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AMERICA IS BACK

Written by
Mavis Podokolo
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US Embassy office in Honiara, Solomon Islands.

US re-opens embassy in Honiara in low-key

BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO

UNITED States of America (USA) officially opened its embassy in Solomon Islands yesterday in Honiara.

The low-key event was attended by the Solomon Islands foreign affairs permanent secretary, Collin Beck.

Thirty years after it closed its embassy in Honiara on July 30, 1993, the US is reopening its doors in a small building shared with other offices at the Commonwealth Street, along the road leading to the wharf.

In reopening the embassy USA is hoping to broaden opportunities to engage with Solomon Islands, says Mr Russell Comeau, chargé d’affaires ad interim United States Embassy Solomon Islands, speaking at the reopening press conference.

 “This embassy we hope to and expect to broaden the opportunities to engage with Solomon Islands, to increase access.

“Becoming an embassy is really the first step as we moving toward establishing more permanent facilities and deploying diplomatic personnel.

“We hope to get a bigger team out here in the Solomons deliver the initiatives we are working in partnership with around the region,” Comeau said.

He said the US embassy in Solomon Islands will serve in key platforms from which US government will continue to develop its partnership in the Pacific based on shared values, democracy, human rights and the rule of laws.

United States Secretary of State Antony J Blinken says, “Am grateful for our partnership in Honiara and across Solomon islands.US and Solomon Islands will work together tackle issues in the Pacific community.”

Taylor Ruggles, Director EAP/ANP, United States Department of State adds they have seen over time that having no presence on the ground makes communication very difficult

“When we are not present on the ground, communication becomes difficult its harder for us to understand the priorities of the Solomon Islands Government to maintain the contact with the People.

“In order for us to communicate our policies and messages to the people and the government of Solomon Islands the Biden administration has prioritise re-establishing the embassy here in the Solomon Islands,” Ruggles said.

Colin Beck, permanent secretary to the Solomon Islands Ministry of Foreign Affairs and External Trade congratulates United States on the technical opening of the US Embassy in Solomon Islands on behalf of the government.

“The reopening of this mission is welcomed by the Government and people of Solomon Islands,” Beck said.

He said the Embassy in Honiara is the 164th US diplomatic mission in a foreign country.

“The reopening of this mission is welcomed by the government and people of Solomon Islands. It is a manifestation of the rich historical ties we share, the ongoing friendly relations between our two countries, and ushers renewed ambitions to deepen our bilateral partnership.

“But most importantly, the establishment of the Embassy shows the people of Solomon Islands that US is here, and will be for the long haul,” Beck said.

Good news for Gizo residents

Written by
Ben Bilua
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Western Provincial capital Gizo

BY BEN BILUA

WESTERN Provincial Assembly has passed a budget worth $500,000 to buy a water truck for Gizo residents.

This is a good news for Gizo residence as they depend entirely on rain water to cooked, wash and drink.

It is still unclear when the provincial government will purchase the water truck.

Island Sun understand that water shortage is a long standing issue which has affected people residing in Gizo for over 20 years.

Early this year, Solomon Water rolled out the first phase of its Gizo Water Project digging boreholes at Mile 6 and other parts of Gizo.

The budget allocation and Solomon Water Project will definitely address the water shortage in Gizo.

Man alleged of sexually abusing 7-year-old still without lawyer

Written by
Jennifer Kusapa
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BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

A man alleged of raping a seven-year-old girl in November 2022 is still without a lawyer to represent him in court.

The case was called again for mention yesterday; however, the defendant is still without a lawyer and the case was further adjourned to February 15 for mention.

Meanwhile Bobby Harunari of the Public Solicitor’s Office who appeared  in court said he will inform his superiors to allocate a lawyer for the defendant.

The defendant who cannot be named for legal reasons is currently facing five counts of raping a girl under 15 Contrary to Section 139 (1) and two counts of Indecent Assault Contrary to Section138 of the Penal Code (amendment) Sexual Offences Act 2016

The rape incident happened on November 20, 2022. 

