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Fear not

Written by
Mavis Podokolo
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Blood clot is not related to AstraZeneca vaccine: WHO

BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO

Blood clots is no side effect of the AstraZeneca vaccine, assures World Health Organisation (WHO), Solomon Islands.

Simon Burggraaf of World Health Organisation (WHO) Solomon Islands elaborates, saying data from Europe and Asia-India all show the blood clot incidents to be coincidental with vaccine administration.

WHO Global Advisory Committee on Vaccine Safety (GACVS) COVID-19 subcommittee on safety signals related to the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine in its latest statement, says:

“Based on a careful scientific review of the available information, the subcommittee came to the following conclusions and recommendations: 

“The AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine (including Covishield) continues to have a positive benefit-risk profile, with tremendous potential to prevent infections and reduce deaths across the world.

“The available data do not suggest any overall increase in clotting conditions such as deep venous thrombosis or pulmonary embolism following administration of COVID-19 vaccines. Reported rates of thromboembolic events after COVID-19 vaccines are in line with the expected number of diagnoses of these conditions. Both conditions occur naturally and are not uncommon. They also occur as a result of COVID-19.  The observed rates have been fewer than expected for such events.

“While very rare and unique thromboembolic events in combination with thrombocytopenia, have also been reported following vaccination with the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine in Europe, a causal relationship between these rare events has not been established at this time.”

Economy set for comeback: CBSI

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
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Central Bank of Solomon Islands. Photo by CBSI

By EDDIE OSIFELO

CENTRAL Bank of Solomon Islands has projected the economy to recover to 1.5 percent this year in line with global growth and anticipated recovery in fisheries, construction sectors and key national projects in the pipeline.

The national projects are Tina Hydro and facilities for the Pacific Games in 2023.

Last year, the national economy contracted to minus 4.3 percent due to the impact of the coronavirus pandemic which affected key export and productive commodities and other related economic activities.

This happened after the government imposed the containment measures combined with the international travel restrictions led to disruptions in the production and supply chain in the domestic economy.

Appearing before the Public Accounts Committee in Parliament yesterday, CBSI Governor Dr Luke Forau over the medium term (2022-2025) growth is anticipated to pick up to an average of 3.5 percent with high growth concentrated ion 2022-2023 of between five percent and six percent from booming construction activities.

However, Forau said post Pacific Games in 2024 would be more challenging, as growth would drop considerably to around one percent when infrastructures and facilities are completed.

He said a gradual decline in forestry is also anticipated over the medium term.

“However, risks to this forecast are tilted to the downside especially with the ongoing pandemic related disruptions,” he said.

Further to that, Forau said CBSI expects inflation to remain low at -1.6% in the first half of this year consistent with on going depressed demand and to improve to 3% by end of 2021 to reflect upward pressures from food and fuel prices and transitory inflationary pressures of volatile items at the market.

The PAC has scrutinised the three billion, nine hundred and five million, nine hundred and fifty one thousand and three hundred and sixty dollars ($$3,905,951,360) budget.

The hearing continues today with the Australia High Commission, New Zealand High Commission, Japanese Embassy, Ministry of Finance and Treasury, Commodity Export Marketing Authority (CEMA), Solomon Islands Broadcasting Corporation, Solomon Islands Postal Corporation, Office of Prime Minister and Cabinet and Ministry of National Planning for Development Coordination.

2021 Bill hangs with $300m ‘dead money’

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
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CBSI Governor, Dr Luke Forau

By EDDIE OSIFELO

THE 2021 Appropriation Bill 2021 is proposing a deficit of around $300 million.

Central Bank of Solomon Islands Governor, Dr Luke Forau stated this when he appeared before the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) in Parliament on Monday.

PAC is scrutinising the three billion, nine hundred and five million, nine hundred and fifty-one thousand and three hundred and sixty dollars ($3,905,951,360) budget.

