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Call to respect elderly women

Written by
Jennifer Kusapa
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Police Commissioner Mostyn Mangau.

BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

POLICE Commissioner Mostyn Mangau has again reminded males to respect elderly women.

He was speaking at his weekly media conference yesterday.

This came after a 26-year-old man was arrested and charged for an alleged indecent assault on his 70-year-old grandmother on 21 September 2021.

The incident occurred on Big Gela, Central Province.

He said according to his officers at Tulagi, the elderly went to the beach for convenient purposes early in the morning on 19 August 2021 when she was allegedly attacked by the accused.

Mangau said communities must remind their people not to involve in such activities and report such issues or crimes when it occurs.

He said the accused is facing an indecent assault charge contrary to section 141 of the Penal Code.

He was released on bail to appear before the Tulagi Magistrates’ Court at a later date.

15,000 people so far vaccinated on Malaita

Written by
Samie Waikori
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BY SAMIE WAIKORI

Auki

AS of Wednesday this week, a total of 15,613 people have taken their vaccine since the roll-out of covid-19 vaccination program in Malaita province.

An achievement for the provincial health however, the sad thing was the figure only represents 17 percent of the target population of 89,666 for the province.

Person in-charge of the Emergency Operation Centre (EOC) for covid-19 at Kilu’ufi hospital, Malaita province, Nixon Olofisau told Sun Auki yesterday.

He said since the launch of the program on 23rd August in Auki, provincial roll-out has begun early September for central and northern regions of the province.

And as of yesterday, the 28 days vaccination roll-out for the two regions had completed and will review for the next roll-out.

Olofisau said now the focus is on southern and eastern regions of the province and they’re into the second week of their community vaccination roll-out.

He said reasons for delaying roll-out for the two regions were due to shortage of logistic and to learn from the roll-out in the first two regions.

Olofisau said so far positive report continued to be received from southern and eastern regions as vaccination teams are on the ground.

He added data collected as off Wednesday this week on the overall vaccination roll-out for the province as follows;

RegionsTarget PopulationVaccinated PopulationPercentage
Central Region38556607516%
Northern Region22417470521%
Southern Region (Vacn Cont)11657201817%
Eastern Region (Vacn Cont)15243154410%
MOI1793127171%
Malaita Province896661561317%

He said the vaccination rate was well below the expected trend and provincial health is working tirelessly on putting in inputs into the program to pick up the rate.

Olofisau said the main reason for the dull coverage so far was due to hesitancy and opposition to the vaccine and it still remain at large among people in the province.

He said even though a lot of break-through has been made, the provincial health is concern about addressing the challenges to make sure people in the province gets vaccinated.

Solomon Water supports vax drive

Written by
Press Release
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One of the country’s state-owned enterprises, Solomon Water, has chipped in to support the national vaccination campaign.

It is giving a three-month discount period for customers who are vaccinated.

In support of Government and the Chamber of Commerce initiatives to get many more people vaccinated, Solomon Water has announced a five percent discount on all domestic water and waste water account payments beginning from October 1 until December 31 this year, Solomon Water said in a media statement yesterday.

All postpaid and cashwater customers who received their first Covid shot or are fully vaccinated are eligible for the discount if they show their vaccination card when they pay their bills at any Solomon Water cashier outlets or electronically (electronic payers are to present their vaccination cards subsequently to Solomon Water’s Customer Care team). Customers are advised that the discount is one time only and applies to those who have had one or two vaccinations.

The 5% discount is in addition to other smaller prizes such as branded drinking bottles, bags, umbrellas, pens and USB drives that Solomon Water is contributing to the Solomon Islands Chamber of Commerce “Bisnis For Vaccines” campaign.

The campaign is to encourage and drive vaccination amongst all Solomon islanders as Solomon Islands continues its fight against COVID-19.

The “Bisnis For Vaccines” campaign will reward anyone who received their first jab or has been fully vaccinated with prizes to be drawn in coming months.

CEO Ian Gooden says Solomon Water is happy to support SICCI and government in this important campaign to protect Solomon Islanders against the coronavirus.

“We are participating in this campaign by donating some small prizes, but more importantly we are offering all customers who come to pay their water accounts a 5% discount if they show their vaccination card. 

“Solomon Water has over 14,000 customers and this campaign is to encourage customers to get vaccinated and also to reward them by saving themselves some money.”