Police said during the arrest of the defendant that such behaviour is inhuman and is a very serious crime. Rape bears a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.

231 leprosy cases from 2018 to 2022

Written by
Mavis Podokolo
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Director for Tuberculosis/Leprosy program Dr Henry Kako.

BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO

A total of 231 cases of Leprosy have been recorded from 2018 to 2022.

This is according to   the Director for Tuberculosis/Leprosy program Dr Henry Kako.

“Solomon Islands between years 2018 to 2022 recoded a total of 231 leprosy. It is not going to be easy as we think, but ending it must be the challenge to all countries in the world that have not yet zero leprosy elimination,” Kako said.

He says this gives the country 0.65 – 0.75 per 10,000 populations as the country continues to sustain elimination target.  

“The detection rate of above years was 5.80 – 6.75 per 100,000 populations,” Kako said.

He adds, seven provinces are till reporting cases within that period and are as follows, Honiara, Malaita, Guadalcanal, Western Choiseul, Central and Temotu provinces.

“Among the seven provinces reporting cases Honiara City Council, Guadalcanal and Malaita annual reporting cases have been accounted for most reported cases,” Kako said.

Yet, he stressed with the availability of leprosy services in most of the clinics in the country and trained staff on leprosy, the country should be easily on the path to eliminating leprosy.

The theme of World Leprosy Day reads “Act Now. End Leprosy”. The event was marked earlier this week.

Fa’abasua hits back at Malaita’s non-executives

Written by
Samie Waikori
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BY SAMIE WAIKORI

Former provincial secretary of Malaita, Fredrick Fa’abasua has spoken out against false claims by the non-executive of the province directed against him.

The non-executives have included Mr Fa’abasua in allegations listed in their reasons for their motion of no confidence against Premier Daniel Suidani and his MARA government.

The accusations by the non-executives say “the premier directly appointed Reach Consultancy, a firm owned by the former PS Mr Fredrick Fa’abasua to work on the ‘15 years Malaita Development Aspiration’ by-passing the normal tender compliance and procurement processes.

“Further still, the acting PS David Filia Tuita was conveniently by-passed by the premier to allow REACH consultancy to proceed without signing a formal binding contract following the executive’s approval.

“Consequently, the consultancy fee of $SBD60,000 awarded by the premier ($SBD32,000 of which has been paid to the REACH consultancy firm) constitutes an illegal payment.”

Responding to the accusations, Fa’abasua, who is the director of Reach Consultancy firm, said his firm has a signed contract with MPG, not MARA government as alleged and it signed on the October 10, 2022.

“Where do I get the approval and authority before signing the contract? The original executive decision to engage someone to work on the Malaita Development Aspiration 2050 was made on 18 June 2020.

“However, this was not done and so, on 23 September 2022, the MARA executive met and further cemented that decision thereby requesting Reach consultancy firm to work on this matter.

“I was then formally conveyed that decision by the premier’s office on 07 October 2022. When receiving the letter, I then raised the issue of procurement with the premier’s office.

“Due to the urgency of this task that needs to be done as partners are waiting upon the MARA Government, the premier formally writes to the Provincial Secretary acting as the Chairman of the Provincial Tender Board asking for a waiver of the procurement process base on the urgency.

“This received the approval from the PS acting. It was only then that I went on to sign the contract,” he said.

Fa’abasua said his team has delivered the task given and formal presentation of a copy of the Malaita Development Fifteen Years Aspirations was made to MARA executive at the provincial chamber on November 28, 2022.

He said the plan is the first of its kind for Malaita province that links with other greater plans of the Solomon Islands government, regional and international plans.

Fa’abasua said although the mover of the motion saw it fit to put this as part of their allegations, there is one more truth that the public needs to understand here.

“Anyone in his right mine will not go around and publicly claim that if the motion of no confidence is passed then I and my firm will still be engaged by the newly formed government.

