PREPARATION work at the Institutional Quarantine Facilities prior to the arrival of 200-plus Solomon nationals is ongoing and on schedule.
Chairman of IQF Karl Kuper assured the nation this during a radio talkback show on 28th June.
“Preparation on schedule to accommodate nationals who are going to be repatriated as well as additional nationals who are still on their way.
“Numbers increase on this next repatriate exercise so we have secured additional facilities and my officers are working very hard in trying to putting up things as comfortable as possible,” he said.
Kuper reminded those who will be repatriated and are coming into these facilities to comply with the rules and regulations on these facilities “because these sites are first line of defense on covid in our country”.
“We want everyone to maintain order inside these facilities and adhere to the regulations that govern it,” he said.
Kuper adds, “for Gizo facility the work was completed and they now are waiting for it to be included in the orders or gazette so that it will be formerly recognized as quarantine station. And for the Noro it is near completion.”
THE ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS) is working hard to make sure the provinces have GeneXpert machines.
The GeneXpert machine is the device used to test for covid-19.
Speaking in a radio talkback show on 28th June, permanent secretary for Health and Medical ministry, Mrs Pauline McNeil implied that the border provinces will be the first to be introduced to the machine, followed by Malaita and Makira-Ulawa provinces.
It is not clear what MHMS’s plans are for the remaining provinces.
“We are trying to reach out to the provinces in terms of GeneXpert machines,” McNeil said in the SIBC talkback show.
“Our technical working group left on Friday and the work is to use GeneXpert machines in our provinces.
“This is because the machine is low tech, it’s not resource-intensive and already the capacity is there for sustainability
“So, we are looking at Gizo, Taro and Helena Goldie hospital because of the border and then we will reach out to Kilufi and Kirakira for GeneXpert roll out.
“So, as we speak my team from the ministry is gearing up today to go to Gizo to look at the set up at the Gizo Hospital and then during the week on Wednesday another team will leave for Kilufi to assess the set up in Kilufi,” said McNeil.
She also adds that while MHMS is working hard in response to the coronavirus-19 threat, they have not lost sight of their essential services to the nation.
“We are working to ensure we maintain our essential services so that we maintain our status on some of our health indicators,” said McNeil.
The GeneXpert machine is a device which was originally used to detect tuberculosis and drug-resistant bacterial strains. Due to its fast-results, easy-to-handle and accuracy attributes, it has been readjusted to test for covid-19 approved by world health authorities.
New Zealand, Australia and the World Health Organisation (WHO) joined hands to make the highly sought after GeneXpert PCR testing cartridges available for Solomon Islands in early May this year.
The cartridges have been specifically re-designed for covid-19 testing.
It is understood Solomon Islands has 10 GeneXpert machines, including in some provinces, which are normally used to detect tuberculosis.
MALAITA provincial government has engaged legal representation to deal with government’s hold-up of covid-19 medical equipment donated to the province by Taiwan.
Lasting week police seized the medical equipment bound for Malaita province. Government was quick to sanction this move, citing geopolitical rhetoric that the Republic of China (Taiwan) was poaching in a country which recognised the People’s Republic of China.
In a government statement early this week, it described the seized consignment as having ‘suspicious nature surrounding the importation of the cargoes’.
Malaita provincial government has come out clarifying that the equipment had been the second batch to humanitarian assistance by Taiwan under its global counter-covid19 programme which was offered to any country including those which do not have diplomatic relations with Taiwan.
Malaita had received the first batch and were looking forward to receiving the second when it was seized by police on Thursday last week.
Thus, with the Chinese-backed government and police against it, Malaita has sought to get justice with the help of legal representation.
Mr Richard Olita, a Malaitan man whose postal address the consignment had been sent through, confirmed Malaita provincial government’s course of action yesterday.
He said the purpose for engaging a legal representative to deal with the matter is to understand reasons on which national government had confiscated the equipment.
Olita confirmed that the first consignment also came under his address and has already been received, and that the impounded equipment was the second batch.
A statement from the Malaita provincial government (MPG) said while police is continuing its investigations into the matter, MPG and Mr Richard Olita are engaging a legal representative to act on behalf of the parties regarding the confiscated ROC humanitarian support covid-19 equipment.
