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Australia lauds local solar experts Superfly for ‘blueprint’ project feat

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BY IRWIN ANGIKI

Leading local solar experts – the Superfly Limited – has been acknowledged by Australia for pulling of the Good Samaritan solar hybrid project on time, according to plan and with quality materials.

Speaking at the handover of the Good Samaritan Hospital (GSH) new solar hybrid power system on Wednesday, Lindsay Buckingham, minister-counsellor of the Australian High Commission said Superfly has set standard not only for the country but for the Pacific.

“I would like to especially acknowledge Superfly for its professionalism, delivering a project on time, on budget and as planned and we are so proud to be partnering with a local business to help deliver local outcomes for this community.”

The Good Samaritan solar project is one of four renewable energy projects across the Solomon Islands, which in turn are part of an Australian programme across the Pacific and Timor Leste to provide access to renewable and reliable energy for communities, especially in the rural areas.

The project was launched in February this year in partnership with Superfly to instal the solar hybrid system for GSH.

“This project is the first to be completed not only in Solomon Islands under this programme, but also in any Pacific country. This is the first,” Ms Buckingham said.

“It really is a significant milestone, and it was a project delivered to plan, delivered on time and with high quality materials only eight months after we launched this programme.

“Projects like this partnership between Superfly, the Good Samaritan Hospital and the Ministry of Health are a blueprint of what we can achieve together.”

The GSH services more than 62,000 people from surrounding communities in the North Guadalcanal plains, including patients from Honiara who seek help there.

The project does away with GSH’s costly dependency on generator power, which had occupied around $170,000 of the hospital’s budget per year.

This free energy means GSH can now save millions for other hospital infrastructure in the future.

The $1.4 million project is supported under Australia’s Pacific Climate Infrastructure Financing Partnership (PCIFP) initiative.

Good Samaritan Hospital receives state of the art solar-battery hybrid system

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BY IRWIN ANGIKI

The Good Samaritan Hospital has received a state-of-the-art solar-battery hybrid system providing renewable and reliable electricity 24/7.

The $1.4 million project is supported under Australia’s Pacific Climate Infrastructure Financing Partnership (PCIFP) initiative. And, was implemented by local leading solar experts – Superfly Limited.

Good Samaritan Hospital (GSH) services more than 62,000 people from surrounding communities. Even patients in Honiara seek help there.

One of the hospital’s major budget constraints was electricity, having to depend on generator power at the cost of around $170,000 a year.

The handover on Wednesday this week sees the removal of this huge cost which is now expected to go towards other improvements of the hospital’s operations.

And, generator power being available only from 9am – 10pm, is now a thing of the past.

Giving her keynote address, Minister Counsellor of the Australian High Commission Lindsay Buckingham attributed the successful completion and handover of the project to the partnership between Australia, the ministry of health (MHMS), the GSH and Superfly.

The project is a continuation of Australia’s ongoing commitment to renewable energy and health service in the Solomon Islands.

“This project was one of the first projects selected with new funding from an Australian government programme which supported off-grid renewable energy sources across the Pacific,” Ms Buckingham said.

The Good Samaritan project is one of four off-grid projects under the programme for Solomon Islands, Buckingham said.

She pointed to other upcoming projects by Australia to help communities access renewable and reliable solar power which will be set up in Malaita, Western and Central provinces.

Buckingham highlighted that the Good Samaritan project is the first of all the projects under the Australian programme across the Pacific to be completed.

“It really is a significant milestone, and it was a project delivered to plan, delivered on time and with high quality materials only eight months after we launched this programme.”

She said Australia understands the need to move away from the costly diesel-generator power, which had costed GSH around $170,000 on fuel alone.

“But, now, since switching to the new renewable source, the hospital has been operating 24/7 on solar energy.

“The hospital has not needed to use the diesel generator once since this project was installed.”

Minister of Health Dr Paul Popora Bosawai in his speech shared his familiarity with the hardships hospital workers faced in the absence of electricity. His medical career had got its footing at the GSH.

“Today is indeed historical as it marks the day when our only hospital in the area, Good Samaritan Hospital, is now set to benefit from a more resilient health care system through great energy security thanks to the partnership between Superfly Limited, the GSH and the Australian Government which launched early this year, and now this mission has now been accomplished.

“Through this partnership, Superfly has installed a solar hybrid system which will enable North Guadalcanal communities and members to access a safe and more resilient health care and setting through renewable energy.”

The Health Minister said this translates to more than 60 thousand people serviced by the Hospital, including around 21,500 women.

Popora Bosawai is also the MP for North Guadalcanal constituency, on which the GSH is located.

