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Tourism industry suffers massive blow

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
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Solomon Airlines airbus

By EDDIE OSIFELO

SOLOMON Airlines, hotels and tourism operators in the country are still recovering from the impact of the coronavirus pandemic.

 Governor General Sir David Vunagi declared the State of Public Emergency on March 25 after the announcement made by World Health Organisation on the covid-19 outbreak of a pandemic on March 11.

Solomon Airlines Manager Commercial, Collin Sigamanu said it is a tough environment for the business since the closure of the international borders.

Sigamanu said the closure of the international airport has affected the domestic market as no overseas visitors coming to the country.

As part of the serving the domestic market, Solomon Airlines came up with helpful holiday special packages from Honiara to certain accommodations in Munda and Gizo in Western Province and Suavanao in Isabel province.

Sigamanu said the package includes return airfares, accommodation and more save up to 50 percent stays from July 31 to August 31, 2020.

Furthermore, Solomon Airlines introduced the 14 Day Advance purchase special – return economy fare for selected domestic routes.

The routes include Atoifi, Ballalae, Bellona, Choiseul Bay, Fera, Kirakira, Kagau, Lomlom, Manaoba, Santa Ana, Parasi, Arona, Marau and Santa Cruz.

Sigamanu said you have to book at least 14 days in advance and save 10 percent on the normal return domestic economy airfares.

He said the travel is from August 3 to December 15, 2020.

Sigamanu said the idea behind concentrating on the domestic market is to sustain the ground properties so that when the covid-19 is over, they can still be operating.

On the other hand, the country’s only four-star hotel, Heritage Park Hotel, is still fighting for survival after it lay off 50 percent of its workers five months ago.

General Manager, Sanjay Bhargava said the hotel was hit hard with no room revenues after no tourists come into the country following the closures of international flights.

He said the hotel is lucky with 30 rooms booked to accommodate people serving the mandatory quarantine period.

He said the hotel is expecting about 18 more people to fill in the rooms this week.

In terms of promoting package for customers, Bhargava said at the moment the hotel cannot do it because of lack of buying power.

As such, he said the hotel decided not to introduce special packages.

All in all, the tourism industry in the country is facing a devastating blow which only time will tell before it resurrect back to where it started.

Malaita secures future

Written by
Samie Waikori
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Malaita Premier Daniel Suidani.

Suidani’s government passes 30-year master plan to develop and safeguard province against climate change

BY SAMIE WAIKORI

AUKI

THE Malaita provincial government (MPG) has passed a 30-year master plan aimed at developing the province and securing it against climate change.

A major part of the plan focuses on the development of the provincial capital, Auki.

The other part of the plan encompasses the development of the rest of Malaita, which the provincial government will undertake in collaboration with its development partners.

The well-known Bina Harbour area, which was a hotspot for failed promises by the national government, is one area under this Plan to develop.

Premier Daniel Suidani recently said that under the Planning Act, MPG is responsible for “the master planning of the Bina area”.

“I am glad to say that MPG has recognized Bina Processing Plant and had already passed a resolution for the master planning of Auki provincial town,” he said.

The premier said the master plan is to prepare the province for 2050 and for any massive climate change impact or effect that may happen during the period and beyond.

He said the 30-yr plan document recognises the following:

1) Climate change displacement of peoples both national and International

2) Food security and jobs are key for social stability

3) That all the issues are connected and need clear thinking in advance and that

4) The master planning process is starting now.

Suidani said with that the Malaita Alliance for Rural Advancement (MARA) government gives very high regard to appropriate and meaningful engagements. This is why MPG recognises that coordination is key.

“It recognized that coordination is critical with line ministries and SOEs to ensure development activities are properly supported.

“And that required services are part of the development scheme.

“For instance, water supply for Bina will be a big investment by donors/or Solomon Water.

“The planning of water supply lines and waste processing will determine the wellbeing of not just Bina Tuna Plant, but also wider area around Bina.

“The laying of water lines will be the basis of the future creation of residential and commercial areas in the region,” he said.

Suidani said in a similar way, power supply is critical for Bina development and the Auki Bina corridor.

“It is therefore the wish of my people of Malaita that power must be cheap.

