Latest News Archive July 2011

As revealed by the Ministry of Finance, the Solomon Islands development budget has shown significant under spending as of June 2011.

The High Court of Australia will hear this week an appeal by the former Solomon Islands attorney-general Julian Moti.

East Malaita landowners have become the first group in Solomon Islands to offer their land to the Government to develop Economic Growth Centres.

Press Release: Nature Conservation

Vanuatu and Solomon Islands have fought out the second scoreless draw of their four-match friendly series after failing to give the 6,000 fans at Port Vila's PVL Stadium a goal to cheer.

The Solomon Islands Electoral Commission through RAMSI's and Solomon Islands Government's legal framework on reform and capacity building has received new advisors to help on electoral reform.

RAMSI: A history in pictures, a photographic exhibition that showcases the history and achievements of the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands (RAMSI), has opened in the Samoan capital, Apia.

Prime Minister Danny Philip has encouraged all citizens of Solomon Islands to take pride and full ownership of the upcoming Festival of Pacific Arts next year.

Republic of China, Taiwan today extended its assistance to help the country meet the Millennium Development Goals (MDG) following the opening of a health training workshop in Honiara.

Government has recorded a surplus of about SBD$143 million dollars for the financial year to June against an estimated surplus of about SBD$51 million dollars.

Government ministries and NGO's involved in promoting safe sex in the Solomon Islands believe teenage prostitution is on the rise as a result of poor economic conditions in the country.

21 July 2011, Apia, Samoa - An all encompassing, integrated and inclusive approach was identified as a key to the successful implementation of Green Economy in the Pacific. This was the strong message that came out of the two day Open Forum for the Rio+20 Pacific Preparatory meeting.

The new Gizo Hospital will be handed over to the Solomon Islands Government next month.

Axiom KB Limited ("Axiom KB"), 80% owned Solomon Island subsidiary of Axiom Mining Limited ("Axiom") has been joined as a defendant in proceedings commenced under a certificate of urgency in the High Court of Solomon Islands on Thursday 21 July 2011 by SMM Solomon Limited, a subsidiary of Sumitomo of Japan ("SMM").

Police are concerned with the number of drink drivers caught on the roads of Honiara, particularly over the weekends.

Press Release: Nature Conservation

Discussions are being held in Solomon Islands for a compensation plan to end dolphin hunting by one community.

The Solomon Islands Ministry of Fisheries says it will call an urgent meeting with the Ministry of Environment to discuss the country's growing crocodile population.

While in Kosrae to visit medical assistance projects under Pacific Partnership 2011, United States Ambassador Peter A. Prahar also took part in the One Laptop Per Child (OLPC) ceremony at Tafunsak Elementary School early this month.

A recent study has suggested that Solomon Islands have a relatively high sexually transmitted infection (STI) rate among teenagers.

Fiji political fugitive Ratu Tevita Uluilakeba Mara has lashed out at Solomon Islands Prime Minister Danny Philip, for supporting Fiji's interim Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama resume chairmanship of the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG).

How do you teach children the value of forests? Simple. You start by showing them how to plant a tree.

Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Women, Youth, Children and Family Affairs Ethel Sigimanu has said that women in Solomon Islands have learnt many lessons in trying to get legislation on Temporary Special Measures (TSM) to increase the number of women in Parliament.

Former IFM Commander, Andrew Te'e, must work hard to ensure his own acceptance back into the Guadalcanal Community, says the Guadalcanal Provincial Government.

The Vatilau Council of Chiefs in the Buena Vesta District of Central Province are gravely concerned over the increase of dynamite fishing.

Finance Minister Gordon Darcy Lilo has said that the country needs to focus on micro economic policies "geared towards encouraging the growth of small and medium enterprises."

Pacific Freedom Forum, Rarotonga, COOK ISLANDS -- Pacific journalists following the global coverage over the News Corp phone-hacking scandal are putting pressures on newsroom practice around ethics and conduct codes for journalists, says regional media monitoring body the Pacific Freedom Forum, PFF.

