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FB will be temporarily suspended: PM

Written by
Alfred Pagepitu
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PM Sogavare

BY ALFRED PAGEPITU

PRIME minister Manasseh Sogavare has elaborated in parliament his decision, backed by cabinet, to ban facebook.

“Facebook needs to be suspended so that relevant regulations can be brought to Parliament to regulate the use of facebook,” he said.

He told Parliament that his Cabinet agreed to suspended facebook on Thursday, November 12, 2020.

“This was a not spur of the moment deliberation. In fact, concerns over use of Facebook has always been there.

“Today I will make a statement on the Cabinet decision to temporary suspend access to Facebook.

“Since then, there has been a lot of commentary and publication on Facebook on the decision of Cabinet to temporarily suspend access to Facebook,” he said.

Sogavare explained that a lot has been said about the reason why Cabinet has made this decision.

He said the Leader of Opposition, Leader of the Independent and the Member for East Are Are have also waded in on the debate media as well.

PM said he appreciates their comments, after all they are simply exercising their freedom of expression, a fundamental freedom that is provided for and protected by our Constitution.

Sogavare assured all that the decision to temporarily suspend access to Facebook was not at any time made with the intention to gag the media or the people who are constructively raising issues against the Government on social media.

“We are all politicians and getting criticised by the public comes with the territory. This is normal and is never a reason to suspend access to any social media platform.

“The decision to suspend access to Facebook is not a brazen attack on the freedom of expression as most have made it out to be.”

He said, on the outset, it is important to state that there is no legislation in Solomon Islands to govern and regulate the use of such social media platforms such as Facebook.

“In short the use of social media platforms such as Facebook in Solomon Islands is unregulated.

“We have always relied on the moral and ethical predisposition of users to use Facebook responsibly. However, sadly this has failed.”

He said the Government has always held the position that the unregulated use of Facebook in the Solomon Islands is a potential threat to public security, public safety and public morality.

Dentana, when? Opposition leader asks

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MoFT Permanent Secretary McKinnie Dentana. Photo by SBM

THE Leader of Opposition, Matthew Wale, has called on the Permanent Secretary of Finance to state when he will publish the list of Economic Stimulus Package (ESP) beneficiaries.

In a media statement last week, responding to PS Finance’s statements during a talkback show on Sunday (Nov 15), Wale said Dentana’s statements were evasive.

He stressed that what would be most useful is that PS Finance simply tell the country the date these lists will be published.

On the ESP 600k payment to Northeast Guadalcanal Constituency, Wale said the PS Finance’s statements were confusing.

“First there was denial that such a payment was made. This was followed by an admission that the payment was made, but was withheld. Now the former MP has confirmed that the payment actually went into the constituency account,” says the Opposition Leader.

Wale said, “These are constituency funds meant for constituents, and the timing of this payment made close to a bye election makes it appear sinister. Nobody with a vested interest in the election outcome should be making allocation decisions to constituents during a by-election.

“The fact that no similar payments were made to the other two constituencies with vacant parliamentary seats points to the fact that it appears the government was flirting with allowing the former MP to distribute these funds.”

“Or is it just sheer incompetence?” asked Wale.

The Opposition Leader however expressed gratitude to the PS Finance for finally announcing that ESP $600,000 due to the three constituencies with vacant parliamentary seats will be paid after the by-elections, adding that this is common sense and a good decision.

Wale further called on the PS Finance to be more efficient in deciding the rest of the ESP beneficiaries.

Whilst understanding the complexity of the tasks involved and the need to safeguard public funds, Wale points out that it has taken too long to decide these ESP allocations.

–OPPOSITION PRESS

6 covid-19 case in Manila, second repa-flight cancelled

Written by
Mavis Podokolo
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Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare

BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO

THE second repatriation flight to bring home students in Philippines was cancelled for a later date due to six more students testing positive for covid-19.

