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Business activity picks up at Auki Market

Written by
Samie Waikori
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Auki Central Market in Auki town.

BY SAMIE WAIKORI

AUKI

MANAGER of Auki Central Market, James Hagi says business activity is picking up at the market after it resumed normal services recently.

In a recent interview, he said since the lift was made to measures imposed at the market over the past weeks, activities are slowly returning.

Hagi said a good turn-out of farmers was experienced at the market last week and the number will increase within the coming weeks.

“The market can now be seen with products in almost all its sectors within the market,” he said.

Hagi said the market is the only supplier of local food to Auki town and also hosts income to many farmers and producers from parts of the province.

“The resumption of the market will be a relief to vendors and customers especially as they are faced with the situation,” he said.

On that note, Hagi called on vendors and customers that the market resumes normal activity under strict covid-19 conditions and everyone must be aware.

He said the management will continue to monitor covid-19 measures ensuring everyone is doing businesses in the market to comply with the measures.

Aligegeo provincial COVID-19 center opens this week

Written by
Samie Waikori
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The current renovation of Aligegeo School facilities to become the new covid-19 centre for Malaita province……..Photo supplied. (2)

BY SAMIE WAIKORI

AUKI

THE new COVID-19 center at Aligegeo Provincial School in Auki will open for operations this week.

Chairman of PDOC Malaita, Inspector Charles Eddie Koto told this paper yesterday the center is ready for use.

He said renovation work on school facilities to be used for the operation started weeks ago and most work is already done.

Koto who is also the Provincial Police Commander Malaita said the upgraded school facilities will be used for COVID-19 operations like vaccination, testing, isolation, and others, including general outpatient.  

He said only very small work is yet to be done and they expect to complete them during the weekend ahead of this week.

“We are looking forward to beginning operation at the new provincial covid-19 center at Aligegeo by this week.

 “The completion work on the center will allow the relocation of covid-19 operation and general outpatient at Kilu’ufi hospital to the school,” he said.

Koto said PDOC is ensuing all required work on the new center is done by now to begin the operation of the center this week.

Local students to leave for China 21st March

Written by
Mavis Podokolo
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Solomon Airlines airbus

BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO

A flight to take Solomon Islanders to study in China is scheduled for 21st March 2022 according to Dr. Jimmie Rodgers.

Dr. Rodgers, Secretary to the Prime Minister said this will be a special flight organized by Solomon Airlines for Solomon Islands students to go to study in China.

“Almost 90 students are going and on its return, the flight will bring in some citizens and workers on important projects the government is undertaking,” he said.

Dr. Rodgers said a week later, a date will be confirmed for Solomon Airlines to operate a second repatriation flight for Fiji.

“So, we are looking at 28th or 29th of March for the second Fiji repatriation flight. That route is yet to be confirmed.  The first Fiji repatriation flight is set for Wednesday. The flight will go from Honiara to Nadi and Nadi to Honiara,” he said

Permanent Secretary of the Ministry for Education and Human Resources Development Dr. Franco Rodie said preparation work for the first Fiji repatriation flight is almost completed and so what remains is testing for COVID-19 so that students are free from the infections and be allowed to board the flight.

Rodie said the other repatriation flight is planned probably towards the end of this month.

He said four students who have studied in Samoa will also board the second Fiji repatriation flight. These four students in Samoa have graduated and have completed their studies.

“My Ministry is working very closely with the students in Samoa as well as the education attaché in Suva,” Rodie said.

He adds that the final group of students remaining in Manila, two of them have arrived last week. There are three including a dependent who will be arriving in the country on the 11th of March.

Rodie said they will be traveling via Singapore to Brisbane and from Brisbane to Honiara.

“They are the final group of students that we are repatriating from the Philippines. It has taken us so long to organize their flight for a number of reasons,” he said.

The above statements were echoed yesterday during the OPMC radio talkback show on the Solomon Islands Broadcasting Corporation in Honiara.

Honiara improves, COVID spreads in provinces

Written by
Mavis Podokolo
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The roundabout at the Honiara City Council

HONIARA has improved its fight against the COVID-19 pandemic while it is increasing its foothold in the provinces, according to the Secretary to Prime Minister, Dr. Jimmie Rodgers.

