Latest News Archive July 2009

Prime Minister Derek Sikua has left the country for Australia.

Opposition Leader Manasseh Sogavare says Solomon Islands does not need more leaders but quality politicians and a proper organisation of the governing system in order to achieve its development objectives.

Opposition leader Manasseh Sogavare says Parliament is lost in confusion because it is not in tune with the direction which the country is going.

Parliament has passed the Constitution Amendment Number Two Bill 2009.

MANILA, PHILIPPINES - The Asian Development Bank (ADB) is assisting the six member-countries of the Coral Triangle Initiative (CTI) strengthen coastal and marine ecosystems management through a $2.3-million technical assistance.

The Solomon Islands and Vanuatu will contest the 2009 final of the Tahiti Nui Beach Soccer World Cup Qualification Championship, for the third final in a row, after both winning crucial matches on day three at Temae beach on Moorea Island.

St. Josephs Tenaru Secondary School is the first in Solomon Islands to benefit from Taiwan's Youth Ambassador Exchange program.

Transparency Solomon Islands, TSI, calls for transparency in the submissions made to the Parliamentary Entitlement Commission, PEC.

One of the country's major industries, the Guadalcanal Plains Palm Oil Limited had threatened to close its operations following the burning of its administration office at the weekend.

The Solomon Islands Chamber of Commerce and Industry has expressed concern for one of its members, the Guadalcanal Plains Palm Oil Limited, GPPOL which suffered a major set back to its operations in the country following the fire which gutted its head office last weekend.

Fiji's president and the world's oldest Head of State will be retiring after 9 years as the nation's leader.

Makuru Football Club will keep the DJ League's Premier Division trophy after winning the award for the third time on Saturday.

Deputy Prime Minister Fred Fono says he believes that Constituency structures must be formally established as legal entities so that they can be accountable like provincial governments.

RAMSI is publishing Soccer in Solomon Islands a Goalkeeper's Guide, written by Solomon Islands' former national soccer team goalkeeper, Francis Aruwafu, as part of its 6th anniversary celebrations.

A prominent local businessman, Namson Tran has donated sporting equipment worth a total of $31,000-00 to the national rugby 7s team.

Opposition Leader Manasseh Sogavare has called on the government to be cautious against getting parliament to endorse laws that are more convenient to foreign states than to addressing Solomon Islands problems.

Transparency Solomon Islands, TSI, calls for a complete review of the Parliamentary entitlements along with the composition of the Parliamentary Entitlement Commission, PEC, to reflect true independence.

The office of government caucus has denied any political manoeuvring within the government to sabotage the Political Party Integrity Bill which government intends to bring before the current meeting of Parliament.

Vanuatu and Tahiti are off to winning starts at the 2009 Tahiti Nui Beach Soccer Championship on Tahiti's picturesque Island of Moorea.

A Western Provincial leader, Ronald Ziru, has called on the new Premier of the Province to review the provincial administration in view of moving the province forward.

Guadalcanal Premier Stephen Panga says the province continues to pursue and implement important programs in respect of reconciliation and furthering the healing process within the province.

The International Finance Corporation is considering a major investment in the Gold Ridge mine in Solomon Islands.

Prime Minister Dr. Derek Sikua has urged the government and people of Solomon Islands to work in partnership with the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands to ensure that the country moves ahead in peace, unity and prosperity.

A new report has warned that climate change could produce 75 million refugees in the Asia Pacific region in the next 40 years.

Nation building though sport and involvement in the community is the theme of this week's celebrations to mark six years of partnership between Solomon Islands and the Regional Assistance Mission.

Transparency Solomon Islands says the proposed Forgiveness Bill may in fact set the country's healing process back.

Vice Chancellor of the University of the South Pacific, Professor Rajesh Chandra has alerted USP member governments and sponsors that the 20 percent devaluation of the Fiji dollar could have adverse impacts on students.

The current meeting of Parliament will go into recess on the second week of August and is expected to resume in late September.

Two local beach soccer referees left the country yesterday on their way to officiate in the Oceania Beach Soccer World Cup qualifiers in Tahiti.

The Currency Declaration Bill is an ambitious goal of the CNURA government of reforming the economy in the country.