The second repatriation flight arrival date was scheduled for today, November 24, 2020.

These new cases bring to total 28 Solomon Islands students tested positive for covid-19 in the Philippines.

Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare in his national address yesterday said, “Fellow citizens I am deeply sorry to inform you all that the repatriation flight from Manila that was scheduled to arrive tomorrow, Tuesday 24 November 2020, has been cancelled to a later date.

“The reason for the cancellation is that we have just received the test results of all 143 passengers a short while ago, and 6 of the students returned positive tests for Covid-19.

“This is extremely unfortunate as this flight had been planned for a long time. We commenced our 21-days pre-departure tests three weeks ago on those that were scheduled to travel on this flight.

“Obviously, the students had broken quarantine in Manila. They could not have contracted Covid-19 in the hotel. They would have gone out of the hotel. They have now put all the students living in the same hotel at risk,” said Sogavare.

He said the likelihood that many of the other students scheduled for this flight would have been exposed to the six positive students given this new development.

Sogavare with this, the Oversight Committee had recommended that the flight be postponed to another date.

“Our health team is currently undertaking contact tracing. As soon as we have a clearer picture of the situation, we will reschedule the flight.

“I ask all the students remaining in Manila at huge cost to the country, please, do not do things that will put other students and our country at risk. We will establish if the six students had broken quarantine. The consequence of the six positive cases is the cancellation of tomorrow’s flight.

“I am happy to reassure the nation that where we can, we will intervene to stop the importation of covid-19 into the country, as we have just done with the cancellation of the flight from Manila tomorrow.

“We urge our students waiting to be repatriated from Manila to take absolute care. Do not to go out from the hotels to the surrounding communities. Manila has an extremely high Community transmission rate. It is very unfortunate that six students had tested positive. This has led to the cancellation of the full flight tomorrow,” he said.

Another case

Written by
Barnabas Manebona
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Covid-19
Photo: Google

One covid-19 positive from Indonesia repa-flight

BY BARNABAS MANEBONA

SOLOMON Islands has registered another positive Coronavirus (Covid-19) case.

The latest positive Covid-19 case now brings the total number of registered cases in the country to 17.

Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare in his ‘Nationwide Address’ yesterday said the case is one of the country’s nationals that returned on the Garuda Airlines charter flight arriving from Indonesia on November 17.

“My good people, I regret to inform you that we have registered another positive COVID-19 case in the country. The case is one of our nationals that returned to the country on the Garuda Airlines charter flight that arrived from Indonesia on 17 November 2020,” said Sogavare.

“This latest case now brings the total number of registered cases in the country to 17. Of the 17, six are now negative, and 11 remain positive. Of the 11 cases, 10 are our soccer players that returned from England on 25 October 2020.”

To note, according to the Prime Minister, this revelation has raised a new concern in relation to the virulence of the Covid-19 strain that came in from the United Kingdom.

“These players have now been in the country for 4 weeks. However, unlike the cases that came from Philippines and Korea that converted to negative within 2-3 weeks, the strain from the UK is still positive after 4 weeks,” said Sogavare.

“This finding has fully vindicated our testing protocol whereby we require 3 consecutive negative tests after the person tested positive before they can be released from the quarantine station to a lower level (step down) quarantine facility for another week before being released home.

“If we had followed the current global practice of releasing these persons without further testing on day 14 after they tested positive, we would have released people that are still positive into the community and started a community transmission of the virus.

“The next test of the soccer players is scheduled for tomorrow [Tuesday], Tuesday 24 November 2020. This is 30 days after their return to Solomon Islands. It is my hope that most if not all of them will come back negative so that the numbers of active cases in our country can reduce from the current 11 cases to a lower figure.

“Fellow citizens, I am pleased to inform you all that our Field hospital will most likely become operational this week. Once it is opened, all our existing Covid-19 positive cases will be transferred to the new field hospital.

