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17 in quarantine test positive

Written by
Mavis Podokolo
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Chengs Quarantine Station

BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO

SEVENTEEN of the 179 people serving their mandatory quarantine period within the different quarantine stations in Honiara have tested positive for COVID-19.

Minister for Health and Medical Services, Dr Culwick Togamana said these positives cases and their close contacts are being held together for an extended period of days and for additional testings protocols.

He said the remaining people are serving the normal 10 days mandatory quarantine period and will undergo two COVID-19 tests, one at day five to seven and the second test at day 10 of quarantine.

“Extended period of quarantine days and testing for a person who has tested positive for COVID-19 in quarantine is 24 days, with three additional tests.

“First additional test is to be conducted on day 10, second test after another seven days (day 17) and the third test after another seven days (day 24),” Togamana said.

He adds that Honiara is starting to report an increasing number of cases due to more people starting to come into the Solomon Islands.

These will not be counted as case count in Honiara.

Togamana further confirmed that of the 179 persons in quarantine, 171 are from international flights from Brisbane, Fiji and Kiribati and eight from the provinces.

CT scan to go live May

Written by
Mavis Podokolo
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The National Referral Hospital (NRH) in Honiara

BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO 

THE CT scan machine services at the National Referral Hospital is expected to go live May next month.

 Minister of Health and Medical Services Dr Culwick Togamana confirmed this in his covid-19 situational update on Tuesday evening.

“Fellow Citizens and friends, the installation of the CT Scan machines and all its accessories, soft and hardware is underway at NRH,”Togamana said.

He said the installation process of the CT scan machines and all its accessories is led by the Team of experts from Australia with support from the country’s very own local Information, Communications, and Technology (ICT) professionals.

“Once these final tasks are completed as per timeline, the CT scan services should go live, May next month,” Togamana said.

Worrying future as economy shrinks

Written by
Ben Bilua
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Honiara is the beating heart of the country's economy.

BY BEN BILUA
Gizo

THE country’s Macro Poverty Outlook shows a worrying future for the country’s populace.

According to the report, the economy is expected to shrink by -2.9 percent in 2022, reflecting the negative impact of the recent civil unrest and widespread community transmission of the coronavirus.

These events have broad-based economic impacts and create pressure on the fiscal accounts.

A further spread of the coronavirus, higher imported inflation, a return of social unrest, and climate-related disasters will double down the risk to the local economy.

The projection of growth by 2.9 percent this year reflects the impact of recent riot and lockdown in most parts of the country.

The figure represents a sharp deterioration compared to the pre-unrest projection for 2022 which was expecting to gain 4.5 percent growth.

The report states that investments to replace damaged productive capacity caused by the riots are unlikely to gain pace until later in the year.

High demand for imported construction materials and machinery will drive current account into deficit.

The report further stated that the lockdown to contain COVID-19 contributes to shrinking the output in contact-intensive sectors, including services, which represents about 55 percent of output.

“A combination of lower economic activity and elevated spending on COVID-response and business recovery will increase the fiscal deficit.

“The deficit, in turn, will be financed by a further drawdown on the cash buffers and a combination of domestic and external lending.

“Infrastructure investment, a return of business tourism and increased mining activity are expected to support growth over the medium-term.

“An expected rebound of economic activity and spending consolidation will lead to a narrowing of the fiscal deficit in 2023-2024.

“Similarly, the current account deficit will shrink over the medium term reflecting smaller fiscal deficit and reduction in construction-related imports,” the report states.

It states that COVID-19 remains a major risk to the economic outlook.

A low vaccination intake particularly among low-educated and ill-informed populations may lead to the maintenance of a closed border policy, while a further community transmission may have human capital implications and hamper economic recovery.

Judgment on fire-arm case today

Written by
Jennifer Kusapa
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BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

THE man charged with a count of being in possession of a fire-arm will know his fate today.

Judgement on a firearms related case is set to be made today at the Honiara Magistrates Court.

Principal Magistrate Felix Hollision will deliver the judgment via zoom.

This is the case of Alfred Maefalea who was arrested and charged after police allegedly discovered a firearm inside his vehicle in the early hours of June 6, 2020.

He denied the allegation and a trial was conducted on his case.

Police said after they discovered the gun in his vehicle, he was immediately arrested and escorted to the Central Police Station watch house with the firearm where he was formally arrested and placed in police custody.

He then was charged with one count of possession of firearm without license contrary to section 5 (2) (a) of the Firearms and Ammunitions Act.

Police said the Honiara City Response Unit (CRU) was on a routine patrol in the Kukum area when they came across a car parked in the Guzo Point area along the Kukum Highway.

On checking the vehicle, officers discovered the driver asleep in the driver’s seat and believed to be drunk. They also discovered a modified point-22 firearm wrapped in a bag in the boot of the suspect’s vehicle.

