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Second dose of Astra 2-3 months after first

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Mavis Podokolo
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BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO

THE second doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine will be given two to three months after the first dose has been given.

This was confirmed by Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare on Monday this week.

“The second doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine will be given between 2-3 months after the first dose had been given.

“We anticipate receiving the balance of the 108,000 doses allocated to Solomon Islands by the COVAX facility before end of June 2021. All those that had received their first dose will receive their second doses between May and June 2021,” said Sogavare.

He said the first batch of AstraZeneca vaccine that will be launched today has been prioritised for the emergency zone of the western border and Honiara.

Sogavare adds based on the 2019 population census, there are approximately 17,000 people above 18 years of age living at the emergency zone.

He said the government has therefore decided to allocate 17,000 doses from the 24,000 doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine received on Friday last week to be deployed to the western border.

WPG cautious of budget cuts

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BY BEN BILUA

WESTERN Provincial Government (WPG) is being cautious with its budget as the National Government gets tight on its provincial assistance.

In an interview, Speaker of Western Province, Adrian Gina told this paper that Western Province is aware of the National Government Covid-19 Redirection Policy and is now taking measures to fill the gaps.

He said Western Provincial Executive have spent time last week and this week identifying the province’s priority areas and aligning them with the cost cutting measures of the national government covid-19 redirection policy.

“It’s been a very tiring week for Western Provincial Executive as some of the plans came short due to covid-19 direction policy of the National Government.

“We tried to align our budget with the national government’s shortfalls so that what we budgeted for will complement the national government,” Gina said.

“Western province has to go down to its level to see the national government budget cut and determine its own intervention to make sure its development aspirations and service delivery are not affected in the next financial year,” he added.

Gina said the provincial executive and the province’s planning division have already made amendments to the province’s budget so that both the provincial budget and national government allocation are on the same page.

Western Provincial Government (WPG) will kick off its Assembly meeting today at the Imagination Island Resort – an Island half a mile from Gizo town.

Country begins covid-19 vaccination rollout today

Written by
Mavis Podokolo
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BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO

SOLOMON Islands will today officially launch its vaccination programme.

This historic event will take place at the central field hospital, Multipurpose Hall, Honiara.

The programme begins by using AstraZeneca vaccine, which is the first of many promised covid-19 vaccines for the country.

The first batch of vaccines arrived on Friday last week met welcome fitting for celebrities, and mixed feelings from the general public.

The first jab of the double-dose vaccine will be administered from hereon, with government determined that the 24,000 vaccines received will be used to inoculate 24,000 people.

The second jab is expected to be administered to this first 24,000 people sometime in May or June this year.

Seven thousand doses have been earmarked for frontliners in Honiara, with the rest (17,000 doses) to be sent to the western border, where frontliners and communities there are to be vaccinated.

Today’s event will start with an opening prayer to be offered by Father Selwyn Hou, welcome remarks to be delivered by Health Minister Dr Culwick Togamana, remarks by WHO country representative, UNICEF Chief of Field Officer and keynote address by Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare.

Vaccination starts after this.

The inoculation will be led by Prime Minister Sogavare as the first to be vaccinated to demonstrate his confidence in the AstraZeneca vaccine.

Sogavare in his national address on Monday confirmed that will be among the first to receive the vaccine shot.

“Fellow Solomon Islanders, to demonstrate my confidence on the AstraZeneca vaccine, I will be among the first to receive ‘vaccine shot’ after the official launch on Wednesday morning this week.

“Many other leaders have also decided to take the vaccine after the formal launch. Please join us and take the vaccine when your turn comes,” said Sogavare.

He said in Honiara, the priority is for all front-liners, key people in all front-line ministries and agencies including those in the private sector such as front-line workers in Solomon Airlines, Ports Authority, and other private sector firms.

“Our national leaders including all members of the National parliament are also included in the first roll-out of the first 7,000 doses of the vaccine to be deployed in Honiara.

“We also anticipate some people above 55 years of age, that have existing diseases such as diabetes, high blood pressure or asthma to also benefit from the first roll out of the vaccines.

“For every one that comes please bring your work IDs. For those over 55 years of age with existing diseases, please also bring with you your medical record cards or books. This will ensure your medical history is known,” said Sogavare.

Proper hygiene facilities for Bilua school

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BY BEN BILUA

In Gizo

UNITED Church Education Authority which owns Bilua School has acknowledged Save the Children and DFAT for assisting the school with proper hand washing facilities.

United Church Assistant Education Officer, Robert Riqeo said Save the Children and DFAT have shown the way forward in terms of building the capacity of schools to be resilient during this time of pandemic.

He said the completion of the project is welcoming news not only for students but also for the Education Authority.

On the same note, Riqeo calls on the school to improve the existing hand washing facilities to cater for students and staffs.

Students of Bilua School celebrating after the handing over of the hand washing facilities.

He also called on the students and staff to maintain and take good care of the facilities for long term benefit.

