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MASI pays courtesy visit to PM Sogavare

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Prime Minister Sogavare and members of the MASI executive

PRIME Minister Manasseh Sogavare yesterday received a courtesy visit from the Media Association of Solomon Islands (MASI).

MASI president Georgina Kekea thanked the Prime Minister for availing his time to meet with MASI.

Kekea also updated the Prime Minister of the current plans of the MASI Board and the challenges faced by the media industry in the country.

The MASI president also acknowledged the Prime Minister who is also the patron of MASI for recognizing the important role played by the media in the country.

Kekea also informed the Prime Minister of MASI’s ongoing consultations on Media regulations in the country.

She said a Media Practitioner’s Bill is the way forward for the media industry.

The Media Practitioner’s Bill aims to foster Press freedom by allowing media practitioners (journalists, broadcasters and publishers) wide scope to regulate their own professional conduct.

“As a responsible body, MASI would also like to regulate and accredit journalists so that we can be seen as professionals and we can also face consequences for our mistakes,” she said.

She adds the Media Practitioner’s Bill must not be seen as imposing restrictions on freedom of expression but rather it is to safeguard the work of journalists in the country.

“The journalism profession is the same as all other professions and must be regarded and respected as such”, Ms. Kekea said.

MASI Vice-President Douglas Marau added that this Bill will encourage media practitioners, through MASI, to formulate codes of practice to govern their conduct.

Marau also highlighted that MASI acknowledged the concerns raised in Parliament by the Prime Minister on the need for ethical reporting.

He said these sentiments were not only raised by the Prime Minister but many other leaders in our society.

“That is why, this proposed Bill will also help to promote media ethical standards and also hold individual journalists accountable if the media code of conduct are breached,” he said.

Marau also informed the Prime Minister that the Pacific Islands News Association (PINA) Summit, which was postponed in May last year, has been further delayed because of the Covid 19 pandemic.

He said Solomon Islands will still host PINA when the situation returns to normalcy.

Other Board members Philip Lilomo and Gina Makaá also updated the Prime Minister on the newly established sports journalism association and MASI trainings aimed at building MASI member’s capacity.

Prime Minister Sogavare in response has acknowledged the important role media play in the country.

The Prime Minister said Solomon Islands is a country that continues to uphold free media and people are free to share their views; but must be done with great responsibility.

Prime Minister Sogavare is also impressed with the ongoing consultations done by MASI on the proposed Media Practitioners Bill, stating that it is the way forward.

The Prime Minister also encouraged and reminded journalists to practice ethical and balanced reporting.

Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare also accepted the invitation by MASI to be guest of honor at the Media Freedom Day celebrations on Monday 3rd May 2021.

Meanwhile, the Prime Minister has also affirmed his continuous support for the annual ‘Prime Minister’s Scholarship Award’ for this year.

The scholarship award is an initiative by the Prime Minister Sogavare as patron to grant government scholarship to journalists each year based on recommendations by MASI.

Vaccination challenges highlighted in report

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
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Thelma measuring the mils before carrying out an injection. PHOTO BEN BILUA

By EDDIE OSIFELO

LACK of resources to support Western Border vaccination rollout is seen as one of the challenges/gaps that needs addressing.

National Disaster Council highlighted this in its National Situational Report released yesterday.

The report states that Resourcing of Western Border Operation for vaccination rollout to be fast-tracked.

“Responsible authorities to take note and action recommendations from Situation Updates that are sent from OSOCC,” it states.

However, the Risk Communication Officer from the Provincial Health Emergency Operations Centre (PHEOC), Western Province have arrived last Saturday 24th of April, and awaiting vaccination roll out.

“COVID-19 vaccines are on standby awaiting to be distributed to Western Border Clinics in preparation for the roll out,” it states.

Furthermore, the Provincial Disaster Operations Committee (P-DOC) for Western and Choiseul are manning and supporting the On-Site Operations Coordination Centre (OSOCC) with the deployment of personnel and resources down to the border.

The report states the Risk Communications Team have completed the Terms of Reference (ToR) for vaccination sensitization and wait the vaccination roll out at the Western Border.

It said the Team has completed 100% of the communities at the Western Border.

Moreover, the Immigrations and Customs/ Biosecurity maintain their presence at the border with no illegal border crossing reports as of yet however the presence of a foreign logging vessel has triggered an operational response team to inform the ship and its crew on the importance of adhering to the current government SOPE.

