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Consultation on greater Honiara transport master plan

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Press Release
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Participants who attended the 2nd Public consultation meeting at Heritage Park Hotel.

The Ministry of Infrastructure Development (MID) and JICA Study Team (JST) conducted the last Public Consultation Meeting for the Project for Greater Honiara Transport Masterplan Study (GHTMPS) at Heritage Park Hotel this week.

More than 40 Participants joined through online, with a few fully vaccinated participants attended at Heritage Park hotel with Covid-19 rules applied accordingly with Government policies.

GHTMPS aims to develop a transport master plan for the GHA, thereby contributing to the long-term development of transport infrastructure, especially roads and bridges, in the urban area and contributing to improving the convenience of citizens’ life and economic activities. The aim of the public consultation is to promulgate outputs as well as to get feedbacks from participants in regards to the Environmental and Social Consideration for the projects.

Opening remarks by the Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Infrastructure Development Stephen Maesiola said,

“It is my sincere appreciation to JICA for being the lead of this important task, the Transport Masterplan was completed with the Government. The study commenced in 2019, it was suspended due to COVID-19, but JICA has taken it onboard. Now, we look through the Transport Masterplan in this meeting”

JST emphasized the importance of the alternative East-West Road and proposed new “Harbor View Drive”, which connects White River thru skyline to West Kola Ridge. And also recommended introducing new pavement technology of “Interlocking Block Pavement”, which was conducted as a pilot project of the study at behind Point Cruz Hot Bread.

Participants are concerned Government Ministries and Organization, doners as well as member of the chamber of commerce. They have conducted lively discussion on the presented outline of the study, environmental and social consideration, and priority projects. PS and JST responded considerately.

During discussion participants were highlighted the concern about proper footpath along shoreline and from Panatina campus to Kukum campus that would encourage pedestrians and people with special need can use the footpath and also promote a healthy lifestyle.

Project Team leader Kunimasa Yoshiro, said “those issues raise is important but didn’t include in this project, however it is important to consider the health aspect as well. Such as walking to improve healthy lifestyle and it can be added in the plan.”

The Project for Greater Honiara Transport Masterplan Study is a collaboration of Japan International Cooperation Agencies and Japanese Consultants, namely, Katahira & Engineers International, Ingerosec Corporation, Fukuyama Consultants Co., Ltd and Oriental Consultants Global.

–GHTMPS PRESS

Lack of response plan even worse than COVID itself: Wale

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Leader of Opposition, Matthew Wale

OPPOSITION Leader Matthew Wale says the lack of government foresight, direction and leadership is making the COVID crisis even worse.

Wale made this statement in response to concerns raised by provincial health authorities that the lack of any national response plan for the provinces is even worse than the COVID itself.

The Opposition Leader says it was shocking to note in the Health Minister’s speech recently that the COVID 19 transmission is heading to the most vulnerable population in the rural communities, yet there was no mention of any response plan for provinces.

“How is the government going to manage the situation in the provinces? The fact that provincial health authorities are left in the dark because of the lack of any response plan from the national government further confirms the lack of preparedness in the last two years,” he said.

 Wale said provinces have been requesting health infrastructure, human and other resources in the last two years but was ignored by the government.

The Opposition Leader said now that the provinces are faced with serious situation and with limited resources, government response is characterised by panic reactions, a confirmation of lack of robust planning.

“Its been 5 weeks since the COVID outbreak and the admittance by the health minister in his recent address that we are under testing and unaware of the extent of infections also confirms that no one knows what are government plans in tackling the crisis,” he said.

Opposition Leader Wale also questioned the COVID National Response Plan mentioned by the Prime Minister in his nationwide address on Sunday 6th February.

Mr Wale said the Prime Minister in his address two weeks ago said Caucus and Cabinet would meet to consider the National Response Plan, yet to date the country is still waiting.

“Where is the Response Plan? Have Caucus and Cabinet deliberated on it? In fact this is the most important component that should have been prioritised in the past two years. The fact that Caucus and Cabinet are just deliberating on it now further confirms the government’s gross negligence in the last 2 years,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Opposition Leader said it is also appalling to see that the government is still conducting trainings when we are in a situation that requires people on the ground working.

“Why are we still conducting trainings during a community transmission and outbreak. These are things that should have been done in the last 2 years to respond to the current situation,” Wale said.

