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Tangirongo is new envoy to NZ

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PM Sogavare and High Commissioner Tangirongo at the Commissioning Ceremony

GOVERNMENT has reappointed the country’s former High Commissioner to Britain, Eliam Tangirongo, to head the New Zealand mission.

Tangirongo returned home after the Government closed the London office last year.

He was commissioned for his new posting yesterday.

Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare administered the commissioning ceremony at the Office of the Prime Minister and Cabinet in the presence of senior government officials and family members.

A Government statement said Sogavare reminded High Commissioner Tangirongo that his tasks as the new High Commissioner to New Zealand is first to represent and promote the interests of the Government of Solomon Islands in New Zealand.

“These tasks could be political, economic, social and cultural,” Sogavare said.

He further advised the High Commissioner not to compromise his official duties with personal interests and other forms of persuasions during his term in Office.

Sogavare also reminded the high commissioner that he is the link between Solomon Islands Government and the Government of the country to which he is accredited and that his office and home will be the safe haven for Solomon Islanders in times of need.  

During his term in Office, High Commissioner Tangirongo was reminded that his instructions on all occasions during his mission will come from the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and External Trade and that he must avoid extravagance at all costs.

Prime Minister Sogavare is confident that Tangirongo is eminently fit in his personal qualities and experience in the affairs of State for the charge the Government of Solomon Islands has entrusted on him.

Prior to his appointment to the London Mission, he served as one of the chairperson’s of the Public Service Commission.

Tangirongo is a highly experienced Public Servant.

He replaces Joy Kere, whose term at the Wellington mission ended last year.

Winwin and landowners resolve dispute

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
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Turarana river, where the WinWin mining company is operating.

By EDDIE OSIFELO

WIN Win Investment Ltd and Turarana Landowners Taskforce and other leaders have resolved their dispute following a meet at Henderson Police post yesterday.

Both parties agreed to work together to iron any issues relating to the mining operation of the company at Turarana.

The so-called Taskforce called the meeting for the company to clarify outstanding issues and due payment need to be settled relating to the mining operation on Turarana tenement.

The taskforce said failure to meet with them, the company expect to see all four tribes would stage a road block on 13th July, which is the deadline of the 14 days’ notice issued on 29th June to Win Win.

Win Win does not recognize the existence of Taskforce as it was set up outside the 24 trustees of Turarana where Win Win signed the Surface Access Agreement and Surface Access Rights Agreement with them.

In a letter sent to the Managing Director of Win Win mining Company Ltd on 1st July, the four landowning tribes (Garavu, Lasi, Koe’naho and Manuki) tribes who owns the Turarana tenement where the company is operating, agreed on this during their extra ordinary meeting held at Turarana village on Wednesday 30th June.

Some of the log of claims which are dued payments are:

1.            Premium – $26,000 (Surface Access Agreement)

2.            Access fee – $250,000 (SAA)

3.            Rental payments – $1,000/square kilometer multiply 12 square kilometer – (2018-2021)

4.            Campsite payment – $3,000 per month from 2018-2021

5.            Pits

6.            Damages

However, the Taskforce was happy when they heard that the company had paid the $250,000 access fees to the taskforce already.

Also the taskforce was informed by Elemelek Vamule, mines officer in the Ministry of Mines, Energy and Rural Electrification that the royalty payments of the landowners are still with Central Bank of Solomon Islands.

Vamule said CBSI can only release the payments once the landowners sorted out their land boundaries and open a bank account.

He said other payments like rentals and campsite will be part and parcel of the land acquisition and opening of bank accounts as well.

As such, the taskforce assured the company that there will be no road blocks and they are willing to work together with their trustees during the span of the operation.

Island Sun understand there were 19 shipments of the minerals made so far and the company overseas has already paid eight shipments to CBSI.

Vamule said this is in accordance with Mines and Mineral Act that payments must be made within three

Win Win has extracted alluvial deposits on the stream beds of Mamasa and Turarana to get the minerals, especially gold.

The company started operations on Mamasa in October 2019, however the company discovered the tenement had low alluvial deposits on its stream beds.

Win Win is now operating on Turarana which is believed to have high alluvial deposits.

Makira/Ulawa vaccine rollout set for August

Written by
Mavis Podokolo
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BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO

MAKIRA/Ulawa province vaccination roll-out is set for the first week of August.

Dr Yogesh Choudhri senior advisor to Ministry of Health and Medical Services announced this recently.

“Plan to roll out vaccine to Makira/Ulawa is on first week of August to roll it out. Right now they are doing the trainings and then advocacy meetings,” Choudhri said.

