Latest News Archive March 2010

A cargo vessel that was heavily infested with live Giant African Snails was intercepted by authorities at Fiji's main wharf.

Solomon Islands Our Telekom engineers are currently working at their hardest to get a few things before the country will operate on the new telecommunication system which will include 2G, 2.5G and 3G servers.

Leaders of Malaita Province have expressed their disagreement with the country adopting a Federal system of government and have instead opted for Independence.

Solomon Islands' Foreign Minister William Haomae says Australia is still not listening to Pacific Island countries when it comes to talks on PACER plus.

Chris Porter, a controversial dolphin trader with a lucrative business of capturing the animals in the Solomon Islands and selling them to aquariums, says he has had a change of heart and is planning to release his last 17 bottlenose dolphins.

The Minister of Home Affairs has approved a 14 day extension to voter registration sought by the Electoral Commission last week.

Police have confirmed that a dead body has been found at the Botanical garden area in Honiara this morning.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and External Trade will today launch a study for the future of economic development of the Solomon Islands.

The Our Telekom National Futsal Championship will kick off this morning after the official opening ceremony which was held yesterday at Lawson Tama Stadium.

Guadalcanal Premier Stephen Panga has said the Province is working towards reconciliation with the national government in late October this year.

Taiwan President Ma Ying-Jeou has become only the second State Leader to address Parliament, and he used the opportunity to highlight the importance of its relationship with the Solomon Islands and other allies in the Pacific.

PRESS RELEASE - 29th March 2010 - The Government of the Republic of Nauru wants "positive results out of the Cairns Compact Peer Review process."

Papua New Guinea's Hekari United FC are the first team through to the 2010 O-League final after they beat Marist FC 4-1 at Lawson Tama Stadium in Honiara on Saturday afternoon to claim top spot in Group B.

PRESS RELEASE - 26th March 2010 - Several non-government organizations and private sector representatives in Nauru have expressed appreciation for the Cairns Compact Peer Review process which is underway in the country this week.

Australia and New Zealand will provide up to 4.7 million dollars to help Solomon Islands undertake emergency repairs to roads and bridges after heavy rain caused flooding throughout the country.

Minister for National Unity, Reconciliation and Peace, Sam Iduri, has commended both Premiers of Malaita and Guadalcanal for accepting the bold step to lead the country forward towards reconciliation.

Royal Solomon Islands Police Force, RSIPF, Commissioner Peter Marshall has praised the combined efforts of the RSIPF National Criminal Investigations Division (NCID) and RAMSI PPF Advisors working in Malu'u, North Malaita, after the arrest of John Irobene Taloi in the early hours of yesterday morning.

A young man, said to be a member of the popular Honiara group Ontox, died instantly and another is in a critical condition after the vehicle they were travelling in crashed into a tree.

Isabel representative in the Federation Constitutional Congress, Chief Dennis Lulei, says the province believes in a state government system.

Talks for formal reconciliation between Guadalcanal and Malaita provinces have commenced in Honiara.

The Government and people of Solomon Islands welcomed Taiwan's President Ma Ying-jeo who arrived in Honiara yesterday afternoon amidst tight security.

The Honorable John Key, Prime Minister of New Zealand, and the Honorable Georgina te Heuheu, Pacific Island Affairs Minister, visited the Send Money Pacific Stand during Pasifika Festival, Western Springs Park on 13th March 2010, to learn how Pacific Islanders can save when sending money home to their families.

Solomon Islands yesterday marked World Meteorology Day in Honiara with a government pledge to continue its support for National Meteorological Services in the country.

The Environmental Health Division has assured people in the country that Soltai Fishing and Processing company products in the market are safe for public consumption.

PRESS STATEMENT - Yaren, Nauru, 24 March 2010 - There has been further progress in the implementation of the Cairns Compact on Strengthening Development Coordination in the Pacific with the commencement of the Peer Review process in the Republic of Nauru this week.

The Solomon Islands Government yesterday has announced that it will soon put to international tender the Nickel Mine in Isabel Province.

The Solomon Islands' Prime Minister says yesterday's relaunch of the Gold Ridge gold mine is a positive signal that the country has recovered from the years of ethnic tension.

The Soltai Fishing and Processing Company Limited is currently investigating an e-mail which was circulated last week warning people of poison in the company's taiyo products.

The Solomon Islands National Union of Workers, SINUW, says allegations by an assembly member of Central Province against European Union, E-U, funding assistance to the union was misleading.

Press Release - Crew members of the Va'a Gaualofa from the Samoa Voyaging Society are Environment Ambassadors to celebrate the Year of Biodiversity.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAL) wishes to assure the nation, especially Cattle Farmers and Stakeholders that preparation towards finalizing relevant protocol requirements to import cattle into the country is ongoing.

The Government and the people of Solomon Islands is preparing for President Ma's visit that will begin on Wednesday.