Strategic partnerships, targeted communications, enabling legislation and training women for leadership roles were highlighted as some of the crucial ingredients in increasing the number of women in decision-making in the Pacific.

The Opposition has called for the sacking of the Minister for Education, Dick Ha'amori for not conforming to a commitment made by Prime Minister Danny Philip to give part of SICHE land for the establishment of the fourth campus of the University of the South Pacific (USP).

The Government's counter offer on the Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) demanded by teachers in the country is still being negotiated.

A two-man delegation from New Zealand has visited Solomon Islands this week to gather information on the upcoming Festival of Pacific Arts in July 2012.

A magnitude 6.2 earthquake hit off the Solomon Islands this morning, but no tsunami warning was issued.

Rennell and Bellona Province has held three celebrations across the Province to mark its 11th Second Appointed Day today.

People in the outlying islands of Malaita and Temotu province have called on the national government to lift the nation wide ban on bechdemeer.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and External Trade is commencing the second phase of its national consultations on Solomon Islands' trade negotiations with Australia and New Zealand, commonly referred to as PACER Plus.

Customers of Our Telekom's Breeze mobile service will benefit from a reduced mobile call rate starting today - 0.99 cents per minute.

An advance team of the Flying Doctors of America (FDOA) has arrived in Honiara ahead of a group of surgeons and other medical specialists.

Opposition Leader Dr Derek Sikua has called on the Prime Minister to re-convene Parliament soon if he is serious about reforming the country's economy.

An East Malaita man Edwin Gani has urged people from the area not to sell gem stones from the area to any foreigners, until proper and legal procedures of the country are followed.

Finance Minister Gordon Darcy Lilo says that the country needs to find innovative and creative ways to unlock the many potential that lie throughout the Provinces.

Pacific small island states most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change will benefit from a new climate resilience project (worth ?11.4 million) funded by the European Union (EU) and to be implemented by the Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC) over the next four years.

The Opposition Leader says the only remedy to the Isabel nickel prospecting deadlock is canceling the prospecting license wrongly issued to Australian Mining Company, Axiom.

Solomon Airlines today received its first Air Operators Certificate, AOC, to allow it to extend its current services to cover both domestic and international flights.

The Solomon Islands Government's investment arm, the Investment Cooperation of Solomon Islands, or ICSI, has congratulated the Solomon airlines for its "constructive engagement which resulted in the national carrier attaining its historic Air Operators Certificate, AOC."

The Government has responded to the Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) demanded by the Solomon Islands National Teachers Association (SINTA) with a counter offer last Friday.

The Pacific's resource-rich economies of Papua New Guinea (PNG) and Timor-Leste will continue to expand strongly this year as commodity prices remain firm but growth in the rest of the region is set to remain subdued, says the new issue of the Asian Development Bank's (ADB's) Pacific Economic Monitor.

A group calling itself the Guadalcanal Workers Union is beefing up support on behalf of Guadalcanal Plains Palm Oil limited (GPPOL) employees for a 14 days strike notice on the grounds of dissatisfaction over work condition.

The Government has approved the establishment of three additional overseas Diplomatic Missions to take care of the country's international affairs.

The Acting Head of local police, Walter Kola, says the rights of women and children must be respected by all Solomon Islanders.

Solomon Islands Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the European Union in Brussels, H.E Joseph Ma'ahanua says the establishment of a Mission in Geneva, Switzerland, is crucial to help government address the UN Millennium Development Goals (MGDs).

14th July 2011, Apia, Samoa - In an important new initiative, Pacific Finance and Environment Ministers will come together in Apia this month to discuss opportunities and challenges for building green economies in the region.

Australia's Minister for Defence, Hon Stephen Smith MP, visited Solomon Islands from 12-13 July and met with national leaders and Australian soldiers serving as part of the Australian-led Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands (RAMSI).

The Solomon Islands National Organizing Committee of the 11th Festival of Pacific Arts last Saturday launched a special bi-weekly radio program on the National Broadcaster (SIBC).

