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Catholic teachers sodality’s opening mass

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Press Release
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Rector of Don Bosco, New Principal of Bishop Epalle, Principal of St. Mary Tanagai, a retired Teacher and Education Sec cutting of cake.

The Catholic Teachers Sodality for this year was held with powerful words of advice given by the church to the educators.

The event was held at the Holy Cross Cathedral on Sunday, along with a thanksgiving Mass.

Catholic Teachers Sodality is a structure under the Catholic Education Office that was established to animate teachers’ calling as educators.

The Mass was led by His Grace Bishop of Gizo Diocese Bishop Luciano Capeli FMA, co-celebrated with Rev Archbishop Christopher Cardone OP with a dynamic Liturgy led by the St Joseph National Catholic Secondary School Form-3 and teachers.

Bishop Capeli shared three bible readings. The first reading taken from the book of 2 Chr 36:14-16, 19-23, while the second reading taken from Eph 2:4-10 and the Gospel Reading from John 3:14-21

During the Homily, Capeli reflected upon the Gospel and the two readings.

He mentioned that the second reading spoke about grace, that there is no other way anyone can go back to God except through the grace of God.

He questioned the teachers and the families gathered during that Holy mass.

“What is the problem today?

“And told them that a lot of youths today are still confused when being asked what is their purpose in life.

“Every single person in this life has to have mission and vision.”

The word education is an English word that come from a Latin word “Educere”.

“Meaning to lead out,” he stressed.

“Therefore a teacher is not a teacher of subject but rather educate students with also values and morals.

“And as parents and teachers all have missions to educate a child with values and virtues so that they can become the person they were meant to be.”

He then encouraged the teachers to continue seeking God even though it seemed like every year is the same.

The Holy mass ended with commissioning of teachers sodality, where they stood in front of alter and the two bishops blessed them for another year of teaching and educating the children.

St Joseph Tenaru form 3 student and teacher led the liturgy

Apart from the thanksgiving Mass the teachers sodality also gathered at the Holy cross Cathedral Hall for a short Catholic teachers sodality meeting, new members registrations, welcome remarks from the Catholic Education Secretary followed by entertainments and a welcome feasting.

Catholic Education Secretary Ms Modesta Hasiau in her welcome remarks, acknowledged the two bishops for their graceful sermon and presence with all the teachers.

Hasiau welcomed both old and new members of the Catholic Teachers Sodality including Sunday school and Education teachers.

[Center R-L]His Grace Archbishop Christopher Cardone OP and Bishop of Gizo Diocese Bishop Luciano Capeli FMA with alter servers

“We were call to serve, inspire and to educate the young God given citizens with a holistic approach to produce quality and productive leaders for our country.

“This is third year of leity and the call to holiness, therefore, this theme requires us to evangelize in our classrooms.”

She further spoke of the theme for this year’s sodality, which is “Thy will be done”.

“The theme reflects the word of the Blessed Virgin Mary the mother of Jesus,” she said.

She told everyone to always reflect upon this theme daily before starting off their work.

Teachers Sodality commissioning from the two Bishops infront of the alter

Moreover, she acknowledged the school teachers and principals for all their help and support throughout the past years and encouraged them to continue living the Christian faith in their classrooms.

She concluded by thanking Archbishop Cardone for his full support in the education mission inside the archdiocese.

The gathering ended with feasting and entertainment from Bishop Epalle School, St Joseph Tenaru, St Vincent Burnscreek School and San Isidro Care Centre.

–CATHOLIC MEDIA

NO GRANT FOR YOU

Written by
Samie Waikori
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Gov’t asks Malaita to forgo $ 6.5 million funding

BY SAMIE WAIKORI

AUKI

THE National government has asked the Malaita Provincial Government to forgo portion of the service grant and Provincial Capacity Development Fund totaling up to $SBD6.5 million due to lack of finance at the national treasury.

 The funds were to be received by the Provincial government for the 2020/2021 financial year.

Premier Daniel Suidani said this is a setback for his government as there was no assurance made, they were only asked to forgo the remainder of the funding for the 2020/2021 financial year which will lapse at the end of this month.

He said although the national government had explained their side on the issue, it has really affected service delivery in the province.

Suidani said the matter is in relation to the slow release of service grants by the national government to Malaita province.

He said during the final quarter of 2020 (October, November and December) his government had to operate with funds collected from local revenue. This is due to the slow release of the service grant.

