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PlasticWise Gizo makes scary discovery

Written by
Ben Bilua
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Madam Rendy and her team distribute the waste they collect

BY BEN BILUA
Gizo

Solid waste Audit carried out by PlasticWise Gizo at Naru Island outside Gizo found that single used plastics have polluted the island.

A total of 130 different types of solid wastes weighted 40,000 grams were collected within an area of 100 meters by 20 meters.

The team briefed with the survey guideline before the clean up

Solid wastes were collected, distributed to different categories based on Intelligence Liter Challenge Category guide then entered into specific scientific materials content of the wastes.

“Out of the collection we did today, the highest item recorded was single used plastics, second on the list is foam, different types of foams from eskies, floaters, cup noodles and disposal cups followed by aluminum canes and tins,” President of PlasticWise Gizo, Rendy Solomon said.

She said solid wastes collected during the survey includes plastic bottles, foams, glass bottles, peak bottles, single use plastic bags, tooth brass, pens, straws, toys, aluminum canes and tins.

Team collecting waste samples

Rendy said PlasticWise Gizo have underwent special training to carry out the survey and audit the waste samples.

“I believe the survey and data we came up today will give us a better understanding on the average rate of solid wastes passing through our islands.

“This survey will help us upscale environment awareness and capacity building on waste Management within Western Province,” she said.

Prime Minister and delegation trip costs $2.5M

Written by
Admin
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DPM Maelanga escorts PM Sogavare on arrival

THE Prime Minister’s 19-member delegation on a three-legged overseas tour has cost taxpayers $2.5 million, documents Island Sun cited have revealed.

The delegation arrived last week following their recent overseas trip to New York (UNGA), Washington, Singapore and Australia.

The documents obtained by this paper also revealed that the Office of the Prime Minister & Cabinet (OPMC) has pleaded with the Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA) to meet the total costs for airfares and per diems for the delegates.

Honiara-based FFA is a regional organisation also funded by taxpayers.

“The contribution by the FFA has reduced the cost to SIG from an estimated $2.5 million to $934, 265.60 – a savings of $1.56 million,” a letter by SPM Dr Jimmie Rodgers to the Finance Ministry stated.

The 19-member delagation are as follows;

·         Manasseh Sogavare – Prime Minister

·         Emmy Sogavare – Prime Minister’s spouse

·         Lily Maefai              – MP for East Makira

·         Dr Jimmie Rodgers –   Secretary to Prime Minister

·         John Osmond Muria – Attorney General

·         Albert Kabui – Special Secretary to Prime Minister

·         Leni Dalavera – Press Secretary

·         Suzie Wale – EPS

·         Walter Diamana – Chief Protocol

·         Ipo Kabwere – CPP 1

·         Fred Toliliu – CPP 2

·         Hollingsworth Avui – Liasion Officer

·         Jerry Manele – Foreign Affairs Minister

·         Collin Beck – PS Foreign Affairs

·         Fiona Indu – Assistant Secretary, UN & Americas

·         Rex Ramofafia – Minister of Planning

·         Susan Sulu – PS Planning

·         Ishmael Avui – Minister Lands & Housing

·         Tagini Makario – Minister of Public Service

Documents have also shown that the total budget for hotel accommodations and other charges have also amounted to $1,040,926.96 (these charges exclude airfares and per diems).

A total of $410,041.84 was paid directly to the SI New York Mission and $630,885.12 was carried as special imprest by a PMO officer.

Sources said the total Budget exceeding $2 million is questionable given that airfares and accommodations by the Prime Minister and part of the delegation is usually met by the UNGA or the other host countries given that official tours to Singapore and Australia were also requests for the Prime Minister to visit.

“The taxpayers money spent on this trip is just too much and the makeup of the delegation and the roles they play these official outings are also a total waste of time and money,” one source said.

Documents further showed that in New York, the SPM has requested an additional cost of USD$20,000 (SBD$160,000) to top up additional costs for the delegation there.

Information sighted from the documents stated that costs were needed because the accommodation costs for the 19-member delegation was not enough and that the Prime Minister and other delegates were threatened to be kicked out of their rooms.

