John Fadama florist and lead facilitator of the floral workshop
BY JENNIFER KUSAPA
ABOUT 20 participants are in a five-day floral and soap making training at the National Art Gallery.
Trainer John Fadama said such training improves one’s skills on how to do something one will benefit from.
Fadama said he has been conducting similar trainings in the past for women groups in floral arrangements, and is happy to see some women venturing into the floral business.
Fadama said floral and soap making is a skill one can learn.
Jean Akotee’
“I have those skills and I want to share to others that is why I am willing to train people.
“We must share the skills we have to others in that way we will satisfy that we train others too of what we know,” Fadama said
He said this is his first training this year for floral, landscaping and soap making.
Suzie and her cousin sister Sabela
Fadama said the training is more on practical than theory; and at the end of the training participants should be able to implement the skills they will learnt during the five days at their homes.
“From experience some women attended past trainings never did what they have learnt.
Three female participants
“If we have the passion, we will always love to learn new skills and willing to beautify our homes with flowers,” Fadama said.
Meanwhile one of the participants Jean Akotee said she is happy to participate in the training, “because this covid situation really affect people”.
Two male participants
“I want to do something to help my family, therefore when I knew about this training, I really wanted to join because I know I will learn some new skills from such trainings.
“Now I know how to make soap for dishwashing and in any event, I don’t have enough money I can make it by myself and use my dishwashing,” Akotee said.
Former journalist and Kava farmer, Lesley Sanga clearing land to plant Kava on Malaita.
From journalist to community developer
By BRIAN LEZUTUNI
A FEW years ago, Lesley Sanga was a familiar name typed out boldly on the pages of the Solomon Star newspaper.
For six years, the young-man from East Kwara’ae worked as a journalist in one of the daily newspapers in the country.
These days, Sanga, 33, is living his life as a game-changer, assisting youths to instil self-discipline and involving in a major kava revolution in the Aitolo Community on the hinterlands of Central Kwara’ae.
Kava as a commodity is grown fervently in these parts of Malaita Province. Farmers in the area, with little education, have been planting this lucrative crop for years.
And with their struggles, they have had ambitions to expand and meet the stringent quality control demands that come with the sale of kava.
Upon Sanga’s decision to settle down at his wife’s village, the farmers turned to him for assistance in furthering their kava ambitions.
In a span of two years, Sanga has gone from being an outsider in the community to helping to turn the wheels of development and community self-belief.
With his help the Aitolo Self-Reliance Association was formed.
Kava farmers from Aitolo who benefited from the Economic Stimulus Package with their tools.
The association consisted of community members involved in the kava trade.
Sanga was made secretary and in July 2020, he and other members of the association applied for the Economic Stimulus Package from the government.
In December 2020, the association received its first ever government assistance which was translated into much needed tools to expand on their existing kava base.
The Kava Association also agreed that all 30 members made up of men, women and youths will plant 200 kava bottoms each as contribution towards keeping the association going.
Sanga receiving drums of petrol to assist men in his community to dig a sporting field for them.
From then on, each individual is required to pay five percent from the sale of their product to the Association.
“We have managed to come up with a workable vision for the community after years of neglect from the government,’ Sanga said.
“Although our target fund sought was $30,000, we were grateful that the government had given us $12,000 that we use to purchase our tools,” he added.
The tools include knives, axes, grass-cutters, shovels and sharpening files.
Aitolo elder, Walter Ara who had been planting Kava since 2011 and had around 1,000 plants before receiving the assistance, said it was helpful that people like Sanga are around to assist them.
“We are all rural dwellers and my only source of cash revenue has been kava, other cash crops involve hard work and little money,” he added.
Upon seeing the impact made to lives of farmers in the area, Sanga this year stepped up a notch as he worked with the local community in establishing a village-based approach to help engage youths in the area.
He proudly explained that this approach came to be known as the ‘3P’: “It is Pray, Plant and Play!”
His team chose ‘Play’ as their starting point.
Aitolo is located on rugged mountainous terrain and having a soccer field is a huge challenge.
The field being dug up by members of the community.
So armed with his writing and persuasive skills, Sanga decided to write a letter to the provincial government for two drums of diesel and some funds to assist clear a field close to their community.
After receiving assistance, the owners of an excavator decided against making their machine available to dig up the field so the community decided to sell the drums of diesel and use that money to pay people to do the back-breaking job of digging up the field by hand.
With the community help, the field was completed. The men and boys became involved in sports and ‘kwaso’ drinking was a thing of the past.
Women of the community also came out to help their men in digging up a new field for their community
Planting kava came next, meaning two ‘Ps’ were achieved.
