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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

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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

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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

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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.

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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.

People in West told to prepare for lockdown

Written by
Ben Bilua
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Western Provincial capital Gizo

BY BEN BILUA
Gizo

WESTERN Provincial Disaster Operation Committee has called on people to stay alert and prepare for any immediate lockdown.

WPDOC gave out the message following reports of increasing cases in the province, thus the need to contain the virus.

Deputy Provincial Secretary who is acting chairperson of WPDOC Patrick Toiraena said communities and respective families must be ready at all times.

“We are in a different situation compared to our normal lives as experienced in the previous years due to this pandemic and I urge communities and families to prepare in advance to avoid panic in an event where lockdown is announced.

“Save enough funds, water, electricity, and enough food at all times. If you live in the communities, save enough fuel as a precaution should there be a need for an essential run to urban centers like Gizo, Noro, and Munda.

“One might ignore this advice but I must emphasize that the advices are very important to save your family and yourselves,” he said.

Toiraena said responsible authorities are watching the situation very closely and will inform the general public should there be a planned lockdown.

He said there is no lockdown in Western Province, however curfew has been enforced as part of the ongoing effort to minimize the spread of the virus.

Masia claims West Fataleka township proposal ‘hoax’

Written by
Samie Waikori
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BY SAMIE WAIKORI

Auki

Landowners of an area marked for a township proposal in West Fataleka have denounced the plan as a ‘hoax’.

Spokesman Justin Masia said consultations held towards this ideal were done improperly and non-inclusively and are being seen by many landowners as a mere ‘fundraising drive’ by those behind the initiative.

“It’s funny when four sub-towns are already in the province; Auki, Atori, Afio and Malu’u, and no development have been happening on them for the past decades.

“If another township is built, what difference would it make? It just makes no sense.

“Instead, I suggest PRC and Dr. Luke Mani should look at developing the sub-towns and Auki town where they already exist,” he said.

On the supposed consultation done by Dr. Luke Mani last week, Masia said signatures were collected from landowners towards the proposal, but it’s important to know whether the signatories are rightful landowners or not.

“And I must emphasize that when dealing with such bigger projects like that, it’s crucial to carry out consultations and other require processes openly to all landowners and stakeholders.

“The consultation meeting held last week at Rofuki village towards the project was seen with perception and even little it may, it attached to the standoff between DCGA and MARA government,” Masia said.

A consultation meeting between tribal land-owning groups in west Fataleka and a team led by Dr. Luke Mani was held at Rufoki last Wednesday.

Two days after the meeting a memorandum of agreement was signed by the landowners towards a $20 million township project proposed for Ward five in West Fataleka.

US admiral lashes out at SI-Sino security pact

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A TOP American admiral has criticised a potential security pact between China and Solomon Islands, describing it as a “secret” arrangement worrying the US and its partners.

Australia has warned that a Chinese naval base in the Pacific nation, less than 2,000 kilometres from the Queensland coast, would “change the calculus” for the Australian Defence Force. 

Those sentiments have now been backed by the Commander of the U.S Pacific Fleet, Admiral Samuel Paparo, who said he was “undoubtedly concerned” about the situation. 

“There is still a path ahead. But anytime that a secret security arrangement makes its way into the light of day, it is a concern,” he told the ABC in Washington DC, during an event with foreign journalists.

“And it’s a concern for all of our partners throughout the western Pacific and notably, Australia, New Zealand. 

Last week Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare lashed out at critics of the draft Chinese security saying their comments were “insulting”.

Sogavare said the deal was “ready to be signed” but insisted existing security arrangements with Australia would be maintained and there were no plans to allow a Chinese military base.

“It will not be in the interest of Solomon Islands to host any naval or military base of any country, because that will immediately make Solomon Islands a military target for other countries,” Sogavare said.

“Hosting any form of naval or military bases for foreign nations will destroy, not develop, Solomon Islands,” he added.

Papua New Guinea’s Prime Minister James Marape has also weighed into the controversy over the security agreement. 

Australia has been trying to rally Pacific Island states to press Solomon Islands over the pact, with Scott Morrison ringing regional heavyweights including  Marape and Fiji’s Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama to express concern. 

Marape told the ABC that PNG and other Pacific states were “conscious of what’s taking place” in Solomon Islands, and he had had 2conversations” with his Solomon Islands counterpart. 

He said Sogavare assured him there were no plans for China to establish a military base in the country, and that the agreement was focused on offering police support.

