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Launching Digital Governance here

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Permanent Secretary McKinnie Dentana with Australian High Commission Counsellor Kevin Playford pictured with staff of the ICT Center, at the launch of several new ICT projects.

IN the ever-increasing global digital economy, electronic governance or ‘e-governance’ is the way of the future – more and more governments around the world are digitising their services to maximise efficiency and make government administration more transparent, quick, and accountable.

At the request of the Solomon Islands Government Australia is dedicated to working with partners to help modernise major Solomon Islands Government Information and Communications Technology (ICT) systems.

The recent completion of several upgrades to Government ICT systems builds on Australia’s infrastructure investment in the high-speed fibre optic internet cable project, the Coral Sea Cable System, alongside which the importance cyber security and infrastructure resilience must be recognised.

Timely upgrades to both software and hardware ensures government services are available to citizens in a convenient, safe, and transparent manner, and the networks and devices we use are protected from attempts to damage or destroy their function.

In a world where we are increasingly reliant on technology in our day to day lives, prioritising cyber security strengthening also preserves data privacy and protects sensitive information.

To this end, recent upgrades to the Windows Server operating platform and licences now align with Microsoft support and security recommendations, making internet access and anti-virus protection function more effectively and securely.

Further, the installation of security cameras and access controls, and procurement of storage hardware from Australia for the Solomon Islands data-center, has bolstered the physical security of the new ICT premises built with Australian support in 2019.

Since March 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic has compounded challenges to the ICT landscape, in Solomon Islands and across the world.

Yet at the same time, the pandemic has created opportunities, including for Solomon Islands ICT Services, by fast-tracking enhancements to connectivity.

Reliable access to external technical assistance, training through virtual meetings, and better ICT security enables large-scale access to the benefits of remote working.

To support remote connectivity is Australia’s investment in the upgrade of Citrix, the platform which enables users to access government ICT servers virtually.

These advancements are part of a package of eight ICT support projects supported by Australia totaling approximately SBD $8.9 million.

At the launch on 3 November, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Finance and Treasury McKinnie Dentana congratulated the ICT Services staff and acknowledged the importance the Government of Solomon Islands places on enhancing ICT:

“In this growth industry, we need to move forward with the commitments under our ICT strategy – including enhancing security and infrastructure and expanding IT services into the provinces.”

“E-commerce and e-governance are priority areas, and we value the continued support of our stakeholders, as we continue to grow the skills of our workforce and contribute to Solomon Islands’ economic growth”.

Australian High Commission Counsellor Kevin Playford, also acknowledged the critical role ICT plays in service delivery for governments:

“ICT is such a critical part of our world these days and an essential tool for the effective functioning of the public service.

“There are changes and evolutions all the time, it’s hard to keep up, but it’s becoming increasingly vital for the effective functioning of government.”

Counsellor Playford also paid tribute to the Solomon Island Governments’ leadership and commitment in modernizing ICT systems software, and applications to improve the delivery of services for the people of this country.

“It takes time and effort to coordinate and sequence priorities and stay on the front foot of emerging changes to both technology and its supporting infrastructure, and yet Australia’s partnership with Solomon Islands to date has brought significant improvements of which we can be proud, and excited.  

“We are delighted to continue partnering to harness the incredible and life-changing power of technology and help the government improve its delivery of services for the people of the Solomon Islands”.

Australia has been supporting Solomon Islands Government ICT Services since 2003.

More recently, since 2017, Australia has delivered key investments including the new ICT Services Building in Lengakiki, the Data Centre, the 5-year ICT Strategic Plan, an ICT Training Lab, Solomon Islands Government Portal and Mobile APP, the Security Operations Centre, license upgrades in the Service Monitoring Centre, and significant upgrades to the IT Service Management System.- Australian High Commission Press

210,439 DOSES TAKEN

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Mavis Podokolo
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Only 11% of population fully vaccinated

BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO

A total of 210,439 doses of COVID-19 vaccines have been administered so far.

They include both AstraZeneca and Sinopharm, health Permanent Secretary Pauline McNeil says.

She added said the 210,439 figure was recorded as of 29 October 2021.

“With this, the number of people who completed their second doses is   47,417 which is equivalent to 11.4 percent of population,” McNeil said.

“I thanked those of you who have come forward and get your full dose of COVID-19 vaccines.”

McNeil said the number of people who have received their first dose is 115,309, adding some need to come forward for their second doses.

“So that is still our call to urge those of you who have your second dose overdue to come forward.

“Those of you who are yet to get your first dose please come forward also and those in the provinces that are yet to be reached by our health teams to please be on standby.”

