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PRC delivers five tractors to SIG

Written by
Mavis Podokolo
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Ambassador Li Ming handed over the tractor keys to Minister Manele of MFAET on behalf of the recipients

BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO

The Peoples Republic of China (PRC) have officially delivered five tractors aimed at improving local farmers’ ability in agriculture production.

The tractors were received yesterday by the Solomon Islands government through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and External Trade at the Ministry of Infrastructure Development.

The recipients of the tractors include the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock with three tractors, and Sape farm and Goshen farm with one each.

Addressing the handover, Ambassador Li Ming said this event not only reflects the friendly relations between the governments and people of both countries but also China’s support to people in rural areas in Solomon Islands.

The five newly delivered tractors

“I sincerely hope the machinery could improve local farmers capability building in agriculture production,” Mr Li said

“We wish the agricultural machinery could be used as early as possible. I firmly believe that it will provide local farmers with great assistance and sow seed of friendship between China and Solomon Islands to make more contributions to the economic development and the well-being of all Solomon Islanders.”   

Jeremiah Manele, Minister for Foreign Affairs and External Trade, said the tractors will empower farmers in the rural area and support the country’s economic system.

“This is a powerful message of hope to our other farmers. My Ministry thanked the government and People of China for positively considering our request and responding to this people centred development initiative,” Manele said.

Auki police closes in on producer of fake vax cards

Written by
Samie Waikori
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Health workers are assisting passengers on covid-19 travel restrictions at Auki wharf.

BY SAMIE WAIKORI

AUKI

A man suspected of producing fake vaccination cards has been identified and is now on the police radar.

Acting PPC Malaita, Inspector Charles Eddie Koto told this paper yesterday they are “closing in on the person”.

He said Auki police are liaising with their counterparts in Honiara to track the person who is currently in Honiara.

Koto said after the recent detection of the matter in Auki; Auki police have launched investigation into it and now they know who the person is.

“We came up with the case after discovery of fake vaccination cards used by passengers in Auki and followed-up on the matter.

Provincial police and health teams set up checks in front of Auki wharf to monitor passengers on covid-19 travel restriction measures.

“Our investigation has resorted to that person as key figure and at the moment we had located the person’s whereabouts as investigation continues.

“Further investigation will be made when the person is arrested to know if other people also behind the illegal activity, but first we will get the person,” he said.

Koto said it’s just matter of time to get the person that will also broaden the police’s investigation into the matter.

On that note, he appealed to those in the province who in possession of the fake cards to know they’re within the loop of that illegal action.

Koto said Auki police are liaising with swabbing team at Auki wharf to monitor vaccination details of passengers coming and going out of Auki.

He said any person who is find with counterfeit vaccination card will deal with by the police as the action only poses threat to the current situation, hence it won’t be tolerated.

Aligegeo covid-19 centre awaits inspection

Written by
Samie Waikori
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One among other facilities renovated at Aligegeo School for the new covid-19 centre for Malaita province……..Photo supplied. (1)

BY SAMIE WAIKORI

AUKI    

Malaita is expecting its new covid-19 centre to open soon.

Reports say the centre is only awaiting inspection, before it can be approved for opening.

Chairman of Malaita PDOC, Inspector Charles Eddie Koto told this paper yesterday:

“Work on the centre had completed weeks ago and soon we will meet with the Emergency Operation team at Kilu’ufi to discuss the inspection work.

“This is the only remaining work on the centre and if it’s done all covid-19 operations will shift from Kilu’ufi hospital to Aligegeo School,” Koto, also acting PPC Malaita, said.

Chairman of EOC Malaita, Dr Rex Maukera also confirmed his team is waiting to meet with PDOC to carry out remaining work on the facility.

He said the facility is prepared for both general outpatient and covid-19 operations, thus they have decided to shift covid-19 program to the centre first as its work begins to lighten.

Maukera said general outpatient will still remain at the hospital as covid-19 situation in the province is declining, however if any changes they will look into it.

Koto said number of buildings within the school has been renovated to be used for general outpatient and covid-19 related programs as new covid-19 centre for the province.

Leader says COVID response mechanisms fail in Western Province

Written by
Ben Bilua
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Gizo leader, Moffat Maeta

BY BEN BILUA
Gizo

A prominent leader in the Western Province says the province’s COVID-19 mechanisms has failed and this has contributed to accumulating cases.

In an inclusive interview with Island Sun Gizo Office, Moffat Maeta said the failure was due to ill preparation prior to the outbreak.

He said there is no proper management systems put in place as part of approaches to contain the virus.

“We are fighting a losing battle if we continue to allow home quarantine self-isolation without proper supervision.