“And as such MPG is intending to ensure that power in Malaita is no more than SND1.50 a unit.

“We are willing to hold discussions with donors on how to ensure this take place,” he said.

Suidani reiterated that the plan values coordination with MPG for development of Malaita province and its people.

NZ residence is an approved quarantine site: High Commission

Written by
Charles Kadamana
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Tanakake kids looking on at the quarantine site.

BY CHARLES KADAMANA

NEW Zealand High Commission Office clarifies that the government has approved the residential compound at Panatina Ridge (Tanakake) in East Honiara as a quarantine site for returning NZ officials.

High Commissioner Georgina Roberts made the clarification following concern raised by residents of Panatina over seven New Zealanders being self-quarantined at the High Commissioner’s residence on Monday.

The seven Zealanders are part of a small number of New Zealand Government officials who arrived in the country on board a New Zealand Defence Force flight earlier this week.

Report reaching this paper said Tanakake residents were living in a state of panic and confusion following the New Zealanders’ arrival.

The residents said they were shocked late Monday afternoon upon seeing a convoy of police vehicles and private buses escorting what they later learnt were expats to the High Commission residential area – located inside the community.

“We are living in a state of panic, shock and confusion. There was no awareness by Health Officials, Police or even the New Zealand High Commission office of the arrivals and that they would be quarantined here.

“This is no quarantine site – whatever happened to all diplomats being quarantined at the hotels or the quarantine sites?” Chris Maelaua, speaking on behalf of concerned residents said.

Mr Maelaua said that they only learnt of the arrivals from security guards – who themselves claimed to have been confused.

“We were only told of this by the security guards who were manning the premises and the cleaners who were told to stop work.

“We are still in a state of emergency and responsible authorities should at least have the curtsey of informing that community when they will arrive, how we should react in avoiding any unnecessary state of panic or fear like we are now facing,” Maelaua said.

Fellow resident Ronnie Sade said that the distance between the High Commission Residence and their house is very close – describing it merely three metres.

“Our house and that of which one of the quarantined families are residing at is not really far. We are only separated by a fence. Fortunately, covid-19 is not airborne otherwise we would all be infected, supposedly any of the New Zealanders carries the virus,” Mr Sade said.

He however said that the risks are still too high, adding that many of the residents are continuously living in panic and fear.  

Similar sentiments were echoed by other residents of the community – some even posted on social media, questioning responsible authority’s lack of public awareness, and calling for responsible authorities to transfer the nationals to quarantine sites.

“These diplomats should be transferred to proper assigned quarantine sites immediately because we are indeed scared, our children are scared – the entire community is scared of the risks that the covid-19 pandemic may pose on all of us,” Maelaua said.

Meanwhile, New Zealand’s High Commissioner said they regret that the community was not adequately informed about this before the residents returned.

“We are aware that there was a degree of community concern about the arrival of our people at the New Zealand residential compound in Panatina Ridge on Monday afternoon.

“We have consequently spent time this morning (yesterday), alongside Ministry of Health and Medical Services officials, speaking with all the immediate neighbours in the community. We appreciate the community’s willingness to engage on this, and we were pleased to be able to address their queries,” the High Commissioner said.

She said they have been working actively to address the concern on 1st July and will continue to stay in touch with the neighbourhood, where the New Zealand High Commission has maintained the residence for years.

“We are observing the quarantine guidelines set by the Solomon Islands government through the Ministry of Health and Medical Services and residents are being closely monitored by health authorities,” the High Commissioner said.

She said all NZ residents completed health screening before departing NZ and on arrival on Monday.

She said the residents understand they are in quarantine and will not interact with anyone but relevant authorities.

She recommends anyone with concern about covid-19 to contact the MHMS health line.

Council of Trade Union eyes SINU

Written by
Barnabas Manebona
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Solomon Islands National University

BY BARNABAS MANEBONA

THE Solomon Islands National University (SINU) saga has now caught the attention of the Solomon Islands Council of Trade Unions (SICTU).

SICTU says it will hold an urgent extraordinary meeting today to discuss the institution’s problem.

“Demand for the removal of the Vice Chancellor of SINU is going to be the main agenda item for an ‘Urgent Extraordinary Meeting’ of the National Executive of SICTU to be held in Honiara today.”

