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Vaccination trials below 18-yrs ongoing: MHMS

Written by
Mavis Podokolo
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AstraZeneca vaccine. Photo by NDTV.

BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO

COMPANIES producing covid-19 vaccines globally are still processing trials to include jabbing of children below 18 years of age.

The only two approved covid-19 vaccines introduced so far in Solomon Islands are Sinopharm, manufactured in China, and AstraZeneca, manufactured in India.

Dr Choudhri Yogesh, advisor to Ministry of Health and Medical Services, said according to clinical guideline, people less below 18 years of age are not included to receive vaccines.

“That is why the safety and efficacy in people and children less than 18 years is not proven.

“However companies dealing with the World Health Organisation approved vaccines are now starting trials to include children. Once the efficacy and safety of these vaccines in terms of data they will get will provide necessary recommendation for children to use,” Yogesh said.

He said the only vaccine that has already been approved under the EU Authorisation the US to be given to children between the age of 12 and 15 years of age is the Pfizer vaccine.

“I would say the things are moving on but we need more data on the efficacy and safety amongst the children for use of these vaccines,” said Choudhri.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare has set the official launch of Sinopharm covid-19 vaccine for this Friday.  

“Since we only have 50,000 doses of Sinopharm vaccine we can only vaccinate 25000 people because it requires two doses to be administered at an interval of four weeks,” Sogavare said.

Seaport, SI weak link: PS McNeil

Written by
Mavis Podokolo
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BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO

SOLOMON Islands seaport as point of entry into the country is Solomon Islands’ weakest link when it comes to covid-19.

This was highlighted by Pauline McNeil, permanent secretary to Ministry of Health and Medical Services.

“Basically, the country’s sea port as point of entry is our weakest link when it comes to covid-19,” McNeil said.

She said monitoring on sea port and airport is still ongoing following the covid-19 cases detected amongst a crewmember of the Cargo vessel, MV Chefoo.

McNeil said the vessels exemption committee chaired by Secretary to Prime Minister Dr Jimmy Rodgers have been working hard in analysing and assessing vessels that come in.

“I acknowledge SPM who despite his well-deserved leave that he should have taken, he still doing his job in assessing the vessels that coming into the country.

“Also acknowledging the joint partnership with frontline ministries, Customs , Biosecurity and Immigration and Health team that potential risk from the vessel is quite high and so the teams are working very closely and working hard in ensuring that the risk is minimal or zero potential risk coming into  the country,” she said.

Dr Yogesh Choudhri, advisor to Ministry of Health said necessary measures have been put by the government to detect the cases of covid-19 at Ports and it has been exemplified by the cases detected last week.

“We do take testing of the people base on the risk assessment and if there is an element of doubt of there is a risk we test the people.

“And if it happened a case was detected the ship or cargo will be decontaminated upon off loading,” Choudhri said.

He said necessary precautions have been put in terms of testing, monitoring IPC, social distancing and disinfection of the cargo so there is no risk of covid-19 into Solomon Islands.

Inquiry into emergency health bill postponed

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
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National Parliament of Solomon Islands

By EDDIE OSIFELO

CHAIRMAN of Bills and Legislative Committee (BLC), Matthew Wale has postponed the inquiry into the Public Health and Emergency Bill 2021 to Friday.

This was after the Oversight Committee failed to present the consultation report on the Bill to the BLC yesterday.

Ministry of Health and Medical Service permanent secretary, Pauline McNeil said an officer is still consolidating the report.

As such, Wale postponed the inquiry to tomorrow morning to allow the Committee to serve the consultation report.

The objectives of the bill are to provide suitable and urgent responses to public health emergencies and circumstances that threatens the health of the persons and communities of Solomon Islands.

The bill aims to enable a range of operational capabilities and activities that will be able to quickly respond to such emergencies and circumstances and prevent, mitigate, eliminate the contamination, disease or other occurrence causing the emergencies and circumstances, and recover from them.

According to Parliament media, the BLC has started its inquiry process into the Public Health Emergency Bill 2021 which was tabled in Parliament on 12 March this year.

The Committee is mandated under Standing Orders 71 of the National Parliament to review all draft legislation before Parliament.

The inquiry process involves; calls for written submissions from a wide range of people and groups that have an interest in the bill, and conducting public hearings to gather evidences from key witnesses who will be invited to the hearings.

Since early April, the Committee had held a series of deliberative meetings on the bill with support from the UNDP providing an external technical expert.