 Dr. Rodgers echoed this yesterday over a talkback show on the Solomon Islands Broadcasting Corporation in Honiara.

“In many of the provinces the cases are still going up and so they are on the containment and mitigation phase to try and control the increases in the provinces.

So, the situation of covid-19 in the country is mixed. In the main center we have got on top of the first wave,” he said.

He clarified describing it as the first wave and it is very important members of the public understand how they must ensure the virus transmission in Honiara remains low.

“We have reversed the trend of COVID-19 within the Honiara Emergency zone. The trend of COVID-19 infection has gone down to the extent whereby the National Referral Hospital, the Ministry of Health and Medical is now in a position to deploy people to help the provinces,” he said.

Permanent Secretary for Ministry of Health and Medical Services Pauline McNeil said based on the country’s epidemiological data available, the virus is still transmitted around in isolated pockets in communities with an increase of cases recorded in most provinces.

McNeil said that the Health Ministry in its current response to covid-19 is focused on ensuring that provincial hospitals are supported including the Area Health Centres and rural health clinics to increase their capacities and capabilities to manage covid-19 severe and critical cases. 

Mala non-executive says Compo demand is subject to negotiation.

Written by
Admin
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Malaita provincial member for ward 13 Danny Mana Siau.

MALAITA Province non-executive members claimed the $160,000 and 16 shell money compensation they are demanding from the province is not final and is subject to negotiation.

This came after the Malaita public accused members of the non-executive on social media of doing fundraising ahead of the Full Assembly meeting in Auki this month.

One of the top agenda of the meeting is to pass the budget.

In November last year, the non-executive members boycotted the revised budget meeting after they were let down during the failed motion of no confidence.

MPA for ward 13 (Sulufou/Kwarade), Danny Mana Siau said the reconciliation is an in-house matter with the Malaita Executive.

He said the compensation claim is an alternative suggested to Deputy Secretary by Asilau following the trauma and near death experience the non executive members faced during the failed motion of no confidence last year.

“We are using the DS to mediate between us and the Premier.

“However, it is insulting to us when the Premier go out to the media to reveal the compensation demand,” he said.

However, an outspoken Malaitan community leader has described as “stupid” claims for monetary compensation by non-executive Members of the Malaita Provincial Assembly (MPAs).

Charles Karaori was commenting on news reports that the Opposition MPAs of the Malaita Provincial Assembly are seeking $160, 000 and 16 shell money as compensation from Premier Suidani and his MARA government.

“The claims are stupid,” he said.

“This is simply a fundraising drive because the MPAs seeking the compensation are all living in Honiara. They should all go home to be with the people in the WARDS they represent.

“As a Malaitan, I am ashamed.

“These MPAs have turned Malaita into a laughing stock.

“They are no different from the looters who destroyed shops and buildings in Honiara last November for no good reason at all,” Karaori said.

Life slowly going back to normal in Noro

Written by
Ben Bilua
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BY BEN BILUA
Gizo

LIFE is slowly going back to normal in Noro after the lockdown last week.

Churches are now open and transports have resumed services. 

Chairperson of Noro COVID-19 Oversight Committee Robert Hickie said churches must strictly observe COVID-19 protocols as per guidelines authorized by the National Oversight Committee.

He said official exemplary approval from the National OSC has been distributed to all the Churches within Noro over the weekend.

Hickie said public transport temporary business hours are from 6 am to 6 pm adding transport providers must observe required protocols.

“This is to allow the committee to review the internal curfew currently enforced for all the emergency zones.

“If there is an instruction to lift the curfew then we will be allowing all the public transport services back to the normal business hours,” he said.

Hickie said his committee will discuss possibilities to allow small business activities the opportunity to resume operations.

He said business activities under discussion include second-hand clothing, selling of cooked foods, and bus service from Noro to Munda.

“Small business activities such as second-hand clothing, and others will resume back soon.

“Health Environment Division office here at Noro will soon announce the new setup on how cooked foods should be prepared and sold at the new market facility. 

