Latest News Archive February 2010

The earthquake that shook the South American nation of Chile on Saturday caused a tsunami prompting a tsunami warning to be issued for 53 nations including countries in the region.

The Government is said to have given in to a demand that the Solomon Islands High Commissioner in Canberra be removed or lose the 10 bed patients referral program between Solomon Islands and the Saint Vincent Hospital in Sydney.

The High Court in the Solomon Islands has declared that the former Solomon Islands prime minister Sir Allan Kemakeza was ineligible to contest last year's Savo/Russell by-election.

The Malaita provincial government is seeking help from the Israeli government to support the province's development plan.

The Solomon Islands Electoral Commission invites people in Malaita to its second public Information and Awareness Day this Saturday 27th February in Auki Town.

The Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat (PIFS) and the Government of Japan are discussing a funding modality and management process for the implementation of the Pacific Environment Community (PEC) initiative endorsed by Forum Leaders and Japan at PALM5 held in Hokkaido last year.

The historical and the first Parties to the Nauru Agreement (PNA) Presidential Summit concluded yesterday with the adoption of the Koror Declaration.

PRESS RELEASE - 24th February 2010 - There has been steady and satisfactory progress recorded in the implementation of the Cairns Compact since it was endorsed by Pacific Islands Forum Leaders at their meeting in Cairns in August last year.

The results of the third annual People's Survey, which documents the opinions of over 5000 Solomon Islanders on the living conditions and services throughout their country, were released yesterday.

A new French diplomat has been appointed as Ambassador to Solomon Islands.

The Solomon Islands Electoral Commission has told intending candidates to refrain from political campaigning until the election date is declared.

Mr Alfred Boge, a security guard working at the Pacific Casino Hotel, was awarded a Governor-General's Commendation for Brave Conduct in the 2009 Australian Bravery Awards.

The Central Islands Provincial Assembly has passed a resolution for the provincial executive to find an investor to establish a fish cannery in the province by 2011.

The Media Association of Solomon Islands (MASI) today denounced an interdiction on a Radio Journalist from covering a farewell gathering hosted for the visiting New Zealand Foreign Affairs Minister last Thursday.

A delegation from the United Arab Emirates has launched a F$94.5million (US$50m) partnership program aimed at financing development projects in the region.

Solomon Telekom Company Limited has apologized to the general public and Breeze Mobile customers for the unsatisfactory mobile service that had been experienced in recent months.

The Government is well in advance into talks with a reputable Korean global fishing company to invest in a new cannery here.

The people of North-East Guadalcanal say they plan to boycott the upcoming National Elections unless the road in their area is repaired or a new one built.

The Prime Minister says Solomon Islands must receive maximum benefits from its tuna resources.

MANILA, PHILIPPINES - The Asian Development Bank (ADB) (rated Aaa/AAA) and Daiwa Securities Group announced today ADB's planned issuance of its inaugural Water Bond to finance its work in the water sector in Asia and the Pacific.

Ombudsman Joe Porowai calls on public service providers in Honiara not to fear the investigation being carried out by his office.

Solomon Islands will be the first pacific country to visit the European Union after the December Climate Change Summit in Copenhagen, Denmark, last year.

Construction of the new Japanese-funded Gizo hospital facility is ready to begin after a groundbreaking ceremony in the Western Provincial capital on Friday.

Press Release - A four year regional waste management project funded by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) comes to an end in May this year, for which a terminal evaluation review was recently completed. The terminal evaluation report found that the purpose of the project has been significantly achieved.

The trials for the selection of the Senior National Team currently being held at the Solomon Islands Football Federation (SIFF) Academy grounds will end on Monday (22nd February 2010).

The High Court has dismissed the appeal of the Russell Islands Plantation Estates Limited, RIPEL, against the Solomon Islands National Union of Workers, SINUW.

The Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RISPF) EOD team successfully destroyed a WW2 naval torpedo early this week, discovered dangerously close to Veuru village on West Guadalcanal.

Deputy Prime Minister Fred Fono has accused the leader of Opposition and interim president of OUR Party of "applying divide and rule tactics."

Press Statement - 18th February 2010 - The Pacific Island Forum Countries (PIFCs) are to benefit from an Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) project which is aimed at capacity building and ICT policies, regulations and legislative frameworks in the Pacific Island countries (ICB4PAC).