Currently the Solomon Islands Government (SIG) continues to receive donor support through the relevant N-DOC Sector Committees.

The Government of Australia, New Zealand and the People’s Republic of China being the prominent donors since the SOPE.

International Organisations such as the WHO, UNICEF, UNDP and ADB have greatly supported and assisted the Government’s Response.

Almost 5,000 vaccinated

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
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By EDDIE OSIFELO

ABOUT 4,890 people have been vaccinated in Honiara, Malaita Outer Islands and Western Province as of Sunday.

This was confirmed in the National Situational Report released by National Disaster Council yesterday.

The report states the National Health Emergency Operations Centre (NHEOC) continues to support and enhance ongoing COVID operations, and promotion of other ongoing public health measures to prevent and protect all from COVID-19.

It states the National COVID Vaccination Rollout continues in Honiara as well as Malaita Outer Islands (MOI), Choiseul and Western provinces.

“Following these rollouts, approximately 7,455 doses of AstraZeneca has also been sent to the said provinces.

“To date, over 13,000 COVID-19 tests have been conducted for arrivals as per quarantine testing protocols, pre-departure testing, suspected cases, reactivation cases and so forth,” the report states.

Furthermore, the report states the Testing labs includes National Referral Hospital Molecular Laboratory and Gizo Hospital Laboratory.

It states the testing capabilities remains intact and active.

“Work is also progressing in operationalizing testing capabilities in Malaita and Choiseul Provinces,” it states.

Official launching of the National COVID Vaccination Rollout campaign held in Gizo Provincial

Hospital on the 22nd of April, 2021 with a total of 201 persons vaccinated as of 25th April, 2021. TheWestern Border vaccination campaign is set to roll out soon with risk communication teams arriving safely in Nila, Shortland Islands.

Airport project to engage up to 100 local workers

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Prime Minister Sogavare flanked by local and overseas workers during his site visit on Friday 16 April

THE construction phase of the Honiara International Airport expansion project is employing 100 local workers alongside forty overseas supervisors.

The local workers will further benefit from skills and knowledge transfer from the ongoing collaboration with expat workers during and after the project, which will be a bonus for the country.

The Government of Japan funds the multi-million dollar project through the Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and is implemented by the Ministry of Communication and Aviation (MCA), Gyros and Kitano Construction Corporation.

Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare was impressed with the construction progress so far when he visited the site on Friday 16 April.

Regardless of the difficulties created by covid-19 in 2020, activities including the management and procurement processes at the site continued with the recent return of Japanese supervisors to Honiara to restart their duties.

The main components of the project include construction of a new international departure terminal, construction of a new taxiway and apron, refurbishment of existing infrastructure and installation of new flood control mechanisms and lighting.

Construction work is expected to complete prior to the start of the 2023 Pacific Games in Honiara.

Last week, the Government of Japan has formalized a further SB$26.5 million for the project to fill the financial gap created by the delay in construction from November 2019 to the end of last year due to covid-19 constraints.

Japanese Ambassador to Solomon Islands, Morimoto Yasuhiro said Honiara International Airport is a historical site and very special to Japanese.

“However, it is not the reason but the Government of Japan has engaged in the development of the airport in the past and will continue to collaborate with the Solomon Islands Government to improve this historical and very important infrastructure which contributes to improve airport safety and to accommodate future aviation demands,” he said.

The project, according to Mr Yasuhiro, will have direct impact on the development of Solomon Islands through enhanced connectivity within the country, region and the world.

The Japanese Envoy is confident that the infrastructure will allow the Honiara International Airport to become a competitive airport in the region based on its location and upgraded status with new facilities.

“I am confident that this project will be delivered well ahead of the 2023 Pacific Games and with the improvements, Solomon Islands will be able to manage the increased arrivals and departures during the games,” Yasuhiro said.

The project now costs an estimated $347 million including the additional $26.5 million Japan announced last week.

China fund machinery for agriculture here

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CHINA last Friday signed an agreement to provide funding assistance for agriculture machinery.

Chinese Ambassador Li Ming, Jeremiah Manele, Minister for Foreign Affairs and External Trade, and Senley Filualea, Minister for Agriculture and Livestock, attended the ceremony.

Ambassador Li said that China has provided assistance to rural areas of all nine provinces.

The pending arrival of agricultural machinery including tractors and ploughs will help improve local farmers’ capability-building in agriculture production.

