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239,438 vaccine doses administered to date

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Press Release
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UP to 239, 438 doses of COVID-19 vaccines – both AstraZeneca and Sinopharm Vaccines 1st and 2nd doses – have been administered as of Friday last week 5th of November.

That’s according to the Ministry of Health and Medical Services.

From the total doses administered 59, 226 (14.3%), people are now fully vaccinated against COVID-19, among total vaccine eligible population ( 414,327) and 120,986 (29.2%) people with only first dose. 43.5 percent of the people have received at least one dose.  

With health care workers, 42.9 percent have received 2 doses of COVID-19 vaccines and 76.8 percent with at least 1 dose. For our elderlies, 55 years and above only 6.8 percent have completed 2 doses and 26.1 percent with at least one dose.

With this, the Ministry of Health is urging households with elderlies to help them reach vaccination sites to get their vaccine doses. They are the most vulnerable they are more likely to get serious COVID disease.

Vaccine administration is higher among males than in females, with total of 102, 724 males vaccinated, 55 percent of total doses have been given to males as compared to females who account for 45% of the doses.

Vaccination in all provinces continues and provincial roll out update can be seen in the table below.

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With this, total number of people to be vaccinated to achieve coverage of at least 90 percent with one two doses of COVID-19 vaccines is 313, 668 and 1st dose, 192,682.

The Ministry of Health and Medical Services is urging people to continue coming forward to get vaccinated.

“COVID-19 vaccination remains the single most effective and efficient means in which the world is addressing COVID-19 infection.

“Do not wait for community transmission as it will already be too late,” the ministry says.

Community and church leaders who have had their vaccination also urged to encourage those vaccine-hesitant to get vaccinated, to take the courage and stand up for what is actually right,  because you can save lives, and you can make the difference in the vaccination drive”

Parl starts civic education awareness in Temotu

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Press Release
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Parliamentary Civic Education Director, Marisa Pepa Galo doing a presentation to students at Mona Community High School.

The Parliamentary Civic Education Awareness Team has begun its Civic Education awareness program in Temotu, beginning on Saturday the 6th and continues to the 16th of November 2021 particularly in the Nende Constituency.

This round of tour is to cover schools and communities in Nende constituency with plans to cover other constituencies of Temotu Province in the near future.

The team consisted of six Parliamentary officers, one UNDP support officer and four logistics support personnel on the ground and are travelling around Santa Cruz Island for the first time to present information and discuss with constituents the role of Parliament and Members of Parliament.

The program includes a series of presentations for both schools and communities, hence a total of six schools and ten communities will be visited in the constituency.

Students doing a presentation.

Since gaining political Independence from Great Britain in 1978, the Preamble of the National Constitution of Solomon Islands (SI) clearly outline the power of ruling SI belongs to the people of Solomon Islands and in order for peoples ideologies, customs, cultures and beliefs are well respected, uphold and maintained, the three arms of government were established to enforce the power of people and to take care and reconcile our many differences. The arms of state are Executive, Legislature and Judiciary 

The Legislature or Parliament as commonly known, is the only legal institution our 50 elected Members of Parliament (MPs) are mandated to carry out four functions of Parliament, this includes representation, scrutinize government of the day, its national policies and programs, make laws and consider public expenditure.

Youth listening during a presentation at Lata station.

Majority of Solomon Islanders are yet to fully understand and appreciate the electoral system of SI and its procedure good leaders into Parliament.

With around eighty percent of constituents living in the constituencies outside of Honiara having limited knowledge of the functions of Parliament and role of its members and its relationship to SI electoral system, voters themselves continued to experience difficulty understanding our electoral system.

All challenges hence, affected the electing of political representatives into Parliament.

A Parliament officer, Rexford Kouto, leading Mona students in an activity.

Since March 2011 the Parliamentary Civic Education Unit started conducting constituency visits and are able to speak to more 50,000 people across 20 constituencies already.

Temotu Nende have added the number of constituencies covered to 21 now but Parliament is hopeful to cover all 50 constituencies in the coming years. 

It is through these programs that Parliament as a democratic institution came to realize that majority of Solomon Islanders do not fully understand and appreciate the Parliament System in Solomon Islands.

