Latest News Archive January 2011

Solomon Islands are bracing itself for a category 3 cyclone heading its way.

Solomon Gold says drilling at projects in the South Pacific and Queensland has yielded 'encouraging results'.

PRESS RELEASE - 28th January 2011 - A new group of five young people from member countries of the Pacific Islands Forum have been placed in the various Programmes of the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat in Suva, Fiji under the Young Professionals Scheme.

The Office of the Prime Minister is fast tracking preparations for the meeting of parliament scheduled for March this year.

Police are continuing their investigation into the Taiwanese fishing vessels that were caught fishing in Solomon Islands' waters recently.

It is uncertain whether the NCRA government will provide Fee Free Education grants to students this year as the previous Derek Sikua government did.

Press Release - World Wetlands Day this year celebrates terrestrial and wetland forests and their role in our lives. The theme, Forests for Water and Wetlands highlights the intricate links between forests and wetlands such as mangroves and freshwater swamps.

MP for Ngella, Mark Kemakeza, has been sworn-in as Minister for Mines of the National Coalition for Rural Advancement government.

The Parliamentary Opposition group has announced in a recent media conference that "it will defeat the budget if the Prime Minister does not call for an early parliament meeting or refuses to resign."

PRESS RELEASE - 27th January 2011 - The Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat is this week hosting seven Smaller Island State and Pacific Plan Desk Officers for a workshop to discuss the Pacific Plan and their role in supporting Member States engage on issues around regional cooperation and integration.

PRESS RELEASE - 27th January 2011

Solomon Islands are eight months behind in its preparations for the 2012 Pacific Arts Festival.

The Solomon Islands opposition says the country could be plunged into a constitutional crisis if parliament is not recalled.

WASHINGTON, January 24, 2011 - Press Release

The Member of Parliament for North Malaita's two year nine month sentence imposed last year by the High Court has been reduced to one month one day, after being granted a 95 percent remission by the Minister for Police and National Security.

The Danny Philip led-government is facing a serious challenge from the Opposition group with the resignation of Police Minister James Tora.

Monday, January 24, 2011 - An historic 14-day ban on large public meetings or gatherings ending this week in Funafuti must put Tuvalu's leadership on notice that freedom of assembly and expression are key to democratic rule, says the Pacific Freedom Forum, PFF.

Prime Minister Danny Philip has revealed that his government is commanding the support of 24 members of parliament, which included Ngella MP, Mark Kemakeza, who was said to have revoked his own resignation on Saturday.

The government has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Secretariat of the Pacific Community for the roll-out of a rural Internet connectivity system in the country.

The Solomon Islands opposition is calling on the Prime Minister to resign, after four ministers left cabinet and joined the opposition.

The Royal Solomon Islands Police Force Maritime Unit patrol boat Auki have intercepted and apprehended two Foreign Fishing Vessels that were suspected to carrying out illegal fishing activities in the territorial waters of Solomon Islands.

A fundraising drive in aid of victims of the Queensland floods in Australia was successfully held at the Honiara Hotel Margarita Bar over the weekend.

The Opposition is expected to lodge the first of its petitions to the Governor General starting this week.

Thursday 20th, 2011, Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC), Suva, Fiji Islands -Forests play a multiple role; they are factories that produce fibre, timber and non-wood forest products; they provide water-catchment protection; they produce water for agriculture; and they are places for social recreation.

Less than six months after taking office the Danny Philip led government is facing its first serious test.

Jailed lawyer, Charles Levo, has been released from prison following a recommendation by the recently established Parole Board.

Solomon Islands have turned to Fiji for assistance in the construction of a hydropower dam in Honiara.

The Chairman of the Correctional Services Parole Board has described criticisms from the opposition and public on its decision to release North Malaita Member of Parliament as nonsense, saying that the release of Mr Lusibaea was on license and in compliance with enacted Laws.

The Opposition says it welcomes any defamation case from the Finance and Treasury Minister, Gordon Darcy Lilo.

The National Training Unit (NTU) has announced that it can only fund 35 pre-service students for 2011.

Provincial Member for Malango Ward in Central Guadalcanal, Walton Naezon, says that as a Guadalcanal leader he wants to see "fair and equal justice to all citizens."

Solomon Islands Prime Minister, Danny Philip has acknowledged the tremendous support to the Solomon Islands by the outgoing Republic of China's Ambassador to Solomon Islands, George Chan.

The outgoing Republic of China's (ROC) Ambassador to Solomon Islands, George Chan has, last week, announced two major projects for the Malaita Province.

