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Hygiene kits to public buses

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Bus drivers receiving their kits from World Vision

PUBLIC buses in Honiara are now able to apply proper hygiene practices on their daily services as USAID has made that possible through its funding that enable World Vision to freely distribute hygiene kits to them.

A total of seventy-seven buses in Honiara has been identified to benefit from the project. Twenty-five Public buses in Auki and three in Kirakira Township will also be benefiting from that BHA COVID 19 project anytime soon.

Yesterday, World Vision Solomon Islands has started the distribution of the hygiene materials to bus owners in Honiara which including hand sanitizers, masks, hand gloves and more.

Speaking to bus owners whom first turned up to receive their kits at World Vision Country Office, BHA COVID 19 Project Manager Philp Diau urged them to use the kits during their public bus services. 

“The project is mainly on hygiene practices. The first component includes building of WASH stations to schools where also including soap distributions and the second component is the support to public buses. Churches and communities in Malaita, Temotu and Guadalcanal are also benefiting from the project,” Mr Diau explained.

Mr Diau also emphasized that COVID 19 preparedness is every body’s business, thus hygiene practices must always upheld.

Saint Saga from Guadalcanal Province upon receiving the hygiene kits yesterday said the kits will indeed improve hygiene practices in his bus.

“I am thankful for World Vision and USAID for this support because the kits will really improve hygiene practices in my bus,” Mr Saga said.

Meanwhile, Michael Tofe said, the free support of the kits will reduce the burden for them to purchase the hygiene kits for some time.

“When we practicing hygiene in our buses, we are also help to advocating for good hygiene practices which is very important, many people regard hygiene as not important but that is a very important thing for everyone to do especially for our children to learn from us and continue on to their lives,” he said.

–WVSI

SIRAP Infrastructure Works in Malaita

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Existing Fiu River Bridge

SEVERAL major infrastructure activities in Malaita are included in the World Bank funded Solomon Islands Roads and Aviation Project (SIRAP).

These include maintenance and improvement of existing sealed and unsealed roads, plus four new bridges on the North Road.

The SIRAP National Steering Committee (NSC) advised at its meeting in February 2021 that procurements for the new Fiu River Bridge and maintenance of unsealed roads on Malaita be given highest priority.

For the unsealed roads, SIRAP will focus on the North Road from the airport turn-off to Dala, and the entire East Road from Dala to Atori.

The bidding period for the design and construction of the new Fiu River Bridge closed in March 2021. A technical and financial bid evaluation report will be completed for final approval by NSC in its meeting later this month.

SIRAP are hopeful that a contract can be signed in coming weeks so that detailed design of the new bridge can start within this second quarter of the year, following by actual construction in early 2022.

The Solomon Islands Government has allocated SB$30m under the Economic Stimulus Package towards the Fiu River Bridge.

The total estimated cost of the Fiu River Bridge is SB$42m with the difference to be funded through the MID 2021 Development Budget.

Meanwhile, the bidding period for the unsealed North and East Roads commenced on 30 March 2021 with national bidders being invited to submit their proposals.

MID and SIRAP held a pre-bid conference on Monday 12 April 2021 and the bidding period will close on 3 May 2021.

The World Bank approved the Environmental and Social Management Plan (ESMP) for the Fiu River Bridge in December 2020 and the ESMP for the Malaita Unsealed Roads is nearing completion.

These safeguard documents will ensure the protection of the environment and affected persons during the construction phase.

In parallel with these high priority works, SIRAP have also progressed preparation of bid documents for three small bridges on Malaita North Road, located at Koa, Bio 1 and Bio 2.

The fourth and final works package in Malaita under SIRAP will be the asphalt overlay of the sealed roads in Auki and out to the airport.

Australian-based company SMEC is supporting SIRAP in the procurement of Fiu River Bridge, unsealed roads maintenance, three small bridges, and sealed roads overlay.

A Construction Supervision Services Contract was signed with SMEC last month and availability of its key experts has been confirmed in preparation for construction works commencing in the second half of this year.

