Politics Archive August 2008

Solomon Islands have now borrowed the South African model to set up a Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) in a bid to address people's traumatic experiences during the five year ethnic conflict on Guadalcanal.

The 'Exploring Solutions to Political Instability and Governance in Solomon Islands-Potential for Reform' conference ended with great success on Tuesday.

According to Radio New Zealand, the Samoan RAMSI officer who was driving the vehicle that killed 26 year old Hilda Ilabae in June will now have his case heard in Solomon Islands.

The Member of Parliament for Central Guadalcanal, Hon. Peter Shanel is now serving a nine months jail sentence.

Forty three candidates will contest in the two constituency bye-elections on September 23.

The conference on 'Exploring Solutions to Political Instability and Governance in Solomon Islands-Potential for Reform', was the CNURA government's policy intentions to address the political instability in the country.

The Honiara Town Council has expressed their disappointment over the National Olympic Committee of Solomon Islands (NOCSI) over missing items in the Multipurpose Hall.

As the 'Explore the Solutions to Political Instability and Governance' conference draws to a close today, prominent Solomon Islanders have gathered once again to raise and discuss issues relating to political instability and the lack of good governance in Solomon Islands.

A conference to 'Explore the Solutions to Political Instability and Governance' in the Solomon Islands began this morning at the Quality Inn.

The Solomon Islands Rice Import Bill will be expected to exceed the two-hundred million dollar mark by the end of 2008 - the highest ever.

Solomon Islanders are encouraged to make submissions to the inquiry into the Facilitation Act that allows the regional security force, RAMSI, to operate in the country.

Two sites have been identified to relocate landowners and villagers of Gold Ridge where mining operations will take place.

Yesterday, "The Intangible Cultural Heritage Field Trip Kit" from the National Museum in Australia was handed over to the Solomon Islands National Museum.

According to the University of Waikato News, the Solomon Islands Prime Minister, Dr Derek Sikua has been presented his Distinguished Alumni Award from the University of Waikato, New Zealand.

The Customary Land Tenure System is again seen as a constraint to the Government's National Rice Programme.

In an interview with Radio New Zealand International, Prime Minister, Dr Derek Sikua, says the threat to suspend Suva from the Pacific Islands Forum is supported by all the Pacific countries, including those from Melanesia.

A week long 'Gender Balance' workshop was held last week in Honiara where twelve youths participated in.

The private member's motion to have been moved last Friday by the Member of Parliament for Temotu Nende, Hon. Patteson Oti, was withdrawn and instead will be tabled this Friday, the 29th.

The RAMSI Participating Police Force (PPF) advisors along with counterparts, the SIPF officers conducted a joint training on Friday.

An Opposition Member of Parliament has raised concerns over the Government's focus on tertiary education.

The Provincial Government of Guadalcanal will be conducting a Guadalcanal Province Youth Policy Forum for youths.

Solomon Islands will have their first National Youth Parliament in either March or April 2009.

So far, eighteen people have submitted their nominations to the two Returning Officers for the bye-elections in Lau/Mbaelelea and East Honiara Constituencies.

The political row in Malaita is finally over, as according to the Malaita Premier, Richard Na'amo Irosaea.

Police are still undergoing serious investigations on that of a woman found dead along a road track close to the Marapui village, Rawo District in Makira Province.

Acting Police Commissioner Peter Marshall, in a Press Conference yesterday, stated that a good number of people have responded to publicized names of outstanding arrest warrants.

The Solomon Islands Minister for Police, National Security and Correctional Services, Hon. Samuel Manetoali, has spoken out against the recent arson attack on the Kakabona police station.

Solomon Islands and other Pacific Islands except Kiribati, Tonga, Papua New Guinea, and Vanuatu were excluded from the three year Pilot Phase of the Australian Seasonal Labour Scheme.

Prime Minister Derek Sikua met with counterpart Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd prior to the Pacific Forum Leaders Meeting in Alofi, Niue.

Yesterday in a 'Presentation of Credentials' visit to the Governor General's residence, Japanese Ambassador, Hajime Nishiyama expresses gratitude from the Japanese Emperor for the close relationship between the Solomon Islands and Japan.