—OPPOSITION OFFICE

No support for Noro covid-19 oversight committee

Written by
Ben Bilua
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BY BEN BILUA
Gizo

Lack of funds and support is crippling the Noro covid-19 oversight committee from doing its work.

Chair of Noro Covid-19 Oversight Committee Mr Robert Hickie says tasks have been very difficult to implement due to lack of financial resources.

Robert Hickie said there have been no funding allocated to the Committee since the outbreak in Noro was announced.

He stressed that lack of financial assistance has forced his committee to compromise approaches in the implementation of covid-19 cases.

“Since day one, we haven’t received any assistance from the government nor other responsible authorities.

“There was no livelihood or humanitarian supplies we received and this has been a huge challenge for our camp management team to assist those in quarantine,” Hickie said.

“It has been two months and we are yet to receive green light from the government and also provincial disaster committee,” he added.

Hickie said most people in the quarantine centres only received assistance from companies and relatives since the outbreak in Noro.

He said a proposal has been submitted but the response was negative due to lack of budget.

Hickie said his committee has decided to authorise positive cases to undergo home quarantine to avoid people starving in quarantine sites.

Limited manpower affects Choiseul covid response

Written by
Ben Bilua
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Taro Island

BY BEN BILUA
Gizo

Choiseul is facing a shortage of manpower to implement its COVID-19 response plan and operations.

Speaking to Island Sun Gizo, Provincial Disaster Officer of Choiseul Province, George Tego said Choiseul Province’s manpower has been stretched to the limit leaving gaps during this time of pandemic.

“On the ground, we have limited numbers of frontline workers and this has a setback to fast track COVID-19 respond plan.

“Our front line workers have to undergo quarantine for four to five days after returning from deployment to high risk areas and since there is no back officers, operation will be on hold for this period of time.

“This affects the roll out of our respond plan,” Tego said.

“At the moment we are trying our best to handle the situation with hopes the situation normalized in the near future,” he added.

Tego said the challenge can be ceased if responsible authorities establish proper respond plan by posting more nurses and doctors to the provinces.

200-plus listed for first passenger run to Western province

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Ben Bilua
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BY BEN BILUA
Gizo

MORE than 251 passengers have been listed to return to the Western Province onboard MV Fair Glory next week.

The passengers are from the province who have been stranded in Honiara since the outbreak followed by lockdown and closure of inter-island travels.

In an interview with Island Sun Gizo, Moffat Maeta who is part of the repatriation committee said his team have registered a total of 251 passengers however, there are other teams who have also submitted their list for the repatriation trip.

“This is the list that I’m working on over the past week. I have 251 passengers on my list and there are other lists from our other team who are part of the repatriation committee.

“Again, this is the final list that I’ve submitted – meaning the number will be doubled when the final list is submitted,” he explained.

Maeta said consultation has been progressing well with Western Provincial Disaster Operation Committee to bring the stranded Westerners back to their respective homes.

Here is the breakdown of passengers and drop off ports according to Maeta’s list.

175 passengers will disembark at Gizo, 66 passengers at Noro Port and six passenger at Seghe port.

JQY responds to allegations

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
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By EDDIE OSIFELO

DIRECTOR of JQY, Yang Jian Qing has categorically denied the allegations levelled against his company by Wendy Amongongo on social media.

Wendy, wife of former Axiom mining Chief Executive Officer Ryan Mount, claimed JQY had received $240 million from Members of Parliament Constituency Development Funds.

She, who now resides in Australia, also claimed that JQY has involved in the beche-de-mer trading in Ontong Java, Malaita Outer Islands and plans to overtake the resources from the islanders.

However, in an interview with a source this week, Yang Jian Qing denied having received any such payment from MPs.

“JQY is a preferred supplier of the Government, and as such has been given the contract to provide hardware materials for Government Ministries including the Constituencies that order materials from the company.

“As a Preferred Supplier, Government Ministries or Constituencies submit orders and get materials from the company who in turn bill the Ministry of Rural Development (SIG) for its materials,” Yang Jian said.

He clarified that JQY has not interfered nor involved directly in the procurement process as the process is done by the respective Ministry personnel including the Ministry of Finance.

Further to that, Yang Jian said as for the special relationship with the Prime Minister as claimed by the by Ms Amangongo, it is confusing to claim that JQY received special treatment from the PM to join the official delegation to China, when other business dignitaries who are owners of other private businesses are also part of the delegation.

Moreover, Yang Jian said JQY was not involved in the buying of Beche-de-mer nor providing of goods to store owners in Ontong Java.