MAL rolls out distribution of BHC donated seeds & tools to farmers

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Chief Field Office of MAL, Lily Wame handed over the seeds to BAC Principal, Partinson Bekala as flanked by MAL officers. On the left is BAC Agriculture Science Teacher Mr. Kendrick Tangoéha with the donated watering cans.

THE Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAL) continue to roll out distribution of the British High Commission (BHC) donated seeds and tools to the farming community across the country. 

Distribution commenced last week Friday 9th April with Betikama Adventist College (BAC) and St. Joseph Tenaru boarding schools got their first share of the cake.

British High Commission in Honiara on 18th January 2021 donated the seeds and tools to MAL and the ministry (MAL) as the implementer distribute the items to identified farming groups, education institutions and community groups in the country under its Livelihood Sector – Food Security Programme in response to the impact of Covid-19.

“This is an ongoing support programme of the ministry under Livelihood and is also part of government Livelihood Sector initiative under Covid-19 Strategy for the Agriculture Sector,” Chief Field Officer of MAL, Lily Wame said. 

Mrs. Wame said the support is to ensure community members and education institutions establish and expand their food gardens with early maturing vegetable seeds and basic farming tools to increase food production capability.

“Distribution starts in Guadalcanal and Honiara and will spread to the provinces adding batches of seeds and farming tools for Western Province has already sent Sunday 11th April to MAL Extension office in Western where they will supervises distribution in the coming days and weeks with the Western border communities as priority.

“MAL Food Security Programme 2021 support from British High Commission is to address the Recovery Phase for Other Provinces while an Emergency Phase for Shortland Islands in the Western Province, Choiseul and Malaita Outer Islands for Malaita Province.

“The Emergency phase referred to boarder areas that are higher risk to the COVID-19 Pandemic.

“Also travel restrictions is impacting livelihood of communities who live along the border with Bougainville as they often travel across the border to Buka Market to sale marine products like fish then buy vegetables and other necessities for their families.

“Therefore, this support is to assist these communities make gardens so they can still provide vegetables to their families,” Mrs. Wame emphasized.

MAL is supporting boarding schools like Betikama and Tenaru not only to support their learning but as boarding schools it want to encourage schools to go into farming and provide students with more healthy food.

Also it is good to support schools manage their costs as part of their preparation for any covid-19 pandemic restrictions – that is saving money for future disasters or restrictions.

Receiving the items, Betikama Adventist College (BAC), Principal, Partinson Bekala expressed gratitude to MAL for seeing fit to support the school with the seeds and tools.

Mr. Bekala also extended his appreciation to the British High Commission and the people of Great Britain for the kind donation through MAL to guarantee farmers or people access good quality seeds and tools to support them with their farming activities.

“This is a timely support as it will provide practical aspect to students especially in agriculture and also supplement food for the school.

“This is a way forward for BAC as we are also preparing to implement our cassava project soon which was also supported by MAL.”

Bekala said he wants to see the continuation of the programme in the future.

Sharing the same sentiments is BAC Agriculture Science Teacher Mr. Kendrick Tangoéha.

Tangoéha reaffirmed that the seeds and tools will really help students in their field practical work which will contribute a lot towards their school assessments – especially form 3 and form 5.

“The support is well-timed. Thank you MAL.” he said.

Principal of St. Joseph Tenaru Secondary School, Abraham Hihiru while applauding the government through MAL for the kind assistance assured the ministry that the items will be utilized for its envisioned purpose to support students in their practical learning – especially agriculture students and also make sure the seeds are planted to complement food for the school.

The support is part of the ongoing agriculture support programme that the ministry is implementing under its Livelihood Sector initiative to support and encourage farming groups, education institutions and community groups to make gardens around their houses or grow vegetables to subsidize food costs as aligned to the national government food security programme to counter the impacts of Covid-19.

–MAL

Mayor election tomorrow, nominations open

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Elections would be held to replace the Lord Mayor of Honiara City Council Wilson Mamae.

Election for a new mayor for Honiara has been set for April 15.

A HCC statement says, “The date for the election of the new Mayor of Honiara City has been declared by the Minister of Home Affairs Christopher Laore under section 72 of the Honiara City Act 1999, to be held on April 15, 2021.”

