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VIEWPOINT- Virivolomo and his misconstrued facts

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Malaita's Political Advisor, Celsus Irokwato Talifilu

CELSUS TALIFILU

Brisbane

 

AVIATION Permanent Secretary Moses Virivolomo’s attempt to denounce what was said about his conduct in Auki is a desperate attempt to misconstrue real facts that were supplied to the premier from his executive in Auki.

My article was based on facts that the executive communicated to the premier and the premier further relayed them to me.

Though the premier and I were not present in Auki during the meeting, it is not difficult to get the facts from the executive in Auki.

Thanks to modern technology for allowing that to take place with platforms like WhatsApp, Signal, Telegram, and others.

We are no longer living in the 60s or the 70s so that communication would be difficult.

Even the astronauts are video calling from the international space station. So much for a PS that is responsible for Communication.

The executive has passed on the information regarding how the PS conducted the presentation and the discussions on the Fiu Bridge and they were unapologetic in describing how the PS was conducting the presentation.

It was a clear case of someone trying to coerce the executive into accepting the NSC choice which was clear from the presentation and discussion of a Chinese construction firm.

The premier believed in his Executive and what they communicated to him from Auki after their meeting with PS Virivolomo and his team.

What appeared in the article about PS Virivolomo was plain facts.

According to the Premier, he said that “If I am to believe whose story is factual; of course my Executive is the one that I am believing. The reason for this is simple. We have been together and have been truthful to each other under the solidary of MARA”.

It is unbelievable that the PS even went as far as saying that I made a claim that the Ministry has already awarded the contract to the Chinese Company.

Anyone who has not read my article would falsely be compelled to believe such ugly and twisted liars from the PS.

What the PS is doing is a clear case of using language aimed at creating a story out of thin air.

If one reads my article from the beginning to the end, you would not be able to find what is asserted by PS Virivolomo.

That I claimed the ministry has already awarded the contract to a Chinese firm. I never said that in my article.

The terminology that was used in the article was “Earmarked” not “Awarded”.

Earmarked would mean being proposed to whereas already warded is a done deal. The PS must stop from telling twisted liars to the public of Malaita.

PS Virivolomo continued to make further false statements and made them look like I was making these claimed.

For example, the PS said that the project was executed according to the World Bank procurement guidelines and not SIG procurements guidelines as I was alleging.

I did not allege that the procurement was conducted under SIG procurement guidelines. This is again unbelievable that the PS was not ashamed of saying such an untruthful statement.

In fact, in my article, this is what I actually said. “The MPG is watching this situation closely and the premier had already written to the World Bank for clarifications on its procurement processes that SIG is using for the Fiu Bridge”.

Where did I say the SIG procurement guideline was allegedly used?

Clearly, this was a deliberate and deceptive statement aimed to deceive the public to believe that I was the one who has not been telling the truth.

Which is totally false. The public must therefore be on the lookout for such manipulative and misrepresentation of facts by high government officers and their offices.

There is further manipulation of facts by the PS in regards to this story.

For example, the PS said that I personally emailed the World Bank directly making allegations of malpractice in the procurement.

This is again an outright misrepresentation of facts.

The email I sent was not a personal email from me. I was given instructions by the premier to send that email and especially the attached letter from the premier to the World Bank.

The PS was cc’d in the email and the email was so clear. Nothing personally from me to the World Bank.

As one can see from the email that is provided at the end of this article, I have not made any demands for retendering as alleged by PS Virivololo.

These are nothing but made-up statements to turn attention from the real issue.

The real issue was that his actions in Auki were an attempt to coerce the MPG Executive to agree to their proposal. That however did not happen.

This is a copy of the first email that I sent as instructed by the premier. Without the name of the World Bank officer on:

13 May 2021

Dear……………………..

I have been given clear instructions by the Premier of Malaita Province, Hon Daniel Suidani to send you this very important email.

Attached to this email is the letter of concern from the Premier and his government regarding the SIRAP program and its component in Malaita Province.

