Latest News Archive January 2008

An online institution bearing the name "University of Honiara" is pending approval from the Solomon Islands Government.

A mini hospital was officially opened at Tetere on the Guadalcanal Plains this morning.

Mobile users in Solomon Islands are complaining that they are receiving services well below satisfaction.

Night club owners have been reminded of the issue of underage clubbing.

A United States warship, USS Reuben James, is on a "goodwill visit" to the Solomon Islands.

Central Market Police continue in their fight against crime in the area.

Solomon Islands Prime Minister Dr. Derek Sikua is calling for RAMSI to expand its role in rural areas of the country where about 80 per cent of people in the country live.

New students waiting for new scholarships to undertake university studies this year are complaining that the National Training Unit in the Ministry Education and Human Resources Development are slow in dealing with their case.

Development steps for Guadalcanal Province includes land issues.

Governor General, Sir Nathaniel Waena, called on permanent secretaries to deliver instead of just talking and planning as has happened over the past 29 years.

Given the dramatic challenges presented by climate change, including the risk that some islands in the Pacific may become uninhabitable, the ADB's Pacific Strategy will be further refined to provide more emphasis on environmental management to help the region better manage its vulnerable natural environment.

MANILA, PHILIPPINES - The Asian Development Bank (ADB) is continuing the consultation process on its safeguard policies, seeking valuable feedback from stakeholder groups from across Asia and the Pacific as it updates its environment, involuntary resettlement and indigenous peoples safeguard policies.

Five new Permanent Secretaries have been sworn-in at Government House this morning.

A total sum of fifteen million dollars in aid money has been granted by the CNURA government for the victims of last year's April 2nd earthquake and tsunami.

The General Secretary for Solomon Islands National Union of Workers, Tony Kagovai, says the issue of the Guadalcanal Plains Palm Oil Limited workers has caused disagreement between landowners and SINUW.

Fourteen former Ministers of the ousted Sogavare-led government have been accused of attempting to undermine governmental programmes by refusing to return government vehicles.

The issue of unemployment is fast becoming an issue for the young citizens of Solomon Islands.

Alarming reports of sexual abuse of children within the country has prompted the national government to take a stand in condemnation of the crime, insisting upon zero tolerance of such unlawful acts.

In a display of the cordial relations between Solomon Islands and Taiwan, the Vice President of the Republic of China (Taiwan), H.E Annette Lu, will lead a big delegation to the country next month.

The Australian Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd, does not have plans for a new 'guest worker system' for Pacific Islanders.

PNG has been named by the World Bank as one of the hardest countries in the world to do business in.

Solomon Islands Prime Minister, Dr. Derek Sikua, described the three-nation tour as "a success".

The National Disaster Council launched its final Training of Trainers at the Honiara Hotel this morning.

With the first month of the New Year rounding up, churches are gearing into 2008 with various activities and important occasions earmarked.

Positive comments by Australian Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd, during Prime Minister Dr. Derek Sikua's visit to Australia this week confirms "Australia's continued commitment to a close working partnership with Solomon Islands Government, RAMSI and its regional partners to ensure a successful mission".

The Honiara City Council is taking the lead to re-build China Town, burnt down during the 2006 April riot.

The liberalisation of the telecommunications industry has the potential to be of tremendous benefit to the economy, through the lower charges associated with competition.

With the new Honiara Shopping Mall site officially launched Wednesday, some concerned people of Guadalcanal Province have objected to the move.

The Australian Day will be marked in Honiara with a reception at the Australian High Commission official residence this evening.

A four-nation tour of the Pacific Islands will kick off for Taiwan Vice President, Annette Lu.

A tribe from Malaita Province is embarking on a fundraising drive to help towards the building of the Kwai and Ngongosila church in north Malaita.

The Solomon Islands Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SICCI) is encouraged by the new Government's prompt release of their Policy Statement.

Officers from the Police Sexual Assault Unit have arrested and charged three men with attempted rape on separate incidents at Avu Avu.