The former Guadalcanal Revolutionary Army Commander Andrew Te'e has received a conditional pardon from the Solomon Islands Governor General Sir Frank Kabui.

[Thursday 14th July 2011, Rarotonga, Cook Islands] - More renewable energy and saltwater desalination activities in the Pacific region will be forthcoming following the conclussion of a Pacific 'writeshop' in the Cook Islands to help project proposal writing.

Consultant to the Customary Land Reform Unit, Andrew Nori, has said he does not want to see any Malaitan leave his land because of dispute and unhappiness.

"Australia cannot act alone on any decision to reduce the number of soldiers serving with the Regional Assistance Mission in Solomon Islands (RAMSI)," the Australian Defense Minister, Stephen Smith says.

The Australian mining company, Axiom Mining, will begin drilling for nickel in Solomon Islands this week amid continued ill-feeling from rival companies and landowners.

Minister Smith has left Australia for a visit to the Solomon Islands beginning Wednesday 13 July.

The small Solomon Islands Community in Adelaide, South Australia has celebrated the 33rd independence anniversary on 9th July (Saturday).

The National Coalition for Rural Advancement (NCRA) Government has voiced its intentions for great emphasis on its campaign to reduce fuel consumption in Solomon Islands.

The Solomon Islands Office of the Parliamentary Opposition has refuted claims that three of their members are likely to join the NCRA government, describing the news as "totally fabricated and unsubstantiated".

PRESS STATEMENT [Monday 11th July, 2011, Nadi, Fiji] - Development partners must work hand-in-hand with island countries.

The Ministry of Women, Youth, Children and Family Affairs is looking to consult more widely with women's groups in the push to establish seats reserved for women in parliament.

Hospital Authorities have confirmed that the hospital's standby generator was rendered faulty, resulting in the longer than expected power outage at the hospital over the weekend.

The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) has contributed to the successful rescue of ten people, reported missing near the Guadalcanal region of Solomon Islands.

The National Organizing Committee of the 11th Festival of Pacific Arts has launched a special bi-weekly radio program on the National Broadcaster SIBC.

MANILA, 8 July 2011-The World Health Organization (WHO) has urged countries in the Western Pacific Region to make a greater effort to have graphic health warnings placed on cigarette packs to convince smokers to quit and to discourage young people from taking up the habit.

Lives were at risk at the National Referral Hospital late last night following a power blackout that lasted for almost an hour.

The Government has pledged a million dollars to rebuild the burnt down Auki Primary School in Malaita Province.

The Solomon Islands National Teachers' Association, SINTA, has confirmed that there is a possible nationwide strike by teachers if Government fails to respond to its demands by the 18th of this month.

Fighting invasive weeds in American Samoa has landed Tavita Togia from the National Park Service of American Samoa in Fiji.

5 July 2011, Rarotonga Cook Islands - The Cook Islands has an electricity target of 50% renewable energy by 2015 and 100% by 2020. While this may seem like an extreme target, according to the Prime Minister of the Cook Islands Hon. Henry Puna - "it is ambitious but it is not impossible."

A Former Chief Electoral Officer says the recent voter's registration for the 2010 was carried out in a corrupt manner.

Prime Minister Danny Philip, in his 33rd Anniversary Independence message, has reminded all Solomon Islanders to celebrate their citizenship.

Solomon Airlines has confirmed that their new Airbus A320 will not make it in time for the planned unveiling on Independence Day tomorrow.

Australia will be continuing its support for Solo Icon this year which includes a financial contribution of more than SBD$40,000.

Local environmental firm Pacific Horizons has confirmed completing an interim report on the Gold Ridge cyanide spill.

Solomon Islands and the Asian Development Bank have signed a SB$265 million dollar grant from Australia to help restore vital transport links destroyed by the 2010 floods in central Solomon Islands.

Wednesday 29 June 2011, WHO/SPC, Honiara, Solomon Islands