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40 schools to take Copen survey 2023

Written by
Mavis Podokolo
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Minister for Health and Medical Services Dr Culwick Togamana

BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO

FORTY random schools in the country will take the Copen survey next year.

Minister for Health and Medical Services Dr Culwick Togamana said they will be randomly selected in the country to undertake the school health survey following widespread of the new substance (copen drug) in the country.

Togamana said the Ministry of Health will work to collect information and data on this especially the illegal use of copen at school is a bit necessary.

“The copen questionnaire is already included in the school Health survey that will be done early next year in 2023.

“The survey will be undertaken in 40 schools that will be randomly selected in the country,” he said.

Togamana adds, this school base survey will give authorities evidence on the external use of the substance so they can work on what strategies can be formed to address this matter.

He echoed the above sentiments in a parliament debate earlier on 5th December 2022.

Gov’t lacks law on cooking gas

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
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Minister for Environment, Climate Change, Disaster Management and Meteorology Member of Parliament for East Kwaio, Stanley Sofu.

By EDDIE OSIFELO

THE Government has no legislation in place to control domestic cooking gas products in the country.

Minister for Environment, Climate Change, Disaster Management and Meteorology, Stanley Sofu confirmed this in Parliament on 7th December 2022, when asked by Leader of Opposition, Mathew Wale.

Wale claimed there was a study by scientists released last month, that found the cooking gas products like butane gas are risky for people’s health.

In response, Sofu said chemical management in the country is fragmented and covered under different legislations.

“For example, the Pharmacy and Poisons Act 1941 regulates the importation, sale, suppliers and use of pharmaceutical drugs and provisions under the Ministry of Health and Medical Services.

“The Safety at Work Act 1982 regulates the manufacture, suppliers and use of chemicals and pesticides, as they relate to work place health and safety, under the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock,” he said.

Sofu said the crop health unit which also among the pesticide registry.

In addition, he said a large number of chemicals are not coverable.

“As such on part of meeting our obligations under the Stockholm conventions on persistent organics pollutants, we have made a provision in National Implementation Plan and sound chemical management inclusion of chemicals that are not covered under existing legislations.

“Unfortunately, due to limited capacity within the Environment and Conservation Division, the implementation of NIP has been delayed,” he added.

Furthermore, Sofu said the draft Environmental Act Amendment Bill which is at advance stage of drafting, has a new provision in Part 5 and management of chemicals that are not covered under existing legislations.

He said the part states that any chemicals deem as dangerous substance that is imported, exported, stored, produced, sold, use and dispose, which may cause environmental harm, must be managed accordingly to standards prescribes by Regulations.

“Origin gas has imported butane gas last year, however, due to covid 19, they have stopped.

“They did not buy empty bottles for 30 cents and stockpile the collected bottles for disposal at their area at Henderson. It is currently being stockpile,” he added.

Sofu said currently, the ministry does not undertake compliance monitoring and enforcement of domestic cooking gas products.

However, he said the current draft Environmental Act does not provide for sound chemical management and therefore will consider compliance, monitoring and enforcement in the implementation of the new Environmental Amendment Bill.

CRB TRAP BACKFIRE

Written by
Irwin Angiki
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Beetle traps such as this have become successful breeding sites for the Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle. Credit: Daley Tesuatai

Coconut rhino beetle widespread on Bellona thanks to MAL and covid-19

BY NED GAGAHE & IRWIN ANGIKI

Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle (CRB) is widespread on Bellona Island, ironically, thanks in part to the Ministry of Agriculture & Livestock (MAL) and covid-19.

The ministry is seemingly trying to make up for this inadvertent failure.

MAL Biosecurity director Mr Francis Tsatsia told Island Sun on Thursday last week the ministry plans to send personnel to the beetle-covered island to assess the situation. But, this is yet to take place.

Late last year, a team from MAL travelled to Bellona to quell the beetle’s spread.

By then, it was nearing the centre of the island, having started spreading from the east where first sightings were reported in 2019.

The MAL team instructed locals to heap sawed coconut trunks together to form what they called a ‘trap’ for the beetle. The idea behind this was the traps offered a nesting ground for the beetle, and two or three months later the MAL team would return to burn these traps, killing the larvae and eggs.

The MAL team reportedly told locals on Bellona that this exercise, once repeated could end the beetle’s presence on the island.

They left Bellona, promising to return in July this year to burn the traps.

However, this plan was reportedly abandoned following covid-19 community transmission in Honiara (announced on January 19, 2022) and ensuing restrictions and funding problems.

