Latest News Archive June 2010

The High Court has farewelled one of the country's expatriate Judges in a ceremonial sitting in Honiara.

The High Court has sentenced a former member of Parliament, John Kaliuae Maetia to three and a half years imprisonment for Official Corruption.

The Minister of Infrastructure Development, the Honourable Stanley Sofu, has announced a major step in the reform of the maritime sector of Solomon Islands.

Solomon Islanders continue to benefit from New Zealand's Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) Scheme, which began in 2007, thanks to the ongoing interest of New Zealand employers who recruit our workers.

The Solomon Island's new phone company, Be-Mobile, has been fined USD$1.5m (SBD$12m) for failing to launch its network on time.

Press Release - A historical voyage across our Pacific ocean by a fleet of five traditional twin hulled vaka canoes is navigating towards a successful end.

Child clubs of Honiara will be displaying their talents and voicing their views on child rights today at the Cultural Village in Honiara.

The Solomon Island's City Council has been receiving complaints against inferior rice sold by local businesses in Honiara.

The Solomon Islands Gold Ridge Mining Limited will be getting a 35-million US dollar loan from the International Finance Corporation - a member of the World Bank Group to help restart.

The Solomon Islands former Prime Minister, Sir Allan Kemakeza says his party, the People's Alliance Party (PAP) has no policy on RAMSI.

Press Release - 25th June 2010 - Smart business management and decision-making by the private sector, and regional cooperative actions are some of the ways that could assist the private sector in the Pacific region exploit the global economic recovery opportunities.

Over the weekend, a 7.1 magnitude earthquake that struck Kira Kira in the Makira Province caused no Tsunami threats but could be felt throughout parts of the Solomon Islands.

Solomon Islands Prime Minister, Dr, Derek Sikua, has described the Pacific-Arab Summit as a historic event and a unique opportunity for Pacific Island countries to exchange views and dialogue with the Arab World on the prospects for cooperation between the two regions.

The United Kingdom International Scout Commissioner, Mr Nigel Hailey last week paid a two-day visit to the Solomon Islands.

Solomon Islands' Minister of Planning and Aid Coordination, Hon. Steve Abana last week signed the Second Revised Cotonou Agreement in a historic event in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, at the close of the 35th Session of the ACP-EU Council of Ministers.

Press Release - Washington DC- June 24, 2010 - The World Bank Group today welcomed its newest member, Tuvalu.

A forum being held in Nadi, Fiji, is discussing non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in the region and the attempts to halt the increasing trends in premature deaths from NCDs worldwide.

The Electoral Commission has appealed to intending candidates of the upcoming 2010 General Elections to keep within the $50,000 dollars candidate expenditure limit.

The Government House today said it is not a practice for the Governor General to announce the Proclamation of the election date on the radio.

Caretaker deputy Prime Minister, Fred Fono, has confirmed that the Eighth Parliament has dished out close to $6.6 million dollars for each constituency.

Solomon Airlines are proud to confirm that their very own Pilots are now qualified on the Dash 8 aircraft as First Officers.

The Police have again closed down the popular Kauvare nightclub night club on Northwest Guadalcanal.

The government and the World Bank today signed a support agreement towards the recently established Independent Telecommunications Commission in Honiara.

Despite the early unofficial announcement, yesterday's proclamation by the Governor General, Sir Frank Kabui, has begun the official timetable for the National General Election, starting with a two week nomination period for candidates.

Fiji, through one of its mobile service providers, will be the first country in the region to launch a mobile phone-based money transfer service.

Premier of Guadalcanal province, Stephen Panga has made an advance visit to the provincial capital of Malaita, Auki, ahead of the Guadalcanal sporting contingent to the Solomon Games which kick off tomorrow.

The Electoral Commission is expecting to talk to the media today about the upcoming elections.

Solomon Islands Commissioner of Inland Revenue made clear today that companies contracted by RAMSI are not exempted from paying tax to the Solomon Islands Government.

MANILA, PHILIPPINES - Hundreds of policymakers, energy experts, project developers and investors from around the world will gather in the Philippines this week to discuss boosting investments and technologies to advance clean energy solutions in the Asia and Pacific region.

Republic of China, Taiwan, has released $5 million dollars towards the governments "2010 Fee Free Education Project."

The High Court has convicted a former Member of Parliament on charges of official corruption while his co-accused, also a former member of Parliament, was acquitted on the same charges.

The Minister of Mines, Energy and Rural Electricity, David Day Pacha has appointed members of an Isabel Nickel International Tender committee.

Intending candidate in the race for East Kwaio parliamentary seat in Malaita, Alfred Sasako, says he is not afraid of threats by Solomon Islands Honorary Consul in Sydney, Sir Dr Trevor Garland to press criminal libel charges against him.

Prime Minister Derek Sikua is leading a government delegation to attend the Pacific-Arab Summit in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates from the 23rd - 24th of this month.

Solomon Islands premier fishing and processing company, Soltai is to undergo a financial restructure.

The Electoral Commission has improved the security of ballot papers for the upcoming coming National General Election.

Solomon Islands Party for Rural Advancement, SIPRA, has launched its campaign platform for this year's national general election.

The Electoral Commission is advising intending candidates for the upcoming National General Election to prepare themselves for the opening of the nomination period.

PRESS RELEASE - The Executives of the Council of Regional Organisations in the Pacific (CROP) have expressed satisfaction at the progress of implementing the set of Pacific Plan priorities (2009 - 2012) endorsed by Forum Leaders in 2009.

The Inaugural Miss Melanesia Australia 2010 was a roaring success, with beautiful representatives from around Melanesia flaunting their unique talents and attires to an appreciative crowd at the Sebel Citigate hotel's Presidential Ballroom, in Brisbane's CBD.

