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Japan embassy calls for care of funded facility on Malaita

Written by
Samie Waikori
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Newly built staff houses with the clinic facility.

BY SAMIE WAIKORI

AUKI

COUNSELOR of the Embassy of Japan in Solomon Islands, Norimasa Yoshida has urged communities within the catchment of Rade Aekoa RHC to care for their health facilities to ensure its services to them endures.

The Embassy who was co-funder of the clinic was delighted to see the money of the government and people of Japan was materialized.

Councellor Yoshida cuts a ribbon to officially open the clinic.

“I am delighted to attend and celebrate this very special ceremony for Rade Aekoa Health Clinic opening which is co-funded by the government of Japan. It’s a milestone for all,” he said.

Yoshida said the new health facility will serve medical treatments to the people who live in ward 30 and the catchment areas in Langa Langa lagoon.

Crowds watching entertainments during the ceremony.

He said it will improve the access to primary health care in remote areas and benefit thousands of people.

“I would like to express my appreciation to the Malaita provincial health service for setting up the new medical service here. 

Ms Julie Hatai from the provincial health (left) and Ms Hiro Takegami, JICA Project Coordinator (right) display shell money ornaments receive from Rade Aekoa communities.

“I would also like to say thank you to the health board members and the stakeholders for your tireless and concerted efforts.

“I hope that the facility will be well maintained in order to benefit many generations in the catchment areas, and he remembered as a symbol of the friendship between the two peoples of Japan and Solomon Islands for many years to come,” he said.

The newly open Rade Aekoa Rural Health Clinic (RHC).

Yoshida said on behalf of the Embassy of Japan, they congratulated the communities for efforts rendered into successfully completing the project which is now ready to use.

Sea View Lodge the place to be in Taro

Written by
Ben Bilua
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Taro Island

BY BEN BILUA
Gizo

LOCATED a few minutes’ walk from the Taro Jetty is Sea View Lodge – a semi-permanent building sitting above the sea with rooms for guests and also a bar to cool down while watching the sun set.

The two storey building is owned by 54 year old Joby Galo. It has 13 rooms upstairs, three rooms’ downstairs, a bottle shop and a bar.

A room costs around SBD$350.00 per night but the price is negotiable depending on circumstance.

Closer view of Sea View Lodge

The setting is fitting for guests to enjoy the view overlooking the white sandy beach of Supizae Island on the left and the lagoon leading to Choiseul Bay Provincial Secondary School on the right.

Add to the bonus is the newly built bar, where guests can see the coral reefs decorated with colorful fish playing below, or guests can take a five minutes boat ride provided by Sea View to a water fall.

Bridge to the incomplete bar

Overall, the fresh lagoon breeze can carry your mind away.

I met up with the owner of Sea View Lodge during my trip to cover the South Choiseul by-election last week and during our conversations he asked if I could helped promote his local business.

From our conversation, I sensed that Galo has big plans and ambitions to improve his services to meet the market.

Joby Galo, the Owner Sea View Taro

“I’m planning to establish a proper setting to my lodge. Currently I’m working on self-contained rooms. I plan to install shower and toilet rooms on every self-contained room. I ‘am also looking at renovating part of this building for a conference room, restaurant and also a bar.

“It’s quite challenging for me to achieve my goals but I’m confident that I will get there in the future,” he said.

View from the Lodge

According to Galo, finance is his weakness to accomplish his dream of owning a well-established lodge with sufficient services for guests to enjoy when visiting Taro or Choiseul province.

“My liquor shop is the only income that helped me purchase materials to improve my lodge. Last year, I was fortunate to receive assistance from the government through the stimulus package. But the fund is not enough. I’ve used the fund to build the bar which is yet to be completed,” he said.

Galo was busy during the by-election period as guests flood in looking for rooms to stay. From observation, Sea View was a preferred place to rent as rules are flexible for guests compared to other motels.

“This is a busy week for me and I’m glad that I have lots of guests though there is no one to help me promote my business.

“I’ve never dreamt of having this much guests because I never market my business. I believe people to people conversation helped market Sea View Lodge which is a good thing for me,” he said.

When asked about security, Galo stressed that the welfare of his guests is paramount and that there are sets of rules for non-guests.

“I want my guests to enjoy their stay while at Sea View Lodge. My guest’s privacy is my concern and I always make sure there is no disturbance to my guests.

