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Sir Albert wants Commission of Inquiry into 2021 Honiara riots.

Written by
Jennifer Kusapa
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Chief Justice Sir Albert Palmer. Photo by RNZ

BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

CHIEF Justice Sir Albert Palmer has called for a Commission of Inquiry to determine the cause of the 2021 November riot and looting.

He made the call during the opening of the legal year this week, which was conducted virtually.

Justice Palmer said the Chinatown riots were a disgrace and an embarrassment.

He said the criminal activities and lawlessness cannot be condoned.

“This is the second or third time this has occurred and is the most destructive of all,” Sir Albert said.

“Nearly the whole of China town was burnt down,” he added.

“For some businesses that had just rebuilt their properties, it would be heart wrenching to see their properties go up in smoke again.”

The chief justice said the incident sadly was not confined to Chinatown but other parts of the city were also targeted, looted and burnt down as well.

“At the right time an investigation or a commission of enquiry should be considered to be set up to determine inter alia, the causes of the riot and recommendations to be considered as to how that part of the town and businesses and property can be better secured and protected in future,” Sir Albert said. 

Meanwhile Attorney General John Muria Jnr said the events that occurred on November 24 was a sad one for Honiara and for Solomon Islands.

“This was a vibrant display of the lack of understanding and respect of the law and no respect for authority,” Muria said.

“Indeed, it was also a clear manifestation of the ongoing decay of moral and societal values,” he added.

Muria said what transpired during the November riots was amongst other things, a lack of understanding of basic principles of law by our youths.

He said the involvement of youths as young as 13 has prompted him to renew calls to all relevant stakeholders including the Ministry of Education and Human Resources that our school syllabus needs to be reviewed to include the education of our children of legal principles.

He said this includes the teaching of legal studies at senior Primary and / or at Secondary levels of education.

“Our Children must learn to appreciate our laws and understand their purpose, Muria added.

“Therefore, I would also like to take this opportunity to express my deepest condolences to those that have their livelihoods destroyed during the recent riots in 24-27 November 2022.

“A number of persons have had their homes, properties and life investments snatched before them in front of their very own eyes.

“I have been advised that investigations are continuing and rest assured that those responsible will still be brought to justice to face the long arm of the law.

“It is disheartening to see footages from the November riots that the rioting, looting

and burning of shops, buildings, vehicles, Police Stations etc were occasioned by a

majority of youths and young people between the ages 13 – 35.

“With these, we expect a rise of juvenile delinquents and Solomon Islands must now take serious strides in the development of juvenile processes, protocols and laws to deal with this issue,” Muria said.

Police thank Malaita public for good behavior

Written by
Samie Waikori
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BY SAMIE WAIKORI

AUKI

ACTING Provincial Police Commander Malaita, Inspector Charles Eddie Koto has thanked the public of Malaita for the good behavior have shown throughout the province over the past weeks.

 In an interview yesterday, he said his office has not received reports of any major crimes across the province over the past weeks, and that explains greater cooperation amongst people amidst the current situation.

Koto said minor crimes were reported over the past weeks, but officers were able to address them with the help of communities in the province.

He reiterated his acknowledgement to the people for the good behavior shown and encourages them to continue uphold the law and work together to tackle the current situation.

Koto said the province is facing community transmission at the moment and it is upsetting everyone even the police to properly carry out services require from them.

“With that, I humbly call on everyone in the province to refrain from any unlawful activities that will only give police hard time to deal with while faced with the current situation.

“My advice is for everyone to work together to prevent their families and communities from the spread of the virus in the province,” he said.

Koto also appealed to everyone to continue to adhere and practice covid-19 measures and listen to information and update from responsible authorities on the transmission.

Vaccination picks up in Honiara

Written by
Press Release
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vaccination sites in Honiara.

As the demand for vaccination picks up in view of the increasing covid-19 community transmission in Honiara city, more than 12,256 doses of vaccines have been administered during the period from 24 January to 9 February 2022.

Of the 12,256 doses administered to date, 1,823 were booster doses, 2,493 were second doses and 7,940 first doses.

“The current roll out strategy to the communities have showed great improvements in terms COVID-19 safety measures, much can be attributed to the support from community leaders and members,” said Health and Medical Services Minister Dr Culwick Togamana on Monday.