He said for provincial level rollout of the COVID-19 vaccination it is often led provincially and managed provincially.

The national government is only there to support them to run the vaccination roll-out.

Choudhri said each province has specific clinics and multiple technologies to reach out.

“Some of the multiple approaches including Fix clinics, mobile, outreach, going to business houses.

“So it’s a mixture of approach that we are taking. This because we want to make sure the vaccine reaches the people.

“I think people also must start to take little responsibility and effort to get vaccinated,” he said.

GP vax roll-out faces manpower challenge

Written by
Mavis Podokolo
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BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO

GUADALCANAL province’s vaccination roll-out is facing manpower challenges.

This was confirmed by Dr Joel Denty, Guadalcanal Province Health Director in a radio talkback show on SIBC.

“We have been facing challenges with number of teams and Human Resources at this time. Ones we get a bit more support we will increase number of vaccination teams to be deployed to target sites.

“Also we prefer mobile teams because most villages are far from the fix site,” Denty said.

He said since the launch of the vaccine on June 18, community rollout is still ongoing at the moment.

“On Monday 5th July we at the Guadalcanal Health team started vaccination at Good Shepherd area at Foxwood. We started the vaccination at two wards that have a lot of people, Malango and Gaobata, so that is our current focus at the moment.

“Numbers of people who come forward to get their jab have started slow but is it slowly picking up. As of Monday, only 61 individuals received their first vaccine shot, by Tuesday this went up to 104, and by Friday we reached 202 people receiving their vaccine.

“I hope ones we increase number of teams, the number will slowly be increasing,” Denty said.

“The vaccination teams are stationed on GIPPOL two, this one will involve company employees and also surrounding communities.

“Please those of you who are close to these sites I urge you to come forward and get vaccinated before it ends tomorrow (Wednesday).

“It is also encouraging to see some people are helping out in providing transports for individuals to fix vaccination sites,” said Denty.

Get vaccinated to protect your children: MHMS

Written by
Mavis Podokolo
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BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO

THE Ministry of Health and Medical Services is calling on family members above 18 years old to get vaccinated to “protect your children against the virus”.

This call was echoed by Dr Yogesh Choudhri, senior advisor to Ministry of Health, during a radio talkback show.

“To protect our children it is important that we take the vaccine because ones we take the vaccine we are less likely to get the infections and we are less likely to pass on the infection to our children.

“So this is one of the reasons that we should take the vaccine because the vaccine may not be available for children less than 18 years old,” Choudhri said.

He stressed, the time to take the vaccine in Solomon Islands is now and if a person do that there is enough for your immune system to create antibodies.

Choudhri said for now there is only one vaccine that is approved by World Health Organisation (WHO) to be use for adolescents 12 years and above, that vaccine is the Pfizer vaccine.

“The AstraZeneca and Sinopharm vaccines we have can only be used for people 18 years and above.”

Dr Nemia Bainavalu, chair to COVID-19 vaccine Technical Working Group (TWG), said:

“When you have the protection for yourself the possibility of transferring the virus to your family will be reduced. But if you have the possibility to spread it to family you affect your family and possible affecting the public as well.

“Hence our theme, protects yourself, protect your family and protect your country,” Bainivalu said

Gizo welcomes Archbishop Dawea to town

Written by
Ben Bilua
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St Luke Gizo Parish Priest Father Eric Kolae right welcomed Archbishop Dawea and delegates at Nusatupe Terminal

BY BEN BILUA
Gizo

ANGLICAN church communities in and surrounding Gizo yesterday welcomed the Head of Anglican Church of Melanesian Archbishop Leonard Dawea.

Archbishop Dawea and his delegate touched down at Nusatupe airport at around 9am and were transported to Gizo where he and his delegates were greeted by Provincial Police Commander of Western Province.

He was then escorted by police to St Luke Church where the parishioners gathered to welcome him.

PPC of Western Province welcomes Archbishop and his team upon arrival at Gizo Hotel jetty

A beautiful scenery was staged, where Fishing Village parishioners performed the most popular Malaitan marching band to escort the Archbishop to the church where formal welcome event was made followed by a courtesy visit to the Premier of Western province and other institutions.

Archbishop Dawea said Western Province is part of Isabel Diocese, with minority parishioners as such it is his pastoral duty to visit the minority Anglican churches.

St Luke flower girls ready to garland the visiting delegation

“I choose to visit Anglican minority churches as most visits have been concentrated on diocesan headquarters,” he told parishioners.

“I’ve been here during the 2007 Tsunami and it is an honor to come back and visit the church,” Archbishop Dawea added.