Premier and staff of the National Parliament office posed for a photo during the courtesy call.

So with these program ongoing, Parliament expects that people will now be able to understand and appreciate the Parliamentary system in Solomon Islands and will be able to make informed decisions when casting their votes in future National General Elections.

Thanks to the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) through the Strengthening Legislatures Capacity in Pacific Island Countries Project, for fully funding this program.

UNDP has been supporting this program and other Parliamentary programs in the past and present.

This Nende Constituency tour is expected to end on Tuesday the 16th of November 2021.

– Source: Parliament Media

Sir Tuti graduates urged to strive for success

Written by
Charles Kadamana
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Hon Manele and guests congratulating the graduates

BY CHARLES KADAMANA

Minister of Foreign Affairs and Member of Parliament for Hograno Kia and Havulei constituency Jeremiah Manele has urged Sir Dudley Tuti College graduates to keep on striving for success.

He highlighted this during the school’s graduation ceremony for grade six, forms-3, 5,6 and 7 on Saturday.

He said graduation marks the end of one phase and the beginning of the next journey where others will continue while others will not go further.

But he said they should remember that it is not the end of the world as opportunities are always available.

“You have other opportunities to pursue including skills training and self-employed.

Sir Dudley Tuti college form 5 graduates procession for the graduation ceremony

“There are success stories of those whole only reached form 3 or even grade 6 but have become successful individuals or business entrepreneurs so stay focused and be positive,” he told the graduates.

Manele also shared some of his reflections and observations relevant to education success and learning.

He said one of the essences of success is time, discipline and punctuality.

Sir Tuti form 3 students pose for photo

“Time is of essence, do not waste your time. You have to set your priorities right and have study table daily. I believe having a study timetable is great strategy for effective learning,” he said.

Manele said he found this useful when he was at secondary school and even at university.

He said Solomon Islands has a big problem of keeping to time and that is why punctuality is important.

He said the attitude of Solomon time -turning up late for work, leaving office early and not turning up at all without good reasons will continue to have a negative impact on our country’s progress and development.

Therefore, punctuality is critical for effective learning at school but also for progress at work in our daily lives.

He added another essence of success is Aim high and work hard.

Sir Tuti graduates pose for group photo after graduation ceremony

He encourages the graduates to aim high and set their priorities right. For example, they must work or study hard to get good grades.

He said not all students are genius but through hard work they can become lawyers, teachers, pilot, engineers, carpenters and other professions.

He said to be successful in education students must also set their goals and targets.

“By setting goals and targets, we are motivating and helping to instil discipline in our children to ensure that our investment in their education will be a success. We cannot achieve our goals if we are not disciplines,” he said.

Sir Dudley Tuti form 5 students march out after their graduation

Above all, Manele said they must always put God first in their studies.

“As young people, you should always remember and put God first in your education endeavours.

He said he found this to be true when he was a student, public servant and even now as a politician.

Going forward, he urges the graduands to prepare for the challenges that lies ahead for them in order excel for success.

“You may not have the power to inspire the entire world to strive for success but you do have the power to try to achieve if for yourselves.

“I challenge you to do all that you can do to reach your full potential,” he told the graduates.

Malaita Referendum proposed

Written by
Samie Waikori
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referendum Letter

BY SAMIE WAIKORI

AUKI

MALAITA province quest for independence continues to be on the agenda as two organization on the Island is looking at organizing a referendum on the issue.

 The Malaita People’s Power and Malaita for Democracy (M4D) are proposing a voluntary survey (Referendum) to be carried out to all communities in Malaita province this month.

Malaitans believed this is the fight of their forefathers during the Maasina Rule movement and self determination to Malaita province will be the complete achievement of that struggle.

Later, there are also a provision for that under the Townsville agreement agreed with the belief of Malaitans for self-determination.

A joint letter by the two organizations reads “Malaita People’s Survey for Self-Autonomous State”

“This is to announce to all communities, organizations, companies/business houses and individuals. That Malaita People’s Survey for Self-Autonomous State will be conducted all through Malaita province, commencing on the month of November 2021.

