The Solomon Islands receive a $6m support package, a political figure says Bougainville's main hospital is not fit for purpose, Samoan workers will receive a payout, and a flight has been turned away from PNG.
The port at Honiara, in the Solomon Islands. Photo: RNZ Pacific/ Koroi Hawkins
NZ gifts $6m support package to the Solomon Islands
The Solomon Islands has received more than NZ$6 million in fiscal relief from the New Zealand Government.
The funding has been earmarked by the Solomons Government to boost youth employment amidst the ongoing health and economic effects of Covid-19, and to support border security, provincial connectivity and maritime safety.
New Zealand's High Commissioner to the Solomon Islands, Georgina Roberts, says it will allow the Government to meet priorities as they see fit.
She says as Aotearoa marks Matariki Māori New Year celebrations, handing over ownership of the relief package is a chance to extend manaakitanga or generosity.
Solomon Islands foreign affairs minister Jeremiah Manele thanked the New Zealand Government for assisting with the pandemic recovery and rebuild.
Buka Hospital, Bougainville Photo: RNZ / Johnny Blades
Political figure warns of poor hospital service
The daughter of Bougainville's late Minister for Health, Raymond Masono, has warned that the region's main hospital is not fit for purpose.
Masono, who also served as Bougainville's vice-president, died last week at Buka Hospital, although the cause of death has not been made public.
His daughter, Amanda Masono, a local legislative representative for the women of North Bougainville, said the hospital was not equipped to deal with an emergency.
Masono said when she visited her father in hospital she saw nurses running about searching for equipment to help him.
She said the current service provided by the hospital is poor and change is urgently needed.
Meanwhile, in his tribute to Raymond Masono at the Bougainville parliament the South Bougainville MP Tim Masiu told Bougainville's leaders to look after their health while serving their people.
Chartered flight blocked from PNG
Papua New Guinea has stopped a chartered aeroplane from landing in Port Moresby. The flight was travelling from India to Fiji.
Local media reports the health minister Jelta Wong said the flight was denied entry because of Covid-19 concerns.
He said PNG was concerned about the high possibility that passengers and crew could bring the highly contagious Delta variant of the virus into the country.
Wong also said correct procedures were not followed for the charter flight to seek prior approval for travel and entry into the country.
Payout for Samoan workers
About 90,000 contributors to Samoa's compulsory savings scheme for workers, the National Provident Fund (SNPF), will share 60 million tālā in benefits.
Samoa Media reports 30m tālā will be paid out between the members, and another 30m will be added to members fund accounts.
SNPF said all fund members will be given 8 percent of their current contributions.
General manager Pauli Prince Suhren said this is an annual payment for all SNPF members, and will be paid out tomorrow.
Fish being sold at a market in the Solomon Islands. Photo: RNZ
Course teaches fishing hand in hand with sustainability
A third class has now finished a course that teaches how to make a living from fishing while also promoting environmental sustainability.
A group of 18 Solomon Islanders took the "micro-qualification" on establishing and operating a small seafood businesses, and learned about business models, marketing and accounting.
The University of South Pacific Training And Further Education course is funded through the Pacific-European Union Marine Partnership, which was set up in 2018 to address biodiversity and ocean sustainability.
Two other cohorts completed the course in Fiji before it was taken to Solomon Islands -and nearly all graduates women.