Economy Archive September 2009

The Ministry of Provincial Government and Institutional Strengthening, MPGIS, says it considered it necessary to delay implementation of one of the premiers' conference resolutions until the position on the constitutional reform becomes clearer.

Transparency Solomon Islands (TSI) considers the decision by Finance Minister Snyder Rini to release the Asian tugboat to the owner to be a misuse of discretionary powers provided by the law.

Chairman of the Parliamentary Entitlements Commission, PEC, has assured premiers that the commission will seriously look at a submission on new entitlements for members of provincial assemblies, MPA.

The government admits that provincial service grants are inadequate to maintain the administration of public services in the provinces.

Deputy Prime Minister, Hon. Fred Fono, has had the opportunity to meet United States President Barack Obama.

The Parliamentary House Committee has confirmed that it will commence its inquiry into the entitlement of 50,000 Terminal Grant, provided to parliamentarians spouses, passed recently by the Parliamentary Entitlements Commission, PEC.

Minister for Provincial Government and Institutional Strengthening Manasseh Maelanga has assured premiers that a lot of the issues raised in their two communiqués are part of the C-NURA Government's programs and policies.

More than five months after their appointments Ratu Jone Madraiwiwi of Fiji and Sophia Macher of Peru will finally be joining the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, TRC, today.

The Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Program is working with the Solomon Islands government to research the species of dolphins targeted in the live export trade.

A former Makira Ulawa provincial member Martin Karani has called for more reform on the countries electoral act if political stability is to be achieved.

Prime Minister, Dr Derek Sikua, has announced a $261 million dollar gap in his government's budget caused by the global financial crisis.

The current meeting of Parliament has been further adjourned to November 12.

Prime Minister Derek Sikua has told Parliament he will not step down as Prime Minister because he has the support of his Ministers and Government backbenchers.

Solomon Islands external reserves has improved in June to more than 791 million dollars or three-point-seven months import cover.

Understanding each province's individual needs is crucial to the success of RAMSI's work, says RAMSI Special Coordinator Graeme Wilson.

Two Malaysians who were guilty of smuggling prohibited goods into the country, Uhla Thien and Hisham Bin Abdulla have yet to pay their $1.2 million dollar fine.

Former Guadalcanal militant leader, Joseph Sangu, has testified in public that he has committed himself to the peace process in Solomon Islands.

A three months marine resource conservation trial at Hunda and Kena sea and mangrove swamps, on Kolombangara is yielding positive outcomes.

Prime Minister, Dr Derek Sikua, says that disputes, violence and corruption are hindering the economic advancement of Solomon Islands.

Prime Minister, Dr Derek Sikua, says government negotiations with the Solomon Islands Public Employees Union, SIPEU, have not been successful.

Government will spend a total of 49 million dollars in Cost of Living Adjustment or COLA increases on the basic salaries of all public servants.

Former Governor General and one of the founding fathers of the Solomon Islands Constitution, Sir Baddley Devesi, says Prime Minister Dr Derek Sikua is losing his grip on the nation's leadership and should consider stepping down.

The Royal Solomon Islands Police Force has announced the setup its new Family Violence Unit.

The Papua New Guinea University of Technology, Unitech, in Lae, Papua New Guinea, has re-affirmed its commitment to support the Solomon Islands Government (SIG) with its training needs and requirements.

Solomon Islands band, Devande, consisting of some of the members of the now disbanded Onetox, has won the Pacific Break 2009 musical contest.

Continuing this week's Clean Up the World activities in Honiara, the Australia High Commissioner, Frank Ingruber, visited the Red Cross Special Development Centre today to speak to the children about the importance of keeping their environment clean.

A matter in dispute between staff of the Solomon Islands Broadcasting Corporation, SIBC, and its Board of Directors has been referred to the Trade Disputes Panel.

Deputy Commissioner Walter Kola led a watershed presentation of the RSIPF's Strategic Directions for 2010-2013 to the Minister for Police, National Security and Correctional Services James Tora.

Prime Minister Dr. Derek Sikua has said that the C-NURA Government believe that Youth Parliament is an important medium that allows young people to see how the political machinery drives parliamentary democracy in the country.

The First Lady's Charity Group has donated its pink ribbon funds - worth half a million dollars - to open the first ever cancer research facility in the country.

The Asian Development Bank's (ADB) updated program in Solomon Islands for the next three years will support prioritized investments in infrastructure and private sector development initiatives.

Hospital Authorities say more nurses are needed in surgery at the National Referral Hospital.

Leaders of Solomon Islands students at USP have called off the planned peaceful demonstration at the Solomon Islands High Commission in Suva at an urgent meeting held Monday afternoon.

The National Referral Hospital will today open its new cancer registry.

The Minister of Health and Medical Services, Clay Forau, has assured medical authorities in Makira Ulawa Province of his commitment to press for the building of a new hospital for Makira-Ulawa province.

