Economy Archive August 2021

Members of the Solomon Islands Scouts Association Management Team.

Solomon Islands Scouts is Now Independent and the Newest Member of the Scouting Movement

After 94 years as a branch of the United Kingdom Scout Association, the Solomon Islands Scout Association, is now independent and is the 172nd member of the World Organisation of the Scouting Movement (WOSM).
The landing craft currently at Aola base awaiting further investigations.

Logging Landing Craft Arrested During Lockdown

Officers of the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) at Maritime Department who are doing sea patrols during the lockdown have intercepted a landing craft owned by a logging company based in the Western Province.
AC Pogeava says, “Investigation into those arrests still continues and ask those people who might have any information to come forward and assist police.”

Twenty Arrested During Lockdown Exercise

Officers of the Royal Solomon Island Police Force (RSIPF) on operation have arrested twenty people during the lockdown exercise last night.
Harris Giusaga, GPPOL's Tetere Estate Manager, and GPPOL officers testing their procedures at the plains.

GPPOL Tests Business Continuity Plans During Lockdown

By Georgina Kekea
Ensuring operations continue during lockdowns is the focus of GPPOL’s lockdown initiative from Sunday 6pm to Tuesday 31 August 6pm.
Solomon Airlines touches down with the AstraZeneca vaccine.

More AstraZeneca Vaccines Arrive

By Samson Sade
A flight organized to bring in additional AstraZeneca vaccines donated by Japan and Australia has touched down at the Henderson international airport earlier today.
The Ministry says it is very aware and concerned that locals are approaching these foreign maritime vessels to trade, and are calling on such practice to stop immediately.

Stay Away from Foreign Vessels or Yachts

The Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS) has issued a stern warning to communities across the country, particularly those in Makira-Ulawa, Malaita, Isabel, Western, Choiseul and Guadalcanal Province. Stay away from any and all foreign vessels or yachts.
"Australia and Solomon Islands have a strong and steadfast friendship, built on shared values and regional interests and enduring community links."

Australia Funds Six New Mobile Towers to Boost Solomon Islands’ Security

Australia has agreed to fund the installation of six new mobile phone towers to support the Solomon Islands Government to improve the security and connectivity on its western border area by closing key communications blind spots.
Organizations that deal with domestic violence say they are getting more requests for help than ever before and there are horrific stories of extreme abuse.

Domestic Violence During Lockdowns

By Samson Sade
During the trial lockdown our response systems should also be tested for those that may experience domestic violence.
The role of the church should be expanded – they should be supported, trained and equipped to take care of the most vulnerable in their communities, especially those in Honiara.

The Role of the Church During a Real Lockdown

By Jimmy Nolan
As Honiara prepares for a trial lockdown, it is probably timely to make a quick assessment on the impact of a real lockdown, if it ever comes to that.
Health PS visited the various hospital departments, laboratory, surgical, neo-natal, medical, pharmacy and so forth spending time listening to the staff there and jotting down notes for necessary follow up actions upon return.

PS McNeil Visits Buala Hospital

“Not often do I have the chance to visit provincial health facilities, its workers and patients as I have my Deputy Secretary responsible for this regard, but once i have the opportunity i always ensure i do and it’s always beneficial for me to listen to first-hand information from those on the ground themselves."
The analysis found that in 2019 there were 626 million women and 652 million men living with hypertension. This represented roughly double the estimated 331 million women and 317 million men with the condition in 1990.

Study Shows High Blood Pressure Doubled Globally in 30 years

The number of people living with high blood pressure more than doubled since 1990, according to a major study published on Wednesday that found half of all sufferers - about 720 million people - went untreated in 2019.
Dr Jones took his oath before the Chief Scout of Solomon Islands Scout Association, Sir David Vunagi at the Government House.

High Commissioner Jones is SI Scouts International Commissioner

The Solomon Islands Scout Association has commissioned Dr. Brian Jones, British High Commissioner, as its International Commissioner.
SICCI Chairman, Ricky Fuo’o, and an official from the RSIPF.

