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Kosisi Plight To Regain Traditional Knowledge System

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Press Release
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NIPS workshop with Kosisi village. Photo By NIPS Media

The Network for the Indigenous People Solomons (NIPS) on the 5th of January 2022 had successfully held a one-day workshop in Kosisi village, Hograno district, Isabel province.

The project “Support community based protocols for maintaining Bio cultural system, food security and gendered ways of knowing the pacific”. A project funded by Snowchange Cooperative for the (Oceans- Wide Relief Project).

Developments in terms of logging operations have made the Kosisi Community experience deterioration in its traditional knowledge system of protocol for maintaining bio cultural systems, food security and gender ways.

People of Kosisi village at the mangrooves looking for mud shells. Photo By NIPS Media

Najaghu is one of their daily protein and one of the main dish used during special occasions and gatherings in the community. The people have been using traditional knowledge system of protocols for generations like ‘taboo’ to conserve these shells in certain areas.

The community’s rules of taboo sites (conservation sites) have been weakened, these have been raised during the workshop. It was highlighted during the workshop that some of the traditional knowledge system protocols are slowly deteriorating due to logging operations occurring within the Thousand-ships Bay, where Kosisi community is located.

one of the chiefs in Kosisi village catching a mud crab. Photo By NIPS Media (1)

The workshop empowered and encouraged Kosisi Community to revive some of their traditional knowledge system of protocols and promote respect for chiefs, elders, women, and men, girls, under represented and diverse groups.

In terms of gender, women, girls and diverse groups which depend very much on crabs, fish and mud shells for livelihood and income have been victimized due to changes that took place on the logging operations.

Some of the logging and mining operation sites located in the Thousand-ships bay in Bugotu and Hograno District in Isabel Province may lead to marine pollution and also destroying, reefs and sea grass ecosystem where mudshells, crabs, fish and other marine species live.

If such activities continue it will affect the livelihood and food security of the Indigenous Peoples and local communities living within the community.

Young female of Kosisi with a basket of mud shells. Photo By NIPS Media

The Kosisi passage surrounded with seagrass beds and Mangrove forest are rich in food sources and are normally conserved for few months or years using traditional knowledge system of protocols for special occasions and gathering.

A meeting will be held with the community and the logging group and Face-to-face interview to support the Kosisi Community to regain and document its Community Traditional knowledge protocols in order to ensure the maintenance of cultural systems, food security and gendered ways are upheld.

NIPS is currently engaging with the Kosisi community with Snow Change Cooperative on the Oceans-Wide Relief project with the theme – Support community based protocols for maintaining biocultural systems, food security and gendered ways.

(Article by NIPS Comms)

NON-VACCINATED TOP MALA TALLY

Written by
Samie Waikori
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Malaitans urged to vaccinate as cases continue to increase

BY SAMIE WAIKORI

Auki

NON-VACINATED patients continued to top the list of covid-19 cases for Malaita province.

Chairman of Malaita Emergency Operation Centre (EOC), Dr Rex Maukera revealed this to the Island Sun.

He said since Auki town registered its first case several weeks ago, cases continued to increase and they also continue to receive high proportion of non-vaccinated patients.

Maukera said there were cases of those who complete their vaccine and those who only take their first doze, but their proportion is less to the non-vaccinated.

He said they continue to experience that and it’s an issue for the province since a good number of people refused to take or complete their dozes.

Maukera said the trend of infection has gone up in the province and this needs collective efforts by utilizing required resources at our disposal.

He said the global recommended effort is vaccination so he urged the people of Malaita to get vaccinated.

Maukera said vaccination is activated and provided in clinics across the province where people can access them.

He also said that amidst the situation people must seriously uphold and practice covid-19 measures for the good of everyone and to try to reduce the transmission in the province.

Meanwhile, as of Monday this week, Malaita has reported covid-19 cases in all the five regions of the province.

Earlier, cases were only reported in Luaniua and Pelau of MOI region and Auki town of Central region.

Now cases were recorded in the remaining three regions (eastern, southern and northern) of the province.

Maukera said the 250 cases recorded in the province are from all the four regions.

He said on Monday the province reported 63 new cases, raising the tally to 250, with the potential to continue increasing.

Maukera said breakdown of 63 cases according to official cases announced for Malaita on Monday are as follows:

Nafinua – 24 cases for eastern region

Atoifi – 10 cases for eastern region

Afio – 20 cases for southern region

Faalau – 3 cases for northern region that was announced in the previous data

Auki town – nine cases for central region

Baunani – one pending case for west Kwaio under central region

Maukera said Auki town has so far been the focus for covid-19 cases, before recent reports of transmission in other parts of the province.

He stressed that the provincial health has inadequate resources to deal with the transmission and communities are urged to adhere to covid-19 measures.