Hence, the beetle traps, which lined Bellona’s road from east to west, became a breeding sanctuary for the beetle. By September this year, beetle sightings had come from all corners of the island.

Speaking to Island Sun during the paper’s visit to Bellona in late September this year, school teacher Mr McQueen Tekatoha said MAL had failed Bellona, and blamed the ministry for the beetle now covering the island.

“The beetle after its first sighting in 2019 had spread relatively slowly. But, after the failed MAL-led attempt to cull the pest with the traps, the beetle has now completely covered Bellona.

“Bellona has been facing a food security crisis, and the coconut rhinoceros beetle’s spread is exacerbating the problem.

“Since January, we have not heard anything from MAL regarding any plan to try and reverse this wild spread of coconut rhinoceros beetle which they have caused.”

Another school teacher on Bellona, Mr David Taetonu, called on the government through MAL to consider helping Bellona with its CRB crisis.

“Since MAL had unintentionally enabled the wild spread of the beetle on Bellona, government should at least have the decency to try and come up with something to help fight the beetle’s spread and tackle its population here.”

MAL Biosecurity Director Tsatsia admitted to Island Sun in last week’s interview that it was beyond their control due to the covid-19 outbreak and lack of funds thereafter.

“That work they should have already been done but unfortunately what has happened in terms of the covid-19 it is beyond the ministry’s control.

“Because after they cut the coconut trunks, they should burn it. Because when it stays that way, it becomes a breeding site.

“Funding has been a problem that continued to delay the work that should have been done earlier.”

Rennell and Bellona islands are home to the tall species of coconut which bears huge fruits, and MAL is aware of the danger CRB poses there.

“The Rennell Tall species or big fruit as it is known widely is a unique species that is only found in Renbel province. That is important to complete the work to protect the species or variety of coconut,” Tstatsia told Island Sun.

 “It is critical the we complete the work the sooner the better. To reduce the population of the Rhinoceros Beetle and protect the Rennell Tall species.”

Director Tsatsia reassured the concerned people of Bellona that MAL is onto this problem.

“An officer from the Agriculture Extension will be travelling to Bellona to try and complete the work.

“All the arrangements have already been made. He should leave Honiara for Bellona today [Thursday, Dec 1] and will stay there for two weeks and come back to update us on what should be done next.

“The key focus of his task is to complete the work. When he arrives there, he should hire some casual workers in the community and hire chainsaws to assist him do the work there.”

However, since this interview, MAL has not sent an officer to Bellona.

New political party formed

Written by
Ofani Eremae
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Members of People’s Liberal Democratic Party (PLDP)

BY NED GAGAHE

A new political party has formed – the People’s Liberal Democratic Party (PLDP).

They are inviting candidates wishing to contest 2024 national general election, provincial and Honiara City Council (HCC) elections to join.

In a statement the PLDP issued their call following their recent formation saying that they are now well into 48 weeks of party awareness.

“Today, with the internal approaches of the PLDPSI we are now into the 48th weeks of the party concept awareness held every Wednesdays and Fridays continuously.

“The Party (PLDPSI) is humbly calling and inviting candidates wishing to contest 2024 National general election, provincial and HCC election and you wish to join the party, please do come forward and urgently join so that we can speed up the legal process for registration of the party.

“The next party concept meeting will be held on Wednesday this week, 10am at Mbokonavera 4 (MB4) and continues alternatively.”

The party slogan is, “liberal people for liberty, liberty for liberal people”. 

The party’s democratic expression is “When Democracy is right accordingly, it nourishes but when it is incompatible, it neglects its entire responsibility while one by legality must exist to embrace forever”.

Seven communities to benefit from US grant

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
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SIDT Executive Director, Longden Manedika, left, Russ Comeau, Charge d’Affairs for the Solomon Islands U.S. Department of State, Christine Murphy, International Program Director, Action on Poverty and William Pryor, Country Coordinator for the Solomon Islands, USAID

By EDDIE OSIFELO

ABOUT seven communities in Guadalcanal and 11 communities in Kiribati will benefit from the Pacific Health and Sanitation grant of $7 million (US$850,000).

The grant is part of the USAID’s Pacific American Fund US$35 million five-year grant facility, that addresses critical development challenges across 12 Pacific Island Countries, including the Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Kiribati, Nauru, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Republic of Marshall Islands, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu.

The project aims to reinforce Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) in the 18 communities in Solomon Islands and Kiribati from September 1, 2022 to February 2025.

Solomon Islands Development Trust (SIDT), that set up in 1988 with a concept by late John Roughan to ‘Improving the Quality of Village Living’, will implement the project here.

