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PM and Chinese envoy sign agreement on economic and technical cooperation

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Prime Minister Sogavare signed on behalf of the Solomon Islands Government in his capacity as Acting Finance and Treasury Minister.

PRIME Minister Manasseh Sogavare yesterday signed the Agreement on Economic and Technical Cooperation with Chinese Ambassador Li Ming.

Sogavare signed on behalf of the Solomon Islands Government in his capacity as Acting Finance and Treasury Minister.

The Agreement on Economic and Technical Cooperation is for the implementation of injection of Rural Constituency Development Programme support in the year 2021, the 2023 Pacific Games Project and the Solomon Islands National University Dormitory Buildings Project.

Speaking during the brief ceremony, Sogavare said the signing further strengthens the shared national interests between both countries.

He also acknowledged the relationship between both countries reflecting on the exciting developments ahead of the Pacific Games 2023.

Sogavare said the commitment by China in developing Solomon Islands has now come to fruition with the major developments towards the Pacific Games in 2023.

Ambassador Li in response said China will continue to assist the Solomon Islands in its development endeavors.

He said the signing is a very important step to implement the consensus reached between the Prime Minister and the Chinese President.

Li said relationship between both countries have achieved a lot since its establishment not long ago.

He said the signing is also a positive step in the infrastructure development for the Pacific Games 2023.

The Chinese ambassador also acknowledged the Government and people of Solomon Islands for the ongoing friendship and support.

–OPMC PRESS

National Security Reporting Course held for journalists

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Participants of the NSR course with speakers and facilitators in the first session

THE Australia Pacific Security College (PSC) in collaboration with the Media Association of Solomon Islands (MASI) have commenced a National Security Reporting Course for journalists based in Honiara and Gizo.

“Leading the National Security Conversation” will be the topic of discussions for these journalist participants over the next four weeks online.

Speaking at the opening programme, MASI vice-president Douglas Marau said the issues of national security surrounding climate change, geopolitics and resource security would be the main topics for discussions during the duration of the course.

Marau also briefly highlighted the National Security Strategy document launched by the Government in November last year and the need for the media to align itself to the strategy as an important partner in national security reporting.

He said the media plays an important role in national security reporting.

“I believe some of the important interrogations that will surface during our discussions will include the important role media plays in the governance of the security sector; as well as the challenges that impede the media’s ability to provide effective oversight over security institutions,” he said.

The MASI vice-president also highlighted challenges faced by journalists reporting on security issues, which include restriction to certain information for public dissemination and the vulnerability because of modern technology and the free flow of uncensored information on social media platforms.

On the other hand, he said the media also has a duty of care and responsibility to make sure they release information that will not cause anxiety, fear and information that is a threat to national security.

“Nevertheless, the media and security sectors are mutually dependent on each other.

“The media plays an important role in our national security and this is the most important feat that must be acknowledged,” Marau said.

Other speakers in the opening session are Professor David Gegeo, Head of Humanities and Science at the Solomon Islands National University (SINU) and Professor Meg Keen of the Australia National University (ANU).

Dr Steve Sharp, owner of TME Media and Education Services, a Sydney-based consultancy is leading the course while MASI President Georgina Kekea is facilitating the sessions locally.

Participants to this course will have the opportunity to reflect on the importance of reliable reporting and the timely flow of information – all of which are vital for the strength and security of the Solomon Islands.

The objectives of the course are to enhance participants’ journalistic and communication skills in reporting and conveying information on security issues.

PSC has worked with senior editors in the Solomon Islands media to identify the topics of priority to use as case study material to ensure relevance and a degree of realism.

MASI acknowledges the support provided by PSC especially by its staff Jay Caldwell and Kalei Billings–Dugucanavanua.

The MASI Board also thanked the Editors of the mainstream media for their input in this NSR course.

Building a stronger MASI

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MASI Board Members and AHC’s Kevin Playford with the equipment funded by the Australian Government.

THE Media Association of Solomon Islands (MASI) will be better equipped to carry out its important role of building a skilled, independent and ethical media sector in Solomon Islands after receiving new equipment funded by the Australian Government.

Yesterday, the Australian High Commission handed over equipment worth over $58,000 to the President of MASI, Georgina Keka and representatives of the MASI Board as a part of an existing grant to strengthen the training of journalists in Solomon Islands.