“On top of that, the remaining $SBD2.8 million, that is part of the service for 2020/2021 financial year was yet to be paid to Malaita province by the national government.

“Later on, we were advised to forgone the remaining grants, as there is lack of finance available at the national treasury.

“In addition, and in terms of the capital budget, my government was also advised last month to forget about the remaining capital funds of $SBD3.7 million yet to be paid by national government to Malaita province.

“These are serious issues that continue to affect my government,” Suidani said.

He said it’s obvious that the national government’s support for the new budget has been reduced. Reason was due to low revenue collection from the national government sources.

Suidani said that shows that Solomon Islands will continue to depend on donor funding until such time the country is able to recover from the negative impacts of covid-19.

“Therefore, it is important that we think strategically and make good use of the little funding support that we have access to in serving our people.

“With that the way forward for Malaita province and the MARA government is to expand the scope of its engagement with private sector actors aligned with the province’s development.

“As a government, our key direction should be on creating an environment that can encourage more private sector participation. This calls for more private sector confidence building,” he said.

Meanwhile, Suidani said as the theme of last year’s 2nd appointed day celebration states, “Malaita Province Resilience in the face of Adversity” MPG must live and show for the theme.

He said it was on this basis that MARA government has to continue to perform amidst those challenges.

Suidani said it is obvious that there is a huge reduction of government support that will impinge on the new financial year’s budget, and no doubt it will affect the policy objectives and directions of MARA government.

He said it’s important to take appropriate actions and measures to deal with the matter by using alternative development approaches to ensure MARA government’s policy is not greatly affected.

Sunshine mineral has no licence: Isabel PS

Written by
Jennifer Kusapa
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BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

THE Isabel Provincial Government has denied granting any business licence to the Sunshine Mineral Company limited.

Provincial Secretary of Isabel Province John Lokumana told Island Sun that the company entered Isabel without any business licence and they are illegally setting up things at the Katova District.

The province also said that they will not grant any business licence to Sunshine Mineral company as a result of their illegal behaviour, by entering Isabel without acquiring proper licence to operate in the province.

PS Lokumana said he will not further comment on the matter but confirmed that Sunshine mineral company limited has no business licence to operate on Isabel.

Meanwhile, communities on Katova are still in dispute over the proposed prospecting areas and are also calling on the company to stop doing any operation.

One of the community leaders said that they have advised the directors of the company that they should not land in Nuha – Isabel until the land issues are sorted out since the Jejevo tenement is currently under dispute but that advice has fallen on deaf ears.

Malaita looks forward to more funding from USA

Written by
Samie Waikori
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BY SAMIE WAIKORI

AUKI

MALAITA Provincial Government is looking forward to more funding support from the people and government of the United State of America.

Premier of Malaita province, Daniel Suidani in his Full Assembly speech made the statement as the first funding support was already visualizing in the province. 

He said that under the USAID funding of USD$25 million ($SBD204 million) for Malaita province, Winrock International is already in Auki.

Suidani added that the other four US agencies which will also participate in the implementation of programmes under the funding are expected to set up office in Auki in the coming months.

And as part of this funding, he said the MARA government has made it compulsory for these agencies to establish offices in Auki.

On that note, Suidani said his government is also aware that the US government will support Climate Change and Resilience programme on Malaita.

“This programme will be targeting the northern and Langa Langa wards, those that are more vulnerable to climate change,” he said.

Suidani said a funding support of USD$8 million will also go towards similar activities and will be implemented by World Vision Solomon Islands.

He said still under the US government funding support to Malaita province, the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) has announced a USD$23 million funding for Solomon Islands towards the end of last year, 2020.

Suidani said the funding will focus mainly on the conservation of natural resources which include forestry and carbon trading.

“While this funding support will cover Guadalcanal, Western and Isabel provinces, my government was informed that half of the funding will be committed to MCC’s programmes for Malaita province.

“Under these various US government funding support to Malaita province, it’s my government’s aim to ensure people of the province fully benefit from the projects and programmes.

“It will not be business as usual,” he said.

Malaita strike called off

Written by
Samie Waikori
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Premier of Malaita province Daniel Suidani

BY SAMIE WAIKORI

AUKI

THE 28 days strike notice issued by the Workers Union of Solomon Islands (WUSI) to the Malaita Provincial government on behalf of the provincial government direct employees has been withdrawn.

