Latest News Archive June 2021

Parliamentary Health Committee site visit to the quarantine centres at Nila, Shortland Islands in the Western Province.

Parliamentary Committee Inspects Provincial Quarantine Sites

The Health and Medical Services Committee has embarked on a 10 day visit to COVID - 19 quarantine sites in the Western and Choiseul Provinces.
Sogavare assured the Premier(s) that the PCDF funding to the Provinces will be increased under the current redirection policy and that will happen in two stages- details of which will come out later.

Sogavare Vows to Increase PCDF

Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare has announced in Tulagi this week that the National Government under his leadership will increase the Provincial Capacity Development Fund (PCDF) as part of the Government’s Redirection Policy.
“Within the short time of our bilateral relationship, you have delivered, and your assistance and support has touched the lives of ordinary Solomon Islanders,” he added.

Sogavare Reiterates Commitment to "Öne China Policy"

Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare has reiterated the Government’s respect and commitment to the One China Policy when he attended the opening of a Photo Exhibition celebrating the 100th anniversary of the Founding of the Communist Party of China (CPC) at the Chinese Embassy in Honiara.
Leon Pusua of Tuvaruhu Secondary School clocked 37:11:45 to claim Gold Medal in the 10 000 meters ahead of 32 other student athletes.

Bringing Out the Potential in Our Young Athletes

By Jimmy Nolan
The inaugural national secondary school games (NSSG) have begun. The parade through Honiara town reminds us of the youthful population we have, and the potential in each and every one of them.
Roto says the cost of transporting the goods to Anuta is very high, since he has to first travel to Santa Cruz just to wait for transport to get him over to Honiara to purchase goods.

Doing Business in an Uneconomical Zone

By Jeremy Gwao
Life on the outer islands is already difficult as it is, the ‘uneconomical zone’ classification speaks volumes of the business environment.
“The message is: people in the island don't want any deep sea mining activity in the EEZ, nor the area. So that was the loud message that came through.”

Tonga Firms Opposition to Deep Sea Mining

Tonga civil society strongly opposes deep sea mining and reaffirms a total ban on all mining activities, saying the region including the kingdom needs to act.
Such schemes prey on the vulnerable and poor, often times people we trust will be the ones that pull us into investing.

The Rise of Pyramid Schemes

By Samson Sade
Millions have been ‘invested’ in pyramid schemes in the country. The result? Court cases and endless squabbles.
Undersea cables are the backbone of the internet connecting faraway places like the Pacific to the world. These submarine fiber optic cables permit the world’s web traffic to flow.

Another Pacific Island Rejects Undersea China Cable

After rejecting a low bid from China due to security concerns, the Pacific island of Nauru is in discussions to connect to an Australian undersea communications network.
Australian High Commission representative Julie McCallum, New Zealand High Commission representative Kate Bradlow, MEHRD Deputy Secretary Linda Wate, acting SINU Vice Chancellor Mr Shadrack Fanega cutting the cake.

Teacher Training Starts in Honiara and Auki

The Ministry of Education and Human Resources Development (MEHRD) has commenced its 2021 training program to ensure all teachers in Solomon Islands are qualified.
Facebook partners with 80 fact-checking partners around the world to reduce the distribution of other spammy, sensational content like clickbait and engagement bait– which can coincide with misinformation.

Facebook Extends Pacific Islands Education Campaign to Help Counter Health Misinformation

Facebook has today launched a public education campaign to help people in five Pacific Island countries and territories learn how to identify and combat health-related misinformation.
Hon. Minister Jeremiah Manele and High Commissioner Georgina Roberts stand with six pieces of pounamu to represent the quantum of fiscal relief being provided to Solomon Islands.

New Zealand Handed Over Fiscal Relief Support to Solomon Islands

Solomon Islands took ownership of a Fiscal Relief package worth about NZD 6 million or SBD34m from the New Zealand Government.
Mr. Vardon Hoca, UNDP Project Manager handed over the youth community projects to its team leaders.