The laptops, cameras, webcam and projector handed over to MASI will assist with connecting journalists to remote/virtual workshop opportunities delivered by regional media organisations such as PACMAS (the Pacific Media Assistance Scheme).

It will also assist with training journalists to use new technology to report responsibly through new mediums such as mobile storytelling.

The equipment grant complements existing funding provided by the Australian Government enabling MASI to conduct a 40-day scoping study on media accreditation in Solomon Islands with consultations held in Auki, Gizo and Lata.

Once completed in November 2021, the scoping study will identify ways for MASI to assist in protecting Solomon Islands’ media industry as well as developing mechanisms to hold Solomon Island journalists to an expected ethical standard for their work.

At the handover ceremony Ms Kekea thanked the Australian High Commission for the equipment and said “this equipment will greatly assist MASI to support its members, especially in training sessions.

“Equipment such as these are basic tools needed to carry out our work effectively. Most times participants come to trainings and sessions unequipped. However having these equipment in place, will greatly assist facilitators and participants in future training and workshops”.

Highlighting the importance of the media as an institution in society, Political Counsellor Kevin Playford said the media is an essential component of any liberal democracy.

“An objective and skilled media sector ensures the public is kept well informed about issues of national significance,” Playford said.

“We hope that this new equipment will assist MASI to continue to build the capacity of journalists in Solomon Islands to report accurately and responsibly on issues affecting the nation.”

PARL PASSES TELCO BILL

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
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National Parliament of Solomon Islands

All sims cards will soon be registered

By EDDIE OSIFELO

PARLIAMENT passed the Telecommunication (Amendment) Bill 2021 yesterday despite earlier recommendations from the Bills and Legislative Committee to have it withdrawn.

This came after the Committee of the Whole House adopted changes to some of the clauses in the Bill, that will form part of a new Act.

The changes resulted in deletion of some sections and substitution of others.

Also, some sections were omitted while new sections have been inserted.

Further to that, the changes omit the penalty units in the bill and substitute the maximum penalty for individual to $50,000 penalty units and five years imprisonment, while penalty for corporate bodies is $500,000 penalty unit.

Minister of Communication and Aviation, Peter Shanel Agovaka said the new Act will accommodate the changes.

However, MP for East Are Are and chair of the Foreign Relations Committee, Peter Kenilorea Junior said on social media after the passage of the bill said despite recommendation for the withdrawal of the bill in its current form, the Government has the numbers so they pushed through the bill regardless of the many flaws the Bills and Legislative committee identified.

“We had to read the bill with its corrigendum.

“I think we were pushing it today in parliament as to what the definition of a ‘corrigendum’ is.

“The ‘corrigendum’ we saw in parliament contained new drafting amending the amendment bill itself,” he said.

Kenilorea said the corrigendum contained substantial amendment to the amendment bill.

“It was a disheartening exercise as a lawmaker as I know the law parliament passed today could have been better,” he added.

This bill will see compulsory registration of all prepaid SIM cards that are sold by service providers in the country.

It establishes the minimum age for purchasing SIM card, which is 15, and requires person to provide valid ID when purchasing SIM cards from the service providers or their agents.

The service providers (Our Telekom and Bmobile) and agents will be responsible for establishing an electronic registry for recording accurate information to identify the purchasers.

Parliament continues today.

Suidani asked to clarify $5m help from Taiwan

Written by
Jennifer Kusapa
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Premier of Malaita province Daniel Suidani

BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

MALAITA Provincial Assembly Member for ward 11 Elizah Asilaua has called on Premier Daniel Suidani to clarify the $5 million financial assistance from Republic of China (Taiwan) last year.

Asilaua said the financial assistance came in the name of the Malaita people and the premier must clarify how they spent that money.

He said how ROC provided that $5m assistance was also done without consultation with the executive members and the assembly; the arrangement was done by the Premier himself, his advisor and the then suspended Provincial Secretary.

“And during the executive meeting the premier confirmed to us that the financial assistance provided by Taiwan is for payment of 20030 bags of rice for all 33 wards in Malaita which was not forth coming.

“Only 17 wards in Malaita got their shares with 200 bags of rice each other 16 wards still without any rice till now, so Premier Suidani you must explain and clarify to the people of Malaita what have you and your team spent on the 5M dollar financial assistance from Taiwan,” Asilaua claimed.

