Economy Archive July 2009

Prime Minister Derek Sikua has left the country for Australia.

Opposition Leader Manasseh Sogavare says Solomon Islands does not need more leaders but quality politicians and a proper organisation of the governing system in order to achieve its development objectives.

Opposition leader Manasseh Sogavare says Parliament is lost in confusion because it is not in tune with the direction which the country is going.

Parliament has passed the Constitution Amendment Number Two Bill 2009.

St. Josephs Tenaru Secondary School is the first in Solomon Islands to benefit from Taiwan's Youth Ambassador Exchange program.

Transparency Solomon Islands, TSI, calls for transparency in the submissions made to the Parliamentary Entitlement Commission, PEC.

One of the country's major industries, the Guadalcanal Plains Palm Oil Limited had threatened to close its operations following the burning of its administration office at the weekend.

The Solomon Islands Chamber of Commerce and Industry has expressed concern for one of its members, the Guadalcanal Plains Palm Oil Limited, GPPOL which suffered a major set back to its operations in the country following the fire which gutted its head office last weekend.

Deputy Prime Minister Fred Fono says he believes that Constituency structures must be formally established as legal entities so that they can be accountable like provincial governments.

Opposition Leader Manasseh Sogavare has called on the government to be cautious against getting parliament to endorse laws that are more convenient to foreign states than to addressing Solomon Islands problems.

Transparency Solomon Islands, TSI, calls for a complete review of the Parliamentary entitlements along with the composition of the Parliamentary Entitlement Commission, PEC, to reflect true independence.

The office of government caucus has denied any political manoeuvring within the government to sabotage the Political Party Integrity Bill which government intends to bring before the current meeting of Parliament.

A Western Provincial leader, Ronald Ziru, has called on the new Premier of the Province to review the provincial administration in view of moving the province forward.

Guadalcanal Premier Stephen Panga says the province continues to pursue and implement important programs in respect of reconciliation and furthering the healing process within the province.

The International Finance Corporation is considering a major investment in the Gold Ridge mine in Solomon Islands.

Prime Minister Dr. Derek Sikua has urged the government and people of Solomon Islands to work in partnership with the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands to ensure that the country moves ahead in peace, unity and prosperity.

Nation building though sport and involvement in the community is the theme of this week's celebrations to mark six years of partnership between Solomon Islands and the Regional Assistance Mission.

Transparency Solomon Islands says the proposed Forgiveness Bill may in fact set the country's healing process back.

Vice Chancellor of the University of the South Pacific, Professor Rajesh Chandra has alerted USP member governments and sponsors that the 20 percent devaluation of the Fiji dollar could have adverse impacts on students.

The current meeting of Parliament will go into recess on the second week of August and is expected to resume in late September.

The Currency Declaration Bill is an ambitious goal of the CNURA government of reforming the economy in the country.

Government will engage in further consultation with the public on the proposed Political Party Integrity Bill and a supporting constitutional amendment bill which it intends to table in the current sitting of Parliament.

The High Court has ordered two Asians to pay a fine of more than 120-thousand dollars or spend the next 12 months in prison.

A new Transnational Crime Unit (TCU) for the Solomon Islands will help make the Pacific region safer by joining the work of other teams in Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Tonga, Vanuatu and the Federated States of Micronesia.

The Special Secretary to Prime Minister says although the Political Integrity Bill will not totally eradicate corruption in the political system, it will create an environment that is not conducive to political corruption.

A workshop looking at law reform to addressing violence against women has highlighted various problems in sexual assault laws that calls for further development and strengthening.

One of the CNURA Government's key policy initiatives, the Political Integrity Bill, will be sabotaged from within the Government itself, reveals a government insider.

The newly elected Premier of Western Province, George Solingi Lilo, has announced his Provincial Assembly executive.

Government has revealed that it will not fully introduce competition in the telecommunications industry until first April 2010.

The increase in parliamentary entitlements is "inappropriate, unjustified and unaffordable".

The new Western Provincial government will in the first 100 days hold a summit for its leaders to look at various issues concerning the development of the province.

The government has clarified that it has not cut its budget.

A bill on assistance to People with Disabilities is expected to be tabled in the next sitting of parliament.

The New Zealand kiwifruit industry is helping provide an economic way forward for Solomon Islanders which the country's Minister for Development Planning and Aid Co-ordination, Steve Abana, hopes will continue to grow.

The national flag carrier, Solomon Airlines seeks government and public support as it signs a new five year contract agreement with Strategic Airlines, ending it's current lease agreement with Our Airlines.

Re-elected Premier of Choiseul Province, Jackson Kiloe, has named a new executive.

The Western Province has a new Premier.

Government says members of the public are encouraged to comment on Government Bills before they are finally put through the parliamentary process.

The four major communities of Lake Tegano, East Rennell in Renbel Province have formed a relationship between themselves and Wet Tropics.

Opposition Leader Manasseh Sogavare calls on the Government to withdraw the proposed Political Party Integrity Bill and its supporting Constitutional Amendment Bill.

Parliament has passed the Penalties Miscellaneous Bill in its second reading and Committee stage after a day's debate.

The Government's Anti-Corruption Taskforce is to hold a series of workshops across the nation to consult the public on how best to fight corruption, the Prime Minister, Dr Derek Sikua, announced last Friday.

Gender based violence and child abuse is on the increase in Solomon Islands at a level that people are living with fear especially women and children.

The ANZ Bank has appointed its Solomon Islands local senior officer, David Teikangongo Dennis, to Country Head ANZ Cook Islands.

The Solomon Islands Public Employees Union, says the Union will soon submit to the government outstanding and current issues in a new log of claims.

People who make the illegal alcoholic drink, commonly known as "kwaso" are expected to pay heavy fines after the Penalties Miscellaneous Amendment Bill is gazetted.