On the 13th of May, the Committee resolved to begin with the Public Hearings at the National Parliament which will take place from 17 to 27 May, before it adjourns to conduct further hearings in the provinces.

However, due to delays, the inquiry proper starts tomorrow.

The hearings will invite key witnesses from the government officials, NGOs, CSOs, communities, and individuals to provide evidences to the Committee in its examination of the bill.

The Committee is currently calling for written submissions from the general public on matters relating to the bill, particularly in areas relating to:

• Interaction with the Constitution;

• Declaration of Public Health Emergencies (including Emergency Zones);

• Circumstances that threatens public health;

• Roles and Responsibilities;

• Offences and Penalties;

• Matters relating to Subsidiary legislation;

• Protection of persons with powers and functions under the bill;

• Provisions against misinformation;

• Establishment of the Special Fund – Public Health Emergency Fund; and

• Other relevant matters for consideration such as government policy, administration, implementation, and human rights.

During this inquiry, the Committee aims to gather as much evidence as possible on all aspects of the bill so that the Committee can report its findings and recommendations to Parliament before the bill goes through the second reading stage in the Committee of the Whole House.

Currently, a ‘calls for submissions’ is ongoing and the general public and other agencies and entities are encouraged to make written submissions to the Committee or they can request to appear as witnesses during the hearings by way of request to the Committee Chair or through the Committee Secretariat of the National Parliament. The Public Health Emergency Bill 2021 can be accessed on the National Parliament website.

The Committee is comprised of:

  1. Hon. John Maneniaru (Chairman);
  2. Hon. Stanley F. Sofu;
  3. Hon. Matthew C. Wale;
  4. Hon. John D. Kuku;
  5. Hon. Rick N. Houenipwela;
  6. Hon. Sam S. Iduri;
  7. Hon. Lilly Maefai;
  8. Hon. Derrick Manuari;
  9. Hon. Peter Kenilorea Jnr.

Aussie who tried to import cocaine via Solomons jailed

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police seize cocaine in solomon islands

AN Australian will spend at least nine years behind bars for trying to smuggle more than 500 kilogrammes of cocaine into Australia in a yacht via the Solomon Islands.

Police said Zhen Tao Qi, 43, of Wahroonga, New South Wales was a key organiser in the importation plot that was thwarted by an “unprecedented” international investigation.

The cocaine had been loaded into a Belgian-registered, double-masted yacht in South America, before it set off en route to Australia.

It contained 501kg of the drug with a street value of up to AUD$250 million, professionally concealed within the vessel.

But the shipment was being tracked by a multi-nation investigation involving Australian, Solomon Islands and the United States police, as well as the Australian Border Force and the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission.

Authorities pounced on the yacht on September 27, 2018, when it was docked in Honiara.

As the search of the vessel was underway, police in Australia launched coordinated raids across Sydney.

Qi and a 41-year-old Bonnyrigg Heights man, Zhen Zhao, were arrested and four search warrants conducted in Wahroonga, Bonnyrigg Heights, Dolls Point and Caringbah.

Earlier this month, Qi, whom police describe as one of the key organisers of the attempted importation, was sentenced to 14 years and five months’ prison for his role.

He will have to serve at least nine years before he is eligible for parole.

He had been charged with conspiracy to import a commercial quantity of border controlled drugs and knowingly dealing in money or other property which is an instrument of crime.

Zhao in December 2019 avoided a full-time custodial sentence when he was placed on a two-year intensive correction order.

He was guilty of knowingly dealing in money or property which is an instrument of crime.

In March last year, Australian Federal Police were granted an order by the Supreme Court to have seized items linked to Qi permanently forfeited.

It included more than AUD$130,000 in a bank account, a 2017 Land Rover Discovery registered to his wife, designer watches and AUD$20,000 cash.

AFP Detective Superintendent Ben McQuillan said strong partnerships with international law enforcement were vital to the success of the investigation.

“This was an unprecedented investigation between Australian and Solomon Islands authorities and shows what we can achieve when we work together to slam the brakes on large-scale drug importation by organised crime,” he said.

“The AFP will continue to work tirelessly to outsmart organised crime groups and to halt the importation of illicit drugs into the Australian community.”

Tikopians cast vote in Ward elections

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
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By EDDIE OSIFELO

THE second chief in Tikopia’s cultural heirarchy was the first to cast his vote when voting for the Tikopia/Anuta ward by-election yesterday morning.