He said they have been calling on the Premier to provide a break-down and report on that money but he has not responded.

Asilaua also claimed that even transport hiring for delivery of rice during that time was not paid as well and the truck owners are still asking for their bills.

Asilaua said all arrangements made in the Malaita Provincial Government was only made by the premier without any consultation from his executives and the assembly.

Asilaua also said that the action of Premier Suidani with his cronies in securing financial assistance from Taiwan and diplomatic ties with ROC cause a serious doubt on the integrity and quality of leadership by Premier Suidani; worst still, assistance from Taiwan was made outside of the legal framework of Governance under the Provincial Fund.

Asilaua also claimed that the money from Taiwan purposely was to fund MARA on its planned activities inside Malaita Province and this is a clear case where the Speaker of the Malaita Provincial Assembly should apply section 15 (subsection 1) under the provincial government act and disqualify Suidani as MPA.

“Therefore, we do not have the trust and confidence on Suidani’s government as he is very much listening on his advisor rather his colleague ministers,” Asilaua added.

Comments are being sought from Suidani.

MEHRD pledges to improve teachers’ welfare

Written by
Mavis Podokolo
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BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO 

THE Ministry of Education and Human Resources Development has promised it will strengthen all initiatives to improve teachers’ welfare.

This was uttered by the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Education and Human Resources Development, Dr Franco Rodie during the commemoration of the World Teachers Day yesterday.

“The National Government through my Ministry recognize your roles as teachers of our nation and will continue to strengthen all Initiatives, which aim to improve the welfare of all teachers. You are indeed the pillar of our school system,” Rodie said.

He stressed teachers imparts knowledge, good values, traditions, modern-day challenges and ways to resolve them with students.

“A good teacher is an asset to the students. A teacher’s presences in a student’s life can boost their morale and guide them to be more valuable in life.

“Great teachers can change the lives of their students in many ways.

“Not only do teachers have the ability to change young lives for the better, but they also act to support system, that is lacking elsewhere in students’ lives.

“They can be role model – an inspiration to go further and to dream bigger,” Rodie said.

41 still in quarantine

Written by
Mavis Podokolo
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Chengs Quarantine Station

BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO

THERE are 41 people serving their mandatory quarantine period in the country’s Institutional Quarantine facilities.

Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health and Medical Services, Pauline McNeil said with all the entries no virus has been detected.

“We have now in our quarantine stations 41 people currently serving their mandatory quarantine period in Honiara,” McNeil said.

She said those quarantined include the National Futsal players who returned from the World Cup even in Europe.

“They are in country now and currently serving their quarantine period with their entry into the country and all tested negative.

McNeill adds that in relation to COVID-19 testing done in the county, almost 17 thousand samples have been tested.

She said these tests were run at the Molecular laboratory at the National Referral Hospital and Gizo Hospital laboratory.

McNeil echoed the above statement during a recent radio talk back-show on COVID-19 update on the Solomon Islands Broadcasting Cooperation in Honiara.

MHMS to use schools as Pfizer entry point

Written by
Mavis Podokolo
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BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO

THE Ministry of Health and Medical Services will work closely with the Ministry of Education and Human Resources to use schools as an entry point for Pfizer vaccine.

This was confirmed by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health and Medical Service Pauline McNeil in a radio talk back show on the Solomon Islands Broadcasting Corporation in Honiara.

“We will work together with the Ministry of Education and Human Resources Development and will be using schools as an entry point to vaccine children and communities,” McNeil said.

She said the paper work required by the COVAX facility to get the Pfizer COVID -19 vaccine into the country has been completed by MHMS. This means all documents have been submitted to COVAX facility and established on that end.

“The National Therapeutic Committee has approved and endorsed the Pfizer vaccine to enter the country and on the policy side where the vaccine will be delivered and who to use,” McNeil said.

She said the vaccine will be used for under 18years old, 12 years old and pregnant. This population group will receive Pfizer.

“So again, when the COVID vaccines reaches your communities, I ask your school kids 18 years and 12 years and antenatal mothers to stand ready to receive the Pfizer vaccines. We are expecting Pfizer to come into the country next months,” McNeil said.

Dr Yogesh Choudhri senior Advisor to the Ministry of Health said Pfizer vaccine targets individuals under the age of 18 years.

