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Matangi: securing our border is not easy

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DC Matanga speaking during the meeting at Samanago Village

THE Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) says it cannot successfully secure the western border with Papua New Guinea from the entry of COVID-19 without the help of communities in the Western, Choiseul and Malaita along the country’s side of the common border.

“The vast area covered by the western border with Papua New Guinea is too big compared to the resources and manpower of the RSIPF,” said Deputy Commissioner, Juanita Matanga when she met with communities at Komaliae and Gaomae in the Shortland Islands on 24 March 2021 and Samanago, Tomua and Kariki on 25 March..

“The only way we can successfully protect our people in the western border from COVID-19 is for people living in the border region to assist frontline officers stop the movement of people across the common border,” Matangi added.

“We can only keep the virus from entering our country from Bougainville if we all work together.

“Police cannot do it alone.”

DC Matanga explained the RSIPF is concern following the increase in the number of COVID-19 cases in Papua New Guinea including neighbouring Bougainville.

“We have great concern for our good people because we want to avoid this virus entering our communities.”

 “I understand the reasons why our people are travelling across to Bougainville. It is important because of the inter-relationship our people with those on Bougainville and the trading of goods.

“People must be reminded that these are not normal times. We must stop crossing the common border until we are able to get the COVID-19 under control.

 “We have to adhere to the COVID-19 State of Public Emergency regulations put in place by the Government and by the Ministry of Health and Medical Services for the safety of our nation.

“Communities have to be responsible and take ownership through changing their attitude. We are not in normal times. If we decide to ignore the regulations then we will face the consequences.

“I call on all communities in Shortland islands to please assist our police officers with information you may have about any member of your community who is still sneaking to the other side of the border to interact with Bougainvillians so we can stop any community transmission of the COVID-19 on our side of the common border.”

Chiefs and elders of each community visited were very pleased with the concern of the RSIPF for the people in the Shortland Islands by sending Deputy Commissioner Matanga to visit them.

They assured DC Matanga that they will continue to work closely with the police officers and will strengthen their community by-laws for the good of their families, relatives and the country as a whole.

SLAP ON PM’s FACE

Written by
Mavis Podokolo
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Honourable-Prime-Minister-receiving-his-first-vaccine-shot

Thousands of frontline workers disobey order and avoid vaccination – ministry of health, HCC, NRH, Guadalcanal health, etc

BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO

PRIME Minister Manasseh Sogavare is “extremely disappointed” at public servants of frontline ministries and frontline agency workers who have not turned up to be vaccinated.

Only 600 people including prime minister Sogavare have been vaccinated in the first three days. A very small portion of the 7,000 estimated to be vaccinated in Honiara.

Primer Minister Sogavare had ordered all frontline workers to be jabbed before this Wednesday, March 31. It now seems this will not be possible.

Dr Jimmie Rodgers, deputy secretary and deputy chair to the national oversight committee, has hinted that these workers may face legal action for disobeying the prime minister’s directives under the state of emergency for them to be vaccinated.

Dr Yogesh Choudri, advisor to the ministry of Health, warns that such defiant attitude will weaken the country’s preparations and response to the covid-19 pandemic, especially as the country gears towards resuming international trade.

Attorney General John Muria Jnr has suggested frontline public servants refusing to be vaccinated to submit their resignation letters.

Mr Sogavare in his national address yesterday, said, “As Prime Minister of our nation that is trying to ensure we protect not only ourselves form covid-19 but also protect those around us especially people under 18 years of age that cannot be vaccinated and those living with existing diseases, I am extremely disappointed that many public servants working in front line ministries and agencies have not turned up to be vaccinated against covid-19.

“I am disappointed to learn that we have only vaccinated around 600 people in the first three days of vaccination in Honiara.

“We will not be able to protect this country from covid-19 if most of our population that should be vaccinated are not vaccinated.

“I am extremely disappointed that most of our front liners in the Ministry of Health and Medical Services, the National Referral Hospital, Honiara City Council Health and our front-line health personnel from Guadalcanal province who have been identified top priority for vaccination had not turned up for vaccinations,” he said.

Sogavare said there had been a lot of questions raised – why vaccinate when there is no active case of covid-19 or community transmission in the country.

“As I stated before, if we wait for community transmission to occur before we vaccinate it would be too late to stop the virus from entering and taking our hold in the country.

