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Renbel reports new covid-19 cases

Written by
Mavis Podokolo
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BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO

Renbel province has reported new covid-19 cases.

Bellona island has registered 22 new cases, Dr Yogesh Choudhri, technical advisor to the Ministry of Health (MHMS) told Island Sun yesterday.

Island Sun, meanwhile, last night received report that a further seven new cases were detected taking the total new cases to 29.

This is yet to be confirmed by the Health ministry.

There are also reports from Bellona frontlines that initial covid-19 cases have now recovered, although a figure is yet to be announced.

Speaking to the paper earlier yesterday, Choudhri said: “An additional 22 new covid-19cases has been recorded for Renbel province. The total case count in Renbel now stands at 34.”

Bellona’s covid-19 sub-committee says among the new cases is a frontliner.

“The medical team had further tested 37 individuals. The number included 29 persons from the communities on the island, 3 from the front-liners and 5 individuals who travel over from Honiara on Thursday 3rd March  and Tuesday 8th March, respectively, and came up with the following results:  29 new positive cases and 8 negative tests.

“Only one of the three front-liners that were tested was identified to have contracted the virus, whiles all 5 passengers that flew over from Honiara were negative.

“The new results now takes the number of positive cases on the island to 41 positive cases out of 61 tests.

“The results pointed to a very high transmission of the virus on Bellona and this is very worrying.”

Malaita’s covid-19 cases stand at 959

Written by
Samie Waikori
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BY SAMIE WAIKORI

AUKI

Chairperson of EOC Malaita, Dr Rex Maukera has told this paper that as of yesterday covid-19 cases for the province stood at 959 active cases.

He said the figure presented cases from all regions in the province and most of them are from communities.

Maukera said out of this total figure, 339 cases are recovering while 620 cases still active with stable and mild status and very few are in critical condition.

He said at Kilu’ufi hospital they have nine cases in the isolation, two critical cases, two severe and five moderate cases.

Maukera said Malu’u hospital also has two cases in isolation, one critical and one severe cases.

He said there is no covid-19 death for the province within the last 48hrs. The province’s total covid-19 related death so far is 19 deaths.

Maukera said since the outbreak in Auki, at no time the daily record of cases has shown stable or decline of number of cases for the province 

He said the transmission still remains and people are asked to continue uphold covid-19 measures, although indications showing the virus started to reverse for the province.

Documents to be filed on case of man accused of lewd act

Written by
Jennifer Kusapa
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In-court

BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

THE pre-trial conference document in relation to the case of a man accused of forcing his wife to have sex with her ex-boyfriend will be filed to court to allow the listing committee of the High Court to set a trial date on the accused’s case.

Defence lawyer Daniel Kwalai told the court that he and the prosecutor have already filed the PTC document and are going to file the documents to the court in the afternoon.

High Court judge Leonard Maina then adjourned the case to March 28, 2022 for mention and for confirmation of trial date.

This is the case of a 54-year-old faced with one count of Compelled Sexual Intercourse contrary to Section 136 G (a) & b of the Penal Code Cap 26, as amended by the Penal Code (Amendment) (Sexual Offence) Act 2016.

Prosecution said the incident occurred on the night of March 9, 2020 at the Bonege Beach area, where the accused forced his wife to have sexual intercourse without her consent and knowing about or being reckless as to the lack of consent

Prosecution said prior to the offending the victim with his wife and the accused with his wife boarded the same bus and went back to their home village at Vura,  West Guadalcanal. During that time, the victim who was an ex-boyfriend of the accused’s wife had been drinking alcohol.

On their way down to their home village, the accused’s wife dropped off from the vehicle at Bonege area saying she wanted to visit her daughter who lived there.

The accused with the victim and his wife then left on the same vehicle to Vura further down in the North West Guadalcanal to drop off the victim’s wife.

 After dropping off the victim’s wife at Vura, the accused came back to Bonege with the victim and continued having few beers till late night.

Prosecution also said on the evening they were all telling stories together before the victim (wife’s ex-boyfriend) went to a small house to sleep over for the night.

It was when the victim went to sleep the accused took his wife and forced her to have sex with the victim.

Prosecution said that the accused’s wife also revealed that the victim was her ex-boyfriend, they used to be in a relationship when they were young but that was their past life and not now.

Telekom service resumes on Bellona

Written by
Mavis Podokolo
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BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO

Telecommunication service has resumed on Bellona island, Renbel province.

On Tuesday this week, the Our Telekom tower which had reportedly been down for five months, was fixed.

Island Sun understands that Our Telekom sent two of its technicians on Tuesday this week to Bellona to fix the tower’s problems.

Posts of relief and appreciation from Renbel citizens were posted on social media.

Speaking to Island Sun on Tuesday, jubilant members of public on Bellona expressed happiness over the service’s resumption.

“We are happy the Telekom tower is fixed. We can now call our family and friends in Honiara and other provinces, and they can also contact us,” one tells the paper.

