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Guangzhou flight Apr 5

Written by
Mavis Podokolo
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Solomon Airlines airbus

BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO

THE next Guangzhou flight is scheduled for April 5.

Jimmie Rodgers, secretary to Prime Minister and deputy chair to Oversight Committee, said this flight will be bringing workers to build the University of South Pacific 4th Campus in Honiara.

“On the 5th of April we have a flight coming in from Guangzhou and that flight will take workers to build the USP campus,” he said.

Rodgers said that same flight will also take 80 workers of China Harbour to Nauru. Only 24 of the 80 workers will disembark here and Solomon Airlines will fly over to Nauru to drop the rest.

He said another flight from PNG is being planned, pending assessment of the situation in PNG.

Also on April 9, a Garuda Indonesia charter flight is planned to return Indonesian nationals here back to their homeland.

“On this flight we will have 31 engineers to come in and help complete the futsal stadium constructed by Indonesian,” he said.

Rodgers said on April 4 there will be a charter for the company that won the bid to build the national Stadium for Pacific Game; 104 people are expected to come.

88 in quarantine

Written by
Mavis Podokolo
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Chengs Quarantine Station

BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO

There are currently 88 people in quarantine.

This was confirmed by Permanent Secretary for Health and Medical Services Pauline McNeil.

“For quarantiners we currently have 88 persons who are still in quarantine stations serving their mandatory quarantine periods,” said McNeil.

She said last week 14 were discharged from quarantine stations and united with their families and communities.

Meanwhile, Mrs McNeil said the positive case and one suspected case are isolated and accommodated at the Isolation unit, National Referral hospital.

She said for these two cases, health is continuing to do contact tracing and surveillance in closely monitoring others who also flew in on Friday with the positive case.

McNeil said these persons are part of the team of five who are in the country to support Telekom in developing their directory; out of the five, one tested positive and the other is a covid-19 suspect.

Court to decide on bail for 5 men in gold heist

Written by
Jennifer Kusapa
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BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

CHIEF Magistrate Emma Garo will decide on the bail application for the five co-accused in the Winwin robbery incident tomorrow.

This was after defence lawyers made application to the court to release the accused men before Ms Garo.

Prosecutor in carriage Vernon Taupongi made no objection to the application but cautioned court to consider strict bail conditions if it decides in favour of bail.

This is the case against Ken Anilava, Harrison Ramo, Olson Seda, Martin Maelifanua and Norman Garnita; they are facing various charges including armed robbery and impersonating a police officer.

They were charged in relation to the alleged armed robbery which occurred in the early hours of December 9, 2020 at Winwin mining camp in northeast Guadalcanal.

Prosecution alleged the men entered the mining camp in a G-plated land cruiser and took off with two gold bars, $140,000 in cash, and 15 mobile phones.

The men allegedly wore balaclavas and some of them were armed with pepper spray. It was also alleged some of the men wore police blue sky uniform police t-shirts.

They escaped in the land cruiser but were later arrested on different dates and locations in and around Honiara.

So far only two mobile phones have been recovered, the court heard.

The Public Solicitor’s Office with two other Private Lawyers Ben Etomea and Joseph Iroga represents the accused.

Public Prosecutor Vernon Taupongi appears for the crown.

Revealed: wastes from COVID-19

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
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By EDDIE OSIFELO

PEOPLE quarantined for 14 days are generating an estimated 32 tonnes of solid wastes during their time in quarantine.

These normally increase when a person spends more than 14 days in the centre.

Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, Disaster Management and Meteorology permanent secretary, Dr Melchior Mataki revealed this in his paper presented to journalists at a media workshop on ‘Reporting Extractive Industries and Endemic Species in Solomon Islands’ at Heritage Park Hotel last Thursday.

His paper focuses on the impact of COVID-19 on the environment.

Mataki said solid waste and liquid generation from quarantine stations had direct impacts on the environment.

“Given that quarantine process has now been in operation for nearly one year (52 weeks), the average solid waste generation rate in Honiara was estimated at 0.97kg/person/day,” he said.

“2,378 persons that have passed through the quarantine stations managed by the Government, and the average period of quarantine is 14 days, about 32 tonnes of solid wastes has been generated so far,” Mataki added.

He said three of the largest quarantine stations have had their septic tanks desludged once or twice already in the same period; this is also indicative of the high level of liquid wastes generated as well.