NO LIMIT

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
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Part of a group of Solomon Islanders who went under the Australian Seasonal Workers Programme and Labour Mobility Scheme. PHOTO AUSTRALIAN HIGH COMMISSION OFFICE

MFAET assures no restrictions in number of seasonal workers

By EDDIE OSIFELO

Solomon Islands is not putting any limit on the number of workers to Australia and New Zealand after some Pacific Islands countries plan to do so to avoid gaps in employment domestically.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs and External Trade permanent secretary, Collin Beck said all the countries in the Pacific have different levels of development.

“In our case we have 20,000 youths looking for jobs every year. In our situation, we are still a thirsty country that is looking for employment— both domestically and externally,” he said.

“While we keep trying and create job within, in the meantime, where there is opportunity, we will continue to embrace, utilize and take advantage of – we will try to ensure those that seek employment will always try to find space for them,” he said.

Beck said our population growth is another issue compared to other Pacific countries.

“We are basically one of the fastest. So, we are basically fertile ground to harvest opportunities out.

“Wherever there is employment, we will try to take advantage of it,” he said.

“It just that our growth is not keeping up with our developments needs and we just need to keep on working on creating more jobs within.

“Until that happens, until we reach that stage, we will continue to take advantage of that. We will move in an uncap way on this. We will not put some limits,” he added.

Island Sun understands Samoa and Vanuatu are considering regulating the number of their workers living their shores to work under the season labour programmes.

Airline welcomes lifting of  pre-flight 72-hr PCR test

Written by
Press Release
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New CEO of Solomon Airlines, Gus Kraus.

Solomon Airlines has welcomed the Solomon Islands Government decision to remove the mandatory 72-hour covid-19 PCR test requirement for international visitors, prior to entering the country.

In a statement, the airline’s Chief Executive Officer Gus Kraus said the decision is timely, given the current status and evolving phase of the pandemic and now that Solomon Islands international borders are open.

“Solomon Islands has been rightly cautious in the interests of public health, however this is an evidence-based decision and we now join most countries in our region, and around the world who have now lifted these requirements for entry.

“It is the right decision at the right time and will help Solomon Islands to move forward again, as we start to steadily rebuild our tourism industry,” he said.

Travellers to the Solomon Islands who are not citizens of Solomon Islands, must be fully vaccinated and show proof of complete vaccination against Covid-19.

Solomon Islands Nationals who are fully vaccinated, must also show proof of complete vaccination upon entry to the country.

Solomon Islands Nationals who are unvaccinated are able to return to Solomon Islands, but will still be required to show proof of a negative PCR test 72-hours prior to arrival in Solomon Islands.

Peacebuilding policy achieves milestones since establishment.

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
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The roundabout at the Honiara City Council

By EDDIE OSIFELO

THE Solomon Islands National Peacebuilding Policy (SINPP) has achieved some milestone since Cabinet endorsed it in 2015.

Deputy Director of Policy Planning, Philip Sikabuka outlined this during the SINPP review consultation workshop with the mainstream media and Government Communication officers in Honiara yesterday.

Sikabuka said from the 2016 SINPP consultations roll out on mainstreaming the policy with the Provincial Governments, it resulted in the formulation of Provincial policies aligned to the SINPP.

He said also, three creations of positions for Traditional Governance in the Provincial Offices such as the Central Province.

“The creation of Focal Points in Provinces with no MTGPEA provincial office in Lata, Kirakira, Buala and Renbel.

“Since 2016, the Ministry has expanded its coverage to the provinces with the linkages it has established to improve Provincial and National Coordination, “he said.

Furthermore, the main policy and planning frameworks endorsed by Cabinet in 2021 namely;

  1. The National Policy on Conflict Prevention and Victims Rights (Reparation),
  2. The National Policy Reintegration of those involved in the past conflict,
  3. The Solomon Islands Government and Solomon Islands Ecclesiastical Institutions Strategic Partnership Framework (SIEISPF) 2021-2025,
  4. The submission of the TRC Matrix and claims matrix to the Office of the Prime Minister fulfils the Ministry’s responsibility in this post conflict era.
  5. The Traditional Governance and Customs Facilitations Bill (TGCFB) 2018 starting in 2019-2022,
  6. The establishment of the Peace and Ecclesiastical Affairs Division (PEAD) in 2021, and
  7. The MTGPEA Corporate Strategic Plan 2020-2023 and the Ministry Annual Reports 2016-2021.

