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Guale MPs told to assist address provincial issues

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GUADALCANAL Premier Francis Sade calls on the province’s MPs to help the provincial government address issues of concern to the province, rather than trying to destabilise his government.

Premier Sade says Guadalcanal MPs should use their position of privilege and power to help his government with development issues that will positively impact the lives of their people.

“According to the 2012/13 Household Income and Expenditure Survey report, Guadalcanal Province was categorised as the second poorest province in the country,” Sade said.

“ur provincial government is doing all it can to address the issues raised in that report,” he added.

“The best thing our MPs could do is work with my government to address these issues, especially to reduce, if not eradicate, poverty by 2030 as stated in the national government’s policy and reflected in the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) that Solomon Islands is a signatory to.”

Premier Sade states his government is cognizant of the fact that despite Guadalcanal Province being the largest in terms of land area and an economic powerhouse for the country, it remains one of poorest in terms of services and opportunities available to people.

He raises concern about the minimal funding to provincial government through the Provincial Capacity Development Fund (PCDF) while much of the development funding is via MPs through the Constituency Development Fund (CDF).

The Premier also expresses concern about the cuts to the Service Grant and PCDF budgets for the 2021/2022 financial year.

He points out that “service projects such as clinics, area health centres, school buildings, and market houses around the province are funded largely through PCDF, rather than the CDF.”

Premier Sade says he had raised concerns about “national projects” in the province because he wanted to ensure such projects benefit Guadalcanal people.

“I was advocating for the province and therefore do not see how my leadership is a threat to the Guadalcanal Province,” Sade says.

“My government is doing its best, with the limited power and financial and other resources to ensure Guadalcanal Province and addresses our people’s needs.”

The Premier says he is concerned that some Guadalcanal MPs may have become entangled politically and financially in businesses involved in these ‘national projects’ and that has clouded their judgement.

Premier Sade says the Guadalcanal Provincial Government has and will support national projects provided they also benefit Guadalcanal people.

On the Tina Hydro, Premier Sade explains that the Guadalcanal Province had assisted the national government by wavering over $6 million in property rates to fast track the national project.

This was despite the fact that the money could have been used to pay off debts that his government inherited from previous provincial governments, which included three current MPs and Cabinet Ministers.

“We are struggling to pay off those debts while doing a favour to the national government by wavering potential income just to ensure this national project succeeds,” says Premier Sade.

He explains that with regards to the Pacific Game 2023, when the national government requested Guadalcanal Province to allocate a plot of land in the Alligator-Tenaru area in 2019, the provincial government requested the national government first facilitate the payment of more than $10m that Levers Solomon Limited (LSL) owed to the province in land rentals.

The national government ignored that request.

Premier Sade states that while his government values the Joint Coordinating Committee Meeting (JCCM) which facilitates meetings between Guadalcanal MPs and the Provincial Government, past experiences have shown that despite their promises to assist the province, the MPs have either been reluctant or disingenuous.

The premier urges Guadalcanal MPs to work with the Guadalcanal Provincial Government to address development issues in the province and assures Guadalcanal people that neither he nor his executive is a threat to the province.

Disaster, child and gender training in Weather Coast

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Mr. Dickson Ruga (red shirt) -Chairman of Balo Village Disaster Risks Committee receiving a certificate of completion from Hon. Jerry Sabino MPA for Moli ward.

A TEAM comprising of World Vision Solomon Islands staff and partners has conducted a training on disaster ready, climate change, child protection, People with Disability and gender issues at Weather Coast of Guadalcanal.

 The training was conducted last week at Balo village to 51 residents of Moli Ward, Tetekanji and Birao.

 Supported by USAID through the Bureau of Humanitarian Affairs (BHA), the training enabled participants to have knowledge on climate change adaptation, child protection, gender issues like abuses and people with disabilities. 

It involved presentation, group activities, and discussions that allow participants to share their experiences on disasters and other cross cutting issues within their communities like abuses.  

Member of Provincial Assembly (MPA) for Moli Ward Jerry Sabino acknowledged World Vision for providing the training to his people.

“Knowledge about disaster is very important for my people because Weather Coast is prone to disasters. Indeed many people do not know climate change that resulting on unpredictable weather patterns.