A Press Statement from SICTU yesterday said all the presidents and national secretaries of the country’s trade unions have been invited to attend the important SICTU meeting.

“Tomorrow’s SICTU Extraordinary meeting will give the two Executives of the Lecturers Association of Solomon Islands National University LASINU, and the Solomon Islands National University General Staff Association, SINUGSA to provide the SICTU National Executive about the current SINU dispute,” issued SICTU.

“LASINU and SINUGSA expressed serious concern about the way the Vice Chancellor is conducting the administrative and financial affairs of the University, describing the Vice Chancellor’s actions and decisions as reflecting outright nepotism, corruption, and coated with clear personal business and commercial interests.

“The two SINU trade unions have already provided the responsible Minister and Chairman of the Council Mr Togamana with written details of actions and decisions that the two SINU trade unions view as outright nepotism to the Chairman of the SINU Council, Dr Culwick Togamana, who is also the Minister for Environment, Climate Change, Disaster Management, and Meteorology.”

Vice Chancellor of SINU is facing allegations including abuse of Recruitment/Conflict of interest, VC influenced payment of consultants with incomplete work and financial mismanagement – abuse of procurement processes amongst others.

Associations representing the lecturers (LASINU) and the general staff (SINUGSA) of the institution have since earlier this year called for the removal of the vice chancellor based on the allegations.

Following an ultimatum by the two associations calling the removal of the vice chancellor within seven days last week, SINU Council Chair Dr Culwick Togamana had responded labelling LASINU and SINUGSA’s behaviour as akin to the ‘law of the jungle’.

Togamana reiterated in his response that the institution has a process to follow in order to remove the vice chancellor, and asked both associations to adhere.

He mentioned that he had already sent an email listing the allegations to the vice chancellor, who is currently in Fiji, asking him to answer to them.

Togamana emphasises that the Council will have to wait for the vice chancellor to respond to the allegations before it can take any further course of action.

Where are the 14 MPs of Malaita: M4D

Written by
Samie Waikori
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BY SAMIE WAIKORI

AUKI

CHAIRMAN of Malaita For Democracy has called on the 14 members of Parliament from Malaita province to explain themselves on the confiscated humanitarian covid-19 health equipment to Malaita province.

Chairman Knoxly Atu said since the health equipment were confiscated, Malaitans are waiting to hear the position of their 14 MPs on the equipment.

“The MPs must understand that they are the voices of the people in the province as they represented them into the parliament.

“And the health equipment is for the health of the people they represented.

“The fact that most of them are in the government is obvious, but what about the health need of their people,” he said.

Mr Atu acknowledges the Malaita MPs from the Opposition Group who have raised their voices questioning the DCGA’s un-humanitarian act against the people of Malaita.

Atu said M4D thanks them for their contribution towards the struggle by the Malaita provincial government (MPG) to reinstate the impounded health equipment for the people of Malaita.

He describes the actions of these Malaita MPs from the Opposition who have spoken out as ‘meeting the expected trust and confidence rested on them to represent the people of Malaita as national leaders’.

Sadly, he says, the same cannot be said for the Malaita MPs in the DCGA.

The equipment was donated on humanitarian grounds by the Republic of China (Taiwan) to the people of Malaita Province to help fight covid-19.

This paper understands that MPG has hired a local lawyer to initiate court proceedings on the ROC covid-19 equipment currently held by the Police.

To date, the MP for Langalanga & Opposition Leader, Matthew Wale, and the MP for East Are’are, Peter Kenilorea Jnr, are the only Malaita MPs to criticise government’s action.

8 months on, RSIPF still without boss

Written by
Jennifer Kusapa
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Police Commissioner Mostyn Mangau.

BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

THERE is silence from the Government as to why there is a delay in appointing a Police Commissioner – eight months on.

Secretary to Cabinet repeated the usual rhetoric to the paper that the appointment is ‘still in the process’.

When asked how long will the process takes, he said that he cannot comment any further on the issue but only that it will go through various authorities to look into before recommendations can be made.

He declined to comment on questions on why the delay was put to him yesterday.

Minister of Police National Security and Correctional Services Solomon Islands Anthony Veke when interviewed in December last year said the process of appointing the new Police Commissioner for the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force will complete end of January, 2020.