Empowering Solomon Islands' Youth to Promote Peace and Resilience

The UN Development Programme and International Labor Organization (ILO), in partnership with the Government of Solomon Islands, are empowering Solomon Islands’ youth and promoting their role as agents of peace and resilience.
The signing took place at the Office of the Prime Minister & Cabinet (OPMC) by the Minister of Planning and Development Coordination, Hon Rexon Ramofafia and the Australian High Commissioner, His Excellency Dr Lachlan Strahan.

Infrastructure Sector Further Enhanced

The Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare last week witnessed the signing of the Solomon Islands Infrastructure Program (SIIP) between the Solomon Islands and Australian Governments.
Prime Minister of Solomon Islands Manasseh Sogavare thanked Australia for the security partnership and described Solomon Islands and Australia as two nations not separated by the oceans but joined by the waves of peace, cooperation, prosperity and mutual respect.

Australia and Solomon Islands Break Ground on Outpost

Australia and Solomon Islands have held a ground-breaking ceremony in the Shortland Islands for the Western Border and Patrol Boat Outpost.
Senior Government Officials with the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry Education and Human Resources Department and Senior Ministry Officials.

Government Completes Dialogue to Enhance Quality Education and Training Systems

Government officials have successfully completed their round of dialogues to enhance quality education and training needs in the country.
MOH staff and officials meeting with the media yesterday to discuss the bed crises.

Managing Bed Shortages at the National Referral Hospital

By Samson Sade
The issue of bed shortages at the National Referral Hospital (NRH) is not new, what is new is the speed in which images get uploaded on social media.
The Opposition Leader says the government’s target of reaching 2,000 of our workers in Australia by the end of December 2021 is just not good enough in view of the number of farm jobs needed in Australia now.

Wale Urges Government to be Proactive in Approach to Labour Mobility Scheme

The Leader of Opposition, Hon. Matthew Wale, calls on the government to take a more proactive approach to ensure more Solomon Islanders can exploit the opportunities offered by the Australian labour mobility schemes.
PM Sogavare and MP for Shortlands Hon Chris Laore during the PMs visit to Shortlands in February this year.

PM to Travel to Lofung for Patrol Boat Base Ground-breaking

Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare will travel to Lofung, Shortland Islands on Wednesday this week for the groundbreaking ceremony of the Border and Patrol Boat Outpost.
Receiving the vaccines batch at the airport were the Minister of Health Hon Dr. Culwick Togamana, his Permanent Secretary Mrs. Pauline McNeil, New Zealand High Commissioner Georgina Roberts, Chief of UNICEF Solomon Islands Field Office Dr Zelalem Taffesse, and other health officials.

28,800 AstraZeneca Vaccines Arrive

The New Zealand High Commission together with key Government partners were thrilled to witness the safe arrival of 28,800 doses of AstraZeneca vaccines arrived at the Henderson International Airport last Friday.
Benefits for the Project are many and include alleviating pressure on household incomes and providing opportunities for improved government services, private sector development and entrepreneurship.

Tina Hydro gets Green Light

In a historic moment for the Solomon Islands, the Tina River Hydropower Development Project has overcome its last major hurdle before construction can finally commence on the much-anticipated SBD$1.5 billion renewable energy project.
During two training sessions jointly organized by SPC and the MFMR in May 2021 with support from the consulting firm Aqua Energie LLC, thirty-three women and sixteen men from Wagina and Manaoba learnt new techniques and tips to boost their seaweed businesses.

Empowering Seaweed Farmers to Develop New Products

“Cottonii” seaweed is the traditional name of farmed seaweed in the Solomon Islands, a country made of six major islands and over 900 smaller islands located in the Pacific region. With a population of over seven hundred thousand, it has a GDP per capita of USD 2,295.
More than 200 people including Chiefs, Elders, Women, Youth and Children from the disputing communities gathered at Tuha to exchange traditional food and cash and most of all to shake hands, pray and smile to each other since the dispute that kept them away from each other.

Shortland Tribes Reconcile Ahead of Groundbreaking Ceremony

Disputing Tribes against the FAMOA Council of Chiefs and Trust Board in the Shortland Islands yesterday held a traditional reconciliation ceremony at Tuha to say sorry for the past internal impasse over the land allocated for the Border and Patrol Boat Outpost at Lofang.
The deceased was among five others who stole a mobile phone from the suspect and his cousin brother.