The Australian High Commission is pleased to be able to support the Solomon Islands Cricket Association youth cricket development project, with grant funding under the Australian Sports Outreach Program

The Solomon Islands and the World Bank have signed an agreement paving the way to kick-start the Tina River Hydropower Project.

Press Release - 21st March 2010 - The Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat is offering ten scholarships to students from Forum Island Countries to study in China .

The Solomon Islands Football Federation (SIFF) Small Sided Games Office has announced a coaching course for Futsal this week.

On Sunday 21st March, Australia celebrates Harmony Day, with community activities held throughout the country, reflecting the cohesive and inclusive nature of Australian society and promoting the benefits of cultural diversity.

Taiwan's President, Ma Ying-jeou has begun his journey to visit Pacific nations, one of which is the Solomon Islands.

RAMSI Special Coordinator, Graeme Wilson, has encouraged all Solomon Islanders to embrace the opportunity provided by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission to move their nation forward.

Gender equality is a guiding principle of Australia's international development assistance program and is integral to all Australian Government aid policies, programs and initiatives. Australia has committed to ensuring that women and men participate in and benefit equally from the development assistance program.

Solomon Islands, Chief Electoral Officer, Mr Polycarp Haununu, yesterday confirmed that government funds required for paying registration officials have reached the account of the Electoral Commission.

New and bigger penalties for election offences were announced yesterday by the Electoral Commission and the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force.

Press Release - 10 students from different universities throughout America have come a long way to learn about environmental issues in the Pacific and how they affect the lives of those who live here.

The Solomon Islands Broadcasting Corporation (SIBC) is now back on-air after the Solomon Islands Energy Authority restored power supply following a long power blackout at the SIBC's Henderson transmitter.

Fiji has begun more intense relief operations in the aftermath of Tropical Cyclone Tomas which has now passed out of the group.

The Solomon Islands Senior National Football Team has started training following the announcement of the training squad in February.

Solomon Islands Chamber of Commerce representatives as well as other business and legal professionals yesterday attended a special information and training session on the use of the new, modernised Companies Act.

Tropical Cyclone Tomas is on its way out of the Fiji group, leaving the nation to begin relief efforts for those areas affected.

The skies are starting to clear up for the Solomon Islands as Cyclone Ului starts moving away from the country.

The Solomon Islands Electricity Authority (SIEA) has started restricting the supply of electricity to its sister State-Owned Enterprise, the Solomon Islands Water Authority (SIWA).

The Australian Defence Adviser, Wing Commander, Wendy Horder, called on the Minister for Police, National Security and Correctional Services, Hon. James Tora to discuss the forthcoming refurbishment of Royal Solomon Islands Police Vessel (RSIPV) AUKI in Australia.

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) is providing $10 million in budget support to the Solomon Islands that will help the economy recover from the global economic crisis.

Solomon Islands Capital, Honiara continues to experience the severe weather of Cyclone Ului as it slowly moves west.

The Archbishop of the Church of Melanesia, David Vunagi last week paid a pastoral visit to the Renell and Bellona Province.

Fiji is still being battered by gale force winds and torrential rain as Tropical Cyclone Tomas continues to move through country.

Several members of the Royal Solomon Island Police Force (RSIPF) with investigators from various government agencies are participating in a joint Integrity Investigation workshop currently held at the Kitano Mendana Hotel.

The Governments of Japan and Solomon Islands yesterday signed a multi-million dollar Grant Aid Agreement for the construction of a new Auki Jetty and Market worth SBD$80 million (962 million yen).

The Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) visited Honiara, Solomon Islands, in a P-3K Orion aircraft for two days last week as part of a 7-day patrol of the Pacific.

Fiji is currently experiencing gale force winds and heavy rainfall brought on by Hurricane Tomas which is currently passing over the Fiji group, having already claimed one life.

The Severe Tropical Cyclone Ului, that travelled to South of Solomon Islands was said to have broken the record for the most intense ever tropical cyclones in the South Pacific Region.

Solomon Islands will be one of the many countries that will benefit from the European Union's Global Climate Change Alliance this year.

The Prime Minister, Dr. Derek Sikua, in response to the Oppositions claim, says the Government must spend money to earn money.

Press Release - 11th March 2010 - The move towards strengthening regional capacity in World Trade Organization (WTO) General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS) and services negotiations took another step forward with the conclusion of a three-day workshop held in Nadi, Fiji from 8 -10 March 2010.

Prime Minister Dr Derek Sikua says that he is pleased with the public support and progress made by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, TRC.

The Solomon Islands Meteorological Service continues to issue special weather advises for Temotu and Rennell Bellona Provinces due to two low pressure systems.

Parliament has withdrawn the Timber Development and Marketing Authority Bill.

The Leadership Code Commission has fined more than 400 leaders for failing to give statements of their assets and financial interests to the Commission as required under the Leadership Code Act 1999.

The first public hearing by the Solomon Islands Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) concluded yesterday, with 19 witnesses giving sometimes wrenching personal testimony on their experiences during five years of civil conflict known as the "tension".