“These statements were echoed at a public meeting at Kilusakwalo on Sunday 29 January 2022 even without my knowledge and consent.

“What a hypocrite! I said this because in the first place my name and firm has been tarnish because of what he and his team proposed in their motion.

“Yet, in their effort to garner public support, my name and firm was again used to score political points and public support.

“This is not good politics to say the least,” he said.

SICTU supports COLA rise for public servants

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
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By EDDIE OSIFELO

SOLOMON Islands Council of Trade Union is supporting the 6.5 percent ‘Cost of Living Adjustment’ for public servants in the country.

Solomon Islands Public Employees Union (SIPEU) had submitted the proposal to the Ministry of Public Service last year to help public servants keep up with high rising costs of goods and housing.

SIPEU is currently waiting for Cabinet approval on the proposal.

SICTU President, David Tuhanuku said they are waiting for the outcome of Cabinet’s deliberation on the proposal.

He said SICTU will hold a meeting to decide their official stand, depending on the outcome of the Cabinet’s decision.

General Secretary, Robert Au, told Tavuli News in an interview that the 6.5 percent is with the Public Service and working on it.

“They trying to look at the budget side of it and will submit to Cabinet for endorsement and perhaps this first quarter, we should know what time it should be implemented for all the public servants.

“So, the 6.5 percent will go across the board,” Au said.

Furthermore, on the rental scheme for public servants, Au told Tavuli News that Cabinet did not get back last year, for reasons they want to totally look at how it could be implemented for all public servants in the country.

“Our wish is that we want to see rental housing assistances go to the public servants so that they can arrange their own housings.

“Maybe some of them can go and secure loan through the financials institutions that are available, or the Solomon Finances Limited, which is one of the subsidiaries of Solomon Islands National Provident Fund,” he said.

Au said SIPEU is continuing monitoring that and checking with the government and with the Public Service.

“I understand they are still yet to submit the review they carried out last year.

“I am still to get back to PS after the New Year. Iam hoping when the PS settles down, we can have a meeting to look at the progress and updates on that one,” he added.

Apart from that, about 100 nurses are planning to depart to Australia to work in age care, due to low salary level they received and could not afford to meet the increased cost of living in the country.

Forms 3 and 5 results Friday

Written by
Ofani Eremae
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Permanent Secretary for MEHRD, Dr Franco Rodie.

BY NED GAGAHE

Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education and Human Resource Development (MEHRD) Dr Franco Rodie says year nine (form 3) and 11 (form 5) examination results will be released tomorrow, Friday, February 3.

In an email to Island Sun yesterday, Rodie said results will be posted via MEHRD’s website and can be accessed there.

Rodie said form seven placements have been released and signed off by Minister yesterday (Wednesday) and are now accessible from the MEHRD website.

The release of the form-seven results has brought relief to parents, supporters and fee payers who criticised MEHRD for the delay.

Most schools nationwide both primary and secondary schools have already kicked of class on January 23 and are now well into their second week of normal classes.

Meanwhile, concerned parents, guidance and fee payers are advised to go to MEHRD’s website if they wish to find our the placement of their children.

NURSE BLOCK

Written by
Mavis Podokolo
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Health ministry works with Foreign affairs to prevent experienced health workers leaving

BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO

The ministry of health (MHMS) has devised a way to block senior nurses who are seeking job opportunities outside of the country.

More than a hundred nurses including senior and experienced ones are set to go and work overseas. Many more are signing up, it is reported.

This development is projected to impact the country’s health and medical services.

So, MHMS has reportedly sought help from the ministry of foreign affairs (MFAET) to block current working nurses (both experienced and less experienced) from leaving the country.

Only nurses who have retired, resigned and are no longer in service will be allowed to leave to work overseas, Island Sun was reliably informed.

A senior official in the MHMS admin confirmed this to Island Sun yesterday on condition of anonymity, adding it is the only way MHMS can save this country from this pending mass brain drain of health workers.

MHMS and MFAET officials met yesterday morning to plan out how they will go about this plan, the official said.

