Latest News Archive November 2009

The Royal Solomon Islands Police Force has advised that the fatal single-vehicle crash, which resulted in the death of high profile Honiara businessman Rolland Timo, at Mbaranamba on Friday evening "was a tragic accident."

Police seized a large number of weapons during the recent Telekom Solomon Cup Soccer Tournament finals at Lawson Tama on Wednesday and Saturday.

Representatives from RAMSI met today with Honiara City Council (HCC)'s executive group as part of the Mission's efforts to strengthen relationships with all levels of Government in Solomon Islands.

Media Release - A regional workshop on the Cairns Compact held in Nadi, Fiji, 26 - 28 November has resulted in a greater understanding of the scope and implications of the Compact endorsed by Forum Leaders at their meeting in Cairns last August.

The children of Aenataerau Community, near Malu'u in North Malaita, were pleased to receive reading books, learning materials and sporting goods generously provided by the Australian High Commission and the Participating Police Force (PPF) Guadalcanal Beach Resort (GBR) Social Club.

The Royal Solomon Islands Police Force has proudly welcomed 27 Police new recruits officers who graduated in front of colleagues and family members at Police Headquarters Rove last Friday.

Hundreds of people from across the country have applied to be involved in voter registration which starts early next year.

Solomon Airlines confirmed last week that it has signed a historic agreement to bring a Dash8 aircraft into its Domestic operation from the 7th December and will remain part of its fleet for a longer term.

Miss Fiji was crowned the new Miss South Pacific on Saturday night in Fiji's capital, Suva, bringing the week-long festivities to an end.

The Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands (RAMSI) has thrown its full support behind White Ribbon Day, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women.

The Royal Solomon Islands Police Force is urging young people to celebrate the end of their school year and commencement of the long Christmas holidays safely.

Press Statement - Senior officials from Pacific Islands Forum countries, regional organisations, development partners and other stakeholders will discuss the Cairns Compact on Strengthening Development Coordination in the Pacific at a regional workshop to be held in Nadi, Fiji, 26-28 November.

MANILA, PHILIPPINES - The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has launched a new approach to improve its development efforts in the Pacific.

The Solomon Islands Football Federation (SIFF) held a meeting yesterday with the Royal Solomon Islands Police to confirm security arrangements for the semi-finals and finals of the Our Telekom Solomon Cup.

Peter Boyers, MP for West New Georgia/Vona Vona, Western Province, and several prominent parliamentarians are in a last minute attempt to defeat the Integrity Bill.

MANILA, PHILIPPINES - Low-lying Pacific island countries, which are among the most vulnerable in the world to climate change, are stepping up efforts to counter the threats posed by rising sea levels and extreme weather events.

The Australian High Commission is pleased to announce its support for 28 community projects in Solomon Islands, totalling SBD 600,000.

Premier of Rennell and Bellona Province, Timothy Johnston says he was disappointed that no additional constituency has been allocated to the Province.

Census enumerators in Malaita province have threatened to stop work over the nonpayment of their imprests and allowances by the national census office in Honiara.

This year's Miss South Pacific Pageant opened in Fiji over the weekend in the capital, Suva.

The late Jackson Ofu, Assistant Commissioner of the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force, was farewelled with a police guard of honour at his funeral service held in Honiara earlier today.

The Solomon Airlines has sent two of its senior pilots for Dash8 pilot training in Port Moresby.

Malaita Premier Richard Na'amo Irosaea says poverty is the main source of corruption in Solomon Islands and has urged all leaders in the country to unite in the fight to weed poverty and corruption.

Prime Minister Dr Derek Sikua has appealed to his fellow parliamentarians to vote in support of the constitutional political parties' integrity bill.

Press Release - Pacific delegations are angered by suggestions that the UN Climate Change Meeting in Copenhagen will lead to a political declaration instead of an international legally binding agreement.

Solomon Airlines has sent three flight attendants to Port Moresby for training on the Airlines PNG Dash8 aircraft in preparation for a possible long term arrangement for the Dash8 operations in Solomon Islands.

Two teenagers will stand trial on charges relating to last weekend's soccer riot in Honiara.

The US ambassador to Solomon Islands, Teddy Taylor, says the decision by Solomon Islands to send its medical students to Cuba and to acquire funds from Iran is their business.

The University of the South Pacific (USP) has been recognized as the leading provider of quality business education in the Pacific.

The proposed strike action announcement by the Solomon Islands Public Employees Union has ground to a halt following a high court ruling.

With all to play for in Group A, Portugal and Solomon Islands were ready to do battle on the beach, each having suffered disappointing group-stage losses the previous day.

Opposition Leader Manasseh Sogavare has expressed regret over Solomon Islands decision to vote in support of a United Nations report which condemns Israel military excursion into the Palestinian territory of Gaza last year.

A leading malaria expert believes malaria could be eliminated from Temotu Province within a few years. The Chairman of the Malaria Reference Group, Sir Richard Feachem, visited Solomon Islands last week to view some of the country's malaria action programs, and said Temotu could soon be malaria-free.

