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Passengers undergo five-day quarantine

Written by
Ben Bilua
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Passengers luggage upon arrival at Noro Port on Wednesday

BY BEN BILUA
Gizo

PASSENGERS recently repatriated from Honiara to the Western Province will undergo five days home quarantine.

The home quarantine period is part of Western Provincial Disaster Operation Committee requirement enforced for all passengers.

MV Fair Glory’s repatriation trip was described as successful when police and health officials put out a well-coordinated operation in three ports.

Passengers were swabbed upon arrival while police provided security resulting in no disturbance reported.

MV Fair Glory called in on Seghe, Noro and Gizo ports on Wednesday.

Last group of passenger arrived at Gizo around 7pm on Wednesday.

The ship returned to Honiara departing Gizo yesterday morning with stranded Honiara passengers who have been in Western Province since the outbreak.

Island Sun Gizo understands that Western Province is the first to repatriate its people who were stranded in Honiara.

IDC assures Tatamba communities of removal of MV Estrella

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Press Release
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MV Estrella berthing at Tatamba wharf.

Isabel Development Company (IDC) Managing Director James Habu has assured Tatamba ward and surrounding communities that MV Estrella will be removed from Tatamba wharf once enough fund is available.

MV Estrella has been berthing for over a year after experiencing machinery failure.

This has raised concern to Tatamba ward and surrounding communities of potential environmental impact to coastal area and marine resources.

Not only that it also affected the travelling passengers and other vessels accessing the wharf.

Two concern members from Tatamba ward, Wayne Manutai and Kenneth Oleva who took the initiative to discuss the issue with Mr Habu said it was sad to know the current situation IDC is facing.

Manutai said from their discussions they were informed that IDC is really down on its knees as far as financial strength is concern and that has affected the operation and services of IDC.

Adding more problem is the impact of Covid-19 pandemic felt by everyone.

Manutai said the IDC management also share the same concern to remove the vessel from Tatamba wharf but they could not do much without money.

Mr Habu informed Mr Manutai and Oleva that someone from Tatamba ward have requested the company to move the vessel to anchor at nearby island at Tanabuli but there is no fund to even purchase an anchor.

It was also suggested to move the vessel to Cockatoo Island and again IDC need money to do that.

According to Habu some parts to fix the problem already purchased last year and are still at the Ports Authority waiting for clearance.

He said IDC again need money to clear them and that has delayed the progress of work in maintaining the vessel.

Despite of the financial difficulties Mr Habu assured that once the company have enough money MV Estrella will be removed from the wharf.

He said he will further discuss the matter with his colleague Manager Collin Feitei on the concern raised to him.

Habu said at the stage the company need people who can manage the operation as expected.

He said since he took up office there is small progress been made and hope IDC is still heading towards good recovery.

According to a person who is well aware of the situation of the vessel it needs around $500,000 to put back the vessel up and running again.

Mr Estrella is among five vessels that run by IDC. The other includes MV Arnavon, MV Isabella and MV Ortega and MV Onogou.

MV Isabella is also currently berthing at Cockatoo Island while MV Ortega has been sold to a private business man.

IDC is the longest shipping company in Solomon Islands established in 1971 as a private company. It have 249 shareholders which bunched into 49 trustees monies collected.

Since its establishment: the company have Ligomo 1,2,3,4 ,5, Fern , Isabella , Estrella , Onogou, Ortega , and MV Arnavon .

A total of 11 ships they purchase since then.

It is the vision of the founder Late Willy Betu and Isabel leaders those years that we enjoy it now. 

Parliamentarians should lead by example in rolling out vaccination to communities  

Written by
Mavis Podokolo
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BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO

MEMBERS of Parliament have the duty of care to lead the vaccination roll out programe to their communities.

This was highlighted by Dr Jimmie Rodgers Secretary to the Prime Minister and member of the Oversight Committee in a Press Conference held at Mendana Hotel yesterday.

“The role of Members of parliament is to encourage and took the lead in taking vaccination roll –out programs to their communities. They have the right to assist health teams in terms of logistic support before nurses deployed and actually do vaccination on the ground,” Rodgers said.

He said these Members are the ones that will bring the communities together because they are put into parliament by their community members.

“They have the duty of care to their people to make sure they are leading the chat,” Rodgers said.

He confirmed that there are Members of parliament that are working hard behind the scene to ensure their people are vaccinated.