But Marape also suggested that Papua New Guinea and other Pacific countries were in the best position to provide police support, saying “we stand ready to work side by side in upskilling and training police [and] having more police engagements … into Solomon Islands if they require help”.

Admiral Paparo backed warnings from Australian Defence Minister Peter Dutton of a growing potential for armed conflict in the Indo-Pacific region that Australians needed to be” realistic” about.

“I always operate under the notion that there’s the potential of conflict within our region within a couple of years because of the incredible unpredictability of events,” Admiral Paparo said. 

“And who last year could have predicted where Eastern Europe would be right now. In fact, that is our mission, is to always be ready as militaries.”

Admiral Paparo described the AUKUS arrangement, under which Australia will obtain nuclear-powered submarines through a deal with the US and the UK, as a “tangible sign” of rising tensions in the region. 

He also warned that China would be watching Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in the context of its own claims over Taiwan. 

“Undoubtedly, the PRC (People’s Republic of China) is watching what’s happened in Ukraine and taking notes and learning from it,” he said. 

“And there will be learning and there will be adjustments to the extent that they’re able to learn from it. 

“And they will improve their capabilities based on what they learn at this time.” 

In Sydney, Defence Minister Peter Dutton has again emphasised growing military risks in the region, while announcing details of a new multi-billion-dollar missiles package.

“And when we look at what has happened in Ukraine, there is the prospect of Russia going into Poland or somewhere else in Europe, and that would be a repeat of the 1930s, and that’s not something that we should allow to happen.”

Dutton confirmed the federal government would fast track the purchase of U.S-made joint air-to-surface standoff missiles for Australia’s Super Hornets, and Norwegian Naval Strike Missiles for warships.

U. S Defence giants Raytheon and Lockheed Martin have also been announced as leading the US$1 billion sovereign guided weapons programme, with the aim of eventually producing missiles domestically. – Source: PACNEWS

WOMEN: END THE DEAL

Written by
Mavis Podokolo
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Gov’t told to discontinue security treaty with China

BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO

WOMEN’S group leaders in Honiara yesterday urged Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare to discontinue the security treat his government is negotiating with China.

“Sogavare must cancel the deal for the sake of this nation,” Rose Isukana of the Solomon Islands National Council of Women (SINCW) told reporters.

“Even if China and Solomon Islands are now in the process of finalizing the deal, there’s nothing that should stop Sogavare from revoking it,” Isukana, who is also a member of the West Are’Are Rokotanikeni Association (WARA), added.

“The security deal is not in the best interest of the country. So for the sake of the nation, Sogavare must cancel it.

“He and his government are abusing their powers in pursuing the security deal.”

Isukana was speaking at a press conference women’s group leaders held in Honiara yesterday.

SINCW president Ella Kahue said women in the country were not consulted on the proposed treaty.

“We are mothers of this nation, we are mothers of the future leaders of this country and we need to be engaged in dialogue,” Kahue said.

 She said if the government is talking about public consultation, then why isn’t SINCW consulted?

“We felt that we are left out in the whole process, we kindly ask the government even if the draft agreement was already signed, they need to delay it and consult the women of this country.”

Ruth Liloqula, a member of SINCW and executive officer of Transparency Solomon Islands (TSI), also expressed concern.

“We are concerned because when you look at the draft agreement, it mentioned ‘social order’,” Liloqula said.

“But the social order is our sovereignty. It should not be given to any other country to do it for us,” she added.

“Because if you do that, you are selling the sovereignty of this country by giving them the very function that belongs to the state.”

Liloqula said the Government should be addressing the real issues such as lack of infrastructure development and high unemployment rate.

“This is how we should be addressing our security concerns than selling the sovereignty of this nation.”

Prime Minister Sogavare had defended the security arrangement.

“It is our view that securing an agreement with China is one way we can respond effectively to a broader range of development needs and aspirations that Solomon Islands needs to achieve in its journey towards its sustainable development goals,” Sogavare said.

Sogavare also dismissed suggestions the security agreement will lead to the establishment of a Chinese military base here.

“It will not be in the interest of Solomon Islands to host any naval or military base of any country, because that will immediately make the Solomon Islands a military target for other countries,” Sogavare said.

“Hosting any form of naval or military bases for foreign nations will destroy, not develop, Solomon Islands.”

Under the terms of the proposed security treaty, China could send police, military personnel, and other armed forces to the Solomon Islands “to assist in maintaining social order” and for a variety of other reasons.

It could also send warships for stopovers and to replenish supplies, leading to speculation about the possibility of China establishing a naval base here.

Australia, the US and New Zealand have expressed concerns over the arrangement.

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