“Work will also start soon on the refurbishment of the current TB ward at the National referral hospital to convert it into a 16-bed isolation facility. Once completed this facility will enhance the Ministry of Health’s capacity to manage patients requiring isolation facilities.”

Solomon Islands Prime Minister elaborated being deeply sorry to inform everyone that the repatriation flight from Manila that was scheduled to arrive tomorrow [today], Tuesday 24 November 2020, has been cancelled to a later date.

“The reason for the cancellation is that we have just received the test results of all 143 passengers a short while ago, and 6 of the students returned positive tests for Covid-19,” said Sogavare.

“This is extremely unfortunate as this flight had been planned for a long time. We commenced our 21-days pre-departure tests 3 weeks ago on those that were scheduled to travel on this flight.

“Obviously, the students had broken quarantine in Manila. They could not have contracted Covid-19 in the hotel. They would have gone out of the hotel. They have now put all the students living in the same hotel at risk.

“Given this new development, and the likelihood that many of the other students scheduled for this flight would have been exposed to the 6 positive students, the Oversight Committee had recommended that the flight be postponed to another date. Our health team is currently undertaking contact tracing. As soon as we have a clearer picture of the situation, we will reschedule the flight.”

At huge cost to the country, Mr Sogavare asks all students remaining in Manila to please do not do things that will put other students and Solomon Islands at risk.

“We will establish if the 6 students had broken quarantine. The consequence of the 6 positive cases is the cancellation of tomorrow’s [today] flight,” said Sogavare.

“My good people I thank you for your continued support to our students staying in our quarantine stations in the country. They deserve our support as they undergo this sacrifice to protect our nation.

“I am happy to reassure the nation that where we can, we will intervene to stop the importation of Covid-19 into the country, as we have just done with the cancellation of the flight from Manila tomorrow [today].

“Where the virus had inadvertently entered the country, we will detect, isolate, manage and eliminate it from our border quarantine stations.

“With God’s Grace, and the dedication of all our front-liners, we have been able to contain all Covid-19 cases in the country to date, in our quarantine stations.”

Solomon Islands today continue to fight against Covid-19.

Second Philippines repa-flight Nov 24

Written by
Mavis Podokolo
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Solomon Airlines airbus

BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO

THE second repatriation flight for Solomon Islands Student in Philippines planned for November 24, 2020 still stands.

Collin Beck, Permanent Secretary for Ministry of Foreigner Affairs and External Trade (MFAET), confirmed this yesterday during a radio talkback show on covid-19 updates.

“The second flight for Manila is on the 24th of this month (November).

“Names of those student who will be coming in this flight are already in a list and students who will be becoming on this flight were already aware,” said Beck.

Dr Yogesh Choudri, technical Advisor to the Ministry of Health and Medical Services, said for these students who are coming on November 24 “actually each one of them have been tested five or six times”.

“This is because we were planning to bring them earlier so the testing was started earlier and now every one of them were tested at least four times starting from October 30, November 6, November 17 and another round of test is happening yesterday.

“So at least four tests be detected negative before they will board the flight on 24th of this month,” said Choudri.

Dr Jimmie Rodgers, Secretary to Prime Minister, said: “we have more than students who have been quarantined for more than two months whilst Philippines is till very high risk those individuals themselves believed to be lower risk.

“Therefore, they are qualified to come over.”

Test results of 11 positives on Thursday

Written by
Mavis Podokolo
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Photo: Google

BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO

THE next tests for the 11 positive covid-19 patients will be taken tomorrow and test results will be made available on Thursday this week.

This was confirmed by Dr Jimmie Rodgers, Secretary to Prime Ministry.

“Currently we have 16 positive cases recorded in the country five recovering and 11 actives.

“The next test of 11 positive is on Tuesday hopefully the number will decrease after these tests.

“Hopefully there will be no negatives on Tuesday which we will know on Thursday 48 hours later,” said Rodgers.

