Economy Archive June 2008

The Honiara Council Coca Cola Clean-Up started this morning with a good turn out of youths.

Honiara will feature what might be the largest ever reaffirmation and forgiveness ceremony to be staged in the capital between former rivalries from Malaita and Guadalcanal provinces.

The Asia Pacific Regional Human Development will launch its "Tackling Corruption, Transforming Lives" report at the Solomon Kitano Mendana Hotel today.

The nature of "asking favours" often lead to strong friendship.

The Samoan RAMSI officer in Brisbane involved in a fatal accident that claimed the life of a young female nurse graduate refused to be interviewed by Police.

People of the Solomons are breathing a huge sigh of relief as Telekom workers end their week-long protest.

With the country's 30th independence anniversary just around the corner, Solomon Islanders are looking forward to see the biggest trade show staged in the capital city.

Solomon Islands Electricity Authority, SIEA, is currently working at the KG fields in preparations for the National Trade and Cultural Show.

A leading Detective from the Solomon Islands Police Force leaves the country for Brisbane today to interview the Samoan RAMSI Participating Police Force (PPF) officer that was involved in the fatal motor vehicle accident that occurred on Friday 13 June 2008.

A two weeks training aimed at building business skills is currently being coordinated by the Women's Development Division of the Ministry of Women and Children Affairs.

Solomon Islands will introduce free basic education next year.

Women are taking on stronger and more senior jobs within the Solomon Islands prison service - including working in the men's area of the prison for the first time - with the help of a Women's Network to promote career paths for female officers.

Well placed sources have revealed that the Striking workers of Our Telekom will now return to work as of tomorrow.

The Telekom strike is escalating with striking workers now accusing their beleaguered CEO Martyn Robinson of campaigning to keep tariffs on the increase and manipulating accounting figures to keep telecommunications charges high.

The Minister of Finance, Hon. Snyder Rini announced that the government will be tabling a bill that will expand what can be used a collateral to obtain loans.

With just over six months in office, Solomon Islands Prime Minister, Dr. Derek Sikua, will face his first no-confidence vote in the upcoming meeting of Parliament.

Impact of Telekom's strike is surfacing in the capital city Honiara.

Police have charged a man for murdering Aussie ex-pat 19 years ago.

The Saint Barnabas Cathedral Church will launch its Pidgin Bible next month.

With Our Telekom strike still ongoing and government workers threatening to take a nationwide strike this week, workers of a local security firm in Honiara are also expressing grievances in their field.

A workshop organized by the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat and the UNDP Pacific Centre will be held in Honiara early next week.

Police are urging Telekom that despite its ongoing strike to maintain essential services.

The National Parliamentary Opposition Group has called on the Chairman of the National Provident Fund (NPF) board, Mr Adrian Wickham, who reportedly resigned at the weekend due to Government pressure to remove Mr Robinson, to explain the reasons for his resignation.

A cab driver has explained to Solomon Times that security is the reason why taxis carry around an extra man usually referred to as the 'crew' during their night shifts.

Prime Minister Dr Derek Sikua and Taiwanese Ambassador to Solomon Islands, His Excellency George Chan jointly opened the Taiwanese Trade Show in Honiara yesterday morning.

A signing of the Exchange of Notes between the Government of Japan and the Solomon Islands Government was held recently at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and External Trade.

The Central Bank of Solomon Islands, CBSI, yesterday launched an annual event called 'Money Smart Day'.

Solomon Islanders are increasingly feeling the pinch of the Telekom Strike as more systems are likely to go down.

The Solomon Islands Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SICCI) say that there are issues, which need to be looked at, raised by the current industrial dispute between Telekom workers and management.

The decision by indigenous Our Telekom workers to continue with their strike action despite Government efforts to have them return to work has caused concern among Honiara residents.

As the Telekom strike enters its seventh day today, the Civil Aviation Authority warns that if the strike drags on much longer, there is a real possibility of serious disruptions to both domestic and international flights.

The Ministry of Women Youth and Children Affairs today officially handed over the International Youth Day celebrations for this year 2008 to the Honiara City Council youth division.

