Economy Archive May 2008

Students are complaining the country's Solomon Islands College of Higher Education is not meeting up to every day needs.

The issue on underage smokers is a fast growing problem in the country, according to parents.

A new saloon, BEN-G's is now open to the public.

A workshop addressing development for all schools in Solomon Islands closed down today in Honiara.

Youths are the target for this year's "World Tobacco Day" in Honiara.

As many are bracing themselves for the rise in bus fares come June, some are already making the necessary adjustments, some are walking to work.

The Seventh Day Adventist (SDA) church will be organizing an evangelic meeting and night crusade starting on the 1st of June through to the 21st of June 2008 at the Kukum SDA Church.

Despite countless warnings by the Honiara Town Council for drivers to slow down when using the old Mataniko Bridge in China Town, particularly during heavy downpour, many still choose to learn the hard way.

Transparency Solomon Islands (TSI) commends the Government and Minister of Forests, Sir Allan Kemakeza, for standing firm in their decision to increase the determined value for logs - a new government policy announced recently.

The braiding of ones hair is now a common sight in the Solomon Islands, especially amongst the young people in Honiara.

As the price of fuel continues to rise, the bus industry in the Solomon Islands has decided to raise bus fares. As early as the beginning of the month of June bus fares will increase to a $5 for adults and $3 for children and students.

About 936 local students who are studying in at the University of the South Pacific in Fiji and at the University of Papua New Guinea can now expect their outstanding allowances and other expenses to be settled on time.

Thousands of logging workers would lose their jobs if the Labour Department accepts application for redundancies submitted by about sixteen logging companies, according to the Secretary of the Solomon Forest Association (SFA), Kaipua Tohibangu.

Logging companies have claimed that the National Government has failed to take the lead in reforestation in logged out areas, despite imposing a 7% levy on logging companies to be used for reforestation, since 1983.

The calls by the National Parliamentary Opposition for an immediate investigation into the SBD$1Million hotel bill, reportedly paid by the Government to the Honiara Hotel, has been described by the Government as pure political propaganda.

The board and management of the National Provident Fund has strongly refuted a report published recently.

As beautiful above as it is below is one of many phrases used in Solomon Islands to attract tourists to visit the country.

The sight of people picking out of rubbish bins around Honiara city is becoming common.

An accused charged for the murder of a ten-year-old boy is said to be unfit to stand trial.

What should be done to people with mental illness, roaming the streets amidst the normal people in Honiara is the question asked among people on the streets.

The Taiwanese Government will fund the National Population and Housing Census Preparatory Project.

The Japanese Government through the Japan Embassy in Solomon Islands handed over assistance towards the Su'u form seven refurbishment project.

Prime Minister, Doctor Derek Sikua, will leave this Wednesday to attend the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) meeting in Vanuatu.

The latest trend of loud music in moving vehicles is described as "immature" and "uncivilized".

There is need for clarification on the recently approved free education system in the country.

The recent threat by loggers should be taken seriously, with a constructive solution, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Environment, Edward Kingmele said.

Over 280 cartons of cigarettes and ten cartons of Korean alcohol have been confiscated from a foreign fishing vessel as part of Operation Clean Harbour.

The country's only social security body, the National Provident Fund has again come under the spot light of the media following revelations that millions of dollars had gone missing over a period of time.

Attempts by Telekom General Manager, Martyn Robinson, to blame moves to remove him from office on his Solomon Islander Deputy, Harry Zoleveke by sacking him, has backfired.

The Solomon Islands Police Commissioner was yesterday bid farewell, in which he stated that "working in the Solomon Islands was not an easy task."

The unproductive use by Solomon Islands of the funds provided by donors through national and provincial politicians has created a donor dependent mentality for Solomon Islands.

Australia has increased its bilateral development assistance to Solomon Islands to SBD260 million (AUD40 million) to help bring development to rural people. The increase is part of the Australian Government's 2008-09 Budget announced on 13 May.

Logging companies in the country have been accused of robbing the government, the country, and resource owners of millions of dollars over the past twenty years by manipulating the country's determined price system for the export of round logs.