However, Solomon Island is still without a Police Commissioner and today is July 1, 2020.

Beware stimulus scam

Written by
Press Release
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Some of the men and women of North East Guadalcanal and East Central Guadalcanal constituency who attend one of the awareness conducted over the weekend at Ruavatu by officials from the Office of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. Photos from Government Communications Unit

GOVERNMENT warns public of individuals selling paper work for the Economic Stimulus Package

The Economic Stimulus Package Awareness team under Office of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (OPMC) warns the public and people in rural areas not to accept any COVID-19 stimulus package paper work support in exchange for money from individuals.

It was reported over the weekend that opportunists are going around Honiara’s periphery with Guadalcanal province selling application forms to farmers and fishermen.

“If you happen to come across any person selling stimulus package application forms, please report their activity to the nearest police post.

“They are con artists who will take advantage of vulnerable people during emergency situation,” a statement from the stimulus package committee said.

The statement clarifies that there is no application form for the funding, only a criteria guideline note has been distributed earlier providing instructions for applicants.

“Applicants are expected to write up a simple project proposal at their own pace and cost.

“Applicants who are illiterate should seek help from their community leaders or a literate person to draft their application,” the statement from the stimulus package awareness team said.

The statement further reminds applicants in the provincial and rural areas to keep their proposals short by 4-5 page maximum.

In the meantime, awareness for the selected areas in the provincial centres continues.

Awareness talks has already been conducted in parts of Guadalcanal, West, Makira-Ulawa and Choiseul province.

Next week, the team which comprises of officers from the Policy Implementation, Evaluation and Monitoring Unit (PIMEU) and caucus will visit identified satellite areas in Malaita, Western, Temotu, Central and Renbel Bellona Province.

Due date for provincial and rural areas applicants has been extended to July 24.

–GOVERNMENT COMMUNICATION UNIT

NPF Covid-19 exemption ends today

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
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Members queueing infront of Solomon Islands National Provident office at first floor of Anthony Saru Building to withdraw their funds under the covid 19 exmption on Tuesday 2nd June 2020.

By EDDIE OSIFELO

THE Solomon Islands National Provident Fund (SINPF) three months COVID-19 exemption orders to allow members to withdraw their money ends at 4.30pm today.

Thousands of people have withdrawn their allocations since SINPF opened its doors on April 1.

SINPF Managing Director, Michael Wate said he will provide the details or the total money given out to members when the deadline ends today.

As of June 5, 2020, 16,135 members were paid with a total of $77.8M.

However, the number of the members and money expended is likely to increase at the deadline.

Under the criteria:

1.            A sum of $5,000 will be made available to members under the age of 50 years, who are temporarily laid off, or stand down due to the effect of COVID-19, or employed as of 31st December 2019, and are residing within the ‘emergency zone’. Members whose balances are below five thousand dollars are to be paid 50 percent of their balances.

2.            Laid-off members due to COVID-19 be waivered three months waiting period and be paid 1/3 of their contributions or in full if their balances are less than $10,000. Their remaining Balance will be paid according to SINPF schedule.

3.            Members aged 50 years and above to withdraw up to 20 percent of their contributions should they wish to or else, they can elect to withdraw in full.

Wate earlier said it’s a learning experience as a first of its kind to happen to SINPF Board since its existence in 1976.

Wate said even during the social unrest in 1998-2003 the Minister of Finance or the government then did not provide exemption orders for members to access part of their NPF contribution.

He said such payout to members will go down in SINPF Board 44 years’ history.

“SINPF will learn from this experience and in the future Fund will have a precedence to lean on when such crisis arises,” he added.

While focusing on covid-19, normal health services will still be delivered: McNeil

Written by
Mavis Podokolo
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Permanent Secretary for Ministry of Health and Medical Services, Pauline McNeil.

BY MAVIS NISHIMURA PODOKOLO

WHILST the Ministry of Health is focusing its work on coronavirus-19 Preparedness and Response Plans, normal health services will still be discharged.

“While we are working hard on our preparations and response plans on covid-19 our other core business of health has to continue,” said Pauline McNeil Permanent Secretary for Ministry of Health.

