Politics Archive September 2020

“Definitely the second flight will go but we will look at options to bring them on a larger aircraft”, Rodgers says.

Government May Look to Air Niugini for Philippines Repatriation Flight

By Georgina Kekea
Government will possibly turn to Air Niugini for the next repatriation flight for students from the Philippines.
He says that Solomon Island’s fight against Covid-19 has always been about the people and their collective resolve in prayer in keeping Covid-19 away from our shores.

Wale Welcomes Students’ Home: “Let’s Continue Praying for the Country”

Opposition Leader, Hon. Matthew Wale joins all concerned citizens and parents in welcoming home our Philippine based students.
He says as part of the Stimulus Package, four schools namely Selwyn College, Betikama College, St. Joseph’s Tenaru, and St. Martin’s Rural Training Centre have also received $400,000 to support them in agriculture and cassava farming.

Sogavare Explains Stimulus Roll Out

By Georgina Kekea
The government cannot support everyone in the economic stimulus package.
The returning students will be accommodated at government managed Quarantine Stations (QS) at Guadalcanal Beach Resort and Chengs Building both located in East Honiara.

Students in Philippines Arrive Today

The first group of students will arrive on the first repatriation flight from the Philippines today 5:00 pm local time.
The total number of positive COVID-19 cases for students in the Philippines is now 18.

Another Four Student in Philippines Test Positive for COVID-19

Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare has confirmed that another four student studying in the Philippines have tested positive for COVID-19.
Sogavare says whilst dealing with a pandemic of global proportions, Solomon Islands continues to battle with the incremental effects of climate change and the negative impacts it has on the livelihood, security and well being of its people.

Solomon Islands Calls on Countries to Continue to Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions

By Georgina Kekea
“Solomon Islands will continue to reduce its carbon footprint”, says Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare.
Maka’a said tackling misinformation is a challenge because of how fast bad news spreads.

Tackling Misinformation a Real Challenge: Maka’a

Tackling misinformation online is a real challenge, a Media Association of Solomon Islands (MASI) executive says.
Philippines has recorded a total of 297,000 confirmed cases of COVID-19 with 5,127 deaths. 232,000 have recovered from the deadly virus.

Funding Assistance to Bring Students in Philippines Home Transparent: Government

In the true tenets of good governance, transparency and accountability, government says it has detailed funding assistance from local companies who responded positively to assist governement in bringing the students in Philippines home.
It is alleged that Hon. Dettke was driving a Toyota Land Cruiser vehicle when he veered off the west bound lane, breaking the median stripe fence in front of the Central Market Plaza.

RSIPF Arrests and Charges Hon. Dettke for Careless Driving

The National Traffic Department of the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) today (24 September 2020) charged the Member of Parliament for North-West Guadalcanal Hon. Bodo Dettke for careless driving following a traffic incident he was involved in at the Honiara Central Market area on 8 August 2020.
Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare and other government MPs welcome Hon. Samson Maneka.

Maneka Joins Government

Member of Parliament for North Guadalcanal Constituency, Hon. Samson Maneka has switched allegiance to the ruling Government.
"The United States will await the results of the ongoing Royal Solomon Island Police Force investigation and stands by to offer our support if needed," Ambassador McKee said.

US Embassy in PNG Awaits Result of Investigations into Bomb Explosion

The U.S. Embassy in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, is awaiting the outcome of the report into the explosion that killed two bomb specialists in Tasahe, West Honiara.
Governor General Sets Date for By-Election

Governor General Sets Date for By-Election

Voters from North East Guadalcanal and Central Honiara Constituencies will go to the polls on the 18th of November to elect their members of parliament.
Front liners on Monday this week had also undergone a mock exercise here in Honiara ahead of the first repatriation flight this Sunday.

We Are Ready for our Students’ Arrival From Philippines: PM

Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare said ‘we are prepared’ for the arrival of our students from Philippines.
Huawei, once removed from a contract in Solomon Islands, is most likely approached by the government to build the 200-telecommunication towers while China is the most likely financier for this project.

Huawei In Talks with Government to Build 200 Telecommunication Towers

By Georgina Kekea
Chinese tech giant Huawei is in advanced talks with the government to build 200 telecommunication towers around the country.
“It is a decision that the Government of Solomon Islands carefully and thoughtfully made after more than 3 decades of defying the clear position taken by the United Nations, and thereby placed Solomon Islands, as a member of the United Nations, in the right side of History,” Sogavare said.

Sogavare Praises China: Critical of Those Who Oppose

“The switch to establish diplomatic ties with the People’s Republic of China (PRC) has placed Solomon Islands at the right-side of history, as a member of the United Nations,” Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare said at the opening of the Chinese Embassy in Honiara today.
Two More Students in Philippines Test Positive for COVID-19

Two More Students in Philippines Test Positive for COVID-19

By Jimmy Nolan
Two more students in the Philippines have tested positive for COVID-19.
"If you leave the hotel you will not be allowed back into the hotel," the Attorney General said.

Government to Students in Philippines: "Break the Rules, Miss the Flight"

The government is urging Solomon Island students studying in the Phillipines to respect the rules while awaiting repatriation flights.
The Solomon Islands, like its Pacific neighbors, do not have the means nor the technical know-how to limit, let alone block, such cyber intrusion.

43 Solomon Islanders Data ‘Harvested,’ Linked to Chinese Tech Firm

A special report from New Zealand’s 1 NEWS has revealed that people across the Pacific Islands, including some who do not even have a presence on the internet, are among those whose personal information has been targeted and linked to China's military and intelligence networks.
In short, Solomon Islands was not prepared for this, there was no “rainy day” fund we could draw from – no wealth fund, no sovereign fund, no budget surplus. Debt levels were rising well before the virus was declared a pandemic.

