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COVID-19 talk

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Press Release
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Solomon Islands National Parliament

PARLIAMENT to approve another State of Public Emergency, third meeting resumes today

The third meeting of the 11th Parliament resumes today to consider the motion to approve another State of Public Emergency for another four months.

The previous State of Public Emergency approved by Parliament expired on July 24, 2020, thus, His Excellency the Governor General declared on July 24, 2020 a new State of Public Emergency in Solomon Islands, pursuant to Section 16 subsection 3 of the Constitution.

Debate on the motion is expected to take place tomorrow and Wednesday this week and if this motion is approved by Parliament, the State of Public Emergency shall continue in force until the expiration of four months, or unless revoked by a resolution of Parliament.

The State of Public Emergency will allow government to make orders for the fight against the global COVID 19 pandemic.

Solomon Islands is still among 12 countries in the world that are yet to record any cases of COVID-19.

After dealing with the motion on the State of Public Emergency, Parliament will go on a special adjournment to allow the Public Accounts Committee to review two Supplementary Appropriation Bills before resuming on Wednesday, August 12, 2020.

–PARLIAMENT MEDIA

Balance but not steady

Written by
Barnabas Manebona
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Choiseul’s Non-Executive members having their Members of Provincial Assembly (MPAs) increased to nine (9) reported earlier this week in their ‘Minister Resignation saga’ have lost another MPA Hon Ronald Zakele, who switched over to the Premier Hon Watson Qoloni led Executive Government yesterday. Pictured here is after the swearing in ceremony of the MPA for Katario Ward 13, Northeast Choiseul, Hon Zakele as the new Minister for ‘Natural Resources’ in the Choiseul Provincial Assembly. FRONT ROW L-R, Hon Speaker Greg Sokeni, Hon Premier Watson Qoloni, Hon Ronald Zakele (New Minister), Commission of Oath Mr David.J.Hiru, and Choiseul Provincial Police Commander (PPC) Superintendent Vincent Eria. Back row; Hon Movete.Tupou. Kabiri, DPS Nelson Kere, Hon Greg.W. Pitabosi, Hon Micheal Ngarakana. PHOTO SUPPLIED

Choiseul government resumes equal number with non-executive following a switch, but remains open to leadership challenge

BY BARNABAS MANEBONA

CHOISEUL provincial government is once again on level footing with the non-executive after a member of the latter cross floors to join Premier Qoloni’s executive.

On Monday this week, a prominent member of the executive Paul Telovae left Premier Watson Qoloni’s government and joined the non-executive, causing Premier Qoloni to rule with a 9-7 minority.

Talks of a possible move to oust Qoloni was hanging in the air.

However, yesterday Qoloni was given the lifeline by MPA for Katario Ward 13 at Northeast Choiseul, Ronald Zakele, when he left the non-executive.

This means that both the Executive and Non-Executive are back on equal numbers of 8-8 members each, giving instability and alleged heavy lobbying between the two political sides.

According to Choiseul Assembly insiders, having the number of equal members sees the Executive having a chance yet to lobby another member from the Non-Executive to join them to secure their position. But if the Executive does not manage reaching the time of electing a new Deputy Speaker then the Non-Executive side can still have a chance to get through with a ‘Motion of no confidence’.

Mr Zakele yesterday made the switch to the Executive and was also sworn in as the new Minister for ‘Natural Resources’ around 11am.

This comes after the former Choiseul Executive Government Provincial Minister for Natural Resources Mr Telovae tendered his resignation on Monday this week, reasoning ‘lack of confidence’ in their leadership.

Confirming to Island Sun the MPA’s switch over to the Executive yesterday were Choiseul Province Provincial Clerk, Christopher Makoni, and Zakele himself via phone.

“Though the government Executive is again intact, it is not yet stable as both the Executive and Non-Executive still have eight members each on both sides,” said Makoni.

The provincial Clerk elaborated that despite the earlier instability caused to the Executive after seeing the former Minister resigning, Premier Qoloni on the other hand accepted the MPA’s decision.