Grateful if you could confirm receipt of this email.

Kind regards

Celsus Talifilu

This is the second email that I sent, again under the instruction of the premier.

Dear ……………

See below is the email that the premier had sent to you. He was not sure whether the email had reached you or not and have asked me to send it again.

Regards

Celsus

Where in these two emails have I demanded the World Bank for a retender? There was none because I never said such a thing in any emails to the World Bank.

As to the PS of MID he did not even attend the meeting with the Executive at the assembly chamber.

According to the Executive members in Auki, the PS of MID was late to attend the meeting with the executive.

When he showed up, the meeting was over. He only joined the Executive for the lunch.

This is from a man who professes to be a Malaitan yet failed his responsibility by not attending the meeting he was purposely there in Auki for.

It is surprising that such a character still has the audacity to come out loud in the media and yet failed to attend the meeting.

In fact in the exchange of emails between the World Bank, PS of MID said this in one of his emails. “Thank you so much Celsus for your email. Just to remind your good self that our meeting in Auki is just a normal meeting business as usual.

“We have decided to hold this meeting out of Honiara and we agreed to hold it in Auki purposely to visit the roads and see for ourselves the very poor conditions of the Malaita roads.

“We should have held this meeting elsewhere, however, visiting the roads and bridges is paramount to this meeting.”

Contrasting what the MID PS said in this email and this public statement, see for yourself the difference.

I hope they did as PS MID stated in his email “Visiting the roads”. After all, he was late for the all-important meeting.

The outburst from the two PSs seemed unfortunately the work of some other people.

It’s time the public must be made aware that there is an elephant in the room.

Family Support Centre assists in reviewing Moli ward by-laws

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Caption of FSC staff and Counsel Rodger Tovosia 3rd from left with the Moli Ward Chiefs and participants during the Moli Ward bylaw review.

THE Family Support Centre (FSC) office recently conducted a workshop in Sukiki village, East Guadalcanal with the view of reviewing the Moli Ward by law.

The review of the by law was done 10 years since it was passed in 2010.

The review was supported through financial assistance from the Human Rights Social Development (HRSD) under the Pacific People Advancing Change (PPAC) annual projects.

The workshop was attended by the Moli Chiefs Council and respective tribal chiefs within Moli Ward. Three staff members from the Honiara FSC office together with a Senior Lawyer from the Rodger Tovusia Law Chamber, Rodgers Tovusia conducted the workshop.

The workshop was mainly to review the Moli Ordinance and include the Family Protection Act 2014 provisions on issues relating to Domestic Violence.

Hilda Mungale, FSC Senior Training and Communication Officer said the purpose of the workshop was to get feedback from the Moli chiefs council and tribal chiefs to enable the review of the Moli ward by law.

She said the feedback was helpful to assist in drafting and passing a more inclusive ‘Moli Chiefs Council Ordinance’ which recognizes, protects and empowers the rights of girls, women, children and people with disability.

By getting the feedback from the Moli Ward Chiefs Council and tribal chiefs the draft of the review will be produce and will be disseminated to the Chief Councils and the tribal chiefs of each communities in Moli Ward to look at first before amending the final draft.

Mrs Mungale said the review of the by law is one of the initiative of the FSC advocacy campaign to make sure women and girls and children are well protected, respected and valued in their respective communities.

Senior Lawyer from the Rodger Tovusia Law Chamber Rodger Tovusia who guided the team to facilitate the discussion on the review of the by law said awareness about the review should be conducted in each community in Moli ward after the review.

Mr Rodgers said the chiefs are part of the law-making process in the community. They formulate laws, make decisions and protects everyone according to the custom and culture of the people in Moli Ward.

“Chiefs are also the implementers to the Moli Chiefs Council Ordinance ensuring the rights of the girls, women and people with disability are recognised and protected”.

Source: Family Support Centre, Solomon Islands

MPA calls for more donor support for Choiseul

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Alfred Pagepitu
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Unfenced Taro Market with uncollected rubbish. An anti-social behaviour hot spot after 6pm.