“This is very serious and I must reiterate my call to people in the province to continue to:

  • Refrain from social gathering
  • Regular handing washing with soaps and use of sanitizer
  • Wear face mask
  • Social distancing
  • Limit movement within communities, unless need to be
  • Report to nearest clinics if feel with symptoms of the virus

“Covid-19 cases for the province continue to increase on a daily basis and it needs careful adherent to the measures to try and reduce or halt the trend.

“I call on people in the province to work together with front liners and listen out for information on the current situation.”

Nihopara: I’m yet to resign

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
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PS Andrew Nihopara

By EDDIE OSIFELO

PERMANENT Secretary for Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Andrew Nihopara is still to tender his resignation letter.

Nihopara is one of the high-profile public servants in the government who refused to take his jab before the  deadline of the DCGA’s ‘No Jab, No Job Policy’ on January 31.

“I am still waiting for my termination letter from Office of Prime Minister and Cabinet and Public Service base on my contract and conditions,” he said.

Nihopara said he decided not to take the vaccination based on his spiritual conviction and medical grounds.

He was first appointed as PS of MCT in 2017 before his reappointed in July this year.

The ‘No Jab, No Job Policy’ has been announced by Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare since 31st August 2021.

The policy covers any employee of the national or provincial governments as well as state owned enterprises.

Since late last year, most public servants who refused to get their jabs have received half pay and expected to be terminated from their jobs if they do not get their vaccination by the end of January.

Island Sun understands Chairman of Leadership Code Commission, Solomon Kalu and Director of National Training Unit Curtis Kalu are among the officials that refused to get the jab.

Kalu, who held the position for two terms from 2016-2019 and 2020 to 2022, recently reserved his comment because the Nominating Committee is still to make their decision.

He said his contract should be completed by the end of this year.

However, Island Sun understands LCC has already advertised the post in the media.

In the meantime, Mrs Kalu reportedly tendered her resignation because she refused to be vaccinated.

Despite her resignation, the Ministry of Education and Human Resource Development (MEHRD) still gave her time to reconsider her decision.

ADB approves $40.3M to fight COVID-19 here

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Press Release
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Honiara is the beating heart of the country's economy.

THE Asian Development Bank (ADB) yesterday announced the release of a USD$5 million (SBD$40.3 million) grant from its Pacific Disaster Resilience Program (Phase 3) to help finance the Government of Solomon Islands’ response to community transmission of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

Solomon Islands experienced a sharp increase in confirmed COVID-19 cases and recorded its first COVID-19-related death since an imported case was identified on 9 January 2022, with a cumulative 3,182 confirmed cases and 33 deaths, as of 7 February 2022.

Community transmission has been confirmed in six of nine provinces in Solomon Islands, along with ongoing testing in other outer islands.

Honiara has been declared as an emergency zone, with lockdowns and curfews in effect.

A state of public emergency has been in place in Solomon Islands since April 2020 and the country closed its borders, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The National Referral Hospital is closed for normal services and only admitting patients for emergencies and accidents, with over 100 medical staff confirmed positive for COVID-19.

The scale of the emergency is expected to be beyond the capacity of the government’s health sector to meet the immediate expenses needed for adequate public health services during the crisis.

“The ADB financing will help fund the country’s response to this increasing health emergency,” said ADB Director General for the Pacific Leah Gutierrez.

“This quick-disbursing financing will expedite government activities to manage the crisis.”

ADB has extended its contingent disaster financing instrument for the Pacific to include health-related emergencies in the definition of natural hazards, allowing for the release of funds in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Pacific Disaster Resilience Program (Phase 3) fills a financing gap experienced by many Pacific developing member countries hit hard by disasters, providing a predictable and quick-disbursing source of financing for early response and recovery activities.

ADB is committed to achieving a prosperous, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable Asia and the Pacific, while sustaining its efforts to eradicate extreme poverty. Established in 1966, it is owned by 68 members—49 from the region.

Western bars ships from entering its waters

Written by
Ben Bilua
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PS Jeffery Wickham

BY BEN BILUA
Gizo

PROVINCIAL Secretary of Western Province who is also the chairperson of Western Provincial Disaster Operation Committee (WPDOC) says no ship is allowed to enter the province unless authorised by WPDOC and the National Oversight Committee.

Jeffrey Wickham made the statement as ship owners continue to ignore WDPOC public and health measures travelling to Western Province without following due processes.

He said a number of boats have sailed to Western Province without clearance from the National Oversight Committee and the Western Province Government over the past days.

Wickham stressed that restriction on ships and planes is still enforced.

“I want to make it clear to ship owners that ban on ships and planes is still enforced and I’m extremely disappointed that some ship owners fail to adhere to this advice. You are not only making things difficult for us but also pose a great risk to people of Western Province.