The official opening of the 39th Pacific Islands Forum Leaders meeting took place yesterday in Alofi, Niue. Prior to the meeting, the Solomon Islands Prime Minister, Dr. Derek Sikua had a number of bilateral meetings, two of which were with the Prime Ministers of New Zealand and Australia.

This morning, the visiting Japanese Ambassador based in Papua New Guinea, His Excellency Hajame Nishiyama presented his credentials to the Solomon Islands Governor General Sir Nathaniel Waena at the Government house.

The leader of the Opposition, Hon. Sogavare has questioned the legality of the $100,000 the Government has paid into each Parliamentary Member's RCDF accounts.

Two more Malaita Provincial Members have resigned from the Malaita Provincial Government.

Yesterday the office of the Trade Disputes Panel in conjunction with the Commissioner of Labor organized a workshop on the 'Rules and Procedures on the Trade Dispute Panel.'

Many members of the public have agreed to the publicized names of the outstanding warrants by the police.

The package for the rehabilitation of ex-combatants and the time frame for the settlement of the package are yet to be revealed.

Seven Provincial Members from the Malaita Province yesterday resigned from duties.

The Solomon Islands Police Force is not yet ready to have a local Police Commissioner.

The National Parliament will start the debate on the 2008 Supplementary Appropriation Bill today.

This morning, the Solomon Islands Media were invited to the most restricted compound in the Solomon Islands- the RAMSI Base at the Guadalcanal Beach Resort.

Malaita Premier, Richard Irosaea has expressed concern about budgetary support from the National Government, towards national projects earmarked for Malaita, such as the Auluta Oil Palm Project, the Bina Harbour Industrial site proposal and the proposed Fisheries Centre at Suava Bay on North Malaita.

This morning, Solomon Times produced 81 names of people with arrest warrants from the police. These are the other 81 names of people.

Police Officers on night patrol will now tighten security around night club areas, following the incidents where few night club goers were attacked.

Information has been provided to the media, to assist in locating persons against whom a warrant has been issued for their arrest.

In a Press Conference this morning, Provincial Police Commander, Chief Superintendent, George Guna revealed that the investigation into the burnt Kakabona Police Post is still underway.

It has been revealed that a total of 70 people have been interviewed regarding the crash by two Samoan RAMSI Officers.

Today, the Solomon Islands National Disaster Management Office (NDMO) began a two day workshop to discuss preparatory interventions for the review of the National Disaster Management Plan 1987.

Malaita Province has come out in full force to the Provincial Capital of Auki, over the week, following the 25th Anniversary of the Malaita Second Appointed Day on Friday the 15th.

Solomon Islands Prime Minister, Dr. Derek Sikua, yesterday adjourned the Parliament meeting for Friday the 15th of August.

The Honiara Magistrates Court, found the Parliament Member for Central Guadalcanal, Peter Shanel, guilty on two criminal charges.

The Acting Police Commissioner, Peter Marshall, has described as misinformed comments, public perceptions which have been expressed by individuals both in Parliament and in the media that RAMSI officers and personnel are provided blanket immunity cover by the Facilitation of International Assistance Act (FIAA).

The Solomon Islands will soon open up a High Commission Office in Suva, Fiji.

Members of the public, who have been following the parliamentary debates and the Motion of No Confidence said that they agree with some points raised by the Opposition Leader, Hon. Sogavare.

During his key note address at the 'International Youth Day', Hon Gordon Darcy, Minister for Environment, Conservation and Meteorology, stated that the government is looking into a new ideal proposition, called the 'Solomon Islands Youth Initiative on Climate Change' (SIYICC).

Solomon Islands Governor-General, Sir Nathaniel Waena, has appointed a date for the National Parliament Bye-Elections in the Lau/Mbaelelea and East Honiara Electoral Constituencies.

In the early hours of Friday morning, residents of Kakabona woke to a burning Police post.

Honiara youths, last weekend, went around, cleaning the city as part of their programme to mark the International Youth Day on the theme, "Youth and Climate Change - Time for action".

To mark International Youth Day, Commonwealth Youth Programme South Pacific (CYPSP) Regional Director Ms Afu Billy writes on why we should be working with young people to create better futures for all.