BY ALFRED PAGEPITU

CHOISEUL’S Provincial Member, Clement Kengava has called upon donor partners to increase funding and support to his province.

The MPA for Tavula ward and former Parliamentarian made the call after what he described as lack of will by the current provincial executive to look after the environment and infrastructure especially around the provincial capital, Taro.

He said other sister provinces are developed with more donor support, especially in looking after the environment compared to Choiseul.

“After almost three years in office, Choiseul Province, under the leadership of Qoloni Executive, has failed to attract the support of donors and national ministerial projects.


Uncollected rubbish between shops in Taro business centre.

“This is because there is no visionary approach to develop the Province,” he added.

“Since coming into power in July 2018 the Qoloni led government has made no outright decisions to improve infrastructures in health, education and administrative facilities in the Province,” Kengava said.

Kengava explained that so far, all that was approved in the last two financial year budgets (2019 & 2020) are either unfinished PCDF projects, mostly from the Executive members wards, Ward Development Grants of only mere $100,000 per Ward but controlled by the Planning Division of the Province and never-started Choiseul Bay Township Projects (MPGIS controlled project).

He added that there is virtually no new donor direct funded project negotiated and secured by the current Qoloni Government to date.

Kengava said that a good example of an area needing donor support is for a rubbish collecting truck for Taro Station, the provincial capital.


Overgrown bushes between the Police Station and Taro wharf area

He said the Japanese Government is very supportive of such a cause for a healthy, clean environment and the Premier should take the initiative and seek assistance in this area.

“Currently, the amount of rubbish and overgrown bushes in the station has overpowered the Works Division of the Province.

“With Taro being declared an emergency zone under the COVID 19 Pandemic State of Emergency, the Qoloni Government must ensure the island capital station is clean, and free from overpopulation,” Kengava said.

Health condemns attack on St John Ambulance

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St Ambulance that was hit by rock throwing incident along Tamboko road. Lucky no major damage.

THE Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS) condemns in the strongest possible term the disrespect and disregard displayed towards the important service that St John Ambulance is providing for our communities by few members of the public.

This statement followed a rock- throwing incident possibly involving youths under the influence of alcohol that occurred near the Tamboko road turnoff , west of Honiara, at a passing St John Ambulance over the weekend as well as similar incidents in the past.

Douglas Kelson, head of St John Ambulance said that the incident was not the first and the continuous occurrences of such incidents is slowly taking its toll on staff willingness to serve outside of Honiara especially at night times.

“There are some staff who are being traumatized by such incidents nevertheless when the need arises,” Kelson said.

“There is no other options but to brush aside our fears and continue to do our job therefore we need support from our community chiefs, elders and leaders including parents and guardians of our community youths,” he added.

The ministry said the emergency health transport St John Ambulance provides is very specialised and unique.

“Once disrupted, it can cost lives and disrupt future ambulances services to these areas where such incidents occur,” the ministry said.

“We a duty towards our partnership agreement with St John Ambulance to ensure safety of St John Ambulance personnel and volunteers.

“Therefore, if such incidents continue, we may suspend ambulance services to these areas thus in the best interest of all communities to ensure that St John Ambulance can move freely without fear and threat of rock throwing in between and to and from our communities.

“Community chiefs, leaders and elders including parents and family members are urge to work together to build respect of community youths for such services provided by St John Ambulances including all other health services and facilities.

“It could be your family member or friend that is next in line to be shuttled to the nearest appropriate health facility via the St John Ambulance thus such incidents should be prevented by all means,” the ministry said.

Strengthening democracy through inclusive elections

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Six of the seven people with disabilities who were accredited as electoral observers to monitor the national general elections. Photo: UNDP

BY UNDP Solomon Islands

INCLUSIVE democratic development requires that all segments of the society, including disadvantaged groups such as the poor and the most vulnerable, have a meaningful voice in decisions affecting their well-being.