“This is to get tough on hygiene requirements and a safe place to sell your cooking. As soon as we receive feedback from the authorities then we will let you know.

“Noro – Munda bus service to resume back shortly,” Hickie said.

He said public announcement will be made about the changes.

Pfizer vaccination underway at Gizo

Written by
Admin
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WESTERN Province’s Health and Medical Service has rolled out vaccination for youths from 12 to 17 years as well as pregnant women.

According to a report, Pfizer vaccine has been made available and that it is time for young people and pregnant women to get their vaccination.

Those who have completed their second jab in the past 5 months can also get their booster shots.

Vaccination for both Pfizer and booster shot continues this week.

Gizo residence who fall under the age category and those wanting to get a booster shot are urged to visit the vaccination site.

 Provincial returnees to undergo mandatory quarantine if positive

Written by
Mavis Podokolo
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Honiara is the beating heart of the country's economy.

BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO 

DISCUSSIONS are underway for highly infectious people coming to Honiara from provinces to go to institutional quarantine facilities to prevent the likelihood of a COVID-19 second wave.

This was revealed by Dr. Jimmie Rodgers, Chairperson of the Prime Minister’s Office COVID-19 radio talk-back show and Secretary to Prime Minister yesterday.

“In the case where people coming to Honiara from the province are very infectious, they may go for institutional quarantine but we will come back to you with more clarity on that. At the moment they can undergo home quarantine,” Dr. Rodgers said.

He stressed most of these people are highly infectious, meaning they can come and spread the virus to other people very quickly and if they come on a vessel, those on board are exposed and many could be infected.

“At this point in time it is very concerning because if we have positive cases coming into Honiara, the likely hood for us to start another phase of infection is quite high. And so we will be looking very carefully on this matter. All we need is the cooperation of the provinces and of the people in the vessels,” Dr. Rodgers said.  

He adds that three ships have so far arrived in Honiara from the provinces, one from Malaita, one from Isabel, and one from Western Province. They brought positive cases from the provinces to Honiara.

Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health and Medical Services, Pauline McNeil said quarantining incoming passengers when there is already community transmission is done to prevent any new variant apart from delta entering communities.

McNeil said that once the virus comes into the country, we will experience the so-called second wave of covid-19 infections coming from communities.

“We also maintain our calls for communities along our borders to respect our border restrictions that are currently in place,” he said. 

23-yo faces rape and false pretence

Written by
Jennifer Kusapa
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BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

A man who claimed to be a doctor and a lawyer has appeared in court over rape and false pretence charges.

Public Prosecutor Jonathan Auga Tuesday told the court via zoom that investigations are almost complete, with only two statements yet to be collected from the complainants.

Prosecution also confirmed the accused is yet to be legally represented by any lawyer.

Principal Magistrate Felix Hollison then adjourned the case to March 11 for mention and made directions for prosecution to disclose statements to the office of the Public Solicitor.

The accused, when given the chance to speak, told court that he is surprised to know that one of the victims has accused him of rape.

“We were together for a week before she reported me to the police for raping her,” the accused told court yesterday.

Meanwhile Hollison advised the accused that he will relay his stories to his lawyer.

This accused also was alleged of going around fooling people in Honiara and obtaining money from them.

The accused is a 28-year-old male from Western Province and he is charged with one count of rape and two counts of false pretence.

The first allegation was an incident of rape that occurred in October 2021.

Prosecution said on October 15, 2021, the accused was driving a caldina car along the Point Cruz Road when the victim walked home from work.

Prosecution said the accused was in front of the old ANZ building at Point Cruz, when he saw the victim walked past, he stopped by her side in the black caldina car, he lowered the left window screen of the front left door of his car and asked the victim if she was heading to the market. The victim replied that she was heading that way.

The accused allegedly invited the victim into the front seat of his car but instead the victim got into and sat at the back seat. The victim did not know the defendant therefore felt strange when she encountered him. Inside the cab, the victim asked the defendant if he knew her and he replied yes, he knew her. The victim told him that she did not even know him. The defendant told the victim that she lived at Vura 3 which was right. The defendant drove off then.