McNeil said the ministry’s normal health services or other core programmes will still run. Like NCD is still a major issue in the country but their team is also ensuring that it is attend as according to their Annual Operation Plan (AOP) activities for this year

“So, we have the AOP 2020 but at the same time we have the Preparedness and Response plan (PRP) to also implement so actually we have two plans to implement back to back for this year.

“So, in terms of NCD its programme is ongoing in terms of trainings at the provinces, our other key programs on RWASH is still running, so, as the rural water supplies and sanitation is running in provinces and immunisation programs is still continuing.

“So we don’t lose sight on those core programmes of the ministry of health, it is constant like I said we have two plans to work on back to back and that’s our normal AOP and on top of that  we have to also ensure the activities of PRP delivered at the same time,” she said.

Jimmy Rodgers, Permanent Secretary to Prime Minister, adds that the Ministry Health had briefed caucus on covid-19.

“I would like to point out is this covid-19 outbreak had drawn one silver lining and the silver lining is that it has given health resources now to develop every provincial health services.

“Facilities in provincial hospitals and Area Health Centres (AHC) have been supported by ministry of health with the money coming in to support our covid response.

“Every health facilities at the provincial level both government as well as run by churches for the first time will be slowly improved so the country will have much better facility.

“We cannot thank covid for that but there is a silver lining that all disaster had a little benefit and so covid19 gave a little opportunity to improve health services int the country,” he said.

The above-mentioned statements were made at the latest radio talk back show in Honiara.

Law of the jungle

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
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Minister for Health and Medical Services Dr Culwick Togamana

-Togamana hits back at lecturers and staff of SINU that process must be followed to remove Vice Chancellor Chand

-Lectures and Staff of SINU demand removal of VC

By EDDIE OSIFELO

SOLOMON Islands National University (SINU) Council cannot meet to decide the future of Vice Chancellor Dr Ganeshwar Chand until he responds to allegations levelled against him, Council Chair Culwick Togamana says.

The Lecturers Association of the Solomon Islands National University (LASINU) is demanding the termination of Mr Chand. Their demand is stipulated in a seven-day letter which lapses today.

The letter was signed by LASINU and supported by SINU General Staff Association (SINUGSA), and was submitted last Wednesday, June 24, 2020 with a bulk of evidence, claims and allegations against VC Chand.

Allegations against him include abuse of Recruitment/Conflict of interest, VC influenced payment of consultants with incomplete work and financial mismanagement – abuse of procurement processes amongst others.

Chair Togamana however has spoken out against the two associations (LASINU and SINUGSA) saying they do not have the mandate to remove the vice chancellor.

Mr Togamana said only the Council has the mandate to remove the VC provided he responds to the allegations levelled against him.

“I have already sent the allegations to him through an email as he is currently in Fiji.

“We have to follow the process first to allow the VC to response before the Council can meet and decide,” he said.

Togamana said there is a process to follow and not the law of the jungle which the two Unions seem to be behaving.

As per Chair-SINU Council request for their investigation into the allegation, members of the two associations met on June 23 at 4.40 pm at the Kukum Campus Lecturer Theatre and made the following recommendations;

  1. That with the strong evidence presented herein, we demand the termination of the Vice Chancellor (VC) to be made no later than seven (7) working days from the date of submission of these evidences.
  2. That failure to adhere to point (1), members of our two associations will withdraw labour forthwith”.

Spokesperson for LASINU had told the Solomon Star over the weekend that this is the second letter they submitted to the Council Chair on very much the same issues.

“The second letter was in response to the request from the Chair of the Council demanding both associations to provide evidence to support our claims against the VC,” the spokesperson said.

LASINU and SINUGSA have requested in their letter dated February 28, 2020 that Togamana must set up an independent committee to investigate the allegations.

They however learnt with much disappointment that Togamana was reluctant to initiate an independent committee to conduct an investigation and instead requested that they provided evidence to prove their allegations.

The two associations were also told by the chair they should follow the right process that can warrant the VC’s termination.

“This is uncalled for and perhaps shows Chair- SINU Council’s lack of interest in good governance, transparency and accountability across the university whilst continues to be protective of VC’s unbecoming actions,” the spokesperson said.

It is more likely the students’ association will join forces in support of the submissions as well, the spokesperson added.

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