This year has seen the growth of community engagement in religious activity as people had things to do and prayer became part of their lives.
“The village cycle revolves around gardening which began at eight, then play at four in the afternoon and then prayer in the evening.
“We are seeing our youths and men engaged,” Sanga added.
Village elder, Matthew Maetarau said he has seen a big improvement in the behaviour of youths in his community.
“We had issues with drunk youths causing nuisance in our community, we are thankful that they are engaged in the 3P formula.
“Although it was only introduced (last year), it has had an impact on our community,” he added.
Sanga said he has no regrets leaving his job as a journalist.
“During my short time as journalist I have visited places such as Fiji, Vanuatu, Taiwan and Hong-Kong, which has opened my eyes and gave me the drive to push my people forward in development,” he said.
As Covid-19 has hindered any likely return to his passion as a journalist, he is grateful that his other ambition, agriculture is being pursued while he continues to live his life with his family up on the highlands of Malaita.
: SICCI Chairman, Ricky Fuo’o and COVID-19 Police Operation Commander, Assistant Commissioner Simpson Pogeava during the meeting on Tuesday 24 August. Photos: SICCI Media.
POLICE this week held a meeting with Solomon Islands Chamber of Commerce & Industry (SICCI) and private security firm heads to discuss plans prior to the proposed 36-hour lockdown exercise from August 29 to 31, 2021.
A police statement said the discussions were undertaken with a view to ensuring important security services could continue during the lockdown exercise.
COVID-19 Police Operation Commander, Assistant Commissioner Simpson Pogeava says the meeting updated SICCI and private security firms on police operations during the lockdown, including processes to ensure that security firms were able to continue providing security services safely.
“During the meeting understandings were bridged with SICCI as the body, which most security businesses are affiliated under,” Pogeava said.
“Some of the companies will need to apply for exemptions to enable them to continue their important operations during lockdown, maintaining the security of persons and premises.”
Pogeava says during the meeting, both parties discussed procedures to ensure details such as names of security employees, identification, vehicle registration numbers and descriptions of vehicles were provided to police well in advance so that exemption letters could be issued where appropriate.
He says that for those firms and personnel exempted, the National Disaster Management Office (NDMO) will issue all vehicle passes.
“All agencies are supposed to have their own IDs, which are supposed to be carried by all individuals during movements.
“Other details will be provided to police officers manning checkpoints.
“All companies under SICCI should liaise with SICCI for other detailed advice before submission of exemption applications to the Commissioner of Police.
“Please try to make it before Thursday this week so that police have ample time looking at application letters before issuing exemptions.”
Pogeava said police also discussed matters with the heads of private security firms and it was agreed that clear security plans would assist to manage some of the frustrations experienced in previous lockdown exercises.
All exemption applications will be submitted to the Police Operation Centre (POC), Rove Police Headquarters, not later than 27 August 2021.
During the lockdown operation, police can be contacted on the following phone numbers (Police Operation Centre) 27895, 27894 or police free toll line 999.
APPROPRIATE legal action will be taken against anyone who breaches the State of Public Emergency (SOPE) regulations without approval and without compliance to our pre-departure requirements.
Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare during his nationwide address this week said this applies to incoming passengers whether foreigner or citizen.
The Prime Minister echoed the warning following the latest two unapproved entries by Solomon Islands citizens that opened up the country to potential entry and transmission of COVID-19.
Sogavare said citizens of this country have the responsibility to protect this country.
The Prime Minister re-emphasised that no-one is above the law.
“Please work with us to facilitate your return. Please respect the laws governing your re-entry during the SOPE. Please do not enter the country illegally and without approval. If you do, you will be charged after your mandatory quarantine period. If you bring COVID-19 into the country by illegally entering it, you will face the consequences of your action that endanger the lives of the rest of the population of this country,” the Prime Minister highlighted.
Sogavare urged Solomon Islanders who are stranded outside Solomon Islands, that the Government is making every effort to bring them back home.
However, he said repatriation of citizens must be done “to make sure that we do not inadvertently bring the Delta variant into the country.
“It takes only one COVID-19 positive person to enter the country undetected to spread the virus throughout the country,” he said.
The Prime Minister said the saddest thing about these two illegal entries is that the Government had already put in place the arrangements to bring those citizens home within the next few weeks.
“By entering illegally, you have put yourself in trouble by breaching the SOPE regulation, and you have also put the country at risk from COVID-19,” he said.
TWO permanent secretaries have been re-appointed by Government for the next four years.