Deputy City Clerk Fred Warereau confirmed that the Gazette Notice has been received and all formalities will proceed.

The election must be conducted in the same manner as if it were an election of the Mayor after an ordinary election.

The notice further states that for the avoidance of doubt, the following applies: Nominations for the election of the Mayor must be done according to the standing orders of the Honiara City Council.

Also Quorum of the City Council must be in accordance with Standing Orders of the City Council.

In the event of the vote for the Mayor’s position being a tie, then there must be a one-hour recess.

After the recess the Council must resume for the purpose of casting their votes for the position of the Mayor for a second time.

In the event that the vote is still a tie, then there must be a call for fresh nominations for the vacancy of the Mayor by the City Clerk, in which the election must take place within seven days from April 15, 2021.

Nominations for the Mayor’s post will be open for 12 hrs prior to the election date.

–HCC PRESS

Hou calls for support to anti-corruption body

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
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Civil Society Organisations protestors marching to the Prime Minister’s Office protesting for the return of the Anti-corruption Bill withdrawal. PHOTOS by MANEBONA BARNABAS

By EDDIE OSIFELO

FORMER Prime Minister, Rick Hou is urging the government to support the Solomon Islands Independent Commission Against Corruption (SIICAC).

He said this is due to increasing corruption practises in the country that cripples it from moving forward.

Delivering his speech on the $4 billion budget, Hou said the Commission cannot perform its role and functions without resources.

He said the proposed allocation of $2 Million must be doubled – at least.

“And then provide all the human resources and logistical support to enable the Commission get on with its job.

“Sir; doing this would not only be a tangible re-direction policy, but it would be doing the right thing for Solomon Islands,” he said.

Minister of Finance and Treasury, Harry Kuma listed three potential risks to the successful implementation of the 2021 budget, namely,

  1. if COVID-19 persisted;
  2. logging and other commodity price fluctuation; and
  3. Natural disaster occurrence.

Hou said the real problem to public finances; the number one enemy to this country is it being directly under government control.

“I am talking about the problem of corruption in this country; which by and large stems from non-compliance and a lack of enforcement of laws and regulations, especially those that are revenue related.

“This is costing this country billions of dollars in foreign exchange earnings and government revenue. Because of this cancer in the public sector, the government is crippled,” he said.

“Consequently, it is unable to fund basic services, not to mention the infrastructure needs in this country because of this cancer. Sir, this is not news to anybody in this House!

“I have said it before on this floor: we don’t need new laws to improve this situation. 

“For example, in his testimony at the PAC inquiry, the CBSI Governor informed there is at least $300 Million of “dead money” to be collected by the government.

“It’s ready for collection. The problem is, either those responsible choose not to collect it or they are part of the reason why it is not collected,” he said.

Growth sector policy investment challenged

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
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By EDDIE OSIFELO

MEMBER of Parliament for Small Malaita, Rick Hou has highlight some challenges Government may face with its policy to invest in growth sectors.

Minister of Finance and Treasury, Harry Kuma told Parliament last week that the $4 billion budget will deliver on the DCGA policy outcome and to ignite sustained growth in the productive sector, to produce jobs and create wealth for our people.

Hou said indeed that is normal expectations of all government budgets.

“However, under the 2021 budget, the allocations given to those ministries which are critical to achieving this objective are so meagre that a permanent secretary of one of the concerned ministries described it this way, “If you continue doing the same thing, don’t expect a different result”.     

Hou said the policy to support our local farmers, producers and small businesses to compete in the global market is a bold one.

“However, we have to appreciate the realities on the ground. 

“The impediments to Solomon Islands being a destination by choice for foreign direct investment are structural and administrative: not really financial,” he said.

Hou said firstly, Solomon Islands does not have economies of scale, so we cannot even start to compete.

“Secondly, by comparison to our neighbours, it is costly and not easy to conduct business in SI, so serious investors normally avoid SI.

“That means opportunities to tap on external business partnerships are quite low,” he said.

Hou said thirdly, our farmers and rural producers are not only small, but they face huge disparities which render them isolated and much of their activities disorganized. 