“Furthermore, my guests can enjoy beers at the bar till late but respect my property. This rule is only for guests,” he said.

Galo’s business journey started 18 years ago when he was 37 years old. A builder himself, he started constructing the motel in 2004.

The year that followed he sent his daughter to study Tourism and Hospitality at the Solomon Islands National University (SINU).

Sea View bottleshop

“This is a family business and I want my sons and daughters to be part of this business. My kids have to work to earn income. My daughter is now looking after catering and my son is looking after the liquor shop.

“I’m partly satisfied with the achievement and the benefits of this small business to my family so far,” Galo said

A glimpse of Sea View hospitality is perfect beginning with the owner himself, Galo a cool guy, easy going and well-respected person. His staff are also friendly – meaning security is guaranteed.

I can imagine, the new face of Sea View Lodge will be much better compared to the existing setting after the renovation.

The proposed bar which sits above the sea, the beautiful view and friendly staff makes Sea View Lodge a must visit lodge in Taro.

Gov’t ignores Suidani’s treatment request

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
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Premier of Malaita province Daniel Suidani

BY EDDIE OSIFELO

MALAITA Premier Daniel Suidani is now in Australia seeking life-saving medical treatment after the national government ignored a doctor’s recommendation to assist the premier in his travel and treatment.

With support of friends and family members, Suidani had to fund the full cost of his travel and medical.

The premier has been suffering from chronic headache since late last year.

A medical report Island Sun cited, prepared by NRH physician Dr Elizabeth Wore, stated Suidani suffered throbbing headache on the right side of his forehead, supraorbital, parietal and temporal region.

The report said the premier used to experience this in the early hours of the morning about 2am, lasting until 6am.

“This would wake him up most nights,” the report said.

Later, according to the report, the headache came on during the day and persists throughout the day worsening in severity to pain score of 5 to 7 out of 10 by midnight and would persist till morning. 

“Headache disturbs his sleep most times however gets some relief with Paracetamol/Panadine/Ibuprofen and intermittent use of Oxycodone for severe headache.  

“There were no aggravating or precipitating factors.  He denied nausea or vomiting. 

“There was no associated fever, night sweats or weight loss.  Now the headache is localised in the frontal and central region of his head with severe excruciating pain and heavy headedness lasting hours and would be relieved with opiates (Oxycodone) however, short-lived.

“He has normal vision however he developed an acute onset of left facial weakness associated with inadequate closer of his left eye but no limb weakness.”

Because his condition cannot be treated here, Dr Wore recommended to the Government’s Referral Committee that Suidani travels overseas for CATC scan and diagnosis.

But sources said the recommendation was simply ignored.

A spokesman for the Malaita Provincial Government says in the end, Premier Suidani had to use his own resources and donations from friends and families to travel to Australia for treatment.

“The premier left early this month and is currently in Brisbane for treatment,” the spokesman said.

Comments are being sought from the Government’s Referral Committee.

Pari hits back, clarifies Premier Gina’s lies

Written by
Alfred Pagepitu
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Premier of Western province, David Gina

BY ALFRED PAGEPITU

PARI Development Company Limited has hit back at Western province Premier, David Gina, over his media statements which PARI says are misleading.

This comes after Western province Premier Gina in his statement yesterday welcomed the Commissioner of Lands’ move to reclaim Pari land to re-enter and take possession of Fixed Term Estates (FTE) owned by Pari development Company Ltd in Noro Western province.

Gina in his statement said the Western Province Executive welcomes the “putting back the processes in perspective” by Commissioner of Lands. Gina also claimed PARI had been selling land in Noro using fake documents in its possession.

To this, PARI Managing Director Donald Bato clarifies that PARI has not sold any land as Gina claims, nor has been using any fake documents.

“We have all the legal documents to provide,” said Bato.

Island Sun has copies of the legal documents possessed by PARI underlying the issue.

Bato said the endorsement of the application for Grant of Profit over the reminder parcel – lot 3 of LR 305/2 in Noro had been approved before the Commissioner of Lands gave 10 years of Grant of Profit.

“This was during the western Provincial government executive 9th meeting on December 5, 2012 (WPE 9(2012) 131), deliberated based on the Pari application in detail  and resolved as follows.

1.       Endorsed the application by Pari Development Ltd

2.       Granted formal consent to Pari Development to carry out logging operations on the parcel of lands being applied for, but conditions.