“I want to register my sincere acknowledgement to parishioners and Father Eric Kolae for leading the church here in Gizo and other satellite churches.”

Parishioners of Transfiguration Church Fishing village marching band ready to escort Arcbishop Dawea and his team

Archbishop Dawea said churches are living testimony of Christian values where Christians share responsibilities in the spreading of the gospel.

“When churches meet, there is joy, peace and unity so as questions. I’m happy to discuss with parishioners any issues affecting the church while I’m here,” he added.

Archbishop Dawea greeted by garland girls and MC of the program

Archbishop Dawea said he is looking forward to fellowship with parishioners during his time in Gizo

Speaking during the courtesy visit, Premier of Western Province, David Gina said his government acknowledged the Archbishop’s visit to his province.

He said his government is supportive of church development that would promote peace, social harmony and economic development.

Gina said WPG will continue to support the churches in the province.

Country still without Auditor General

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
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Chairman of the Public Service Commission says that they are yet to appoint an Auditor General

By EDDIE OSIFELO

THE Auditor General cannot sign off on audit reports on all financial statements of public sector entities at the moment.

This was after former Auditor General, Peter Lokay’s contract ended in March this year.

Deputy Auditor General, Rachel McKechnie of New Zealand said work is ongoing to appoint a new Auditor General.

She said auditing on financial statements are still on going, however there is no Auditor General to provide a final opinion whether it is true or fair.

According to Section 108 (2) of the National Constitution, the Auditor-General shall be appointed by the Governor-General, acting in accordance with the advice of the Public Service Commission.

Chairman of Public Service Commission, Milner Tozaka said the position has already being advertised and a decision made to identify one candidate.

Tozaka said when the candidate is going to take up the post is up to the Ministry of Public Service to decide on it.

He said at the moment he cannot name the chosen candidate because the Public Service is still to make a decision on it.

One of the aims of the Auditor General is to produce reliable and persuasive reports on the performance of public sector activities that aim to generate significant improvements in public sector administration.

The primary output of the Office of the Auditor General (OAG) is audit reports – to the National Parliament, the nine Provincial Assemblies, the Honiara City Council and the various Boards of State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) and Statutory Authorities (SAs).

The Office also produces Special Audit Reports which are provided to the requesting government agencies when it is believed that the topic is of importance for the general governance of the Solomon Islands Government (SIG) or in the public interest.

In addition, the OAG also undertakes efficiency audits of government programs or operations (known as Performance Audits) which are also reported to the National Parliament.

‘Chasing after COVID-19 funds’

Written by
Ben Bilua
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BY BEN BILUA
Gizo

REPORTS have emerged that government institutions and officers are chasing after the COVID-19 funds for extra allowance.

A source who wants his name withheld said there have been incidents where officials were diverting tasks that provincial officials can carry out to Honiara-based public officers.

“It is disappointing to see this manipulating of tasks arrangements at the top level in terms of needed tasks in the provinces,” the provincial source said.

“An example is; when there is an incident at Shortland Islands, institutions in Honiara sent their officials to carry out the task rather than contacting provincial disaster focal points to execute it,” the source added.

“Most of the tasks have been decided by higher offices in Honiara and we know, they are running after the COVID-19 funds because there will be hefty allowances allocated for those who carry out the tasks.”

The source adds that provincial officials [frontline workers] are capable of executing the tasks required in any COVID-19 situation in the Western border.

The source further stated that sending officials from Honiara is not only bypassing provincial frontline workers but also a costly exercise for the government.

“We are complaining about low cash flow, but we turn to forget some of our actions contribute to eating up the government budget.

“If we do the right thing with moral values and responsibility, we will save funds for rainy days,” the source said.

Speaking during the meeting held between Western Provincial Executive and Parliament Health and Medical Service Committee this week, Provincial Secretary of Western Province who is also the Chair of Western Province Disaster Committee, Jeffrey Wickham said Western Provincial Disaster Committee has been a spectator as most of the plans and jobs bypass provincial disaster offices.

He said there is no proper coordination between national disaster office and the provincial disaster office, by passing provincial disaster officers in the process.

Wickham said National Disaster Committee and the Provincial Disaster Committee must be on the same page on COVID-19 programs and activities.

Digital library for Solomon children

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Natasha Sokeleke, Library For All's Solomon Islands Program Manager, pictured with children in Guadalcanal enjoying the Library For All digital book collection available on any android device for free.

CHILDREN across the Solomon Islands will have the chance to read local stories that spark imagination and build foundations for a lifelong love of reading, with the nation’s first ever digital library of books launching this month.