Mr Forau said in 2020, the fiscal position recorded an overall deficit of $308 million (or 2.5 percent of GDP), mainly driven by lower domestic (tax) revenue collections and covid-19 related expenses

He said the total revenue rose five percent to $3,800 million in 2020 attributable mainly to large grant receipts of $697 million primarily relating to covid-19 responses to support the economy.

However, Forau said this year’s budget is expecting a deficit of around $300 million.

“With the current revenue flow, there are at least two immediate risks to the fiscal outlook.

“First, is the government’s cash reserves is limited to finance the fiscal deficit,” he said.

Dr Forau said second, following from the first, the financing options would be crucial for the government.

However, the Governor said there is ‘dead money’ of around more than $300 million on the budget.

He said these are monies already due to the Government, but never been collected, these include taxes such as exercise tax, company tax, etc. and other fees.

“If the government collects all these monies this year, then the deficit is securely financed,” he said.

Further to that, Dr Forau said this year is the recovery phase of our economy.

“We really need to get the economic fundamentals right.

“The 1.5% growth projected for this year will not be sufficient enough to take the country back to pre- 2020 level.

“The economy needs to grow by at least 5% to 6% before we reach the pre-2020 level. By our estimation, this may occur in around 2024/2025,” he said.

Dr Forau said seeing that international travel and border restrictions remain uncertain to reopen soon, the Government should focus on spacing out its policy priorities into short to medium term and long term priorities.

He said in the short term, which is the recovery phase the focus should be on boosting the domestic demand.

“In the doing so, policy attention should focus on ensuring that the existing companies are supported to get back to their pre 2020 level.

“Simultaneously, policies relevant for medium to long term development should also be looked at to ensure continuity.

“While I haven’t seen the Government’s recent policy redirection, Iam sure it captures some of these things that I just mentioned,” he added.

The PAC hearing continues today.

Charges against One Link director may be amended

Written by
Jennifer Kusapa
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BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

One Link director, Gerrard Tauohu, may see charges against him amended.

This follows prosecution seeking adjournment to the case to allow them time to get statements from property owners after police recovered some properties and received a statement from Charles Dora.

Public Prosecutor Jonathan Auga told court yesterday police investigators have obtained statements from Mr Dora and recovered some properties in which the police needs to get statements from the property owners.

Auga said that with the new statements, they are looking at amending the charges against Mr Tauohu.

Deputy Chief Magistrate Ricky Iomea then adjourned the case for April 5.

Tauohu is faced with 38 counts of false pretence under the penal code, and one count of unlicensed financial institution under the Financial Institutions Act 1998.

He was arrested by police following complaints from One Link mentors and customers who did not receive their payments from the director.

Allegation said that Tauohu obtained more than $400,000 from the six mentors between December 2019 and February 2020 and failed to pay them their promised interests.

He then allegedly escaped to Malaita and was arrested after police received complaints from the scheme’s mentors and customers who had invested in the scheme last year but are yet to receive their payments.

One link Pacifica customers had allegedly invested a total of $56,440,4575 in the scheme but police had only managed to recover $336,891.20.

Jonathan Auga of the Office of the Director Public Prosecution appears for the crown while Ronald Dive represents the accused.

Police in West call for support

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The Provincial Police Commander (PPC), Western Province Chief Superintendent Mathias Lenialu calls on people at Narovai Village on Rarumana Island and surrounding communities to assist the police arrest a suspect for illegal brewing at the village.

Villagers called the police at Gizo on March 20, 2021 to report the incident.

PPC Lenialu says, “Villagers at Narovai witnessed the suspect selling homebrew to villagers especially youth after he was arrested previously for the same offense of illegal brewing of homebrew at his residence.

“The officers left Gizo Police Station at 8am and upon their arrival the complainant and the community were waiting for them. The suspect saw the officers and escaped. The officers only managed to collect the equipment he used for brewing as exhibits.

“The officers instead conducted an awareness to the community on the illegal brewing of home brew, kwaso as well as the COVID 19 pandemic.