The North South Star Harbor Constituency in Makira Province recently opened a custom garden to promote the use of subsistence methods of farming in the constituency.

The Sikua-led government is calling on Solomon Islanders to support the upcoming reaffirmation ceremony saying that it will begin a process of repentance, forgiveness, reconciliation and national healing.

Acting Prime Minister, Honorable Fred Fono (MP), has defended Prime Minister Dr. Derek Sikua's overseas trips following what he describes as misleading criticisms by Opposition MP, Japhet Waipora.

Outgoing Governor of the Central Bank of Solomon Islands (CBSI), Rick Hou, is scheduled to take up a two year contract with the World Bank at its Washington head office September this year.

Two early morning raids by the Police resulted in the arrest of eight people and the seizure of over 750 liters of Kwaso. The Police also confiscated manufacturing equipment in one of the largest illegal alcohol busts in recent years.

Communities in Solomon Islands may lose their homes, culture, identity and way of life because of climate change Minister of Environment, Conservation and Meteorology Gordon Darcy Lilo has warned when he addressed the opening of the one-week Climate Change workshop that begins in Gizo yesterday.

Our Telekom company indigenous workers have stopped work as of 4.30pm yesterday afternoon for an indefinite period.

In his speech celebrating the official birthday of Her Majesty the Queen on June 13, His Excellency the Governor General Sir Nathaniel Waena GCMG KStJ CSI, announced that there would soon be a Royal Visit to the Solomon Islands.

Drinking Kwaso is fast becoming a problem affecting young people in the Solomon Islands and, according to community workers, it is getting worse.

The Commander of RAMSI's Participating Police Force, Denis McDermott and the mission's most senior Pacific Island representative, assistant Special Coordinator, Mataiasi Lomaloma today travelled to Malaita with the Solomon Islands Police Commissioner, Peter Marshall to attend the funeral of the late Hilda Ilabae.

Solomon Islands Prime Minister, Dr. Derek Sikua, has received a condolence message from the Prime Minister of Samoa, Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi, after the tragic and untimely death of a young nurse.

The National Parliamentary Opposition Group has renewed its call on the Government to immediately facilitate the review of the legal framework governing the operation of the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands as approved by Parliament last year.

The Solomon Islands Police Force (SIPF) has commenced an investigation into the fatal accident involving a RAMSI vehicle that occurred last Friday at Tasahe Drive.

With the sky rocketing prices in Honiara many are still confused as to what was the cause.

The National Disaster Management Office (NDMO) says its 10 Provincial Disaster Coordinators will be among 90 participants who will take part in a one-week Climate Change Workshop in Gizo from the 16th to 21st June.

Transparency Solomon Islands (TSI) is disappointed that the Government has backed down and given in to logging companies as it has not increased the Determined Value of logs as has been gazetted.

In an attempt to increase the capacity of tourism operators in the Provinces a week long training was held at Flamingo, Honiara Hotel by Solomon Host.

The bus fare increase has got the city council bosses thinking, and is responding to a private view published recently for the zoning of the city.

Guadalcanal Province premier Stephen Panga and his executive have today confirmed they will allocate a piece of land for a disaster office at Doma as soon as they start building the new Headquarters.

The Honiara City Council (HCC) Clerk Joseph Huta said that despite taking over the running of the Multipurpose Hall the HCC will not disrupt any sporting activities taking place in the Hall.

One of the Government's key plans, aimed at addressing the root causes of the ethnic tension, is a step closer to being finalized following Fiji and Vanuatu's commitment to support the Solomon Islands Government initiative.

Solomon Times met up with a group of people early yesterday morning standing in front of the ITA building opposite the main market of Honiara.

The Taiwan Root Medical Peace Corps (TRMPC), a non-profit group consisting of 28 volunteers ranging from dentists, lab technicians and nurses will be doing voluntarily work while in the country.

Many often ask how safe is Honiara? Walking past a canteen in Honiara late yesterday evening, a drunken man lying in front of a canteen in Lengakiki seemed to answer the question.

The Solomon Islands Council of Trade Unions, SICTU, has warned of the Telekom dispute spreading and bringing in international trade unions if the local employees go on mass resignation and Telekom tries to bring in foreign workers.