He said a notable impact of the quarantine process is the heavy use of single use disposable items to minimize the potential for COVID-19 transmission in catering and personal protective services.

“Nationals that pass through the quarantine process are provided with 3 hot meals per day.

“All meals are packed in single use disposable plates and cups, and served with disposable cutlery,” he said.

Mataki said each person is also provided with 10 disposable facemasks per week.

He said since mandatory quarantine started last year up to 10th March 2021, a total of 2,378 nationals (excluding 640 foreigners) have passed through the quarantine stations.

“On weekly basis, the persons that passed through quarantine generated an estimated 99,876 disposable plates, 49,938 disposable cups, 49,938 disposable spoons and 16,646 facemasks.

“On average a person in quarantine stays for 14 days and this doubles the quantity of items that eventually reach Ranadi landfill,” he said.

Mataki said because of potential transmission through disposable items used in quarantine stations, all wastes from quarantine stations are burned on daily basis at Ranadi landfill giving rise to gaseous emissions.

He said to aid combustion of the wastes, about 25 litres of petrol is used on weekly basis.

“In addition, compulsory testing for COVID-19 and infection protection control measures generate, biomedical wastes, and plastic wastes arising from personal protection equipment.

“Beside waste arising from persons in quarantine, the mass campaign for the use of facemasks and hand sanitisers by the public also increased solid waste generation and subsequent flow into the environment,” he said.

Mataki suggests environment safeguards during COVID-19

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
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Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, Disaster Management and Meteorology (MECDM) Dr Melchior Mataki

By EDDIE OSIFELO

PERMANENT Secretary of the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, Disaster Management and Meteorology, Dr Melchior Mataki has proposed three pillars in helping the environment during this COVID-19 pandemic.

These include safeguards, internal resilience and focus on other options beside logging and mining to earn incomes.

Mataki suggested this in his paper on the ‘impacts of COVID-19 on the Environment’ presented to journalists during the workshop on Reporting Extractive Industries and Endemic Species in Solomon Islands at Heritage Park Hotel last Thursday.

He said COVID-19 is only adding and exposing the outcomes of our prevailing political economy, where environmental objectives and outcomes seldom make the most urgent and important priorities and overall poor to average state of environmental performance.

Mataki supported his findings based on government’s lack of serious discussion and policy directives to rationalize environmental and economic objectives since independence.

However, he said the Government and its partners have scaled up this approach through national projects such as the Tina River Hydropower Project and Pacific Ecosystem based Adaptation to Climate Change Project at Barana Nature and Heritage Park.

Furthermore, the PS said there is the lack of priority given to environmental management by stakeholders involved in natural resource extraction.

Further to that, Mataki said the 2019 State of Environment Report noted the following factors as drivers of pressures on our environment: a) population growth, b) economic development, c) climate change, and d) traditional and contemporary life styles and values.

 “Mining is already showing attitudes similar to logging industry; noting as well that logging companies are now moving across to the mining sector.

“Environmental change is also influenced by people’s attitudes and approaches towards issues such as environment, development, and the meaning of sustainability,” he said.

Moreover, Mataki said logging and mining (with the exception of gold mining) is premised on the extraction and export of raw materials with little to no value addition domestically.

“Consequently, logs are exported and ore is shipped directly for processing overseas.

“This approach lends itself easily to doing things fast, whether it is negotiation with landowners, or complying with statutory requirements; consequently, limited due diligence is given by both regulatory bodies and landowners alike to investment proposals in these two sectors,” he said.

Mataki said the Environment Act 1998 and Wildlife Protection and Management Act 1998 took 10 years to be developed.

Furthermore, Mataki said the reform of environmental legislations to update, address gaps, remove duplications, and harmonise legislations to enhance environmental outcomes have been outpaced by environmental degradation, and the rise in depth and scope of threats to the biophysical environment.

He said Government legal drafters have been lethargic in drafting amendment of the Environment Act, even though drafting instructions have been with them since 2018 and in spite of numerous follow-up submissions and pleadings for action from the ministry.

Mataki said COVID-19 is an opportunity to Rethink, Reset and Redirect (R3) our country.

San Jorge nickel ores pose no risk

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
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A recent mining exploration on Isabel Province. Photo by Axiom Mining Solomon Islands.

By EDDIE OSIFELO

The more than 70,000 metric tonnes of nickel ores lying idle on San Jorge, Isabel province doesn’t pose any high risk to human lives.