“It’s evident that without proper quarantine facilities in place to keep our positive patients from spreading the virus has been an issue,” Maeta said.

He said there are a couple of issues but two most important ones to note is lack of proper management of positive cases and lack of assistance for COVID patients when they undergo home-isolation.

“Assistance and supervision are lacking in the management of cases, especially in Gizo.

“Sending positive cases home for self-isolation is not helping to contain the virus, rather encouraging the virus to spread as there is no back up support for the people’s welfare.

“Let me give an example; a family was tested positive and was told to remain indoor. The family heed the advice but midway through their isolation they ran out of food. There was no assistance, so they decided to invade the isolation rule to find food and other necessary stuff. Again this comes back to assistance and management,” Maeta said.

He said there is no guarantee that people will stay in their homes when there is no supervision and assistance, adding lockdown will be meaningless if there is lack of supervision and humanitarian support to people under home-isolation.

“Lockdown is an approach when the virus is out of control. I think, the virus is already out of control and that we need to refocus on how best we can come with another localized approach to containing the virus.

“For example; identify venues for isolation, rally to help the isolation sites with basic needs, involve police to enforce public and health measures while health officials continue contact tracing,” Maeta said.

He stressed that existing actions taken by the Western Provincial Disaster Operation Committee is not helping the effort to stop the virus from spreading but encourage people to get exposed to the virus.

Maeta said resources have been wasted on lockdown and swabbing as there is no effective mechanism to prevent the virus from spreading.

“Lockdown and swabbing can be meaningful if we have effective prevention measures,” he said.

Maeta suggests that establishing quarantine centers, effective management of patients and effective enforcement of COVID-19 public and health measure are very important going forward.

CHINA: IT’S A FAKE LETTER

Written by
Irwin Angiki
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China's ambassador and former Isabel Premier, Lesley Kikolo

Embassy slams latest claim on naval base

BY IRWIN ANGIKI

The Chinese embassy has downplayed a resurfaced 2020 letter purportedly revealing China’s intent on building a naval base here as “fake”.

Earlier this week, the Australian newspaper reported that China was not telling the truth when it said it did not have any plans to build a naval base here.

This media outburst was based on a letter purportedly written by the president of a China state-owned company to former premier of Isabel, Leslie Kikolo, in September 2020.

The letter is said to show President of AVIC-International Project Engineering Company, Mr Rong Qian, expressing intent “to study the opportunity to develop naval and infrastructure projects” in Isabel. The company also sought to improve “military cooperation with China”.

Kikolo, who was premier of Isabel then, speaking to Solomon Business Magazine (SBM) late July last year, denied this.

“This is totally false. I am very surprised to hear the report. I am not even aware of this report. My full executive had met today and we were shocked to hear that our province has been claimed in the report,” Kikolo told SBM.

Responding to Island Sun enquiries on Thursday this week, China’s embassy in Honiara refuted the report, labelling the letter as a fake.

“This is another fake news fabricated by a few western media using a fake letter,” a statement from the Embassy said.

“In recent years, some media has cooked up various lies, such as China will establish military base in Papua New Guinea and Vanuatu, etc,” it added.

“In the year of 2019, some media spread rumors that Chinese company will buy an island in SI [See end of report below].

“Facts have proven repeatedly that all these allegations are political hype-up.

“China-Solomon Islands security cooperation is intended to safeguard lives and property of the people. It is in the interests of SI and regional countries.

“Some western media showed no respect for professional ethics in smearing China-Solomon Islands security cooperation, which is doomed to failure.”

Isabel’s new premier, Rhoda Sikilabu, has not responded to enquiries by this paper, but is expected to make a public announcement on the matter soon.

The resurfacing of the letter follows a string of denials by China over suspicions it is planning to build a naval base in the Solomon Islands, using the recently signed security pact between the two countries as roadmap.

China and Solomon Islands formalised the security deal on March 31, in what pundits have described as a hasty move after a copy of the draft was leaked onto social media on March 24, 2022.

Since the leak, concerns have been raised; one of the main ones is that the deal could pave a way for China to build a naval base here.

China and Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare have also, since then, been fervently denying the notion.

Sogavare told parliament last month there was “no intention whatsoever… to ask China to build a military base in the Solomon Islands”.

The Embassy in Honiara said: “This is utterly misinformation deliberately spread with political motive.”

The idea of China building a naval base in the Solomons has been worrying most especially to Australia, with media phrasing it as, “China gaining a foothold in Australia’s backyard” and “China could have a military base just 2000km from Australia’s east coast”.

Meanwhile, with regards to the Embassy’s response to Island Sun, “In the year of 2019, some media spread rumors that Chinese company will buy an island in SI”; it refers to an incident in which a deal between the Central province and a Chinese state-owned company, SAM Group, was annulled by the attorney general.

