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600 people vaccinated in 3 days.

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St John Ambulance Team showing V sign indicating that they have taken their first

THE first three days of COVID-19, vaccination roll out in Honiara saw national leaders coming forward to receive their first jab of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine.

On day one, Honourable Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare opened the vaccination roll out by receiving his first COVID-19 jab, followed by Minister of Health and some of the Ministers of the crown, the Attorney-General, permanent secretaries and Miss Solomon.

Day 2 of vaccination started off with the vaccination of His Excellency Governor General Sir David Vunagi and the Speaker of the National Parliament Patterson Oti. Day 3 the leader of the opposition group, Honourable Mathew Wale with some of the opposition members receiving their first round of vaccines.

Honourable Prime Minister receiving his first vaccine shot

These leaders were amongst over 600 people that included COVID-19 operation frontline workers, persons 55 years and above and with underlying health conditions who have come forward to receive their initial COVID-19 vaccine jabs in the first three days.

“I also thank all our frontline workers both health and non-health including those 55 years and above and with underlying health conditions for also coming out and receiving their first COVID-19 jabs. This is important to assist health efforts to swiftly protect our most vulnerable people first before moving to vaccinate our remaining population”, said Mrs McNeil.

Vaccination in the first three days did not record any serious side effects, no anaphylaxis, severe allergic reaction to the vaccine.

The Ministry received reports of pain at injection site, headache, fever, join pains which are all expected adverse events following immunization and all subsided within one or two days.

Vaccination in Honiara will continue in the coming weeks until all 7000 doses of AstraZeneca vaccines allocated for Honiara in the initial batch received is administered. Vaccination will continue again on Monday next week.

Honourable Prime Minister receiving his first vaccine shot

THE ROCK OF SADE GOV’T

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Charles Kadamana
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Guadalcanal MPA, Rose Tala was instrumental in warding off a motion of no confidence tabled against Premier, Francis Sade last week

Female member hailed a ‘true leader’

BY CHARLES KADAMANA

GUADALCANAL’S only female provincial member has been hailed the “rock” of the Francis Sade-led Government.

Rose Tala, who is also Minister for Women, Youth and Sports, stood toe-to-toe with Premier Sade to ward off a motion of no-confidence the non-executive tabled against him, Thursday.

“You are the rock of this government,” Sade told Tala after the mover Cecil Manakako of Wanderer Bay ward, withdrew the motion.

“You have been offered a vehicle and a large amount of money to move to the other side, but you turned down the offer,” the premier continued.

“You believe in stability and a better future for the people of Guadalcanal when you rejected this attempted bribe.

“You have demonstrated what true leadership is.

“I know you will be targeted by the lobbyists and my fear is you’ll easily fall for whatever is offered to you to cross the floor.

“But now I know you are a leader who cannot be drag by the nose.

“You stood your ground because you love your people and province.

“In fact it was through your steadfastness during these difficulties and challenges over the past days and weeks that kept our government together.

“You are the rock of this government,” Sade said.

Sade, a first-time premier and provincial member, was challenged for the leadership position after he took legal action against Sino Capital, a Malaysian logging company that has been operating in the province in the last 10 years.

He stated the logging company failed to pay his province business licence fees worth around $1.5 million.

His government had suspended Sino’s operations and asking the High Court to stop the logging company’s operations on Guadalcanal.

The case is before the High Court.

Sade believes the motion to oust him was sponsored by loggers.

Rose Tala has confirmed she was offered a vehicle and around $70,000 if she switch sides.

She claimed the spouse of a serving national MP from Guadalcanal sent her the offer via text message.

Tala said she disregarded the offer because she does not believe in bribery.

“Guadalcanal needs leaders who stand for the interest of their people; not those who fall for bribes,” she said.

Sade said he believes Tala is a potential future premier of Guadalcanal.

“I will not be surprised if you set history and become the first female premier for Guadalcanal,” he said.

Report on missing money yet to finish

Written by
Jennifer Kusapa
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BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

THE Police Media unit says the Professional Standard Internal Investigation is yet to finalize their report and findings into the mission one-link exhibit money.  

Police said the internal investigation is currently ongoing and is progressing well.

The media unit said PSII investigators will finalize the full report of evidence and will send it to the DPP’s office for advice on the appropriate charges to be laid on the officer”, Police said.