–SOLOMON WATER PRESS

Gov’t and Malaita to work on SCALE

Written by
Press Release
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The national government and the Malaita provincial government have expressed their commitment to work together on the USAID SCALE Project.

This was following a series of meetings held between the National Government, the Malaita Provincial Government (MPG), the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and other stakeholders.

The series of meetings included a stakeholder dialogue on the SCALE programme jointly hosted by the Ministry of National Planning and Development Coordination (MNPDC) and USAID and followed by a courtesy call on the Executive members of the Malaita provincial government.

The stakeholder dialogue on the SCALE programme discussed progress in rollout of the SCALE Programme as well as governance and coordination arrangements to ensure effective and efficient delivery of the programme.

The National Government delegation also took the opportunity to pay a courtesy call to Hon. Glen Waneta.

Hon. Glen Waneta thanked the Government Delegation for the courtesy call and the debriefing after the SCALE Project meeting.

He acknowledged this as one of the first meetings between the National Government and Malaita Provincial Government on the USAID SCALE project.

He added that the SCALE project if successfully carried out in Malaita, could be a model project in other provinces.

Further, Deputy Secretary for the MNPDC, Travis Ziku conveyed his appreciation to the MPG executive for the opportunity to dialogue and encouraged MPG to work together with the National Government and other stakeholders, for the successful implementation of the SCALE Project.

He stated that a Draft Implementing Agreement, which the Government is working on with the USAID, is being worked on and will be finalized for Cabinet Approval.

The team also took the opportunity to highlight the Solomon Islands Aid Management and Development Cooperation Policy and the Partnership Framework for Effective Development Cooperation.

The Aid Management and Development Cooperation Policy provides guidance on how donors and development partners should engage with government in ensuring effective aid delivery in line with the Paris Principles of Aid Effectiveness and other relevant international and regional frameworks for effective development cooperation.

National Consultant in the Office of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, Bernard Bataánisia, also expressed gratitude to the MPG executive the meeting and added that the SCALE meeting in Auki presented a Golden Opportunity for the National Government, MPG and all stakeholders to work together to maximize opportunities provided under the USAID SCALE Project.

Bata’anisia added that effective collaboration amongst all stakeholders is of paramount importance.

Glen Waneta and Peter Taraumae expressed their appreciation to the Government Delegation for the briefing and clarifications made in the meeting, on the funding process, and alignment with Government policies, which will set the course and direction for further follow up meetings and engagements between National Government and Malaita Provincial Government.

The Government delegation comprised of Senior Government Officials from the Office of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, Ministry of National Planning and Development Coordination and the Ministry of Provincial Government and Institutional Strengthening.

–OPMC PRESS

Manita farmers taking cocoa as a business

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Press Release
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Cocoa beens dried in a solar dryer

Cocoa farmers in Manita, Makira Ulawa Province, are taking their cocoa production to new heights and treating it as a business and not only an income generating activity for daily needs and wants.

The farmers established a saving group of up to 17 members and included saving as the main part of their production.

Their change of mindset to see saving as the main business part of their productions paid off as from the end of year 2020 to the third quarter of this year their Saving Producer Group (SPG) recorded up to $50,000 in their saving.

Previously, from 2019 they saved up to $173,000 which they did a share out at the end of 2020.

This whole understanding comes after the introduction of Market Linkage Phase II (MLP11) Project of World Vision Solomon Islands to the community in 2019.

The project engaged them on training which included Saving for Transformation Model (S4T) of World Vision, business trainings using Resilience, Inclusive and Social Entrepreneurship (RISE) model that help them to understand the levels they are performing in their daily businesses activities.

The project also assisted them with facilities like solar dryer, fermenting boxes, Shed Storage facilities and other technical assistance that help them boost their productions.

SPG on its part as an established group within Manita Catchment is responsible to buying cocoa wet beans from the members of the community and processed them using the facilities.

This in a way creating small scale self-employment to people in the community.

Testimonies shared to the project included the project has boosted their income generating activities through the cocoa production as a key economic activity in this community.

The S4T model has also been very supportive to them especially because it is assisting them to pay for their children’s school fees.

“With the help and support from World Vision, we manage to build our own Office space. The office space is mainly for administrating SPG activities and accommodate any staff or especially World Vision staff who are going to do work in the Manita, with the SPG with the support from the Honorable, we manage to buy one vehicle.