Prime Minister Dr Derek Sikua has described his recent trip to Palau and Brussels as a success.

Chief Electoral Officer, Mr Polycarp Haununu, has called on the public for their support to keep voter registration free of corruption.

The government is warning people wanting to join New Zealand's Recognized Seasonal Employee Scheme to watch out for bogus operators.

Royal Solomon Islands Police Officer, Detective Inspector Florence Taro, was awarded the RAMSI Special Coordinator's Award for Women, recognising her contribution to improving the status of women both within and outside the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF).

Nine victims from the tensions in Solomon Islands testified before the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, TRC, during the first day of public hearings.

MANILA, PHILIPPINES - The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Agence Française de Développement (AFD) have pledged to continue working closely together and jointly mobilize their resources to promote sustainable growth, fight poverty, and protect the environment in the Asia and Pacific region.

Press Release - 8th March 2010 - Women in the Pacific continue to face adverse challenges despite national and regional commitments to addressing gender inequality.

The Ambassador of the Republic of China (ROC), Taiwan, HE George Chan had formally released the first payment of SB$10 million for the '2010 Rural Constituency Development Fund (RCDF)' covering 50 constituencies in Honiara yesterday afternoon.

Twin launches of two new policies for women and a pioneering book about Solomon Islands women in Government, Being The First, are fitting ways to mark International Women's Day 2010, RAMSI Special Coordinator, Graeme Wilson said.

Victims of the tensions in Solomon Islands will have their first opportunity today to give testimony on their experiences before the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, TRC.

According to the United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM) statistics, women in the region suffer from a level of violence that is among the most severe in the world.

A book launched in the Solomon Islands today marks International Women's Day by celebrating leadership and achievement amongst Solomon Islands women.

NSW Thunder coach Jamie Amendolia is hopeful Solomon Islands star Elliot Ragomo is back from injury for their do-or-die AFC Futsal Club Championship clash with Port Authority of Thailand today.

A number of Selwyn College students returned to Honiara last week because of flooding at the school caused by the recent torrential weather.

Government sponsored students studying at the University of the South Pacific's (USP) Laucala campus in Fiji have received FJ$375.

Papua New Guinea High Commissioner to Solomon Islands Aiwa Olmi is being recalled to Port Moresby.

The Truth and Reconciliation Commission, TRC, will hold its first national public hearing in Honiara next week.

The Minister of Agriculture and livestock Development, Selwyn Riumana told the new Malaysian High Commissioner to Solomon Islands, Madame Blanche Olbery, of the massive investment opportunities in the Oil Palm Industry.

The Government has gone ahead with the proposed cross-posting of the country's diplomats in Australia and Taiwan - despite alleged dismay within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The National Training Unit, NTU, will terminate the scholarship awards of about 100 students under government sponsorship.

A new Malaysian High Commissioner to Solomon Islands has presented her letter of appointment to His Excellency the Governor General, Sir Frank Kabui in Honiara today.

The Solomon Islands Water Authority, SIWA, says that the amount of illegal water connections throughout Honiara is quite significant and will continue to cause water outage in most of Honiara.

Press Release - The management of fisheries and mineral resources in the Pacific region will benefit from 22 million Euros that will be injected by the European Union into three projects under the 10th European Development Fund (EDF).

One of the oldest political parties in the country, the People's Alliance Party, or PAP as it is commonly known, will hold its National Convention on the first of May.

Police have arrested and charged a 21 year old man over the weekend in relation to the alleged murder of a young man, whose body was found at the Panatina oval early last month.

The Central Bank of Solomon Islands, CBSI, categorically denies the front page article in yesterday's Island Sun newspaper of a huge payout for those who have invested money in the Family Charity Trust Fund.

MANILA, PHILIPPINES - Building on improved prospects for the global economy, most Pacific island economies are expected to perform slightly better in 2010 than in 2009, according to a new Asian Development Bank (ADB) publication.

The Royal Solomon Islands Police Force Transnational Crime Unit have charged the captains of the two foreign fishing vessels that were apprehended earlier this year after they were discovered to be fishing illegally in Solomon Islands' waters.

The government is soon to begin a major public road rehabilitation program in Honiara city in view of the current wet weather condition which is expected to cause extra damage to existing road infrastructures.

Mr. Trevor Garland AM, CSI, has hit back at a report published in the Solomon Star that accused him of threatening to use his influence to close down the '10 beds program' between St. Vincent's Hospital in Sydney and the Solomon Islands if the Solomon Islands' High Commissioner, Victor Ngele, was not replaced.

The list of players selected for the Senior National Team Training Squad for 2010 has been released by the Solomon Islands Football Federation (SIFF) Technical Department. This follows more than a week of trials and the selection process which followed in Honiara.

The Minister for Fisheries and Marine Resources Nollen Leni says the detaining of two fishing vessels by the police is in breach of the Fisheries Act.