Yet, all over the world, people with disabilities are often overlooked.

The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that 15 percent of the world’s population have a disability, with 80 percent of these persons living in developing countries.

In April 2019, the UN Development Programme in Solomon Islands through the Strengthening the Electoral Cycle in the Solomon Islands Project (SECSIP) contributed in building a bridge of inclusion in the electoral cycle.

For the first time, seven people with disabilities were accredited as electoral observers to monitor the national general election.

During the November 2020 by-elections, twelve (12) people with disabilities (PWD) were engaged as elections observers to support conduct inclusive and transparent elections.

Participation in electoral observation has a positive impact in social inclusion and is also a step forward towards a stronger democracy.

UNDP continuously supports the Electoral Office social inclusion efforts’.

This involves designing and implementing campaigns that target different age groups, that take into account gender perspective and particular groups such as electors living with a disability.

The participation of PWD as electoral observers has been a positive step and the Electoral Office will endevour to continue expanding the involvement of persons with disability throughout the electoral cycle.

Meet these election observers who help the Electoral Office conduct inclusive elections, leave no one behind, and get inspired by their stories.

Bridging the gap: why it is important to involve people with disabilities in election processes?

Elena Kelly from the Guadalcanal province, 23, was born with a physical disability on her leg.

Since her childhood, she needs the support of a crutch to walk.

She applied to be an observer and was accredited by the Electoral Office to observe the 2020 by-elections.

“At the beginning I felt a bit scared. Scared and proud because as a person with a disability conducting electoral observation, I felt that I was also representing my community, my people in an important activity.

“We have never had anything like that before, and this was exciting.”

Ms Kelly was an observer at Honiara High School, and she agrees this is a big step towards inclusive elections. She saw other persons with disabilities motivated and encouraged to come and vote, for some this was even the first time in their lifetime that they were voting.

“I was delighted when one woman came to me and said that she’s impressed and inspired by us. At that moment, I understood that by showing others how strong I am, I inspire both disable and able people to make our country better, more inclusive.”

“My main recommendation would be to prioritize the participation of people with disabilities and the elderly in election processes because involving people with disabilities helps to understand how social inclusion is key to democracy-building in the country.”

Accessibility as a big part of

successful and inclusive elections

Shadrack Timothy from Malaita province, 21, has a physical disability which requires him to use a wheelchair.

He was a member of the group of domestic observers who monitored the 2020 by-elections in Central Honiara Constituency. 

He believes that this initiative is an example of mainstreaming social inclusion in all aspects of Solomon Islands society.

“My heart belongs to people with disabilities. I know that being a part of this community gives me the responsibility to change other people’s lives, to encourage other people with disabilities to stand up, take action and raise the voice for our community.”

By empowering persons with disabilities to take their place alongside other citizens and ensuring each polling station is accessible for everyone, barriers are broken down, and equality is promoted. Having observers with disabilities conducting electoral observation at polling stations provides a valuable opportunity to reduce stereotypes.

Developing inclusive leadership

 skills for boosting democracy

Jeminah Otoa from the Malaita province, 22, was born with a physical disability on her hand. She joined the election observers’ group in 2020 by-elections and would like to participate again as an observer in future elections.

“I truly believe that our [people with disabilities] participation gave people hope and trust in our nation’s future. Not only because when they see us, they get inspired because they feel we are both ready for a new future, a more inclusive future.”

Making every voice heard from Pidgin

Hearim vois blaus evri wan

Francis Paul from the Malaita province, 30, lives with hearing impairments.

He was accredited to join the observers’ group in the recent 2020 by-elections. 

He considers that this was a great opportunity to visualize and ‘hear’ the voices of the deaf.  

“It is crucial to take people with disabilities perspective into account before and during the election period and make it fully accessible for deaf voters through sign language.

“It is only in this way that people with hearing impairments can equally exercise their right to vote in elections and participate in the political decision-making process without discrimination.