The Chinese Embassy is also working with Ministry of Agriculture of Solomon Islands to bring in Chinese agricultural technical team as early as possible, which will help improve SI farmers’ agricultural technology and enrich their experience.

“China and Solomon Islands are both developing countries, and faced with common challenges such as COVID-19 pandemic, sustainable development, and climate change,” Ambassador Li said.

“As the largest grain producer and consumer of the world, China attaches great importance to tackle climate change, and pursues an environmental friendly agriculture industry to reduce greenhouse emission and mitigate impact of climate change while ensuring food security,” he added.

“China will continue to honor its commitments to friendly relationship with Solomon Islands and look forward to more in-depth cooperation.”

Manele expressed appreciation to the Chinese Government for funding assistance on agriculture machinery.

He said the agricultural machinery will help enhance the capability of agriculture sector in Solomon Islands.

“And the machinery will be provided to the Agricultural Development Project in Guadalcanal and Malaita under the Enhanced Integrated Framework (EIF) of World Trade Organization,” Manele said.

EDITORIAL- Lessons from the MSIP saga

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PUBLIC reaction to the removal of the Miss Solomon Islands title from Gladys Habu over the weekend went out of hand on social media.

It resulted in personal attacks and hatred against the Miss Solomon Island Pageant (MSIP) committee, who made the decision.

The MSIP committee stripped the title off Habu on claims she’s been using it to secure personal commercial contracts and that she is no longer cooperating with MSIP.

Habu flatly denied the claims.

She insisted that all her engagements as Miss Solomon Islands were conducted in good faith and trust.

She added she was never given the opportunity to meet or discuss with the Pageant Committee issues of concern.

The reactions that followed these exchanges went through the roof.

Mostly, it was from those who viewed the MSIP decision as unfair and done out of jealousy.

It was not unusual for people to react that way.

After all, Habu, like those before her, was a well-loved queen.

She is a highly intelligent young woman who has won many hearts and minds since she got the title in 2019.

So the widespread support she got was expected.

These well-intended show of support however, were overshadowed by the amount of attacks and abuse spewed on the public forums by many of the commentators.

Personal attacks and abuse should never be part of any debate or discussions on issues of public interests.

We also believe this matter could have been better handled by the MSIP committee.

We’ve noted that there’s no face-face consultation between the MSIP and Habu before the decision to remove the title was made.

Had this been done, the outcome would be different.

Be that as it may, it would be good to see the two parties coming together and settle their differences.

Even if MSIP stands by its decision and Habu accepting to move on, the importance of reconciliation cannot be further stated.

This must be done so that everyone could look forward to the next event when the COVID-19 pandemic is over.

Sad as it may, the matter provides lessons that organisers should learn from for the good of future events.

Biosecurity conducts integrated Pest and Disease management awareness.

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Biosecurity officers, JICA rep and Ministry of Forestry officers with community member participants during the awareness-training.

BIOSECURITY officers of the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAL) conducted a one-day awareness training on integrated pest and disease management for Komuniboli community members in East Guadalcanal on 15th April 2021.

Focused on pest control, specifically on Giant African Snail (GAS), the training was conducted upon request by Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) with the aim to address attack of GAS on its (JICA) Agroforestry project site there, raise awareness for community farmers on invasive pest and aware them on signs of (new possible) pests.

Jean Manepora’a, who was part of the awareness team said the awareness-training was a success with the establishment of a biological control agent for GAS by their team at the village/community.

“There was an MOU signed between BSI and JICA under its (JICA) project on Capacity Development for Sustainable Forest Resources Management in Solomon Islands.


Biosecurity officer, Gideon Suda do a presentation on what is Biosecurity regulated pest and diseases which include GAS, CRB, fruit-flies and citrus canker.

“The MOU is to permit BSI to carry out awareness and trainings on regulated pests like Giant African Snail (GAS) and Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle (CRB) at its project sites of Agroforestry which are established at Komuniboli in East Guadalcanal and Falake community in Malaita province.

“Now, that we have done with the first one, a similar training under the same project is anticipated for Falake community members in West Kwara’ae, Malaita province in due course.”

Manepora’a said it was encouraging to see the whole community came out in numbers and help out with the establishment of four blocks of biological control trial sites, with New Guinea Flat Worm (platydemus Manokwari) being used for the biocontrol of GAS.

“The awareness-training really equipped the community members as they acquired practical knowledge and techniques on the management of pest and diseases.