“We have struggled so much during the past five months when the tower was down.

“And, when covid-19 was announced in mid January, we were worried for our families in Honiara but could not contact them, nor they us.

“Worse, when covid-19 entered Bellona, we could not communicate with our family and friends outside.”

Police to be deployed to covid-stricken Bellona Island

Written by
Jennifer Kusapa
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COVID-19 is spreading on Bellona Island.

BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

The Royal Solomon Islands Police Force is preparing to deploy personnel to Bellona, it is reported.

This follows an urgent request by the Bellona covid-19 committee for police to help in enforcing national covid-19 regulations and safety measures.

Police Media’s Desmond Rave yesterday told Island Sun that the RSIPF Executive have no time for media enquiries.

“They are very busy people dealing with other matters besides media inquiries. They have many things on their table to deal with.”

However, this paper managed to contact the team leader Sergeant Mick Pongi, who confirmed the deployment of four, including himself.

“Yes I can confirm that three officers and I will be heading for Bellona tomorrow [today, Thursday, March 10] to help the frontliners there enforce covid-19 safety regulations and restrictions.

“Our deployment will be a boost to the small number of frontliners on Bellona who have been struggling to cope with the unexpected invasion of covid-19 there.

“May I make an appeal for public in Bellona to please cooperate with authorities. The covid-19 outbreak can be brought to heel if we cooperate with our frontliners and adhere to the national covid-19 safety measures and regulations.”

Speaking to Island Sun from Tingoa, Renbel police commander (PPC) Staff Sergeant Eddie Peseika, who is also the chair for the province’s Disaster Operations Committee (PDOC), confirms having arranged police personnel to be sent over to support frontline work on Bellona.

“Despite difficulties in communications with Bellona, I have managed to discern the fact that there is a need for police personnel to help frontliners enforce covid-19 regulations and safety measures.

“My request has been granted by the Rove HQ, and three personnel are being prepped to be sent over to Bellona. I am still pushing for a fourth officer.

“I have also requested a scooter to be sent along with the contingent.

“As Chair of Renbel’s PDOC, I stand ready to help and support Bellona and their sub-committee in this time of covid-19 outbreak. And I appeal for more communication from the Bellona sub-committee with me regarding update reports.”

Island Sun understand from previous reports that frontliners on Bellona has only two Community Officers helping them with enforcement.

RSIPF personnel deployment promises to boost operations.

Man pleads not guilty to sex charge on underage

Written by
Jennifer Kusapa
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BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

A man who is facing one count of sexual intercourse charge entered a not guilty plea when he appeared in court yesterday.

His case was mentioned via zoom at the Honiara Magistrate Court.

The man who cannot be named for legal reasons was accused to have committed the offence on a 12-year-old female child on December 4, 2021 at the Lungga area.

He told the court yesterday that the allegation is not true.

The accused also said that he only touches the victim without committing the sexual offence on her.

Public Prosecutor Pellie Letiara who appeared on behalf of her colleague Olivia Manu then ask the court time to allow then prepare the committal papers.

She said since the accused entered a not guilty plea, the case will be committed to the High Court for trial.

Principal Magistrate Felix Hollison then adjourned the case to March 15 for committal hearing.

Office of the Public Solicitor’s office is representing the accused.

Japan seals support for SIBC

Written by
Mavis Podokolo
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Representative from SIBC and Embassy of Japan posed for a photo shot after the signing on Monday

BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO

THE Embassy of Japan has signed an agreement with the Solomon Islands Broadcasting Corporation aimed at financing a generator to support SIBC in disseminating information.

The assistance is expected to reach around $557,000 to be provided under the Embassy’s Grassroots and Human Security Scheme.

Acting Ambassador Norimasa Yoshida said this scheme supports basic information services such as radio broadcasting that enables people to get information especially in isolated rural areas where people are heavily dependent on the radio for the information.

“I believe that importance of information from the radio broadcast has just been proved under covid-19 pandemic. SIBC has been playing a very significant role of delivering the messages regarding the pandemic from the government and its agencies to all of the people through the country,” Yoshida said.

He believes that this project will have positive impacts on how to improve communication and information services in Solomon Islands and strengthen further relationship between Solomon Islands and Japan.   

Johnson Honimae, chief executive officer SIBC, acknowledged the government of Japan for accepting their project proposal despite the fact it is not located in a rural area.

“This standby generator will ensure the uninterrupted broadcast by SIBC of news, information, education and entertainment to our people,” Honimae said.

“This new standby genset we are signing the documents for this afternoon (Monday afternoon), will put an end to those interruption.”

The signing ceremony was held on Monday at the office of the Embassy of Japan in Honiara.