Office of the Director Public Prosecution appears on behalf of the crown

ALL EYES ON COVID VARIANTS

Written by
Mavis Podokolo
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Corona

Health focuses on preventing new threat

BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO 

THE Ministry of Health and Medical Service says it remained focused on putting together efforts to prevent the entry of any new variants of covid-19 and its potential community transmission in the country.

Minister of Health and Medical Services Dr Culwick Togamana said the variant the ministry is fighting to prevent is Omicron and BA2, its sub variant.

“If not contained, it can lead to the so- called 2nd wave of COVID-19 infection amongst our population,” Togamana said.

He said in the past days and weeks some communities have either tested positive for COVID-19 or reported COVID-19 like symptoms.

“This means the virus is still transmitting in our communities. So, while the cases are showing a downward trend overall, let’s not let our guards down but continue to uphold and practice public health measures and protocols,” Togamana said.

He said in the Ministry’s effort to swiftly detect Omicron, its subvariants or other COVID-19 variants, the Ministry of Health continues to send samples abroad for genome sequencing, the laboratory procedure to identify and determine the type of COVID-19 variant.

Togamana said recently the Ministry has sent a total of 84 samples, 37 being sent as recently as last Friday to Australia for Genome Sequencing.

“So far, the COVID-19 variant detected is still Delta. Samples sent are selected based on certain criteria to ensure they are valid for genome sequencing,” he said.

Water reservoirs project awarded

Written by
Press Release
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Solomon Water’s General Manager Mr Ian Gooden

Solomon Water has awarded a USD$7.1m (SBD$57 m) contract for the Honiara Water Reservoirs Project (Bid No. SW0662021) to Pacific Engineering Projects ION Exchange joint venture.

Pacific Engineering is a New Zealand based engineering and construction company.

ION Exchange is a water supply and environment management company based in India.

Funded by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and World Bank (WB), the joint venture will construct and commission three new concrete water reservoirs and other works associated with the project.

The three new reservoirs, able to hold a total of approximately 9 million liters of water are as follows:

1.  Titinge Reservoir, a new concrete reservoir of capacity 3ML.

2.  Tasahe Reservoir, replaces an existing steel reservoir with a new concrete reservoir of capacity 3ML.

3.  Panatina Reservoir, replaces an existing steel reservoir with a new concrete reservoir of capacity 2.5ML.

Solomon Water CEO Ian Gooden said “We are thrilled to award the first of our major donor funded Urban Water Supply and Sanitation Sector project projects.  The reservoirs are essential to increase our storage capacity for treated water so that we are able to supply water to all customers with less disruption when we experience network problems or shutdown water supply because of high turbidity or pump breakdowns. The total capacity of the new reservoirs means an extra six hours of storage across the network”.

Solomon Water received two bids, both from joint ventures. 

Construction should start around June and will run for 18 months.

13 charged for illegal border crossing

Written by
Press Release
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Police officers patrolling the Western border with Bougainville. PHOTO ABC

Gizo and Noro Police in the Western Province have charged 13 people out of the 17 who had crossed the Papua New Guinea (PNG) and Solomon Islands (SI) border to Buin last month.

They were charged with one count of restriction of movement of small craft vessels contrary to clause 4 (b) and (c) of the Emergency Powers (COVID-19) (Restriction of Movement of Small Craft Vessels) (Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea Border) Order 2020, to be read with Regulation 17 (1), (a) (i) and (3) of the Emergency Powers (COVID-19) (No.3) Regulation 2021.

Provincial Police Commander (PPC) Western Province Chief Superintendent Mathias Lenialu said the 13 defendants have been released on strict bail conditions while waiting to appear in court on April 18.

Mr Lenialu says communities have to be responsible and take ownership through changing their attitude.

“We are not in normal times. If we decide to ignore the regulations then we will face the consequences.”

People reminded to be aware of bad weather

Written by
Press Release
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Western province police are cautioning citizens there to ‘think safety first’ regarding the current bad weather.

The call is being made as the country continues to experience heavy rain and strong winds, Police Media reported today.

Provincial Police Commander Western Province Chief Superintendent Mathias Lenialu says, “Boats and vessel owners are urged to think safety first when planning trips and before embarking on any trip at sea during the current bad weather. Check the weather by listening to the SIBC or radio Hapi Lagoon or call the Met service and get the right advice before travelling at sea.

“Road users are also advised to take the necessary safety measures when travelling on the roads as we experience bad weather throughout the Western province. Please do not cross flooded rivers or streams.

“Children are encouraged not to play along the roadsides. Parents are reminded to keep your children away from flooded rivers or streams.”

“We do not want to lose any lives during this bad weather. Let us all work together to make sure everyone is safe.”

Police Media adds: “If you are at sea and need help, contact the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) on phone 21609 or 27685, or toll free 977. You can also call the Police Communication Centre on 23666, toll free 999. Or call Meteorological Service for a weather update on phone 27658, 23029, or free toll number 933.”

Isabel’s female premier pays visit to Guadalcanal executive.