“We will need to get consent from parents of any individuals under the age of 18 who will be receiving the vaccine. Essential work paper and information materials is currently been worked out right now concerning the Pfizer vaccine,” Choudhri said.

Report security issues with a modern lense

Written by
Ben Bilua
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Dr David W. Gegeo.

BY BEN BILUA
Gizo

A SHIFT in National Security context in Solomon Islands needs more theoretical knowledge to address, says Professor David Gegeo of the Solomon Islands National University (SINU).

Speaking during the first day of a virtual National Security Training yesterday for journalists, he said national security concerns in the Solomon Islands has been transformed from traditional perspective to modern context and this requires collective brains to establish effective policies and strategic approaches.

“In the olden days, immediate action towards security was based on experience. People locked doors to avoid burglars, plant more foods in preparation for possible disasters, and prepare bride price to avoid retaliation that threatens lives,” Gegeo said,

“Furthermore, villagers built their homes on higher grounds to avoid flooding or storm surge,” he added.

“The concern now is sovereignty and we need to change on how we define security.”

Gegeo said modernization has brought in new and more sophisticated security issues which brings new paradigm of approach that differ from cultural and traditional security practices.

“Now security concern has shifted to a more modern context.

“We need to redefine security concerns with line of thinking must focus on both national and international security threats,” Gegeo said.

He said interventions to step up security in Solomon Islands should be improvement of border security need such as resources, keeping international seaports on alert in every situation, police and immigration must be given best training, importation of goods from medicine, materials to foods must be from genuine lenders and trading partners must be examined before going into business.

Gegeo adds that Solomon Islands’ diplomatic relationship must be built based on shared values and respect.

He stressed that the most important step towards developing a sound national security approach is to provide quality training for people including journalists and institutions that deals with national security.

Gegeo said a secure Solomon Islands is secured Pacific.

However, he said most Solomon Islanders especially those living in rural communities so as urban centers do not take security issues seriously and this wrong has to be made right.

Gegeo said Solomon Islands still need Australia and New Zealand when it comes to national security.

“I have an unsettling feeling that Solomon Islands is exposed without Australia and New Zealand support.

“We need Australia and New Zealand to help with security,” he said.

The Canberra-based Australia Pacific Security College is conducting the workshop in partnership with the Media Association of Solomon Islands (MASI).

Journalists from local media companies are attending virtually.

Langalanga people celebrate 75th anniversary of St. Joseph school

Written by
Samie Waikori
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Family members of the pioneer students pose for photo with their head stone.

BY SAMIE WAIKORI

Auki

THE people of Langalanga and others from around Malaita province have come together to celebrate the 75th anniversary of St Joseph Tenaru Catholic School at Buloabu island in the lagoon on Sunday.

The celebration happened at Buloabu Island where St Joseph Catholic secondary school, Tenaru School, first started in 1943.

And in courtesy to the anniversary celebration a monument was built on the island of Buloabu to mark the 75th anniversary as the foundation land where the school was first established.

The school was started by some Marist brothers who enrolled the first 12 local students mainly within the Langalanga lagoon.

Late brother Ervan FM of Australia was one of the names among other missionaries who started the St Joseph Catholic Tenaru School that is now the St Joseph Tenaru Catholic School, east of Honiara.

Surabuta cultural dance group performing during anniversary celebration

Late Philip Kakasi from East Kwaio, Uru Catholic station, was the first local principal who was trained by Marist brothers.  

The pioneer students during that year of 1943 are Clement Kotibelia, Dionisio Iroagalo, John Fagani, Julian Kobiloko, and Severino Buluisu.

From Buloabu, four students were taken over to Fiji in 1945. They were Joseph Kaia, Kalisto Kobiloko, Peter Taloni, and Sosimo Sifoteilia.

Relatives and family members of the pioneer students of St Joseph Tenaru Catholic School at Buloabu Island were present in celebrating the memorial event.

Bishop Peter Houhou of Auki Catholic Diocese was the main celebrant at the memorial mass.

In his address, Houhou urged those present during the event especially the younger generation to look back with respect to what the local pioneers had done as first students of the school in 1943.

“We must know that working as volunteer was very challenging where these pioneer students had done and now within our Catholic society we are localizing the top positions and leadership,” Houhou said.

The event ended with cultural dances and feasting.

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