Central Province has yet to submit a budget to Government on the likely cost of hosting an annual Premiers Conference at the provincial capital, Tulagi.

The Royal Solomon Islands Police Force arrested two men at Alligator Creek and confiscated two bottles of explosives powder intended for use as fish bombs.

Disciplinary issues and other offences committed by serving police officers continue to be actively investigated and addressed by the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force.

The Tetepare Descendants' Association held a three-day hospitality training workshop on Tetepare Island this month, in an effort to promote sustainable livelihoods in the Western Province.

Temporary Special Measures Working Committee has expressed disappointment in former Governor General, Sir Nathaniel Waena, for his negative remarks towards the concept of special measures for women.

The Prime Minister, Dr Derek Sikua has told Parliament the ruling Government is concerned about alleged dubious land dealings by officers in the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Survey.

The Prime Minister, Dr Derek Sikua says education assistance towards the ruling Government's fee free basic education policy will go a long way in the development of human resources in Solomon Islands.

Solomon Islands could see a rise in the number of seats in the National Parliament from the current fifty to seventy next year.

The Solomon Islands Democratic Party is beginning its preparations for the upcoming 2010 general elections.

A court in Solomon Islands has for the first time ruled on the customary ownership of the land below the high water mark or foreshore.

The Government has deferred the one million dollar Pearl Farming Investment Project funded by the government of the Republic Of China for next year.

The government will put an end to "shadow government" that is eating away resources from the rural population.

The vital role that RSIPF National Intelligence Unit officers perform will be enhanced by a two-week training course led by two specialist trainers from the Australian Federal Police.

The Western Province Acting Director for Health Service, Gunter Kittel, has appealed to striking staff of the Gizo Hospital to return to work.

The Solomon Islands Chamber of Commerce and Industries (SICCI) have highlighted obstacles currently faced by the country and investors as it tries to increase productivity and output.

Police are making enquiries into the circumstances surrounding the death of a 38- year-old man found on Saturday morning over the weekend.

Increasing manpower in the health sector is one of the main goals of the ruling government.

Twenty five police officers are attending an intelligence course conducted at the police academy at the Police Headquarter starting today.

The Solomon Islands Sustainable Energy Project, SISEP is now in place, following the appointment of Solomon Islands Electricity Authority, SIEA's Commercialization Management.

Recent amendments to Parliamentary Entitlements Regulations has awarded terminal grants to spouses of Members of Parliaments amounting to 50-thousand dollars.

A group of Government Ministers are reportedly planning to defeat the Government's Political Integrity Bill.

The national economy is expected to experience minimal growth this year, Prime Minister Dr. Derek Sikua reveals.

Government is turning to tourism as its next revenue pull with the pullback of logging operations in the country.

Provincial Police Commander of Honiara City Chief Superintendent Nathan Ratu has pleaded guilty to four of the six charges he is facing before a police tribunal.

Our Telekom will be introducing 7 digits to its mobile subscribers effective 1st August 2009.

Parliament has passed the Foreign Investment Amendment and validation bill in its second reading.

Prime Minister Derek Sikua has said the government is working closely with women, youth and church groups.

Lack of equipment at the dental department within the National Referral Hospital is becoming a worry.

The Inland Revenue is still without a Commissioner and Deputy Commissioner as government continues to look for an experienced and qualified person to fill the posts.

Solomon Islands will, in 2010, have a new competitor in the telecommunication sector.

Solomon Islands' new Governor General, Frank Ofagioro Kabui, was treated to a traditional Malaitan custom prior to taking his oath.

With deteriorating revenue collection, the Government has announced a further 10% reservation on its 2009 Recurrent Budget across the board on all ministries.

Frustrated customers are questioning the Solomon Islands Electricity Authority (SIEA) over its continuous power cuts.

To keep the town clean means everyone can enjoy a healthy and prosperous lifestyle.

Solomon Islanders need to take a new approach for a better future.

The strike taken by more than 200 government nurses, seconded staff and direct employees of the Ministry of Health and Medical services at the Gizo hospital, in Gizo, Western Province has relaxed with the recalling of some of its staff, 13 days into the strike action.

A beautiful new business sector is blossoming in Solomon Islands - flowers.

Having ten seats reserved for women in Parliament is not possible, not at this time, according to the Special Secretary to the Prime Minister, John Keniapisia.

Competition will make Our Telekom Company work "harder, smarter and efficient in providing services to the people of Solomon Islands."

The first renewable energy demonstration centre in the region is expected to be up and running next month.

Guadalcanal Police are investigating the death of a 5 year-old boy.

Minister of Planning and Aid Coordination, Hon. Steve Abana, highlighted on the need for urgent solutions to be put in place to avoid such crisis re-occurring in the future.

The Police yesterday arrested and charged Honiara Private lawyer Charles Ashley, in relation to the misappropriation of more than one million dollars.

Solomon Islanders are encouraged to apply for the Emerging Pacific Leaders Dialogue (EPLD) 2010 as the closing date gets closer.

The Solomon Islands Government (SIG) is taking the lead in steering the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands (RAMSI) as the two parties pursue agreed areas of assistance through the recently developed SIG - RAMSI Partnership Framework.

Test results for the second suspected H1N1 or swine flu case sent from the National Referral Hospital to Melbourne, Australia have returned negative.

Officers with the Royal Solomon Island Police National Investigations Unit (NIU) have charged a 54 year old former politician from Isabel with fraud.

Solomon Airlines has announced that commencing Monday 6th July, a new team has been appointed to take care of all its Australian Reservations and Sales activities based at its Brisbane International Airport Location.

Our Telekom officially launched its new reduced call rates, effective as of midnight last night.