SICCI Facilitates Exemption Process for Businesses During Lockdown

The Solomon Islands Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SICCI) is providing support to the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) by facilitating the process of exemption for businesses who are categorized as critical or essential to mobilize during the 36 hours lockdown period.
Premier of Isabel Province Hon. Leslie Kikolo informed the public in attendance that at the start of the pandemic, the people of Isabel have been adhering to COVID-19 public health measures as instructed by public health experts, including limiting travels outside of our borders.

COVID-19 Vaccination Launched in Isabel

Isabel Province launched its COVID-19 vaccination program at the provincial capital, Buala, yesterday with heads and representatives of the tri-system of governance, Premier Hon Leslie Kikolo, Rt. Reverend Bishop Ellison Quity and Representative of the Chiefs, Oliver Hiromana the first to receive the vaccines from the provincial roll out batch.
87% of respondents think the government is doing an excellent or good job of preventing the spread of COVID-19.

Study Says Solomon Islanders Confident with Government’s COVID-19 Response

By Jimmy Nolan
A recent study conducted by the National Democratic Institution (NDI) says 87% of those interviewed think the government is doing an excellent job.
ADF experts will work closely with the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force to design a tailored training package, focused on advanced skills and instructor training for experienced officers, as well as training for new officers.

Australia Assists Solomon Islands with Ordinace Disposal Package

Australia and the Solomon Islands are deepening cooperation on explosive ordnance disposal, with a AUD$15 million package of infrastructure works, equipment and training announced in Honiara.
Isabel Provincial Health Director Dr Tony Quity (front) delivering his presentation on status of health system at Isabel and the current challenges.

Health PS Touch Base with Isabel Province Health Team

With the roll out of COVID-19 launchings across the provinces, the Ministry of Health and Medical Services’ (MHMS) Senior Executive Management (SEM) Members are utilizing the opportunity to also touch- base with provincial health teams.
The cost of failure is unimaginable, it will not be just in monetary terms, but the lives of our people are at stake.

Let’s Work Together and Prepare for Lockdown

By Samson Sade
There are those critical of the costs associated with the planned lockdown, and perhaps in this time of financial difficulties there are merits to such argument.
"This is good for both families and the country as a whole moving forward hence, I extend my hearty appreciation to the Government and people of Australia."

Wale Acknowledges Australia’s Increase in Seasonal Worker Numbers

Leader of the Opposition and MP for Aoke Langa langa, Hon. Matthew Wale acknowledges and thanks the Government and people of Australia for their continued support to the Pacific Island countries and its peoples in these trying times.
Premier of CIP Honourable Stanley Manetiva, who was the first to get vaccinated, thanked the National Government, Oversight Committee, Ministry of Health and all donors and development partners for the job well done in rolling out the vaccine to CIP.

Central Islands Province Launches COVID-19 Vaccination

Central Islands Province (CIP) has launched their COVID-19 vaccination program at the provincial capital, Tulagi, with Premier Hon Stanley Manetiva the first to receive the jab.
Police Commissioner, Mr. Mostyn Mangau and SICCI Board Chairman, Mr. Ricky Fuo’o at the signing of the MoU.

SICCI Renews MoU with RSIPF

The Solomon Islands Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SICCI) and the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) recognizes that there is a definite link between the rule of law in a nation and growth in investment which underpins private sector development and job creation.
Hundreds of hopeful applicants are in Honiara, going through interviews, paying fees for medical clearance and putting together other required documents.

Exploiting Desperate People Applying for Seasonal Work

By Jimmy Nolan
It has come to light that certain government officers are exploiting the desperation of those seeking to join the seasonal worker’s scheme.
A workable homegrown plan that is tailored to our socio-economic situation needs to be drawn up.

Are We Ready for a Lockdown?

By Samson Sade
Unless a well-planned COVID-19 lockdown strategy is employed, the potential for community backlash cannot be ruled out.
Dr Gregory Jilini informed the volunteers that their work is critical in ensuring continuous effectiveness of delivery of services and work towards ongoing efforts of health with COVID-19 operations including roll out of COVID-19 vaccines, especially at the Central Field Hospital.

