Latest News Archive January 2010

The Solomon Islands Football Federation (SIFF) National U-17 Women's Training Squad has stepped up its training this week in a bid to boost the team's preparation for the upcoming Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) U-17 Women's Championship in April.

Interim President of OUR Party and Opposition Leader, Manasseh Sogavare has assured the people of Malaita of his party's commitment to ensure economic prosperity for Solomon Islands.

RAMSI's Special Coordinator, Graeme Wilson, today congratulated Nauru on the celebration of its Independence Day, noting the valuable role it played as part of the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands (RAMSI).

A landowner in West Guadalcanal is asking the government to pay $30,000 dollars in compensation for damages to property.

The Australian High Commissioner to Honiara, H.E Frank Ingruber, says his country has shown itself to be a true friend to Solomon Islands, ready to assist in the important task of nation building.

Police have issued a traffic awareness to the public saying that they will be tightening traffic operations in Honiara starting today.

The Coalition for National Unity and Rural Advancement government will not be able to implement the country's new Federal Constitution during its time in office due to shortage of funds.

A new iguana species that was causing alarm in parts of Fiji was determined to be an herbivore, therefore not a threat to islanders' food source - seafood. It was also determined to be a new species.

The National Training Unit, NTU, of the Ministry of Education says the Solomon Islands Government scholarship awards for 2010 will be released today.

Solomon Airlines has abolished its non-core activities departments and outsourced work previously done by those departments to local enterprises.

Chief Electoral Officer, Mr Polycarp Haununu, has called on all Solomon Islanders to play their part in making a voters' list that has integrity and avoids double registrations.

The following article was released by SeaWeb in its latest update (January 26, 2010, Vol. 15, No. 2). There is also an accompanying video which can be accessed at the link provided below to the SeaWeb website.

The new Dash8 operation, although going well since 7th December 2009, will be leaving for PNG to undergo a major Maintenance check called a "C-Check".

The national Government has assured Solomon Islanders, especially fee paying parents, that there will be no changes to its Fee Free Basic Education Policy.

The Government has again called for support towards the work of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, TRC.

Chief Electoral Officer, Mr Polycarp Haununu, says the Electoral Commission will be holding a free Official Public Information Day this week to give people the chance to find out more about voter registration.

A former Politician describes the Government's intention of amending the constitution to allow more seats for some constituencies as total nonsense.

The Speaker of the National Parliament, Sir Peter Kenilorea, said the vision of the National Parliament of Solomon Islands is to be the best Parliament in the Pacific.

A partnership of government and international development agencies today announced the next phase of the Solomon Islands Road Improvement Project (SIRIP).

The Director of Solomon Islands Development Trust (SIDT), Dr. John Roughan, describes the long time practice in the country of party formation prior to election as no basis to developing the nation.

PRESS STATEMENT - Monday, 25 January 2010 - The Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat this week launched its upgraded website www.forumsec.org in line with its new corporate structure and renewed regional priorities.

The body of the missing two year old boy, washed away by flooded waters last week, was located by locals over the weekend.

Chief Electoral Officer, Mr Polycarp Haununu, says the Electoral Commission's public awareness program is in full swing and aims to inform people about voter registration and the electoral process.

Chief Electoral Officer, Mr Polycarp Haununu, says the Electoral Commission will be holding a free Official Public Information Day this week to give people the chance to find out more about voter registration.

Fiji's new Crime Decree of 2009 will assist in the fight against sexual abuse such as rape with new detail definition of rape and a no-drop policy for property owners on whose premises such acts take place with their knowledge.

Pacific Island governments need to provide sound policies to counter against the global economic crisis in order to save its people from poverty.

People around burns creek and Lunga areas made their last harvest of what is left of their garden from the heavy rain and flood last night.

The Royal Solomon Islands Police are mounting up search operations for two children who went missing around the upper Betikama area since yesterday.

Flooding has destroyed the bridges of Poha and Tamboko rivers in Northwest Guadalcanal.

The low pressure system located north of Santa Cruz Islands in the Eastern part of the country has a fair chance of developing into a cyclone.