“In fact, the ship was chartered by another company not owned by JQY.

“For Ms Amangongo’s information JQY does not involve in the trading of bechedemeer nor supplying of goods to store owners in Ontong Java,” he said.

“As far as the prices of are concerned, an agent in Pelau has revealed that prices of the bechedeemers were decided by the Chiefs and Leaders, and not as claimed by Ms. Amangongo,” he added.

In addition, Yang Jian denied any idea of the purported plot to take over all of Pelau’s bechedemeer stock.

“As for the trips by Solomon Prestige 2, during the period that leads to the outbreak of the corona in the country, JQY has no direct control over the ships since it was chartered by others who went to Pelau to buy bechedemeer.

“Management of JQY is unhappy that Ms. Amangongo or the Social Media decided to publicize the issue without proper checks to verify them,” he said.

“It is good and proper that one must be prepared to support claims with evidence because JQY has a good name and will not want that name and reputation to be tarnished by those with other agenda’s not in the interest of the business industry, people and economy of Solomon Islands,” he said.

Yang Jian said JQY Management is requesting individuals, community leaders, business houses, Provincial Government and National Government to work together to assist business houses in Solomon Islands.

He said the country is in a very difficult time, and it needs everyone to work together to build the economy of the country to get it back to its feet.

“JQY supports any endeavours to assist to grow the economy of the country,” he added.

The Director and owner of JQY Group of Companies, Yang Jian Qing first entered the business arena in 2000 in Auki, Malaita Province.

He ran a trade store in Auki from 2000 to 2008 before coming over to Honiara.

Yang Jian Qing’s brother in-law is married to a local from Malaita Province and as someone connected to people through marriage has connections to a lot of people in Malaita, especially around the Auki town area.

Yang Jian Qing has been in the country for 21 years and is a citizen of Solomon Islands.

Court acquits PNG doctor and wife

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

BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

The PNG doctor, who was wrongly accused by the Prime Minister as being Solomon Islands’ index covid-19 case, has been acquitted by the courts.

Dr Maine Asapo and his wife, along with two Solomon Islands locals, were charged with various counts for crossing the border into Solomon Islands during the state of emergency.

Prosecution yesterday withdrew the charges telling the Court that Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare had written them saying he wanted to deal with the matter “administratively”.

The doctor and his wife were charged with one count each of Prohibition of Entry of Non-citizens contrary to Clause 4 of the Emergency Powers (Covid-19)(Prohibition of Entry of Non-Citizens)Order 2020, read with Regulation 7(1)(3)(5)(a) and 7 of the Emergency Powers (Covid-19)(No. 3) Regulations 2021, and one count of Restrictions of Movement of Small Craft Vessels contrary to Clause 4(b)(c) of the Emergency Powers (Covid-10)(Restrictions of Movement of Small Craft Vessels)(Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea Border) Order 2020, read with Regulation 17(1)(a)(i) and (3) of the Emergency Powers (Covid-19) Regulations (3) 2021.

Director of Public Prosecution Rachel Olutimayin informed the court in yesterday’s appearance that she received a letter from the Prime Minister, stating he has decided to deal with the matter administratively with the powers granted on him under regulation 58 sub regulation of the emergency powers COVID-19 no.3 regulation 2021. That regulation grants the PM the power to deal with people who are charged for border crossing to be dealt with administratively.

Ms Olutimayin said the PM also instructed that he has decided to issue a fine of $5000 on each of the defendants.

She made no objection to that request and withdrew the charge against the doctor and his wife under section 190(ii) b (i) of the Criminal Procedure Code.

In regards to other two defendants Abraham Nareau and Patteson Aloe DPP awaits instruction from the PM to change the charge against them, as there was an error on the charge.

Prosecution also said the two Banana boats that was used by the defendants to travel to Pelau from Tasman on January 9 2022 will be forfeited to the state.

Defence Lawyer George Gray also said that since the PM is involved in the case the court should be relying on that as they are now the relevant authority.

Magistrate Hollison after receiving the submissions from the prosecution to withdraw charge against the two PNG nationals Dr Asapo and Naomi Turena Temoa made orders pursuant to section 190(ii) B (i) of the CPC acquitted the two defendants, so that their case can administratively deal by PM.

Hollison also directed that no conviction recorded against the two and also, they were released and reside with their relatives awaiting the grant of their visas from immigration department.