Honiara City Police have seized and destroyed a sizeable marijuana plantation, with an estimated street value of well over $200,000 at Burns Creek on Saturday.

The Clean Up Honiara campaign was launched today, with an environmental awareness-raising program at Burnscreek High School. Students in the Form 1 - Green class learnt about the importance of keeping their school clean, for health, safety and hygiene reasons.

Prime Minister Dr Derek Sikua has announced a new government policy on Tertiary Education which aims at opening up opportunities for young Solomon Islanders to have better access to higher education.

Controversial church leader Michael Maeliau, who was expelled from the South Seas Evangelical Church last month, has requested the church to de-frock him from being a Reverend before a church congregation.

Minister for Education, Mathew Wale has highlighted the importance of literacy - the ability to read and write, in world of growing insecurity.

The 35 % reservation imposed by the government on this year's budget has had an adverse effect on health and medical services throughout the country.

Solomon Islands economic performance has dropped ten places in the latest assessment by the International Finance Corporation of the world Bank.

Solomon Islands conservationist, Patrick Pikacha, has warned that without prompt action, the rainforests, lagoons and estuaries of the country's extraordinary region are in danger.

Government will go ahead with its plan to table the Political Party Integrity Bill and a supporting Constitution Amendment Bill in parliament when it resumes sitting on September 24.

The national parliament has been told to pay particular attention on why services provided by the National Referral Hospital are poor or not up to expected standards.

The Parliamentary special select committee, set up to look into the quality of medical services provided at the National Referral Hospital has held its first public inquiry Tuesday.

The Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Meteorology says Solomon Islands can export 50 dolphins per year.

The longest serving ordained Minister of the South Seas Evangelical Church, SSEC, Reverend Michael Maeliau, says he remains a member of the church.

The office of the Solomon Islands Electoral Commission is proposing amendments to the electoral act to improve the integrity of the voter registration process and the conduct of elections to the national parliament.

A field survey for analysis and a detailed design for the Improvement of Water Supply Systems for Honiara City and Auki Township in Malaita Province have been completed.

Excitement is building ahead of planned celebrations later this week to mark the 25th anniversary of Waimapuru's establishment as a national secondary school.

Member of Parliament for Temotu Pele in Temotu Province, Martin Maga arrived in Honiara from Australia.

The Minister of Education and Human Resources Development Mathew Wale has seen for himself the progress development of the schools rehabilitation program in Western and Choiseul provinces.

The Malaysian Honorary Consul-General to Solomon Islands, Mr Hii Yii Ging has donated $72,000 thousand dollars to four hospitals in the country.

Government sponsored students studying at the University of the South Pacific (USP) in Fiji are said to be planning a public demonstration in front of the Solomon Islands High Commission in Fiji if the National Government fails to factor in inflationary effects to their second semester allowance.

The Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea, Sir Michael Somare, has pledged PNG's ongoing support for the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands (RAMSI).

Prime Minister, Dr Derek Sikua, has donated SBD$1 million towards victims of the recent typhoon that devastated Taiwan.

Officers from the Honiara City Police Liquor Licensing Squad have arrested a 23 year old Chinese woman and a 39 year old man from Taka'oto Village in Central Kwara'ae for allegedly producing kwaso on 28 August 2009.

Prime Minister, Dr Derek Sikua, has denied a story carried in the Solomon Star that claimed Government Ministers are amongst the highest paid people in Solomon Islands.

"Political Stability is the key ingredient to economic growth and prosperity for Solomon Islands," says John Keniapisia, Chairman of the Government's Working Committee on the Political Party Integrity (PPI) Bill.

As a developing nation Solomon Islands needs sound changes that will make it's political system effective and reflective of the changing circumstances of the country.

Independent members of parliament will no longer hold the balance of power during the election of a prime minister, when the Political Party Integrity Bill comes into force.

The campaign for women's representation in parliament takes on a more national face with the inaugural 2009 women's convention which ends in Honiara yesterday.

Two prominent Honiara lawyers who are both accused of misappropriating money they held in trust for their clients have had their cases adjourned for September 14.

The Chief Justice Sir Albert Palmer says juvenile delinquency is a national issue, concern and responsibility that requires a concerted effort from all sectors of the community to address.

Member of Parliament for Temotu Pele, Martin Maga, is finally returning home after being hospitalised for four months at the Saint Vincent Hospital in Sydney.

It takes courage and determination to reach the top.

Government has offered to pay an eight percent Cost Of Living Adjustment to teachers over the weekend.

The inaugural 2009 National Women's Convention opens in Honiara this morning.

Prime Minister Dr Derek Sikua on Friday has expressed gratitude towards the International Donor Community for their ongoing support and understanding of Solomon Islands development needs.

Prime Minister Dr Derek Sikua on Friday has saluted the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands (RAMSI) for maintaining law and order while at the same time continue to rebuild the Solomon Islands Police Force (SIPF).