Government will engage in further consultation with the public on the proposed Political Party Integrity Bill and a supporting constitutional amendment bill which it intends to table in the current sitting of Parliament.

The High Court has ordered two Asians to pay a fine of more than 120-thousand dollars or spend the next 12 months in prison.

A new Transnational Crime Unit (TCU) for the Solomon Islands will help make the Pacific region safer by joining the work of other teams in Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Tonga, Vanuatu and the Federated States of Micronesia.

The Special Secretary to Prime Minister says although the Political Integrity Bill will not totally eradicate corruption in the political system, it will create an environment that is not conducive to political corruption.

A workshop looking at law reform to addressing violence against women has highlighted various problems in sexual assault laws that calls for further development and strengthening.

One of the CNURA Government's key policy initiatives, the Political Integrity Bill, will be sabotaged from within the Government itself, reveals a government insider.

The national Kurukuru FUTSAL team captain said his players' deep understanding of each other and how each individual played was a central factor to the team's successes.

Solomon Islands' Lawn Tennis Federation staged their first major fundraising drive over the weekend at the National Museum.

The newly elected Premier of Western Province, George Solingi Lilo, has announced his Provincial Assembly executive.

Government has revealed that it will not fully introduce competition in the telecommunications industry until first April 2010.

The first death from the H1N1 flu in the region has been reported from Guam.

The increase in parliamentary entitlements is "inappropriate, unjustified and unaffordable".

The final national rugby sevens team for the South Pacific Mini Games in Cook Islands had been finalized.

The new Western Provincial government will in the first 100 days hold a summit for its leaders to look at various issues concerning the development of the province.

The government has clarified that it has not cut its budget.

A bill on assistance to People with Disabilities is expected to be tabled in the next sitting of parliament.

The New Zealand kiwifruit industry is helping provide an economic way forward for Solomon Islanders which the country's Minister for Development Planning and Aid Co-ordination, Steve Abana, hopes will continue to grow.

The national flag carrier, Solomon Airlines seeks government and public support as it signs a new five year contract agreement with Strategic Airlines, ending it's current lease agreement with Our Airlines.

Re-elected Premier of Choiseul Province, Jackson Kiloe, has named a new executive.

MANILA, PHILIPPINES - The Asian Development Bank's (ADB) Board of Directors today approved a Safeguard Policy Statement that will strengthen protections already in place to avoid or minimize the adverse impacts of ADB-supported projects on the environment and affected people.

The Western Province has a new Premier.

Government says members of the public are encouraged to comment on Government Bills before they are finally put through the parliamentary process.

The National U15 futsal team released its final team last Friday after the team's final selection matches.

The four major communities of Lake Tegano, East Rennell in Renbel Province have formed a relationship between themselves and Wet Tropics.

The Kurukuru national futsal team held a solemn thanks giving service on Saturday at the Chung Wah School Hall for their recent successful campaign at the OFC Championship in Fiji.

Two teams are closer to realizing their dreams of playing in the Honiara DJ League after grabbing first and second spots in a preseason qualifying league last Friday.

Opposition Leader Manasseh Sogavare calls on the Government to withdraw the proposed Political Party Integrity Bill and its supporting Constitutional Amendment Bill.

Parliament has passed the Penalties Miscellaneous Bill in its second reading and Committee stage after a day's debate.

The Government's Anti-Corruption Taskforce is to hold a series of workshops across the nation to consult the public on how best to fight corruption, the Prime Minister, Dr Derek Sikua, announced last Friday.

Efforts are underway to try and reduce the cost of sending remittances to countries in the region.

Gender based violence and child abuse is on the increase in Solomon Islands at a level that people are living with fear especially women and children.

The ANZ Bank has appointed its Solomon Islands local senior officer, David Teikangongo Dennis, to Country Head ANZ Cook Islands.

The Solomon Islands Public Employees Union, says the Union will soon submit to the government outstanding and current issues in a new log of claims.

People who make the illegal alcoholic drink, commonly known as "kwaso" are expected to pay heavy fines after the Penalties Miscellaneous Amendment Bill is gazetted.

Central Province has yet to submit a budget to Government on the likely cost of hosting an annual Premiers Conference at the provincial capital, Tulagi.

The Royal Solomon Islands Police Force arrested two men at Alligator Creek and confiscated two bottles of explosives powder intended for use as fish bombs.