“From traditional knowledge people know when they will going to experience dry season and wet season thus they will prepare ahead for, however, now a days the weather is unpredictable thus people are more vulnerable,” he said.

Mr Sabino further highlighted information is very much important for communities to aware of and be prepare for disasters and to help mitigate the impacts.

“Lack of knowledge on disasters and other cross cutting issues means being vulnerable to such issues,” he emphasised.

Sabino also called on his people to accept such training when government agencies and NGO’s conduct them at their Ward.

The participants also received certificates at the end of their training.

The team comprises of World Vision Staff, People with Disability Solomon Islands Rep, Provincial Disaster Officer of Guadalcanal, Guadalcanal Province Women’s Desk Rep and Guadalcanal Child Protection Focal Person and MPA for Moli Ward.

–WORLD VISION

VIEWPOINT- Tailings dam pollution issue: TSI

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Gold ridge tailings Dam

TRANSPARENCY Solomon Islands (TSI) commends the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, Disaster Management & Meteorology (MECCDMM) for recognizing and admitting to the Chairman of Kolobisi Tailings Dam Association [KTDA] that Gold Ridge Mining Limited has acted illegally and irresponsibly in discharging untreated water from the Tailings Storage Facility [TSF] into the Tinahulu River.

Tinahulu River system, a river and environment that is used extensively for everything by the Metapona Downstream population was alleged contaminated with cyanide discharged from the tailing dam.  

Thus, TSI called on other authorities to help MECCDMM to deal with the matter in the criminal court of law.

In the Ministry’s correspondence to the Chairman of KTDA, the Ministry assured them that it has initiated criminal proceedings against the officer and Gold Ridge Mining Limited (GRML) for discharging untreated water from the TSF without any license to do so from the Director of Environment and Conservation. 

This is a very welcome action from the responsible ministry and one that should be recognized, and more importantly one that the operators of the mine should take serious note of. On the 14th of April 2021, an engineer of the GRML released untreated TSF water into the Tinahulu River and the surround environment. 

The treatment of the TSF water before discharging has always been the demand of Metapona Down Stream Association [MDA] and KTDA and their people of previous companies operating the mine and it should not be any different for the current company. People’s lives, livelihoods and environment must be protected at all times.

The action of this one engineer discharging untreated TSF water into the environment around the TSF and the river system is irresponsible and criminal and he should be fired for his conduct.

In the TSF were water from the processing plant which contained both Cyanide and arsenic both very toxic to many living organisms at low concentrations.

Aquatic Organisms: Fish and aquatic invertebrates are particularly sensitive to cyanide exposure.

Exposure to Cyanide poisoning can cause the following symptoms in people according to literature on this; early symptoms include headache, dizziness, fast heart rate, shortness of breath, and vomiting.

This phase may then be followed by seizures, slow heart rate, low blood pressure, loss of consciousness, and cardiac arrest. Onset of symptoms usually occurs within a few minutes.

Some survivors have long-term neurological problems. These are effects that the KTDA and the MDA communities should be protected against. 

The Mining Company has been there for more than a year and for them to mine, the first thing they must attend to is the treatment of the TSF water before it is discharged. 

This is a priority so one questions why they have not attended to this urgently. Do they know what they are doing?

The threat of the Tailing Storage Facility to both human and the environment is very serious and must not be taken lightly by the government. 

The impact of any irresponsible actions by the current owners of the mine not only threatens the health of the downstream communities but their livelihoods and their life and environment.

The downstream communities through awareness carried out by the Ministry of Environment and both companies that operate the mine previously have placed these communities in a more knowledgeable level about the consequences of anything going wrong with the TSF.

Their worries are real, and this irresponsible action does not speak well for the new company.  In the past there were reports of threats of the Tailing Storage Facility likely overflow due to continuous heavy rain.

The Ministry of Mines given the fear both real and perceived must impress upon the company to build the treatment plant as they did with the previous company and leave no stone unturned protecting people and environment from any such irresponsible and illegal action by officers of GRML.

Metapona river in North Guadalcanal, which many communities at the Guadalcanal plains rely on for washing and bathing must remain safe for them to do use.

 An independent research carried out by local scientist some years back, Dickson Boboria uncovered interesting findings of the presence of cyanide in the river and coastal area of Guadalcanal plains.