Speaking at the launching of the project at Honiara Hotel yesterday, SIDT Executive Director Longden Manedika said as a means to advance the objectives of the project  towards issues of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene, this project involves a community of interest that includes Action on Poverty (AOP), Foundation for the Peoples of the South Pacific Kiribati (FSPK), Solomon Islands Development Trust (SIDT), and  Institute for Sustainable Futures at the University of Technology Sydney (ISF-UTS) .

Manedika said in the Solomons, they will be working with Seven Communities in Guadalcanal Province.

He said an estimated 420 direct project participants will be empowered to advance positive and acceptable behavior towards improved health practices in terms WASH (Water Sanitation and Hygiene) at the village setting. 

Further to that, Manedika said gender dimensions and social inclusion were crosscutting elements in the design of the outreach activities.

He said project will use evidence-based, field-tested approaches such as Community-Led Total Sanitation (CLTS) and Dynamic Adaptive Management Process tool (DAMP) – (a tool developed by ISF-UTS and relevant locally designed open learning tools relevant in both Solomon Islands and Kiribati.

“Tools that stir participatory decision-making processes to plan for the delivery of basic services under a changing climate, and help to build skills and knowledge which will enable the community to participate in identifying solutions relevant for their context,” he said.

Manedika said AOP, ISF-UTS and SIDT were involved in a previous PACAM project funded by USAID.

“Coupled with SIDT’s previous community governance work (Bridging the Gap project), this initiative will enable us to continue to build on the previous investments made by US Government and the community-based work undertaken through that program, given it was focused on both WASH and local knowledge on climate change, both relevant to the current initiative,” he said.

Details of how much Solomon Islands will benefit from the $7 million is still sketchy.

Case of woman assault returns to court today

Written by
Jennifer Kusapa
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In-court

BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

THE case of a woman alleged of assaulting her ex-husband’s partner will be mentioned again in court on 6th December 2022.

This is the case of Julie Wutete Shanel – she is charged with one count of assault causing actual bodily harm.

Police alleged that the defendant approached the victim while she was in JJJM second hand clothing and attacked her.

It is alleged the accused grabbed the victim on the hair and bit her right hand. The victim struggled to escape from her but couldn’t, as the accused had tightly grabbed her. Fortunately, bystanders and the security guards managed to separate them.

Police also said the victim ended up at the Natal Family clinic suffering from bruises and injuries on her right hand and minor injuries to her body as a result of the bite from the accused.

The case then was reported to police and the accused was arrested for the said offence.

Police Prosecution Department prosecutes the matter in court.

MHMS eyes boosting lab to test illegal drugs

Written by
Mavis Podokolo
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Minister for Health and Medical Services-Dr Culwick

BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO

MINISTRY of Health and Medical Services has identified the need to secure resources to increase analysis of illegal substances at the National Public Health Laboratory.

Minister for Health and Medical Services Dr Culwick Togamana said this need of resource mobilisation to support proper drug testing system at the National Public Health Laboratory has become a priority following the widespread the new drug copen in the country.      

“There is an identifying need to secure resources to increase laboratory analysis of not only copen drugs but other illegal substances that is being used by the public,” Togamana said.

He said in the meantime MHMS will try and look at other overseas referral and arrangements to do the analysis. This may include linking up with law enforcement agencies such as the RSPIF, Ministry of Police National Security and Correctional Services.

Togamana adds, the National Public Health Laboratory mainly supports our exports especially fish to EU market so support provided at the moment is only through that direction.

“The lab is capacitated to be able to assess cassava, taro so they can ascertain heavy metals if possible for to be able to know before export them overseas countries because they have certain limits of MRL that is allowed on these crops.

“Therefore to extend to substances like copen we need resources and other capacities to equip our laboratory,” Togamana said.

He echoed the above sentiments on 5th December 2022 in Parliament.

ENDS////////////////

Kuma highlights SI challenges to climate change

Written by
Ofani Eremae
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Minister of Finance and Treasury Harry Kuma

BY NED GAGAHE

Minister of Finance Harry Kuma says Solomon Islands is at the forefront of climate change and the country has experienced the full brunt of its impacts and the reoccurrence of natural disasters.

Kuma made these statements at the gathering to launch the Solomon Islands Roadmap for improving access to climate finance and public spending at Heritage Park Hotel last week.

Kuma said the country as an island archipelago is experiencing an unprecedented scale of extreme weather events such as heavy rainfalls, flash floods, increasing intensities of cyclones, sea-level rises and coastal erosions.