“One main reason for vaccinating our population is to stop community transmission from happening by reducing the ability of the virus to enter our country and by containing it,” he said.

Sogavare said a fully vaccinated population will also ensure the virus does not spread into the community.

“Some people are also wondering whether the vaccine we are using had been approved by the World Health Organisation.

“Let me assure the nation once again that the AstraZeneca Vaccine we are using had been approved by WHO on February 16, 2021,” he said.

Mr Choudhri said the health team have been reaching out to front line workers but misconception still remains.

He said vaccination is not an outbreak intervention, it will have very limited roll once the outbreak starts.

Mr Rodgers said the Prime Minister is not giving an option but a directive, meaning when the leader said you do this to protect yourself, protect your family and protect the nation then it doesn’t look good if those employed in public services do not take heed.

Rodgers said the public service’s role is very clear – “you are coming in to serve the country and at the same time to protect the country and protect yourself”.

He adds, for those that do not come for vaccination they will be shifted from front line work because they are not inoculated, they will not be able to participate in front line work.

Rodgers stressed there would be legal issues because the country has a State of Public Emergency (SOPE) and therefore if it is an order under the SOPE then it becomes an offence for not doing things they are not supposed do during the SOPE.

“There is a duty of care, so when you are making your decision think about the implication of your decision,” he said.

Attorney General John Muria Junior said in terms of legality, liability is one issue.

“Solomon Islands government provides a service to full country so it must ensure the public servants are protected and its public servant’s duty also to protect the people of this country.

“In carrying out their duty of care the government has asked its workers to get their jabs. And if you know that you one of the public servants there are certain rules in placed by the government that you have to comply with.

“With this the government has put a rule for frontline workers to be vaccinated and when a person breaches the rule it is called insubordination. Hence, if you do not want to comply with government rules then submit your resignation letter.

“The other thing is that if you do not want to receive the vaccine and want to be part of the front-line workers and you happened to contract the virus should the government be responsible to care for you after disobeying its rules, I don’t think so. Therefore, if you want to work for government adhere to what the government says by getting the vaccine and continue serving this country,” he said.

Safe nickel deposit

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
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A recent mining exploration on Isabel Province. Photo by Axiom Mining Solomon Islands.

By EDDIE OSIFELO

The more than 70,000 metric tonnes of nickel ores lying idle on San Jorge, Isabel province does not pose any high risk to human lives.

Director of Mines, Nicholas Biliki revealed this to journalists during the reporting workshop on extractive industries and endemic species in Solomon Islands at Heritage Park Hotel last Thursday.

People living close to the mine site have expressed fears on the environmental impacts on their resources caused by nickel ores that have been lying on their land since September 2019.

They claimed during rainy weather, it caused soil erosion which washed down the sentiments from the ores down to the sea.

However, Biliki said these are lateritic nickel ore deposits that have less acid because they are found on surface.

He said lateritic nickel don’t have contents that are a risk to human lives.

However, he said its economic value may deteriorate if it is not exported.

According to reports, the nickel ores on San Jorge costs around $171 million (US$20 million) to $256 million (US$30m) in the markets.

Axiom Mining Limited (AML) which has a lease on the tenement could not export the minerals after the government refused to grant an export permit.

The Mines and Mineral Board rejected Axiom Mining Ltd’s application for an export permit citing the company does not have a Provincial Business licence from Isabel Government.

Axiom has already filed a judicial review in the High Court against the decision of the Minerals Board, as well as a misfeasance claim against the Minister of Mines Bradley Tovosia and Director of Mines Nicholas Biliki.

The reason was they are failing to properly exercise their powers under Regulations 70 and 71 of the Mines and Minerals Regulations pertaining to the company’s export permit application.

Previously, Biliki said the minerals are still the property of Axiom because they have the lease over the tenement.

Biliki said government cannot interfere when the issue is before the court and Axiom owns the lease as well.

MP Maneniaru and others face lawsuit on T27 deaths

Written by
Charles Kadamana
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27 lives were lost on the MV Taimareho in April 2020 when the ship sailed through rough weather.

BY CHARLES KADAMANA

IMMEDIATE families of the 27 people who lost their lives in a tragic sea disaster onboard MV Taimareho are pursuing legal action.

Vice Secretary of Victims Custom Compensation Committee Venasio Huniehu said they have engaged a private law firm to proceed with their case.