Attorney General John Muria Junior also urges unvaccinated people to come forward and get their COVID-19 vaccine to help protect themself, family, community, and country.”

SICCI produces paper on infrastructure development

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
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By EDDIE OSIFELO

Solomon Islands Chambers of Commerce and Industry has come up with a Local Content Paper to guide the development in infrastructures in the country.

Chief Executive Officer, Natalina Hong explained the paper at the end of the two days’ 2021 Infrastructure Symposium at FFA recently.

Hong said SICCI is developing the paper and the outcome of this symposium is crucial to the development of the paper and for their discussion with the government.

“We the Chambers of Commerce has reached a point in its relationship with the Solomon Islands Government but also with the private sector and also with the donor partners to come together and actually seriously not just discuss but also find ways to effectively approach government in its level of now trying to understand and develop a way forward for local content.

“It is clear that there is no local content paper but the paper identified that there are some works in the level of industry, some work in the level of business, administration, medium and small enterprises that have already looked in the idea of localization or local participation,” she added.

Hong said it doesn’t mean there is a vacuum, it means there have already been some stages and platforms that have been set already out there.

“This paper begins to tell us that this is the direction we think is the best way in terms of infrastructure development and private sector to position itself so it can advocate for more local content,” she added.

SICCI said presentations and papers from contributors and panelists will be compiled and made available to the public on line or as SICCI infrastructure document and mapping of all infrastructure projects next five years.

This in turn will provide opportunities for local contractors or consultancy to gather information on opportunities on how they can be involved in major projects.

Key messages from the symposium outcome are fundamental to developing the proposals for local content to key stakeholders.

About 100 participants have participated in the Symposium organized by SICCI.

PM: no jab, no enter!

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Solomon Airlines airbus

ANY traveller that is 18 years and older must be fully vaccinated before they can enter the country.

Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare in his nationwide address on Monday this week said intending travellers must undertake their final vaccination dose 4 weeks prior to their travel date.

“No one 18 years and older will be allowed to enter the country if they are not vaccinated,” the Prime Minister strongly emphasized.

The Prime Minister adds as children of older age groups become eligible for vaccination, this provision will also apply to them if they are travelling to Solomon Islands.

Moreover, Prime Minister Sogavare says the National Cabinet has also approved the recommendation by the Oversight Committee to group countries into three risk categories – COVID-19 free, moderate-risk and high-risk.

“This re-categorization of risk is another measure to prepare the country on its journey toward the full reopening of our borders,” he said.

The Prime Minister said the key change is the reduction of post arrival quarantine period across all three risk categories.

He said other changes also include the reduction in pre-departure and post-arrival COVID-19 testing regimen based on scientific analysis and the fact that all returning adults must be fully vaccinated.

The Prime Minister highlighted the requirements for each of the three new risk categories in the regulation as follows:

  1. For travellers from COVID-19 free countries
    1. One Pre-departure test within 72 hours of arrival.
    1. 7 days quarantine post arrival.
    1. One test during quarantine on day 6 or 7 and discharge on day 7 if negative.
    1. If traveller transits through moderate risk country – 10 days quarantine and two tests.
    1. If traveller transits through high-risk country – 14 days quarantine and three tests.
  • For travellers from moderate risk country
    • One pre-departure test within 72 hours of arrival in Solomon Islands
    • 10 days quarantine post arrival.
    • Two tests during quarantine on day 2 and days 9-10 and discharge on day 10 if both tests are negative.
    • If person transits through high-risk country – 14 days quarantine and three tests.
  • For travellers from high-risk country
    • Two pre-departure test between days 9-11 days before departure and within 72 hours of arrival.
    • 14 days quarantine post arrival.
    • 3 tests during quarantine on day 2, 7 and days 13-14 and discharge on day 14 if all 3 tests are negative.

For each of the 3 categories, the IC may increase the pre-departure and post arrival requirements based on risk assessments.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Sogavare said as for children under 18 years of age that cannot be vaccinated, the duration of quarantine for families traveling with children under 18 years old will be as follows:

  1. Families with children travelling from COVID-19 free countries – 10 days quarantine and 2 tests.
  2. Families with children travelling from moderate risk countries – 14 days quarantine and 3 tests.
  3. Families with children travelling from high-risk countries – 21 days quarantine and 4 tests.

Prime Minister Sogavare has also announced that the National Cabinet has lifted the suspension on incoming international flights as part of the measures to slowly reopen our borders.

Last chance for public servants

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Honourable-Prime-Minister-receiving-his-first-vaccine-shot

THE Government has given another lifeline to unvaccinated public servants until the end of January 2022 to get vaccinated.

Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare in his nationwide address on Monday this week said public servants have been given another chance to get vaccinated between November 1st 2021 to 31st January 2022.

This week the Prime Minister also highlighted that as of 1st November 2021, public servants who have chosen not to be vaccinated will no longer attend to their workplaces.

He said they will be put on half pay with no benefits till end of January 2022.

However, he said if they get vaccinated between 1st of November 2021 and end of January 2022, they will return to the workforce.

“I still call on my good public servants and hope that they will reconsider their positions and get their vaccinated like all other public servants,” he said.

However, Prime Minister Sogavare said the government will respect their decision if they wish to remain unvaccinated.

 “If they decide to remain unvaccinated by the end of January 2022, they will self-terminate their employment with the public service,” he said.

14 in Glasgow for COP26 summit

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
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By EDDIE OSIFELO

THE Government has sent a 14-man delegation to the 26th United Nation Climate Change summit (COP26) in Glasgow, United Kingdom, despite the economic impact caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

The delegation comprises of four technical people from Ministry of Environment, Climate Change Disaster Management and Meteorology (MECDM), one from Ministry of Infrastructure Development and one from Ministry of Foreign Affairs and External Trade.

The rest in the delegation are Government accredited members from other regional organisations and youth groups.

Ministry of Environment, Climate Change Disaster Management and Meteorology (MECDM) Permanent Secretary, Dr Melchior Mataki, who is not part of the delegation, said Cabinet has endorsed the trip to COP26.

“We actually have lost out on range of issues because negotiations haven’t taken place in the last two years since the last one was held in Madrid (Spain),” he said.

Dr Mataki said there are critical things that Solomon Islands needs to be part of the multi-lateral process so that our voice is not lost.

He said Solomon Islands is going to raise her voice on 7 key asks through the Small Islands Developing States (SIDS) and Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS) on the negotiation table by end of this week.

Dr Mataki summarises that one of them is to push for the need for ambition.

“We are pressing the global emitters to cut emission down from 1.5 degree Celsius.

He said secondly, Solomon Islands want to have access to the Climate Finance because there are a lot of barriers put into it.

“We are at the frontline of climate change with little historical responsibility.

“So as the rest of the Pacific and SIDS, we must ensure the major emitters take the lead to reduce the emissions,” he said.

Thirdly, Dr Mataki said Solomon Islands want to rule book of the Paris Agreement concludes in this COP26.

He said the Rule Book of the Paris Agreement is outstanding for the last five year.

Dr Mataki said it is important to meet the key goal of United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) to keep temperature below 1.5 degree Celsius.

According to UNCC, the Paris Agreement is a legally binding international treaty on climate change. It was adopted by 196 Parties at COP 21 in Paris, on 12 December 2015 and entered into force on 4 November 2016.

Its goal is to limit global warming to well below 2, preferably to 1.5 degrees Celsius, compared to pre-industrial levels.

To achieve this long-term temperature goal, countries aim to reach global peaking of greenhouse gas emissions as soon as possible to achieve a climate neutral world by mid-century.

The Paris Agreement is a landmark in the multilateral climate change process because, for the first time, a binding agreement brings all nations into a common cause to undertake ambitious efforts to combat climate change and adapt to its effects.

Kolombangara leaders condemn child killing

Written by
Ben Bilua
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Kolombangara Island

BY BEN BILUA
Gizo

MORE than 50 people including chiefs, elders, school teachers and youths last week gathered at Imagination Island Resort to condemn the killing of primary school girl last month.

The meeting also gave an opportunity for chiefs, elders and youths to strengthen cooperation to assist police find the culprits to face justice.

In a statement to Island Sun Gizo office, chiefs, elders, leaders and the people of Kolombangara Island described the act as “brutal, horrendous and cowardice killing of an innocent child”.

The leaders also condemned the action in a strongest form.

“Chiefs, Elders and leaders came together on the 27th of October to mourn and also to deliberate on how best to deal with the current issue in our cultural and customary practices.

“As leaders and law-abiding citizens of our community, it is time to show strength, quality leadership and maturity in dealing with the murder of this child and also other impacts that have affected our communities and people.

“We condemn the killing, but at this stage cannot direct any blame on one particular grouping as it will be premature to do so while Police are still investigating the case.

“We value the good work of our police, who have been working around the clock to bring the perpetrators to justice and we call for support from individuals, families and community members to come forward with evidences to assist our Police with the case,” the statement said.

It states that a resolution has been agreed upon between relevant Stakeholders to ensure the security and safety of people, especially school children, girls and women are safeguarded at all levels.