Furthermore, Sikabuka said the Choiseul and Western Province’s TG systems and structures have been formally established and registered under the Charitable Trust Act.

He said these provinces are now working capacity building.

“Management and Leadership trainings have completed.

“The remaining provinces have yet to reach the stage like Western and Choiseul. Western and Choiseul have also published their own custom books that contain all traditional laws and genealogies of their people,” he added.

SCALE supports Bonale and Adakoa projects

Written by
Samie Waikori
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BY SAMIE WAIKORI

Auki

THE USAID SCALE programme continues to support Adakoa Fisheries project in East Malaita and Bonale Pineapple Factory in West Kwaio constituency.

Premier Daniel Suidani recently told the public of Auki after Malaita Province Infrastructure Advisory Committee (MPIAC) held its 18th meeting with Green Power Technology under the SCALE program last week.

“We have a meeting with the SCALE and they assured us of their strong support behind Adakoa fisheries and Bonale pineapple factory project as well as other projects they earmarked for the province,” he said.

Suidani said recently a team from SCALE visited the communities of Arabala and Bina within Bonale area in West Kwaio and had fruitful discussions with them on the pineapple project.

He said the project is progressing and a team of advisors will be in the province next month to pursue further development progress of the project.

Suidani said during the meeting as well they discussed Adakoa fisheries project which is one of the priority projects under USAID SCALE.

He said discussion on the project reached its construction stage where work on the project will soon be unfolded.

Suidani said progress is also on other USAID SCALE projects in the province like Gwaigeo processing facility and Auki Cold Storage facilities as well as Luaniua wharf in MOI.

The premier assured of MPG’s strong support behind projects and activities of the SCALE program in Malaita province.

Director of Neptune Gale ordered to appear before court

Written by
Jennifer Kusapa
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BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

HIGH court judge Justice Maelyn Bird has adjourned the case of the Director of Neptune Gale to October 31 for mention to allow Prosecution time to prepare the consent order for payment.

The company’s director, Timothy, is facing charges under marine laws.

This is for allegedly allowing his vessel, MV Neptune Gale, to operate without valid documents.

Justice Bird also made directions for Timothy to be summoned to appear on that date.

Public Prosecutor Olivia Manu informed the court yesterday that the prosecutor in carriage of the case, Vernon Taupongi, is currently in Auki for court circuit and sought adjournment to allow prosecution time to prepare the consent order.

Ms Manu said Prosecution has just received the draft consent order for payment this week from the Director of SIMSA and the prosecutor in carriage need time prepare the orders and have them filed to the court.

Marine authorities claimed MV Neptune Gale did carry passengers without a passenger safety certificate around November 2014.

Prosecution and defence tug at intimidation case

Written by
Jennifer Kusapa
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BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

Does pulling out a bush knife, swearing and threatening someone qualify as having intent to intimidate or not?

Defence and prosecution wrangled over this in court, Tuesday.

Tony Aufanua is facing one count of intimidation in relation to an incident on June 18 this year.

His lawyer has submitted in court that prosecution has insufficient evidence to prove the charge.

Delilah Kukurah, of the Public Solicitor’s Office, says her client had no intention to intimidate the complainant.

She adds that it was only after the complainant had shouted at her client that he pulled out the bush knife.

However, police prosecutor Iete Tebakota maintains that Aufanua’s actions at the time of incident shows that he had intention to intimidate the complainant.

Tebakota said the court must consider issues that during the offending the defendant was holding a bush knife and use swearing words towards the victim, that caused fear on the victim.

Therefore, he submits that prosecution is certain that the defendant had caused fear on the victim and being intimidated by the actions and approaches of the defendant.

The defendant Aufanua is charged with one count of intimidation in relation to the incident that occurred on June 18, 2022.

Prosecution said the defendant did swore at the victim and then threatened the victim with a bush knife.

Deputy Chief Magistrate Ricky Iomea after the submission was made adjourned the case to October 18 for judgment and bail for the defendant is extended to that date.

72-hour PCR test no longer needed

Written by
Press Release
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Honiara International Airport

The Cabinet-approved removal of the 72 hours PCR test for covid-19 requirement for incoming travelers to Solomon Islands took effect yesterday.