“It is regrettable that we have to come this far on this issue. However, MPG would like to make further clarifications on some of the issues raised by the police and then we will leave the matter in the hands of our legal representative to deal with.
“Firstly, the equipment is part of the overall humanitarian support given by Taiwan to Malaita province under its global covid-19 response programme.
“The programme also includes support to countries that do not have diplomatic relationship with Taiwan. After all it is humanitarian support.
“It is through the programme that Malaita province seeks humanitarian assistance from and gladly received the kind support from Taiwan.
“The grounds for the support were based on the big population of Malaita province and the high influx of people that have gone to their villages under the government’s repatriation advice.”
Thus, the statement said based on that there is need to have extra covid-19 equipment and support to the province.
“Secondly the use of Richard Olita’s address was for logistical convenience and that the understanding would be the equipment will eventually be given to MPG.
“There is nothing for anyone to be suspicious about. After all these are the same equipment or similar ones donated to Solomon Islands by other donors including PRC as has been reported in the media.
“In any case there is already 5000 surgical masks of the Taiwanese support received in Malaita province.
“Thirdly the issue of diplomatic pouch as raised by the police and MFAET must be understood its correct context.
“Since it’s a humanitarian support from the government of Taiwan, it has to come from the ministry of Foreign Affairs.
“Taiwan used the diplomatic pouch for its purpose to inform DHL that the consignment is from Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign.
“They have not hid anything regarding the support and they have not asked for any special immunity from SIG knowing there are no longer diplomatic ties between SI and ROC.
“There was no special treatment and immunity given to the consignment as the police and MFEAT would like to think.
“In fact MPG have gladly paid for the import duties already and have not bother to apply for any duty exceptions as may be suspected by the police.
“We urge the police to handle issues like this with some level of sensitivity and to reach out to Richard Olita and the provincial Government so that we all can help with the investigation as stated,” it said.
Quarantined Vanuatu-stranded nationals allowed back into society
A number of persons serving the mandatory quarantine period at various Institutional Quarantine Facilities have been released. Out of a total of 158 occupants 24 were released 16th June.
Those released are Solomon Island nationals who came in from Vanuatu during the first two repatriation flights into the country in May. They are mostly our nationals stranded in Vanuatu.
This particular group of passengers were given only 14 days quarantine since Vanuatu like Solomon Islands and a small number of other countries still have not recorded any positive case of the Corona Virus.
A statement from the Camp Management Committee says, “24occupants under quarantine travelling from Vanuatu to Solomon Islands have graduated today as per Legal Notice No. 70for COVID-19 Regulation Gazette”
“The 24 occupants have successfully passed and met all requirements placed upon all incoming persons that required them to serve the 14 days quarantine period.
“Their release mean they have proven themselves to be free from any medical condition that might relate to COVID-19.
Those released yesterday are
Vimo Apartment: 2 males and 9 Females
NHA: 10 Males and 1 Female
Access Plus: 1 Male
GBR: 1Male
Meanwhile GBR has received one new admission yesterday to retain the number at GBR Institutional Quarantine Facility at 58. The new admitted person is a Fisheries Observer who just returned to the country.
All 24 can now reintegrate into society and free to go back to their family homes.
THOUGH not many Solomon Islanders are known for playing rugby, there are some who have been paving and building their career in this sport overseas.
One of such players is 20-year-old Tarkyn Loloselo who moved with his father and mother to Auckland, New Zealand in 2003.
The second born of three children, Tarkyn’s father Lazarus Loloselo is from Savo Islands in the Central Province and his mother Benedict Loloselo is from the Lau region in Malaita Province. He has an elder brother and a young sister.
Unlike soccer players, which is the main sport in the Solomon Islands, 20 year old Loloselo young rugby career is already picking up colours having represented New Zealand in two touch rugby world cups and three transmans competition.
Despite still a current member of the New Zealand senior men’s national touch rugby team, Loloselo is now eyeing a new rugby league career after transitioning from rugby union to touch rugby in the last two years.