Written by
Press Release
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Premier Sade, left, meets his Isabel counterpart yesterday in Honiara. Photo: GP Media

ISABEL’S recently elected female premier Rhonda Sikilabu with six of her ministers paid a historic visit to Guadalcanal Premier Francis Sade and his executive yesterday.

A statement from Guadalcanal Province said at the meeting, Premier Sade took time to welcome and acknowledge Premier Sikilabu for her historic win as the first woman premier of Isabel and the country.

“Colleague premier, I have already congratulated you two weeks ago in one of my public statements,” Sade said.

“However, it is indeed great to congratulate you in person,” he added.

“As I have stated, your leadership is not only a positive step in the Isabel Provincial Government, but a symbolic gesture for all the young girls and women in the country who want to create and impact positive changes through the provincial political process.

“Congratulations for your remarkable victory and welcome on board.”

Premier Sade also acknowledged the new Isabel Executive for their visionary approach in electing the first woman premier in the country.

“I also would like to thank your Executive Government for the historic decision to elect you as the Premier of Isabel Province.”

In response, Premier Rhonda states that the Executive Government visit’s is a way of respecting the Guadalcanal Provincial Government and its people, especially the women of Guadalcanal.

“This visit is significant for my Executive Government as a way of respecting and honoring your government and your people, especially all the women and girls of Guadalcanal,” Premier Rhonda says.

 “We hope to learn from your experiences and challenges in terms of provincial governance because our struggles are in fact common,” she added.

“Building relationships is not about talking on the phone or sending emails, but through mutual interactions.”

She also took time to acknowledge her Executive for electing her as the first female premier of Isabel and in the country.

She states that leadership is about working together regardless of existing gender issues.

“I hope to break the cultural norm at the provincial level and aspire other women and young girls to be part of the political process,” Premier Rhonda says.

The two executive governments then have a short Q&As session where each of the Executive members also shared their experiences, challenges, and aspirations.

The main topics are centered around the common issues of the Revenue Sharing Scheme Bill, PCDF, financial audits, local revenues, ordinances, conservation of forests and coral reefs, CITREC, and also extractive industries (mining and logging) in the two provinces.

Interestingly, an Executive Member of the Isabel Provincial Government also uses the opportunity to convey his apologies on behalf of the people of Isabel concerning the November riots last year.

” Premier and your Executive, I also want to take this time to convey our sincere apologies to the people of Guadalcanal, if any of our people took part in the November riot.

“We too condemned such violence for desecrating the cultural land and space of the Guadalcanal people. Please accept our sincere apology,” he says.

He also urges the good people of Isabel Province who are within GPG’s jurisdictions to respect the provincial government, be good citizens, and respect the cultural practices of the Guadalcanal people and their land.

Premier Sade kindly accepts the apology and notes that the two provinces will look on building their relationships further in the future.

He states that the proposed GP Township development considers having a building space for Isabel Province and the other seven provinces as part of its plan.

The courtesy visit ends with Premier Sade presenting a traditional shell money on behalf of the GP Executive and the people of Guadalcanal to Premier Rhonda.

Premier Rhonda states that the traditional gift will be treasured as a reminder of her first courtesy visit.

Also witnessing the historic visit are the GP Speaker of the Assembly, Peter Aoraunisaka, GP Provincial Secretary Timothy Ngele and GP Deputy Provincial Secretary. Maesac Suia.

Recycling workshop held in Auki

Written by
Samie Waikori
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Sewing of rice-bag materials into shopping bags.

BY SAMIE WAIKORI

AUKI

AUKI Market Vendors Association (AMVA) recently held a recycling workshop for 35 participants from its member communities in and around Auki town.

The workshop was activity-one of AMVA’s waste management programme which comes under the fourth phase of PPAC’s grant assistance.

The coordinator of the Waste Management Programme under AMVA, Mr. Junior Reverly said the goal of the workshop was to train participants on waste recycling.

A participant showing some of the products they made out of rice-bags during the workshop.

He adds this is important because all wastes are not merely waste and only people trained with the required knowledge and skills can help reduce waste by recycling it into usable products.

He said the focus of the workshop was on recycling empty bags of rice and participants were trained on designs and sewing them into products like shopping bags, handbags, and others.

Revelry said the two-day workshop was by facilitated by Mr. Milton Maeligeni who has been known in Auki for sewing empty bags of rice into many products, especially bags.

Participants are designing the rice-bags for sewing.

He said the workshop was an eye-opener for many participants who attended the training and they learned a lot of new ideas and skills that will help in recycling wastes in their homes.

Revelry said AMVA started to receive positive feedback from the participants as they’re going into sewing bags into products that will be put for sale in Auki as a promotion to the programme.

Sewing of rice-bag designs into products.

He said attendees of the workshop were from; Ambu, Ngaisakore, Lilisiana, Fasitoro, Kokomu, Saelo communities and members of AMVA.

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