“I want to thank all the MP within the government and other leaders in leading the chats when it comes to vaccinations,” Rodgers said.

Implementing partners for USAID SCALE A&E visit sites in the province

Written by
Samie Waikori
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Premier Daniel Suidani and USAID SCALE team meeting with communities in East Malaita during their recent trip to the region....Photo supplied

BY SAMIE WAIKORI

AUKI

A team led by premier Daniel Suidani and USAID SCALE A&E (Green Power Technology) recently visited proposed sites for projects in the province.

Suidani who is the chairman of Malaita Province Infrastructure Advisory Committee (MPIAC) joined Green Power Technology staff, Mr Joseph Gesiau and visited Malu’u, Atori and several communities in the Eastern Region of Malaita.

According to a statement from PARU, the team was also accompanied by provincial minister for Eastern Regional Affairs, Preston Billy.

“Following the 12th meeting of the Advisory Committee on the 16th of February, it was identified the need to decentralize some of the infrastructures under the SCALE A&E component to other regions of Malaita.

“This includes Cocoa Solar Dryer facilities and also the coconut crushing mill facilities.

“To facilitate the decentralization approach it agreed that the advisory committee visits the substations with the aim of identifying spaces on provincial land that would accommodate such infrastructures,” it said

The premier and team also visited Manu and Adakoa during the trip.

Also during the trip, Mr Gesiau shared with communities of Adakoa that according to timeline, the infrastructure projects will be tendered soon.

“Currently, Green Power Technology and its partners are on the design stage and after that will be the tendering for the construction of the facilities.

“This is expected to happen soon,” he said.

A report of the trip will prepare to present in the next meeting of the Advisory Committee.

Tribe supports US SCALE Project

Written by
Samie Waikori
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Premier Daniel Suidani and team meeting with landowners of Ha’alau tribal group at Kelakwai village in Central Kwara’ae....Photo supplied

BY SAMIE WAIKORI

Auki

PREMIER of Malaita province, Daniel Suidani recently met with Ha’alau tribal group of Fiu River upon an invitation regarding the proposed USAID SCALE project at Gwaigeo.

The meeting was successfully convened at Kelakwai village where landowners expressed their support towards the development of the project.

In a statement from PARU, the premier met with the Ha’alau tribal group after a request was sent to his office on the planned developments under the USAID SCALE project at Gwaigeo.

The meeting aimed at seeing how the tribal group could be part of the development on their land.

It was a successful meeting where the tribal group expressed their continues support to such development as they have done with other development in the past.

On the same note, Premier Suidani expressed his gratitude towards the group and encourage continue working together with them.

The project is one amongst other livelihood projects proposed under the USAID SCALE program for Malaita province. 

Australia to fund new Telco towers here

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Press Release
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Left to Right: Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Finance and Treasury, McKinnie Dentana; HOTP Ewen Macdonald, Chief Executive Officer, Solomon Telekom Company, Christina Lasaqa, Secretary to the Prime Minister, Dr Jimmie Rodgers, Minister for Communication and Aviation, the Hon. Peter Shanel Agovaka, Australian High Commissioner to Solomon Islands, H.E Dr Lachlan Strahan, Chairman, Solomon Telekom Company Limited, Mr Baoro Laxton Koraua, OurTeleKom Chief Technical Officer, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and External Trade, Collin Beck, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Communication and Aviation, Moses Virivolomo, PS Police, National Security and Correctional Services, Karen Galokale.

Australia will provide grant funding for the installation of six new 3G/4G telecommunications towers across three provinces: four in the Shortland Islands in Western Province, one in Isabel Province, and one in Malaita Province.

This follows a request by the Solomon Islands government to its Australian counterpart for help in this sector to boost it with its covid-19 response efforts.

On March 2, 2022, the Minister for Communication and Aviation, Peter Shanel Agovaka and Australia’s Head of the Office of the Pacific Ewen McDonald exchanged signed copies of a funding arrangement worth SBD37.6 million (AUD6.5 million) for six new telecommunications towers to be built this year, a media statement from the Australian High Commission said.

The support for the towers was requested by the Solomon Islands Government as part of its COVID-19 preparedness and response efforts.

Agovaka said the project aligned with the Government’s National Development Strategy and the National Security Strategy.