MV Ongou to deliver covid-19 assistance to Ongtong Java

Written by
Mavis Podokolo
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Mr Wei of Red Star shopping delivered the bags of rice purchased by MOI constituency office to Mr Seulu at the Wharf .Photos BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO

BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO

MV ONGOU is preparing to depart for Ongtong Java for the purpose of delivering COVID-19 assistance rendered by the Member of Parliament for Malaita Outer Islands Martin Kealoe.

Mr Kealoe through the Malaita Outer Islands constituency office provided 120 tonnes of rice, equivalent to 6000 20kg bags of rice to assist the people of MOI during this pandemic.

Hardworking boys loading bags of Rice

Mr Kealoe upon delivering these of assistance said this support will sustain families in ward 31 Liuania and ward 32 Pelau.  

On the same note he acknowledged the director Marine, Commissioner of Police, Malaita Province Oversight Committee and the national government for the exemption to allow the MV Ongou to carry the assistance to Ontong Java today.

Mr Seulu and one of the many hardworking boys posed with bags of rice

On the same note, Constituency Accountant Officer Frazer Seulu confirmed that Mr Kealoe through the constituency office had also supported his people residing in Honiara and those from Tetere to Aruligo.

Seulu said Sikaiana will be the next ward to receive their covid-19 support from the MOI constituency office.

He said shipment date is yet to be confirmed.

Family go hungry due to covid-19 restrictions and no support.

Written by
Ben Bilua
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Western Provincial capital Gizo

BY BEN BILUA
Gizo

PEOPLE who contracted covid-19 in the provinces have endured the brunt of related social and welfare challenges.

People are fending for their families to survive when tested positive unlike in the capital Honiara where positive patients enjoys government assistances while on isolation or quarantine.

An example of this is a family living in Gizo who has been tested positive and are now advised to stay home.

Report reaching Island Sun Gizo office states that all members of the family were tested positive and that they are restricted from moving around.

While the advice is important to stop the virus from spreading, it begs another question and that is who will provide for COVID-19 patients with foods and other necessities.

According to the report, the family was without food for sometimes and decided to find source of income to support themselves.

Again, this raised a question as to why the government is not able to balance the level of assistance towards COVID-19 patients in the province like in Honiara.

In an interview with Island Sun Gizo last month, Chairperson of Western Provincial Disaster Operation Committee Jeffrey Wickham said managing COVID patients undergoing home quarantine is very difficult due to many reasons.

He stressed that one of the main issue is luck of financial resources to assist patients undergoing home quarantine.

Commenting on a post on Facebook, Wickham said WPDOC has no financial capability to fulfil needed assistance.

“I’m also concerned about the welfare of families who are undergoing home quarantine. All potential sources to get funding in the province have been exhausted and now we are also running behind time in our operation,” he said.

Wickham adds that there is no regular funding to coming into WPDOC to roll out needed programs that would see welfare of COVID-19 patients are respected.

He suggests that it is high time for Members of Parliaments and the national government to help provinces with necessary financial assistances.

NPF board to decide next week on partial withdrawal of members’ fund

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
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SINPF Building in Honiara

By EDDIE OSIFELO

SOLOMON Islands National Provident Fund (SINPF) Board will deliberate on the request next Tuesday 15th March for eligible members to partially withdraw their funds.

One Board member confirmed that Solomon Islands Chamber of Commerce and Industries has sent the request to SINPF Board to assess the request due to the Covid-19 pandemic that affected most members.

Secretary to Prime Minister (SPM) and Vice Chairman of the National Oversight Committee (NOC) Dr Jimmie Rodgers also confirmed last Sunday during the National Oversight Committee Talk Back Show.

He was responding to a question raised by one of the listeners who asked if there’s any plan by SINPF Board to allow members to withdraw part of their contributions.

In response Dr Jimmie who is also the chairman SINPF Board confirmed, a request has been submitted to the Board and they will be looking at it.

“We have received a request on it and SINPF Board will be looking at it,” he said.

Initially, members have withdrew about $5000 under the SINPF Exemption Order from 1st April to 30th June 2020.

This followed the endorsement made by Minister of Finance and Treasury Harry Kuma.

SINPF General Manager, Mike Wate told media in 2020 that about 20,255 were early withdrawals by members made under the covid-19 exemption orders for $97.5 million.

The Fund is established by the Solomon Islands National Provident Fund Act 1973.

It commenced operations on 1st October 1976 and classified as a defined contribution fund.

  1. Members legally are to contribute a minimum of 5% and multiple of 10% on voluntary basis
  • Employers legally are to contribute 7.5% on behalf of his/her employee
  • Board mandated to declare a minimum statutory crediting rate of 2.5% to members on or before end of September (SINPF Amendement Act 2018)

In 2003, SINPF is deemed a financial institution under the Financial Institutions Act (FIA) and subject to prudential reviews by the Central Bank of Solomon Islands (CBSI)

Solomon Islands National Provident Fund comes under the responsibility of the Minister of Finance.

By virtue of the Solomon Islands National Provident Fund Act, the Minister has the overall authority concerning the affairs of the Fund.

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