“Taking the opportunity to serve as an election observer, I felt like how important is that political groups and government institutions provide information that is accessible to all to allow electors to make informed decisions.”

The 2020 by-elections, where people elected the members of parliament for the constituencies of Central Honiara and North East Guadalcanal, was a milestone for the people with hearing impairments.

Two deaf representatives were involved in elections’ observation, including two sign language interpreters.

“I think that involvement of people with disabilities in electoral observation is only a start that may help to realize what can be done in the future to build an inclusive country where everyone is equal.”

Nothing about us without us

Melvina Voua from Marau, the Guadalcanal province, 28, has a physical disability.

She was accredited as an electoral observer during the last year’s by-elections. Like the majority of the PWD observers, this was the first time to have this opportunity. 

“It’s crucial to involve more and more people with disabilities in democratic processes. This is empowering both the PWD and the country. We want to be seen the same way as others, and we want to be treated equally.”

Elections provide a unique opportunity to change public perceptions about the abilities of persons with disabilities.

The active and visible involvement of PWD also assists to lay the foundation for their engagement in their communities enhancing their social and economic integration.

  • The UNDP Strengthening the Electoral Cycle in the Solomon Islands Project (SECSIP) supports the national authorities to conduct credible and inclusive electoral processes with the overarching objective of strengthening the link between elections and other key governance processes and institutions contributing to social cohesion and the development of a pluralistic society. This project has received financial assistance from the Australian Government, the European Union and UNDP.

SPAR OVER NORO

Written by
Alfred Pagepitu
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Lands chief McNeil faces criminal complaint

BY ALFRED PAGEPITU

PARI Development Company Limited has reported a criminal complaint against Commissioner of Lands, Alan McNeil to Central Police Station.

In a letter sent to police on Friday, May 21, PARI Managing Director, Donald Bato said the complaint relates to certain false statements made under oath in a Sworn Statement filed in the High Court by McNeil.

Bato said the false statement relates to paragraph 9 of the sworn statement by McNeil when he said the Pari Development Company Ltd has already sold its Fixed Term Estate in Parcel Number 098-016-1 to Pacific Everest Company Ltd on March 7, 2018.

This relates to a land on Noro, Western Province.

He said at that time McNeil made the sworn statement, the fixed term estate was registered in the name of Pari Development Company Ltd, and has never been sold nor offered for sale to Pacific Everest Company Ltd.

“As the Commissioner of Lands, McNeil would need to grant his consent for the sale,” Bato said.

“McNeil knew or ought to have known that no sale could be affected without his written consent,” he added.

Bato said McNeil’s consent would have been given upon a request by either Pari Development Company Ltd or Pacific Everest Company Ltd.

However, when Island Sun contacted McNeil yesterday, he said he stands by his sworn statement.

SICCI: we need enforcement in order to create ‘level playing field’.

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Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare and SICCI Chairman Ricky Fuo’o.

SOLOMON Islands Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SICCI) says it is supportive and encouraged by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) intention to closely monitor policy and legislation implementation.

This, according to the Chamber, is very relevant because in many areas, Solomon Islands have strong and fit-for-today regulations and policies but lacks enforcement and implementation.

‘A level playing field’ continues to be a SICCI concern, as it is important that businesses coexist in a spirit of competition all the while complying with Government legal framework.

Some examples where compliance is expected is in fulfilling company obligations as regulated by Government, adhering to tax regulations and complying with Occupational health and safety standards.

During the Prime Minister’s Business Breakfast event SICCI hosted on Friday 21st May for members of the business community, SICCI Chairman, Ricky Fuo’o took the opportunity to highlight that the Private Sector is keen to work with Government to ensure a ‘win-win’ outcome for both parties through all economic activities.

“Where we get really constrained is when we do not have the same treatment for all businesses,” he said.

“This impacts the affected businesses, dilutes the investment climate for new entrepreneurs and stains the social ecosystem by demonstrating the wrong example when ‘rogue operators’ thrive,” Fuo’o added.