In upraising the profile of the PACC Project in Tuvalu, a one day inception meeting was held last week at the Government Conference Room to introduce and launch the project.

Prime Minister Derek Sikua has rejected as "unfair and misguided," recent criticism of the government relating to the foiled attempts by Chung Sol logging company to export tubi logs.

Detectives from the Honiara City Police executed a search warrant on Tuesday 19 January 2010 at approximately 8.30am, at a Motel in Honiara and seized a large number of goods believed to have been stolen.

Honiara City police have arrested a 47 year old father and his 17 year old son for the illegal production of kwaso and the cultivation of marijuana at Lunga area at approximately 9.00am yesterday morning.

A new political party that will represent the views of Solomon Islands' women is in the making.

The Solomon Islands Football Federation (SIFF) Women's Development Officer has called on the National U-17 Select Squad to attend their bi-weekly training sessions starting this Thursday 21st January.

The Magistrates Court in Honiara will hand down its decision, Friday this week on former acting Commissioner of Forest Mahlon Ali who faces charges of official corruption, abuse of office and false pretences.

The Solomon Islands government says vulnerable people from small island developing states, SIDS, deserve a better deal than the Copenhagen Accord.

The following is a Press Statement released by the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat is response to an article that was published regarding the Secretariat's role under PACER.

Media officer for Live and Learn Forestry Centre in Solomon Islands, Charles Stennett says the attempt to export the hardwood tree, known in Isabel as "tubi", as round logs shows a lack of respect for government laws.

Paynesville's Polly Cooper is no stranger to helping people. The bubbly personal trainer helps her clients to lose weight, eat right and maintain a healthy everyday lifestyle.

Transparency Solomon Islands, TSI, has labeled the Government irresponsible for its decision to simply warn an Asian logging company that tried to export round logs illegally.

The discovery of giant African snails, a potentially lethal crop killer, beside the Mataniko River on Saturday has again prompted response by Agriculture specialists in the country.

The young SIFF LEARN & play Team opened their campaign in the Vanuatu TVL International Tournament with a 4 - 1 victory over the Vanuatu North team on Saturday at the Port Vila Stadium. It was a good start from a side who were worried about their lack of international exposure going into the tournament.

Chief Electoral Officer, Mr Polycarp Haununu, says the Electoral Commission is committed to registering voters under one name only, in one place only.

The government has allocated more than SBD$66 million dollars for the Free Fee Basic Education this year.

The University of the South Pacific (USP) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Korea University last week to establish links for a student and staff program.

Police are still investigating the death of a seven year old boy found inside a refrigerator at the Borderline area during the New Year period.

The Honiara Football Association, HFA, 2009 DJ League will resume on Saturday 23 January 2010.

Chairman of the Electoral Commission Sir Peter Kenilorea says he hopes the Constituency Boundaries Commission will table its report to Parliament at the next sitting in March this year.

Police Commissioner Peter Marshall has confirmed the arrest of a man on Saturday in relation to the murder of a man in Tinagale village in the Aola area in Guadalcanal last week.

The current Fiji government is investigating some of its civil servants for contributing to anti-government blogging sites.

Taiwan Embassy says the Taiwanese government is to donate 300,000 dollars to help victims of the recent earthquakes in the Western Province.

The 2010 national elections fever is starting to gain momentum with yet another launching of a political party manifesto in Honiara this Sunday.

The Chairman of the Solomon Island Electoral Commission, Rt. Hon. Sir Peter Kenilorea, has called on voter registration officials to make sure that everyone who is 18 and older is registered to vote, and that those who have left the country, or may have gone to glory, be removed from the voter's list.

Freelance journalist, Alfred Sasako has accused Police Commissioner Peter Marshall of making pre-mature comments in support of a move by the Director of Public Prosecution to close a potential manslaughter case.

Public officers on prolonged Christmas and New Year's leave, and others who are absent from work without official approval are being called on to return to work.

