Latest News Archive May 2009

The Amnesty International report for 2009 has highlighted some human rights issues in the region, mainly in Fiji, Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands.

Minister of Planning Hon. Steve Abana has underscored the importance of climate change and its impact on Pacific ACP States, especially Solomon Islands.

The Salvation Army of Papua New Guinea has officially delivered 15 houses to families who lost their homes during the unfortunate 2007 April 2 tsunami disaster.

The new Deputy Commissioner of the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force Wayne Buchhorn was sworn in to office and warmly welcomed by the RSIPF Executive.

Prime Minister Dr Derek Sikua said his 25-day tour of three Asian countries was a success.

Solomon Airlines and Air Niugini have agreed on a revised Terms of Code-Share Agreement to and from Fiji.

Press Release - Bringing the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) closer to the homes of Pacific islanders is one of the key happenings at a gathering in Fiji this week.

Rapid response by Royal Solomon Islands Police Force's Fire Services helped save the YWCA kindergarten building from total destruction yesterday afternoon.

Police have arrested a man and his wife at Mbokona heights for brewing kwaso at their home, after Police gathered information on the illegal activities and raided their property.

Police yesterday raided a private residence at Soso village at Tetere and arrested two men aged in their 30s for illegally brewing the home brewed liquor, Kwaso.

The Minister of Health and Medical Services, Hon. Martin Maga is reported to be recovering well at Saint Vincent Hospital in Sydney, Australia.

The Central Bank of Solomon Islands, CBSI, says it strongly believes a number of fake one hundred dollar and fifty dollar local notes are circulating in the country.

A joint patrol by law enforcement agencies to tackle illegal activities on Honiara harbour led to the seizure of a large quantity of liquor and cigarettes yesterday morning at Point Cruz harbour.

A West Guadalcanal man was today refused bail and remanded in custody for another fortnight after appearing in Honiara Magistrate's Court over money laundering offences.

The region is still increasingly at risk of the A/H1N1 flu, otherwise known as Swine Flu, as confirmed cases increase around the world, especially in countries with links to the region.

As the country faces the real possibility of a rise in HIV-positive cases next year, Solomon Islands is still without specific laws to deal with HIV and AIDS prevention and management.

Press Release - A chemicals management monitoring and evaluation project in Kiribati has been completed by the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP).

World Ocean Conference and Coral Triangle Initiative participants should urgently consider nutrient pollution is killing coral as photographic evidence indicates, not CO<sup style='color: black'>2</sup> induced climate change. Wrong diagnosis can be fatal.

The 89th Session ACP Council of Ministers opened today with the second five-yearly revision of the Cotonou Agreement with the European Union, the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPAs), and threats of the financial crisis to ACP member states, among the major issues to be discussed.

Prime Minister Dr Derek Sikua has requested the Japanese government to consider funding more projects in tertiary education, renewable energy and mining sectors under its next funding cycle.

Christians in Solomon Islands have been invited to participate in the Global Day of Prayer this coming Sunday, 31st May.

Communities on Gela Islands in the Central Islands Province are demanding answers from responsible government authorities after their fishing project applications were unsuccessful.

Leaders and people of Central Islands Province have called on responsible National Government authorities to create two additional constituencies to help address inadequacies in the distribution of government funded projects in the province.

People in Fiji are reportedly in fear of being caught using the internet because they fear being accused of reading anti-government blog sites.

Prominent Honiara lawyer and owner of A and A Legal Services, Charles Ashley is facing two lawsuits for allegedly swindling more than SBD$ 2 million dollars of trust funds belonging to former clients.

The RSIPF Sexual Assault unit is appealing to the public for eyewitnesses, to the alleged rape of a 19 year old student near the Chinatown Bridge around 7pm on Friday.

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the World Bank have pledged to provide funding support to Solomon Islands to address budgetary and balance of payment challenges attributed to the impacts of the global economic crisis.

"The office of the Chief Trade Advisor (OCTA) will be extremely important to us, not just during negotiations, but in helping us to get ready for PACER Plus," Director of Trade Heinz Vaekesa said after returning from a recent trip to Vanuatu.

Press Statement - Pacific Developing Member Countries (PDMCs) of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) have called on the ADB to review its Pacific Strategy in line with the Pacific Plan.

Prime Minister Derek Sikua and delegation yesterday in Tokyo met with various Japanese leaders of the Japan-Solomon Islands Friendship Association.

Three lawyers were detained by Fiji police earlier in the week over allegations that they were responsible for contributing to some of the blogs that have risen since the coup.

The Royal Solomon Islands Police have warned they will be targeting the illegal trade and drinking of kwaso as well as people going armed in public without lawful cause.

The family of the Late Billy Toito'ona, who was stabbed to death last weekend, has demanded SBD$200,000 in compensation for the fatal incident.

The Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands (RAMSI) is to build 200 houses for the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) over the next four years with funds granted in the latest Australian budget.

KOSSA has stunned the much fancied Uncles FC with a 4-1 romp yesterday at the Lawson Tama stadium.

Prime Minister Dr Derek Sikua maintains his current 25 day absence overseas to participate in international meetings is cost effective and beneficial to the country.

The fire safety knowledge of bank staff from the ANZ Bank's Point Cruz branch was put to the test early this morning when the Police Fire Service initiated a fire evacuation drill at 8.30am.

Police Commissioner Peter Marshall today urged all parties to show calm after major disturbances at Kaibia Heights last night activated call outs of the police tactical squads.

Press Statement - The 4th Pacific Islands Trade Exhibition will take place at the JETRO Exhibition Hall in Tokyo, Japan from 21-26 May 2009.

The Government has announced an indefinite freeze on recruitment to vacant positions, as well as on the creation of new positions within the Solomon Islands public service.

Desperate is the best word to describe the current situation at Bulu, a small community in south Malaita. During freak storms in early April, more than two hundred homes were flattened.

Marine Police helped the Solomon Islands Red Cross distribute 11 water tanks from Honiara to Malu'u in Malaita and Marasa on the Weather Coast during the past week.

The Australian High Commission today announced its support for 2009 SOLO ICON, at a handover ceremony held at the Ministry of Women, Youth and Children, where Deputy High Commissioner, Alison Duncan, handed over a cheque for SBD30, 000 to Global Youth Leadership Nexus.

The three bird species are part of the 2009 Red List compiled by the Birdlife International and the International Conservation Union.

The Giants of Honiara football are consolidating their strength in preparation for the coming Our Telekom National Club Championship. KOSSA, Makuru and Uncles have all booked a place while Koloale returns as the defending champion. The national club championship will kick off on Monday 25 May 2009.

The Governor of the Central Bank of Solomon Islands, CBSI, Denton Rarawa, says the economic preliminary indicators for the first quarter of 2009 show mixed outcomes.

The Ministry of Women, Youth and Children's Affairs has officially launched a nationwide awareness campaign on the Temporary Special Measures (TSM) concept.

Construction work is expected to start soon on the development of Doma township, West Honiara.

18 May 2009 - STATEMENT BY EUROPEAN COMMISSIONER LOUIS MICHEL ON FIJI

40 countries have officially reported cases of the Influenza A(H1N1) virus, also known as Swine Flu.

Prime Minister Dr Derek Sikua will attend a three days Japan-Pacific Islands Leaders Meeting, PALM 5, in Hokkaido, Japan, starting Thursday this week.

The Inland Revenue Division, the Solomon Islands Government agency that collects taxes and other revenue within the country, is to be supported for another five years by the Regional Assistance Mission.

Solomon Islands Development Trust (SIDT) will conduct a disaster preparedness training for Simbo Islanders from the 18th -22nd of May at Lengana Village Simbo Island, Western Province.

Two young men have died and two others seriously wounded in a series of stabbing incidents in Honiara over the weekend.

Climate change is threatening the existence of coral reefs which threatens the livelihoods of millions, especially in the region.

New Zealand has named career diplomat, Mark Ramsden, as its next High Commissioner to Solomon Islands.

Australia's combined bilateral and regional development assistance to Solomon Islands will increase by AUD$9.8 million bringing the total of 2009-10 to AUD$246.2 million dollars.

Detectives with Royal Solomon Islands Police Force's Central Honiara Criminal Investigation Department are urgently seeking public assistance to identify offenders involved in a brutal stabbing on Monday.

Australia and Solomon Islands are working together to increase cocoa production and improve road rehabilitation and maintenance in Malaita. This partnership will provide jobs for Solomon Islanders, economic stimulus for Malaita and better access for rural communities to towns and markets.

As the political situation in Fiji continues, the interim government has confirmed that it has detained the former Methodist Church president, Reverend Manasa Lasaro, 'for a possible breach of Fiji's Public Emergency Regulations'.

Acting Prime Minister, Fred Fono has officially witnessed a joint Riot Demonstration Exercise carried out by the Solomon Islands Police Force (SIPF) and the RAMSI Participating Police Force (PPF) at the Rove Police Grounds today.

The Solomon Islands Football Federation (SIFF) will be hosting the inaugural Our Telekom National Club Championship 2009 in Honiara from 25th May to 6th June 2009.

The Royal Solomon Islands Police Force's Fraud Squad officers have arrested a man accused of masterminding a local money-laundering scheme, after seizing $200,000 cash from his Mbokona home.

Acting Prime Minister Fred Fono (MP) has welcomed the appointment of two new government ministers to Cabinet following a ministerial reshuffle exercise on May 5.