“Carrying on business alone in remote areas of this country is unsustainable without direct government intervention,” he said.

Hou fourthly said, on government intervention lack of physical connections to markets, impede supply-flows.

“This can be addressed by decisive government action.

“Such actions should include a sustained large scale investment program in building necessary transportation infrastructure; establishment and strengthening of appropriate institutional and supporting administrative mechanisms; a sustained aggressive marketing campaign; and a wide range of financial incentive schemes,” he said.

Hou said addressing these impediments would be a good re-direction policy.

Gang rape case goes to High Court

Written by
Jennifer Kusapa
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The High Court of Solomon Islands. Photo by SIBC.

BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

Five individuals alleged to have involved in a gang rape will appear again at the High Court on April 29.

Their case was mentioned in court for pre-trial conference but since counsels in carriage of the case needed to sort out PTC documents, Justice Maelyn Bird adjourned the case to April 29.

This is in relation to the case against two juveniles and three adults who allegedly ganged up to rape a 13-year-old girl at a village in Weather-coast, south Guadalcanal in 2017.

The two juvenile males aged 16 and 17 are facing charges of rape and defilement while Benard Suia, 26, Thomas Ini, 24 and Joana Tatehando, 25, are facing one count each of procuration.

The allegation said the three adults assisted the juveniles to rape the 13-year-old girl on September 29, 2017 under an incomplete house at Haimarao area.

The victim had been cared for by her father after her mother died when she was very young at another village in Weathercoast.

From what prosecution gathered it says that the girl lived with her cousin sister at another village when the incident occurred.

Prosecution alleged on the day of the alleged incident at about 8pm, the female accused Joan Tatehando, sought the permission of the girl’s cousin sister for her to spend the night at her house.

Arriving at Joanna’s house, the prosecution alleged that all the other accused were there sitting at the house.

Prosecution then alleged the three adults forced the girl to have sexual intercourse with the two juveniles, who went and waited under an incomplete house, 19 metres away from Joana’s house.

The girl refused but Thomas allegedly pulled her to the incomplete house.

It was then alleged the two juveniles pulled her under the house and repeatedly raped her, before leaving her there.

Prosecution further alleged that while the rape took place, the three adults were sitting at the veranda of Joana’s house fully aware of the rape taking place.

Margaret Suifaasia of the Office of the Director Public Prosecution appears for the crown on the matter.

Trust the vaccine, take the jab: PM

Written by
Alfred Pagepitu
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Honourable-Prime-Minister-receiving-his-first-vaccine-shot

BY ALFRED PAGEPITU

PRIME Minister Manasseh Sogavare is again urging citizens to take the vaccine.

A Government communications unit (GCU) statement yesterday said Mr Sogavare brushed aside reports from the European Medicine Agency (EMA) linking blood clots to the AstraZeneca vaccine as ‘unsubstantiated’.

He however said the vaccination rollout will continue, encouraging citizens to step forward and take the jab.

In his Monday nationwide address, Sogavare said, “My good people of Solomon Islands, there have been reports linking the occurrence of clotting disorders with the use of the AstraZeneca vaccine.

“The global scientific community and the World Health Organisation have only discovered 78 cases of blood clotting episodes out of over 200 million doses of AstraZeneca vaccines administered throughout the world.

“They also could not establish a direct co-relation between the taking of the vaccine and the blood clotting episodes.

“Our COVID-19 vaccine technical working group comprising of Ministry of Health and Medical Services, World Health Organisations and UNICEF health and immunisation experts have continually reviewed global literature as well as our own records to date and our conclusion is that AstraZeneca vaccine is safe and its roll-out will continue.

“As I have stated before, every vaccine has side-effects. Just like every medicine have side effects.

“The most important thing is that we must be ready and prepared to pick up any side effect when it occurs and deal with it promptly so that those affected are assisted if there is a need for this to occur.

“In this regard I am happy to advise that our health people are capable.

“They are trained to recognise early signs of side effects and they are also trained to respond to them effectively.”

“My key message is please do not be afraid to take the AstraZeneca vaccine. It is currently the best protection any of us will have against COVID-19,” said Sogavare.