Nevertheless, the demand remains significantly higher therefore considerations to reopen fixed sites in Honiara is being reconsidered to compliment the community outreach roll out of the vaccines.

Meanwhile, training for selected Public Servants to conduct covid-19 testing at their workplaces continues with trainees undergoing practical sessions this week.

More of this training for other offices will continue.

Minister Togamana clarified that this will be made available for all government ministries, state owned enterprises, private sector firms, non-government organization, faith-based organizations and so forth, adding that there is no prioritization of a particular group in the whole exercise.

West Kwaio people left out of assistance

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
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By EDDIE OSIFELO

PEOPLE of West Kwaio constituency are left out of assistance to cope with the Covid-19 community transmission, following the death of their Member of Parliament, Titus Fika in November 2021.

One constituent posted on Facebook, appealing to the Democratic Coalition for Government Advancement (DCGA) to consider their situation in the constituency.

“Currently, we haven’t got any representative in Parliament, however, during the course of this covid 19 outbreak, the constituency was totally left out with any means of assistance, unlike what other Members of Parliament have done to their constituencies,” the constituent said.

The Electoral Commission is still to come up with a date to stage the by election for West Kwaio and Provincial elections for Western and Choiseul province proposed for June this year.

One staff of the Electoral Commission said they have a plan in place to update the bio metric registration and conduct the elections.

However, the staff said this will depend very much on finance to do that, especially as the country is battling with Covid 19.

Late Fika was the former Minister of Environment, Climate Change, Disaster Management and Meteorology.

Before becoming a member of the National Parliament, the late Fika worked in the teaching profession as a teacher.

He rose to the level of the Education Secretary for Malaita Province before being appointed Speaker to the Malaita Provincial Assembly.

Where’s the plan for our schools?

Written by
Press Release
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Leader of Opposition, Matthew Wale

OPPOSITION leader Matthew Wale has questioned the Government if there are any plans in place for schools around the country.

In a statement today, Wale said whilst he understands that schools have been closed indefinitely as a result of the community transmission, he has questioned government response plans for our students and schools.

“I am aware that the Government through the education ministry is working on a new mode of learning for schools,” Wale said.

“It would be appropriate for the ministry to let us know how this is going to work out for students and teachers,” he added.

The Opposition leader also queried the education ministry’s learning continuity program for students on SIBC and E-resources for students to be posted on the Internet as announced by the ministry recently.

 “How will this work for most of our rural schools that do not have access to radio and Internet?” he questioned.

He said the current situation is also an opportunity for the government and other stakeholders to discuss on practical means of venturing into a new era of digital learning for our children.

“Even during this time education should never be an option but a necessity. The government should invest in accessibility to online learning in schools as part of its new mode of learning,” Wale said.

He added the new normal should also push forward innovative modes of teaching and the need for government support in that area.

The Opposition leader has also urged the government to look at ways to also prioritize vaccination for school children and students.

Wale said the new modes of learning must take these concerns into account.

Meanwhile, Wale has also questioned when school results are expected to be released, as thousands of students and parents are still eagerly waiting.

Severely sick told to seek medical care

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Press Release
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Minister for Health and Medical Services Dr Culwick Togamana

People who are severely ill while undergoing home isolation are advised to seek urgent medical attention at the National Referral hospital.

Health and Medical Services Minister, Dr Culwick Togamana made the call on Monday in his daily covid-19 update.

He said many home-isolated patients may need oxygen at some stage.

The health minister noted that regular oxygen saturation level checks on current patients at the NRH showed that there is increased need for oxygen as many who appear to need oxygen actually need oxygen support.

This medical condition is called Hypoxia which is very serious and can lead to fainting or sudden collapse.

“I have been requested to issue a strong call to anyone at home who starts to feel weak or dizzy after days of fever must not wait but to seek urgent and immediate medical help at the Hospital,” Minister Togamana said.

The Ministry of Health this week procured additional 100 oxygen units that are prepositioned at the National Medical Store for distribution to NRH and Provincial hospitals and health clinics. In addition, a further 400 oxygen units have also been secured.

Meanwhile, the AUSMAT team from Australia is currently providing advice and recommendations to NRH staff including health workers in the Provinces via zoom mainly for COVID-19 patient management.

They are also assisting in the NRH planning for its new normal Business Continuity Plan (BCP), from services to logistics and work flow, due to the new additional COVID ward.

