Acknowledges SIG and Government of Fiji
BY BARNABAS MANEBONA
The FIRST group of Solomon Islands Government (SIG) sponsored graduate students in Fiji who are awaiting their repatriation since December 2021 are finally returning home next week Wednesday, March 9th.
And, they are delighted.
Although soon they will be missing some of their best memories in Fiji, members of SIG graduated students in Fiji told Sunday Isles that they can’t wait to return home to be united with families, friends and loved ones as it has been years studying and living abroad.
“Students and nationals who will be travelling on the March 9 repatriation flight are excited and can’t wait to return home to be united with our families, friends and loved ones. Some of us have missed our families for around four, three and two years now and this repatriation flight will finally enable us to reconnect with them,” said a spokesperson for the students.
“On that note, we thank the government of the Republic of Fiji for keeping us and providing us with the necessary services we are here for, especially for the various educational institutions in their country, a big ‘Vinaka Vaka Levu’ to the government and the beautiful people of Fiji.
“Also, not forgetting our Solomon Islands government under the leadership of Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare for being committed and obliged to fulfil the duty of care to your students and nationals abroad in ensuring that they are well taken care of. This includes supporting the students through allowances despite our country going through very difficult times.
“All in all, only our bodies are here [Fiji] at the moment, our minds are already at home. We can’t wait to see the Solomon Islands.”
Almost 200 SIG sponsored graduated students from Fiji institutions have been waiting for their ‘repatriation flight’ since December 2021. More than a hundred of these SIG students according to a list cited are expected to return on next week’s repatriation flight as a second repatriation flight is expected at a later date.
On March 1, Solomon Airlines confirmed the Fiji repatriation flight scheduled for March 9.
This follows Solomon Islands Government approval and is subject to Fiji regulatory approval.
“Flight IE665 will depart Honiara at 9:00 am, arriving in Nadi at 1:00 pm Fiji local time. The flight is open to public sale. As the Solomon Islands is a non-Travel Partner country, Fijian citizens wishing to travel are required to contact the Border Health Protection Unit at email bhpu.nadi@gmail.com for entry requirements.
“Non-Fijian passport holders will require pre-approval to enter Fiji. Travellers can refer to the Fiji Ministry of Trade, Tourism and Transport website for details on the approval process.
“Flight IE667 will depart Nadi at 2:00 pm Fiji time, arriving in Honiara at 4:00 pm Solomon Islands time.
“As the flight is a Government managed repatriation charter, and passengers must be pre-approved for travel, those seeking to travel on this service should contact Solomon Islands’ High Commission in Suva.
“On arrival in Solomon Islands, all travellers will undergo a mandatory quarantine period and they will be subject to further COVID-19 [Coronavirus] testing during that period. All COVID-19 test results must be negative before individuals can be released from quarantine.
“All Solomon Airlines flights comply fully with the COVID-19 regulations of the relevant countries. Solomon Airlines crew onboard the airline’s A320 aircraft wear facemasks and gloves for the duration of service and catering is minimal to reduce contact between passengers and crew.