Guadalcanal Premier Willie Atu provided context to the significance of GSH and the new solar hybrid system.

“The Good Samaritan Hospital serves the largest population of all the area health centres in Guadalcanal.

“Mamara health centre, west of Honiara, serves a population of 20,000. Tangangarare, further to the west, serves a population of 25,000. Avuvau serves a population of 14,000. Aola serves a population of 26,000. Good Samaritan Hospital serves a population of 62,000. The population of Guadalcanal is 178,000 and increasing.”

Premier Atu said the eastern periphery of Honiara leading to the Good Samaritan Hospital’s proximity, is also increasing in development as more and more people from other provinces move in pursuing employment opportunities.

He described the Good Samaritan solar project as a “proactive step in capacitating the area health centres in Guadalcanal” which allows such area health centres with improved infrastructures to continue operating throughout “critical times”. He made this statement, referencing the recent pandemic.

Premier Atu thanked the Australian government and DFAT, and asked if the same renewable energy project could be done for the five other area health centres in Guadalcanal.

Superfly Managing Director Gavin Pereira in his keynote said the solar hybrid system of GSH represents more than just technology, it includes resilience, partnership and shared commitment to advancing rural health care.

“We know that reliable power is not just a luxury in health care, it is essential. With this 70kW solar system paired together with the 230kWh battery bank and 45KVA Victron inverters, we know that Good Samaritan Hospital will now have a reliable, sustainable energy source to power critical services day and night. This includes lighting, refrigeration, critical surgeries and other medical needs to save lives.

“This project will enable the hospital to give consistent care without the worry of power interruptions, giving the staff here the support they need to focus on what matters most – caring for patients.

“In addition to increasing energy security, this project also supports environmental goals by reducing dependency on fossil fuels, setting a new standard in clean energy for health care facilities across Solomon Islands.

“We are incredibly proud to be a local company that is capable of executing large scale projects like this and we are thrilled to play a part in making meaningful contributions to the country’s energy landscape.”

Community members, including few from Tenaru Foxwood, who spoke with Island Sun shared their joy and relief at the GSH new solar power system.

Maria Neikaai, a mother who brought her child for medical treatment, said the project accurately targets the problem which she had faced for many years using the hospital’s services.

She is excited that they will no longer have to wait for hours for medical attention due to a power problem.

“Thank you Australia and Superfly Limited,” Neikaai said.

This project is part of the Australian Government’s Pacific Climate Infrastructure Financing Partnership (PCIFP) initiative to expand the Australian Infrastructure Financing Facility for the Pacific’s climate investments, a statement by the Australian High Commission yesterday explained.

It does this by partnering with businesses to deliver reliable and sustainable renewable energy to remote and rural communities in the Pacific and Timor-Leste, implemented by the Business Partnerships Platform, the statement adds.

Right to foods for a better life – World Food Day begins

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BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

The celebration of World Food Day commenced yesterday at the Panatina SINU campus FOPA village in East Honiara.

The global theme for this year’s World Food Day is ‘Right to foods for a better life and a better future: Leave no one behind’.

World Food Day is observed annually on October 16 to draw attention to the millions of individuals globally who lack access to a nutritious diet and to emphasise the importance of consistent access to healthy food.

In the Solomon Islands, the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAL) leads the annual celebrations in partnership with the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) Country Office in Honiara, along with various stakeholders, partners, and agricultural groups.

This year’s event coincides with several internationally recognized days, including World Food Safety Day, World Environment Day, International Women’s Day, and World Soil Day, all of which have significant consequences for global food security.

The event commenced with speeches from Deputy Secretary Technical of MAL, Michael Ho’ota, opening remarks by Permanent Secretary Dr Samson Viulu, FAO representative Douglas Yee, a keynote address by Franklyn Derek Wasi, Minister for MAL, and remarks from PRC counsellor Gong Rui, New Zealand High Commissioner Jonathan Schwass, and Australian Acting Deputy High Commissioner Dr Tristan Armstrong.

The commemoration, which commenced yesterday at FOPA in Honiara, features a variety of activities, including the ‘Agriculture Show’, along with awareness campaigns, stall displays, and demonstrations of agricultural products.

The event concludes tomorrow.

Rape accused tells court he has a new lawyer

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BY ROMINAH FAKA

A man accused of rape in 2022 has told court on the day he was supposed to take his plea that he will be getting a new lawyer.

The case will return to court on November 14 for mention.

Prosecution updated court on Tuesday this week that the information was filed on August 27 this year and that the hearing was for the accused to take his plea.

However, the accused told court that he will be getting a new lawyer.

The accused did not know the name of the new lawyer, nor that of the law firm his new lawyer works for.