The matter was in relation to an agreement that WUSI had with the previous provincial government on the pay structure of provincial direct employees.

Malaita Premier, Daniel Suidani said the issue has been dealt with, resulting in the withdrawal and the agreement by the employees to the public service unified salary pay structure.

He said an issue that his MARA government dealt with was the high salary given to MPG direct employees, where from level four to level 10, direct employees were paid higher compared to public servants.

Suidani said this is an issue they looked at as they depend on the national government’s funding to pay for direct employees’ salaries.

“So why should we pay higher salaries than the one who gives to us? For the past couple of years our direct employees have been enjoying high pay rise at the expense of little or no service delivery as seen during past administrations,” he said.

On that note, Suidani said having to decide and reverse an existing practice is not an easy thing.

He however said with the guidance of law, regulations and ordinance this was possible.

“The governing rule for Malaita province becomes crucial, where important decisions that will incur huge financial commitment on the provincial government must be endorsed by the executive and passed by the full assembly.

“In absence of this, my government has established that the basis on which the direct employees pay rise was committed us was illegal.

“To implement this decision, we have to work closely with the salary department of the Ministry of Finance and Treasury as well as to explain to our employees the reason for this executive decision,” he said.

Suidani said that upon MARA government’s stand not to entertain this high salary and other claims that were not clear, WUSI colluded with its members who are direct employees under Malaita province and the union issued his government with a 28 days Strike Notice.

He said the administration of MPG has responded to the notice with a series of actions already taken including meeting with direct employees and the union to clarify and put right matters that have become the subject of the strike notice.

“This resulted in the strike notice being withdrawn and direct employees accepting the decision that their salaries will now be paid according to the Solomon Islands public service Unified Salary Pay Structure,” Suidani said.

Investigations into female officer alleged arson case ongoing

Written by
Jennifer Kusapa
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BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

POLICE Commissioner Mostyn Mangau says that the Professional Standard Internal Investigation into allegations against a female officer for taking part in a recent arson incident is still ongoing.

He said once the PSII completes their investigations further action will be taken from there.

It was alleged that a female police officer working at the Crime portfolio of the Royal Solomon Island Police Force at the Rove Police Headquarters was involved in the recent arson incident at Tetupa village, North East Guadalcanal.

The allegations were that the female officer provided beers for the nine boys, who caused the incident at Tetupa village.

This is in relation to the arson and looting incident that occurred on March 8 this year where some drunkard men from Tau village armed with bush-knives and axe, went inside Tetupa village, threatening and chasing the villagers and as result burnt some houses causing damages to properties.

Mangau said no further arrests have been made so far after police arrested one male suspect and police are calling on communities in the surrounding villages to support police in their investigation.

Police said some five houses and two semi-permanent kitchens were burned down and the group of nine men also caused damages to a vehicle, water pump, water supplies and church furniture,  with 070 chainsaws removed during that time of burning and looting in that village.

The man behind Buri CHS

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Founder and Chairperson of Buri CHS Mr Roby Paul

BY BEN BILUA
Gizo

ROBY Paul is described by others as a super hero, a visionary person and a man full of concern towards shaping better human resource for the future of his community, his province and the country Solomon Islands.

His legacy will be in the history books of Buri Community High School which accommodates more than 300 students and 17 teachers.

I met Paul during my visit to Buri Community High School on Thursday last week. He was the first to greet us when we arrived at the school’s jetty.

Buri man Roby Paul

He is outspoken, funny and a cool person to talk to. After spending few minutes chatting at a leaf hut on the jetty we climbed a hill approximately 30 metres high – the gateway to the school.

We were greeted by students dressed in dark blue and light blue uniforms and the sounds of teachers lecturing students.

After a site visit to the school compound, we went to the school assembly hall for a cup of tea while chatting.

Curious about the history of the school, I sat next to Paul – the chairperson of the school and we had a conversation.

“This school was built from nothing. No fund, no support from government, what so ever. It’s a community project. We traded gravels for timbers to build our classrooms. We sell food to raise funds to meet our financial needs,” Paul began.

“What made me want to build this secondary school is, I saw students falling out from the education system due to lack of access to secondary school and I felt sorry for these students.

“Another thing is, the nepotism practice that privately owned schools have towards student’s education,” he added.

Paul said privately owned or church owned secondary school to be precise only picked their students for secondary school – a practice he described as well rooted on selfishness and greedy.

A classroom building at Buri village.