“For safety and proper planning, there are procedures to follow that WPDOC will inform you to satisfy safety protocols,” he said.

Wickham said ships that wish to travel to Western Province must satisfy WPDOC’s conditions and procedure before entering the province.

“If you intentionally ignore this call, come at your own risk,” he said.

Premier of Western Province, Christian Burley Mesepitu said ships who fail to respect Western Province’s safety procedures will be dealt with.

He said his government stands ready to take legal action available under Western Province ordinance.

“If you want your business license cancelled, do it at your own risk. My government will work closely with Western Province Disaster Committee (PDC) to deal with ships that enter our province without our approval,” Mesepitu said.

In the meantime, Wickham calls on Maritime Division in Honiara to increase surveillance on cargo ships that continues to ignore advises.

Gov’t urged to be strategic on new policy direction

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Opposition Leader Matthew C Wale.

OPPOSITION leader Matthew Wale says the government’s new policy direction to focus on the new reality of ‘living with and emerging successfully’ from the pandemic must be carefully thought out.

Wale cautioned the government in response to the Prime Minister’s announcement of the government’s new policy direction during his nationwide address on Sunday.

“There is a time for everything. It seems premature to be talking about living with covid-19 at this stage,” he said.

The Prime Minister in his address said ‘the government Caucus and the National Cabinet will deliberate on the new Policy direction this week. Once approved, the new Policy will guide the preparation of the 2022 budget among other things.’

The Opposition Leader said the government should not rush in talking about living with COVID yet.

“There will come a time when we will reach that stage but it is too early for that as our vaccination rate is still too low to pursue that approach,” he said.

Wale said any policy direction now should be focused on vaccinating at least 95% of the population with the hope of achieving herd immunity, and urgently address the current health crisis.

He said vaccination must also include those 5 years and older.

“Any policy approach surely needs an epidemiological scientific direction to guide it,” he said.

The Opposition Leader said the government’s new policy should be based on epidemiology.

“My greatest disappointment with government responses so far is the fact that it appears there is a general neglect of sound epidemiology driving it,” he said.

Hon. Wale further calls on the Prime Minister to lead from the front, and not delegate his responsibilities at this time of emergency.

“Infections are out of control, government response chaotic, and many of our people are dying.

“How bad should the situation get before the Prime Minister takes his responsibility to lead seriously?” Wale asks.

Central still waiting for second jab

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Tulagi township, Central Province

PEOPLE of Central Province are still waiting for their second jab after two months overdue.

A spokesman Michael Salini said the 2nd jab was due in early December 2021.

“Can the relevant authorities find out what is the problem and support the provincial health authority do the roll out of the vaccine as soon as possible?” Salini said.

“I am not sure how this delay will affect the effectiveness of the vaccine because as we all know, the 2nd dose should be administered two months after the 1st jab,” he added.

“Now this is four months.

“While the prime minister is calling on people to take the vaccine, the opposite is happening down there.

“Central province has become one of the hotspots outside of Honiara and Auki due to its closeness to the capital.

“So more emphasis and support should be given just like at the borders and Honiara.”

Isabel villages plea for basic suppliers

Written by
Jennifer Kusapa
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Buala

BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

Villages in the Bugotu District have called on responsible authorities to arrange any sort of relief supplies to their communities.

Chief and Catechist Jonas Nohe of Suva village in Bugotu Isabel province told this paper that his community are now experiencing shortage of basic necessities like soap, matches and even food due to no ships to transport cargoes home.

He said in the community there is an outbreak of flu and people are getting really sick, but they also faced with problems that no nurse to mann the clinic there.

He said there is a clinic at the near-by village but they cannot access that clinic due to the surrounding villages are currently on lockdown.

Chief Nohe said Suva is very close to Sepi where they had positive cases and Buala Health should prioritise this area.

“The people at Buala especially Health and authorities tend to forget about us, they should have provided a temporary nurse to mann the clinic here if they care about the health of the people here,” Nohe said

Meanwhile Director Health for Isabel Province Dr Tony Quity said that they are planning to visit the communities sometimes this week.

However, Buala also is facing problems with fuel and medicine.

“We are currently having problems with our medicine stock and fuel as there are no vessels to transport home our stock and we are waiting on responsible authorities in Honiara.

“In regards to the nurse for Kalenga Clinic the nurse that supposed to be posted to that clinic is currently stranded in Honiara and due to the lockdown at the Honiara emergency zone, we are not able to get our nurses home”, Dr Quity said.

PNG doc ‘cleared’

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
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Dr Maine Asapo, the doctor who was earlier accused of bringing the virus into the Solomon Islands

By EDDIE OSIFELO

THE Papua New Guinea medical doctor, Ma’ine Schmidt Asapo, accused of bringing the covid-19 virus from Tasman to Pelau has been cleared by the Government.