Court therefore made directions for the accused to update the court on the next mention date.

Also, for defence to obtain instructions from the accused for arraignment on November 14.

The accused was charged with rape and the matter was committed from the Magistrate Court to High Court.

Prosecution alleged on November 21, 2022 at Tanuli road, Kukum area the accused had sexual intercourse with the complainant without her consent.

It was alleged the victim did not gave her consent to the accused however, he took advantage of the victim by being reckless as to lack of consent and had sexual intercourse with her.

Public Prosecution Office appear for crown and of Public Solicitor Office appear for the accused.

HUGE FISHING PROBLEM

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FFA works to combat unreported, misreported fish catch by licensed vessels

BY NED GAGAHE

Unreported or misreported fish catch by vessels licensed by FFA member countries has become a huge problem for the agency, it is reported.

Allan Rahari, the Forum Fisheries Agency’s (FFA) director of Fisheries Operation says one major concern the FFA is combating is unreported or misreported catches.

In an exclusive interview with the Island Sun following the groundbreaking of the new Regional Fisheries Surveillance Centre last week, Director Rahari said currently, illegal activities involving vessels stealing fish in FFA member countries’ waters are not a major issue.

“The real challenge lies in vessels licensed by our member countries, which underreport or misreport their catches.

“This is the primary focus for us at the moment.

“The centre plays a crucial role in collaborating with partners and technology experts to develop tools that can address this issue.

“One major concern is unreported and misreported catches.

“When vessels fish in member countries, they are allowed to take only a certain amount of fish.

“However, accurate reporting is essential to track the fish being taken.

“Unreported and misreported catches pose a significant challenge that we are currently addressing.

“To combat this issue, we are employing various strategies. The centre conducts regional surveillance operations throughout the year, deploying enforcement vessels and patrol boats to inspect fishing vessels.

“This involves checking catch logs and verifying the accuracy of reported catches,” Rahari said.

The Director revealed that in 2016, they have conducted a study to quantify the magnitude of IUU fishing in the Pacific fisheries, and we repeated it in 2021.

He said the goal was to understand the issues and to address it.

“The report revealed that the value and volume of fisheries products taken through illegal means have decreased.

“The work of the centre in combating illegal fishing has made a significant impact, leading to a decrease in IUU fishing.

“This is a positive outcome. However, the report also highlighted areas that require attention. One key area is focusing on vessels that are licensed members.

“Currently, illegal activities involving vessels stealing fish in our member countries are not a major issue.”

The Director also revealed that they are implementing electronic reporting, requiring fishing vessels to report their catches in real-time to fishery administrations.

“This ensures prompt analysis of catch reports and immediate enforcement action if anomalies are detected.

“Enforcement actions at the national level involve apprehending vessels that underreport or misreport catches, followed by investigation and prosecution.

“Regional enforcement actions aim to hold vessels accountable for breaching national laws and can result in blacklisting if necessary,” Rahari said.

Auki police arrest man over burning down of church building

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BY SAMIE WAIKORI

A 27-year-old man has been arrested by Auki police for allegedly burning down their family church at Kakara in west Kwara’ae, Malaita province.

Police say the incident happened on October 26, when the suspect, who was disappointed with his mother for not lending him money allegedly used petrol and match to burn the church.

Police added that the suspect also caused damages at their house and threatened members of his family and relatives. The suspect was under the influence of liquor.

In response to reports received on the incident, Auki police arrested the suspect and charged him with arson.

PPC chief superintendent Tex Tafoa warned public of Malaita that police will always ensure those involve in such behaviour to face the law.

He also highlighted that kwaso is the main driver of crime in the communities and urged community leaders to work together with police to crackdown on kwaso activities.

In the meantime, he thanked members of Kakara community for support in reporting and assisting the police in the arrest of the suspect.

PPC calls on public to respect development in Malaita

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BY SAMIE WAIKORI

Provincial Police Commander Malaita, Chief Superintendent Tex Tafoa has called on the public of Malaita to respect development undertakings in the province.

The call was made following the arrest of four suspects in Auki in relation to the theft of building materials for the newly build incinerator at Kilu’ufi hospital.

He stressed yesterday that the incident portrays bad image for the province when national government and donor partners are working hard to address development needs of the province.

Tafoa pointed out the incident or any of such actions downplay people, institutions and organizations who are questing for the development of the province.

He on that note issued discontent over the incident occurred at Kilu’ufi, where materials worth around $10,000 for the incinerator project were stolen.

 “This is a funded project for our hospital and we must take care of such important institutions that take care of our medical health,” Tafoa said in a statement.