In November 2019, he returned home to give his services for the Solomon Islands national rugby 7s team that competed in Fiji at the Oceania national s championships. However, despite the colours in his young career it was a disappointed experience for the Loloselo who was made to feel as his services was not needed by the Solomon Islands Rugby Union Federation (SIRUF) national 7s team.
SunSPORTS was fortunate enough to catch up with the focused minded and determined young Tarkyn Loloselo to talk about his rugby career, experiences and what he plans on doing in the near future.
“Hi my name is Tarkyn Loloselo. Currently I’m 20 years old. I’m currently working as a carpenter in New Zealand.
“My mother is from Malaita Province and my father is from Savo Island, Central Province. I started my rugby career in South Auckland, playing rugby union all throughout my high school years.
“I had a surgery on my left shoulder, which put me out from contact sports for almost two years. In those two year’s I wasn’t able to play contact sports so I invested my time in touch footy and I was fortunate enough to make it into the New Zealand national touch team. Since then I’ve transitioned over to rugby league, so a different code.
“I didn’t really have any role models I would say growing up. I just kind of knew what I wanted to do and just had this really big self-belief.
“So if you talk about who inspires me the most, I kind of self-inspired myself to be really honest. I see myself as self-inspired and driven.
“For the past two years, I’ve been living in Australia. The reason I’m back in Auckland is because they’ve cancelled the footy tournament there so I’m back here in NZ.
“But the most notable teams I’ve played for would be the New Zealand Rugby Touch Team and the Western Mustang team competing in the Queensland U20 Hastings Deering Colts competition, which is only a level below the NRL.
Tarkyn Loloselo (second left) while playing for the NZ national touch rugby team.
“I was fortunate enough to make my debut in the NZ U-18 rugby touch team in 2017, from that campaign I got invited to go trail for the national men’s team and the same year I ended up making my debut for the national team.
“It was crazy man. I was a kid growing up that was given an opportunity and I just like took it with both hands.
“As a 17year old playing against big boys obviously you don’t really think much about it but my mind set was not like oh I’m a boy.
“My mind set was like we’ll all a man, you’ve got two arms, two legs, one head, and one heart and I also have the same.
“I made my debut when I was 17 and been playing in the team (NZ touch footy) for the past two years now. I’ve had two transman tournaments and one U-20s World Cup which I was fortunate enough to be the team’s captain.
“We went over to Malaysia and it was a good experience for myself obviously leading a great bunch of boys. Though we lost by two points in the final it was a good learning experience for myself and definitely a situation that you have to move on from. But it was a really good experience for myself and thoroughly enjoyed it.
“After that I ended up joining the senior men’s team to go to another World Cup, which I was very stoked about.
“This time I was the youngest player in the team and we went back to Malaysia for the World Cup. It was a bit of change to how I felt but I managed to mix well with the boys because obviously I’ve been playing with some of the guys before.
“Been really pleased to go to two World Cups for New Zealand in touch footy and played in two transman and youth transmans and a good number of tests.
“At the moment the next transman is coming up. I’m still currently in the squad but I think I kind of want to pull back and focus on my rugby league career.
“I told the coaches about this and they’ve real supportive. But we’ll kind of see how things go in the next few months.
“So, my positions are I play on anywhere on the outside backs, I grew up playing on the wing and got moulded into kind of a full back role, playing the halves but mostly full back and wing. I prefer to play on the wing but I think I’m gaining confidence in playing at the back now.
“Its real difficult to build a rugby career here in New Zealand because there are a lot of competitions here.
“You’ve got players who have been playing this sport since their young, or players whose fathers are rugby players themselves so obviously they have the upper hands.
“But like I said my mentality is everyone has one head, two feet, two arms and one heart so anything is possible.
“For me personally I think I have a lot of people to thank who pointed me in the right direction to achieve the success and I’m very blessed to have them in my life.
“The opportunities I’ve been given and I’m lucky to have taken it with both hands and just perform. All glory to God for giving me these blessing. I’m happy, blessed and very lucky,” he said.
In November 2019, the 20-year-old had returned home to play for the Solomon Islands Rugby Union Federation’s national rugby 7s team during the Oceania qualifiers. Sadly, it did not turn out the way he imagined it would be, he said.