OUR Party has pledged to direct public investment in tourism, agriculture, and fisheries to support the efforts of the private sector under a reformed fiscal strategy.

Geologists from New Zealand based Geologists and Nuclear Sciences, GNS, will in the next six months visit Solomon Islands and five other Pacific countries to collect data in an earthquake study in the region.

Deputy Prime Minister Fred Fono will officiate at the new Gizo hospital ground breaking ceremony tomorrow.

MANILA, PHILIPPINES - A joint report by the United Nations and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) warns that the global economic crisis could trap an additional 21 million people in the Asia-Pacific region in extreme poverty, living on less than $1.25 a day.

The European Union has launched and allocated new funding to various Civil Society groups in Solomon Islands.

Interim President of the newly launched OUR Party says the country needs a new government that will be strategic in addressing its development problems at this year's national general elections.

New Zealand Foreign Minister Murray McCully arrives in Honiara today for a two-day visit.

Leaders and People of Temotu Province have demanded members of the current parliament to pass the Political Parties (Registration and Administration) Bill and the Constitutional Amendment Bill without any form of obstruction.

Cyclones struck Tongatapu in Tonga and Aitutaki in the Cook Islands with heavy winds and rain damaging vegetation, properties and public utilities.

Ownership, Unity and Responsibility Party or OUR Party has highlighted what it describes as "extreme examples of gross injustice to people in the Western Province."

Transparency Solomon Islands (TSI) provided a submission on the 2008 and 2009 Parliamentary Entitlements Regulations (PER) to the Parliamentary Entitlements Commission (PEC) on Tuesday last week followed by a verbal presentation on Friday.

Solomon Islands Government-Sponsored students studying at the University of the South Pacific (USP) in Suva are still in Honiara after their flights, planned for the weekend was delayed.

The Commission of Inquiry into land dealings on Guadalcanal has acknowledged the significance of a 57 year old report on land tenure system in Solomon Islands.

Participants at a recent three day conference on Federal Constitution are unhappy with the absence of Guadalcanal's eight Parliamentarians.

The upcoming sitting of the National Parliament in March will most likely endorse a recommendation to have another 17 members of Parliament.

Hekari United's bet on Solomon Islands players paid huge returns with the Papua New Guinea (PNG) champions upsetting Pool B leaders Tafea in their O-League match in Port Moresby on Saturday.

A young man, believed to be from Temotu Province, was found dead at the Panatina Sports Oval, East of Honiara, yesterday morning.

Marist has suffered yet another defeat in the O-League competition going down to Lautoka by 3 - 0 in Fiji on Saturday afternoon.

Press Statement - 12 February 2010 - Secretary General of the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat, Tuiloma Neroni Slade, today highlighted the importance of action, partnership and coordination to support Pacific Communities combat the continuing effects of the recent Global Economic Crisis on the region.

The Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat has paid FJ$20,000.00 from the Regional Natural Disaster Relief Fund to the victims of a series of earthquakes which struck the Western Province of Solomon Islands on 4th January 2010.

The Ministry of Education and Human Resources Development (MEHRD) will be implementing its cost sharing scholarship arrangement with students receiving in-country awards at the SICHE School of Education and the USP (SI Campus) starting this year 2010.

A United Nations conference that's attracted more than 200 government ministers and high level delegates from across the Pacific to Vanuatu this week has been told that the region is "hooked" on aid.

[Honiara, Solomon Islands - 11 February 2010] Press Release - The Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat is pleased to be closely associated with the launch of a landmark first report on security sector governance in the Pacific.

Victoria Police Deputy Commissioner Keiran Walshe concluded a four day visit to the Solomon Islands by taking part in the official inspection of RSIPF officers at Parade yesterday. It was followed up with a visit to Honiara City Police Station.

The oldest political party in Solomon Islands, the People's Alliance Party (PAP), will formally join the race to win government at the upcoming general elections when it launches its party manifesto at the end of this month.

Australian High Commissioner, HE Mr Frank Ingruber meet with Dr. Rajiv Gupta, Director, Kilu'ufi Hospital and Mr Walter Baekalia, Malaita Provincial Liaison Officer - Honiara yesterday and handed over a gift of medical equipment for the Kilu'ufi Hospital.

Press Release - 10 February 2010 - The Fiji Government has misrepresented its human rights record in a report to the United Nations, Amnesty International said today.