“Enabling security, welfare, and connectivity for communities in remote parts of the country especially along the Western border is a key priority of my Ministry.

“We are grateful for Australia’s ongoing support to improving connectivity in Solomon Islands. The support is a testimony to the strong partnership between our two countries in the telecommunications sector that builds on the success of the Coral Sea Cable project to deliver improved internet connectivity to the people of Solomon Islands,” said Agovaka.

The increased 3G/4G internet coverage, particularly across the Shortland Islands, will enable more efficient and effective management of the border with Papua New Guinea. 

Chair, Solomon Telekom Company, Baoro Laxton Koraua, expressed pride at receiving the project on behalf of the people of Solomon Islands.

“These towers are absolute gems for the company and the country and will improve current network coverage across the country,” he said.

Mr McDonald said that the agreement was an example of Australia’s ongoing commitment to improve connectivity especially for people living in the remote parts of Solomon Islands.

“These towers will increase connectivity, which is important not only for the Solomon Islands Government’s ability to respond to humanitarian emergencies and natural disasters, but also for boosting business opportunities for communities along the border, and strengthening health and education outcomes,” said Mr McDonald. 

The towers will utilise Ericsson mobile communications equipment, NEC microwave links and Australian-supplied towers.

The construction package will be fully funded by Australia.

Our Telekom has committed to installing, owning, operating, and maintaining the infrastructure as part of its broader mobile network.

All six towers are expected to be operational by the second half of 2022.

Present at the event were several senior Government officials including Secretary to Prime Minister, Dr Jimmie Rodgers, permanent secretaries for Communication and Aviation Moses Virovolomo, Finance and Treasury, Mckinnie Dentana, Foreign Affairs and External Trade Collin Beck, Police, National Security and Correctional Services Karen Galokale, and CEO, for Solomon Telecom Company Ltd Christina Lasaqa.

Home banking stands in aid during pandemic

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Press Release
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Xynella Eke receiving her $4500 share from World Vision Solomon Islands' Market Linkage Phase II Project Community Development Facilitator (CDF) Clayment Nai.

The saving For Transformation (S4T) model that World Vision Solomon Islands introduced to eleven communities in Makira Ulawa Province has stood in aid during this pandemic, as communities share out recently to assist them with their needs.

The S4T model is a saving model that encourages community members to establish saving clubs where they can save money.

While saving, the members can also access small loans from their savings, which can repay with little interest.

They also have different passbooks for different areas like Saving Producer Groups Funds, including Sustainability Fund, Operation Funds, Profit funds, and Sector Funds, including social, church funds, youth, and women funds.

The passbooks can help them access money when the need arises from these different areas. Annually the Saving groups can do share out with their group members.

Usually, 25 people are in each saving group.

Most people referred to the model as home banking.

Through the Market Linkage Phase II (MLP II) Project funded by the Australian Government through the Departments of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), World Vision introduced the scheme to eleven communities in Makira Ulawa Province.

The Communities form their producer groups to oversee their production of the selected commercial products.

The majority is in Central Makira Constituency that already are existing cocoa farmers.

The project encouraged them to use solar driers for their cocoa beans and established a relationship with the Kokonut Pacific Solomon Islands (KPSI) as a market outlet.

A coconut crushing mill was set up at Tawarodo in Ugi Island, while a fish facility was at Gupuna in Santa Ana.

The production of their selected commercial products enables them to continue saving.

 The total Members of savings is 250, where 101 are men and 149 are female members. Interestingly, at the end of January 2022, they have recorded $450,580.00 (SBD) as their value of saving. The loan fund is $497,570.20 with an outstanding loan of $176,615.00.

Meanwhile, the Social Fund passbook recorded an amount of $24,155.55.

With the challenges faced due to COVID 19 Pandemic, the social fund seems relevant and, in some way possible, could ease the financial pain that saving club members are currently facing.

Most saving groups then do share out of their social funds.

Mwanihuki community has also done their share out towards the end of January this year.

Interestingly, Mwanihuki’s saving group has encouraged young people also to join the saving group.

Like other youths, Xyneella Eke also joined the saving group. During their recent share-out, Eke received the highest share of $4500.

Eke is now 15 and currently a student at Manama Primary School.

“Home banking makes life easier for my family and me here at home, and so even I am young, I decided to save since I knew something good will come out from this saving,” she said.