Solomon Islands' national trade show this year will coincide with the country's 30th anniversary celebrations.

A media ban is in place on publication of photographs on a former Guadalcanal Liberation Front (GLF) front man.

There is fear of a mass redundancy exercise, and stockpile of logs, by logging companies currently operating in the country, in protest of the increase in determined price for logs carried out by the government.

Money sent from relatives working under short term employment contracts in New Zealand and Australia has yet to make a significant contribution to the economy.

A 'stepping stone' program was piloted in Honiara and addresses various issues relating to the HIV and AIDS virus.

Acting Prime Minister Fred Fono says Cabinet will this week deliberate on a paper about the licensed guns that were destroyed after the arrival of the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands in 2003.

A police officer is being charged with raping a 10-year-old girl.

In all Western societies, celebrating someone's 21st birthday marks freedom to be independent to live your own life.

Most people in the Solomon Islands enjoy socializing and, like most other countries that are liberal towards the consumption of alcohol, a few beers with friends before going back to their homes.

Local staff of the Solomon Islands Telecommunications company, Solomon Telekom, has called for the immediate resignation of company CEO, Martyn Robinson.

A delegation is back from the Western Province on a mission to deliver money for the rehabilitation of schools in Western and Choiseul provinces.

Principals from high schools around Honiara are currently undergoing a one-day workshop at the Honiara City Council Education Division conference room.

Save the Children's Child Advocacy Project is currently involved in raising awareness of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC).

Opening of the Intercultural Dialogue Arts Exhibition at the national museum helps to promote local arts exhibition.

The Solomon Islands Government through the Ministry of Commerce, Industries and Employment this week has welcomed an initiative by the International Labour Organisation (ILO) aiming to improve labour issues affecting Solomon Islands and other pacific countries.

A professional and swift investigation by Police has led to an off-duty officer being arrested for defilement.

Police in Gizo have charged a 29-year-old male for sexually assaulting an intellectually impaired woman in bush land on Vella Lavella Island.

Determination is the key to being successful, according to a lone hairdresser who is soon to open a new saloon in Honiara.

Residents around Honiara have been assured that the experience of more than seven hours of no power will not occur again.

A team from France is expected in the country from the 20th of September to the 20th of October, to search for the famous French explorer, La Pérouse.

The Solomon Islands Police Commissioner, Jahir Khan from Fiji, will soon leave the country as his contract officially ends Thursday this week.

English speaking is the official language for Solomon Islands, according to tourist brochures.

The launch of a beautiful children's park was a delight for many parents residing in Honiara.

In his recent tour to his constituency of North - East Guadalcanal Prime Minister, Dr Derek Sikua, revealed that his government is intending to introduce nine years of free basic formal education in 2009.

Solomon Islanders may have to brace themselves for what experts say could be a longer spell in the high prices of rice.

Tight squeeze can best describe traffic in the Solomons capital city, Honiara.

The Taiwanese embassy has donated 3,000SBD for the extensions of the Mt. Horeb School secondary department, a 1,000 gallon water tank and few boxes of crayon.

The rise in underage smoking is causing concern. Solomon Times was at one of the popular 'hang out' spots in Rove for young people and made a startling discovery.

The Solomon Islands economy has performed exceedingly well in 2007 with a record estimated economic growth rate of 10.3%.

The Governor of Central Bank of Solomon Islands, Rick Hou blames weak Public Institutions for the country's sluggish performance in the past 30 years.

The Governor of the Central Bank of Solomon Islands, Rick Hou, told invited guest at the launching of the CBSI 2007 annual report that the launching will be his last.

The discovery of Solomon Islands by the great Spanish navigator, Alvaro de Mendana in 1568 marks "the first crucial point of contact" between Solomon Islands and Europe.

Acting Prime Minister Honorable Fred Fono today reassures the people of South Guadalcanal that the CNURA Government remains committed to the rehabilitation of the constituency.