“The organizing committee has prepared the group of volunteers to do the survey program.

“This is a non-government supported program which will be conducted by Malaita for Democracy (M4D) in reference to the resolutions agreed during Malaita People’s Open Forum held on 23rd and 24th September 2021 (Theme: Our Future Malaita).

“To those concerned, Malaitans must be reminded that those volunteers need our support during the implementation process as to reach all parts of Malaita for an effective and successful data collection within our province.

“Your support during the implementation process (data collection) are highly anticipated,” it said.

President of M4D, Knoxly Atu told this paper that the survey was proposed and will be carried-out after the Malaita Sons and Daughters Reconciliation and Reunion ceremony.

He said preparation is underway for the program and appeal was for communities in the province to support the survey for the good cause of their province.

Social media reveals sea-level threat in Solomon Islands

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
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Sea intrusion into Buluabu village in Langa langa lagoon in Malaita province. PHOTO: John Selogaga

By EDDIE OSIFELO

PICTURES on social media have revealed the immediate threat of sea level rise on the sea coasts around Solomon Islands.

This comes as global leaders and financiers are trying to find solutions on climate change in the 26 Climate of Parties Conference in Glasgow, United Kingdom.

In Lilisiana, Langa Langa lagoon in Malaita province, John Selogaga posted photos of salt water intrusion into Buluabu village.

In the pictures, water has reached the floor level of some houses in the village.

While Pappa Steeviey posted photos of Buala wharf in Isabel Province during low tide and high tide.

During high tide, water overflows on Buala wharf in Isabel Province. Pappa Steeviey

During high tide, the sea level dropped very low but at high tide, the salt water was overflowing the wharf.

Wharf at Buala, Isabel during low tide

Solomon Star female reporter, Esther Nuria published a story and photos on the impact of climate change on people of Walande in South Malaita.

She covered the story after attending the Anglican Mothers Union meeting in Walande.

The story landed her the first prize at the end of the six weeks National Security Reporting Course organized by the Media Association of Solomon Islands and Australia Pacific Security College.

David Hiba Hiriasia, Director of the Solomon Islands National Meteorological Services in reference to sea level rise said the country expects more of these events this wet season because of the La Nina.

Hiriasi posted on Facebook that the trade winds push more warm water on our side of the pacific and so sea level is expected to be higher than average

Solomon Islands is one of the vulnerable countries having very limited financial capacity to fight against climate change.

In an interview with Island Sun Gizo recently, Deputy Secretary (Technical) of the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, Disaster Management and Meteorology, Chanel Iroi, said decision on Long Term Finance (LTF) must be reached at the COP26 meeting.

Buluabu village affected by sea level rise in Langalanga lagoon in Malaita province. John Selegaga

He said endorsement of the LTF will not only provide financial leverage to struggling small island states but also honor the Warsaw International Mechanism for Loss and Damage which was one of the resolutions of Paris Agreement.

Iroi said Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report on the effect of climate change in the coming years reemphasized the need for world leaders to endorse and roll out the LTF to vulnerable countries.

He said ground work on Loss and Damages must continue at the same time global leaders must make the right choice to reduce emissions so as facilitating financial resources towards mitigation and adaptation programs.

Iroi said priority areas for slow onset events and non-economic losses on the international stage while incorporate “limits to adaptation” in National Adaptation Plans and other GCF proposals is important.

Govt yet to pay $22M to Mamara investor

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
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Work on the Mamara City project last year.

By EDDIE OSIFELO

THE Government is still to pay the $22 million to Metropolis Mamara Development Ltd.

This following rumours that the Government has paid the company owned by  Singapore’s Metropolis Pacific Ptd Limited.

Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Commerce, Industry, Labour and Immigration (MCILI), Riley Mesepitu said there is no payment yet.

Mesepitu said the Ministry of Finance and Treasury and Ministry of Lands, Housing and Survey will facilitate the payment.

However, he said so far there is no payment unless an agreement is signed.

Mesepitu said the Government Communication Unit is expected to put out a press releases this week explaining the issue of payment to the company.