This needs further investigation to locate the source and those responsible or actions that resulted in these findings.

And given the report that workers of the GRML were discharging the Tailing Storage Facility into the environment is a serious concern that demands responsible authorities including police to further investigate and arrest those responsible and hold them accountable.

Thus, Transparency fully supports the move by MECCDMM quote “the ministry has initiated criminal proceedings against the officer and GRML for discharging water from Tailings Storage Facility (TSF) without appropriate license from the Director of Environment and Conservation.

The Attorney General’s Office has been informed and already communicated on behalf of the Ministry a formal complaint to Director of Public Prosecution and the matter has now been referred to Police for investigation. 

Be assured that the Ministry does not condone such reckless behaviour and is committed to see this matter taken through the justice system.”

Reports reaching TSI had it that some workers of the company were digging a runaway for the tailing dam to find its way out into the river.

If this report is true then those responsible must be arrested, jailed, and pay compensation to the communities affected.

Transparency Solomon Islands applauds the action taken by the responsible ministry and urge the community to be on the watch out and to look after yourselves and your environment.

It is hoped that this will not be repeated. It is the duty and responsibility of the government, the Mines Division to monitor but obviously they have not done so. 

The worry here is where there is road, and close vicinity of Honiara where their office is located, they are unable to monitor what is going on. 

How much more for mines that they are working on approving when these are located in Choiseul or Isabel etc.

People want to help in these provinces, but they do not want loggers turned miners. 

They want government to find reputable mining companies to extract the mineral from their land not loggers turned miners.

Engaging reputable mining companies will go a long way into keeping people and environment safe than those who seem to think they can do just as they please.

RSIPF witness by-law Launch in Yandina

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DC Juanita Matanga sign the by-law during the launching

THE Police has joined force with the Savo-Russel Constituency to launch a by-law for the Yandina Community in the Russel Islands, Central Province.

Deputy Commissioner Operations of the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF), Juanita Matanga along with Member of Parliament for Savo and Russel Islands Constituency, Dickson Mua witnessed the launching on Sunday.

Speaking at the launching ceremony DC Matanga said on behalf of the RSIPF Commissioner and the officers of the RSIPF, they are happy to witness the launching of the community by-law.”

“It is a good initiative that Yandina community have decided to establish a by-law for the good and betterment of your own people and your generations to come. This is one of the activities that RSIPF have worked hard for it in the Crime Prevention Strategy,” She added.

A group photo after the launching of the by-law in Yandina

She said the only way towards addressing social issues in our communities is working together and this is what I have witness during this launching today.

“I am happy that chiefs, elders, Church leaders, Mothers Union, Youth groups involved in the Crime Prevention Committee (CPC) have work together to build a good community through this by-law.”

Madam Matanga add that to lead a community is not an easy task.

“It can be tough at times but need respect to one another. Working together will make our community a safer place for our children. And they will learn from us and maintain from where we left them so we can live in a crime free society.”

She said with the COVID-19 situation, the government is trying its best to avoid it from entering our communities.

OCS Yandina right and members of the Crime Prevention Committee welcome the arrival of DC Juanita Matanga

“In order to make it happen we have to work together to fight against this sickness. Therefore, with the setup of the by-law for your community it will help your community continue practice working together. When it comes to any emergency situation such as ‘lockdown’ your community already familiar with what to do.”

Ms Matanga thanked the outgoing Officer Commanding Station (OCS), Yandina Police Station, Inspector Hugo Maelasi for working together with Yandina community to initiate this community by-law.

“ I would like to acknowledge the community and looking forward to work together in preventing crime in our communities. And I would like to thank the presence of the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Home Affairs and Coordinator, Provincial Government to witness the launching event.”

—RSIPF

Correctional Officers receive FTO Certificate

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Correctional officer Monach Monamua from Commissioner Gabriel Manelusi

STAFF of the Correctional Service of Solomon Islands have completed a Field Officer Training programme at the CSSI headquarter last Friday.

The two weeks training conducted at the Correctional Service Training Centre culminated in a certification ceremony conducted by the Commissioner of the Correctional Centr, Gabriel Manelusi.

Speaking during the closing ceremony, Commissioner Manelusi said a Field Training officer (FTO) is an experienced or senior staff of an organization responsible for the training of a right group of people or to facilitate training that are appropriate for certain target group.