This is in relation to the missing $300,000 cash money recovered from the Director of One-link Pacifica during police investigations early last year that had gone missing while under the safe custody of the police.

The missing exhibit money had sparked public outcry with the police saying they are taking the matter seriously and condemning the actions by the particular officer involved.

However, months after launch of investigations, it is yet to be finalized.

Some members of the public speaking to Island Sun this week said the delay does not speak well of the organization as most cases involving police officers, have not been heard or been dealt with properly.

The concerned people said when the incident occurred, police said they will prioritize the case, but now it has been months.

Meanwhile, Police Commissioner Mostyn Mangau said the police will prioritize the investigation and he himself will wait on the PSII to quickly investigate the matter, as it is of public interest.

“I am really upset of the action undertaken by one of our officers, as such the behavior and attitude will tarnish the integrity and trust of the organization to our communities.

“The exhibit money was transferred from the Honiara exhibit storage to the Police Headquarter exhibit facility for safe keeping and just in October last year, we have discovered that whole of the money was missing”, Mangau said.

He said it will be a thorough investigation looking at all avenues on how the money is missing or stolen from the exhibit facility and will also be looking at the possible recovery of the missing money.

Junior Lusibaea to apply for bail

Written by
Jennifer Kusapa
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BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

THE Defence Counsel representing Jimmy Junior Lusibaea will make an application for bail to the court on behalf of his client.

George Gray notified the court yesterday and confirmed filling of affidavits supporting the bail applications.

High Court Judge Justice Maelyn Bird then adjourned the matter to April for the bail application and that all documents for bail must be filed by March 31.

Jimmy Junior Lusibaea is faced with one count of murder in relation to an incident that occurred at the Henderson area on December 6 2020.

It was alleged that a fast-moving vehicle hit the deceased in front of the Island Night Club in the Henderson area during an argument and rock throwing incident between two parties.

Prosecution said the accused drove a double cabin Hilux at high speed to and fro in front of the Club area when he allegedly hit the deceased.

It was also alleged that other properties including the Island Night Club building and a vehicle was also damaged

The deceased after being hit was transported to the National Referral Hospital (NRH) in Honiara by his relatives but died shortly afterwards.

Prosecution said following the incident, a reconciliation was made between the two parties, and compensation paid to the deceased’s family.

Public Prosecution appears for the crown while Public Solicitor George Gray represents the accused in court.

Maka’a happy his Province included in World Bank/Agri Program

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Makira Premier, Julian Maka'a

THE Premier of Makira Ulawa Province, Julian Maka’a says he is happy with the World Bank’s inclusion of his Province with funds to develop its Agriculture development projects.

He made the comment in Kira Kira, the Provincial Capital of Makira Ulawa Province following a meeting March 17 between World Bank, Agriculture and Rural Development Program officials and Executive members of the Provincial Assembly.

Also included in the World Bank’s Agriculture development funding are Guadalcanal and Malaita Provinces.

Mr Maka’a described as a great opportunity the inclusion of Makira Ulawa Province in the program and farmers must make use of it.

But he said the management of the funds is an important part of the process, “so I urge farmers who may get support to be accountable and transparent in the ways they use them.

“Makira Ulawa Province is an Agriculture Province and its inclusion is not a mistake”.

Premier Maka’a however said “our Agriculture Sector is being challenged by the presence of the Great African Snails at Waimapuru National Secondary School area of West Bauro in Central Makira and continues to spread to the surrounding areas.

“And very recently the Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle in the Hamariko School area at the Hao/Maria regions of Central Makira which is just next to Waimapuru National Secondary School.

“I therefore call on the Biosecurity Division of the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock as a responsible group to seriously help the Makira Ulawa Provincial Government to eradicate these pests.

“This region hosts very fertile farming soils and the support of the Phase 6 of the Rural Development Program Agriculture Rural Transformation Project will not be beneficial to the farmers there, and in the long term, all farmers in the Province if the pests are not eradicated”.

By George Atkin  Kira Kira Correspondent

World Bank will not support Kava farming

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Solomon gold kava is the best quality kava now in the world

The World Bank which will provide funding and technical assistance towards agriculture and livestock projects in three Provinces of Solomon Islands will not support Kava farming.