Hollison told the couple that they are now free from the criminal proceedings, but their case will be dealt with by the Government administratively.

Meanwhile in regards to other two defendants Nareau and Aloe the court granted them $1000 each cash bail after their defence lawyer made a subsequent bail application.

They were released on bail awaiting their charges to be sorted out by the responsible authority.

Hollison also said that the defendants who were tested positive for covid 19 shall either join their family members and continue with home isolation or remain at the quarantine station until they are tested negative.

The court then adjourned the case of the Nareau and Aloe to today for further mention.

Border police urged to display professionalism

Written by
Ben Bilua
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Police officers patrolling the Western border with Bougainville. PHOTO ABC

BY BEN BILUA
Gizo

PREMIER of Western Province has called on police officers managing the Western Border to display professionalism when handling issues.

Christian Burley Mesepitu made the call following reports of police manhandling two fishermen from Buin earlier this month.

According to the report, two fishermen sustained injuries alleged to be caused by police in a confrontation at sea.

It states that the two men were out fishing between the Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands border when the incident took place.

Commissioner of Police Mostyn Mangau has refuted this report.

However, a new report has emerged and this time, the mother of one of the boys alleged that the incident did took place and that her son sustained injuries from the confrontation.

Elaine Tobaea whose husband is part Malaita expressed her disappointment calling the Commissioner of Police to tell the truth.

Speaking to Island Sun Gizo, Mesepitu said such unfortunate incident should be avoided if professionalism superseded emotions and anger.

He said people residing in both side of border have traditional connections valued for years, as such, handling of the border issue must align with culture and traditional sensitivity.

“While I applaud the great job done by our police at the Western Border, I kindly ask our officers to handle issues professionally to avoid further disagreements between parties.

“One that note, I kindly ask our good people from the other side of the border to respect the border as we are not in a normal situation.

“We are all fighting against common good and that is to protect our people from COVID-19. This is very important and our cooperation is paramount,” Mesepitu said.

Closure of liquor shops proposed for Western

Written by
Ben Bilua
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Western Provincial capital Gizo

BY BEN BILUA
Gizo

CHAIR of Western Provincial Disaster Operation Committee (WPDOC) says all liquor shops should be closed.

This follows the increasing number of covid-19 positive cases in the province.

Also, there have been reports of people continuing to breach covid safety measures, congregating in crowds, with liquor consumption involved.

He said WPDOC will make a submission to Western Province’s Liquor Board to suspend selling of alcohol products within the province.

“Drinking of alcohol always encourage small gathering and this increases the risk of spreading the virus.

“With this reason, WPDOC is looking at suspending sale of alcohol for sometimes,” Wickham said.

Chair of Noro COVID-19 Oversight Committee shared similar sentiment saying that his committee has received reports of disturbance involving alcohol.

Inspector Robert Hickie said the fight against COVID-19 in Noro is far from over and that simple decision like suspending the sale of alcohol will play a major role in containment measures.

“While we respect the call to reopen liquor shops to help our business, we are disappointed that few individual have abused the decision. Now we are going back to the drawing board to impose extra measure on liquor shops,” he said.

Hickie said five people have been arrested and his committee will come with the decision whether to suspend sale of liquor or not later this week.

Courts now ‘essential service’

Written by
Jennifer Kusapa
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The High Court of Solomon Islands. Photo by SIBC.

BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

THE Government has now recognised the Courts as an “essential service”.

And President of the Solomon Islands Bar Association (SIBA) Eran Soma acknowledges the government for this.

He said since the simulated lockdown in August 2021 courts have been given recognition and the government must be commended in that regard.

He said that ordinary citizens, people of business, victims or accused, all people have a fundamental right to access the Courts at the earliest time despite COVID-19 restrictions to ask for and receive justice according to law.

“I am aware that court services and processes are changing to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Specific measures are in place at courts and tribunals to reduce the risk of spread of COVID-19,” Soma said.

He also highlighted that Courts cannot function without lawyers, and for completeness, SIBA would like to see legal service must also be considered essential service throughout all COVID-19 restrictions, as in more developed countries.

He said Honiara Emergency Zone had already experienced a number of lockdowns and partial lockdown orders due to the recent community outbreak of COVID-19.

“I would like to see the government, the Chief Justice, all lawyers and public to ensure that all our Courts remain open, protected and freely accessible to anyone regardless of race, colour, creed or political views, but may operate differently under an acceptable protocol or standard operating procedure,” Soma added.

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