The Chief is among 1,307 registered voters who have participated in the by-election on the remote eastern part of Solomon Islands.

The Ward By-Election for Anuta and Tikopia (ward 16) Island had become necessary after the Member of Provincial Assembly in Temotu province was terminated.

Freelance journalist, Jeremy Gwao, who covers the election process on Tikopia, confirmed that the Chief was very happy to participate in the by-election.

“The Chief encourages his people to exercise their democratic rights to vote in the election,” Gwao said.

There were four chiefs on Tikopia who are ranked hierarchical from first to fourth level.

Tikopia is one of the strong chiefly societies in the country, which is a high island and bigger than Anuta.

The people are of Polynesian descent but have co-existed in the Melanesian society for many years now.

Tikopia has three polling stations and one polling station on Anuta.

Six candidates contested the by-election.

Gwao said it was a smooth by election where many people turned up to cast their votes.

He said six police officers manned the three polling stations on Tikopia and four police officers on Anuta.

In the meantime, by-election for South Choiseul constituency and Kirugela electoral ward in Choiseul also concluded yesterday.

The By-Election in South Choiseul Constituency follows former Member of Parliament, Robertson Galokale losing his seat in an election petition case after the National General Election in April 2019.

The North East Choiseul Kirugela ward by-election follows the passing away of their Member of Provincial Assembly.

Counting and declaration of elections should start over the weekend for Tikopia/Anuta on Lata provincial station and Taro provincial station in Choiseul.

Bail for man facing arson

Written by
Jennifer Kusapa
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BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

Court has released a man accused of arson on bail.

John Lesapa is alleged of burning down seven houses in Ghavagha village, Guadalcanal province.

Defence lawyer, Bobby Harunari, applied for bail in the previous occasion to which prosecution objected.

However, yesterday principal magistrate Fatimah Taeburi granted bail, but with strict conditions.

Taeburi also imposed a $500 cash bail to be paid to the court before the accused is released; also, the accused will reside with his sister-in-law at GPPOL 2 and must abide by all bail conditions imposed by the court.

Lesapa is alleged of burning down dwelling houses and kitchen houses of seven different complainants on April 5, 2021.

Taeburi said the Crown objected on the grounds that the accused resides at Ghavagha Village where other suspects also reside.

Therefore, there will be a risk of interference and also compensation has not been paid and the risk of retaliation by the complainants is high.

Taeburi said there will be no interference as Lesapa will not reside at his home village but will reside at GIPPOL 2; and, regarding the safety of the applicant, if there is anyone who faces a risk of retaliation, it is the applicant himself, as he himself is the better person to assess the risks and dangers involved if he is released on bail.

Makira women form unique council of women

Written by
Brian Lezutuni
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West Wainoni women

The women of West Wainoni in East Makira Constituency of Makira Ulawa Province have formed what can be described as a unique Council of Women.

They have registered as the West Wainoni Council of Women, a Charitable, Non-Profitable Organization.

It is unique because its members are both women and men and the ages of its affiliates range between one day old infants and 80 years old women.

The Treasurer of the West Wainoni Council of Women, Evalyn Kahia says it is also unique because both women and men members are allowed to talk in meetings, but only 15 women councilors can vote for final decisions.

She says there are 252 women members and 147 men associate members, adding businesses in West Wainoni also contribute and outsiders wishing to help can do so.

Ms Kahia says the West Wainoni Council of Women which was formed on 14 September 2019 agreed to have men associate members to enable them to understand its activities better.


2nd photo: Prudence Katawea and Evalyn Kahia pose for a photo with the office equipment and RDP team leader, Annie Rafeasi sitting on the right, CAO Alfonse Punia standing behind, health representatives also standing behind and an agriculture officer sitting on the left.

She says the West Wainoni Council of Women as a Charitable Non-Profit Organization has received support from the Government through the Rural Development Program and three donor partners namely the Australian Government, the European Union and the World Bank.

Ms Kahia says her organization registers its gratitude to the Government through RDP Management and staff in Component Two of the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock and the three donor partners for seeing the importance to fund “our request originally for training.

“However, additional administrative support will really boost our efforts to reach out and help develop family units, communities, Wards and the Province and Solomon Islands as a whole”.