FTO officers pose for a photo shot with Commissioner Gabriel Manelusi and Executive staff
 

 He said they are also responsible to prepare the appropriate lesson and planning for the delivery of the lesson.

He said the FTO course is used extensively in basic course Designing and Course Delivery.

“A new trainee is usually only allowed to work with an FTO for a predetermined amount of time, or until the field training staff determines that they are ready to work on their own.

Commissioner Manelusi said field training for Correctional officers typically lasts two weeks, in some instances the trainee may work for a short amount of time prior to attending a formal training – Certificate program.

He said during this time the FTO may complete part or majority of the FTO programme and then all this will go on for three months upon completion of the Certificate of the Certificate process” Manelusi said.


Correctional officer Ronald Devele receive his Certificate from Commissioner Manelusi 
 

Commissioner Manelusi said, the duties of an FTO involve being a role model, clearly communicating the expectations of Evidence of teaching time log and lesson plan must be provided to assessors for assessment, design at least one new training package using the simple basic Training Needs Analysis steps begin taught in the FTO manual, correctly applying concepts learned in the classroom to field training operations, and evaluating the trainee on his or her progress in the programme.

He said ultimately, an FTO is responsible for making sure shift duties are performed properly and completely.

He said, the FTO helps with officer files, physical training and testing, drill, enforcing department and academy rules and numerous other logistical tasks.

CSSI Press

COVID CASES AT 20

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Eddie Osifelo
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Chengs Quarantine Station

By EDDIE OSIFELO

SOLOMON Islands official number of covid-19 cases stands at 20.

This is based on the National Situational Report released by National Disaster Council yesterday.

The report states that 19 cases have recovered while one is still active and remains in isolation.

The new COVID case detected onboard a cargo vessel MV Chefoo over the weekend was not recorded.

The case was detected on a crewmember of the cargo vessel and has now come under strict quarantine.

“While the new case was diagnosed in the country’s Molecular Laboratory, it will not be registered as a Solomon Islands case.

“This case is referred to as the country’s ‘Conveyance Case 1’,” report states.

The vessel left Lae, in Papua to Honiara on the 15th of April and arrived in Honiara on April 17.

Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare announced in his National Address last week that the case was detected following a comprehensive risk assessment undertaken by the ‘Vessels’ Exemption Committee’ over the weekend.

“This individual was one of five new crew members that joined the vessel at Lae Port in PNG on 15th April 2021.

“It is notable that all five new crew members that joined the vessel at Lae, tested negative for COVID-19 at Lae on 12th April 2021, three days before boarding the vessel,” he said.

Seven martyred brothers remembered

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Part of the crowd enjoying the feast.

Thousands of companions, friends and supporters of Melanesian Brotherhood commemorated the seven martyred brothers and Saint Mark’s day at Tabalia on April 24 and 25.

The two-day celebration was marked with eucharist feasting and fellowship with companions, supporters and friends throughout the three regions of the Melanesian Brotherhood – Solomon Islands, PNG and Vanuatu.

On April 24 the brothers remember the death of the seven brothers who were killed for the purpose of peace in 2003 on the weather coast of Guadalcanal.

It was history to remember as it marks one of the darkest events but also the day of victory for the nation, Solomon Islands.

Their death was not a defeat but an event which brought resurrection and light to regain peace for the people of Solomon Islands.

“Happy are those who work for peace for theirs is the kingdom of God.”

On April 25 was the festivity of St Mark a day in which all the Chapel of MBH are dedicated as their patron saints.

This year 2021 the seven sections within the region admitted eight novices each which gives a total of 56 first-year novices within Solomon Islands region.

At Tabalia the central headquarters of the Melanesian, thousands of companions, relatives, friends and supporters of the brotherhood came to have fellowship with the brothers for the weekend. Some even there for a whole week.

At Fox section headquarter Poronahe, in the Hanuatoo section the activity on Sunday went on till late in the evening. People travelled from all over the province. It was a day of celebration and fellowship, commented one of the teachers at Waimapuru NSS.

The brotherhood acknowledges the companions, the Anglican Church of Melanesia, the Anglican Church of Papua New Guinea, IFI in Philippines, the churches in Australia and New Zealand, the MMUK and companions in UK, friends, supporters and all who support the MBH in kindness.