COVID-19, the Stimulus and Growing Debt Levels

By News Desk
As we write 12 Solomon Islanders have tested positive for COVID-19 in the Philippines.
All passengers came with at least 2 negative consecutive COVID-19 test results.

104 New Arrivals in Quarantine

A total of 104 passengers who arrived Tuesday night from Brisbane have now settled down in their designated Quarantine Stations to commence 14-days of quarantine.
RSIPF has informed the necessary authorities in Honiara about the illegal crossing and officers manning the border with PNG in MOI are monitoring the situation.

RSIPF Confirms Illegal Crossing from MOI to Tasman Island in PNG

Officers of the Royal Solomon Island Police Force (RSIPF) looking after the common border with Papua New Guinea border in the Malaita Outer Islands (MOI) have reported one male adult from Lord Howe travelled to Tasman Island in the PNG side of the common border illegally on 8 September 2020.
6 More Positive COVID-19 Cases for Students in Philippines

6 More Positive COVID-19 Cases for Students in Philippines

By Georgina Kekea
Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare has confirmed that 6 more students studying in the Philippines have tested positive for COVID-19. This brings the total number of positive cases to 12.
Police attend to the crime scene in the foxwood area North Guadalcanal.

Dead Body of Man Found Roadside in North Guadalcanal Identified

Relatives of the man whose dead body was discovered in the middle of the road in the Foxwood area on North Guadalcanal on the night of 13 September 2020 have come forward to identify him following a call from the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force early this week.
The Opposition Leader adds: “The PM need to understand that he is duty bound to inform people about what actually happened. 7 months is adequate time for any government to make decisions and arrangements."

Opposition Leader Slams PM and DCGA Over Philippines Student’s Ordeal

Leader of Opposition Hon. Matthew Wale blasts the Prime Minister and the government for the predicament that has befallen our Philippines students.
“It must be made clear that the law will deal with the person of interest and his accomplice after they are released from quarantine,” he said.

PM Warns Public, Foreigners to Respect Quarantine Protocols

Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare has warned the public and foreigners to respect the country’s quarantine protocols.
“There clearly is little trust left between the two levels of governments, and this is not good for our country," the Leader of the Opposition said.

Wale Urges Sogavare to Establish Constructive Dialogue with Suidani

The Leader of Opposition Hon. Matthew Wale has called on Prime Minister Sogavare to lead a delegation of government ministers, which should include ministers who are Malaitan MPs, to enter into constructive dialogue with the Premier and government of Malaita province.
Suidani says Malaita province already made its stance clear in the Auki Communique. He says the Auki Communique clearly states that they reject China and its formal systems.

Removal of PS Direct Action Against Malaita: Premier Suidani

By Georgina Kekea
Malaita Premier, Daniel Suidani says he is saddened by the removal of the Provincial Secretary Mr. Frederick Fa’abasu.
The office of the Prime minister, in its statement, says: “Members of the oversight committee, through the radio talkback show and public forum as well as the Prime Minister’s weekly statement, continued to reiterate that the flight was to facilitate the travel of the PRC officials, PG2023 technical team as well as Solomon Islands citizens."

Government Responds to Transparency Solomon Islands (TSI) Over China Flight

By Georgina Kekea
The government has responded to accusations by Transparency Solomon Islands (TS) that it was not truthful with the direct China flight arrangements.
“It is encouraging to see another woman take up this leadership role and I believe Ms Hong will add great value to the work of the Chamber,” Mr Bartlett said.

SICCI announces new Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

The Solomon Islands Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SICCI) will bring on board another young emerging woman leader to the helm of the peak body representing private sector in the country, it was announced on September 4, 2020.
The protest was streamed live on Facebook by the Youth Online Campaign - a youth movement seeking to empower youths through training and dissemination of information.

Protest in Auki Against Planned Removal of Provincial Secretary

By Jimmy Nolan
A peaceful protest is currently underway in Auki, the provincial capital of Malaita Province.
Packages were said to have been dropped out of windows and picked up by another Chinese individual.

Newly Arrived Chinese Passengers Breach Quarantine Rules

Newly arrived Chinese passengers from the direct flight from China are said to be breaching quarantine rules.
Australia to Further Support Solomons Gold and Rural Cocoa Farmers

Australia to Further Support Solomons Gold and Rural Cocoa Farmers

The Australian Government initiative, Strongim Bisnis, through a partnership with C-Corp Limited has been trialling a new drying technology in Solomon Islands.
The meeting agreed that such measures are important to ensure the health and safety of the population of Malaita from COVID-19.

MPG, Police, M4D and Auki Chinese Community Resolve Issue

The volatile situation in Auki was resolved peacefully yesterday by the police, Malaita Provincial government (MPG), M4D and the Auki Chinese Community.
The notice says M4D is protesting the Solomon Islands flight to China that left yesterday.

Continuous Protest Against China in Malaita

By Georgina Kekea
Protests against the Direct China flight has escalated in Auki, the provincial capital of Malaita Province. A memo, said to be from the Malaita for Democracy (M4D) Movement, was widely circulated yesterday with the heading ‘Auki evacuation protest notice’.
The teleconferencing Facility in Gizo, Nila and Taro is now operational, boosting the country’s preparedness plans at the Western border.

Teleconferencing Facility in Western Border is Now Operational: PM

Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare has acknowledged work done in setting up the teleconferencing facility at the western border.

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