No man, woman should stand family violence: Chief Justice

Written by
Jennifer Kusapa
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Chief Justice Sir Albert Palmer. Photo by RNZ

BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

“No man, woman, or young person in the society in his right mind should tolerate the increasing surge of crimes of violence against families.”

Chief Justice Sir Albert Palmer says this in the face of rising gender and family violence in the country.

Addressing the opening of a four-day workshop on gender and family violence for judicial officers yesterday, Palmer said the rising number of cases of gender and family violence “should not only prick our consciences but everyone in the nation as well”. 

“While the courts will do the best, they can in attending to such matters promptly and timely in terms of court hearings, trials and processes, it is a concern which everyone in the society must take up, especially the churches, the Government, provincial governments and civil societies.

“The workshop commencing today should sensitize, equip and empower you, judicial officers to have a better understanding and appreciation in dealing with gender and family violence matters. 

“It is timely for a lot of focus and emphasis by Government, Aid Donor organizations, the United Nations, civil societies and the community have raised concerns and held awareness talks in the increasing numbers of crimes committed and cases coming through the doors of the courts.”

He said there have also been cases where judicial officers have increased sentences for family violence offenders to reflect the seriousness of the offence and to send a clear message to the community that family violence will not be tolerated by the Courts.  This is something which this workshop can also enter into discussions time permitting and other measures that can be considered to ensure priority in court hearings and processes while safeguarding the rights of the accused to a fair hearing.

He adds that such type of workshop, the Gender and Family Violence Workshops have been conducted in six other Pacific countries, with support from their Chief Justices and the judiciary.  We are grateful to the PJSI team for the fantastic work it has been doing in having such a workshop convened with a specific focus on empowering judicial officers.

A key element or focus of the workshop is to introduce the toolkit and the four key areas of (i) collaboration, (ii) prevention, (iii) victim focus, and (iv) perpetrator accountability. These areas will be thoroughly discussed throughout this week and help to impart relevant knowledge and attitudes towards dealing with these types of crimes.

There have been encouraging results from other countries where the workshops have been conducted including the establishment of a Judicial Gender and Family Violence Action Plan, and judges, magistrates and court staff being empowered with increased knowledge on gender and family violence.

“I trust this workshop will further improve and enhance your knowledge base and attitudes towards this unacceptable increasing trend of violence in our society and empower you with the right skills and capacity to be more effective and efficient in the discharge of your judicial functions.

“I trust that this time out for training will bear rich fruits in the discharge of your work as judicial officers.”

The workshop is organised by the Pacific Judicial Strengthening Initiative.

Malaita continues with more employment for its citizens

Written by
Samie Waikori
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BY SAMIE WAIKORI

AUKI

MALAITA provincial government (MPG) is steaming ahead with employment activities for its population.

It is currently, among others, recruiting for CLO positions.

MPG is recruiting through the Provincial Community Governance and Grievance Management (CGGM) office in Auki.

Coordinator for CGGM, Mr Emmanuel Maesua told this paper yesterday preparation is underway for roll-out of phase II of CGGM project in Malaita.

He said 216 applications have been received and submitted to Ward Development Committees of the 33 wards for screening.

Maesua said WDCs are still undergoing screening of the applicants and shortlisted applicants will be forwarded to his office for interview.

He said his office will organise four teams of panelists to the four substations of the province to conduct interviews for applicants.

Maesua said they expect recruitment process to complete before June and selected Community Liaison Officers (CLOs) to begin working thereafter.

He said initial proposal was for the project to recruit 65 CLOs, but was trimmed down by Malaita provincial government to begin with 33 CLOs for 33 wards in the province.

Maesua said MPG decided to recruit 33 CLOs for now and will be looking at the remaining 32. Thus, they had already asked MPGIS to look after the remaining number.

Maesua said in phase I of the project 13 CLOs were recruited.

He said the goal of the project is to strengthen local governance institutions for community grievance management and enhance effective linkage with provincial governments in communities.

Maesua said now that the project has expanded, his office through MPG looks forward for better coordination of the project to benefit communities in the province.

He said MPG will be the employer of phase II of this CGGM project in Malaita.

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