The families are taking legal against five defendants; the West Are Are Constituency shipping, the charterer MP John Maneniaru, MV Taimareho, SIMSA, captain Galo and captain Malepa.

Huniehu said in their legal suit they claimed $250,000 for expectancy of dependency, $100,000 for expectancy of life and $50,000 for special expense.

This totals up to $400,000 per life.

He said since the incident happened on April 3, 2020, they have submitted their claim of $250,000 for each life to the shipping company but to no response.

He said because of that they are pursuing legal action against the five defendants.

He said previously the committee was represented by three people which include the Chairman Michael Konia, Secretary Casper Faásala and Vice Secretary Venasio Huniehu.

Huniehu said as of now immediate families of the 27 people will all be represented in the legal suit against the five defendants.

According to a report from the Ministry of Infrastructure and Development released on May 30, 2020 it found that:

  • The ship set sail despite a tropical cyclone category 1 existed in Solomon Islands and warnings were issued by the Solomon Islands Government through the Solomon Islands Maritime Safety Administration (SIMSA), Solomon Islands Port Authority, and Solomon Islands Meteorological Services (SIMA) as early as 15:00hrs on Thursday, 2nd April 2020.
  • The incident occurred at 0220hrs on Friday, 3rd April 2020 at an estimated position of Latitude 09’22’.9 South and longitude 160’ 42’.8 East and it occurred as a result of gusty cyclonic wind and very high swells in which 27 passengers were washed overboard.
  • MV Taimareho departed without the clearance of the Solomon Islands Maritime Safety Administration (SIMSA) Boarding Officer.
  • MV Taimareho sailed without any clearance of the boarding officer and with the knowledge of the existence of the category 1 cyclone.
  • The ship on 2nd April 2020, held a valid safety certificate however, the shipowner and master did not comply with the requirements of the safety certificate.
  • The master of the ship also did not prepare and ensure that the following documents; Voyage Plan, Night Order, and Log Book were on board the vessel.
  • MV Taimareho according to the safety certificate required a total of 30 crews; however, the ship only has a total of 13 crews and 10 supporting staff on board at the time of the incident.
  • The conditions of the life rafts were in a good state however, as a result of lack of knowledge that passengers were overboard, the life rafts were not deployed.

In light of these findings the Board concluded

(a) That the Shipowner and Master violated the following:

(1) Sections 78 (1) and (2) of the Shipping Act 1998;

(2) Sections 8 (1) and (2) of the Shipping Act 1998;

(3) Sections 115 (1) and (3) of the Shipping Act 1998;

Meanwhile, section 78 (1) of the Shipping Act 1998 states “Neither the owner nor master shall permit more persons to be carried in a vessel than the number stated in the passenger ship safety certificate issued in respect of the vessel as being the maximum number of persons that may be carried in the vessel. 

Section 78 (2) stated; “Every owner and the master of the vessel who contravenes this section each commit an offence, and each shall be liable upon conviction to a fine not exceeding ten thousand dollars and to a further fine of not more than two hundred dollars for each person carried on board the vessel in excess of the number stated in the passenger ship safety certificate.”

Sections 81 (1) (c) however states every vessel is unsafe if –the vessel is overloaded or improperly loaded and section 81 (2) states “Where an unsafe vessel goes to sea, every person who knowingly sends, and the master who knowingly takes, the unsafe vessel to sea commit an offence, and each shall be liable upon conviction to a fine not exceeding sixty thousand dollars.

Section 115 (1) states “No person shall be employed on a vessel as a seaman unless there is in force an employment agreement approved by the principal shipping officer, in writing in the English language, between the owner, or licensed shipping agent, or master and the seaman which agreement maybe-

(a) With respect to employment in one or more vessel; or

(b) For a particular period not exceeding one year; or

(c) For one or more particular voyages.

Section 115 (3) however states every person who acts in contravention of subsection (1) or subsection (2) commits an offence, and shall be liable upon conviction to a fine not exceeding ten thousand dollars.

1 covid-19 case

Written by
Mavis Podokolo
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BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO

SOLOMON Islands has again lost its covid-free status, registering one case last week.

This brings the total number of cases we have had to 19.

This was confirmed by Prime Minister Manasseh in his special national address on the covid-19 situation in the country and the status of the covid-19 vaccination on Sunday.