They are Riley Mesepitu of Ministry of Commerce, Industries, Labour & Immigration and Karen Galokale of Ministry of Police, National Security and Correctional Services.
Government House Private Secretary, Rawcliff Ziza confirmed they took their oaths yesterday.
Mr Mesepitu made his way up to PS level after he was the former Under Secretary, Director of Industry Development and Director Industry Development Division in the same Ministry.
He was the former General Manager of Solomon Islands Small Business Enterprise Centre (SISBEC) and Human Resource Executive of Solomon Mutual Insurance Limited
Mesepitu holds a Master of Business Administration at the University of Waikato.
He got his Bachelor Degree in Management and Public Administration and Economics at University of South Pacific.
Ms Galokale is a lawyer by profession.
She holds a Master of Development Policy at Korean Development Institute.
Galokale received her Bachelor of Laws and Professional Diploma in Legal Practice at University of the South Pacific in Fiji.
Before taking up the role as PS, she used to work at the Office of the Prime Minister & Cabinet as Deputy Secretary/Cabinet and Assistant Secretary to Prime Minister.
She was also the Legal Assistant of Development Bank of Solomon Islands.
Villagers of Peochakuri village in South Guadalcanal watch the MV Haura going ashore on their beach. PHOTO SUPPLIED
By EDDIE OSIFELO
SOLOMON Islands Maritime Authority (SIMA) is investigating the incident which saw MV Haura wrecked on the beach of Peochakuri village in South Guadalcanal last Friday.
Acting Director, Jonah Matau said SIMA is investigating the incident to determine the cause.
He said details of the investigation will be made known by his Director, Thierry Nervale, who is currently overseas.
However, Matau said in such situation, the owner of the vessel must remove it from the beach.
“If he cannot remove it, then the owner needs to discuss with landowners and authority on how to go about it.
“If the ship is insured, then it will be alright,” he said.
According to reports posted on Yumi Tok Tok on social media, MV Haura ran aground following an engine problem.
It is not clear how it went ashore but Facebook posters claimed the ship developed engine problems, drifted and went ashore.
YTTF has no further details at this stage.
“But reacting to this incident, many Weather Coast people have already expressed their concerns and sadness on Facebook because MV Haura is the only ship that has been serving the people of Weather Coast.
“Both South and East Guadalcanal do not have ships like some provincial constituencies,” Benjamin Afuga said.
He said the Weather Coast is considered as an uneconomical route although it is just around the corner of the Island of Guadalcanal.
“Known for its rough seas and unpredictable weather patterns, the weather coast is a common graveyard for a few ships.
“Few years ago, the MV Baruku also went aground at the Weather Coast of Guadalcanal,” he said.
A man who was found guilty for killing another man has been given a life sentence, with chances for parole after 12 years.
The murder took place at Avatai village, Lavaggu, west Rennell on February this year.
High Court Judge Justice Maelyn Bird after imposing a life sentence also made orders that the minimum sentence the defendant will serve before entitled to parole is 12 years.
shley Ghapuika was charged with one count of murder contrary to section 200 of the Penal Code (Cap 26).
Justice Bird said the charge of murder is one of the most serious of offences prescribed under the laws in the country, to manifest its seriousness, the maximum sentence that the courts will impose is one mandatory life imprisonment.
The incident occurred on February 15, 2021 between 7am and 8am, the deceased and one other went to light their solbako smoke at a kitchen, when the defendant went into the kitchen holding a 24 inches long bush knife.
“You went and stood behind the deceased and cut the deceased behind his neck and pulled out the knife full of blood. The deceased slowly fell down on the floor of the kitchen. You were still standing behind him. You held the knife and hid it behind your legs, you then retreated to the kitchen door, went out from the kitchen and escaped along the road towards Lake Tegano, the deceased was transport to Tigoa Mini Hospital but died,” Ms Bird said.
Bird also said according to the autopsy report dated February 16, 2021 by Dr Roy Maraka, it shows injuries to the neck causing death.
Upon conviction for the offence of murder, the courts are obliged to impose the mandatory life imprisonment on an offender. Apart from imposing that sentence, the court is also required to determine and consider the minimum sentence that the accused must serve before he/she is entitled for parole.
“I must take into account the facts of your case, the aggravating and the mitigating features tother with case authorities in this jurisdiction.
“I have also taken note that whilst in remand in custody, you have involved yourself in prayer activities and bible studies, I must say that it is a way forward for yourself and you are expected to live a changed life onwards. Learn from this mistake and try not to reoffend in future,” Bird said.