The defendant told the victim that his name was Shane. At the market bus stop, the victim was about to get out of the car and there the defendant asked for her mobile contact. The victim gave him her mobile phone number and the defendant made a missed call to her cell phone.

On October 18, 2021, between 5pm and 7pm, the defendant known to the victim as Shane contacted her and asked of her whereabouts. The victim told him that she was on her way from the office to the Main Market bus stop. Not long, the defendant reached her and picked her up again in his car. Both travelled up in the easterly direction.

On reaching the SDA Bus Stop at Kukum area, the victim informed the defendant that she would be dropped off there. The defendant refused and insisted that they both continued up to Panatina Plaza. So, he continued driving up to Panatina Plaza and stopped besides the fence of the Kausimae Building.

There he told the victim that he was a doctor at the National Referral Hospital, working at the Theatre Operation Department and then he moved over to the back seat where the victim was sitting. He later allegedly raped her.

The second incident is a false pretence incident that occurred on the night of February 7 2022, the defendant pulled over along the road side at Lunga and forced the complainant and her sister to board the car for a ride.

On the way, the defendant started to introduce himself and claimed that he was one of the Wickham family and that his name was “Shane Wickham”, 23 years of age and was the youngest officer at the Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA) in Honiara.

He also claimed to have resided at the Prime Minister’s area at GBR and claimed to be part PNG and also told the complainant and her sister that his mother sent him some money through Western Union (WU) for him to rent a room at AJ City Mall. He claimed this was where he would operate a Phone shop and owns a RAV-4, Caldina and a short boot car.

The complainant was about to drop off at Kukum, the accused asked for their contacts, the complainant’s sister gave her number to him.

Later that day, the complainant’s sister received a call from the defendant identifying himself as Shane Wickham. He asked them if they could help him with an amount of $1000, saying he already had $3000.

He claimed that he was running out of cash to pay the charges of his container at the Solomon Islands Ports Authority because if he was late to pay, extra fee charges will be charged to his container, he promised them that he will refund their money.

The complainant believed him and gave him $1000 in front of Jasmin shop along Vura road in Honiara.

Next day, the defendant then called the complainant and her sister and asked them again if they could help him with another $500.

However, they decided to give him only $100. He drove to the same location and collected the money.

The third incident occurred on February 11, 2022 between 2 and 3pm, the defendant contacted the complainant’s mobile phone and introduced himself as Lawyer Willie.

The complainant on this matter is a Correctional officer,

The allegation said that the accused called her if she could give him of $1000 so that he could pay for his container charges and will present a new brand-mobile phone to her in return, the complainant told him that she did not have such amount but only got $500.

Not long after the phone conversation, the defendant arrived to the complainant at Rove Correctional Center Headquarters, picked the complainant and heading up to SIEA office at Ranadi where the complainant took an amount of $500 and gave it to him.

Three days later as promised by the defendant that he will be refunding the complainant’s money.

She contacted him and asked for her refunds but the defendant started to make some excuses.

She kept on contacting his mobile phone but he ignored to answer her calls and avoided himself from the complainant.

Police not aware of boats travelling to Isabel

Written by
Jennifer Kusapa
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Buala

BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

Police are not aware that people are travelling to Isabel province from Honiara without exemption, using banana boats.

Assistant Commissioner National Capital and Crime Prevention as well the RSIPF COVID-19 Police Operation Commander Simpson Pogeava is saying that police did not have any information of any banana-boat travelling to Isabel Province without exemption.

Responding to questions during a press conference yesterday he said they were not aware of any breach, but says if people have information should raise their complaints through the police.

He said anybody wishing to travel out from Honiara to the provinces should apply through NEOC and then to the PDOC and once approval is given by the health then an exemption is given.

Police in Buala recently said they will investigate the small boats leaving Honiara to Sepi in Isabel province on January 25, 2022.

Yesterday when contacted the Buala Police, the officer answering the phone said they are yet to investigate.

The Officer said they have received reports of boats leaving Honiara and traveling to Isabel in the Bugotu areas on those dates, but they are yet to visit the community and investigate the incident.

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