This was after much pressure by public and media after details of the agreement were leaked.

The deal, if allowed to go ahead, would have given the company ownership of Tulaghi and surrounding islands for a lease of 75 years.

Isabel MPs meet premier

Written by
Charles Kadamana
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Premier of Isabel province Rhoda Sikilabu meeting with three Isabel MPs Jeremiah Manele, Samuel Manetoali and Dr Culwick Togamana.

Premier of Isabel province and her delegation yesterday met with three Member of Parliament of Isabel Province at Heritage Park Hotel.

The meeting was part of the new executive courtesy call and opportunity for them to discuss issues where they can work together with political leaders to drive development aspiration of the province.

Minister of Foreign Affairs and MP for Hograno Kia and Havulei Jeremiah Manele acknowledge the Premier Rhoda Sikilabu for availing their time to meet with them and discuss issues where they can work together.

One of the issues they discussed is the National Security Treaty with the Peoples Republic of China (PRC).

He explains that in 2016-2019 there were consultation on National Security Treaty and a summit to validate the outcome of the consultation in 2019.

In 2020 the government then launched the national security treaty.

“What you hear as the security cooperation with China is not only for China but with other development partners as well,” Manele explained.

“The first one was with Australia called the 2017 Australia Solomon Islands Security Treaty,” he added.

“The idea is because we are unable to look after ourselves.”

Manele said a clear example is the riot and burned down of China Town where Law and Order become a problem.

He added the government believes the country needs more partners not only Australia but other countries that have diplomatic relations because security needs of the country would require the involvement of more partners.

Minister of Health and MP for Maringe Kokota Dr Culwick Togamana also updated the premier and her delegation on the current status of the covid-19 pandemic.

He said his ministry with the help of multiple partners was able to respond to the community transmission.

“We manage to contain the effect of the varus to the extent of 10 positive case in the last 24 hours in Honiara,” Togamana said.

He said the ministry requires support from every partner including the province to contain the pandemic.

MP for Gao Bugotu constituency Samuel Manetoali encourages the premier to embrace every development partner to build the province.

He said the province must start looking at preparing for federal government system and think around building an international airport and other infrastructures.

He said as leaders they will always support the province in the political level.

Premier Sikilabu appreciated the three leaders for giving their time to meet with her delegation.

She said the purpose of her delegation’s visits is to make courtesy calls to stakeholders, ministries and government leaders.

She added the new executive want to begin with a change and that change is building closer relationship with many focal points such as the ministries, stakeholders and the government leaders. – By Charles Kadamana

Teachers must take vaccination immediately: MEHRD

Written by
Press Release
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Teachers are urged to get their COVID-19 vaccination immediately, if they have not taken any of their two doses or if they have taken their first doze to get their second doze of the vaccine.

According to the Ministry of Education and Human Resource, this is a key requirement for opening of schools to begin the 2022 academic year.

Mr. James Bosamata – Deputy Secretary and Chairman of the MEHRD Communication Committee had reiterated several times in the past radio programmes, that teachers must take their vaccination as soon as possible.

“We therefore ask teachers who may have not heard the call to get their vaccinations.

Teachers who have taken their vaccination or not are also expected to inform their respective Education Authorities.

In a weekly radio programme on Wednesday 6th April, Mr Bosamata advised EAs to update their data on teachers’ vaccination and to submit copies to MEHRD Teaching Service Office.

Be informed that No Jab, No Job or No Teaching applies to all teachers which means if you are not going to be vaccinated – that would mean you will self-terminate yourself.

MEHRD is also urging parents and guardians of students aged 12 to 18 and above to be vaccinated so that they can attend classes when schools open.

“Parents are encouraged to support their children aged 12 and above to access vaccination sites. Parents must also inform school administrations and school leaders and submit vaccine cards to schools.”

We would also like to advise teachers who need exemptions from getting their vaccinations due to underlying health issues must communicate with Provincial Health Authorities through their respective Education Authorities.

—MEHRD

Teachers asked to return to school

Written by
Press Release
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Teachers celebrating World Teacher's Day last year. PHOTO: MAVIS N PODOKOLO

All primary and secondary school teachers are asked to return to their posted schools in preparation for school opening.

The Ministry of Education and Human Resources Development (MEHRD) issued this message through its weekly radio programme on Wednesday 6th April 2022.

Speaking via Solomon Islands Broadcasting Corporation (SIBC), MEHRD’s Deputy Secretary Corporate Services Mr James Bosamata said that all Education Authorities (EAs) must ensure teachers return to school as soon as possible.

He also urged EAs that postings of teachers must now be submitted to MEHRD and to inform all schools under their authority to prepare schools for opening.