Margaret Suifa’asia and Martha Matukera of the Office of the Director Public Prosecution appears for the crown while Allan Tinoni of the Public Solicitor’s Office represents the accused
THE Chief Education Officer of Western Province has called on the government to further scrutinise section 47 of the Public Health Emergency Bill.
Section 47 (1 and 2) of the Bill provides administrative penalties by way of forfeiting property and payment of costs.
Commenting during the inquiry hearing on the bill last week, Mr Hopeful Piosasa said Section [47] needs to be expanded to look at the seriousness of nuisance or offences against the particular section and relevant penalties that are applicable.
He said general interpretation of the clues carry more complication in practical sense as forfeiting of properties satisfies the law but causing hardship to citizens.
“We need to expand the clues based on a more practical way – penalties must value the offence. Forfeiting citizen’s properties is taking away properties from citizen’s hard earning and lives.
“For example, if a person deliberately not wearing a mask, the government should penalise the person based on the seriousness of the offence.
“But, if there is a building or property that continuously creating situation that breached the public emergency law, or situation where can affect the health of the people, then the provision should apply,” Piosasa said.
He said the bill is established to deal with emergency situations, and offences will not only be committed by Solomon Islanders but also by foreigners.
Piosasa suggests that the penalties should have equal emphasis on both locals and foreigners as the only way for the virus to enter the country is from the outside.
He said foreign threat is more serious than domestic threats as such strong warning should be enforced on foreigners or foreign vessels.
“It could be a fishing boat illegally fish within our EEZ or it could be somebody coming in illegally.
“There has be some kind of expansion on this clue to accommodate such scenarios.
“Like for example, if a foreign vessel illegally enter Solomon Islands, the government may forfeit the ship.
“But if this clue is only applicable to Solomon Islanders, rightly and logically we need to look at the seriousness of the offence before jumping into applying the provision – meaning relevant penalties should apply,” Piosasa said.
In Malaita and across Solomon Islands, roads, bridges, and airports are vital connectors between people, markets and essential services.
In Malaita, the Solomon Islands Roads and Aviation Project (SIRAP) is moving towards the construction of three bridges and rehabilitation of roads that will ensure faster, safer and easier access to health services, education and family across the province.
Tender processes and bid selections are underway for three bridges on the North Road (at Koa, Bio 1 and Bio 2) as well as unsealed road rehabilitation that will see major repairs to all 42 kilometres of the East Road and 17 kilometres of the North Road, improving connections and trade for thousands of Malaitans.
In Malaita, nearly 110,000 people (almost 70 percent of Malaita province population or 18 percent of the total country population) living in the 19 wards connected by the main roads included under the project are set to gain direct benefits from the project.
An additional 15,000 people in five additional wards that connect to the main road network by boat will also see benefits from the project.
In Western Province, the project is moving ahead with critical work on Munda Airport to ensure more reliable air travel to the tourism hub; supporting hundreds of jobs for the province, both during construction and through tourism opportunities in the future.
Early designs for the Munda International Terminal have been submitted ahead of schedule and once work commences construction will be carried out over an 18-month period.
The tender process for the refurbishment of the runway at Munda airfield is currently open. This activity will require specialised heavy equipment being brought into the province to ensure repair works are long-lasting and sustainable.
“We are pleased to see SIRAP moving ahead in both Western Province and Malaita, which is where the majority of SIRAP’s roads work will take place,” said Moses Virivolomo, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Communication and Aviation.
“These important early preparation stages will soon lead to construction, delivering lasting benefits for the people of Western and Malaita provinces and beyond.”
“Long term investments in safer, more reliable and lasting transport infrastructure is key in ensuring our people and provinces can thrive into the future. These works in Malaita and Western Province will not only improve trade and access to markets but will connect people and families across the province with essential services and each other,” said Mike Qaqara, Acting Director of Civil Engineering in the Ministry of Infrastructure Development.
“Despite the challenges being presented by the COVID pandemic we look forward to progressing this project as quickly as possible across the country. The Solomon Islands Road and Aviation Project is being implemented by the Solomon Islands Government, with funding from the World Bank. The US$56.1 million project is funded through a US$20.5 million grant and US$30.5 million credit from the World Bank, with the Solomon Islands Government providing US$5.1 million for complimentary projects and support.
Isabel Provincial Health Director Dr Tony Quity, who is also the son of Rt Reverend Bishop Ellison Quity, taking his COVID-19 jab at the launch event.
ISABEL Province launched its COVID-19 vaccination program Monday, which saw heads and representatives of the tri-system of governance – Premier Leslie Kikolo, Rt. Reverend Bishop Ellison Quity and Chiefs rep Oliver Hiromana taking their first jabs.