In a leaked letter from the current developer, Metropolis Mamara Development Ltd dated 17 May 2021, the company is seeking Government to prepare a payment of more than $21 million for the first 30 completed houses proposed for the Public Servants Housing Scheme.

The letter was addressed to the Minister of Commerce, Industry, Labour and Immigration, Hon. Frederick Kologeto and copied to a number for Ministers, Permanent Secretaries and the Premier of Guadalcanal Province

The houses include:

  1. Type A: 3 bedroom and 2-bathroom costs $997,000 each. So, the 5 houses will cost $4,987,500.
  2. Type B: 3 bedroom and 1 bathroom cost $798,000 each. So, the 10 houses will cost $7,980,000.
  3. Type C: 2 bedroom and 1 bathroom cost $598,500 each. So, the 15 houses will cost $8,977,500.

A citizen, Michael Salini posted on Yumi Tok Tok Forum on social media in May 20 this year, there are serious concerns already expressed by Solomon Islanders who believe their tax dollars have been used by the government to construct and pay for the Mamara housing estate.

“For its part the Solomon Islands Government has not been forthcoming with its MoU with Metropolis Mamara Development Ltd.

“Similarly, the government has not been transparent with the public about its financial arrangements with Metropolis Mamara Development Ltd,” Salini said.

He said the MoU and financial arrangements between the Solomon Islands Government and Metropolis Mamara Development Ltd were endorsed by the Cabinet.

“There has been suggestions in the past by critics of the government’s involvement in the Mamara housing development that the Solomon Islands Government would ultimately pay for the houses.

“The letter by Metropolis Mamara Development Ltd is now confirmation that taxpayers of Solomon Islands will be used to pay for these pre-fab houses at Mamara Estate,” he added.

Relatives of late Mary demands harsh justice for perpetrators.

Written by
Mavis Podokolo
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Women and children demanding protection for vulnerable individuals and people with disability. Photo BY MAVIS PODOKOLO

BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO

RELATIVES of the late Mary Aram, 8 who was allegedly raped and murdered on Kolombangara Island last month says lenient court rulings on rape cases in the country are sending the wrong signals to rapists.

And as such, they demand that punishment for similar crimes committed on their daughter and other victims to start at 50 years to life imprisonment.

The call was made by John Aram- Kealau, uncle of the late Mary during a public demonstration held on Thursday to remember and call for justice in the case of the young child and those who met the same fate over the years.

Mr Kealau said they are appalled knowing that rape cases over the years have finished with light sentences handed out of between 1-5 years imprisonment for these offenders.

“Our society is sending the wrong message to rapists and persons with sick minds.

“We are saying it’s okay to rape, and you can get away with only 2 years, 5 years or 8 years.

“This is insane!!… a girl is traumatized for her life-time and yet the rapists are going to walk free in just a few years,” he added.

Mr, Kealau said as relatives of late Mary, they are appealing to the government and lawmakers to make amendments and begin sentences of rape cases from 50 years or life imprisonment with no release on parole.

“We further call on attempted rape cases and defilement case sentencing to start at 20 years or more.

He said the country must be serious to save the lives of our children and women from these people, who are not even worthy to be called humans.

“Let’s start sending a message that the justice system in this country cannot let rapists go free,” he remarked.

GP BOYCOTTS MPGIS MEET

Written by
Mavis Podokolo
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Ministry fails us, says Tahisihaka

BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO

Guadalcanal Province Executive has boycotted a two-day meeting/training organised by the Ministry of Provincial Government and Institutional Strengthening (MPGIS).

The training was scheduled to begin yesterday.

GP government has presented its reasons to the MPGIS for the boycott.

GP’s Minister for Finance and Administration Andrew Tahisihaka explains his government’s decision:

“MPGSI has failed to seriously pursue and facilitate the submission from the Provincial Assemblies to the Parliamentary Entitlement Commission (PEC) through MPGSI for the review of the Members of the Provincial Assembly entitlements since 2019.

“It has become apparent the MPGIS through its policies and approach is indiscriminately targeting the Members of the Provincial Assembly by subjecting them to increasing scrutiny this is evident through the trend observed in the recent audit reports and policy direction.”