Robert Riqeo cuts the ribbon to officially hand over the hand washing facility to Bilua Secondary students

Principal Education Officer of Western Province, Freedom Tozaka said Bilua Primary and Secondary School have improved their resilience towards covid-19 and at the same time fulfilled one of the requirements under the amended National Education Policy.

He said the hand washing facilities are valuable assets that will enhance the students’ safety and also encourages hygiene practices.

“As we know, Western Province is exposed to covid-19 threat as it is close to the border between Solomon Islands and Bougainville.

“Our students are very vulnerable as such hand washing project is very important,” he said.

Tozaka reiterated that partnership is the only way forward to achievement education development goals.

Bilua Secondary Hand Washing Station

He also acknowledged Save the Children, DFAT, United Church Education Authority and other stakeholders for successfully implementing the project.

Tozaka also congratulates Bilua School for being the first school to have proper hand washing facilities.

He calls on the school to take ownership of the facilities.

Save the Children yesterday handed over two water tanks and two hand washing stations for Bilua Primary and Secondary school.

Principle Education officer of Western Province Mr Freedom Tozaka try out one of tap at Bilua Primary Hand Washing station

Guale spending drops this year

Written by
Alfred Pagepitu
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Guadalcanal Province Minister of Finance Andrew Tahisihaka

BY ALFRED PAGEPITU

Guadalcanal province is looking at spending less this year.

Provincial finance minister, Andrew Tahisihaka shared this on Monday this week when the Assembly debated the 2021-2022 appropriation bill.

He said the 2021-2022 Recurrent Expenditure is $15,340,257 which is “reduced by 18.9 percent in comparison to the Recurrent Expenditure for the 2020/2021 financial year”.

Tahisihaka explained the total Capital Expenditure budget is $14,543,515 which represents 48.7 percent of the Total Recurrent and Capital Expenditure budget.

He said that compared to 2020-2021 the Capital Expenditure has been reduced by 7.86 percent to $14,543,515.

Tahisuhaka added that the capital expenditure budget due to the cut of $2,941,214.46 has a huge impact on the new capital projects planned for implementation in the 2021-2022 financial year.

He explained that the support sector in terms of the Social Service Sector, a total of $2,310,001 is being allocated for the previous 2020-2021 projects and as well as two major projects including the installation of solar project for GPG HQ and Marau Sub-Headquarter Admin block (phase1).

“Our Education Sector received a total of $4,446,097 for the construction of Rate CHS Assembly Hall which completion works are finishing in 2021/2022, Bolale CHS girl’s dormitory, St Joseph’s NSS dormitory and Kuma CHS girl’s dormitory are new projects for 2021/2022 financial year.”

Thus, he said the Health Sector, a total of $1,480,027 is allocated for the completion of construction works of health facilities commenced in 2020/2021 financial year around Guadalcanal Province, whilst the Economic and Productive Sector receives a total budget of SBD$1,417,533, and the Civic Affairs receives a total of $741,344.

The Assembly meeting continues today.

Sade confident ahead of tomorrow’s motion

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Alfred Pagepitu
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Premier Francis Sade all smiles with his Executive Members in his Office after yesterday's Assembly Meeting

BY ALFRED PAGEPITU

Guadalcanal Provincial Premer Francis Sade is confident ahead of tomorrow’s motion of no confidence.

Sade is reportedly in a celebrative mood, saying yesterday that his executive enjoys the majority of a 13-man team in the 21-ward province.

During the debate of the province’s appropriation bill 2021-2022 yesterday, Premier Sade voiced to the chamber that he does not feel any threat from tomorrow’s motion.

“I have confidence with all my executive ministers and hope to defeat this motion against me tomorrow.

“All my supporting MPAs have come out clear in numbers and they are all loyal to the government side and have no reason to doubt anyone and we look forward to defeat this motion.

“The 12 members, including himself are the biggest number they lead, compared with non-executives with only eight MPAs.

“This because I am ready to defend my position in the best interest of the men, women, and children of Guadalcanal Province under my Government of Inclusive Change and Sustainable Development,” he said.

The motion will be moved by the MPA for Wanderer Bay, Cecil Manakako, and would be the first item for tomorrow’s session.

Japan to upgrade Kilu’ufi Hospital

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
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Kilu'ufi hospital

By EDDIE OSIFELO

THE Japanese Government is conducting internal discussion with relevant government ministries to upgrade the Kilu’ufi hospital in Malaita province.

First Secretary to Japanese Embassy, Asano Yoko confirmed this when she appeared before the Public Accounts Committee in Parliament.

She said a study team is expected to travel to Kilu’ufi to collect all information before the start of construction.

Member of Parliament for Aoke Langalanga, Mathew Wale has welcomed the announcement and thanked the Japanese government for the support.

Kilu’ ufi hospital is the third largest hospital in Solomon Islands and located 4km North from Auki, the capital of Malaita Province.

In 2011, the Japanese government has handed a new state of the art hospital in Gizo, Western province.