Tarkyn Loloselo playing for the Western Mustangs in Australia.
“I don’t know much about SI rugby however I actually came back last November to play for the SI national rugby 7s team. We went over to Fiji but for some reason I didn’t play,” Loloselo said.
“I’m not trying to be big head or anything, but I just believed I had a lot to offer to the team with my skill set.
“To this day I don’t understand why they didn’t put me on the pitch. That is something you have to ask the coaches.
“At the moment I’m not really happy with the rugby guys in the Solomon’s because I came back offered my services, as I could have been playing in another tournament and earning money, but I told myself I wanted to go back and give back to the Solomon Islands people but I ended up not playing. To be honest it’s something to this day I’m still not really happy and how I was treated.
“I’m really not happy about that situation and I’m not really sure how I feel about coming back again with the way they treated me. I don’t know but yeah that’s just how I feel,” he adds.
Despite the bad experience with the national rugby 7s team, the Solomon Islands rugby League (SIRL) have said Loloselo is on their radar and that they will certainly be talking to him for possible inclusion if he is available for the emerging nations next year.
WHILST women leaders in the country are battling to have reserved seats for women at the political level through Temporary Special Measures (TSM), a report revealed there is a large information gap on TSM with very limited awareness.
Research Coordinator Ruth Maetala revealed this June 15th at a local press conference organised by Women’s Right Action Movement (WRAM) in Honiara.
Maetala told local journalists that according to the first project to examine in-depth views on TSM called the Public Perceptions of Women as Political Leaders Project, it recorded a large information gap on TSM with limited awareness throughout the areas in which research was conducted.
“76 percent of survey respondents had heard nothing of TSM prior to the survey. Yet people – once informed about TSM –are generally supportive of its introduction.
“92 percent of survey respondents said they supported TSM in provincial assemblies, and the same proportion of respondents supported TSM in the national parliament.
“Even people who support TSM are wary of associated risks involved with its introduction.
“These include women representatives not being respected and facing hardship, family discord, women being unprepared for a political career and concern about making short-sighted changes to the political systems,” he said.
Anika Kingmele said TSM are measures or action taken to reduce inequality between men and women in different spheres and it could be within the education sector, it could be within the employment sector to name a few.
“Basically the aim is to increase the number of women within the particular space where there it is dominated by men and this case our focus enhanced the research is in political space.
“This is to reduce the inequality in the political space, inside political positions be it at the national level or provincial level.
“TSM as the name for itself it is temporary in nature as soon as the outcome is achieved, the measures or actions will be taken out or removed because the outcomes have become natural,” said Mrs Kingmele
Moreover, this research project is led by the Women’s Right Action Movement and supported by International Women’s Agencies (IWDA) it aims to deepen understanding on public perception of the qualities and qualifications for political leadership and gender norms associated with these perceptions.
The intention of the research was to generate findings that would assist and advocates for gender equality to support the meaningful participation of women leaders.
Elections would be held to replace the Lord Mayor of Honiara City Council Wilson Mamae.
By Alfred Sasako
HONIARA City Council Mayor Wilson Mamae yesterday warned that accusations against the Council’s governance and administration being repeatedly published by Solomon Star newspaper could have repercussions.
“They know the accusations they are repeating are false. And they know that repeating false accusations against someone could have repercussions because we live in a tightly-knit community,” Mayor Mamae said.
His comments follow yet another article published in yesterday’s Solomon Star newspaper calling for the removal of Mayor Mamae and the Clerk, Rence Sore
According to the paper, the call was made by a Honiara citizen named Elward Hiru.
But Mayor Mamae has hit back saying false and baseless accusations does not add anything to the image of the newspaper, adding those using Solomon Star could be using false names to hide their real identity.
“Whether Mr. Hiru exists or not I do not know. What I do know is that the information that Mr. Hiru has provided is all misleading, wrong and baseless. For example, he questioned the legality of the 4Cs – a body set up to coordinate all Honiara City Council infrastructure development activities.