Prior to the vote, the Prime Minister stated that the Motion of No Confidence was "not in the interest of the people" of Solomon Islands.

Ministry Of Health's HIV Department along with SIPPA together with the Save the Children, Australia facilitated a three day workshop on HIV which ended today.

The National Disaster Council will hold a two-day workshop next week for Government Ministries, churches, Non Government Organisations, Corporate companies, Development partners and Provincial Governments to review the 1987 National Disaster Plan and the1989 National Disaster Act.

The Motion of No Confidence which has been debated since 9.30 am this morning has been defeated by 39 votes.

The Motion of No Confidence is currently being debated in Parliament and already nearing to the end of the day, the vote has not yet been taken.

The investigation of the fatal accident, involving two off duty RAMSI officers, is still under way in the country.

Prime Minister, Dr. Derek Sikua is confident with the number of support from the Members of Parliament. The number of Members of Parliament supporting Dr. Derek Sikua is said to stand at 40.

This week, the International Youth Day organizers, have been holding speech competitions at the Honiara City Council conference room.

Acting Director for Police Prosecution, Mr. George Ofu, today, in a Press Conference, told the media about an arrest warrant database, that will soon be introduced.

Transparency Solomon Islands (TSI), would like to congratulate the Office of the Ombudsman, on the appointment of a new Ombudsman, Mr Joe Poraiwai.

Rumors of a possible demonstration are circulating around town making locals take extra precautions, as the country awaits another Motion of No Confidence.

After many months of Inquiry to the April Riots, Prime Minister, Dr.Derek Sikua has recieved the final report of the event from the Commission of Inquiry.

The Media Association of Solomon Islands (MASI) expressed disappointment after its members were barred from covering the Duke of Gloucester's visit to the RAMSI military Headquarter on Tuesday.

Despite much attempt by the Kukum Traffice Police, the Road Toll continues to rise and is now standing at six.

The people of East Guadalcanal were treated to a visit from the Taiwan Mobile Medical Mission at the Good Samaritan Hospital at 10.30 am this morning.

Taiwan Ambassador, His Excellency George Chan officially donated a computer and a microscope to the Good Samaritan Hospital in East Guadalcanal this morning.

RAMSI says meitaki ma'ata - thank you very much - to the Cook Islands on the occasion of their National Day.

The four day visit of the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester came to an end today as the Solomon Islands dignitaries and hundreds of locals bid farewell to the Royal couple at 10am this morning.

Members of the media were yesterday denied access into RAMSI headquarters at the Guadalcanal Beach Resort (GBR), during the visit of the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester and the Governor General.

The Solomon Islands National Union of Workers has shown concern for members of the public working without safety equipments.

The National Referral Hospital was treated to a Royal visit when the Duchess of Gloucester yesterday paid a visit to the Children's ward.

The Duke of Gloucester yesterday paid a visit to the Solomon Islands National Parliament where he was invited to address the Members of Parliament.

A large crowd gathered today at the Guadalcanal Plains Palm Oil Limited in East Guadalcanal to witness the visit of the Duke of Gloucester to the Oil Palm Factory, despite the heavy downpour.

The Duke of Gloucester paid a visit to the Guadalcanal Plains Palm Oil Limited (GPPOL) this morning, followed by a visit to the RAMSI base.

The Government is planning to increase the number of Solomon Islands students studying in PNG institutions in 2009, with UniTech expected to again host the largest number of students.

With a second Royal visit in 30 years, many members of the public would never miss an opportunity to catch a glimpse of the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester. An opportunity that may only come once.

Upon their return from the Western province, the Taiwanese Mobile Medial Mission will be paying a visit to the 'Good Samaritan Hospital' in Guadalcanal.

A parade was held at the Lawson Tama this morning to honour the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester and to commemorate the 30th Independence Anniversary of the Solomon Islands.

Security provided for the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester proved to be a success during their arrival yesterday, Sunday 3rd of August, at the Henderson Airport.

Born in 1944, The Duke of Gloucester is the second son of the late Duke of Gloucester and the late Princess Alice, Duchess of Gloucester.