Solomon Islands Minister of Foreign Affairs and External Trade, William Haomae says ongoing consultations on the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands (RAMSI) is crucial to ensure necessary adjustments are made to match the changing situation in Solomon Islands.

Press Release - The Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) has been presented with a United States Environmental Protection Agency Ozone Layer Protection Award for 2009.

Manila, Philippines - ADB is continuing a shift in its emphasis and resources toward reducing poverty and, simultaneously, promoting environmentally sustainable growth in the Asia and Pacific region, according to a new report.

Honiara Magistrate's court today remanded in custody a murder suspect for the death of a 25-year-old woman at Lungga River in March.

The Rural Constituency Development Fund, RCDF, has been released to government by Taiwan.

The media in Fiji is still under government censorship following the extension of the Emergency Regulation in the country with recent allegations of the detention of journalists.

Press Statement - Niue has sealed its support for the Pacific Petroleum Project.

Australia's new High Commissioner to the Solomon Islands, Mr Frank Ingruber, yesterday presented his official Letter of Introduction to Acting Prime Minister, Honourable Fred Fono MP, and called on the Governor General, Sir Nathaniel Waena GCMG KStJ CSI.

Acting Prime Minister Fred Fono MP has launched the Solomon Islands Economic Advisory Council in Honiara yesterday.

The European Union is opening up areas where it had not gone through before in assisting developing countries.

Ex-Selwyn college students studying and working in Fiji have rendered assistance to Selwyn college school with a new school projector.

Police in Lata have launched a search for seven adult men who have been missing since Saturday.

Pacific ACP States have reiterated their desire to see progress in the current negotiations of the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) with the European Union but want contentious issues be dealt with by the EU.

Murder suspect, Stanley Gitoa, who escaped from lawful detention in 2007, says he will remain in hiding from law enforcement authorities until he is guaranteed the opportunity to speak with the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, TRC.

The Pacific Islands Forum has a new representative in Solomon Islands. He is Mr Sakiusa Rabuka from Fiji.

Solomon Airlines last Friday were given notice by Our Airline that their B737 aircraft would not be available until Sunday due to some maintenance issues.

A new Auditor General and a new Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Forestry were sworn in before the Governor General Sir Nathaniel Waena at Government House this morning.

A former board chairman to Solomon Airlines, now Minister for Education Mathew Wale says the national airline needs less politicization of its board appointments and a more commercial approach by the board and management.

The Secretariat of the Pacific Community, SPC, is assisting the Solomon Islands forestry industry conduct a study on the development of a market information system for the country's timbers.

The Pacific Partnership mission will take place this summer, although not aboard USS Dubuque (LPD 8) because of concerns the H1N1 virus could be spread.

The Royal Solomon Islands Police Force will test its operational responses by rehearsing a Joint Capability Exercise at Rove Prison and the Rove assembly ground this morning until May 13.

Peter Shanel has won the Central Guadalcanal election, winning by a majority of 798.

Press Release - Dealing with climate change in the Pacific is everyone's business. This is the message of the 2009 Pacific Year of Climate Change being led by the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP).

The Solomon Islands government has handed over half a million Solomon dollars to the Australian High Commission in Honiara this morning to support the fire victims of Australia.

The Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands today presented the inaugural Special Coordinator's Media Encouragement Award to Solomon Star newspaper photographer, Charles Kadamana.

An airline spokesperson said that a new schedule, now under development and in the process of being circulated, would see the Airlines operating on Monday, Wednesday and Friday from Brisbane to Honiara with a direct return service to Brisbane at prime times.

The Solomon Airlines confirmed yesterday, during a brief ceremony, that it has signed a strategic agreement to bring into its Brisbane operation, an Airbus 320-200 aircraft.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has released an update yesterday confirming that 23 countries have officially reported cases of the influenza A (H1N1) infection, commonly known as Swine Flu.

The Central Guadalcanal bye election will be held today, with many predicting the return of former MP Peter Shanel.

A US Navy trip to the Solomon Islands has been cancelled after the discovery of a swine flu case aboard one of the San Diego-based Navy ship.

Prime Minister Derek Sikua says the suspension of Fiji from the Pacific Islands Forum, PIF, is a decision consistent with the Forum's Port Moresby resolutions.

Prime Minister Dr Derek Sikua has announced the much anticipated reshuffling of Ministers in his year old government.

Carteret Islanders of Papua New Guinea have become the first climate refugees as they relocate to new sites to escape the effects of climate change on their homeland.

BALI, INDONESIA, 4 May 2009 - With the Asia and Pacific region hit hard by the global economic crisis, the region must rebalance growth, Asian Development Bank (ADB) President Haruhiko Kuroda today told the opening session of the 42nd Annual Meeting in Bali, Indonesia.

A dead foetus was found in a bottle at Town Ground area over the weekend.

A recent survey of coral reefs around Tetepare Island, in the Western Province, has confirmed the islands reefs are in excellent health.