Prime Minister Dr. Derek Sikua and his delegation arrived in New Zealand as they continue the three nation tour of the Pacific.

The heavy rain weather that has been going for almost two months is causing flooding in some parts of Guadalcanal.

The Ministry of Finance has reported a significant improvement in the tax revenue the government has collected.

The Honiara Magistrates Court adjourned court hearing on a case against the Prime Minister Dr. Derek Sikua.

The Coalition for National Unity and Rural Advancement Government has appointed nine political appointees in the Prime Minister's Political Office.

The government is "ever more determined" to include young people in decision making, either in the public or private sector.

Australia's Prime Minister will visit Solomon Islands in March.

The Solomon Islands Council of Trade had a meeting yesterday afternoon with the Solomon Islands National Union of Workers.

A new 'Honiara Shopping Mall' will soon be under construction at the former Guadalcanal Province headquarters site.

Creativity in the making comes a long way for a mother from Malaita Province, Grace Afea, who dyes sarongs (larva larva) for a living.

Local lawyer, Gabriel Suri, has been appointed Solomon Islands Acting Attorney General.

MANILA, PHILIPPINES - The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and its development partners are setting up a facility that will provide seed capital for renewable energy and energy efficiency projects in the Asia-Pacific region amid growing energy demands and high oil prices.

Honiara City Council re-opened the Central Market underground pass after it was closed last year for 'wrong use' by people.

Solomon Islands government declared former Attorney General, Julian Moti, a prohibited immigrant.

Financial assistance could not have come at a better time, says Director of Solomon Islands College of Higher Education (SICHE).

Solomon Islands is one of the many countries well known for its cultural arts and crafts.

Prime Minister, Dr. Derek Sikua, and his government highly values the Solomon Islands' diplomatic relations with neighbor countries, Australia, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea.

Solomon Islands Clerk to Parliament is resigning to contest in the upcoming national by-elections for East Malaita Constituency.

Solomon Islands Prime Minister, Dr. Derek Sikua, and his delegation have arrived in Canberra, Australia's capital, as part of a three-nation tour.

The Solomon Islands Visitors Bureau, SIVB, deplores the removal of the Japanese Monument at Mount Austin in Honiara last week.

Australia has lifted its visa restrictions on Solomon Islands members of parliament ahead of Prime Minister Dr. Derek Sikua's visit to mend broken relations between the two countries.

Solomon Islands Prime Minister, Hon. Derek Sikua, has concluded official talks with his Papua New Guinea Counterpart, Sir Michael Somare, in Port Moresby yesterday.

The Solomon Islands Police Force has been advised that the northern area of the Lungga River is rising due to the heavy rain.

The Solomon Islands Police Force (SIPF) Fire Service was called to attend a fire at a house near Mbokonera One area in Honiara.

Police in Honiara are investigating the damage caused by vandals to the Japanese War Monument at Mount Austin.

The European Union-funded Micro Projects Programme has approved a total grant of SBD11.3 million for 77 community projects to be implemented during 2008.

The Italian Government has pledged to convene an Italian-Pacific Islands Forum towards the end of 2008.

The government will embark on governance reform as part of its public policy responses, Prime Minister Dr. Derek Sikua stated.

The Embassy of Japan in Solomon Islands is assisting the rehabilitation of the Girls Hostel at Kukum Campus, Solomon Islands College of Higher Education (SICHE).

The Coalition for National Unity and Rural Advancement (CNURA) government is taking a U-turn approach to the 'Bottom-Up-Approach'.

The Ministry of Culture and Tourism is currently working on a major visibility project to establish training at the Solomon Islands College of Higher Education.

The Kingdom Harvest Ministry commemorated its eighth anniversary in Solomon Islands with a three-day programme.

A man has been arrested in relation to a note written against Malaitans.

Solomon Islands will soon have its own Pap Smear Clinic at the National Referral Hospital.

The National Disaster Management Office is putting together a request to fund three communities in the Burns Creek area most affected in the days of heavy raining.