“It is clear warning and message that these have threatened our security, challenged our economy, and impacted the livelihoods of many of our rural communities, cultures and sustainable developments.

“Disaster losses can represent a major portion of our country’s gross domestic product (GDP) and impeded economic and social development to our country.

Kuma said the impacts of climate change and disaster risks remain a top priority for the government and these are clearly articulated in Policy frameworks such as National Development Strategies, National Adaptation Plans, Solomon Islands Climate Change Policy and Disaster Management plans.

He said Solomon Islands alone cannot response effectively without accessing global climate finance to support its interventions.

“Unlocking access to these funds is very important and I urge development partners, line ministries, NGOs and the private sector that our collaborations is very important for a resilient Solomon Islands.” Kuma said.

The document- Solomon Islands Roadmap for improving access to climate finance and public spending is a five-year plan 2022-2027 developed by Solomon Islands Government in collaboration with UNDP Gov4Res project and Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat (PIFS).

Aftershocks slowly easing: Report  

Written by
Mavis Podokolo
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Damages caused to the stairs of the Anthony Saru Building yesterday. Photo: Collin Beck.

BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO

THE reoccurrence of aftershocks is slowly easing, says National Disaster Council situation report released on 5th December 2022.

“Reoccurrence of aftershocks slowly easing, however, people particularly in Southwest Guadalcanal are still living in fear and uncertainty,” the report stressed.

The report says the risk of further landslides and flooding is high in communities in Southwest Guadalcanal. The current heavy rain warning will eventually exacerbate the risk and may cause further disaster to the already volatile communities because of the impact of earthquake.

The Initial Damage Assessment for Guadalcanal was completed on the 1 December 2022. A total of 55 communities in 10 different wards are assessed in Guadalcanal the report stated.

“Damages to physical infrastructures, particularly residential houses are minimal and are scattered. Traditional built houses mostly tilted, and needs minimal repairs such as bracing.

“Most of the school classroom sustains major damages to classrooms and needs technical structural assessment. Most schools opted to take a break earlier due to the damages to buildings,” the report says.

It report also mentioned that food gardens are the most eminent impact due to landslides and ground shake that uprooted crops.

The Honiara City are yet to conduct the Initial Damage Assessment to verify reported damages, due to lack of funding although budget and relevant documents are submitted the report said.

ENDS///////////////////

Ete raises concerns on 2023 approp Bill

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
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Member of Parliament for East Honiara, Douglas Ete

By EDDIE OSIFELO

CHAIRMAN of Public Accounts Committee, Douglas Ete has raised concerns on the 2023 Appropriation Bill 2022.

The Government through its line Ministries is asking Parliament to appropriate four billion, six hundred and sixteen million, three hundred and five thousand and six hundred and thirty-four dollars to the service of the financial year ending December 31, 2023.

Speaking on the debate of the Bill in Parliament on 5th December 2022, Ete said the Minister of Finance and Treasury, Harry Kuma highlighted two pillars of the budget.

They are:

  1. Transforming investments to boost recovery of the economy
  2. Empowering people and promote unity in the country

Ete said while this is an honorable cause, if one looks at the recovery policy of the government to recover the economy, it is seemingly while it is good, promotes uneven growth in his take.

“Growth is projected to be bolster through construction centrally on and in Honiara and a slice of the growth through the provinces.

“But under the fiscal budget, nearly one quarter of the budget is spent on Pacific Games 2023 in Honiara,” he said.

Ete said PAC suggests a package for visitors during the Games to also enjoy the Games and spend money on crucial importance.

He said there should be cultural attractions in Central Province, Gizo, Auki, something in the scale of what Festival of Pacific Arts did.

“The only issue was it incurred high debt on the preceding year in 2013 and hampered growth,” he added.

Furthermore, Ete said PAC also noted for 2023 for growth areas for the provinces, is thinly sliced.

He said creation of jobs will bear minimal as it is.

For example, Ete said under the Development, Ministry of Forestry is allocated $10.6 million.

However, he said Noro Timber year is given $3m, while Kolombangara Land Trust Fund Board is allocated $1 million.

Ete said the Ministry of Forestry is not aware of this $1 million allocation because it’s not in their programme.

He said it is questionable because the Permanent Secretary of Ministry of Forestry is also the member of the KLTB.

Ete said it is not good because all budget preparation should come from Ministry.

“If give to them, give to all other Land Trust Boards like in Shortlands, North New Georgie and many others in Malaita.

“This is a question of equity and fairness,” he added.

However, Ete praised the Government for allocating $30 million to Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock.

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