Volunteers for COVID-19 Operations and Vaccination Roll Out Trained

Strategic partnerships, collaboration and cooperation remains crucial towards the Ministry of Health’s implementation of COVID-19 response operations and vaccination roll out efforts.
"MHMS is reiterating this message due to the continuous attempts and actual crossings at the Western Border with the most recent incident over the weekend involving 7 people who were Solomon Island’s nationals from Bougainville who travelled to Solomon Islands illegally, without any authorization."

Health Ministry Reiterates Calls to Stop Border Crossing

The Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS) has called for all unauthorized crossings at the western border to stop, as such crossings could lead to the entry of COVID-19 as it could go undetected and unmanaged, leading to a worse case scenario - community transmission.
"My classmates and I saw the patrol boat Savo pass by our school down to the border between Papua New Guinea (PNG) and Solomon Islands during the Bougainville crisis. I told my friends at that time that one day, I will become a captain of one of those patrol boats.”

“Joining the RSIPF Maritime Unit is a Dream Come True,” Superintendent Reggie

Superintendent Harold Reggie from Dovele village in Vella la Vella, Western Province, is the captain of one of the new Royal Solomon Island Police Guardian class patrol boats, the RSIPV Gizo.
To address the adverse revenue impact of these faulty meters, we are in the process of billing our customers in arrears for the water consumed.

Solomon Water Cash Water Meter Program

In March this year Solomon Water released a statement to inform the public about the increasing number of faulty prepaid, or Cash Water, meters.
Inspector Leleina thanking the visiting team.

Australia Donates Standby Genset and Water Tank to Lata Police

The Australian High Commission has presented to the Lata police a water tank and a stand-by generator to enhance the work of the police in Temotu Province.
The Opposition Leader says that apart from the age limit the Government should also push for an increase in the total number of workers going to Australia, which is currently in the hundreds, to at least a thousand per month.

Wale Supports Plans to Increase Age Limit for Labour Mobility Workers

The Leader of Opposition, Matthew Wale, says he fully endorses recent submissions made by the Solomon Islands High Commissioner to Australia, H.E. Robert Sisilo, to increase the current age limit under the Labour Mobility Scheme and the Seasonable Workers Program in Australia to 55 years old.
Ivermectin is a broad spectrum anti parasitic agent, included in WHO’s essential medicines list for several parasitic diseases. It is used in the treatment of onchocerciasis (river blindness), strongyloidiasis or disease caused by round worm, and other diseases caused by soil transmitted helminthiasis (infestation with parasitic worm).

Ivermectin is Not an Alternative Drug to COVID-19 Vaccine: Health Ministry

By Jimmy Nolan
The Ministry of Health together with its partners WHO and UNICEF, have clarified that any suggestion that Ivermectin, a drug used to treat parasite infestation, can be used as an alternative drug to COVID-19 vaccines is misleading.
Currently in Fiji there are more than 850 Solomon Islands students. Half of that number are government sponsored students.

Government Sponsored Students in Fiji Supported Financially Until December

By Georgina Kekea
Government sponsored students in Fiji are well covered till December. The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Finance and Treasury, Mr. McKinnie Dentana says the government has advanced the students' scholarship funds to ensure they are supported until December.
“We believe this is a win-win solution as we understand the financial pressure everyone is under as a result of the current pandemic, and through this fare offer we can encourage earlier bookings," said Colin Sigimanu, Manager Commercial for Solomon Airlines.

Solomon Airlines Offers Big Discounts for Advance Ticket Purchase

Solomon Airlines has announced a new 20% discount airfare available on return economy flights purchased at least 21 days in advance of travel.
The Opposition Leader said that the ideal situation is that delta is not allowed into the country at all.

Wale Cautions Government on Delta Preparedness

The Leader of Opposition, Hon. Matthew Wale, has urged the government to adopt a zero-risk approach in its efforts to stop the entry of the deadly delta variant.
The World Health Organization (WHO) states that currently in the Solomon Islands cervical cancer is the second most common cause of cancer related deaths.

Improving Women’s Health in Solomon Islands

By Jeremy Gwao
Women in Solomon Islands are dying from preventable diseases, one of which is cervical cancer.
Health Minister Hon. Dr Culwick Togamana officially opens the CT scan building. Managing Director of Hatanga, Jay Bartlett, says it was a pleasure to have been given this assignment noting its importance towards the health of our people.