“The community were pleased with the quick response shown by police and the work they have done for the community.

“I want to call on people at Narovai Village and the nearby villages to report to police anywhere they happen to see the suspect. He must be arrested to stop the practise of brewing because it can destroy the health of our young generation,” says Lenialu.

Govt asks India for 600k Astra

Written by
Mavis Podokolo
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Dr Zelalem Taffese, UNICEF Field officer to the Solomon islands shakes and with Minister of Health Dr Culwick Togamana following the arrival of the AstraZeneca vaccine into the country on March.

BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO

SOLOMON Islands Government has reportedly finalised its request to the Indian Government for 600,000 AstraZeneca vaccine.

Dr Culwick Togamana, minister for health and medical service, confirmed this during the welcome event of the 24,000 doses of AstraZeneca vaccine that arrived on Friday last week.

“Solomon Islands is taking proactive actions in its efforts to secure more vaccines for the population. Thus, we have finalised our request to the government of India for 600 thousand more AstraZeneca vaccines for our people.

“This is important to fulfill the government’s desire to get all of its eligible population vaccinated,” Togamana.

He said they are also anticipating another 20,000 doses of China vaccine known as Sinopharm covid-19 vaccine early next month from the People’s Republic of China.

“Once approved by World Health Organisation, we will also roll out the Sinopharm vaccine. So, thank you China.”

Togamana said they are also anticipating significant amount of financial support from the Australia and New Zealand governments for the procurement of more covid-19 vaccines with discussions on these now underway.

“Thus, I extend sincere thank you to Australia and New Zealand,” he said.

The first batch of AstraZeneca that arrived last week was made available through the COVAX facility by GAVI, the COVAX facility, Government of India and the Serum Institute in India.

West’s Assembly meeting tomorrow

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BY BEN BILUA

GIZO

THE Western Provincial Government (WPG) is gearing up for its Assembly meeting tomorrow.

Speaker of Western Province, Adrian Gina confirmed this to Island Sun Office in Gizo yesterday afternoon.

He said the Assembly meeting will be held at the Imagination Island Resort – an island half a mile from Gizo town.

Gina said the main agendas for the meeting will be the 2021-2022 Appropriation Bill which includes the Province’s budget, Western Provincial Government (WPG) Audit Report 2018-2019 and the Western Province Investment Corporation (WPIC) Audit Report 2011 -2019.

“As usual, we come to an end of a financial year 2020-2021 end this month and it has been a tradition that the Provincial Assembly gather together and discuss the budget for the next financial year 2021-2022.

“Main agenda is the 2021-2022 Appropriation Bill. This will be the whole focus of the meeting.

“We will also table the WPG Audit Report which accommodates the spending of the province in the year 2018 to 2019 and the WPIC Audit Report which has not been audited for the past few years that the interim government took forward to audit the finances of the entity,” he explained.

Gina said the Western Provincial Executive had completed the documentation of the province’s estimate budget and the document is before the Provincial Public Account Committee for further scrutiny.

He said the Western Provincial Executive will meet again today to finalise the edited report from PAC before compiling the final document for the assembly meeting.

Gina calls on provincial members of the 26 wards to attend the Assembly Meeting as it is very important to map out the province’s future operations and service delivery.

He said the public is welcome to the meeting and will be made available for the public to travel to the island to listen to the discussion.

Burglary case heads for trial

Written by
Jennifer Kusapa
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BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

The case against a 37-year-old man, accused of stealing from his employer, has been adjourned for March 29, for trial.

This is the case of Ian Pias Walelabua who faces with one count of Burglary in relation to an incident on August 28, 2020 between 11.30pm and 12.30am when the victim and his wife were out from their residence at Henderson.

Police said the accused and other males entered into the complainant’s house by climbing the walling and removed the security camera.

The allegation said it was when they were inside the house, they removed a cash box that contained the amounst of $300,000 SBD, $20,000 AUD and 5,000 pounds.