This was revealed in a consultative meeting in Kira Kira, the Provincial Capital of Makira Ulawa Province March 17, 2021 which was sponsored by the World Bank under the Solomon Islands Agriculture and Rural Transformation Project.

The Project will kick off in Guadalcanal, Malaita and Makira Ulawa Provinces towards the end of the year or in early 2022.

The Technical Advisor of the Rural Development Programme which is a program of the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock, Mark Johnston told the participants that the World Bank, the United Nations and the World Health Organizations have all agreed that Kava farming will not receive World Bank funding assistance because Kava is rated as a drug.

He said, the World Bodies have agreed that heavy kava consumption could have undesirable social impacts on communities therefore, people investing on Kava farming would not qualify to receive funding assistance from the World Bank.

But Mr Johnston said piggery, poultry and food crop and vegetable farmers as well as cocoa and coconut farmers could apply for funding and technical assistance from the World Bank through the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock and its Rural Development Program (RDP).

He added, the World Bank Agriculture Project would also not provide financial and technical assistance to cattle farming because it has negative impacts on the environment and in some cases villagers are facing land shortages.

By George Atkin  Kira Kira Correspondent

Lawyer: why the delay to charge Djokovic?

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Alfred Pagepitu
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Prime Minister’s Chief of Staff, Robson Djokovic

BY ALFRED PAGEPITU

A LEGAL pundit has ticked off the police for taking too long to prosecute the Prime Minister’s Chief of Staff Robson Djokovic.

“The charge is quite straight forward,” the pundit says.

“There is no need to conduct an investigation to put a police brief,” he added.

“Why are the police taking so long?”

He said that any appeal by Djokovic to the Court of Appeal does not act as a stay to any prosecution by the DPP against his alleged breaches of the Electoral Act 2018.

The legal pundit argued the DPP’s powers to prosecute is independent of any appeal that Djokovic may have.

“In other words, Djokovic can appeal his citizenship case to the CoA and the RSIPF can proceed to have him arrested and charged for breaches of the Electoral Act which then would allow the DPP to prosecute Robson.

“It would then be up to Djokovic to seek a stay from the court to the criminal trial against him pending the outcome of his appeal,” he added.

“My point is that police should now charge and arrest Djokovic,” he said.

He added that some cases didn’t take long for the police to charge and prosecute others in the courts.

The right thing for them to do is for Djokovic to step down and concentrate on his legal cases.

“Djokovic is not an expert on policy or anything.

“His only defence against the Electoral Act offences is citizenship.

“I find it rather interesting that Caucus has to come to the defence of Djokovic.

“Djokovic doesn’t have any legal defence available. The evidence against him are strong and solid.”

Meanwhile, the legal pundit said the result of the High Court judgement is that the RSIPF should now proceed with the electoral case and have the matter prosecuted in court.

 “Caucus is now confused with Djokovic personal issues ( legal matters) with PMO/SIG issues.

“The fact that Caucus approved his appointment or thinks he is doing a very good job is not an excuse not to suspend or ask him to step aside to concentrate on his legal issues.”

TIGHT CONTEST

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RECAP -MOI player charges into HHH defense. Photo ISN File

Man Up 15s Challenge continues today

BY PETER ZOLEVEKE II

Following heated three rounds of competition, the Solrais & Fletcher Kwaimani Man Up 15s rugby Challenge heads into round 4 with three entertaining fixtures starting 12 PM today at the Town Ground rugby stadium.

Favourites Islanders rugby club move top of the table from last weekend’s hard-fought  19-12 win over MOI Warriors and wont risk dropping points today against a development SOSA side – as the pressure is still mounting should they finish top of the tally.

“It’s not going to be easy but with the team’s progress is a positive outcome,” Islanders head coach Paulo Tikotikoca told SunSPORTS recently.

SOSA who are yet to register a point so far is using the competition to create a pathway for the exposure of its young talents through the gentleman’s game.

 “The Man Up Challenge is so crucial as it holds the future of the game, it’s the base of rugby, and laying its foundation is critical as setting the right tone and direction for the future of rugby,” SOSA technical coach Rodney Kauramo said via Raw Sports.

Hosts Henderson Hammerheads is trailing a point behind the leaders as of round 3 and will take on Diesel today.  With the Sharks current standing, they are undoubtedly anticipating a rematch with Islanders for the deciding top finish.