He said the initial plan to establish Buri Community High School was made in 1999.

“It was a household conversation at first, but later it became a community commitment.  We put together our resources and kick started our plan.

“Our first move was consulting those who owned this land, (Seventh Day Adventist Church) and to our surprise, we were given the green light,” Paul explained.

He said the school project run smoothly and assistance was flowing in from kind hearted individuals.

“At the very beginning, we were fortunate to have the assistance of Timol Enterprise. It really helped us with these classroom buildings.

“First, we built form one classroom and the years that followed we built form two classroom then form three classroom and now form five classroom,” Paul said.

He said Buri CHS is expected to open its doors for form six soon.

A classroom building was already completed awaiting blessing from the Western Provincial Government – the education authority that looks after the school and the national government through the Ministry of Education and Human Resources.

Buri CHS’s great achievement was not unnoticed; the Chief Executive Officer of Western Province Education Authority also spoke highly of the school’s development aspirations and also academic performances.

Looking back, Paul said he gave all glory and honor to God for the great achievement that he and his community have achieved towards building the school over the past years.

He also acknowledged the Western Provincial Government for its great support towards the school’s development since the school become part of Western Province Education Authority.

However, Paul said this glamorous history has one unsolved issue – efficient and effective water supply system.

“Currently our water supply system is not that effective and we want to improve this area. We are working hard to make sure this issue is addressed.

“I can say that my achievement can be fulfilled if water supply system of this school is addressed,” he said.

The School made a call for assistance towards their water supply project last week.

School Principal, Gregory Patovaki said the school’s need of proper water supply can only be addressed if kind hearted individuals or organisation donates seven poly-pipe roll with 150 metres in length to connect a supply line to one of the school’s unused tank to the existing supply line.

“We believe this is the only hope we are waiting for and we are seeking assistance from our partners to help us with this project,” he said.

Located at a hill top over-looking Vella Island lays Buri Community High School. The beautiful view is breathtaking but also left behind a living testimony of pure community cooperation and commitment towards building education and also future human resources of the country. 

For Paul, he is still the chairperson of the school since it was established in 2002. He has been undefeated for the school’s position of chairmanship; he reclaimed his seat in numbers of meetings due to his dynamism towards the school’s development.

For me, I think we need more people like Paul and his companions.

3rd anti-logging premier faces motion

Written by
Alfred Pagepitu
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Premier of Central Islands Province, Stanley Manetiva

BY ALFRED PAGEPITU

A month after announcing his intentions of banning logging in the Central Province, Provincial premier, Stanley Manetiva is staring down the face of a motion of no confidence against his government.

This was confirmed by the Speaker of the Central Islands Provincial Assembly, Francis Moah yesterday who said he has allowed a motion of no-confidence against the Provincial Premier Manetiva, to be moved in the full assembly meeting on 23rd in March.

He said the Provincial Assembly Member for Ward 8 , Polycarp Galaigu will move the no-confidence motion against the current Executive.

A close source informed Island Sun last night that the non-executive MPA’s handed a seven-day notice to the Assembly speaker on March 9 2021 expressing lack of confidence in the premier.

 Speaker Moah said he has accepted the request although he received the letter on the 15th March 2021 and he is still not in the position to reveal Mr. Galaigu grounds for moving the motion, but he has put it on notice on 16th March to the general public.

A spokesman from the non-executive said that all opponents and critics of the current ruling government led by Manetiva had been waiting to move a motion of no confidence.

They hope that the non-executive will have the numbers to oust manetiva.

When contacted Premier Manetiva last night said he was aware of the letter submitted to the speaker about the motion of no confidence against him.

“I was informed by my speaker over this motion and I have accepted the motion,” said Premier.

He said “If my government comes into play, they will switch because they have the power and trust in me to lead the people of Central.

He said the number of his side remains at 10 and on the non-executive side there are only three.

“I don’t know what will happen next because all my trust is on my government side who elected me as a premier.

He said what the non-executive are planning is their own making and respects their democratic right.

Early this month, Premier Manetiva made a bold statement when he revealed that his government’s policy and in tune to their business audience interest, they will not allow any foreign or locals to operate logging activities on Ngella and the province.

“My government plans are to develop Ngella in tourism and boost Agriculture and Fisheries and not logging and mining.

Other two Provincial Premiers with strong anti-logging stands that have faced motion of no confidence includes the Premiers of Malaita and Guadalcanal provinces.