Former Central Bank Governor Rick Hou has disassociated himself from promises and advice that he is the money man for the Family Charity Fund.

A young high school student died after he was slammed against Noro Warf by a berthing passenger vessel.

Solomon Islands' Honorary Consul-General in Sydney, Sir Trevor Garland says he plans to lay criminal libel charges against intending politician, Alfred Sasako.

Auki police are gearing up for what is expected to be a major security operation in the township.

Many developing nations insisted at UN climate talks on Wednesday that a full UN treaty should be agreed in 2010 even though others are resigned to a far longer haul to tackle global warming.

A government group has gone to Rennell Bellona Province over the weekend to discuss issues surrounding the closure of the Tinngoa airstrip.

A controversial former city councilor, John Seth Iromea, has been found guilty on charges of going armed in public and using threatening behavior.

Press Release - By Makereta Komai for Climate Pasifika in Bonn, Germany

Press Release - By Makereta Komai for Climate Pasifika in Bonn, Germany

Several delegates attending the latest UN Climate Change Forum talks in Germany have conceded there is little chance of getting a draft agreement on cutting greenhouse gas emissions finalised ahead of the next major talks in December.

The Rural and Urban Political Party, RUPP, has promised to build a prosperous Solomon Islands with a healthy economy, dignity and well being for its citizens.

OUR Party President Manasseh Sogavare says accusations that the party is anti-aid donor and anti-RAMSI are ill-conceptions of its genuine concerns about aid money and the intervention mission.

The Minister for Provincial Government and Institutional Strengthening has refuted accusations by the Malaita Ma'asina Forum that he led a delegation to discuss political independence with Malaita provincial leaders.

Police have arrested a taxi driver, said to be in his early 40s, early yesterday morning in relation to the murder of a young police constable.

Press Release - By Makereta Komai for Climate Pasifika in Bonn, Germany

By Makereta Komai for Climate Pasifika in Bonn, Germany

A High Court order restraining Eternity Broadcasting Network (EBN) Television and three other defendants from televising any FIFA World Cup games in South Africa has today been extended to a fifth defendant, Sol-Lanka PTY Limited.

The Solomon Islands Liberal Party denies suggestions that the care-taker Prime Minister is their party leader.

Police are searching for a cop killer, who was said to have been intoxicated and travelling with a group of men in a taxi.

National Futsal Team Head Coach, Dickson Kadau, has released the names of the 12 players who will be travelling to Fiji for the Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) Futsal Championship.

The Eternity Broadcasting Network Television or EBN has decided not to pursue a High Court order restraining it from televising any world Cup coverage.

OUR Party says it is committing $36 million dollars towards preparing areas within the country as Special Economic Zones.

Prime Minister Dr Derek Sikua will lead a government delegation to attend the Pacific Arab Summit in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates towards the end of this month.

Solomon Island's very first FIFA World Cup referee, Matthew Taro, has arrived in South Africa ahead of the start of the biggest sporting event of the year on June 11.

Supply of Solomon Islands canned tuna will decline in the next few months if production at Noro Cannery in the Western Province does not resume.

Permanent Secretary of the Minister of Commerce, Industries, Employment and Immigration, Barnabas Anga has highlighted the need for Solomon Islands to broaden its development base.

According to a report by New Scientist magazine, climate change may be having a positive effect on small islands in that it has helped some of them stay stable in size and some to grow.

Honiara Lawyer Charles Ashley has appealed against a ruling by a Honiara Magistrate on his request to travel to South Africa for the World Cup.

While a high-level government delegation from the Solomon Islands continue hard negotiations for a legally-binding climate change deal in Germany, a climate change team from the Ministry of Environment was deployed to the Choiseul Province for consultations and awareness raising workshop on climate change.

OUR Party has pledged to commit $50 million dollars for a nationwide relocation programme for victims of climate change if elected into power at this year's national general elections.

The Suava Bay Economic Growth Center Project in North Malaita is aimed at enabling full and equitable participation of resource owners in their endeavor for rural development and sustainable livelihoods, says Permanent Secretary of Commerce, Barnabas Anga.

A former RAMSI Participating Police Force officer, Misi Matamu, was transferred to a correctional centre in Samoa this week, to serve out his prison sentence in his homeland.

The Australian High Commissioner, Frank Ingruber, this week handed over the final sports grant funding awarded to Solomon Islands' sporting associations under the Australian Sports Outreach Program 2009-2010.

The Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) today approved an 18-month SDR 12.48 million (about USD 18.3 million) arrangement under the Standby Credit Facility for the Solomon Islands in support of the authorities' economic reform program.

The Solomon Islands Government today welcomed the passing of the National Transport Fund Act which will provide a long term sustainable mechanism for the rehabilitation and maintenance of transport infrastructure and will support the provision of inter-island shipping services in Solomon Islands.

Press Release - By Makereta Komai for Climate Pasifika in Bonn, Germany

Press Release - By Makereta Komai for Climate Pasifika in Bonn, Germany

The National Government will sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on the Suava Bay Project with the Malaita Provincial Government and Tribal Landowners of Suava Bay today.

Two Solomon Islanders will be travelling to Israel on Friday under a short term scholarship programme.

Questions are being raised as to whether imported goods are being checked properly when entering the country.

The Recently launched Rapid Employment Project, REP, funded by the World Bank, is already getting some blunt assessments on its ability to deliver, but more so on its intended recipients.

The Rapid Employment Project, REP, was officially launched by the Government yesterday.

Lack of funding should not weigh out commitment in the fight against HIV/AIDS, says the Director of Public Health.

By Makereta Komai in Bonn for Climate Pasifika

Solomon Islands first national representative in Aussie Rules football will travel to Australia next month to compete in the Australian Rules National Championships.