It was also alleged that the defendant Walelabua before committing the offence did called another employee, who also works for the complainant to find out the couple’s movement on that night.

The phone conversations were made by the accused was to check on the couple whether they were out of their residence.

Police also said the accused Walelabua worked as an electronic officer for the complainant.

Deputy Chief Magistrate Ricky Iomea presided over the matter yesterday.

Public Solicitor George Gray is representing the accused in court.

Bus driver’s case returns March 30

Written by
Jennifer Kusapa
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BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

The case against a bus driver accused of causing death to a pedestrian has been adjourned for March 30.

This is for the crown and defence lawyers to decide whether the trial will proceed on April 5.

Yesterday a lawyer from the Public Solicitor’s Office who appeared on instructions from Allan Tinoni told the court that the lawyer in carriage have no issues to raise but seek to adjourn the case for the next 14 days.

Deputy Chief Magistrate Ricky Iomea adjourned the case to March 30 for both counsels to appear and confirm whether trial will proceed on the dates previously agreed to; both counsels in carriage of the matter did not appear yesterday to give full instructions to the court regarding the case.

Diau Konge is being alleged in a hit and run incident at the Henderson area.

Prosecution said the deceased with his wife and their teenage boy were onboard a pick-up truck travelling from Honiara main market heading back home. The deceased is believed to have taken some alcohol before he and his family boarded the vehicle. On their way passing the Lungga Bridge East of Honiara, the deceased asked his wife to give him some money. His wife gave him $100.

Police said they stopped at the shops in the Lungga area and the deceased went into one of the shops and bought some goods before they drove out again heading in the easterly direction.

Police also said just opposite the Island Night Club in the Henderson area, the deceased asked the driver of the motor vehicle to stop.

As the driver was ready to stop the deceased suddenly jumped out of the truck, without looking for incoming vehicles from both lanes. It is believed that he ran straight into the main road, after one vehicle passed him from the westerly direction.

Police also said when the deceased crossed the road, a 15-seater mini bus was travelling at a high speed from the easterly direction and unfortunately hit the deceased and it is believed he died instantly.

Astra well preserved, ready for inoculation

Written by
Mavis Podokolo
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BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO

THE AstraZeneca vaccines are well preserved at the national medical store, ready to be distributed from administration.

This was confirmed by Dr Ibrahim Dadari, programme officer UNICEF, during a covid-19 radio talkback show.

Temperature is a critical factor to storing vaccine. And, AstraZeneca vaccine can be stored in temperatures between eight and two degrees Celsius for about six months.

Dadari assures that the vaccines are stored in recommended temperatures to ensure the vaccine remains safe for human use.

“The vaccines preserved in a special box storage, with ice pack to maintain temperature as per standard UNICEF requirement the vaccines were immediately shipped to the national medical store where we have a big fridge called the working cool room so vaccines were immediately offloaded.

“All the processes on how this vaccine was handled was documented and expected inspections was conducted on site and was communicated to UNICEF. The documentation inspection process was well observed and resulted with everything ticked, so we are fine to go,” said Dadari.

In terms of how vaccines are going to getting out of the medical store to the field, they have standard WHO pre-approved freezers to store vaccines and standby cool boxes and vaccine carriers which are also meant to store vaccines.

He adds that these specialised boxes have temperature monitoring devices installed in each.

“Our health workers are being trained to look at these things so, they will be taking temperatures twice daily morning and evening to make sure that vaccine is maintain at two to eight degree. These is part of the safety measures to maintain what is called vaccine potential.”

He said for vaccine deployment to borders, health authority will use WHO pre-qualified freezers to store vaccines where they will be kept properly at Taro in Choiseul Province, at Nila in Western Province and also in Malaita Outer Islands.

“So, all measures are in place to ensure these vaccines remain potential and safe for all of us. If there is any breach, we will make sure it is addressed immediately,” he said.

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