments to increase productivity in all the Provinces

–MAL PRESS

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