It is understood that the former Deputy Speaker of Choiseul Province Josiah Vanabachu resigned this month July 6 due to also losing confidence in their current Executive government, a new election for a Deputy Speaker is also expected at the Choiseul Assembly.

On the Deputy Speaker case, Provincial Clerk Makoni said they will go through process on the next Assembly meeting before a new election will take place.

“Consultations between the Speaker and Premier will take place before a meeting will be convened. I am not sure when but under our schedule, it looks like it might be later in September,” said Makoni.

Meanwhile, it is said that the outgoing Deputy Speaker is now on the move to submit a letter to the Provincial Speaker Greg Sokeni in order to have a quick meeting purposely to elect a new Deputy Speaker.

“At the same time the former Deputy Speaker Josiah Vanabachu will be submitting a motion of no Confidence against the Premier, reasoning of losing confidence in leadership,” said report.

“But then if one Non-Executive MPA end up switching to the Executive in coming hours then the ‘motion of no confidence’ strategy will not be effective.”

At this stage, Vanabachu is said leading the Non-Executive side in their political quest.

Choiseul Province has 16 provincial Assembly Wards.

From political views, allegation has it too that there might be even influence from outside in Choiseul Province current Provincial Assembly issue. And, that is to turn over the current Executive Government under Premier Qoloni.

When this paper on Monday, before Telovae’s switch to the Non-Executive, asked Premier Qoloni if such ‘resignation’ really occurred,  he said ‘what more can be said as the Non-Executive will have the number then in favour of 9-7 to lead the province’.

We will not let go the fight against covid: PS McNeil

Written by
Mavis Podokolo
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Permanent Secretary for ministry of health Pauline McNeil.

BY MAVIS NISHIMURA PODOKOLO

PERMANENT Secretary for ministry of health Pauline McNeil has assured the nation that her ministry and its partners will not let go the fight against covid-19.

“We want to ensure all our Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) don’t have loop holes and gaps that anything can happen and so we are not ready to let go our fight against covid-19.

“I would say we should not let our guides down we are not ready yet, we are not out of the wounds yet,” Mrs McNeil said.

She said the first cases recorded in PNG is a lesson for the country because four cases happened in PNG occurred in their laboratory that is why the ministry will still be reviewing, refreshing and restrengthening its SOPs.

“We don’t know what the cause as to why break out at the lab but it’s a lesson for us where we will not be complacent basically on our SOPs,” said McNeil.

Further to that, Secretary to Prime Ministers Jimmy Rodgers said, “we are in much better place now when the state of emergency declared.

“It is better to protect it better to take measures that are safe.

“Now we know quite a bit more, the more you all know the better it is to protect our country.

“Hence, when people know they will be little sceptical about people coming in.

“We will do everything we can to prevent it from coming but if it comes, we want to make sure it is picked up at the border.”

Djokovic’s case still with DPP

Written by
Jennifer Kusapa
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Prime Minister’s Chief of Staff, Robson Djokovic

BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

THE case against the Prime Minister’s Chief of Staff, Robson Djokovic, is still with the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP).

Deputy Director of Public Prosecution Andrew Kelesi confirmed this yesterday saying they are still working on the appropriate advice they will give to police before a formal charge can be laid.

“After we finish with the file then we send it back to the police,” Mr Kelesi said.

The focus of police investigation is on Djokovic’s citizenship and his registration to vote in last year’s National General Election.

Other information also revealed that he has been issued two-year exemption visas since 2013 to work and live here.

His current exemption visa was issued in April this year, and will expire in May 2021.

Police launched the investigation after complaints were made by the Opposition.

The office of the Public Prosecution is still without a Director and last week the Opposition called on the Attorney General to recuse himself from the issue.

This is because in the absence of the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) the duties and responsibilities of the DPP automatically falls on the Attorney General.

Meanwhile, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Justice and Legal Affairs Dr Paul Mae confirmed yesterday that a Director will be sworn in this week.

“We have directors all lined up for swearing-in before the GG sometimes this week.

“We will release more details after their swearing in,” Mr Mae said.

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.

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