The new Spanish Ambassador to Solomon Islands, His Excellency Antonio Cosano has welcomed Solomon Islands participation at the "Expo 2008" in the city of Saragossa from June to September.

The Constitutional Reform Unit (CRU), within the Office of the Prime Minister, recently launched its Media Awareness Programme, a programme that seeks to increase publicity of the current Constitutional reform.

Prime Minister, Dr. Derek Sikua, during the media freedom day, said that he is keen to promote and support the professional media because of its positive linkage to good governance.

The Coalition for National Unity and Rural Advancement Government would like as many villages as possible in Solomon Islands to have access to clean drinking water and proper sanitation during its term.

"Reconciliation is the key to development," said the European Union Charge d'Affairs, Dr. Abdoul Aziz Mbaye.

The Leader of Opposition, Manasseh Sogavare, has called on the government to do more in addressing the fast depleting forest sector.

The Media Association of Solomon Islands [MASI] welcomes World Press Freedom Day with a celebration in Honiara.

Commissioner of Police, Mohammed Jahir Khan and the Senior Executive of the Solomon Islands Police Force (SIPF) welcomed 114 new Constables in a ceremony held at the Police Club.

A Solomon Islander will participate in the United States International Visitor Program.

The newly appointed Ambassador of Spain to the Solomon Islands, His Exceelency Antonio Casano, was today officially sworn in at the Government House by Acting Governor General, Sir Peter Kenilorea.

At least SBD$50 Million dollars is now available for projects focused on rural development. The government is proposing to give projects a minimum of SBD$50-thousand dollars depending very much on the nature of the projects.

In an effort to improve development in rural areas the Minister for Infrastructure Development, Stanley Festus Sofu, yesterday announced that the government, through his Ministry, will be subsidizing shipping services to uneconomical routes in the country.

Honiara, in recent times, has been labeled as one of the dirtiest capital cities in the Pacific region, such label does little to help the ever fledging tourism sector that so desperately needs an image boost.

The promotion of tourism in the country has been given a huge boost with ten Australian journalists, from various magazines, visiting the Solomon Islands to write about the various attractions.

The Solomon Islands Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SICCI) strongly urges the Government to reverse its policy of taxing the payment of school fees paid by employers on behalf of employees.

The Russell Islands Plantation Estates Limited Chairman, Patrick Wong wants to find a lasting solution to the CEMA houses based at Lungga area.

A two-day workshop is currently taking place at the Solomon Islands Broadcasting Corporation (SIBC) in Honiara.

Having no formal job to make ends meet is not the end, according to a bunch of young men in the Solomons.

A communiqué on reconciliation and peace building consultation has been produced by the Church of Melanesia.

The CNURA government identified Tourism, Fisheries and Agriculture to be taken over from logging.

Time for a nap, it's been a long hot day for one young man who opt the open street as "resting place".

Patrolling police officers have been busy over the weekend attending to a reported 40 incidents and arresting 14 people.

The dramatic increase in prices for all Solomon Taiyo products is affecting the budget of many households in the country.

Guadalcanal Province has a new Premier.

Being born with polio is no easy journey in life for one brave Solomon Islander.

Guadalcanal provincial members will elect a new premier for the province today.

Solomon Rice Company Limited has warned that the current increased prices on rice may increase further.

Direct employees of Honiara City Council are planning to hold a 28 day strike notice.

Community Policing was a key topic in the discussions held by the Minister of Police, National Security and Correctional Services, Hon Samuel Manetoali during his trip to Australia last week.

A case between the Government and the former acting Attorney General in the Sogavare-led Government, Nuatali Tongarutu, has been adjourned for the second time.

A long-time street preacher gives a good balance for people roaming Honiara, according to observers.

The decline in logging revenue in five years time is predicted to have a negative impact on the economy.

Taiwan Technical Mission in Solomon Islands (TTM), established by Taiwan government in 1983, will be holding the 1st Taiwan Technical Mission watermelon competition.

Cruising in darkness is how most public observers describe the current trend of tinting vehicles to the darkest possible shade on windscreens and windows.