“The 4Cs is a legal entity, endorsed by the full Council and subsequently gazetted. It is a legal body. The Chair of each of the Committees in the Council are Members of the 4Cs,” he said.
“The second matter which I wish to clarify is the figure $1.8 million, which the Council has been accused of paying to an individual businessman without tender. Again, this is misleading, false and baseless.
“The Council did put out a restricted tender for the vehicles in question. Four companies, including Ela Motors, JQy and Golden Pacific Motors Co Limited, put in bids for the supply of the vehicles. Ela Motors won the tender at $1.9 million, not $1.8 million as reported by Solomon Star newspaper,” Mayor Mamae said.
“Unfortunately, the supplier insisted that the amount of $1.5 million be paid as a down payment. Our problem then was that the Council did not have that kind of money and this is where Appointed Councilor John Szetu came in,” the Mayor said.
“He offered and paid Ela Motors $1 million and the Council paid $500, 000. This is because the company demanded the payment of $1.5 million on the spot before releasing the vehicles. The good news is that the Council has since fully repaid Councilor Szetu the $1 million.
“We also paid direct to Ela Motors $500, 000. So the total payment made to Ela Motors is $1.5 million. What is owing to Ela Motors is $400, 000 after we have made a part payment,” the Mayor said.
Mayor Mamae said rushing into conclusion as the Solomon Star has done in the false and misleading accusations against the Honiara City Council simply tarnishes the image of the newspaper.
“It is my hope the newspaper thinks twice before engaging in such futile exercise in the future,” he said.
USP student association Solomon Islands throw support behind Prof Ahluwalia
By Alfred Sasako
SOLOMON Islands students studying at the University of the South Pacific (USP) Solomon Islands Campus in Honiara have thrown their support behind Prof Pal Ahluwalia, urging regional authorities to investigate allegations he has raised.
The students yesterday staged a peaceful protest outside the USP Solomon Islands Campus at Lawson Tama to show solidarity with other student bodies in other campuses around the region.
“We the USPSA-SI executive and council are rendering our support with other regional campus student bodies towards Prof. Pal Ahluwalia. Our support for Prof. Pal is not based on our legitimacy to our USPSA body and its Federal (body) but to put a clear message that we do not entertain corruption within the shores of the University of the South Pacific.
“In fact, we see Prof. Pal working ethics differently from … past Vice Chancellors in (that) he serves the interest of our USPSA body and other regional student association to fight against corruption.
“Thus, Prof Pal (does) really stand out when he has discovered financial and salary (rorting) underway and has compiled a paper, “Issues, concern and breaches of past management and financial decisions,” the Solomon Islands’ Student body said in a statement issued yesterday.
They said the paper was presented to the USP Council in one of their recent meetings in Vanuatu.
“Prior to this paper, these allegations investigated by a consultancy firm, BDO Auckland but the report has (been) kept in secret since then,” the statement said.
“Lately, the contents of the report have emerged on social media and this has given an opportunity for Pro Vice Chancellor Winston Thompson and his associates to file an allegation against Prof. Pal for misconduct.
Prof Pal, based at the Laucala Campus in Suva, is suspended on full pay.
“With that, he called an urgent meeting for (the) USP Council to suspend Prof. Pal. “However, the move and process taken by PVC Winston has raised eyebrows (amongst) USPSA and other regional campus student bodies including us, USPSA-SI.
“In fact for us USPSA-SI, this is conflict of interest strategically (taken) to cover up the mess Winston and his associates have caused, hence, we see this as an act of corruption at its best. (We) therefore condemn it,” the students’ statement said.
They said the issue does not speak well for the good of the governance of USP and we the USPSA-SI want to pose questions of our concern to whoever is concerned.
“Why not deal with the allegation put forward by Prof. Pal first before moving on to such allegation which resulted in the suspension of Prof. Pal? What is the motive behind the allegation which resulted in the suspension of Prof. Pal?
“Therefore, our stand here is plain and crystal clear … we say “No to Corruption” and yes to good governance and integrity. In (this regard), we support Prof. Pal and call on the USP Council to reconsider their decision (in suspending him).
“Also, we are calling for the allegation made by Prof. Pal to be considered as genuine because we the USPSI students support it and deserve to know the truth about the result of the investigation by BDO Auckland.
