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West border SI’s weakest link: PM

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Mavis Podokolo
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Police patrol boats have been monitoring the border in the Western Province

BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO

The western border is now labeled as the country’s weakest link in its protective chain, says Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare.

Sogavare echoed this yesterday at the vaccination official launch and rollout. 

“Our western border is now the weakest link in our protective chain. However, our communities are getting better prepared to protect themselves. The rollout of vaccination at the emergency zone and in Malaita Outer Islands will add greater confidence in our ability to prevent the entry of the virus through the western border”.

“I thank all the communities along the western border emergency zone for stepping up to help protect our country,” he said.

Sogavare said the country’s surveillance capability has also stepped and picked up the reactivated case from one of the village communities.

“Our response to the reactivation was exemplary. We were able to deduce the risk-level and avoided a lock-down,” he said.

Sogavare said 17,000 doses of AstraZeneca are scheduled for deployment to the emergency zone along the western border.

“Vaccinating people from 18 years and above in the emergency zone is a key priority of government given the rapidly unfolding covid-19 situation in Bougainville,” he said.

WPG to control virement and financial reserve

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BY BEN BILUA
In Gizo

The question of Virements and why Western Province’s Reserve Account has zero balance were raised during the budget meeting currently ongoing in Western Province.

Provincial Member for Dunde Nusa Roviana Ward, Ramrakha Talasasa questions as to why the Province’s Reserve Bank has no funds.

Provincial Member Samuel Sive also questioned as to why there are lots of virements or the transfer of money from one financial account to another.

Responding to the questions, Minister of Finance for Western Province, Christian Burly Mesepitu says the existing government will enhance its system to address virement applications.

In his response to the Western Province’s Reserve Bank, Mr Mespitu says his office is looking at reviving the system of depositing surplus funds to the Reserve Bank since it has been absent over the years.

40-yo arrested over bow & arrow attack

Written by
Samie Waikori
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BY SAMIE WAIKORI

AUKI

Police in Auki have arrested a man in his 40s alleged of wounding another man with a machete and arrows.

As of yesterday, the victim is reportedly recovering but still in critical condition at the Kiluufi hospital.

The incident occurred at Parasi village, Tarapaina area, Small Malaita.

Malaita police commander Stanley Riolo said the incident is believed to be over disagreements between the accused and victim.

He said on Tuesday this week, the victim and another person were preparing cut-down logs for milling when they were attacked.

“The victim was operating a chainsaw when the accused approached, armed with a bush knife and bow & arrow, and struck at the victim from behind with the machete. The victim was wounded on his left shoulder. After, the accused went after the other person but he managed to escape.

“The suspect returned to the victim after chasing away the victim’s colleague, he shot an arrow into the wound (left ribs) of the victim and left him.”

Riolo said the victim’s partner ran and alerted men in the village who came to the victim’s assistance.

He said the victim was transported to Afio AHC for medical assistance while the matter was reported to Auki police.

Riolo said due to the seriousness of the wound, Doctor in-charge of Afio AHC referred the victim to Kilu’ufi hospital; he was transported to Auki on Tuesday evening.

Riolo said with team work from Parasi community, the villagers assisted in transporting the suspect to Su’u and handing him over to police yesterday.

Police arrests 15-yo for alleged rape on Malaita

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Police on Malaita arrested a 15-year-old male suspect for the alleged rape of a five-year-old girl at Ferafa’alu Village on March 21, 2021.

An initial report said the suspect sexually assaulted the victim in a kitchen at their village when she went to collect fire. The victim later experienced vomiting and pain to her private part. Her parents took her to the Malu’u Hospital and a medical practitioner confirmed penetration. 

Provincial Police Commander (PPC) Malaita Province Chief Superintendent Stanley Riolo said, “The victim’s parents reported the matter at the Malu’u Police Station and the investigation was carried out.

 “The suspect escaped after the incident but was later arrested by officers at Malu’u Police Station on Tuesday.

“The suspect will be transported to Auki Police Station for further dealings and a remand application.

“I call on relatives of the victim to refrain from any retaliation regarding the matter but allow police to investigate it. I also call on the good people of Ferafa’alu Village who may have any information about the incident to come forward and report it to police at the Malu’u Police Station.”

–POLICE MEDIA

Mayor holds back on Sore

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City Mayor Wilson Mamae

MAYOR of Honiara City Council, Wilson Mamae has delayed his move to remove Clerk Rence Sore over the weekend.

One councillor told Island Sun that the Mayor was asked by councillors to remove Sore because of his involvement in the controversial fire extinguishers and land sale at Ranadi to a logging company.

“Sore’s involvements in all these issues have paint the bad pictures to the Executive.

“As such citizens in the city are questioning their councillors why they continue to hang on with the leadership of the Mayor,” the councillor said.

The councillor, who wished not to be named, said the Mayor needs to come and explain his reasons for not sacking the Clerk.

“We want to know the reasons why the Mayor still holds on to the Clerk.

“Is it because he is afraid of sacking the clerk who might release some confidential information?” the councillor asked.

The Mayor is currently facing a motion of no confidence on Monday 29th March.