Eke further said that her funding for saving is cocoa, copra, and marketing.

—World Vision

Plan put in place to ease travel restriction

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
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By EDDIE OSIFELO

PEOPLE can travel from Honiara to the provinces and back on ships, Solomon Airlines and Outboard motor engines under strict conditions.

This after the Government plans to ease travel restriction to allow people movement and do businesses.

Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, Disaster Management and Meteorology (MECDM), Dr. Melchior Mataki confirmed this to media yesterday.

Mataki, also Chairman of National Disaster Council, said the process is being finalized and put across to Cabinet for decision.

He said NDC is not eliminating but easing the restrictions to balance the economic aspects and manage the transmission.

“NDC through its arrangement tasked to look up and simplify process to be used to support movements of people through ships, planes and OBMs.

“There would be conditions attached to them,” he added.

PS Mataki said NDC has started with movements of passengers onboard MV Fair Glory on Monday.

He said OBMs entry and exist point is between Yatch club and Aola base.

According to NDC, Solomon Islands Government remains committed to its overall strategy on COVID-19 to protect all Solomon Islanders and all people living in Solomon Islands, to keep the economic engine of the country going, and to position the country to emerge from this challenge stronger and united.

This strategy is the foundation of our COVID-19 Preparedness and Response Plan, and other measures implemented by the Government.

The NDC Arrangement is employed as the country’s whole of Government response approach in the coordination of COVID-19 through the National and Provincial Disaster Operations Committees (N-DOC and P-DOC).

The N-DOC and P-DOC through its Sector Committees COVID-19 Preparedness and Response.

COVID transmission reversed

Written by
Mavis Podokolo
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The roundabout at the Honiara City Council

BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO

Secretary to Prime Minister Dr Jimmy Rodgers says the country actually reserve the trend of community transmission less than five weeks.

He highlighted this during a press conference at the Mendana conference room yesterday.

He said when the country discovered the first case in January 17, 2022 there were perception that health and the country would not be able to respond and that covid-19 transmission in Honiara would not slow down but increases.

“We did actually reverse the trend of community transmissions in less than five weeks and we did that. No country has done that,” he said.

“We reverse it within that period because we had a plan that works out and that was ready. If we are not ready more lives would be lost,” he said.

He confidently says that the country is ready and prepared in its fight against the deadly virus that is transmitting inside the country.

He clarifies this following report saying the health and the country was not ready to respond to the current community transmission.

“Let me just put it this way, if we did not have a response plan, we were not ready in two years ago. So, for those that say we are not prepared, we were prepared,” he said.

Rodgers acknowledges those from Health and every individual that have worked hard to serve this country.

“Please continue to do what you can do in serving this country in fighting against the community transmission,” Rodgers said.

But according to a source closely monitoring the data says that to justify the current trend by observing of no reported sickness at clinics, hospitals with no enough testing or swabbing is not good explanation.

The source said according to data reports from the Ministry of Health and Medical Services it is so slow. So, it is not really reverse.

The source says if they do test within 5 days confirmed by PCR testing with a compulsory PCR and RAT test it will justify the trend of community transmission is reversed.

“Only those who come forward is what they based on to say the trend of community transmission is reversed.

“If only OSC & MHMS build up the current laboratory test space to do more testing would be an ideal and more test can be done.

“From then the results coming out from there we can say we are able to reverse the transmission,” the source said.

Gizo stands still as lockdown enforced

Written by
Ben Bilua
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Central part of Gizo

BY BEN BILUA
Gizo

GIZO town entered first day of the second lockdown since the covid-19 outbreak and the response has been good.

There was no movement in the town except essential services.

Cargo ships were seen unloading goods and material with little disturbance from the public.

Gizo under lockdown.

Shops took the time to restock goods and fill their empty shelves ready for business when lockdown would be lifted tomorrow.

However, while the lockdown appears adhered to in the town, in the surrounding communities, people are reported to be moving about.

Police have set up a tent at the Corner shop and parts of Gizo to crack down unnecessary movements.

Police patrolling the empty Gizo Streets

Island Sun Gizo was given exemption to move around during the lockdown and managed to capture Gizo town as it came into a standstill.

Gizo, Noro, Munda and Seghe is currently on lockdown after approval was granted on late Sunday evening.

Institutions providing essential services are exempted from the lockdown.

The lockdown will be lifted on Thursday 6am.

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