Astra vaccine here

Written by
Mavis Podokolo
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Dr Alex Munamua with the AstraZeneca vaccine that arrived last month/

BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO

SOLOMON Islands has received its first batch of 24,000 COVID-19 vaccine, the AstraZeneca vaccine yesterday.

The vaccine was shipped via COVAX Facility, a partnership between CEPI, Gavi, UNCEF and WHO. This is a historic step towards achieving the goal to ensure equitable distribution of COVID-19 vaccines globally.

The arrival of the 24,000 doses of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine marks the first batch of the vaccines to arrive in the country under the COVAX facility.

Minister for Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS) Dr Culwick Togamana in receiving the vaccines at the Honiara International airport yesterday afternoon stated “today (yesterday) marks a significant milestone in Solomon Islands against COVID-19 with the arrival and receiving of the first 24,000 doses of COVID-19 AstraZeneca vaccine.

“This is the first of many more consignments of COVID-19 vaccines that the government and partners are working hard to bring into its endeavor to protect all of us against the global pandemic.”

“With the high global demand of these vaccines, let us thank our Almighty God that we are now amongst many countries in the world to receive the AstraZeneca vaccine and also among few Pacific Island Countries to have received the COVID-19 vaccine.”

“These 24,000 doses of AstraZeneca vaccine we receive today, is the first tranche of the 108,000 doses confirmed by COVAX facility to cover 20 percent of our population. These vaccines are provided by the Serum Institute in India for making these vaccines available through the COVAX facility.”

“I would like to also acknowledge here the contributions of many of our donors and bilateral partners, the British Government as one of the major donors of GAVI, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, China. All your contributions to GAVI have enabled us not only to receive these vaccines today (yesterday) but in the past decades we were able to protect our population from vaccine preventable diseases. So, thank you indeed.”

“With this, I stand in salutation of the staff, experts, specialists and advisors of the ministry of health under the leadership of my Permanent Secretary who have worked tirelessly with determination to ensure that we continue to enhance our capability to protect our people from this virus by all possible means. What are witnessing today (yesterday) is the reflection of your determination. Thank you.”

Dr Zelalem Taffese UNICEF field officer to Solomon Islands said “I am honored to stand with you today to welcome the first shipment of COVID 19 vaccines to Solomon Islands.

“Exactly a year ago, the world was in a very different state. Borders were closing, hope was flickering, and we looked to face a very grim and unknown future.”

“Today, we mark a very important milestone. Access to vaccines through The COVAX facility which had set the target of vaccinating at least 20% of the world’s population by the end of 2021,”

“The vaccines we are welcoming this afternoon indicate the light at the end of the tunnel. The beginning of the journey to Normalcy.”

“COVAX represents an unprecedented global cooperation and collaboration that gives us hope in Humanity’s capacity to work together to address our common collective problems,” said Taffese.

Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare in his special national address yesterday said the arrival of the first doses of COVID-19 Vaccines is a tremendously proud day for the country.

“I give Honour and Praise to our Almighty GOD for working through our partners to ensure our first batch of vaccines arrive today.”

“I also thank Solomon Airlines for ensuring the Vaccines get into the country, and our Customs team for ensuring their pre-release so that they can be stored appropriately immediately after arrival,” said Sogavare.

He said the bulk of the vaccines will be deployed to the western border zone where the highest urgency, and priority exists to protect people of this country.

Partnership a way forward: Tozaka

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Freedom Tozaka, a chief from Vella

BY BEN BILUA
in Gizo

CHIEF Education Officer of Western Province, Freedom Tozaka says partnership is the only way forward towards achieving development goals during COVID-19.

He made the statement during his visit to Buri School, Rannongga Island, Western Province on Thursday.

Tozaka said development aspirations have been exposed to economic stress and that developments are at stake.

“We are at the centre of this pandemic and there is no room for individualism,” Tozaka said.

“We cannot work alone, rather requires greater partnership and collaboration to keep development aspiration going,” he added.

Tozaka said all sectors and stakeholders including national and provincial government must ride on a same boat and reading the same book in order to drive the economy and development of the country.

He said government alone cannot perform miracle to stabilize development aspirations and challenges faced in the country.

“We understand that we in a brink economic disorder as such we must look at other alternatives to help us achieve our goals.

“We have lots of donor partners who can help us with our plan as such, like I said, greater collaboration and partnership is paramount at this post-Covid situation, Tozaka said.

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