The Police Traffic Centre is investigating the circumstances surrounding a motor accident which occurred at the road junction near the Taj Mahal restaurant at approximately 7:15pm on Sunday afternoon.

One could be forgiven for thinking that Honiara would have an easy game against Isabel but the 0 - 0 score line at the end of the match showed just how far provincial teams have developed in the recent past.

Press Relese - The 20th Annual meeting of the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) opened in Samoa amidst a tribute to the Pacific nations struck by the tsunami, spiritual inspiration and an embracing of Samoan culture.

Police have so far been encouraged with the behaviour displayed by crowds during the second round of Solomon Cup matches played today at Lawson Reserve, Honiara.

Environment Minister Peter Garrett today departed for Solomon Islands to plan the next phase of action on protecting marine biodiversity and the vulnerable coastal communities whose livelihoods are dependent on maintaining the health of the remarkable Coral Triangle.

Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Public Service, Ishmael Avui, has appealed to government workers to refrain from taking part in todays strike action as it would be illegal for public officers to go on strike without proper notice.

After a dream start to the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup in Dubai the Solomon Islands succumbed to a hugely determined United Arab Emirates side going down 7-1.

A marine iguana which has been causing fear among inhabitants of an island in Fiji is currently being studied by experts who have said that it is a rare species of iguana.

An Israeli foreign ministry official is arriving in Honiara to seek an explanation as to why Solomon Islands became the only country in Oceania to vote at the UN for the Goldstone report condemning Israel's assault on Gaza.

The Prime Minister says the way communities in the country have been governed under traditional leadership must be recognized.

Police have made important progress with their investigation in to the burning of the Solomon Islands Football Federation (SIFF) office at Lawson Tama on 14 November 2009.

Solomon Islands have caused a massive upset in Dubai edging Uruguay 7-6 in what was an exhilarating start to their FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup Dubai 2009 campaign.

Press Release - PACIFIC ISLANDS, MONDAY 16 NOVEMBER 2009: The Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA), the Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC) and the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) today launched the Pacific Islands Regional Plan of Action (PI-RPOA) on Sharks*.

The Media Association of Solomon Islands (MASI) today calls on the Solomon Islands Football Federation (SIFF) to appreciate the role of media the country.

The Asian Development Bank is providing a 24 million US dollars grant package which will expand the existing Solomon Islands Road Improvement Project.

Former peace monitors, who claim they helped to disarm militants during the ethnic unrest, are threatening to take their SBD$14 million dollar claim to court if government is not willing to negotiate with them.

Six people have been arrested as the Police Commissioner Peter Marshall has ordered a criminal investigation into the arson attack on the administration building of the Solomon Islands Football Federation, SIFF.

The Commission of Inquiry underway in Tonga into the tragic sinking of the MV Princess Ashika in Tongan waters has revealed grim details about the ship's condition and the voyage that resulted in the loss of 74 lives.

The Foreign Relations Committee Chairman says he presents the RAMSI Inquiry Report to the National parliament "with a sense of gratitude and satisfaction."

The Savo-Russell's MP, Sir Allan Kemakeza, took his oath of allegiance in Parliament amidst claims that it was unconstitutional.

RAMSI's Special Coordinator, Graeme Wilson and the Permanent Secretary with responsibility for RAMSI, Paul Tovua, led a delegation to Temotu Province this week.

The Republic of China (Taiwan) has donated SB$27 million today for the construction of a new Office Complex for Members of Parliament.

Police have arrested a 25 year old man from Northeast Guadalcanal in relation to the Ngorou murder incident in November 2001.

Four losing candidates in the recent Savo-Russell Constituency bye-election have asked the Speaker of Parliament, Sir Peter Kenilorea, not to allow winner of the election, Sir Allan Kemakeza, to take the Oath today when Parliament resumes.

Special Secretary to Prime Minister, John Keniapasia, has accused Honiara lawyer Andrew Nori of engaging in a campaign to sabotage government's political reforms.

Media Release - The Forum Economic Ministers have strongly emphasized the importance of the Cairns Compact on Strengthening Development Coordination in the Pacific to better coordinate and harmonise aid management in the region.

Food safety is everyone's business, and it is a must that all those involved with food processing either for home consumption or for business observe good food safety practices.

A senior Solomon Islands lawyer and former politician, Andrew Nori, says the prime minister is not being properly advised on serious inconsistencies and contradictions in the Political Parties Registration and Administration Bill 2009.

Police have arrested a 22 year old man at Adaliua settlement in East Honiara for allegedly stabbing his wife at their home shortly after mid-night last Saturday.

Prime Minister, Dr Derek Sikua, has said the government has lost an estimated 400 million dollars through carelessness and malpractice in government Ministries.

A prominent academic in the region was reportedly taken into detention and interrogated and then forced to leave Fiji for comments regarding the expelling of New Zealand and Australia's high commissioners from Fiji.

A second workshop on corruption and anti-corruption in Solomon Islands has begun in Honiara.

Prime Minister Dr Derek Sikua has set down the terms of reference for the Commission of Inquiry, COI, into Land Dealings and Abandoned Properties on Guadalcanal.