The maroons after last weekend’s close margin loss to Malaita Crusaders will have to push for a comeback in today’s uphill battle against the Sharks.

For newcomers the Crusaders sitting third on the tally have to maintain their momentum seeing them take on MOI Warriors today who are picking up impressively throughout the competition.

The Man Up challenge heads into for its final round next weekend before the deciding playoffs according to team standings after round 5.

Fixtures (Saturday 27th)

SOSA vs Islanders – 12PM

MOI Warriors vs Malaita Crusaders – 2PM

HHH vs Diesel – 4PM  

TEAM SOLOMON TO BENEFIT FROM OSEP

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NOCSI President, Martin Rara. (1)

BY PETER ZOLEVEKE II

Team Solomon will receive a major boost when it comes to preparations for the Pacific Games 2023 under the National Olympic Committee of Solomon Islands (NOCSI).

This was following the signed memorandum of understanding between the Oceania Olympic Committees and the Pacific Community (SPC) this week on Oceania Sport Education Programme (OSEP) that will benefit sports regionally.

NOCSI President Martin Rara in a statement to SunSPORTS expressed that the programme will aid the newly establish Solomon Islands National Institution of Sports (SINIS) capacity to properly prepare athletes.

“This is timely news for NOCSI, especially when it comes at a time when our preparation for 2023 Games has started and ongoing. A great and welcoming news when NOCSI has expressed interest for OSEP to be part of our SINIS programme for 2023.So welcoming news for NOCSI and for Team Solomon Islands,” Rara stated.

The MOU partnership through the programme will strengthen career pathways, technical expertise and administration skills across the region in sports and will be recognized its courses across the Pacific Qualifications Framework (PQF), according to Fiji Broadcasting Corporation (FBC). 

OSEP is a regional sports education programme designed to build the capacity of Pacific based coaches, administrators and trainers utilizing a regional approach of collaboration,

It is currently delivered across 15 Pacific island countries and is only community – based education programme of its kind.

ONOC President Dr Robin Mitchell told FBC that the agreement is special because it is critical to the Pacific islands in two ways.

He says, firstly in positioning sport as a key enabler of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Pacific island countries, a fact already recognized by the United Nations and linked to the Olympic Movement and secondly as a core part of global recovery plans from the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

SPC’s Director-General Dr Stuart Minchin says the initiative on accreditation of short courses fills an important gap in the enhancement of the quality of education and training.

The MOU runs from 2021 to 2024 and is geared to increase the capacity of Pacific sport coaches, administrators, and managers toward the growth of a Pacific sport industry that develops world class sportspeople that jointly contribute to Pacific economies – FBC reports.

“MAMARA CITY CONSTRUCTION TO PROVIDE LOCAL JOBS”: PS MESEPITU

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Interim secretary of the Council Lonsdale-Lungana at the Mamara estate site

The construction phase of the Mamara New City on Guadalcanal will provide jobs for locals when the project rolls out soon.

Locals that will be engaged will also gain knowledge and experience from their specialized overseas supervises during the construction period.

“This project is unique in the sense that we are not only developing a new city but we will also empower locals to acquire new skills and work ethics,” said Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Commerce, Industries, Labour and Immigration (MCILI), Riley Mesepitu.

It is estimated that between 100 to 200 locals will be employed during the construction period and many of them will be absorbed into specialized duties.

The contractor- Metropolis Mamara Development Ltd had already received 6,000 tonnes worth of building materials, two weeks ago which were unloaded and stored at the Mamara wharf.

The construction plan also allocates two hectares of land to accommodate a permanent Police Station on site once completed. This component is currently in the negotiation stage between the Ministry of Police, National Security and Correctional Services and the Ministry of Commerce, Industries, Labour and Immigration.

Water supply for the City will be sourced from the fresh Mamara spring, which will be processed through a purification system of Australian standards.

Further details of the City will be made available at the groundbreaking ceremony in April. The ceremony will take place after the ninth meeting of the Mamara- Tasivarongo- Mavo Council meeting.

The Mamara- Tasivarongo- Mavo Development Project is regulated under an Act of parliament called Mamara- Tasivarongo- Mavo Development Agreement Act 1995. The Act sets out the blueprint for the development of the Mamara- Tasivarongo- Mavo lands.

The project is expected to be completed in 2023.

—Government Communication Unit

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