The program is being facilitated by Library For All, a Save the Children Australia not for profit enterprise made up of a global team of creatives with a passion for improving the lives of children through technology enabled learning tools.

The collection will feature 350 children’s books, in English and the local Arosi language, and will be available free on an Android app across the Solomon Islands.

Many of the stories within the collection have been written by Solomon Islanders, reflecting a sense of place and identity familiar to the children that will read the books.

For most of the authors, this was also their first experience putting pen to paper to create a children’s book, making it a significant opportunity to share their knowledge and stories.

Rebecca McDonald Founder & Chief Executive Officer of Library For All said:“The purpose of the program is to improve literacy outcomes for children in the Solomons Islands through stories that reflect their own experiences and identities.

“The idea is for the books to compliment the abundance of ‘window’ books that exist in the world – books that give a glimpse into the lives of others – and enrich a child’s reading experience by seeing their own lives and identities ‘mirrored’ on the pages they read.”

Rebecca was inspired to build Library for All while volunteering in Haiti in 2010.

While on the ground, Rebecca saw many students eager to learn but with no access to books, as an avid e-reader, she could access limitless books instantly, so she was struck by this injustice.

Rebecca has since dedicated the past decade to realising her dream: let the world learn.

“Library For All believes that education brings opportunity, and our mission is to make knowledge accessible to all.

“We won’t stop until every child can learn, does learn and enjoys learning,” Ms McDonald said.

Madam Alison Hora, Solomon Islands Arosi educator said:

“As a local author of Arosi books I am proud to contribute to the Solomon Islands first digital library.

“I am grateful that the Arosi language has been part of this project and that our children will now have access to more reading books written in their own mother tongue which will no doubt improve their learning.”

Save the Children Solomon Islands Education Program Manager Placida Misiga said:
“Save the Children is proud to be working alongside Library For All to provide local children with such a unique resource for the very first time.
“The Solomon Islands is isolated in many ways, which often makes delivery of education resources difficult, but Library For All’s effective use of edtech makes reading easily available to children who need, and will value it, most,” Ms Misiga said. 
The collection is available to download for free on the Library For All App (Get The App – Library For All) on any Android phone in the Solomon Islands.

ENDS

ClimSA project launched

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
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By EDDIE OSIFELO

SOLOMON Islands has joined other Pacific Islands countries to celebrate the signing of $66.6 million ($9 million EURO) Pacific Climate Information Services and Application (ClimSA) project and launching of the Pacific Meteorological Council 10th Year Anniversary in Honiara yesterday.

The event was hosted through a blended platform-face to face and virtual (via zoom) for participants outside of Samoa.

Deputy Secretary Corporate, Karl Kuper in the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, Disaster Management & Meteorology, said as he reflected on the role and services of National Meteorology and Hydrological Services in our communities and countries, one must recognize that Met Services is the strong pillar that strengthens our fight against climate change, as weather and climate impacts us every day”.

Kuper, also current chair of Pacific Ministerial Meeting on Meteorology, said one of their fundamental roles is the collection of hydro-meteorological data observations, and share and exchanges these data regionally and worldwide.

He said all monitoring and prediction of weather and climate start from observations – these data provide the only source of knowledge about the atmosphere and the climate system.

“Weather and climate are inherently global, and to understand and predict them anywhere, observations even from the farthest reaches of the globe need to be made available to the global monitoring and prediction model systems.

“The first three links of the hydro-meteorology value chain -observations, data exchange, and global numerical prediction – are of global significance,” he said.

Kuper said failure in delivering these links severely affects the quality of global weather and climate prediction and limits the ability of all countries to adapt to climate change and promote resilient development.

He said the World Bank assessment on climate change and disaster risk in the Pacific identified in the last 60 years – more than 2,400 tropical cyclones was experienced and since 1950 extreme events have affected approximately 9.2 million people.

Kuper said the estimate damages of about $3.2 billion.

“These are astounding figures for our Pacific peoples to cope with when it comes to extreme events and changing climate.

“I therefore want to comment the meteorological directors, SPREP, WMO and its partners for the vision and foresight in instigating the setup of the Pacific Meteorological Council,” he said.

According to SPREP Director General, Kosi Latu, Pacific National Meteorological Services are the pillar of weather, climate and climate change science to predict and forecast weather, climate, ocean and water related hazards in our countries.

The Pacific Meteorological Council (PMC) was first established in 2011 as a subsidiary body of the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP).

Since then, PMC has increased in number of partners and members as the demand for weather and climate information increases with climate change. 

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