Challenge to border vaccination rollout

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Eddie Osifelo
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Police officers patrolling the Western border with Bougainville. PHOTO ABC

By EDDIE OSIFELO

Lack of resources to support Western Border vaccination rollout is seen as one of the challenges/gaps that needs addressing.

National Disaster Council highlighted this in its National Situational Report released yesterday.

The report states that Resourcing of Western Border Operation for vaccination rollout to be fast-tracked.

“Responsible authorities to take note and action recommendations from Situation Updates that are sent from OSOCC,” it states.

However, the Risk Communication Officer from the Provincial Health Emergency Operations Centre (PHEOC), Western Province have arrived last Saturday 24th of April, and awaiting vaccination roll out.

“COVID-19 vaccines are on standby awaiting to be distributed to Western Border Clinics in preparation for the roll out,” it states.

Furthermore, the Provincial Disaster Operations Committee (P-DOC) for Western and Choiseul are manning and supporting the On-Site Operations Coordination Centre (OSOCC) with the deployment of personnel and resources down to the border.

The report states the Risk Communications Team have completed the Terms of Reference (ToR) for vaccination sensitization and wait the vaccination roll out at the Western Border.

It said the Team has completed 100% of the communities at the Western Border.

Moreover, the Immigrations and Customs/ Biosecurity maintain their presence at the border with no illegal border crossing reports as of yet however the presence of a foreign logging vessel has triggered an operational response team to inform the ship and its crew on the importance of adhering to the current government SOPE.

Currently the Solomon Islands Government (SIG) continues to receive donor support through the relevant N-DOC Sector Committees. The Government of Australia, New Zealand and the People’s Republic of China being the prominent donors since the SOPE.

International Organisations such as the WHO, UNICEF, UNDP and ADB have greatly supported and assisted the Government’s Response.

200-plus jabbed in Gizo

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Mavis Podokolo
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BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO

SINCE last week’s covid-19 vaccination launch and rollout in Gizo, Western Province more than 200 persons have been jabbed, says Pauline McNeil Health’s permanent secretary.

McNeil thanked the Premier of Western Province and his team for supporting the roll-out of thecovid-19 vaccination launch and rollout in Gizo

“I acknowledged the premier for Western Province and his team for support and who have also come forward to support the roll-out of the vaccination programme.

“Also, I lauded the support from churches who their leaders have come forward. Without the support from the team, I think we would not have the increase of number of patients who have come froward.

“It is a lesson for all of us that there is a lot support and effort the health team undertake during their intensive two weeks training on awareness, sensitization and vaccinate training. With all these efforts they have generated the demand for front liners to come forward and be vaccinated.

“As of yesterday, and today the Western Provincial team have mobilised and went out to Noro, Munda and Shortlands,” she said.

McNeil said for Shortland Islands, MV Freedom has been chartered to move 48 health workers to go to Shortlands due to logistics challenges needed to be addressed because of the wide spread of the islands.

She said the vessel departed Gizo on Sunday evening for Shortlands and the rollout is expected to start yesterday.

“We are hoping the outcome of the COVID-19 vaccination in western Province will be successful,” she said.

Ex-positive cases monitoring ongoing

Written by
Mavis Podokolo
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BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO

EX-POSITIVE covid-19 cases monitoring carried out by the Ministry of Health and Medical Service is still ongoing.

Pauline McNeil, permanent secretary to Ministry of Health, confirmed on Sunday’s radio talkback show that at the moment there are only four ex-positive cases they still have to follow up with.

“Out of all the ex-positive cases that have been released back to the community only four ex-positive cases that we still have to follow-up for a complete swift detection for any reactivation.

“So, we still focus on that one to conclude all the ex-positive follow-ups,” said McNeil.

She said regarding quarantine station updates there were 31 people who arrived last week on a high-risk flight and were sent to their respective quarantine stations.

They will undergo 21 days of quarantine as well as four COVID-19 test and following four negative tests before they will be released back to communities.

“Last week we also have 49 quarantine station occupants who have graduated from quarantine stations and so as of Sunday on quarantine stations we have 225 quarantiners,” said McNeil.       

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