Sogavare said during the launch of the covid-19 vaccination roll-out programme in the country last Wednesday he stated that the official number of the covid-19 cases remained at 18.

“I am with very much regret to inform the nation that we have one new case of covid-19 in our quarantine station bringing our total registered covid-19 cases now to 19,” he said.

Sogavare said this person is a foreign national who arrived from Papua New Guinea on the high-risk flight from Brisbane on Friday afternoon. The person transited through Brisbane on the way to Honiara.

He said prior to departing from PNG this person had three negative tests.

“Yet, this positive case shows that even when a traveler fulfills our pre-departure testing protocols, they can still test positive when they enter our country.

“This is the reason we have a standing policy to test every person that come from a high-risk country such as Papua New Guinea on arrival,” said Sogavare.

He said in addition to this positive case they are also watching another passenger that travelled together with this person as part of a group of five people travelling very closely.

“We would update you on any further development on this person or any person from this travel group,” said Sogavare.

He said both person the positive person and the suspicious case were transferred to the National Referral Hospital Isolation Unit on the night of arrival.

“There is no risk to the community for this new positive case,” said Sogavare.

Low jab turnout 600 out of 7,000

Written by
Mavis Podokolo
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Honourable-Prime-Minister-receiving-his-first-vaccine-shot

BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO

Only 600 including prime minister Manasseh Sogavare have been vaccinated so far.

This is for the first three days of the vaccination programme, which is a low turnout with more than 6,000 to go in Honiara.

This was confirmed by Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare in his special state address yesterday.      

“I am disappointed to learn that we have only vaccinated around 600 people in the first three days of vaccination in Honiara.

“We will not be able to protect this country from COVID-19 if most of our population that should be vaccinated are not vaccinated.

“I extremely disappointed that most of our front liners in the Ministry of Health and Medical Services, the National Referral Hospital, Honiara City Council Health and our front-line health personal from Guadalcanal province who have been identified top priority for vaccination had not turned up for vaccinations,” said Sogavare.

Deputy Chair to Over Sight Committee Dr Jimmie Rodger said as of Friday, March 19, less than six hundred have been vaccinated on the first three days.

“We have 7,000 doses for people in Honiara and the target population to be vaccinated are front liners and front-line ministries and agencies.

“Of those 500 plus, police is 300, meaning the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force is mobilising well.

“Our also have some from immigration customs, bio security on Agriculture and Solomon Airlines to name a few and many of these small agencies have come in on the first three days.

“The biggest thing is that many of our front-line health professional not coming in and so we cannot protect this country if those of us that supposed to lead the way and suppose to protect others are not protecting ourselves,” said Rodgers.

Health workers asked to get vaccinated

Written by
Mavis Podokolo
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BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO   

DEPUTY Chair to Oversight Committee Dr Jimmie Rodger has called on health workers to come forward and be vaccinated to protect others and protecting themselves.

Rodgers made this call yesterday during the covid-19 radio talkback show.

“I plea to all Health workers in Honiara to come in and get your jab. The biggest thing is that many of our front-line health professional are not coming in and so we cannot protect this country if those of us that supposed to lead the way and suppose to protect others are not protecting ourselves,” said Rodgers.                   

He adds, due to a small number of front-line workers from front line ministries turning up to receive the vaccine, Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare has directed the Permanent Secretary of Ministry of Public Services to send an urgent secular for public servants that all of them will go for vaccination and starting off with the front-line ministries.

“He has specifically mentioned that the Ministry of Health, National Referral Hospital, the Honiara City Council, Guadalcanal province team that assist in Honiara area those must actually come in and be vaccinated by  Wednesday 31st,” said Rodgers.

He stressed that some of country’s high-profile leaders are spreading false information saying the vaccine is not approved by World Health Organisation.

“I want to clarify that there is a rumour going out on face that says the vaccine we use has not been approved by WHO.

“That vaccine AstraZeneca has been approved by WHO in February and more than 50 countries are rolling it out and it is responsible for stopping transmission in many of this country.”

“And so, it very important for us to not spread rumors and people let us look at what the scientific information is.”

Almost zero environment management: PS Mataki

Written by
Alfred Pagepitu
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Permanent Secretary for Ministry of Environment, Melchior Mataki.