More details to this scheme will be made known later, the official said.

Responding to reports of this totalitarian plan by MHMS, nurses who are awaiting confirmation to go and work in Australia say they “will just simply resign and leave”.

“It is our constitutional rights to resign and sign up for overseas jobs despite whatever arrangement is done to hold us back.   

“Majority of us nurses decide to tender our resignation if contract is offered,” their spokesperson said.

More than a hundred nurses are furnishing up processes to head abroad for job opportunities, especially Australia.

Many more are showing interest and are signing up to this pathway, which also include countries as far away as Canada, Island Sun was told earlier this week.

Among the reasons behind this pending mass diaspora is government’s harsh and draconian treatment of nurses since their mass strike in November 2020 as the country anticipated covid-19 which was spreading across the world at that time.

Nurses had banded together under their platform, Solomon Islands Nurses Association (SINA), to demand government to improve working conditions and welfare matters.

Government however responded by suspending SINA and charging eight nurses for incitement. In all, 14 were suspended from duty.

Since then, SINA remains suspended, denying nurses in the country a platform through which their voices and concerns can be heard.

Another main reason is the rising cost of living in Honiara and the country, which nurses are feeling the brunt of due to their small salaries and lack of allowances.

Suspended nurses association distances itself from SICTU

Written by
Mavis Podokolo
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0

BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO  

The suspended nurses association (SINA) has distanced itself from the country’s council of trade unions (SICTU).

In a statement yesterday, the re-instatement consultation taskforce for SINA said it does not support the Solomon Islands Council of Trade Unions (SICTU) protest against entitlement increased by PEC to members of Parliament.

“SINA at no time did meet with Solomon Islands Council of Trade Unions (SICTU) to protest against salary awarded to Member of Parliament.

“It has come to realisation on a number of media release, SINA has been mentioned to be party to the ongoing SICTUs campaign against the seven percent pay rise awarded to MPs by PEC.

“In light of this publicity, SINA therefore, would like to put record correct and in a proper context, that had no time did, the suspended SINA Authority and or the SINA Interim Task Force met with SICTU and agree in principle to give consent for participation of SINA in such an undertaking by SICTU,” the statement said.

The statement says it must be noted that SINA’s suspension order of 2020 remain enforced and for that reason SINA will abide by terms and conditions of the Suspension Order and will continue to remain in abeyance until it is dully reinstated accordingly.

“SINA therefore calls on SICTU to respect SINA’s standing as a suspended trade union and will therefore not participate in SICTU’s campaign against the PEC awards,” the statement said.

Passport services for labour mobility suspended for now

Written by
Ofani Eremae
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0
Crowd outside the immigration department were sadly turned back on Monday following the temporary suspension. Picture supplied.

BY NED GAGAHE

The Ministry of Commerce Labour and Immigration (MCLI) has temporarily suspended the processing of passports for seasonal workers until further notice.

The suspension took effect as of Monday, January 30 to allow the ministry to work on space at the immigration department dedicated for serving labour mobility applicants.

In an interview yesterday Permanent Secretary Riley Mesetitu said the decision was made after consultation with the Director of Immigration.

“We met on Monday 30th and made up some decisions but we are yet to finalise.

“This week our office has been flooded with crowd and we cannot accommodate everybody who comes in.

“So, this week we use it to clear off the back logs of passports that were already processed and ready for collection.

“Hopefully, next week we will again resume normal services.”

Mesepitu said discussion is well underway with his team at the immigration department on best way forward to address the issue.

“In terms of space, we are working on that we will also increase the number of manpower and space at the immigration.

“So, we will do some arrangements allocate more space for immigration and special unit dedicated to serve passport applicants for seasonal work.

“It will take us some time to rearrange office to control crowd coming in.

“This are some of the things we are planning to do.

“I will not make a timeframe on how long it will take us to achieve that but it is anticipated that it will be just a brief suspension. It won’t take too long,” Mesepitu said.  

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