Jailed North Malaita MP, Jimmy Lusibaea, was released from prison on Friday, causing uproar from the Opposition Group.

The Ministry of Mines, Energy and Rural Electrification has warned "dormant mines and mineral investors in the Solomon Islands" to prove themselves worthy of investing in the country within the next 24 months or have their licenses cancelled.

Prime Minister Danny Philip has sent a condolence message to the Prime Minister of Australia Julian Gillard, the Government and the people of Australia, especially the State of Queensland, for the loss of lives and properties caused by the flash floods in the State of Queensland.

Minister for Finance and Treasury, Gordon Darcy Lilo, has clarified the $3 million dollar payment made to the PNG High Commission office in Honiara for the construction of its Chancery.

Wednesday 12th, 2011, Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC), Suva, Fiji Islands

Transparency Solomon Islands (TSI) has hit back at the Finance Minister, Gordon Darcy Lilo, stating that the "matter of illegal harvesting and export of beche de mer is a criminal offence and must be dealt with accordingly."

The Minister for Energy, Mines and Rural Electrification, Mark Kemakeza, cautions colleague parliamentarians who received solar sets today to ensure fair distribution of the equipment.

Press Release - World Bank to Work with Government of PNG to Improve Employment and Education Prospects for Papua New Guinea's Youth

Tahiti has beaten Solomon Islands 2-1 in the Oceania Football Confederation, OFC, Under-17 Championship, in Auckland, New Zealand.

The Opposition welcomes the announcement by the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Edmond Sikua that police have instigated investigation into the illegal exportation of beche-de-mer by Chinese businessman, Tongzi Zhang.

The Opposition has called on the Danny Philip-led National Coalition for Reform and Advancement Government to explain a $3 Million dollar payment from the Solomon Islands Government to the Papua New Guinea High Commission in Honiara.

Kokonut Pacific Solomon Islands, KPSI, has announced a 45% increase in the buying price for Virgin Coconut Oil.

Members of the Malaita Provincial Assembly has elected a new Premier to lead the Provincial executive and the people of Malaita in the next four years.

Jailed North Malaita MP Jimmy Lusibaea may have a shot at a constitutional pardon should his case be approved by the Prerogative Mercy Committee.

DHAKA, BANGLADESH (10 January 2011) - Social enterprises are making an important contribution to inclusive economic growth and in providing opportunities for the poor in the Asia and Pacific region, but they need financing from impact investors to scale up their efforts.

Solomon Islands and Tahiti have won their first games of Group B of the Oceania Football Confederation, OFC, U17 Championship currently being held in Auckland, New Zealand.

Finance Minister, Gordon Darcy Lilo, has called on the Opposition Leader Steve Abana and Transparency Solomon Islands to explain the legal basis for their claim that Cabinet abused its executive authority when it deliberated on the beche-der-mer issue.

A Chinese businessman in Honiara has denied that he failed to pay more than nine million dollars worth of tax to the government in Court last Friday.

Public servants were left in shock last Thursday after discovering that their salaries were either drastically deducted or reduced to zero.

Transparency Solomon Islands (TSI) says it is deeply concerned by recent allegations of illegal Beche-de-mer harvesting and trading by Haizhen Trading.

A giant bluefin tuna fetched a record USD$396,000, in Tokyo on Wednesday, in the first auction of the year at the world's largest wholesale fish market.

MANILA, PHILIPPINES - The Government of Luxembourg has committed a further ?1.5 million ($1.97 million) to an Asian Development Bank (ADB)-administered fund set up to strengthen financial systems in developing countries in Asia and the Pacific to aid inclusive growth.

The current weather situation experienced by the country is due to a trough, a low pressure extending southeast from the Western Solomon Islands to a depression over the North Tasman Sea in Australia.

Minister of Finance and Treasury Gordon Darcy Lilo has lashed out at accusations of corruption leveled against him over the bêche-de-mer issue.

The Solomon Islands Chinese Association says it does not want to be associated with an investor that tarnishes the name of the people of Solomon Islands, more particularly the Chinese Association.

The Opposition has condemned the Cabinet's action regarding the beche-de-mer consignment recently confiscated by police and later sold overseas.

Charles Ashley of ANA Legal Services has revealed that he, on behalf of his high profile client Jimmy Lusibaea, is suing the Director of the Public Prosecutions, DPP, in a separate civil case.

Lawyers for jailed Fisheries Minister, Jimmy Lusibaea, say they will apply for release from Police custody through a Prerogative Mercy Committee under the Amnesty Act.