3.       Pari Development Ltd to consider the condition to be established by the Western provincial executive when signing the instrument (grant of profit) with the Commissioner of Lands, who is the PE holder.

“Where are the false documents that Gina claims in his statement?” Bato asks.

He said that Western provincial government has not worked closely with PARI but only sought to delay the company’s applications for the sub-division which the company had applied for.

Bato said Pari conveyed utmost disappointment with the Western Provincial Planning and Development Board in the manner they addressed Pari subdivision applications in 2018.

“We submitted an application to WPPDB requesting facilitation of approvals on seven land parcels in Noro referred to as PN.098-009-052, PN.098-009-054, PN098-011-145, PN.098-012-545, PN.098-016-001, PN. 098-016-001, PN.098-011-169 and PN.098-009-065 along with their block plans in November 21, 2018.

“These applications were never considered for deliberation until June 13, 2019 when they only approved one of the applications on PN. 098-009-054 mainly due to the fact that Solomon Submarine Cable was due to be launched soon. Note that they did not inform us of this approval until October 29, 2019, two days before the launching.

“Who is telling the truth here, the Commissioner of Lands or the Premier Gina? Bato questioned.

Bato said that this is the result of the provincial government and CoL wanting to forfeit parcels that have not been developed but Pari have done.

“As the leader you should not pin-pointing to Pari because as Premier you have never developed your land at Lembu for years now under the Parcel number 098-005-73, which covers 270.34 hectares which have never been developed.

“Can I ask the Premier why he has not developed his land since 1998 rather than personalise issues against Pari?”

Bato asks Commissioner Alan McNeil why he has not forfeited these lands under Premier Gina which are undeveloped, rather has only been resorting to finger pointing Pari.

He said that Gina has sold more of his lands to logging companies at Baeroko and never developed his land.

Bato said that as a leader “you have to be transparent in any decision making and stop pointing fingers at the company because Pari is not a foreign Investor but indigenous Solomon Islander but the leaders are being foolish to make right decisions”.

Bato said in March this year, PARI paid about $123,464.20 to Western province (Island Sun has sighted documents supporting this).

“We are complying with General Property Rate. Pari also paid more than fifty thousand dollars to Western provincial government for approval of sub-divisions for parcels 098-009-52-098-009-65, 098-0145 include other parcels.”

He said that Pari is prepared to appeal to the High Court for relief against forfeiture.

“This was base, In accordance with section 139 of the Land and Title Act, you have the right, within the period of one month, to appeal to the High Court for relief against forfeiture.”

This was after Pari received a notice of re-entry dated on May 20, 2021 from the Commissioner of Lands, Mr McNeil.

Bato said that if the Premier wants to challenge Pari, “please provide all your legal documents and challenge Pari to Court rather than bark in the media without any evidence provided to support your claims and augment”.   

Premier Gina could comment before this paper went to print last night.

Gov’t on $21.9m Mamara request

Written by
Press Release
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Work on the Mamara City project last year.

THE Government says it is yet to make any formal agreement with Metropolis Mamara Development Ltd to buy houses for public Servants that are under construction at the Mamara New City, west of Honiara.

Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Commerce, Industry, Labour and Immigration (MCILI), Riley Mesepitu clarified this following the publication of a leaked letter from the current developer, Metropolis Mamara Development Ltd.

The letter dated 17 May 2021 and addressed to the Minister of Commerce, Industry, Labour and Immigration, Frederick Kologeto and copied to a number for Ministers, Permanent Secretaries and the Premier of Guadalcanal Province 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 proposal to buy houses is still to be approved as the Government has set up a Taskforce headed by the Ministry of Public Service to review the Public Service Rental Scheme to compare financing options for the Housing scheme.

Mesepitu said the outcome of the review would be presented to cabinet in June for consideration before any decision can be made.

“The revised policy on Public Service Rental Scheme would provide the suitable financing option that government will consider,” he said.

“The government supports the development but at this stage it is not committing any financial obligation to the project,” he added.

Mesepitu confirmed that until the revised policy on Public Service Rental Scheme is done and the cabinet’s final decision on the appropriate financing option, government will not commit itself to any financial request from the developer at this stage.

–GCU

Gov’t sitting on US diplomatic note

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
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BY EDDIE OSIFELO

THE Ministry of Foreign Affairs and External Trade (MFAET) is reportedly sitting on a diplomatic note the US Government sent at the end of March for the Government to facilitate the entry of its diplomatic and aid officials.