MANILA, PHILIPPINES - A recent increase in Australian and New Zealand tourists to Pacific island countries has raised hopes the region's vital tourism industry is recovering after being buffeted by the global financial crisis, according to a new Asian Development Bank (ADB) publication.

Just months after the monopoly license given to Our Telekom was cancelled, government says it will announce the country's new mobile phone operator before the end of this year.

Solomon Islands has issued strong opposition to reports that certain developed countries who are parties to the UN Convention on Climate Change, are scaling back from a fair, ambitious and legally binding deal they hope to reach at Copenhagen next month.

RAMSI's Special Coordinator, Graeme Wilson, and the Permanent Secretary with responsibility for RAMSI, Paul Tovua, visited both islands in Rennell & Bellona Province this week.

Prime Minister Dr Derek Sikua has defended his government against critics that he is running a dictator government pushing for a political parties integrity concept too fast without mass education on the reform.

The Republic of China (Taiwan) today formally released an SBD$8 million payment to assist the Solomon Islands government compensate Our Telekom to enable the company relinquish its monopoly license.

The Solomon Cup tournament is now confirmed to kick off from the 16 to 30 November in Honiara.

A member of the international self-help group Alcoholics Anonymous, AA, is visiting the Solomon Islands next week.

The Inaugural National Youth Parliament started its first parliament meeting yesterday morning in the chambers of the National Parliament house.

Prime Minister, Dr Derek Sikua, has ordered an inquiry into the management and operations of the Civil Aviation Division in the Ministry of Communication and Aviation.

RAMSI Special Coordinator, Graeme Wilson and Participating Police Force (PPF) Commander, Wayne Buchhorn, welcomed the Leader of the Opposition, Manasseh Sogavare to RAMSI headquarters at the Guadalcanal Beach Resort (GBR) this week.

The Australian Government has expelled Fiji's top diplomat in response to a decision by the country's military leaders to declare Australia's High Commissioner persona non grata.

Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama, Fiji's military commander has ordered the high commissioners of Australia and New Zealand to leave the country.

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has announced a new video competition - My View: The Asia-Pacific Climate Change Video Contest - to promote awareness of climate change, stimulate debate, and encourage climate change solutions in the lead-up to the 2009 United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen.

A three year old girl, who was reported missing since Sunday evening, has been found.

The Political Party Integrity Bill, which government is taking to Parliament when it meets on November 12, proposes to vest powers to remove a prime minister in the ruling parties.

More than 10,000 people filled National Parliament yesterday to learn more about their vote, their voice and how their democratic system of government works.

Marist have a chance to redeem themselves on Saturday with a second straight home match at Lawson Tama Stadium, this time against Vanuatu club champions Tafea FC.

The European Union-funded Facilitating Agricultural Commodity Trade, FACT project has engaged a cocoa exporting company Solomon Islands, to support communities and provide an alternative source of livelihood.

Prime Minister Dr Derick Sikua has warned public servants to stay out of political debates.

The runner-up candidate in last week's bye-election for Savo-Russells constituency has confirmed plans to file a High Court petition against the election victory of Sir Allan Kemakeza as Member of Parliament.

The Government's Anti-Corruption taskforce is stepping up on its work against corruption - with an appeal to community leaders and people to come forward with their experiences with corruption in politics and in public services.

SHANGHAI, PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA - With more than one billion people in the Asia and Pacific region expected to join the urban population in the next 20 years, sustainable economic development is not possible without sustainable urbanization, said a senior official from the Asian Development Bank (ADB).

TOKYO, JAPAN - The Asia and Pacific region must invest between $7 trillion and $9.7 trillion in the energy sector from 2005 to 2030 to meet the rapidly growing demand for energy in the region, according to a new report released by the Asian Development Bank (ADB).

Solomon Islands women and the cancers threatening their lives were the focus of attention on Saturday night, when over 400 people came together for the annual Pink Ribbon Dinner at Mendana Hotel in Honiara.

Re-elected MP for the Savo-Russells constituency, Sir Allan Kemakeza, has defended his triumphant return to politics amidst allegations he was not eligible to contest last week's bye-election.

Speaker of National Parliament, Sir Peter Kenilorea has challenged youth parliamentarians of the inaugural National Youth Parliament to take the helm of political service and leadership of the country.

Guadalcanal premier, Steven Panga, says there will be no meaningful reconciliation on Guadalcanal until the land dealings on the island are sorted out.

The University of the South Pacific (USP) is going to make Climate Change a compulsory subject for all of its students from next year.

Three men in their thirties, who had spent the past eight days at sea, have been rescued by an Asian fishing boat. They are reportedly in good health and are said to be happy to be back with their families.

A private doctor in Honiara has dismissed fears that the anti-malarial drug Artemedine, which contains the ingredient artemether, is dangerous and is not adequate to treat malaria.

The World Bank has congratulated the Solomon Islands government on recent reforms in the telecommunications sector - to encourage new private market operators and increase competition.

Sir Allan Kemakeza has won the Savo- Russell's by-election by 1,654 votes, Reginald Kokili came second with 957 votes. 154 votes were rejected where ballot papers could not be counted because they were not correctly completed.