Acting Incident Controller Dr Gregory Jilini adds, in terms of the seven locals kept in quarantine at the Nila isolation ward, they have served their mandatory quarantined period which lapsed on Thursday last week and they have done their three tests and all detected negative.

“We have issued them their certificates and they have been released,” said Jilini.

He said for testing kits there is still adequate suppliers.

“We still have adequate suppliers of testing kits that will last up until next year and we are also placing new orders with WHO so they can provide more testing kits so we do not run out of them,” said Jilini.

He adds, at the moment 176 persons still at the quarantine stations later this week six or a bit more will be released if they meet the criteria of mandatory quarantined protocols and testing protocols.

Top clash stalemate

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Central Coast FC Charles Mani contesting with Henderson Eels captain Boni Pride in yesterday’s top table clash. Photo PETER ZOLEVEKE II.

TSL RESUMES 9 JAN 2021

BY PETER ZOLEVEKE II

THE top of the table TSL League clash between Henderson Eels and Central Coast ended in a 1 all stalemate at the Lawson Tama stadium yesterday.

With eight more league rounds to go in the competition, TSL matches for this year has completed and will resume on 9th January 2021.

Two first half goals each was enough for the two top contenders to settle for points in a hard-fought encounter.

Eels had their noses in front through Raphael Le’ai from a well collected offload pass in an equal contention situation for Tuti Zama to get the touch of the ball to Le’ai.

Central Coast FC didn’t have to wait long to respond from an indirect kick into the Eels penalty box that went pass almost five defenders for a waiting Javin Wai at the end to convert neatly and level the score.

C/Coast FC winger Philip Ropa had a clear opportunity to get the lead but his judgement to execute was well challenged by incoming Eels custodian Anthony Talo for the lad’s effort to went wide out of goal and on running Charles Mani at the other end.

“Today (Yesterday) the boys played accordingly to what we planned during our training, just so unfortunate we missed clear chances but that’s football when you take your chances and you missed it can back fires, “Central Coast head coach, Jacob Moli said in the post – match interview.

The second half was equally dominated in possession by sides, Zama, Le’ai and Joses Nawo strides was well dealt with by Coast FC’s experience custodian Philip Mango manning the posts.

But for a young dominated side like Central Coast FC up against the league leaders and two times OFC Championship country reps is a satisfied result for Moli.

“To stand up against current leaders with the wealth of experiences, my boys really showed character. In saying that Eels really gave a good game, it was a fair game for both teams,” Moli said.

C/Coast FC draw is welcoming news for reigning Champions, Solomon Warriors as both teams are locked on 25 points on the 2nd spot on the table.

“Currently we sit second with the defending champions, but they have the upper hand with goals for so we just need to take one game at the time comes the remaining league rounds and see how we can go,” Moli adds.

Likewise, Eels head coach Eddie Marahare a draw is satisfying seeing them still 9 points clear top of the table.

“For myself I’m satisfied with draw. Central is a young team and they are also a top contender in the league,” Marahare said.

“At least we finish off the last game for this year still positive. Despite our current lead I know other teams and the defending Champions will come back strong next year, and the thing is we already played most top teams this year and we have to comeback focus with each of our remaining games and we need maximum points.

Round 2 of the TSL will now take a break until its resumption on January 9th 2021.

Warriors closes 3rd gap

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Gagame Feni scored a hat-trick to his name in the 5-3 win against Marist FC on 18th November. Photo PETER ZOLEVEKE II

BY PETER ZOLEVEKE II

REIGNING TSL Champions Solomon Warriors have closed the third seat on the league table with a 5-3 win over a young Marist FC yesterday at the Lawson Tama stadium.

Gagame Feni marked his return to the club with a hat-trick and a match ovation for Solomon Islands International, Micah Lea’alafa following his return from professional football in South Africa.

A youthful Marist FC made the defending Champions to wait until late in the first half to find the back of the net before picking back their pace in the second half. Feni had Warriors ahead before the breather with a brace in a three additional minutes.