Earlier, the Mayor said he is confident to defeat the motion.

In the meantime, a city resident is calling on the Mayor to explain the $800,000 the Council supposed to receive from the Malaysian logging company for the transfer of its land at Ranadi.

The city resident, who wished not to be named, said from information, there is no money received by the Treasury division at the Council.

As such, the resident asked the Mayor to come out and explain the whereabouts of the $800,000.

Western Assembly to talk $26m today

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Provincial assembly meeting at Imagination Island, Gizo

BY BEN BILUA
Gizo

WESTERN Province’s Appropriation Ordinance – 2022 which is estimated to around $26,436,622 will go into Third Reading when Assembly meeting resumes today.

Members will spend time debating and discussing the estimate budget before going to vote.

In his speech during the second reading, Finance Minister of Western Province, Christian Burly Mesepitu said the 2021/2022 Financial Year budget has gone through all the required and respective participatory planning and budgetary committees and processes as per part-2 of the Financial Management Ordinance (FMO).

He adds that Ward Development Committee were also part of the planning and budgeting process.

Mesepitu said the formulation of the 2021/2022 budget estimates was tough given the strict the budget guidelines set by the Ministry of Provincial Government and Institutional Strengthening.

But, he said, his team managed to put together the estimate budget and at the same time satisfied the required guidelines.

Mesepitu said Western Province will appropriate a budget of $26,436,622 of which the Recurrent Revenue estimates is $20,61,857 and Capital Revenue estimate is $5,817,765.

He adds that Local Revenue for 2021-2022 is estimated using FY 2019 – 2020 actuals as baseline with only 10 percent allowable variances rate to forecast revenue as per the Budget Guideline.

Mesepitu said there has been a reduction worth $2,137,358,00 in Fixed Service Grant due to change in the formula (30 percent basic allocation and 70 percent performance based) for FSG distribution and major cuts on national government supports towards provincial governments.

He said major focus of the province’s Recurrent Expenditure will be on productive Sector mainly Agriculture and Fisheries so as Ward Development Committee capacity development and maximise local revenue collection.

In his opening speech, Premier David Gina said national government’s decision on budget cut has boycotted his province’s development aspirations.

“Similarly to other provincial government, Western Province too is set to have its fixed service grant and provincial capacity development fund (PCDF) slashed this year.

“For your information advise received from the Ministry of Provincial Government during the budgetary planning period articulated the need to forego our remaining SBD2.3 Million for 2020/2021 Financial Year.

“This is certainly has an impact on our capital budget implementation for this financial year capital budget allocation in order to cater for the cost of projects that were supposed to be funded with the foregone funds.

“In terms of the indicative FSG for the 2021/22 FY we have been allocated only around SBD7.5 million. Last year 2020/2021 FY we were allocated about SBD9.6 million so there is a reduction of almost SBD2 million.

“This is a result of the SBD 270,865.00 reduction in the aggregated fixed service grant allocations to all the provinces. As a provincial government, this is a huge reduction which will have an impact on our service delivery mandates.”

Gina stressed that it is sad that budget allocation for provinces have been diminishing year by year, worst still the establishment of policies that penalise and recall funds allocated to provinces.

But, he said, his government is optimistic to make sure service deliveries continues so as development aspirations and operation of the province is fully functioned this year.

Gov’t accused of being a bully

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Hon Ramrakha Talasasa.

BY BEN BILUA

In Gizo

The Western province has hit out at the national government describing it as bullying provincial governments with its decisions and actions.

Provincial Member for Dunde Nusa Roviana Ward, Ramrakha Talasasa made the comment during Assembly meeting yesterday.

He said provincial governments suffer and fall short to achieve development goals due to national government’s policy and decisions.

Talasasa said the decision of the national government to slice the budget of Western Province which was passed as required by the Provincial Government Act is a breach in the eyes of the law.

He stressed that the national government failed to honour its promise and should be penalised as normally done to provincial governments.

“We have passed our budget as required by the Provincial Act but the government is unable to give the fund. They slice our allocations which is questionable.

“Furthermore, they have established numbers of requirements that provincial governments must satisfy before getting funds.

 “When provinces failed to perform, the national government penalised us. So it is reasonable to say that, when the national government failed to give us the complete fund as we requested on our budget, they should be penalised as well,” Talasasa said.

Premier of Western Province, David Gina shares similar sentiment saying that the provincial governments have now become more or less mere divisions of the Ministry of Provincial Government rather than a legitimate elected government as provided for in the Provincial Government Act 1997.

He said the system has become more and more centralised with the various leverages placed on provincial governments to perform or be penalized.

“I must admit that last year has been a very challenging year for us.

“We just passed our 2020-2021 budget in the Assembly when SIG announced the various budget control measures it will employ as a means to catering for its COVID-19 preparedness and response effort and also in anticipation of the likely negative economic impacts that will ensue.

“As a province and as a government we have also been severely affected,” Gina added.

WHO vows support for SI safe vaccine roll-out

Written by
Mavis Podokolo
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BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO

WORLD Health Organisation office in Solomon Islands has promised to support government in giving direction for safe administration of the AstraZeneca vaccine.