Health Receives and Launches the New CT Scan Building

The Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS) and the National Referral Hospital (NRH) this week received and officially launched the new CT scan building at the National Referral Hospital (NRH).
Sogavare says that enabling all provincial laboratories to do COVID-19 testing is the best way to respond to any potential community transmission of COVID-19 into the provinces.

Government Installs COVID-19 Testing Capability in Malaita

By Samson Sade
The government has successfully installed COVID-19 testing capability at the laboratory in Kilu’ufi Hospital in Malaita.
MAL Permanent Secretary Ethel Tebengi Frances and Chairman of SIPFA John Kwaita signs the MoU as reps from MAL and SIPFA watches in witness.

MAL and SIPFA Signs MoU to Support Development of Pig Industry

The Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAL) through its Livestock Department has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Solomon Islands Pig Farmers Association (SIPFA) on 4th August 2021 towards development of the country’s pig industry.
The training also highlighted issues experienced at the provincial level and how to disseminate timely accurate information to the general population to avoid uncertainty and unnecessary fear among general population.

Work on Strengthening Provincial Health Promotion Underway

The National Health Promotion Division of the Ministry of Health and Medical Services have commenced its provincial support to scale up provincial capacity for more strategic interventions and activities to yield and generate increased demand for health services and goods focused on preventative measures, such as COVID-19 vaccines.
"The directive has come about as a result of the increase number of community transmissions of the covid-19 Delta variant in Fiji. It is also due to some unusual activities on Savo Island reported recently."

Livelihood Committee Reviews Honiara Lockdown Plan

A one-day workshop was held in Honiara to review the Lockdown Plan for Honiara and to develop the Savo Island volcano preparedness and response plan.
"We share the same concern on the slow uptake of COVID-19 vaccination in the country to a level that would protect our population from COVID-19 in the event the virus breaches our borders and reach our communities,” Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Ms. Natalina Hong, said.

SICCI Urges Eligible Members to Get Vaccinated

The Solomon Islands Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SICCI) is urging members, their employees and eligible members of the general public to be vaccinated to protect them from the COVID-19 virus as soon as possible.
Two Noni Farmers receive support from GP extension staff.

More Farmers Benefit from MAL Export Crop Programme

More farmer groups in Guadalcanal Province took delivery of farming equipment under the Export Crop Programme 2021 of the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAL).
"Any person in the three categories not fully vaccinated by 30th November 2021 will be taken as having chosen to self-terminate their employment."

Termination of Employment Looms for Those Who Avoid Mandatory Vaccination

By Samson Sade
In an effort to increase vaccination coverage in the country Cabinet has now endorsed the mandatory administration of COVID-19 vaccines.
Dr Togamana says that this would be the fourth foreign vessel to have had crew members testing positive for COVID-19 while the vessel was in port and before it was cleared.

Crew of Foreign Vessel Test Positive for COVID-19

By Jimmy Nolan
Three crew members of another foreign commercial vessel, MV Run Fu 6, that arrived over the weekend have tested positive for COVID-19. The Minister of Health and Medical Services, Hon. Dr Culwick Togamana, confirmed the news during his national address yesterday.
The Prime Minister said talks would commence soon with the Ministry of Provincial Government and Institutional Strengthening (MPGIS) to start implementing the project by early 2022.

CEMA to Set Up Buying Centre at Manekalaku: PM

Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare has revealed that the Commodities Export Marketing Authority (CEMA) will set up its main buying center at Manekalaku substation in East Guadalcanal next year.
Body of Dead Infant Found at Ranadi Dump Site

Body of Dead Infant Found at Ranadi Dump Site

Officers of the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) at Naha Police Station in East Honiara are investigating an infanticide case after a body of a newborn baby was found at the Ranadi dumpsite on 31 July 2021.
Cocoa PAR farmers at Uzamba in Vella La Vella doing side grafting of a mature cocoa tree.

MAL Trains Cocoa Farmers in Western Province

Trainings on cocoa grafting was conducted for Chale and Uzamba Participatory Action Research (PAR) farmers in the Western Province.

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