Marist Head Coach, Patrick Miniti, released the list of players who will be travelling to Fiji for their O-League return match with Fiji champions Lautoka.

The public is once again putting pressure on responsible authorities to address escalating youth unemployment, said to be linked to rising crime rate in the capital.

The University of the South Pacific (USP) has partnered with four other overseas universities to improve distance education.

The national parliament will resume for its last meeting 11th March 2010.

Temotu Province has recorded a big drop in Malaria cases for 2009.

The Solomon Islands Football Federation (SIFF) has reestablished a presence on the Internet after some years without a dedicated website.

The government says little attention by stakeholders to the copra industry is resulting in the slow rate of reform and rehabilitation of the industry in Solomon Islands.

Prime Minister Dr Derek Sikua today articulates his deepest appreciation for the Government of the Republic of China (Taiwan) for funding a new multi-million dollar Office Complex for members of parliament in Solomon Islands.

The Kolombangara Island Biodiversity Conservation Association, is rallying support from around Kolombangara Island in the Western province, campaigning to end all logging operations on the Island.

The Prime Minister, Dr. Derek Sikua, has said that although the country had accomplished political stability, some seeds of the previous unrest are still there and they need to be eliminated.

New houses for Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) officers became a step closer today, following the announcement that tenders are now being sought for the construction of 84 new police houses.

Matthew Taro has made history by becoming the first Solomon Islander to be appointed to officiate in the FIFA World Cup finals.

A Papua New Guinea newspaper has published an editorial criticising the PNG High Commissioner to Solomon Islands, H.E Aiwa Olmi, for his handling of a traffic accident by his deputy, Peter Mirino.

Police have charged a 28 year old man from Kiu village, West Are'are in Malaita province, for allegedly defrauding the Community Sector Programs Auki Road Maintenance account with one of the commercial banks.

Fiji's new Crime Decree will be harsher on prostitution, penalizing not only those who make a living off prostitution but also those involved in prostitution-related activities.

Solomon Islands and Portugal have recently established bilateral cooperation for development between the two countries.

The flagship football league of Solomon Islands, the Honiara Football Association (HFA) DJ League, is likely to restart on Tuesday February 16th February.

Police say they have arrested and charged two persons yesterday in relation to prostitution carried out in the country.

The Solomon Islands Bar Association has called for new laws on trust accounts.

Chief Electoral Officer, Mr Polycarp Haununu, today confirmed that government funds required for paying registration officials had reached the account of the Electoral Commission.

The Solomon Islands Water Authority, SIWA, has launched its operation to crack down on illegal users.

The Government has warned public officers against taking part in political activities.

Solomon Islands' club champions, Marist FC, will take on PNG's club champions, Hekari FC, in the OFC Champions League 2009/2010 season at Lawson Tama stadium in Honiara.

A total of 153 unplaced pre-service students are calling for explanations from the Ministry of Education over what they claim to be inconsistencies in the selection and awarding of scholarships for 2010.

The newly established OUR Party will be launched in Guadalcanal Province this weekend.

Transparency Solomon Islands says the recent accident involving deputy PNG high commissioner and his wife is not a big issue to the anti-corruption body.

The Royal Solomon Islands Police Patrol Boat Auki has intercepted and seized two Foreign Long-Line Fishing vessels that were allegedly fishing without license in Solomon Islands' territorial waters on Saturday 30 January 2010.

MANILA, PHILIPPINES - The Asian Development Bank (ADB) launched Our People Strategy today, a comprehensive human resources plan to recruit, retain, and develop the staff it needs to carry out its mission of reducing poverty and improving lives throughout Asia and the Pacific.

Press Release - World Wetlands Day, on the second day of February each year, marks the day the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands was signed in the Iranian city of Ramsar in 1971.

Papua New Guinea's High Commissioner to Solomon Islands Aiwa Olmi says the accident early Saturday morning involving his Deputy High Commissioner and his wife would be looked at once a report comes to hand.

The Anti-Money Laundering Commission will be reviewing the Money Laundering and Proceed of Crime Amendment Bill with stakeholders starting tomorrow.

The long awaited Constituency Boundaries Commission report has been handed to the Minister for Home Affairs, Hon. James Tora, on Friday.

Copenhagen Accord recycles old climate commitments, leaving the world heading for catastrophic climate change