BY ALFRED PAGEPITU

There is lack of priority given to environmental management by stakeholders involved in natural resource extraction in the Solomon Islands.

Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Environment Dr Melchior Mataki highlighted this in a workshop last week.

Mataki said this is evident in the conduct and environmental performances of extractive industries in the country.

He said that when lack of priority is given to environment, there are some interaction between political and economic institutions and processes, the people with power and authority.

 “Their motivations for policies and decisions including values and ideas that shape human relations and interaction.

“This means government authorities (national and provincial) and leaders, who actively support such undertakings.”

He said the pursuit of economic profit supersedes ‘environmental profit’ and this is directly supported by the prevailing political economy and amplified by the economic concept that assigns environmental outcomes of an economic activity as externalities.

“Whilst some landowners may lament over bad environmental practices by logging and mining companies, and the laxity and complicity of government authorities.”

 “They are equally responsible as well in some circumstances because they invited and participated in the processes under each respective law prior to the beginning of logging or mining operations,” he added.

“Moreover, they are closer to the operations on daily basis than government authorities and they fail to remind companies when they skid logs through rivers, encroach into adjacent lands that are not in their concession areas, and not rehabilitate pockets of land that have been mined.”

Vaccination necessary for international trade: Sogavare

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The country’s suffering economy can be resurrected only if international trade is boosted by reopening of international borders and the relaxation of travel restrictions.

However, Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare warns that the government will not reopen the country’s borders if 100 percent of the population over 18 years is not vaccinated.

Sogavare made the clarification in his Special National Address yesterday in view of questions on why we should vaccinate when we do not have covid-19 or community transmission in the country.

“For our economy to recover, we will need to reopen our borders to international trade and international travel at some stage.

“However, before we reopen our borders fully, we must ensure we have a ‘100 percent coverage’ of vaccination of every person that is above 18 years old in the first instance, pending WHO advice on vaccinations for people under 18 years of age.

“The only way we can achieve 100 percent protection is to have a 100 percent vaccination coverage – starting with front-liners and people aged over 55 years who currently have some existing diseases such as diabetes, heart diseases, asthma etc.”

He thanked frontline agencies outside of the government that had already mobilised their frontline workers to be vaccinated such as Solomon Airlines and Solomon Islands Ports Authority.

The Prime Minister also encouraged those over 55-years old, and who have existing diseases such as diabetes, high blood pressure, lung diseases including asthma and other diseases to present their medical record cards when visiting the central field hospital for vaccination.

–GOVERNMENT COMMUNICATION UNIT

3-HORSE RACE

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Line-out contest between Malaita Crusaders and MOI Warriors over the weekend. Crusaders won 37-12 to maintain third spot

BY PETER ZOLEVEKE II

The question of ‘Who will Man Up?’ this year is still open in a 3-horse race contention following round 4 of competing over the weekend in the 2021 Solrais & Fletchers Man Up Rugby 15s Challenge.

Islanders, Henderson Hammerheads and Malaita Crusaders secured the top seats of the tournament in a tight point battle.

Islanders clinched their fourth successive win with a 47 -23 bonus win over a determined SOSA young outfit to maintain their undefeated run, though head coach Paulo Tikotikoca said their performance is below par.

“The boys did well to get the win and maintain our position on the standings and secure it for now, but our game today (Saturday) if any other team we shouldn’t have got the result. How the boys perform is not to the standard I expected and we need to step up from here,” Tikotikoca said in a post-match interview.

“We need to move more swiftly in our positioning and that’s what we are going to work on our next game.

Islander leads with 16 points and a final round fixture against Diesel next weekend.

Newcomers Malaita Crusaders are also off to a remarkable campaign after collecting their third win for vital points over MOI Warriors 37-12 to maintain on third spot.

“Credit to the boys despite the short time together as a team we achieved these,” Crusaders head coach Norman Hatigeva said.

Host side HHH hand an improving Diesel side 43-10 and grab bonus points sitting second on the tally with 15 points a point behind the leaders.

“Definitely I’m happy with the win obviously it gets up us in the second spot and despite losing our initial game in the competition we are rebuilding,” HHH head coach Philip Campbell said.

The Sharks will face a rather tough challenge when they take on contenders Crusaders in a runner-up deciding clash.

A second spot finish for the Sharks will see a possible rematch against Islanders for the 1st and 2nd playoff in a week’s time.

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