This was conveyed by Dr Sevil Huseynova, WHO country representative, at the official launch and rollout of AstraZeneca vaccine yesterday.

“WHO is committed to continuing to support the Government in monitoring the safe administration of these vaccines. We will be helping support the setup of the new Covid-19 Vaccine database to evaluate vaccine coverage. Also, we will be ensuring the community is well informed and educated about these vaccines and the country’s rollout plans,” said Sevil.

She said these 24,000 doses of Oxford-AstraZeneca covid-19 vaccine, provided through the COVAX Facility, is part of the global partnership’s effort to ensure the equitable distribution of at least two billion doses of covid-19 vaccines by the end of 2021.

“I would like to remind everyone that as vaccines start to roll out around the world, we must remember that they only complement, and not replace, our other proven public health measures.

“As we still don’t know how long these vaccines provide protection and if they stop us transmitting the virus, we must continue to apply the tried-and-tested measures, including physical distancing, wearing masks if recommended, regularly cleaning our hands, as well as the other measures to test, trace, isolate and treat cases. No country will be safe from the pandemic until all countries are protected,” said Huseynova.

She said the roll out is another step in the right direction towards the ultimate global goal of helping combat this global pandemic.

“And so, once again I reaffirm WHO’s commitment to supporting the Government and people of Solomon Islands in their Covid-19 pandemic response plans and the Ministry of Health and Medical Services in its priority health improvement agenda,” said Huseynova.

Kehosi hands over projects to ward 31

Written by
Samie Waikori
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Chairman of Ward 31 WDC, Mr John Palmar (right) hands over drums of petrol to a rep from one of the church group in Luaniua.

BY SAMIE WAIKORI

AUKI

MPA for Ward 31 under Malaita provincial assembly, John Kehosi through his Ward Development Committee (WDC) recently handed over projects to Luaniua community.

Senior Administration Officer for MOI region, Mr Manford Kelaho told this paper projects handed over included sports equipment, sewing machines, fuel and an OBM & boat.

He said the projects were handed over to different stakeholders within Luaniua communities including youths, church groups, women groups and Luaniua Village Development Committee (VDC).

Kelaho said the sewing machines were handed over to Luaniua women’s club to revive the social club that was run down several years ago.

smart

He said the project is looking at income generating for the women’s club, especially to produce school uniforms for Luaniua who always find difficulty in getting uniforms from Honiara.        

Kelaho said the WDC has proposed a sewing training workshop for the women’s club in Luaniua and will happen if arrangement is made.

Church groups in Luaniua received four 44-gallon drum petrol and their premixes from their WDC.

Kelaho said fuel were received and will be sold to support activities of the church groups like Companions, Mother’s Union and others in Luaniua.


SAO for MOI region, Mr Manford Kelaho (third from left) hands over the OBM to a rep from Luaniua Village Development Committee (VDC) in Luaniua

He said the projects came under Ward 31 ward grant for four quarters of 2019/2020 financial year and they are looking forward for 2021/2022 financial year.

Kelaho said under 2021/2022 financial year, Ward 31 WDC already submitted its work plan are waiting for release of the ward grant to begin their work.

He explained that under WDC’s work plan for 2021/2022, support will mostly be on improvement of communal projects like health and education.

On that note, Kelaho said another project is a 40hp Yamaha engine and a 22ft ray boat that will be used to serve government activities most especially in wards 31 and 32.

PAC chair pleased with Japan’s infrastructure projects

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
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DPM Douglas Ete

By EDDIE OSIFELO

CHAIRMAN of the Public Accounts Committee, Douglas Ete has congratulated Japan for its generosity in funding infrastructure projects in the country.

Ete made this commendation when the Japanese Ambassador to Solomon Islands H.E. Morimoto Yasuhiro and his First Secretary, Asano Yoko appeared before the PAC in Parliament on Tuesday.

Ete was delighted to hear Ambassador Yasuhiro mentioned his government’s commitment to fund the Honiara City’s main Kukum Highway phase two project, upgrade Honiara International Airport and its interest to upgrade the Kilu’ufi hospital in Malaita province.

The Phase 2 project is the continuation from where the Kukum Highway Phase One ended.

The Project will cover the 6.3 Kilometers road from the Ministry of Fisheries to Honiara International Airport. This includes 4.3 Kilometers of 4-lane road to Lunga Bridge and 2 kilometers of 2-lane road from Lunga Bridge to the Airport.

This project along with the current Honiara International Airport Project and other major infrastructure projects in the past has changed and will continue to change the landscape of Honiara and will transform the city into a better city for everyone

Ancillaries to the road project include the drainage systems, bus stations, streetlights, traffic signboards and pavement markings.

Ambassador Yasuhiro said the Japanese government has committed $250 million for the Kukum Highway upgrade road project.

He said $340 million was approved to upgrade the Honiara International airport.

Besides, the Japanese government has approved $190 million to support the government combats the coronavirus pandemic.

Ambassador Yasuhiro said his government has also provided $400 million to Ministry of Fisheries under the Economic and Social grant.

Japan has signed diplomatic relationship with Solomon Islands since 1978.

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