Disciplinary issues and other offences committed by serving police officers continue to be actively investigated and addressed by the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force.

The Tetepare Descendants' Association held a three-day hospitality training workshop on Tetepare Island this month, in an effort to promote sustainable livelihoods in the Western Province.

Temporary Special Measures Working Committee has expressed disappointment in former Governor General, Sir Nathaniel Waena, for his negative remarks towards the concept of special measures for women.

The Prime Minister, Dr Derek Sikua has told Parliament the ruling Government is concerned about alleged dubious land dealings by officers in the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Survey.

The Prime Minister, Dr Derek Sikua says education assistance towards the ruling Government's fee free basic education policy will go a long way in the development of human resources in Solomon Islands.

Solomon Islands could see a rise in the number of seats in the National Parliament from the current fifty to seventy next year.

Press Statement - 14 July 2009 - The Pacific Plan Action Committee (PPAC) which oversees the implementation of the Pacific Plan endorsed by Forum Leaders in 2005 has been told that significant progress has been achieved in the implementation of the Plan during 2009.

The Solomon Islands Democratic Party is beginning its preparations for the upcoming 2010 general elections.

A court in Solomon Islands has for the first time ruled on the customary ownership of the land below the high water mark or foreshore.

The Government has deferred the one million dollar Pearl Farming Investment Project funded by the government of the Republic Of China for next year.

The Asian Development Bank's operations have delivered tangible benefits to the lives of millions of people in Asia and the Pacific over the past four years, while there are several areas needing further improvement at both the project level and within the organization itself, says a new report.

The government will put an end to "shadow government" that is eating away resources from the rural population.

The vital role that RSIPF National Intelligence Unit officers perform will be enhanced by a two-week training course led by two specialist trainers from the Australian Federal Police.

The Western Province Acting Director for Health Service, Gunter Kittel, has appealed to striking staff of the Gizo Hospital to return to work.

The Solomon Islands Chamber of Commerce and Industries (SICCI) have highlighted obstacles currently faced by the country and investors as it tries to increase productivity and output.

A series of meetings of senior officials from Pacific Islands Forum countries preparing for the Forum Leaders' meeting early next month, started today with a meeting of officials from the Smaller Island States (SIS) of the Forum.

Police are making enquiries into the circumstances surrounding the death of a 38- year-old man found on Saturday morning over the weekend.

Increasing manpower in the health sector is one of the main goals of the ruling government.

Twenty five police officers are attending an intelligence course conducted at the police academy at the Police Headquarter starting today.

The Solomon Islands Sustainable Energy Project, SISEP is now in place, following the appointment of Solomon Islands Electricity Authority, SIEA's Commercialization Management.

Fiji's interim regime has won the support of the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) for the lifting of its suspension from the Pacific Islands Forum.

Recent amendments to Parliamentary Entitlements Regulations has awarded terminal grants to spouses of Members of Parliaments amounting to 50-thousand dollars.

A group of Government Ministers are reportedly planning to defeat the Government's Political Integrity Bill.

The Solomon Islands have defended their Oceania Futsal title with an 8-1 win over host nation Fiji in the final at the OFC Championship in Suva [last night].

The national economy is expected to experience minimal growth this year, Prime Minister Dr. Derek Sikua reveals.

Government is turning to tourism as its next revenue pull with the pullback of logging operations in the country.

Press Release - It's been said that a picture can tell a thousand words. With this in mind, the opportunity for Pacific islands communities to share their climate change impacts with the rest of the World is presented.

Provincial Police Commander of Honiara City Chief Superintendent Nathan Ratu has pleaded guilty to four of the six charges he is facing before a police tribunal.

Our Telekom will be introducing 7 digits to its mobile subscribers effective 1st August 2009.

Parliament has passed the Foreign Investment Amendment and validation bill in its second reading.

Prime Minister Derek Sikua has said the government is working closely with women, youth and church groups.

The Solomon Islands have shown Vanuatu no mercy in their final group game on Match Day 3 at Vodafone Arena in Fiji.

Lack of equipment at the dental department within the National Referral Hospital is becoming a worry.

The Inland Revenue is still without a Commissioner and Deputy Commissioner as government continues to look for an experienced and qualified person to fill the posts.