East Honiara Murder Investigated

Officers of the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) at Naha Police Station Criminal Investigation Division (CID) are investigating the death of a 23-year-old male person in east Honiara on 14 June 2021.
Australia is funding the construction of a 22km transmission system to deliver renewable energy generated by the Tina River Hydropower Project to Honiara.

Supporting Reliable Electricity for Solomon Islands

Improved access to reliable electricity for Solomon Islands is one step closer with a historic agreement signed yesterday with the Australian Government under the Australian Infrastructure Financing Facility for the Pacific (AIFFP).
Over a hundred Ghombua residents, Chiefs, elders, church and community leaders, fathers and mothers with their children gathered in great excitement to witness the historic moment for their community, the opening of their new Rural Health Clinic (RHC)

Ghombua Community Opens Rural Health Centre

Walking for hours under the scorching heat of the sun simply for medical attention, worst still, losing a family member or friend along the way will now go down in the history books and a thing of the past for around 5 thousand people residing in and around Ghombua community, Guadalcanal.
The Hon. Peter Kenilorea was recently appointed as the President of the Organization of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS) Parliamentary Assembly and Co-President of the ACP-EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly.

Speaker of Parliament Congratulates Hon. Kenilorea

The Speaker of Parliament, John Patteson Oti, on behalf of Parliament congratulates Hon. Peter Kenilorea Jr, Member of Parliament for East Are and Chair of the Foreign Relations Committee (FRC), on his recent successful appointment to international Parliamentary platforms.
Prime Minister Sogavare encouraged citizens not to listen to misinformation and protect themselves by getting the jab.

PM Cautions Health Workers Over Vaccine Misinformation

Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare has expressed his disappointment at a small group of health workers who are promoting misinformation about the safety and efficacy of the COVID-19 vaccines.
Most of these investors are perhaps better classified as speculative investors – they go in heavy and leave a big mess behind.

The Scourge of the Mining Industry

By Samson Sade
The Solomon Islands is blessed with natural resources – gold, nickel and bauxite are some of the non-renewable resources that lay below the surface.
The Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) Royals are in 3rd place after the conclusion of Round 1.

RSIPF Royals Placed 3rd in Women's Soccer League

Defending Solrais Women’s Premier League Champions (SWPL), the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) Royals are in 3rd place after the conclusion of Round 1.
The CT scan project has two key components; the CT building component and the CT Equipment and Accessory Component.

Ministry of Health Provides CT Scan Project Update

Following media enquiries into the status of the Computer Tomography (CT) Scan project at the National Referral Hospital (NRH), the Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS) would like to provide an update with clarifications on the project components and processes involved to the public.
MET Service Chief Technical Officer, Mr. Barnabas Tahunipue at work on the Automatic Weather Station in Tikopia

Tikopia Automatic Weather Station Operational

The Solomon Islands Meteorology Services was able to provide weather information from Tikopia Island again after the Automatic Weather Station (AWS) was fixed during the recent Prime Minister’s tour to the Island.
CBSI reiterates that the only legal currency of Solomon Islands is the Solomon Islands Dollar (SBD).

CBSI Warns Against Fake 'New Currency' Sol York

The Central Bank of Solomon Islands (CBSI) has cautioned members of the public of a fake new currency called "Sol York currency" as claimed by its promoters.
Speaker of the Parliament of Vanuatu, Gracia Shadrack.

Vanuatu Parliament Awaits Court Resolution

The Speaker of Vanuatu's Parliament, Gracia Shadrach, adjourned last Fridays session until Wednesday this week.
Prime Minister Sogavare and the three Chiefs (Nga-riki) of Tikopia.

Prime Minister Makes Historic Trip to Tikopia

Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare made history when he became the first Solomon Islands Prime Minister to visit the Polynesia outlying islands of Temotu, Tikopia.
Based on early assessment no significant damage was caused by the quake, in Honiara or villages close to the epicenter.