An example is the shipping industry being heavily dominated by foreign players who are slowly driving out local service providers in the industry.

In June 2020, SICCI organised a roundtable involving both private sector and Government bodies to discuss ways in which Government can maximise its opportunities for revenue collection from businesses.

By doing this, SICCI aims to promote an environment where business confidence can increase because of a level playing field.

In August 2020, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Finance shared with the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) in Parliament the importance to tackle leakage of Government revenue.

Fuo’o said there was a clear call to enforce all legal standards for operating businesses in Solomon Islands.

“We do not need new legislation – we need enforcement. – we need fair tax collection from all operating parties.

“We need close watch and corrective measures so that money does not get out of this country rather gets reinvested,” he said.

Fuo’o added it is important to note that SICCI looks forward to Government’s support to allow local businesses thrive in the country.

“Because all the local businesses are here to stay and work hand in hand with Government toward the path of development and progress under the theme ‘Iumi ‘Tugeda.

“In these current unprecedented times where the whole world is suffering from economic challenges, it is imperative for us to protect our local businesses and the private sector in general, with a view to protect local employment.

“This will ensure money circulation to the grassroot level even in rural economies and allow Solomon Islanders survive, if not thrive, in such trying times,” the SICCI Chair said.

Speaking during the event, Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare said the DCGA continues to support private sector development through productive sector re-direction policies.

“Investment opportunities crafted under the re-direction policies enables small and medium enterprises to mitigate the negative effects in the pathway for recovery and sustainable growth of the economy for better well beings and livelihoods.

“The Government re-affirms its support to provide safe environment for business developments and continue to support businesses to recover and stabilize cash flow in the economy,” the Prime Minister said.

– SICCI Media

Sade-led gov’t settles workers NPF arrears

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GUADALCANAL Province under the leadership of Premier Francis Sade says it has cleared $3 million outstanding National Provident Fund (NPF) arrears for all its workers last week.

And a statement from the province says this was a milestone achievement for the Sade-led Government for Inclusive Change and Sustainable Development (GICSD).

“This settlement was confirmed by the SINPF Enforcement Officer who deals with the Guadalcanal Provincial Government arrears via an email,” the statement said.

“In retrospect, these GPG arrears from SINPFs had dated back to 2016,” the statement added.

“Due to the surcharges the debt continued to be accumulated over the course of 6 years, until the GICSD had improved the Financial and Treasury Division and settled the long outstanding debt last week.”

According to the GP Finance and Treasury Division, previous attempts to settle the debts were inconsistent due to lack of proper and strong compliances to will for debt servicing within the division.

“In terms of the provincial debts in general, the GICSD had inherited almost more than $20 million debts since the 2019/2020 FY.

“As a result, debt servicing made the biggest percentage of the three previous financial budgets (2019/2020, 2020/2021, and 2021/2022), in terms of the recurrent expenditures.

“To make matters worse, the negative economic impacts of Covid-19 on the national GDP growth, especially the projected 4.3 percent decline from last year, and the recent budget cut by 12.7% in the 2021/2022 FY from the national government, are the major challenges facing the GICSD to declare the province debt free by 2023.

“Despite these economic challenges, Premier Sade was determined that his current Executive will continue its debt-servicing strategy.

“We have to acknowledge that despite the inherited debts of more than $20 million and the current negative impacts of Covid-19 on our economy, we still maintain our debt servicing strategy.

“It is a matter of continuation of strengthening our financial treasury division and maintaining a strong workforce to increase our local revenues in our productive sectors,” Sade explained.

Furthermore, he said new (debt) claims submitted from individuals and businessmen dated back in the late 2000s had also recently emerged.

“However, some of these claims look dubious and the GP Legal and Policy units are in the process of ensuring their legitimacies.

“The GP’s biggest creditor is the Solomon Islands National University (SINU) due to its previous provincial scholarship arrangements.

“It is estimated that GP still owes SINU $4 million from its almost $8 million debt.

“Consequently, the GICSD will be improving its local revenue collections by the second (2nd) quarter of this 2021/2022 FY.