Director of Mines, Nicholas Biliki revealed this to journalists during the reporting workshop on extractive industries and endemic species in Solomon Islands at Heritage Park Hotel last Thursday.

People living close to the mine site have expressed their fears on the environmental impacts on their resources caused by nickel ores that remained on their land since September 2019.

They claimed during rainy weather, it caused soil erosion which washed down the sentiments from the ores into the pristine Thousand Ships Bay.

However, Biliki said these are lateritic nickel ore deposits that have less acids because they were found only on the surface.

He said lateritic nickel doesn’t have contents that are risk to human lives.

However, he said its economic value may deteriorate if it is not exported.

According to reports, the nickel ores on San Jorge costs around $171 million (US$20 million) to $256 million (US$30m) in the markets.

Axiom Mining Limited (AML) which has a lease on the tenement could not export the minerals after the government refused to grant them an export permit.

The Mines and Mineral Board rejected Axiom Mining Ltd’s application for an export permit citing the company does not have a Provincial Business licence from Isabel Government.

Axiom has already filed a judicial review in the High Court against the decision of the Minerals Board, as well as a misfeasance claim against the Minister of Mines Bradley Tovosia and Director of Mines Nicholas Biliki.

The reason was they failed to properly exercise their powers under Regulations 70 and 71 of the Mines and Minerals Regulations pertaining to the company’s export permit application.

Previously, Biliki said the minerals are still the property of Axiom because they have the lease over the tenement.

Biliki said government cannot interfere when the issue is before the court and Axiom owns the lease as well.

Temotu passes $13M budget

Written by
Press Release
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Members of the 10th Assembly of Temotu Province including speaker, 6 MPAs missing

MEMBERS of Temotu Provincial Assembly on Thursday 25th March 2021 passed its budget during the 74th Assembly meeting in Lata.

The provincial budget was severely restricted and many good intensions of the Temotu Unity Government for Rural Advancement (TUGRA) to build its revenue base have been affected due to the cut of government support to the provinces because of the global effect of the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Edward Daiwo, the Provincial Minister of Finance & Treasury further explained when presenting the bill, about half of the money available to the province is taken up by fix expenditures mandated by the MPGIS, leaving  only less than half to fund other provincial priorities.

He said the 3 fix expenditures are minimum conditions mandated by the Ministry includes consultancy support taking up more than a million dollars, Local contribution towards PCDF, manpower budget and Ward Development Grants which was recently increased.

This means funding of the province Annual Work Plan 2021/2022 (AWP) is being affected.

The government priority to vigorously pursue the implementation of the revenue mobilization strategy is also being affected.

This includes all priority policy of the government to build and widen the provincial revenue base is delayed.

Because of this, the call by members of the Assembly is to work together and minimize expenditures during these Pandemic times.

He has also explained that working together and being united build strong and stable government.  And having strong and stable government ensures confidence in provincial developments. 

He said the willingness by the MYWCFA to prioritize the development of the $3M Youth & Children Recourse Centre in Lata this year 2021 is a direct result of the government confidence in the province.

Not only this he said, but the agreement indicated by the MEHRD to support the province with more than $10M dollars to fund the Lata Community High School starting this year 2021 is also based on this confidence.

Even inside this pandemic, when the government and donor support in the country is providing support to the province he said, shows that we have a stable government.

This means, the implementation of this budget he said will be achievable for the benefit of the people in the province.

The increase of grant support to the rural wards in the province provides the needed support for us to build capacity in all of the province and not only here in Lata. 

“I am looking forward to one day when wards in the province will develop cash earning opportunities to rural people through the supports the government is giving them and each of you in the Assembly are directly responsible to help the rural communities in this area,” Daiwo said.

Temotu provincial Assembly is now meeting inside its newly built Assembly Chamber. 

No longer is the Assembly going to be done in other places as their new Assembly hall is completed, although a few final touches are yet to be done.

Ulawa villagers query lateness of nurses

Written by
Admin
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PEOPLE in Ulawa are concerned about the daily late arrival and absenteeism of nurses at the Taheramo rural health center, north of the island.

Many people complained that the staff at Taheramo clinic are unreliable and should be dealt with by the provincial health authority.

A Davidson Pulu of Mouta haora village, which is about five kilometers from the Taheramo health facility, said that people have suffered very much of this late arrival and absenteesm behavior of the staff of Taheramo clinic.