Tahisihaka added that the third point is that the current approach by MPGIS regarding policies developed and implemented is not empowering the leaders of Guadalcanal province.  

He said the fourth reason is, members of the Guadalcanal Executive strongly believe that the Permanent Secretary of MPGIS is not using the correct communication channel to discuss and address the issues raised to MPGIS by Guadalcanal.

He said the fifth point is that Guadalcanal and Malaita provinces continue to have the Federal Government System at heart as stipulated in the Townsville Peace Agreement (TPA).

“The political goal for greater autonomy, GP including Malaita and the rest of the province in the country, remains critical thus the progress towards achievement of such vision should be embraced by MPGIS in its relationship with all the provinces.

“Point number six, in relations to the failure of dealing decisively with the gazetting of the 10 Ordinance passed by the Guadalcanal Provincial Assembly in 2020 is unacceptable.”

He stressed one of reason also is poor planning for the current training, the administrative function of the province has been severely affected for the past three weeks. 

Tahisihaka said the last point is Members of the Provincial Assembly are elected by the people of Guadalcanal being an elected member of the Assembly, they are vested with certain powers in carrying out its functions and providing provincial services.

Comments are being sought from the MPGIS.

Motion against speaker still stands: Suidani

Written by
Samie Waikori
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0

BY SAMIE WAIKORI

Auki

The motion of no-confidence against the Speaker of the Malaita provincial assembly still stands, says Premier Daniel Suidani.

He says the motion will be tabled in the coming provincial budget sitting.

Speaking to Island Sun yesterday, Suidani said initially the motion was for the speaker and his deputy, but the one against the deputy has been withdrawn since he has joined the executive.

This leaves Butala alone to face the motion.

In an interview, deputy speaker Joe Heroau said he was asked to join the executive if he wanted the motion against him dropped.

“I accepted the offer and condition given and I’m happy to be part of the executive government,” Heroau said.

Suidani said in preparation for the budget meeting; MARA government proposed its executive meeting to begin on Monday, October 8 to look at the provincial budget.

After, the Provincial Publics Account Committee (PAC) will look into the budget before debating it in the full assembly on the following week.

“The motion against the speaker will table during the meeting.”

The motion was filed by Suidani on October 19 against both speaker and his deputy, a day after a notice of no confidence motion has issued against premier.

The motion against premier Suidani failed to reach the floor of the assembly after the people of Malaita staged a peace march on the mover of the motion, Elijah Asilaua, urging him to withdraw it.

Since then, the MARA government after suffering numerical strengthen had been recovering and the recent inclusion of Heroau has made MARA government back in number with 17 MPAs in the 33-ward province.

Short supply sends betel nut prices up

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
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0

By EDDIE OSIFELO

BETEL nut prices have skyrocketed to $4 this week due to scarcity of the product from suppliers on Guadalcanal.

According to one vendor, a 10 kilogramme bag betelnut used to cost $80 to $90 but now is nearly $200.

While the 20kg bag of betelnut used to cost $170-$190, it has now increased between $500 and $700.

“This is the reason why we increase the price of our betel together with its leaf to $4.

“The small betel nuts with its leaf cost about $3,” the vendor said.

One vendor said she told her customers to take betelnuts through credit in order to make profit from the sale.

“If I allow people to take on credit, I will not make any profit because the bag of betel nuts is very expensive now,” she said.

With the country now in the rainy season, vendors are expecting low supplier of betelnuts until next year.

According to University of Hawaii, the scientific name for betel nut, sometimes spelled betelnut, is Areca catechu.

It is currently only found in cultivation so the exact origin of the species is unknown. South Asia, southeast Asia, and the Philippines have been suggested as areas of origin.

The kernels of both green and ripe fruits (often called “nuts”) are chewed as an astringent and stimulant, often in combination with the leaves or fruit of betel pepper (Piper betel) and lime.

Betel nut was introduced to New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, and the western Micronesian islands by early indigenous voyagers.

Since then, its use and cultivation has spread eastward to Fiji, Samoa, and other Pacific islands.

It is a major commercial crop in south Asia where it is widely used, but in the Pacific, it is generally grown for local consumption or for interisland trade.

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