Under Secretary of the Ministry of Infrastructure Development Mr. Moses Virivolomo said the Ministry's Rapid Employment Project for this year will target the unemployed youths living in various selected areas in which roads maintenances will be done.

The Electoral Commission will begin a three day training program for Registration Officials on Wednesday 13 January, ahead of voter registration starting on 25 January.

Pacific Island doctors have raised their fear that low-grade meats are being sold to the region.

MANILA, PHILIPPINES - The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has begun implementing sweeping new changes to the way it does business to improve the quality and responsiveness of its work.

Police detectives have arrested and charged a 34 year old man from the Aola area in East Guadalcanal, following the death of a man over the weekend.

Opposition Leader Manasseh Sogavare has assured the people of the of East Fataleka and West Kwara'ae in Malaita Province of OUR Party's commitment to addressing the political and development aspirations of Solomon Islanders.

Police arrested a 57-year-old man from Tawanaora Village, East Are'are in Malaita, for allegedly selling liquor without license at his residence in the West Kola Ridge area at approximately 8.00pm last night.

Half of the team deployed to the earthquake stricken island of Rendova Island, Western Province early this week, returned to Honiara this afternoon with the response stage phasing.

Two New Zealand Red Cross Information Technology and Telecommunication technicians left for the Solomon Islands yesterday to help relief efforts in the country in the wake of last week's earthquakes and tsunami.

The U.N. Children's Fund says it is providing immediate support to the victims of a tsunami that hit Rendova and Tetepare Islands in the Solomon Islands this week. This is the second major disaster since April 2007 when another tsunami hit the Solomon Islands Western Province.

The United States will provide about SBD$590,000 dollars of assistance to people affected by the recent earthquakes in parts of the Western Province.

The Solomon Islands Football Federation (SIFF) through its Media Office has announced that preliminary preparations for the Men and Women's National Teams to participate in the 2011 South Pacific Games are starting this month.

Australian Trade Minister and Acting Minister for Foreign Affairs, the Hon Simon Crean, today announced that Australia will provide up to AUD50,000 (around SBD325,000) in immediate emergency relief assistance in response to the earthquakes that have recently affected Solomon Islands.

Police are still investigating two deaths that occurred over the New Year in Honiara.

Prime Minister Derek Sikua has been called on to set up a Commission of Inquiry to establish the truth regarding the deportation of former Attorney General, Julian Moti to Australia.

Prime Minister Dr Derek Sikua has visited areas affected by the recent earthquake yesterday, assuring them that his government is doing all it can to assist them.

Papua New Guinea is looking legislations that will require women who abandon their families to pay maintenance just as men who do the same are required to.

The Sipa United sports club, hosts of the 2009 Christmas "Bridging the Divide" Tournament, has won the soccer event with the Suvania netball club walking away with the netball prize.

Head of Marine Search and Rescue Jack Bana says people who are travelling between islands after the festive season should think first about the safety of their families and themselves whilst travelling at sea.

A villager of Hopongo on Rendova Island is urging rural PeopleFirst Net stations to gather facts and correct information before going to the media and relevant government authorities such as the National Disaster Management Office.

A government team has set up its base in Munda, New Georgia, Western Province before travelling to Rendova Island tomorrow to assess the damages that may have been caused by the recent earthquakes.

An office has been opened in the Marshall Islands for an organisation to help oversee part of the region's fisheries.

Reports from the Western Province say that there has been minimal damage caused by the recent earthquake.

Detectives from Honiara City have worked tirelessly over the Christmas and New Year period to crack down on thefts and burglaries in and around Honiara.

The Solomon Airlines has expressed grave concerns at the way in which runways are maintained, with reports of damage to tyres of the Dash8.

A new anti-energy drink laced with kava is gaining popularity in Southern California, USA, where it is being used for relaxation.

There were no fireworks, not many vehicles hooting their horns, not even the odd beating of empty rubbish drums in the suburbs of Honiara.

Two earthquakes, one a magnitude 7.2 quake, struck near the Western Solomon Islands, the U.S. Geological Survey said today, but there were no immediate reports of injury or damage.