And on May 17, 2021, the efforts and endeavors of the West Wainoni Council of Women paid off when the RDP Team Leader, Annie Rafeasi handed over a Laptop, a Printer, a Dongle, Accessories and Stationeries to the unique West Wainoni Council of Women’s Vice President, Prudence Katawea and Treasurer, Ms Kahia at the Makira Women’s Resources Centre in Kira Kira.

On receiving the office equipment and accessories and stationeries, Ms Kahia described them as an enabling gigantic step in “our efforts and endeavors to serve the development needs and aspirations of our members.

“They will also empower and enable our women to take part in the socio-economic sector to improve their rural communities’ livelihoods and well-beings.

“And they will be used to improve and enhance the administrative capacity and capability of our Council of Women when serving rural women and the communities they reside”.

Meanwhile, Ms Kahia says the time, effort and money in particular “we spend will be sliced by half, as we will now work at home instead of going do our work in Kira Kira.

“At this juncture, I take the chance to commend Our Telekom for installing the Arohane 3-G Communications Network because we can now send and receive documents and reports to and from the development partners, stakeholders and the government”.

By George Atkin

Kira Kira

Planned Taelo-Ata’a road under question

Written by
Samie Waikori
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Leaders of landowning tribes from West Fataleka and West Baegu

BY SAMIE WAIKORI

AUKI

LEADERS in parts of Fataleka and Baegu regions in Malaita province have questioned the proposed Taelo/Ata’a road in North Malaita.

In a statement from PARU office, the leaders raised the question in show of their solidarity with MARA government cautioning those engaged in architecting the proposed road development.

The leaders raised the concern following information received within their communities in West Fataleka and West Baegu regions that several individuals claiming to be representatives of tribes within the region held discussions with the MP for Baegu Asifola and his advisers. 

The statement revealed that the dialogue was said to be on the proposed Taelo to Ata’a road development.

“Responding to the information, the tribal representatives of the concern tribal lands had a virtual meeting with the Premier of Malaita Province currently in Brisbane, Australia on medical grounds.

“In the meeting the land owning tribal representatives strongly assured the premier that they will not allow their tribal lands for such development.

“The land owning leaders said they do not know how the proposed development came about and as such we will not allow our land for the road development to go through.”

Mr Paul Ratu of Lagwaeiano tribal land stated “we will support and continue to work with the provincial government of Malaita and those that work with the province.

“We will not work or allow our tribal lands to anyone that is not willing to work with the MARA government in the development of Malaita,” he said.

Similar sentiment was also shared by other leaders who attended the virtual meeting with the premier.

According to PARU the proposed road development will be carried out by MP for Baegu Asifola with the support of the MP for Fataleka. 

“It is highly likely that the road development would be conducted under the Baefola Investment a business entity registered under the Baegu Asifola Constituency.

“Such attitude is not new the two MPs in the past also brought a high level delegation from the Chinese Embassy in Honiara to their constituencies. 

“Despite knowing that the MARA Government under the Auki Communique made it clear that they will not allow any businesses that have direct connections to PRC to come into Malaita province and to operate business in the province,” it said.

Taro for a ‘safer Pacific Ocean’

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Robert Sisilo speaking at the Handover Ceremony of the RSIPV Taro on 7 May 2021 in Perth, Western Australia

“OUR two countries have worked together over many years in support of our collective regional security goals and values.

“I am sure RSIPV Taro will also help make our Pacific Ocean safer and more secure.  And in so doing, fulfill an international responsibility because the Pacific Ocean is critical to our and the world’s future.”

Those were the words of the Solomon Islands High Commissioner to Australia Robert Sisilo, as he, on behalf of the Government and people of Solomon Islands, took possession of the Patrol Boat Taro which the Government and people of Australia gave at a colourful handover ceremony at the Henderson Shipyard in Perth, Western Australia, on 7 May.

“It is the world’s largest ocean, providing 60 percent of the world’s fish and home to the world’s largest tuna fishery,” Sisilo said.

“Much of the ocean is still waiting to be explored but human activities like illegal fishing, oil spills, ocean pollution, deep-seabed mining and fossil-fuel burning are already changing it big time,” he lamented.

“Because of climate change the world’s marine life are increasingly put under severe stress with tsunamis and cyclones getting more frequent and more intense with too many stories to count and tell of havoc, displacement and misery. 

“And if that was not enough, then sea-level rise to drown shorelines and landmarks creating land shortages resulting in land incursions and disputes particularly on the outlying atolls.

“We can only prosper when our ocean and seas are safe and secure.  We have seen the tragedy of tsunamis and cyclones. 