The hospital consists of sixty beds, two operating theatres and serves 100,000 people in Western Province, Choiseul and part of Isabel.

The development happened after the tsunami in 2007 devastated the old hospital.

The PAC hearing continues today.

NPF hit by COVID pandemic

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
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General Manager for SINPF Mr Mike Wate

By EDDIE OSIFELO

SOLOMON Islands National Provident Fund (SINPF) has highlighted the economic impact caused by COVID-19 on its membership and activities.

Appearing before the Public Accounts Committee in Parliament, General Manager Michael Wate said in the 2020 financial year (ending 30 June 2020), new registered members declined to 6,182 against a good year in 2019 of 9,323 members.

However, Wate said the 2020 numbers though is consistent with recorded new member registrations in 2018 or 2017.

“We will expect new member registration to decline further in 2021,” he said.

Further to that, Wate said members with credit balances remain at the same level of 142,000 but with active members declining to 59,330 against 61,262 in 2019.

“We may expect the number of active members to decline as the economy continues to remain in recession and the borders closed in particular for the tourism and hospitality industries,” he said.

Wate said new employees registered declined to 223 in 2020 against 368 registered in 2019, they may expect this to decline further in 2021.

Furthermore, Wate said the 2020 COVID-19 exemption benefits were paid to 20,366 members for around $98.1 million.

He said their informal sector product youSave though has continued to expand considerably through youSave mobile and encouraged by the remit of the 10% sales tax on airtime that will be used for retirement savings.

Wate said the current membership has now reached 22,584 with more than $20 million in savings.

The PAC hearing continues today.

ADB funds solar projects here

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Eddie Osifelo
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ADB

By EDDIE OSIFELO

ASIAN Development Bank (ADB) has supported Solar Development Project in five provinces in the country.

Elmir Elbling, Unit Head of ADB Solomon Islands Pacific Country Office in Honiara, confirmed this when he appeared before the Public Accounts Committee in Parliament.

PAC is scrutinising the 2021 National Budget of $3.9 billion.

Elbling said solar panels are established in Munda (Western province), Kirakira (Makira Ulawa), Malu’u (Malaita), Tulagi (Central Islands) and Lata (Temotu province).

According to ADB press release, the financing support for these five projects was approved in 2016.

The project was funded by a $2.24 million grant from ADB, $6.2 million grant from the Strategic Climate Fund, and $6.76 million from the Solomon Islands government.

The project was the first solar power project in Solomon Islands to install battery storage, which allow electricity to be stored from the sun during the day to power the provincial towns at night.

The project reduces the need for costly shipments of diesel to the provincial centers.

It install about 2 megawatt of solar power generation capacity, which consist of ground mounted rows of solar panels within or near the townships of Kirakira, Lata, Malu’u, Munda, and Tulagi. 

The project is part of a broader program by Solomon Power to expand electricity access to rural communities through renewable energy-based grids. 

The modular structure of solar power plants makes them suitable for future expansion to accommodate growing demand.

The project design includes oversized sites and connection equipment for future expansion, and Solomon Power staff training on solar plant operation and maintenance.

ADB has been supporting Solomon Islands since 1973 and has committed $174.4 million in loans, $219.0 million in grants, and $32.3 million in technical assistance. Cumulative loan and grant disbursements to Solomon Islands amount to $169.1 million.

Malaita tribe to conduct land recording exercise

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Paramount Chief Sade Gwailili with the confirmation letter

BALEOIASI Tribe One Discovery in Malaita is proposing to conduct a land recording exercise in Honiara this year.

Paramount Chief Sade Belo Gwalili said the exercise is important for all those that claimed the land area from Kafo Welu to Makweru, Kwairade and to Urasi Harbour Falitafolo.

He calls on the 35 tribal chiefs for these areas to listen out for update as to when the land recording will be held.

Under the Customary Land Record Part III, it states that any customary land holding group or any person, who claims an interest in any customary land may apply to Land Record Office in the province for the recording of such primary rights and the demarcation of the extend of the boundaries of such customary land.

Every application made under this shall be made in the prescribed from to the recording officer

Gwalili said Baleoiasi tribe already received confirmation from the National Recording on February this year to proceed with the land recording.

In a letter dated on Feb 18 it confirms the Baleoiasi tribes has shown expression of interest to record their customary land subjected to compliance with the Tender Requirements yet to be publicised and availability of funding under Ministry Development Budget for 2021.

Chief Sade said the main intention is to identify the rightful owner for the area.

“As paramount chief, it is my responsibility to settle different claims over this land to avoiding land disputes.

“Through land recording we will set the record straight so it is important for those who claim ownership of the land to attend the land recording,” he said.

Thirty-five tribal chiefs are expecting to attend the land recording.

The chiefs who are expected to attend the land recording are chiefs from Baleoiasi Tribe One discovery, Funa Fou Islands, Ofatabu, Rakao, Foteasi, Maneoba and Manuáu land discovery land.

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