“We made a late start to the game but then we pick up to manage goals,” Warriors head coach, Willie Omokirio said in an interview.

“We are happy with the three points today; we were looking forward for this clash and the win will push us up encouraging us to prepare and focus for our final fixture this year.

Judd Molea came off the bench to produce an assist from a trademark corner kick for skipper Haddis Aengari to head in, before Feni found complete his hat-trick to lead 4-0.

Yet determined Marist managed a goal back through Bobby Lesley which caught the Warriors defense at awe.

Alvin Hou extends the lead for Warriors 80’ minutes of play, however a tussle in Warrior’s defense prompted referee George Time to point directly to the spot for Aeta to grab Marist’s second goal.

“Some of the calls made by the referee we think are not fair but then it’s the referee’s decision,” coach Omokirio said.

Four players were booked during the match two each from both teams from aggressive play.

Micah who started from the bench was introduced in the remaining 10 minutes of play still his attacking impact was well dealt by the desperate Marist defense. Marist had one back through Charles Maelasi before fulltime.

“We don’t want to put too much pressure on Micah to have him on the pitch early,” says Omokirio.

The win puts Warriors on 22 points a close gap between the top three teams with a game against KOSSA FC this weekend.

“Like everyone else we are looking forward for our next match and a win can push us up the ladder,” Omokirio wraps.

Warriors meanwhile will play KOSSA FC in their second match for Round 2 of the 2020-2021 TSL seasons 2pm this Saturday

Gov’t confirms 2 repa-flights

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Solomon Airlines airbus

TWO government approved repatriation flights are scheduled for November 19 and 24, 2020.

Chair of Covid-19 Oversight Committee, James Remobatu relayed this to all Solomon Islands citizens and non-nationals residing overseas.

He said on November 19, Solomon Airlines operating IE626 will depart Honiara International Airport at 0700hrs, arriving Bonriki International Airport, Kiribati at 1045hrs.

It will depart for Fiji at 1145hrs arriving Nadi International Airport at 1445hrs.

Solomon Airlines operating IE627 flight will depart Nadi International Airport on the same day for Solomon Islands arriving Honiara International Airport at 1745hrs.

For Solomon Islands students based in Philippines, the government has approved a second flight on Tuesday, November 24, 2020.

Solomon Airlines operating IE629 will depart Manila International Airport on November 24 at 0700hrs en route to Solomon Islands making a stopover in Biak, Indonesia arriving Honiara International Airport at 1805hrs.

Remobatu said all nationals and non-nationals who will be boarding this repatriation flights must have valid Solomon Airlines tickets and are strongly encouraged to contact Solomon Airlines Office in Brisbane and Honiara for ticketing information.

Solomon Airlines can be contacted on email [email protected] or visit their website: https://www/flysolomons.com/.

“The Government is conscious of the welfare of its citizens in view of the confirmed cases being imported through the repatriation flights coming from high risk countries,” Remobatu said.

He added the Government is very cautious of the potential importation of the virus into the country and wish to remind all incoming travellers to comply with the following requirements:

  1. That the Joint Travel Advisory No.4 issued by the Solomon Islands Government dated 21st March 2020 is currently in force and that all incoming travellers must take heed and comply with.
  • With reference to the JTA No.4 paragraph 1.1, all non-nationals who wish to enter Solomon Islands must apply to the Office of the Prime Minister through the COVID-19 Oversight Committee for exemptions approval. Applications can be forwarded through the Office of the Prime Minister and Cabinet or the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and External Trade.
  • All persons entering Solomon Islands will undergo mandatory quarantine at a Government identified quarantine station for a specified period provided under the Solomon Islands Emergency Powers (COVID-19) Regulations 2020.
  • All persons entering Solomon Islands from COVID-19 affected countries (but with regressing rate of new infections and decreasing number of active cases) must provide two negative test results from their country of origin 14 -12 days and 72 hours before travelling to Solomon Islands and will undergo mandatory 14 days quarantine and surveillance at a Government identified quarantine station. Further they will undergo a required number of qPCR tests for COVID-19 to be determined by the Solomon Islands Government Health Authorities.
  • All persons entering Solomon Islands from very high risks COVID-19 affected countries with infection rate increasing, consistently serious or wide community transmission report must provide 3 negative test results 21 days prior to travel (day 21-18, 14-12 and 3 days before travel). All persons are required to undergo 21 days in-country mandatory quarantine period, and be required to undertake a number of qPCR tests for COVID-19 to be determined by the Solomon Islands Government Health Authorities.
  • It is a prerequisite for all incoming travellers to MUST complete a Pre-Departure Form and Instructions on the Conduct Form truthfully and return to the Solomon Islands Government Health Authorities 5 clear days before travelling into Solomon Islands. All completed pre-departure forms can be forwarded through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and External Trade or any Solomon Islands Missions Overseas nearest to your location. Anyone who fail to comply and respond truthfully will be penalised with $10,000 fine or 5-years imprisonment or both. Find attached the Instructions on the Conduct Form for all incoming passengers.
  • The Solomon Islands government may advice Solomon Airlines to deny any person from boarding if they do not meet the above requirements.
  • Persons may also be denied boarding at the gate if and when symptoms of COVID-19 are physically identified on them.
  • Foreign nationals will meet their own quarantine costs at Government quarantine Hotels upon entry into Solomon Islands. 

“All persons travelling or intending to travel to Solomon Islands are strongly encouraged to familiarise themselves with these travel requirements,” Remobatu said.

–GOVERNMENT COMMUNICATIONS UNIT

Only ‘licence fee’ should be paid to CIP: RIPEL

Written by
Barnabas Manebona
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Premier of Central Islands Province, Stanley Manetiva

BY BARNABAS MANEBONA

RUSSELL Islands Plantation Estates Ltd (RIPEL) put down concern that they are operating ‘illegal’ in Central Islands Province (CIP).

On earlier media issue that the CIP Provincial Government and Administration deemed RIPEL operating illegal in the province by failing to pay its ‘Business License’, RIPEL advises to note that as a company, it has not been “operational” for a while now since 2004. And, that it is only fair that the Company should pay a ‘licence fee’ for continuing to be registered, but not a fee for being operational.

Premier Hon Stanley Manetiva speaking through the Media two weeks ago said RIPEL fails to pay its Business License in the province as attempt for them to pay fail ‘miserably’.

Mr Manetiva went on to say that RIPEL has too many arrears to pay, and only lame excuses have been received from its Directors when requested.

With that, the Premier of CIP questions the current status and establishment of RIPEL in CIP saying despite the Treasury Division of the province earlier giving ‘debit note’ twice had not received response.

In response to concern, RIPEL Director Mr Patrick Wong advise to note that RIPEL as a company has not been “operational” for a while now and that accordingly it is fair that the Company should pay a licence fee for continuing to be registered, but not a fee for being operational.

“Please note that RIPEL as a company have not been “operational” since the Solomon Islands Court of Appeal and High Court of Solomon Islands, reconfirm that the Strike by SINUW was illegal. This was back around in 2004,” said Wong.

“RIPEL, as a company has not produced any Copra or Cocoa or any income from the Russell Islands, since 2004.

“Accordingly it is fair that the Company should pay a licence fee for continuing to be registered, but not a fee for being operational.”

Mr Wong assured this paper yesterday that their Board after responding will reach out to the CIP Premier and Administration to resolve this issue.

“The Board will now immediately reach out to Premier and CIP to resolve this,” said Wong.

From RIPEL’s response, CIP’s Premier Stanley Manetiva yesterday told this paper as well that it is good to sort out such areas of concern in the province in order to move forward positively towards developments.

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