The main purpose of this vehicle is for transporting of cocoa and to reach out for our cocoa famers and other community engagements,” SPG members said.  

The SPG is currently helping 5 SPG member in building their permanent houses. This will be continuing until all members and the communities’ members have their own permanent building.

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

While saving, the members can also access small loans from their savings where then can be repaid with small interests.

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

The pass books can help them access money from them when the need arise from these different areas.

Annually the Saving groups can do share out to their group members.

Supported by Australian Government through the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), MLP 11 Project is touching the lives of up to 400 people in Manita Community.

–WVSI PRESS

Century gift to be handed over to Makira early Oct

Written by
Brian Lezutuni
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PM Sogavare and Premier Makaa visits the new Kirakira ramp recently.

The National Government’s Gift of the Century to Makira, the Kira Kira Ramp, will be handed over to the Makira Ulawa Provincial Government in the second week of October.

The Provincial Deputy Premier who is also the Minister of Works, Davies Maemae says the Ministry of Infrastructure Development in Honiara has yet to confirm to the Makira Ulawa Provincial Government in Kira Kira the exact date the National Government will hand over its Gift of the Century to the Provincial Government.

He says the dates that are being tossed around for the handover ceremony are October 12 and October 15.

Mr Maemae says the Kira Kira Ramp handover will be carried out without a Warehouse Complex which is part of the project as construction work on it has yet to start.

The Kira Kira Ramp has been constructed by the Trades Transformation Construction Company, normally known locally as TTC.

Mr Maemae says the Warehouse Complex will have such facilities as separate toilet and shower-rooms for men and women with hand-wash basins and a tea-room for arriving and outgoing passengers.

Meanwhile, Deputy Premier and Provincial Works Minister Mr Maemae says the Makira Ulawa Provincial Government has yet to hear from the Ministry of Infrastructure Development in Honiara when will the Makira Road Emergency Maintenance Project be implemented.

He says the part of the road to be covered under the project will be from Rawo River in the eastern outskirts of Kira Kira, the Provincial Capital, and Wango, Ward 8 of Arosi 1.

In the meantime, the Provincial Planning Office in Kira Kira had confirmed Chia Tai Logging Company which has been carrying out logging operations in parts of Arosi 1 in West Makira has been maintaining the piece of road between Wango and Waimarae of Ward 8.

Road transport users who have arrived in Kira Kira have confirmed that road work by Chia Tai has now reached Asimanioha Village and will soon reach Waimarae.

But the big question people living in villages between Waimarae and Marou Bay have been asking is what will happen to their piece of road.

They believe more people will use the road between Waimarae and Marou Bay because along it, there are two clinics and the Tawatana Provincial Secondary School which has secondary forms up to Form 6.

By George Atkin

Kira Kira

Maka’a calls on Health Ministry to revisit MOU

Written by
Brian Lezutuni
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The Premier of Makira Ulawa Province, Julian Maka’a has called on the Ministry of Health and Medical Services to revisit a Memorandum of Understanding it has signed with the Ministry of Provincial Government and Institutional Strengthening to deliver health services to the Provinces.

He says as his Provincial Government has been made aware of the Memorandum of Understanding, he appeals to the Ministry of Health and Medical Services to revisit it to allow the Provincial Government to support the Health Sector in the efforts to modernize health clinics in the Province.

Mr Maka’a made the statements at the recent handover of Karie Clinic in East Wainoni of East Makira to the Makira Ulawa Health and Medical Services.

He said the re-developed Karie Clinic was a clear testimony the Provincial Government had the in-house technical capability to deliver such health facilities on behalf of the Ministry of Health and Medical Services within a record time and for a cheaper cost.

But Premier Maka’a said while the Makira Ulawa Provincial Government had been using resources from the Provincial Capacity Development Fund of the Ministry of the Provincial Governments

and Institutional Strengthening, the improvement of clinical services and staff houses for health workers both at Provincial and the Rural Clinics is yet to be attended to.

He said his Provincial Government pledged technical support to build staff houses to house Provincial Health Workers in better condition homes with the Ministry of Health and Medical Services only had to secure funds under its Capital Budget.

Premier Maka’a assured the Ministry that “my government has qualified Engineers, a Technical Team and the capacity to deliver support services on your behalf on good time”.