The arrivals of the Cuban Doctors in the country resulting from an arrangement made under the former Government of Sogavare is continuing.

While it is difficult for many to admit, abusive words are quite common in many household in the Solomon Islands, having a huge negative impact on young children.

The indigenous employees of Telekom have warned of a total shut down if the dispute over their demand for the removal the company's CEO and Board Chairman is not resolved quickly.

Sea fares on every ship have increased because of the current increase in the price of fuel.

RAMSI Acting Special Coordinator, Jonathan Austin yesterday thanked the mission's two largest Polynesian contingents, Samoa and Tonga for the great job they do in the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands (RAMSI).

Police from the Kukum Traffic Centre are seeking assistance from the public to the whereabouts of a police motorcycle that was stolen in early May.

Solomon Islands Prime Minister, Dr Derek Sikua, has reiterated his government's desire to open up the nickel exploration in Isabel Province.

Networking is a term used in more office-setting scenario but for the laid back Solomon Islanders, this is applicable in all setting.

Responsible authorities are called on to recognize the need to set up a venue for women to establish themselves in their field of interest.

Making craft out of debris on the streets is something short of one's imagination.

People of Solomon Islands are known for their natural ability in arts and crafts.

A Solomon Islands diplomat has been elected a vice president of the United Nations General Assembly.

Telekom employees are threatening to take another industrial action if the Chairman of the Telekom Board, Mr. John Beverly, refuses to negotiate the Telekom Chief Executive, Martin Robinson's removal.

The Leadership Code Commission (LCC) is disappointed with the delay by responsible authorities to appoint Commissioners.

Police have increased patrols and man-power at Borderline Police Post after members of the community attacked several officers this morning.

World Environment Day celebration in Honiara marks the first of its kind.

Solomon Islanders are called on to help reduce the increasing pollution happening around the globe.

The new Acting Police Commissioner for Solomon Islands Police Force was sworn in.

Six Engineers from Our Telekom Engineering Department received four days training course on Fiber Optic Construction and Test Equipment at the Telekom Training Centre, Ranadi last week.

The government is urged to stand firm on its commitment of increasing the determined price on logs.

Drawing a huge crowd in Honiara takes just one loud sound of music.

The National Disaster Management Office held a successful advocacy meeting with the Premier of Rennell-Bellona and his Provincial Executive Monday this week.

Solomon Islands has the second fastest population growth rate in the Pacific region with two-point-seven percent.

Reports from HF radios nearest to the epicenter of a 6.2 earthquake at 0320am today near west Makira say there are no damages, landslides or high waves.

A new Puisne Judge for the High Court of Honiara was sworn in before His Excellency the Governor General of Solomon Islands at the Government House.

Two Commissioners from the Leadership Codes Commission were sworn in at the Government House today.

A strong earthquake shook Honiara early hours this morning.

A meeting has formally agreed on the new rates of bus fares in Honiara.

A one-day workshop looks into the raising issue of sex workers in the country.

A lone female figure among the male-dominant Rennell-Bellona provincial government, Anne Pugeva vows to work at helping women of the province.

Parents and club owners are blamed for increase on under-age night clubbing.

A former M-P for East Kwaio, Alfred Sasako warns of a possible public disorder in the not too distant future if ever increasing prices of goods are not controlled.

Acting Commissioner of Police, Peter Marshall, said that no member of the Solomon Islands Police Force (SIPF) is undertaking any form of firearm training.

Walking is becoming the obvious choice for most as the increase in fare becomes effective today.

To be employed does not come easy for the growing unemployed youths of Solomon Islands.

Huge cloud of smokes coming from various corners in Honiara city is common sight, which is causing complaints from the general public.

Bus drivers describe the move to increase bus fare from $3 to $5 as "a relief".

The official guidelines on how to apply for the utilization of the Rural Development Livelihood Projects Fund (RDLP) was released last week.

The Minister of Forestry, Sir Allan Kemakeza clarified a number of issues relating to the recent increase in the Determined Value Schedule (DVS) for export logs.

The people of Guadalcanal are not prepared for the Government's planned national reconciliation because of failures by successive governments to address the Guadalcanal bona fide demands.