“Moreover, knowing that USP is owned by twelve (12) member countries including us, Solomon Island, we the USPSA-SI, call on the Solomon Islands Government to support us in the good (cause) to fight against such act of corruption so that good governance does prevail in the University of the South Pacific.
“On that note, we call (on) the Solomon Islands Government (SIG) (to make its stand known) with regards to this issue because (while) other member countries have shown their support and have their say on this issue so far, SIG has not done so,” the statement said.
REPRESENTATIVE members of various conservation groups in Are Are and Kwaio were privileged to learn the Protected Areas Act 2010. This was during a meeting held with two lawyers from Landowners’ Advisory Legal Support Unit (LALSU) under Public Solicitor and Solomon Islands Environmental Law Association last Friday at Waisurione in West Are Are. The lawyers were part of a team led by Po’otori Araata People’s Foundation (PAPF) from Honiara holding general awareness in Hauhui village that was blocked by villagers. After encountered with the challenge the team met with conservation group members of Mai Maasina Green Belt gathered at Waisurione village. The lawyers are Mr Steneth Kaniki from SIELA and Mr William Kadi from LALSU who brought some insight of Protected Areas act 2010 to the groups. The two young lawyers and Malaita provincial Environment Officer, Mr Allen Kisi presented talk mainly on processes to pursue resources/lands to be protected under PA act. This is however the ultimate goal of the conservation groups together with Mai Maasina Green Belt as they are working towards protecting their resources under the act. The lawyers said the PA act is a legal tool and has processes to follow before resources can be protected. They said it’s not easy to pursue steps (processes) required by the act as a lot of challenges can be met. “One area the act advocates for amongst others especially during process to pursue the act is to provide proper consultation with resource owners on the idea. “The important thing here is to press on despite challenge and work together with resource owners to achieve it. “To conserve your resources under the act is a benefit for your communities, resource owners and the government. “Who knows the initiative might encourage scientific studies, eco-tourism and other green developments,” one lawyer said. The lawyer said the purpose of the act is to protect resources from destructive developments like logging and mining that can ruin the resources. He reiterated that the act provided legal processes to follow in going after it in a passive way to the best interest of resource owners.
Passengers arriving from Australia at the Honiara International airport go through thermal sensors as workers check for coronavirus symptoms on Thursday 29th January.
BY MAVIS NISHIMURA PODOKOLO
THE government Oversight Committee work focus on preparedness and response plans against covid-19 has been again on Honiara because that is the most likely point of entry of any infection.
Jimmy Rodgers Special Secretary to Prime Minister said the Oversight Committee is again focusing their work in the country’s capital as it is the most likely the entry of the virus,
“All the provinces they are now ready but the focus has been on Honiara because that is the most likely point of entry of any infection,” he said.
Rodgers said apart from Honiara the other focus is Western Boarder because it’s a big border that is not easy to police,
“With this the oversight committees has discussed and planned to set up quarantine facilities at Western Province because if we have border crossers coming in there, there is no capability to hold them on border area so that is one of the things that we are stilling focusing our discussions on,” he said.
Rodgers adds New Zealand and Australian government have committed plans to improve provincial health facilities so work is now moving on and there is sort of a clear focus of Gizo Hospital
“This is because Gizo Hospital is close to the border incase anything comes in there the plan is to contain them at Gizo hospital. So there is a preparatory work going on,” he said.
Rodgers said it is also crucial for every provincial committee must come into action if they have community transmission.
“Now they are ready to act but they don’t actually go into operation yet, but if we have community transmission in any of the provinces they will be active.
So the important thing is to get them into state of readiness so that if and when we need them to respond at community level at provincial level they will then kick into action because it has adopted the NDMO policy,” he said.
Permanent Secretary for Ministry of Environment Climate Change Disaster Management Melchior Mataki said there is really need to support provincial operations to battle covid-19
“So we have seen there is a need for us to really support our provincial operations.
With this covid19 battle there is a need for us to really work together not only with in government agencies but also the support of public to that will enable all operations that government has undertaken will work,” said Mataki.