Tafoa furthered that this is the second time materials for the project were stolen and he is urging surrounding Kilu’ufi community to assist police on their investigation into the matter.

He said suspects were arrested and charged with simple larceny contrary to section 261 of the penal code and were released on bail to appear before Auki magistrate on November 5, 2024.

Gilbert Camp murder case investigation still ongoing

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BY ROMINAH FAKA

Investigations into the killing of a man this year at the Gilbert Camp, east Honiara, is ongoing.

Prosecution told the magistrates court this update yesterday.

Junior Modoa, 22, is charged with the murder of a 30-year-old man.

Outstanding documents yet to be collected include the medical report, photo album from the forensic office, and witness statement as the witness is still in Malaita and is expected to return to Honiara this week.

Police is also yet to locate another accused who allegedly accompanied accused Junior Modoa.

Crown sought a 14-day adjournment for the documents to be collected.

Court suspended the matter for November 13 for mention, instructing police to obtain the outstanding documents and finalise the investigations, and for the accused to seek legal representation.

Police alleged on October 14, about 8pm the deceased and his wife were at their betelnut stall at the Gilbert camp area beside the SIWA tank.

The deceased and his cousin brother were playing a Ludo game.

About 11pm the deceased’s wife went to another betelnut stall few metres from theirs.

Allegations say the deceased later went to where his wife was, and along the way beside the SIWA tank he met two men.

They had an argument which continued until they reached the stall in which the deceased’s wife was at.

It is alleged that one of the accused was armed with a white PVC pipe, which he used to strike the deceased with on the head.

Police say Modoa then pulled out a short knife from the pocket of his trousers and struck it at the deceased’s neck.

The two accused then escaped along the road to the water pump area at Gilbert Camp.

The deceased was transported to the National Referral Hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Modoa was identified and arrested.

Office of Public Prosecution appears for crown.

20-yo who pled guilty to house break-in to be sentenced today

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Sentencing of a 20-year-old man who pled guilty to housebreaking is expected to be delivered today at the magistrates court.

Junior Jack Haikeu was charged with one count of housebreaking and committing a felony contrary to section 300 (a) of the Penal Code.

The complainant in this matter is a Malaysian national who manages USO Development Construction in Honiara.

On April 22 this year at around 8am the complainant arrived at his residence in the Tasahe B area from his workplace at Alligator Creek and noticed the gate to his home was slightly open.

He found out five laptops, two external drive, an electrical drill, a blender machine, and a telescope were missing.

The properties are worth $65,800 in total.

The case was filed against the accused at the White River Police Station.

Haikeu Jnr was arrested by police on May 7, 2024.

He participated in a record of an interview under caution with the police, and he admitted to breaking into the complainant’s house.

There was no recovery of the missing items from the accused.

Herrick Lautalo for crown and Lazarus Waroka for Haikeu.

IMO developed guideline on disposal of fiberglass boats

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BY LORETTA B MANELE

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has recently developed a guideline on disposal of fiberglass boats. 

Zulla Mohammed, Pollution Advisor for SPREP (Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme) stated this at the “Strengthening Marine Pollution Incident Resilience in the Pacific Islands” workshop at the Heritage Park Hotel earlier this month.

He said they know that from the individual maritime administration in the region, the disposal of fiberglass boats is one of the biggest challenges in the pacific region.

Mohammed said they are going to start off with national level consultation in terms of what individual countries would want to actually capture in a regional strategy and action plan tailored to individual countries’ needs.

He added that they will also try and evaluate the effectiveness of the current clean up strategy that they have, which has a component on marine pollution.

“But at the end of the day, I think what still needs to be decided through our consultation is the approach”

“But at the same time, looking at our backyard, I think it’s not only the World War II wrecks, it’s basically every other wreck that would be emanating from your domestic shipping industry, if not from the shipping industry”

Mohammed pointed out that they understand that the current strategy does not cover all of it, and thus are going to revise it.

He said knowing that this has become a bigger challenge for them, there are other initiatives through SPREP that is building capacity for SPREP countries and one of those is PacPlan which is a framework to help pacific island countries develop their own contingency plans.

“PacPlan, of course, is only focusing on oil pollution, but if you guys in the maritime industry follow what is really happening on the climate mitigation and adaptation side of things through IMO, we are moving into new fuels”

Mohammed mentioned that what they are actually trying to capture as part of their new PacPlan iniative is to not only focus on oil spills but to also look at chemical spills.

He said apart from World War II wrecks, they will also be looking basically at potential polluting wrecks in the region.

“That’s inclusive of fishing vessels in the region.  Apart from that, we are working with development partners, donors, scientific organisations to help our members to manage the different type of wrecks that we have in the region”

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