5.1 Quake Hits Guadalcanal

An earthquake with a magnitude 5.1 struck Guadalcanal on Sunday.
Wale says in such circumstances it is in the best interest of all those affected, and the public at large, that due process be allowed to take its cause.

Wale Calls for Non-interference in Case Against Foreign Investor

Leader of Opposition Hon. Matthew Wale calls on the government to allow due process to take its cause in relation to the recent cancellation of SINO Capital’s Foreign Investment Board (FIB) approval.
The theme for the World Expo in Dubai will be “Connecting Minds, Creating the Future” and will be based on mobility, sustainability and opportunity.

Soltuna and Kokonut Pacific Products to be Promoted at World Expo in Dubai

The National Government had signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with SolTuna and Kokonut Pacific Solomon Islands Ltd to purchase and promote their products at the 2021 World Expo in Dubai.
One of the polling stations at the recent by-elections in Tikopia/Anuta Ward.

A Reflection on the Recent By-Elections in Tikopia/Anuta Ward

By Jeremy Gwao and Georgina Kekea
The recent by-elections in Tikopia/Anuta was conducted recently, the people spoke and George Rangi Manuvetea was duly elected as their new provincial member.
The four Solomon Islands companies and local Solomon Islands youths joined the global campaign via a beach and underwater clean up in the ocean around Munda.

Companies Collaborated for World Oceans Day

Solomon Airlines, Our Telekom, Soltuna and Dive Munda have joined forces on 8 June, to clean up ocean debris in the Western Province on 2021 ‘World Oceans Day’.
More than 20 representatives from UNDP, partner ministries and civil-society organizations gathered to launch the project development process for the GEF 7 Multifocal Area, which focuses on biodiversity and land degradation thematic areas.

GEF 7 Project Design Kicks Off

An inception workshop to begin the Global Environment Facility (GEF) 7 Project Initiation Planning Stage was held recently by representatives from the UNDP Solomon Islands, the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, Disaster Management & Meteorology and the Ministry of Agriculture and Livelihood.
The much needed medical supplies offloaded from Patrol Boat will be distributed throughout the Province.

Much Needed Medical Supplies Arrive in Temotu

The Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS) deployment of 6 cubic meters of medical supplies to Temotu Province on board the police patrol boat have arrived in Temotu.
With support from the Australian Government’s PacificAus Sports programme, Pacific teams and athletes will be able to train and compete in qualification events, giving them the greatest opportunity to realise their Olympic and Paralympic dreams.

Australia’s Olympics Lifeline to Pacific Nations

The Morrison Government and the Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) are working in partnership to support over 170 Olympic and Paralympic athletes from eleven Pacific nations to prepare for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
MAL Extension officer in Renbel, Florence Kwai hands over kava project farming tools to the representative of Renkav new kava planting family project.

MAL Assists Renbel Kava Farmers with Tools

Kava project recipients in Renbel Province have expressed gratitude to the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAL).
Four (4) thematic areas presented and discussed during the review includes, ensuring strategic vision that is in line with Universal Health Coverage, maintenance of standard quality care, upgrading of infrastructure and other resources and effective response to public health emergencies.

NRH Completes Mid-Term Review and Planning

Senior Executive Management of the Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS) and National Referral Hospital (NRH) together with NRH’s Heads of Departments (HODs) and senior staff had successfully completed the first of its kind mid-term review and forward planning.
The project will provide urgently needed repairs to one-third of the country’s road network and half of the country’s wharves.

ADB Approves $150 Million to Boost Transport Network

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved support of almost $150 million to boost land and maritime connectivity in Solomon Islands.
Chief Saketala sounded the alarm following what he describes as a rise in the number of fake land owners.

Chief Warns of Fake Land Owners

By Jimmy Nolan
John Saketala, a Paramount Chief of Ghaobata House of Chiefs in East Guadalcanal, has warned People not to purchase land outside of the East Honiara town boundary.
Honourable Galo’s decision to join the DCGA makes him the 39th member of the ruling government.

Newly Elected MP for South Choiseul Joins DCGA

The Democratic Coalition Government for Advancement (DCGA) has welcomed its new member; he is the newly elected Member of Parliament for South Choiseul Constituency Honourable Sammy Galo.
Rotavirus is the most common cause of diarrhea disease among infants and young children.