Mr Bosamata said teachers need to be at the school as an assessment will be conducted to ascertain if a school can open upon meeting the pre-condition targets set by MEHRD.

“There will be an assessment conducted in all your schools beginning 11th April 2022 to determine the precondition targets set by MEHRD. You will be advised on the pre-condition targets or checklist for opening schools and instructions on what you will need to do as an Education Authority,” he said.

He also urged head teachers or school principals to return to their respective schools as soon as possible if they are not in their schools yet.

“You must be in school to activate your Covid 19 Standard Operation Procedures (SOP) and Incidental Standard Operating Procedures (ISOP).

“Arrange with your teachers, support staff, and collaborate with your school board to ensure preparation for school opening,” Mr. Bosamata added.

He noted that teachers should notify their respective EAs for support if they are exempted from travelling during this pandemic.

“If teachers are posted to Provincial Schools and are still in Honiara or home province aside from the province you are posted to, then inform your Education Authority as soon as possible and to indicate to them the date when you will be travelling to your schools,” he added.

MEHRD is also urging teachers and students between 12 to 18 years old to get vaccination on or before 31st May.

Schools throughout the country remain close due to the COVID-19 outbreak.

MEHRD, and the Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS) have come up with precondition targets to support opening of schools, which was approved by Cabinet early this month.

Schools must meet the pre-conditions set by MEHRD and MHMS before schools can open upon the approval of the Government Oversight Committee on Covid-19.

–MEHRD

Court to sentence former Police officer

Written by
Jennifer Kusapa
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BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

A retired female police officer will be sentenced after the court convicted her of one count of indecent assault and one count of consumption of liquor in a vehicle.

This is the case against Lily Dagi who is charged for offences that occurred at Lata in 2018.

She denied the charges and a trial was conducted on her case.

The case occurred between 1st September 2018 and 31st October 2018 after a graduation ceremony at Luesalemba Secondary School, the victim is a public officer.

The victim and others, including the defendant were sitting outside the house of a man located some distance from the school.

 While they were outside, the victim, who has been drinking from the previous day, fell asleep on the ground.

“Others who were present with the defendant left the area after, leaving the victim, the defendant and two others alone.

While the victim was sleeping facing upwards, the defendant moved over to him, pulled up her skirt and sat on top of his groin or genital area. She then deliberately moved her buttock in a sexual motion while she was on top of him.

This, according to the prosecution’s view was done without the consent of the victim and amounted to an offence of indecent act.

Magistrate Aulanga when convicting Ms Dagi said the evidence established that the defendant had performed the immoral act on the victim (who was asleep) without his consent.

The fact that it was done without his consent means it is subjected to a crime, herein, the crime of indecent act.

The absence of procuring his consent means the conduct exerted was capable of producing harm (whether mental or emotional injury) on the victim as a result of infringing or violating his fundamental rights as a person.

The fact that the indecent act was performed on him without his consent is what matters for the prosecution into the case.

Therefore, after assessing the evidence the court has satisfied beyond reasonable doubt and convicted Ms Dagi of the offence.

Regarding the consumption of liquor in a vehicle, Magistrate Aulanga also convicted Ms Dagi.

Aulanga said based on the witnesses’ evidence in court during the trial he is satisfied that the defendant was drinking alcohol in the motor vehicle during the material time.

“The prosecution has therefore proved this element beyond reasonable doubt and so, is the finding of the court reached herein”, Aulanga said.

Fake vax card users stopped in Malaita

Written by
Samie Waikori
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The ministry of Health says it will crackdown on fake vaccination cards

BY SAMIE WAIKORI

AUKI

Malaita health authorities have intercepted people using counterfeit covid-19 vaccination cards.

These people have reportedly been using the fake cards to travel freely between the province and Honiara.

Chairman of Malaita’s EOC, Dr Rex Maukera, says this is a threat the covid-19 operations in the province.

“Recently, we had found people using fake vaccination cards to bypass travel restrictions imposed on shipping service between Honiara and Auki.

“We found that with passengers coming from both ends after suspicions raised on the cards and later proved when checked details on the cards against our vaccination data.

“That however has stepped up our surveillance to thoroughly check passengers coming and going out from Auki to avoid such incident,” he said.

Maukera said this behaviour of using fake vax cards is undermining all the hard work, time and money spent on preparing the Malaita populace to fight and stay safe against covid-19.

He warns that this behaviour could lead to new covid-19 waves in the country if authorities do not clamp down the illegal activity.

Maukera adds that they will continue to carry out checks for cards and swab tests on passengers at Auki wharf.

He adds that Malaita Health and police are working together to quell the use of fake vax cards.

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