“So far, this is the only strategy to achieve its debt servicing.

“In summary, based on previous appropriation ordinances (financial budgets), the GICSD is the first Executive to vigorously pursue debt servicing.

“Hence, the settlement of the GP’s NPF arrears is an obvious proof to that.”

Priority groups to receive SinoPharm vaccine: PM

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Mavis Podokolo
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BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO

SINOPHARM covid-19 vaccine roll-out planwill prioritise the remaining covid-19 operations frontline workers and support staff in Honiara and the provinces, including essential workers.

This was confirmed by Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare during the SinoPharm vaccine launch.

“SinoPharm roll out with also be in line with the COVID-19 Vaccine National Deployment and Roll- Out Plan that was also used in the roll out of AstraZeneca. We will continue to prioritize remaining COVID-19 operations frontline workers and support staff in Honiara and the provinces, including essential workers,” Sogavare said.

He stressed there are also some of our students who plan to return to China for study including other Chinese nationals who plan to travel to China thus will be offered the Sinopharm Vaccines.

“People above 40 years of age and those with co-existing other diseases will also be included in the roll out following the first group to be covered. We will also take into consideration other factors such as operational and logistic issues in roll out of this and other vaccines so as to provide most benefit to our populations,” Sogavare said.

He said the 50,000 doses of Sinopharm vaccine will be administered to 25,000 people because it requires two doses to be administered at an interval of four weeks.

“Meaning those who receive their first dose of SinoPharm will in less than four weeks receive their second dose to complete their COVID-19 vaccination,” Sogavare said.

Minister for Health and Medical Services Dr Culwick Togamana encouraged the priority group to come forward to get jabbed when their turn comes.

“This vaccine is authorized for use in people 18 years and above. People with existing co-morbidities are encouraged to get the vaccine on a priority basis,” Togamana said.

Mala stand may affect Fiu bridge, says Nuake

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Eddie Osifelo
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Existing Fiu River Bridge

By EDDIE OSIFELO

THE “controversy” surrounding the upgrading of Fiu Bridge in Malaita province may affect the project in the long run.

This was after Malaita Provincial Executive decided not to accept the winning bidder, China Harbour Engineering Company, to upgrade the bridge.

The project is part of the World Bank funded Solomon Islands Road Aviation Project (SIRAP).

Government, through the Ministry of Infrastructure Development (MID) met with the Malaita Provincial Executive on Tuesday last week and has threatened to pull out the project component if the Malaita Executive did not accept the Chinese company.

The Malaita Executive held a meeting later and decided that the Fiu bridge component be re-tendered since the province was aware that even the Chinese Company’s bid was over and above the 10% variation threshold.

In this regard, the Executive said that it is prudent that the Fiu Bridge Component and the other 2 or 3 bridges be tendered together again.

Also, the province continues to stand by the spirit of the Auki Communique to ensure that developments in Malaita province when it comes to roads and bridges are of quality and not sub-standards.

That means companies responsible for the construction of such infrastructures must have good and reputable backgrounds.

However, Deputy Secretary of MID, Jimi Alelamalei Nuake posted on social media that even if retender no other international companies will bid due to covid restrictions.

Nuake said only companies currently in country will bid.

“Unfortunately for Malaita most of these companies that will meet World Bank criteria for such big projects include these Chinese companies.

“Kitano, a Japanese company, unfortunately are not interested given the work load they are already facing,” Nuake added.

Nuake said if people are worried about quality, the Fiu Bridge is designed by SMEC, an Australian consultant using Australian Standards.

He said they will also closely supervise the construction work.

Furthermore, Nuake said funding for the Fiu Bridge is also from Central Government under the Economic Stimulus Package.

He said re-tendering will also “significantly delay the project by at least 6 to 8 months and what if no one else bid for the work after retendering?”

“The funding may then be redirected to resurface the international airport runway which has been put on hold under this project in order to address Fiu Bridge,” he added.

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