By George Atkin

Kira Kira

TRIO DENY KILLING

Written by
Jennifer Kusapa
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Ruling on murder inquiry next

BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

Three young men charged with the murder of a 23-year-old male at Forest Valley earlier this year have pleaded not guilty.

The killing took place on July 15 this year.

Sanders Mataisau, Nick Tino Wale and Randy Taia denied the charge and Principal Magistrate Leonard Chite set up a short form preliminary inquiry on their case.

Public Prosecutor Samuel Tovosia told the court that prosecution is relying on the evidence they have, the autopsy report and statements of around 30 witnesses and also eye-witnesses when the incident was committed.

Tovosia said the prosecution have sufficient evidence to proceed with the case although there were no admissions during the record of interview with the police by the three accused regarding the incident.

It is alleged that the trio acted together in assaulting the deceased which led to his death.

After receiving the submissions from Prosecution, Principal Magistrate Chite adjourned the case to October 4 ruling.

The trio will be committed to the High Court for trial if the Magistrate finds sufficient evidence against them.

Emy Rusi of the Public Solicitor’s Office appeared on behalf of her colleague lawyers yesterday for the three accused.

Pirione hits out at Star article

Written by
Press Release
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MPGIS permanent secretary Stanley Pirione.

PERMANENT Secretary for the Ministry of Provincial Government and Institutional Strengthening (MPGIS), Stanley Dick Pirione has labelled a front-page article on the Solomon Star newspaper yesterday “out of context, provocative and malicious”.

 The article was on the Malaita Acting Premier’s walk-off from the Premiers’ Meeting on Tuesday 28th during the Attorney General’s presentation.

“This is the very reason why we have restricted the Premiers Meeting to certain groups of the media fraternity only,” Pirione stated.

“It’s because of the fact that statements can be intentionally mishandled and misquoted just for the sake of their newspaper sales,” he added.

The PS stated that the acting premier’s walk off is understandable taking into consideration the political situation in Malaita Province, and the fact that he was continuously contacted and pressured not to attend the meeting since Day 1.

He referred to the acting premier as a responsible person who did return and re-join the meeting and interacted with everyone else.

“It’s no big deal. He was just cooling off. We thank him for his understanding.”.

Pirione clarified that it is normal in every Premiers Meeting or Conferences that premiers so many times highlighted issues that are directly related to their respective Provinces.

“The discussions are robust, open and matured and yes, it can be emotional at times, but as leaders, self-control is exercised and matters are discussed responsibly with understanding and maturity.

“As the moderator of the meeting I endeavored to keep sensitive issues under control.

 “This is what I have been doing for the past 5 Premiers conferences since 2011,” he stated. “Yes some of the premiers are new and may be their first time to attend such high level and professional forum.

“What really matters most in the meeting is the updates and presentation of work programs and budgets where Provincial Governments and the National Government can work together in ironing out certain issues particularly the covid19 and the SIG’s policy Re-Direction Strategic Plan.

“All premiers truly appreciated and thank the MPGIS, the PMO and the SIG for hosting the meeting.

 “The manner in which the Solomon Star exaggerated and over-sensationalize the issue is uncalled for.”

Pirione said urges the media to report sensibly and responsibly.

“It’s inappropriate to get only one side of issues and publish them as news unnecessarily. This is irresponsible reporting on half cooked facts.”

The Premiers meeting ended on Tuesday 28th September 2021 with the signing of a Premiers communique which has already been submitted to the Minister of Provincial Government & Institutional strengthening, Rollen Seleso for his action.

EU praised for boosting local health capacity

Written by
Mavis Podokolo
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Dr-Nemia-Bainivalu

BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO

THE Ministry of Health and Medical Services has lauded the European Union for support towards boosting infrastructure capacity which has reduced ‘bottleneck’ at the ministry.

Deputy Secretary for Public Heath Dr Nemia Bainivalu said the recent support rendered towards the ministry of health has boosted the ministry’s capacity in terms of infrastructure.

“We would like to acknowledge the recent support by European Union that helps boosts the capacity of the Environmental Health division on terms of infrastructure, housing, office and transport,” Bainivalu said.

He said his ministry is working on restructuring the division, that if approved they see by next year few units will be separated into departments to reduce bottlenecks.

“Also with the support of World Bank to COVID-19 we would like to ensure that environmental Health benefits in terms of human resources capacity and training.

“The ministry is trying to prioritize support to environmental health given the broad functions and roles it plays,” Bainivalu said.

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