One key resolution is organize a cultural and customary rite to the families of the deceased to calm and subdue the current volatile situation, while police continued with their investigations.

“We appreciate words of condolences and condemnations from Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare, Premier of Malaita Province Daniel Suidani,  Children Affairs minister Freda Tuki, Gizo-Kolombangara MP Lanelle Tanagada, Mayor City Council, Women’s Group, Churches Groups, Youth groups, and many others who haves shared with us in their words of sympathy  and condolences to the family,” the statement said.

Solutions to address local content issue in infrastructure.

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
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Economic Association of Solomon Islands President, Reuben Tovutovu

By EDDIE OSIFELO

ECONOMIC Association of Solomon Islands (EASI) has suggested some solutions to address the local content issues in infrastructures in the country.

This was after a study carried out between 2005-2017 states that about USD$490 million have gone through the country in infrastructure projects.

EASI President, Reuben Tovutovu asked “What are some benefits to the local contents?”

Tovutovu said infrastructure is key to grow the economy.

However, Tovutovu said some of the challenges is capacity issue.

“When you bid for international projects, you are competing with big players in region and world.

“How can you compete with them, some of them have been competing in all the continents,” he added.

“Not only financials but human resources.

“Some machines you need to build road, wharves and bridges cost millions of dollars,” he said.

Tovutovu said the way forward are:

  1. Serious need to identify opportunities to improve procurement practices that can facilitate local content in infrastructure implementation and delivery in the country.
  2. Need to deliver a greater understanding of the costs and benefits from local contents in the implementation of infrastructure in the country.
  3. Infrastructure policy needed a plan on how local content can be rolled out over next 10 years, example, how much percent of all infrastructure projects to be local contents starting with 30 percent in year 1 to 40percent to 50 percent in year 10.

Tovutovu said in the way local constructors will have confidence to invest in new and expensive equipment and machines and hire qualified manpower

He suggested to make it compulsory through policy that by year 10 of the plan, at least 50 percent of the workforce are locals

Israel offers SI COVID solution

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DEPUTY Commissioner General Dennis Marita has met with officials from Israeli pharmaceutical company CODE PHARMA who have identified the Solomon Islands as one of the Island nations in the South Pacific where they plan to further develop a groundbreaking medical antiviral drug against COVID-19.

Codivir, an innovative new drug from Code Pharma, now appears to have the potential to revolutionise the fight against the Coronavirus.

Code Pharma claimed that in a successful phase 1 clinical trial, the affected patients were back on their feet within 48 hours without side effects.

In welcoming DCG Marita, Alessandro Rosso said that the State of Israel was privileged to have received a representative from the Solomon Islands attending the Expo 2020 Dubai and to further discuss the options of possible cooperation with our Ministry of Health.

DCG Marita responded that whilst the Solomon Islands is considered a Covid free nation, there were still reservations amongst many people of the risks associated with taking the vaccine.

He added that the Solomon Islands would be interested to learn more about this new invention and initiative in fighting this global pandemic that is currently impacting the world today.

“I have also contacted our Expo 2020 Commissioner General, Ambassador Moses Kouni Mose including the Head of COVID 19 Health Task Force team under the Ministry of Health & Medical Services (MHMS) in Solomon Islands, Dr Nemia Bainivalu for their notification in this regard.”

DCG Marita further requested if a virtual meeting could be organized between all stakeholders involved.

The meeting concluded with both parties agreeing to pursue further dialogue in helping to raise more awareness on the proposal presented by CODE PHARMA.

Also in attendance were Assi Alkobi, the Global Business Development Director and Alaa Balal, Economic Director for the Israel Pavilion

Chiefs advise against compensation demand

Written by
Ben Bilua
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The western Solomon's traditional money, Bakiha

BY BEN BILUA
Gizo

CHIEFS, elders and leaders of Kolombangara Island have called on their people to refrain from any unnecessary compensation demands in the wake of the recent killing of a school girl on the island.

The leaders made the statement in advance to remind those who may intend of doing that.

“We must dissociate ourselves from any compensation demands that were outside of our agreed resolution,” they said in a statement.

“Compensation can only be pursued when perpetrators are identified and charged,” they added.

“We cannot stake our demands left and right without legal justification.”

The statement further adds that families and parents who were employed around Kolombangara must share the sadness with the immediate families of the deceased.

“We wish to assure workers and members of the public around Kolombangara and its surrounding communities that as responsible leaders, we will continue to work with Police and other stakeholders to ensure justice is served.

“On the same token, we also appeal to workers from other provinces and islands to respect our children, girls and women.”

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