Police have increased patrols in Honiara after members of the public became concerned about a note that was posted on a tree outside the Magistrates Court Thursday.

The rating for tourist visits is "really good", according to a private tourism operator.

The Bottom Up Approach is a key reference point in the overall government policy thrust.

A tropical cyclone watch advice has been issued for the Makira-Ulawa, Rennell-Bellona and Temotu provinces.

Leader of Opposition, Manasseh Sogavare, is urging Prime Minister Dr. Derek Sikua to tell the truth about the allocation of funds by the Sogavare-led government for tsunami victims of Western Province.

The introduction of the International Visitor Survey (IVS) at Henderson International Airport in 2006/2007 means that Solomon Islands now leads the Pacific region in the application of technology.

Three provinces are among the first to submit their Tourism Development Plans to the Ministry of Culture and Tourism.

Solomon Islands' St. Josephs Catholic Secondary School moves into the new academic year with "big plans".

The Coalition for National Unity and Rural Advancement Government aims to double the number of tourist arrivals next year.

Solomon Islands High Commissioner to Australia, Victor Ngele, presented the new Australian government with a canoe, which symbolises hopes that the two countries may begin paddling in the same direction.

The Prime Minister, Dr. Derek Sikua, has acknowledged the Solomon Islands Public Employees Union for kindly providing service to the people of Solomon Islands.

The art of expressing tradition in the carving industry is an income earner for an enthusiastic carver.

Who would have thought that one could one day access the internet in the comfort of custom built leaf huts overlooking the beautiful Marovo lagoon.

Solomon Islands Prime Minister, Dr. Derek Sikua, will launch his government's policy statement this Friday.

The Honiara city council clerk, Mr. Joseph Huta, has revealed that a certain illegal practice has forced the city council to revisit its by-laws.

The recent surge in burglaries in the capital Honiara has seen kids as young as 13 being used.

Solomon Islands Prime Minister, Dr. Derek Sikua, will leave for his first official engagement this weekend.

Papua New Guinea's weightlifting gold medalist, Dika Toua, has been invited to compete at the Beijing Olympic qualifiers later this month.

News reports from Fiji state that a cabinet statement has announced that the country will establish diplomatic relations with four sovereign countries.

Solomon Islands Prime Minister, Dr. Derek Sikua, has formally announced the appointment of 26 Permanent Secretaries in a press conference held at the Cabinet this afternoon.

Tetere Police have discovered two large marijuana plantations with the assistance of villagers within the Tetere area.

The Bilikiki beach soccer team will begin its World Cup campaign when the team heads back into training next Monday.

The Chairman of the Commission of Inquiry into last year's April riots, Brian Brunton, last week lashed out at the failure of certain witnesses to appear before the Commission describing the act as a waste of tax payers' money and a waste of time.

A 28 days strike notice has been issued by the Solomon Islands National Union of Workers (SINUW) to the management of Guadalcanal Plains Palm Oil Limited.

Prime Minister, Dr. Derek Sikua, in his trip to the Western Provincial capital Gizo, said that the government had clearly neglected its duty to its people.

A break-in at a building in Honiara last night affected at least four offices, including the Media Association of Solomon Islands (MASI) head office.

The First Secretary for the Embassy of the Republic of China (Taiwan), Ken Lai, received a Solomon Islands Silver Medal for his service in the country.

Visits made so far to two provincial capitals began the yearly provincial visitation for the Coalition for National Unity and Rural Advancement Government as a first step to establishing dialogue with the provincial governments.

The community on the small island of Waringifau in Suafa Bay, North Malaita, are now enjoying fresh clean drinking water.

Prime Minister Dr. Derek Sikua begins his second official visit inspecting a guard of honour mounted by the Solomon Islands Police Force officers in the Western Provincial capital, Gizo, this morning.

Honiara residents will soon have ready access to condoms.

Solomon Islands former Prime Minister says there is no regret over decisions made that led to the downfall of his government.