 That’s according to information provided to Island Sun.

By the end of this month, the diplomatic note would be sleeping with MFAET for around two months.

“What we are seeing basically is that MFAET has been sitting on the diplomatic note since March, and the DCGA COVID committee also has been delaying any COVID application by USAID diplomatic officials as well,” sources said.

“This is shameful to say the least that such treatment should be accorded to our long-time diplomatic friend,” sources added.

When contacted, Permanent Secretary Collin Beck confirmed his ministry’s receiving of the diplomatic note, but said the matter has been referred to the relevant body.

“There are established requirements and processes that need to put in place,” Beck told Island Sun yesterday.

He said bilaterally, they have been talking to the US on the matters raised in the note.

He added the US is aware they are working on general bilateral arrangement that will structure the relationship between the two states. 

On the question of timing, Beck said they are working as quickly as possible.

He said consultation is going on and will be finalised soon.

The US Government last year announced a US$25 million (SBD$200 million) aid assistance to Malaita Province for the next five years.

Implementation is expected to start this year.

Already, locals employed under the project are doing awareness work around the province.

Unhelpful communities, suspect eludes police

Written by
Jennifer Kusapa
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The scene of the crime: PHOTO CHARLES KADAMANA

BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

Police have admitted they cannot catch the suspect into April-13 killing of a Chinese woman.

This is because they are not receiving help and assistance from the communities in East and West Kwaio.

Assistant Commissioner Crime and Intelligence Patricia Leta said police are lacking reliable information from the communities, as people are not willing to give information regarding the suspect who is currently at large.

“The case is our priority and we are still working to get the suspect to face justice,” Ms Leta.

She continues to call on communities in East and West Kwaio to support police in the search of the suspect.

This is regarding the killing incident which occurred this year on the morning of April 13 at the White Angel building.

The suspect was believed to have escaped when police started their investigation into the alleged murder incident.

Allegation said the 44-year-old Chinese woman left her house in the Ranadi area, east Honiara to drop off her twin sons at school in the morning and then went down to her shop inside the White Angel Building in Point Cruz to open it as normal.

While the shopkeepers were waiting outside for the deceased to open the shop, the husband of the deceased arrived and sought assistance from a nearby shop to open their shop as the doors were locked from inside. However, that was unsuccessful and police were alerted in which the Police Fire Service came to their assistance and opened the shop and that is when the husband discovered his wife lying on the floor with blood all over her body.

Renovation for isolation ward nears completion

Written by
Mavis Podokolo
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National Referral Hospital. Photo supplied

BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO

THE covid-19 isolation ward renovation at the National Referral Hospital funded by the government of China is nearing completion, says Ambassador Li Ming.

Mr Li, Ambassador to China in Solomon Islands, confirmed this this week at the handover event of USD$150,000 from Peoples Republic of China (PRC) to the Ministry of Health and Medical Services covid-19 vaccination roll-out plan.

“The building of the covid-19 Isolation ward at the National Referral Hospital funded by the government of China is near completion,” he said.

Permanent Secretary to Ministry of Health and Medical Services Pauline McNeil in her statement in relation to the covid-19 isolation ward renovation said it is vital to note that isolation wards are important facilities not only for covid-19 but for all other infectious diseases from the sick patients to health workers, other sick patients at the hospital and the general public.

“As such, the isolation ward will not only be used for COVID-19 patients but also other patients with infectious disease such as TB, measles or any future pandemics similar to COVID-19,” McNeil said.

Minister for Health Dr Culwick Togamana said his ministry is grateful and filled with sincere appreciation towards the government and people of China for the continuous support rendered towards health efforts against covid-19 pandemic including covid-19 vaccination. 

Suspect in rape of 6-yo girl on the run

Written by
Jennifer Kusapa
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In-court

BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

A young man, 20, is on the run after allegedly raping a six-year-old girl on May 7 this year.

And, police are appealing to the man to turn himself in.

Police are also appealing to communities to assist in the search for the suspect.

The incident occurred in a village in Central Kwara’ae, Malaita province.

Speaking yesterday during the police weekly media conference Assistant Commissioner Crime and Intelligence Patricia Leta said the suspect escaped straight after he committed the offence.

Ms Leta said on the day of the incident the victim with two other girls her age were out at the seaside of that village in Central Kwaraae looking for ngali-nut.