A group of participants discussed the impacts of pest and diseases on environment related to adverse impact to native flora and fauna.

“Establishment of the biocontrol agent at the site/community is a project that BSI firmed with Komuniboli community under JICA’s agroforestry project as part of a collaborative efforts to control the spread of GAS within the vicinity.”

Biosecurity officers involved in the awareness are; George Harunari, Gideon Suda, Jean Manepora’a and Samson Kauli.

GAS, Lissachatina fulica, previously known as Achtinidia fulica, arrived in Solomon Islands in 2006.

It was first reported at Ranadi, Honiara and is believed to have arrived in the country on logging equipments that had been landed without biosecurity clearance.

MAL through its Biosecurity department has carried out active campaigns to eradicate it but after that proved impossible, to reduce its impact and contain it to the outbreak area.

To date it is now confirmed that the CRB has spread to some parts of the provinces except for Choiseul province and the worst infected provinces are Malaita, Guadalcanal, Makira (mostly Ulawa), Central Province especially Russell Islands and Ngella and Rennell and Bellona and Malaita Outer Islands (MOI).

–MAL

Health welcomes latest Solomon Forestry Association support

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From L-R). MHMS DSHC Dr Gregory Jilini, Dr Zimlon B, Sister Daly, SFA President Johnny Sy, Island Enterprise Manager, Head of NRH Medical Laboratory Alfred Dofai and MHMS Advisor Dr Yogesh Choudhri

THE Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS) says it remains grateful towards the continuous support of the Solomon Forest Association (SFA) to both operational and development aspirations of the ministry.

This is not the first, SFA has in the past-donated medical consumables including for COVID-19 operations and many more.

Yesterday, health welcomes yet again another significant donation of cheque payment worth $152,059 made by SFA to Island Enterprise to complete remaining outstanding payment for a two-container size medical laboratory for Good Samaritan Hospital, Guadalcanal Province.

In handing over the cheque, President of SFA, Johnny Sy said that the association has been informed of the work that is currently underway at Good Samaritan and thus decided to help.

“We understand that the ministry is working hard in terms of the current COVID-19 response and roll out of COVID-19 vaccines, thus there is no  doubt that resources let alone financial resources will also be stretched.

“With this, SFA has decided to support the work with the Laboratory at the Good Samaritan Hospital,” Sy said.

MHMS Deputy Secretary for Health Services Dr Gregory Jilini who witnessed the handing over, explained that medical laboratories perform a very crucial function to assist in the diagnosis and appropriate treatment of diseases

“So basically for the 39,000 people within the catchment area of the Good Samaritan Hospital, the new medical laboratory would essentially mean no more waiting for their blood samples to be transported to the National Referral Hospital for analysis along-side many other blood analysis of in and out patients at the referral hospital,” Jilini said.

“Once the lab becomes functional, all blood tests will be conducted at Good Samaritan Hospital and results swiftly communicated to the doctor who can then advise on treatment,” he added.

“A significant development that is in progress and will now be made possible sooner than expected with the donation received today.”

Dr Jilini added the contribution will also gear towards overall goal of the ministry in its Role Delineation Plan to upgrade its facilities across the country to meet the required quality and standards to achieve Universal Health Coverage whereby Solomon Islanders can have access to health services they need, when and where they need them without any financial hardship”.

—MHMS

Women’s regional meeting attracts 1,000 participants

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Ben Bilua
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BY BEN BILUA
Gizo

OVER one thousand participants from the public and private sectors will take part in the 14th Triennial Conference of Pacific Women and the 7th Meeting of Pacific Ministers for Women which kicks off today (27th April).

Speaking to journalists last week, Director of Human Rights and Social Development of the South Pacific Community, Miles Young said the Triennial conference will provide an opportunity for officials from the governments, civil society organisations, Councils of Regional Organisations in the Pacific (CROP) and academia to throw in ideas that will later presented during the Ministerial meeting for reviewing.

He said an adoption paper which will set a mechanism for women empowerment in the pacific will be endorsed during the Ministerial meeting.

Young explained that the Triennial conference is part of the Pacific Platform for Action on the Advancement of Women and Gender Equality which formed the basis for the region’s participation in the 1995 World Conference on Women in Beijing or the Beijing Platform for Action (BPA)

“2020 was a key date globally as it marks the 25th anniversary since the adoption of the BPA.