The launch made Isabel the 7th province to launch and commence roll out of COVID-19 vaccines – leaving Makira, Temotu and Rennell and Bellona the remaining provinces.
Over 100 people – both government workers including the public gathered – gathered at Buala for the event.
Many listened with great curiosity.
Speeches delivered at the launch event and the vaccination of leaders that followed greatly helped to address doubts, fear and anxieties amongst the public.
Isabel Provincial Health Director Dr Tony Quity in his address highlighted the need for people to get vaccinated.
“These vaccines itself, its availability in the province or country, will do nothing to us if all persons 18 years and above in Isabel and the country do not come forward to get it,” Dr Quity said.
Premier of Isabel Leslie Kikolo, Chief Rep Oliver Hiromana & Rt. Reverend Bishop Ellison Quity all receiving COVID-19 vaccine jabs at the launch event.
“Getting the vaccines into our bodies is what matters the most,” he added.
“Our provincial health system though work is ongoing to improve it, is not yet enough to be able to tackle any community transmission of the virus.
“Thus, the only means there is to enable us effectively fight against the health effects of CVOID-19 is to get vaccinated.”
Representative of the chiefs, Oliver Hiromana in his remarks strongly urges the people of Isabel to not take the vaccine roll out lightly.
“Our government and the Ministry of Health have worked really hard to get these vaccines to our province so we must play our part in coming forward to get vaccinated,” Hiromana said.
“Besides, we have heard that our children below 18 years are not yet eligible, which means their protection against the COVID-19 very much lies with us the adults in getting vaccinated,” he added.
Church representative Rt. Reverend Bishop Ellison Quity advocated for ethical decisions to be made with regards to the vaccines, especially at this time of pandemic.
“Ethical decisions are needed more than ever to save us from the pandemic,” Rev Quity said.
“We do not have the cure thus we need to take preventative measures, as prevention is better than cure,” he added.
“Refusing to get vaccinated, you will be the one spreading the virus thus causing harm to others.
“If your wife or husband, children or any members of your family gets really sick, hospitalized or die because they contract the virus from you, do not blame the government, nor the church and chiefs.
“Blame yourselves.
“COVID-19 does not respect anyone, weather you’re a clergy man, politician, or someone of high or low status it can affect us all.”
Health Permanent Secretary Pauline McNeil, who was in Isabel early this week to join the launch program, shared the realities of the devastation caused by the virus globally as well as within the Pacific region.
Mothers who are part of the crowd coming forward to witness vaccination of their leaders
“Let me be frank, as I speak, families are torn, children left without parents, pregnant mothers who rightfully deserve to be the first to hold the new life that they bring into the world instead die while giving birth,” McNeil said.
“Couples and family members saying their final goodbyes only through mobile phones, medical workers playing God as to who lives and who dies due to shortage of oxygen bottles, economies shrink and people left without jobs, lockdown badly affecting livelihood, let alone the mental health issues.
“These are real devastating experiences caused by COVID-19,” she added.
“Unimaginable if it was to happen to us, that is the very reason why the Ministry of Health is working tirelessly to get the vaccines close to you and the only request we have to all of you is to come forward and get vaccinated.
“It is safe and effective to prevent us from falling severely sick, hospitalized and die from COVID-19. It is COVID-19 that kills.”
Premier Kikolo told those who attended that at the start of the pandemic, the people of Isabel have been adhering to COVID-19 public health measures as instructed by public health experts, including limiting travels outside of our borders.
“These have greatly enabled us to keep us safe from COVID-19,” Kikolo said.
“Today we have another opportunity to further enhance our ability to stay protected against COVID-19 diseases through the COVID-19 vaccines which is also the most best and effective means through which we can return to normalcy,” he added.
“In the event of a community transmission, getting fully vaccinated can help in breaking the chain of transmission, protecting others and stop further development of new strains.
Isabel panpipe group providing entertainment
“These are messages from our health experts which we must pay close attention to and action immediately by taking the vaccines.”
Kikolo also used the occasion to reiterate the, “No Jab, No Job” policy of the government while assuring that Isabel provincial government will continue to support the national government, ministry of health and provincial health teams in the current efforts against COVID-19 and vaccination roll out.
Over 21,000 people in Isabel province are eligible to receive the vaccines.
Total of 3,200 doses of AstraZeneca vaccine doses have been deployed to the province for initial roll out with more batches of the vaccines to be deployed in the coming weeks and months.
Following the launch, 235 doses have been administered which is the highest recorded so far from all provincial launches and MHMS is looking forward to similar outcomes with vaccine launch from the remaining provinces.