On their way back they met the suspect, and he lured them to follow him fishing.

The children then followed the suspect to the beachside and the suspect went fishing while the victim and others were playing.

Police then alleged that after some time at the beach fishing, the suspect then asked the victim to follow him into the cocoa plantation to find worm for bait.

It was during that time the alleged incident happened.

Police in Malaita were informed by the mother of the victim and investigation is ongoing, Leta said.

She said the suspect is 20 years old and is alleged to have escaped after committing the offence on the six-year-old victim.

Leta calls on the communities if they have information of the whereabouts of the suspect to assist police in their investigation.

Leta said citizens of this country must respect young girls and children from such occurrences as such incidents continue to occur on underage girls and women, which is not acceptable.

She also said mothers must not trust men and young boys to look after their children, but make sure always take extra care before leaving their children alone or with men.

Leta also said that police alone cannot address the issue but with the support of communities including village chiefs’ and stakeholders hopefully it will reduce the rising sexual offences against women and girls.

Tourism deal

Written by
Charles Kadamana
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From left, Permanent Secretary of Ministry of Culture and Tourism Andrew Nihopara, Permanent Secretary of Ministry of Finance and Treasury Mckinnie Dentana and DBSI Chief Executive officer Tukana Bovoro with the copies of the agreement.

First tranche of $2m loan available

BY CHARLES KADAMANA

Ministry of Culture and Tourism have signed $2 million guarantee support scheme with Development Bank of Solomon Islands (DBSI) to support local tourism operators yesterday.

The grant agreement was signed by Permanent Secretary of Ministry of Culture and Tourism Andrew Nihopara, Permanent Secretary of Ministry of Finance and Treasury Mckinnie Dentana and DBSI Chief Executive officer Tukana Bovoro witnessed by official from the office of the Prime Minister.

Under the agreement DBSI will manage the tourism loan in liaison with the Ministry of Culture and Tourism (MCT).

Mr Nihopara explains that guarantee support scheme targets existing tourism operators in the rural villages to improve their facilities.

He said to be eligible the tourism operators will apply in a form of loan at DBSI with endorsement from the MCT.

He said the migration of tourism support fund to DBSI goes in line with policy redirection of the current government.

He said previously the tourism operators get direct support from the Ministry but as of now they are taking a more commercial approach so that it can be managed through loan or tourism facility by financial institution.

He said the guarantee scheme will go through a transition phase.

“We are providing a tourism guarantee support scheme and then through the process we hope to working with the bank to refine the process and then hopefully by next year we should move to lending portfolio.

“For a start the ministry is putting the first tranche of $2 million into to DBSI that will help the establishment of this process going forward.

“It will be an ongoing process that will continuously refining over the first year and hopefully by next year we will have much more established tourism support facility within the bank.”

He acknowledges DBSI for accepting his team proposal to work on tourism support facility that will be managed with the bank.

PS Finance Mr McKinnie Dentana describes the partnership as historical evidence since the resumption of DBSI last year.

 “I congratulate my colleague here not only as first product that engage with the bank but also as one of the ministries in the process of implementing the 2021 budget.

“As far as my responsibility as chairman to this bank is concerned, one of the policy resumptions of the bank is to ensure the institution carries forward some of the important policies of the government to promote certain activities in our economy,” Dentana said.

He said the signing of MOU is a fulfilment of the policy that is in the legislation of the bank and this is a great achievement.

“This is the first arrangement that we witness, there are some more arrangement that will come in the future next year. One is on agriculture.

“I would like to have this kind of facilities to sustain the programme for the long term that can benefit other operators as well in the industry,” he said.

CEO Bovoro said the singing of the agreement is the first of such collaboration between the government and DBSI.

He said part of DBSI strategy is try to implement government policy and programmes based on bank category.

He said the discussion between the two parties is very clear and will be followed.

He said in order for the customer to comply there are certain steps both parties will comply with their rules and banks is happy to be part of the program.

He said with the initial support of $2 million DBSI will use it to the existing players in various ways-either as a loan, a guaranty.

“We are trying to develop is an interest payment support mechanism,” he said.

He said Covid-19 has kill the tourism industry in the country and this is a time for them to fixing their facilities in preparation for when the tourism boarder opens back.

He said due to limited funding they are targeting the low hanging fruits to improve their facilities.

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