However, Asapo will still face the charge for illegally crossing the international border of PNG and Solomon Islands and breaching the COVID-19 Emergency Order.

The Order is restricting the movement of small craft vessels across the borders.

Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare told the country on 18 January that according to contact tracing information, the index case that brought the infection to Pelau village was the PNG medical doctor.

Asapo hails from Tasman Islands and has traditional ties with the people of Pelau in Malaita Outer Island.

The PNG doctor with nine other people including members of his family crossed the border from Tasman to Pelau on 9 January 2021.

However, Sogavare told the nation-wide address on Sunday that based on the information available at the time, the community outbreak in Honiara was also linked to the doctor that arrived in Pelau but since then, the Ministry of health has undertaken more in-depth analysis of the Covid-19 outbreak in Ontong Java and subsequently the origins of the Community transmission in Honiara with assistance from Solomon Islands Maritime Authority.

He said the Ministry of Health now believes the COVID-19 outbreak in Luaniua had commenced in the first half of December 2022.

“This does now absolve the doctor in question,” he said.

However, Sogavare said the primary issue for the doctor is that he has committed a serious offence by illegally crossing the border from PNG, and he could have also transmitted COVID-19 infections to others in the Pelau community.

He said he (Asapo) will therefore be investigated accordingly.

In relation to the origin of Community transmission in Honiara, Sogavare said the Solomon Islands Maritime Authority provide a record of five vessels that arrived in Honiara from Ontong Java between 16 December 2021 and 10 January 2022 as follows:

  1. MV Liberty III, arrived in Honiara around 16th December 2021
  2. MV Solomon Prestige 2, arrived in Honiara on 21 December 2021 15
  3. MV Ocean Joy, arrived in Honiara on 29 December 2021
  4. Covid banner
  5. MV Carolina, arrived in Honiara on 30 December 2021 5. MV Awka, arrived in Honiara on 10 January 2022

Sogavare said the Ministry of Health has subsequently established that 23 of the 26 crew members of MV Solomon Prestige 2 and most of the crew of MV Awka tested positive for COVID-19.

“It is very likely some of the crews of MV Ocean Joy and MV Carolina would also be positive.

“Based on this new information the Ministry of Health now believes that the COVID-19 hotspots have already started in Honiara before the arrival of MV Awka on 10th January 2021,” Sogavare said.

The Ministry of health has also confirmed that despite the presence of small pockets of COVID-19 hotspots prior to January 10, 2022, the speed of community transmission in Honiara was linked directly to passengers that disembarked from MV Awka on 10th January 2022.

He said the Ministry of Health traced most of the early local out-breaks to the location of the passengers that disembarked from MV Awka.

Meanwhile Sogavare strongly refuted claims the outbreak was linked to the Solomon Islands International Assistance Force that intervened to quell the riots and lootings in late November.

“Let me now put to rest the misinformation on social media platforms attributing the current COVID-19 outbreak to members of the Solomon International Assistance Force.

Every member of the Assistance mission fulfilled or pre-departure requirements before they arrived.

“They were all fully vaccinated, and they all tested negative for COVID-19 prior to arrival.

“During the first 14 days of their deployment in the country, they were tested every 2nd day and they were all negative over the two weeks of testing after arrival.”

Sogavare added: “After the first two weeks they were tested every week and have maintained their negative status throughout, except for one member that was infected by community transmission while in Honiara.

“I ask people responsible for spreading misinformation to stop misinforming the public.”

Only MHMS can do covid-19 related activities 

Written by
Mavis Podokolo
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Permanent Secretary for the health ministry (MHMS), Pauline McNeil.

BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO

MINISTRY of Health and Medical has clarified that they are the only authorised body under the Emergency Regulation to carry out covid-19 related activities like swabbing and testing.

This was confirmed by the Permanent Secretary for Ministry of Health and Medical Pauline McNeil.

“Under the current regulation only the Ministry of Health and Medical Services is the authorised body to facilitate and conduct any covid-19 related activities like swabbing, testing and vaccination,” McNeil said.

She also confirmed that they are also authorised to give approval to third party to carry out these activities.

McNeil said they have not received request from them and no inspection is being launched to these private clinics that offered these covid-19 services for the ministry to provide them with some forms of certification.

“So we have no knowledge that these activities are ongoing in some of the private clinics but there may be an opportunity if only request is put through the ministry to discuss this matter with a third party.”

Attorney General John Muria Junior on the same note also confirmed that under the regulation all covid-19 related activities should come through Ministry of Health that is what stated in the Emergency Regulation.

Secretary to Prime Minister Dr Jimmie Rodgers adds for vaccination only MHMS or its authorised officers can do that.

Rodgers stressed in terms of charges and pricing it can be discussed with the MHMS only if the third party is wishing to offer this covid-19 services.

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