Assistance has also been rendered towards dead body management and purchase of urgent medical equipment for the Central Field Hospital.

“I wish to take this opportunity to sincerely thank the Government and people of Australia for the substantial support to the Ministry,” Minister Togamana said.

Noro Community swabbing next

Written by
Ben Bilua
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Roadblock at Noro and Munda road. Photo supplied

BY BEN BILUA
Gizo

Noro and surrounding communities are next to be swabbed as the testing programme nears completion.

Noro COVID-19 Oversight Committee Forum, Chairperson of Noro COVID-19 Oversight Committee Inspector Robert Hickie said swabbing on priority areas are almost done and the next schedule is to reach to communities in Noro Town.

He said his committee has proposed swabbing a system where swabbing will be done according to communities.

Hickie said the system will allow the committee to do a community lock-sdown for swabbing to roll out. 

“Back way and mobile area will be shut down to concentrate for their swabbing.

“Kitano, Noro Base, Koguporo and Baeroko will follow suit,” he said.

“As soon as the swabbing exercise is completed then a thorough review will be undertaken to make assessments and analysis of data’s to determine the scale of the transmission and the status of the disease,” Hickie added.

He said vaccination is still on hold and his committee is putting effort to roll out vaccination anytime soon.

“Vaccination rolls out is still uncertain at the moment  however the committee push to have this done this week for Noro will be made known to us anytime this week pending outcomes from the Health Main Operation Team,” Hickie said.

Most patients in Noro recovered: Hickie

Written by
Ben Bilua
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BY BEN BILUA
Gizo

CHAIRPERSON of Noro COVID-19 Oversight Committee says most COVID-19 patients at Noro have been recovered.

“This is a good indication that the community transmission for Noro Town is likely contained on the hotspots and suspected it moves very slowly,” Robert Hickie said.

“Investigations reveal that the timely enforcement of the current internal measures imposed has a significant impact to slow down the transmission,” he added.

Though with the good news, Hickie said all internal strict measures for Noro are still valid until a review will be conducted to recommend some further improvements and to waive others to help community members and to restore normalcy.

He said his committee is having discussions to temporarily swift the old market venue to the new market area to allow good management and control of vendors and the public.

“Also the committee will further discuss to include reef fish and other ban products at the market.

“Remember we are only at the edge of the starting line and things might not come to our favours, therefore the committee will not comprises its strict measures but to stand our ground to protect our people,” Hickie said. 

Telekom towers not working in Malu’u and Afufu, Malaita

Written by
Samie Waikori
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BY SAMIE WAIKORI

Auki

COMMUNITIES from Malu’u to Afufu area in north Malaita have raised concern on their two Telekom towers not working since last week.

A concerned man, Mr Ben Oto’ofa told this paper with the current covid-19 situation in the country, there has never been a time when they need the towers more.

“As the province is faced with community transmission, communication is important to help people keep inform on advises and information on the situation.

“Covid-19 operation is activated for the province and it cannot go without proper communication which is important in the quest to curb the virus especially on that side of the province.

 “Also, we have people in Honiara and elsewhere, and we depend on communication to know what it like for them as face with the situation,” he said.

Oto’ofa said communities within the areas have to resort to travelling some distance to be able to use the Telekom tower in Mbita’ama, which is becoming costly for them.

He said their concern has been raised to Our Telekom office in Auki and hope they will fix the towers soon and resume coverage.

Western receives oxygen support

Written by
Ben Bilua
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Western Province Director of Health Services, Dr Dickson Boara.

BY BEN BILUA
Gizo

WESTERN Province has received its share of oxygen support from the government this week.

Eight gas cylinders were delivered to Western Province’s Health and Medical Authorities.

In an interview with Island Sun Gizo, Director of Western Health and Medical Authority, Dr Dickson Boara said the cylinders will be distributed to Noro and Munda when there is a need for oxygen support on patients.

He said the cylinders are still at Gizo Hospital and his team is working on plans to transport them to Noro and Munda soon.

“At the moment we are yet to register a COVID-19 who badly needs oxygen support. Most COVID-19 patients are mild,” Boara said.

It is understand that Western Province has 171 positive cases where 80 patients are recorded at Noro, 41 cases at Munda and 50 cases at Gizo.

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