“This particular Triennial is important because we now hit that milestone and it’s an opportunity for us to look at what we have achieved since then,” he said.

However, Young said the task to achievement gender stability in the region is challenging and that more work needs to be done.

“I think we all agreed that for the region, there’s lots of work that needs to be done. We need to be honest and open about it. That when you look at where we are looking at indicators relative to the rest of the world, I think a lot of work needs to be done and I think we need to go into this particular conference with that knowledge,” he said.

The 14th Triennial Conference of Pacific Women and the 7th Meeting of Pacific Ministers for Women will be live-streamed via zoom across 11 national venues due to COVID-19 restrictions.

Officials and participants from French Polynesia will gather at Le Tahiti Hotel, those in Cook Islands will gather at The Rarotongan Beach Resort, in Marshall Islands, participants and official will gather at Marshall Islands Resort, for Samoa, official and participants will gather at Taumeasina Hotel, in Tonga, official and participants will gather at Fa’onelua Convention Centre, in Solomon Islands, participants and officials will gather at the Heritage Park Hotel, officials and participants from Vanuatu will be at The Grand Hotel Vanuatu, the national venue in Kiribati is at Utirerei Motel, in Nauru officials and participants will gather at Meneng Hotel, for Tuvalu, the officials and participants will be at Tuvalu Broadcasting Cooperation and Federated State of Micronesia, officials and participants will zoom in at SPC MRO Conference Room.

Officials from the Ministry of Women, Youth, Children and Family Affairs (Women’s Development Division) will represent Solomon Islands on the conference.

GUALE HEATS

Written by
Ofani Eremae
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Minister of Provincial Government and Institutional Strengthening, Rollen Seleso

Premier Sade calls for Minister Seleso’s removal

By OFANI EREMAE

GUADALCANAL Premier Francis Sade has called for the immediate removal of Provincial Government minister Rolland Seleso.

He claimed Seleso is playing “delaying tactics” with the disbursement of service grant to his government.

“I call on the prime minister to either sack or reshuffle his provincial government minister,” Sade told reporters yesterday.

“This man does not have vision and qualities to be a national leader,” he added.

“In fact he was demanding that I apologise to the Government before they can release the service grant to my province.”

Sade said these information were relayed to him by his officials.

But Seleso last night denied the claim outright.

“How could the premier come up with such claim?” Seleso asked.

“I have no right to delay or stop service grants to Guadalcanal or any of the provinces,” he said.

“The service grants will be released at their right time.

“The 2021 budget has just been passed this week.

“When all the paper works are done, the ministry will pay out service grants to all the provinces.”

Sade also accused Seleso of being part of moves to lodge a second motion of no-confidence against his leadership.

Sade defeated a no-confidence vote members of the non-executive tabled against him last month.

At that time, he claimed certain Guadalcanal MPs backed by loggers were behind the motion.

“Another motion of no-confidence against my leadership is on its way,” Sade said yesterday.

“This is according to the minister for provincial government,” he claimed.

“The minister has been telling members of my executive who are ward members within his constituency to leave my government.

“This is unbelievable when you consider he is the minister responsible for provincial government.

“But they are free to bring on the motion of no confidence.”

However, responding to this, Seleso said:

“This is another wild claim.

“It is not my role to cause instability within Guadalcanal or any of our provinces.

“My job is to bring stability, not instability.

“Sade needs to calm down and work together with the seven MPs from Guadalcanal inside the national government.

“I have no intention of working against Sade’s leadership.”

Seleso added, Sade has no right to call for his removal.

“This is a matter best left for the prime minister to decide on, not a premier,” Seleso said.

Meanwhile, Sade claimed since he came into power, certain MPs from Guadalcanal have displayed dislike for his leadership.

“I don’t know why they are not happy with my leadership.

“These national leaders should know those of us leading Guadalcanal came in to serve our people, not ourselves.

“In fact we have been cleaning up the mess some of these leaders have created and left during their time in the provincial government.”

He added, his Government fully supports National Government policies.

“No, we are not anti-government. We support national government policies.

“But that does not stop us from speaking up when we see things are not right with policy implementation.”

Sade also defended his stand with Malaita Premier Daniel Suidani to challenge the legality of the Constituency Development Fund (CDF).

“My stand with Suidani is not to go against government policy.

“We are basically challenging the legality of CDF, to see whether it’s right under law and the constitution for MPs to administer and dish out public funds,” he said.

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