A Government statement said the removal follows the signing of amendments, which was published in a Gazette by the Minister of Commerce, Industries, Labour and Immigration Frederick Kologeto.

This means that effective from the date that the Minister signed the Gazette, incoming passengers by air [and sea] no longer need to undertake a pre-departure PCR test.

“However, passengers who feel ill prior to departure are strongly advised not to travel until they are better,” the statement said.

Cabinet on October 6 approved the removal of the 72 hours PCR test prior to entering the country.

Since the re-opening of borders on July 1 and the subsequent expiry of the State of Public Emergency (SOPE) on July 24, the Ministry of Health and Medical Services stepped up its surveillance and database, which indicated isolated cases of covid-19.

The trend towards evidence-based approaches to restrictions reflects the evolving nature of the pandemic also help restore confidence in travel while help keeping both visitors and tourism workers safe.

Evidence shows that current travel restrictions are primarily effective at the early stage of the pandemic and may help to delay a pandemic, however, the effect of travel restrictions decline over time, as cases are inevitably imported.

Most countries around the world have either lifted or have partial requirements for entry without and have adopted different models of approach such as easing of burden on health facilities.

In terms of the likelihood of importation of new variants and starting, a new wave of outbreak in Solomon Islands is low while vaccination coverage of atleast one dose for those 18 years and above currently stands at 70 percent while for double doses at 53 percent.

Only travelers who are not citizens of Solomon Islands must be fully vaccinated with proof of complete vaccination against covid-19 requirements are permitted to enter the country while Solomon Islands Nationals who are unvaccinated can enter the country subject to proof of negative PCR test 72 hours prior to entering the country.

Noble: UK closely connected to Pacific

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
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0
Acting Bristish High Commissioner to Solomon Islands Nicola Noble (R) taking to KGVI School Principal Dr Lionel Kakai

BY EDDIE OSIFELO

UNITED Kingdom shares close connection with the Pacific despite the vast geographical location.

Acting British High Commissioner to Solomon Islands, Nicola Noble stated this during the King George Sixth Platinum Jubilee (70 years) Anniversary on Sunday.

The theme of the celebration was “celebrating 70 years of leadership and scholarship excellence since 1952”.

Noble said the UK and the Pacific sit on opposite sides of the globe – we are quite literally oceans apart.

“At first glance, you would expect those oceans, the geographical distance, the differences in size and economy, to result in narrower relationships.

“But in fact, the opposite is the case. While the distance is great, the connections are close. We have more in common than that which sets us apart,” she said.

“We are all island nations with long seafaring traditions.

“We have strong historical connections.

“We are nations built on the shared values of democracy, the rule of law, human rights and good governance. We are members of the Commonwealth.

“And we all share a commitment to finding global solutions to global problems. To working with and through the Rules-Based International Order.

“And to working together to address the existential threat that is climate change, and to protect and preserve our oceans,” she added.

Noble said following COP26 the UK committed to several large programmes on Climate Change and the Blue Economy where the Pacific can directly benefit from UK Aid, including: £40m for Small Island Developing States Capacity and Resilience; £274m for Climate Action for Resilient Asia; £500m Blue Planet Fund; £36m Sustainable Blue Economies fund, and £250m Forest Governance Markets and Climate Programme.

She said the UK has also committed £15m to the Pacific through its Conflict, Stability and Security fund to support Pacific Island Countries to address the sources of instability, transnational threats and to promote peace and security.

However, Noble said “we are living in interesting times”.

She said the tectonic plates of geopolitics are shifting under our feet – here in the Pacific as indeed they are elsewhere.

“There is a growing consensus – though not yet universal – of the existential challenge of climate change, and the pollution of our seas.

“But we are in the foothills of efforts to tackle those challenges. Economic, climate and political resilience are more important than ever – and nowhere more than in the Small Island Developing States of the Pacific.

“That is why the UK continues to strengthen our partnerships and engagement in the region. Combining our power, influence and expertise, we will work in partnership with our Pacific friends on the basis of our shared values, as we all seek to protect and preserve this beautiful world that we live in,” she said.

Governor General Sir David Vunagi and Minister of Education and Human Resources, Lanelle Tanangada were among guests that attended the celebration.

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