“And bore the brunt of the impact of sea-level rise on our Islands and coastlines. 

“We have also seen and felt the profound impact of civil unrest on security on the seas.”

Sisilo continued:

“This is perhaps our greatest collective security. For even in this changing world, the oceans still hold the key to its fortunes.

“Solomon Islands is all for a secure and sustainable future for the Pacific Ocean and is proud to be your partner. 

“A partnership that has stood the test of time.”

Australian Member of Parliament Vince Connelly represented the Australian Government at the ceremony.

Connelly served as a Company Second-in-Command in Solomon Islands during the RAMSI days.

Aust helps timber growers on Kolombangara

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(L to R): Kolombangara Forest Products Limited General Manager, Dan Raymond; the Australian High Commissioner, Dr Lachlan Strahan; Australian High Commission Counselor Economics, Andrew Schloeffel; and the Honourable Minister and Member of Parliament for Gizo/Kolombangara, Lanelle Tanandaga, touring the Kolombangara timber plantations last year.

AUSTRALIA’S Strongnim Bisnis is working with Kolombangara Forest Products Limited (KFPL) to support small timber growers (out-growers) on Kolombangara in Western Province, boosting the sustainable forestry sector and providing local communities with new jobs and more income.

The Australian High Commissioner, Dr Lachlan Strahan, and the Minister for Education and Human Resources Development, Lanelle Tanangada, toured KFPL’s operations and met several out-growers on 11 May.

Minister Tanangada is also the member for Gizo-Kolombangara.

KFPL started an out-grower program in 2013, helping small timber growers to sell their commercial-age plantation logs to the market. 


KFPL employees showed the Honourable Minister and Member of Parliament for Gizo/Kolombangara, Lanelle Tanandaga and The Australian High Commissioner, Dr Lachlan Strahan the plant nurseries used by local out-growers.
 

KFPL General Manager, Dan Raymond, said “The KFPL out-grower program has returned more than SBD 11 million to 481 growers who have sold their trees. Out-growers know that they can gain a profit from growing plantations, and as a result they continue to plant around Kolombangara”.

MP Tanandaga said “A new dawn of opportunities is provided by the Australian Government supported partnership between Strongim Bisnis and KFPL and I encourage my good people of Gizo/Kolombangara to embrace this opportunity. In support of this partnership, Gizo/Kolombangara Constituency will continue to support out growers and provide partnership arrangements for planting of at least 20,000 trees as out grower project in 2021. Let us plant trees for today’s generation and beyond.”


The Honourable Minister and Member of Parliament for Gizo/Kolombangara, Lanelle Tanandaga and the Australian High Commissioner, Dr Lachlan Strahan toured Kolombangara’s plant nurseries.

Strongim Bisnis will assist KFPL’s out-grower program by mapping existing smallholder lots, supporting out-growers to access accurate market information so they may manage their plantations more effectively, and helping out-growers to sell larger quantities of their logs.

Australian High Commissioner Strahan, said “The forestry sector plays a vital role in the Solomon Islands economy.


The Honourable Minister and Member of Parliament for Gizo/Kolombangara, Lanelle Tanandaga and the Australian High Commissioner, Dr Lachlan Strahan thanked the team from KFPL for hosting their visit.
 

“But it is essential that it does so in a sustainable and socially conscious manner, protecting the environment and ensuring that its economic benefits are shared with people at village level.

“KFPL is making an important contribution locally and nationally, producing timber in a sustainable way, paying taxes, employing several thousand people and working with local communities in partnership.

“Small-scale timber growers in Kolombangara have already proved that they can profit from KFPL’s out-grower program,”  said Dr Strahan.

“This Strongim Bisnis initiative will help KFPL to extend the reach of its out-grower program, enabling more local producers to harvest and sell their timber,” he said.


Strongim Bisnis Business Partnerships Director, Tim Lawther, signed a year-long partnership with Kolombangara Forest Products Limited (KFPL) General Manager, Dan Raymond, to support KFPL’s timber out-growers program.
 

Dr Strahan visited Kolombangara Island as part of his travel to Western Province. KFPL is one of only two large plantation growers generating considerable revenue and jobs through planted areas totalling approximately 30,000 hectares.

Strongim Bisnis works in the cocoa, coconut, tourism, financial services, timber, horticulture and waste management sectors, with a strong focus on women, youth and people with disability.

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