Six Children Die as Diarrhea Cases Surge

An alert has been issued by the Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS) surveillance team following a national surge in diarrhea cases last week.
Both High Commissioners were privileged to visit one of the participating schools, St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Primary School in East Honiara to mark the commencement of the COESI Skul Blong Umi Lo Ples project.

Australia and New Zealand Continues Support to Education Sector Support Program

The Australian High Commissioner Dr Lachlan Strahan alongside the Permanent Secretary MEHRD, Dr Franco Rodie and the New Zealand High Commissioner, Georgina Roberts recently attended a roundtable with representatives from Save the Children Solomon Islands, World Vision Solomon Islands and Coalition for Education Solomon Islands - COESI.
The virtual training helped participants learn about mitigating safety, security, and health risks while working abroad.

Training Conducted for Employment in Australia’s Construction Sector

Ten Solomon Islanders, who travelled to Australia last month received training on Work, Health, and Safety (WHS) measures for the Australian construction industry as part of a partnership between the Australia Pacific Training Coalition (APTC) and the Labour Mobility Unit supported by the Pacific Labour Facility (PLF) in the Solomon Islands.
The suspect was charged with Murder contrary to section 200 of the Penal Code. He was remanded at the Rove Correctional Centre and will appear in the Honiara Central Magistrates’ court on 17 June 2021.

Murder Suspect Surrenders

The suspect in relation to the murder of a 44-year-old female Chinese National at the White Angel building in Honiara has surrendered to police on 2 June 2021.
The Chief's Son cast went through three months of rehearsals for the five-day show.

Dreamcast’s Shakespeare-inspired ‘The Chief’s Son’ Set to Take Stage

Dreamcast Theatre Solomon Islands are set to stage one of their biggest theatre play yet; The Chief’s Son.
The Opposition Leader says the public needs to know what was discussed and agreed upon prior to the commencement of the project.

Wale Calls for Full Disclosure on Mamara Housing Project

Leader of Opposition Hon. Matthew Wale calls on the Government to make full disclosures on all dealings relating to the Mamara Township Development Project to date.
Minister of Education and Human Resource Development (MEHRD) Hon Lanelle Olandrea Tanangada one of the first MPs to receive the second AstraZeneca jab.

Roll Out of 2nd Dose of AstraZeneca Vaccine Underway in Honiara

The roll out of the AstraZeneca vaccine second dose for those who received their first dose in March, April and May at the Central Field Hospital in Honiara has commenced yesterday.
The Prime Minister will be the guest of honour during the celebrations that will be held at the Provincial Assembly area in Buala today.

PM Welcomed in Buala

Prime Minister Hon. Manasseh Sogavare arrived in Buala, Isabel Province yesterday ahead of today’s 2nd Appointed Day celebrations.
“We are very focused on supporting our Pacific family, and the idea of a bubble that goes beyond New Zealand and Australia is a real possibility,” he said.

Australia's PM May Include Pacific Islands in Expanded Travel Bubble

Australia's Prime Minister Scott Morrison has hinted that an expanded travel bubble beyond Australia and New Zealand may not be far away.
Politics aside, the interest in boat building has declined and if nothing is done it will join the long list of failed industries in the country.

Reviving the Boat Building Industry in Solomon Islands

By Samson Sade
Solomon Islands had many successful industries post-independence, some have grown and become a mainstay to the economy, others have withered and become non-existent.
Negotiations are taking place at the World Trade Organization (WTO), in Geneva with a view to reaching an agreement at a virtual Ministerial meeting on July 15th.

Big, Rich, and Powerful Subsidizers to Benefit from WTO Fisheries Subsidies Talks

Global talks to reign in global fisheries subsidies are failing to hold big, rich and powerful subsidizers accountable while unfairly shifting the burden onto vulnerable fishing communities.
Buala, the provincial capital of Isabel province.

PM Departs for Buala

Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare left for Buala, Isabel Province, this morning to attend the province’s 2nd Appointed Day celebrations.

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