“The usual arrival time of the three staff here is between nine and eleven o’clock in the morning, every day from Monday to Friday,” he said.

“Imagine those who have to walk for five kilometers or more early in the morning, having eaten no breakfast in order to arrive early to the clinic but then we have to wait until eleven before the nurses arrive to see them.

“This is not good because the official working hours as we know starts at eight o’clock as was seen at the clinic’s daily program pinned up in front of the clinic,” he further added.

Pulu said that this is a very serious problem for everyone here especially those hiring truck to go to the clinic because it will cost them extra money to go to pick up the nurse if they were in a hurry.

“Because the nurses are not residing here at the clinic, some people have to go to nurses home to get them to the clinic for if they want to return back early.”

He said the responsible authorities should remove such people to make way for people who are reliable and are willing to carry out their duty as a Nurse to be posted to Taheramo clinic.

“I am calling on the responsible authorities to must take action on such people because they are getting paid for not faithfully carrying out their responsibilities and are incapable and as a result, it is the people that are being victimized of such actions,” he continued.

This practice must be stopped and the people here needs people who are capable of doing their job as nurse especially at this time when Malaria cases are high on Ulawa Island, he concludes. – BY LIONEL TAORAO, Ulawa Island

SI provides medical help to US military member

Written by
Press Release
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USCG Kimball crew member Tyler Deitric and the medical staff from the National Referral Hospital.

ON March 16, 2021, the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Kimball contacted the U.S. Consular Agent in Honiara to say a crewman on board was ill with a suspected inflamed appendix and asked for urgent medical assistance from the Solomon Islands government. 

Thanks to quick efforts by government officials, the crew member, who received the Pfizer vaccine in the United States prior to deployment, was admitted to the country following a risk assessment.

He was rapidly transferred from the ship into the care of the medical professionals at the National Referral Hospital.

After doctors recommended removing the appendix, the medical team quickly mobilized and flawlessly performed the operation.

It is believed to be the first time since World War II that an American military member has undergone surgery in Solomon Islands.  

“We often speak about the enduring relationship between our two nations and this past week demonstrated the true strength of our partnership,” said U.S. Ambassador to Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, and Vanuatu Erin E. McKee.

“On behalf of the United States government, please accept our sincere thanks for the tremendous support from the Solomon Islands government and the entire medical team at the National Referral Hospital.

“Now, as in the past, we are grateful for extraordinary partnership between the United States and Solomon Islands.” 

On Thursday, March 25, the patient left Honiara on a U.S. military C-130 aircraft and returned to his home state of Hawaii to complete his recovery.  

AGAINST ALL ODDS – SOSA Rugby ‘progressing’

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Admin
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The young SOSA side are improving in all their matches in the Man Up Challenge

BY PETER ZOLEVEKE II

The road to revival for SOSA Rugby Club is progressing well according to the club’s veteran player and head coach Gregory Ofia.

Young dominated, the team has proved as a competitive side since their return contending in major rugby tournaments in Honiara.

“We are a young team and we are learning step by step,” Ofia told SunSPORTS in a post-match interview.

SOSA entered the 5th edition of the Solrais & Fletchers Man Up rugby 15s Challenge with a new look outfit tracing back to the club’s pedigrees and as the youngest side of the tournament.

The men in strip yellow begin their campaign with a hard-fought challenge against competition’s newcomers Malaita Crusaders losing 29 – 13. They continued their fighting approach against Diesel RC in which the result could have turned either way in a 0 – 12 close match fit.

The young guns put up a brave challenge against heavy weights Henderson Hammerheads losing 3-50 on round 3 of competition – before bagging maximum points so far in the competition in a brave encounter against Islanders 23 – 47.

“Since our first game we did not do too well, but we keep working to improve on areas of the game,” Ofia said.

 “We worked in our defence first and from there we work on how we attack and then on how we can score points and it is evident in our game against Islanders where score points. The boys still not that strong enough just yet especially on their experience as teenagers, but foremost it’s a progressing thing team for us.

SOSA currently sits bottom of the Man Up Challenge standing and will take on MOI Warriors in the final round before both sides head-on again for the 5th & 6th playoff to decide who will escape the competition’s bottom finish.

“Only on the field will decide what the result is, and as always we will put up a good challenge against whoever is our next opponent,” Ofia expressed.

“These are new talents, and we are looking forward for their exposure in more upcoming competitions.

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