Latest News Archive November 2012

The Goldridge Mining company is being called on to address the Midstream Association's SBD$15 million dollars compensation for polluting the Metapona River.

Solomon Islands national futsal goalkeeper, Paul Huia, has made history as the first player to play across the three disciplines of football at FIFA level after taking part in the recent FIFA Futsal World Cup in Thailand.

Tourism chiefs in the Solomon Islands are keen to see more Aussies make the relatively short journey to the country in the coming years.

To mark the International Day of Violence Against Women, staff of the Secretariat of the Pacific Community express their ideas on the subject.

Delegates from around the world are meeting in Fiji to attend a GIS conference that will explore developments in this new science that is 'already influencing the way we live our lives,' according to Wolf Forstreuter of the Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC).

The Ministry of Agriculture says that the issue of climate change and food security is a top government priority, and the Ministry will "seriously consider reports and recommendations that seek to mitigate against its negative effects."

After two years of intense consultations, the Central Pacific Shipping Commission (CPSC) has set a target for mid-2013 to begin full operation.

Under the banner Access for All, the Pacific Islands Chapter of the Internet Society (PICISOC) is organising PacINET 2012, the annual regional ICT and internet governance conference, which is under way at the Japan Pacific ICT Centre at the University of the South Pacific (USP).

Medical students from the North Malaita Constituency studying abroad will engage in a two-week tour of clinics in the constituency next month.

Australian networking company CBO Telecommunications has been awarded a contract worth AUD$3.25 million for the largest ICT project ever undertaken by the Solomon Islands Government. The company is tasked with building a Metro Area Network (MAN) as a single-use network for public sector agencies.

Solomon Airlines new Dash 8 aircraft marked its first inaugural service in the country with a flight to Lata in Temotu Province on Tuesday 20 November.

Geodynamics has joined other aspiring Australian geothermal companies in seeking opportunities overseas, announcing it has agreed to buy up to 70 per cent interest in a conventional geothermal power supply project in the Solomon Islands.

Australia's Global Ambassador for Women and Girls, Penny Williams will visit Solomon Islands to take part in White Ribbon Day (being celebrated this year on Monday, 26 November) - the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women.

Water tanks and toilets are being installed in rural schools to improve public health thanks to a national partnership with AusAID, World Vision and ADRA.

Forum Solomon Islands International (FSI) will launch its Strategic Plan Document in Honiara on Friday November 23.

Officials from 15 Pacific Island countries discussed opportunities for strengthening national capacities in gender mainstreaming at a regional meeting organised by SPC with support from the United Nations Population Fund and UN Women in Nadi in November.

The western and central Pacific tuna fishery is the world's biggest tuna fishery, worth USD 5.5 billion in 2011.

The Government is funding Eco-tourism projects in South and Central Guadalcanal.

President of the newly established Institute of Solomon Islands Accountants says the Accountants Act recently passed in parliament will help members to make a difference.

The Philippine authorities have approved the export of 25 Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins, originating from the waters of the Solomon Islands, to Resorts World Sentosa's (RWS) Marine Life Park in Singapore.

Western Province has a new Provincial Police Headquarters, as well additional facilities created by refurbishing the former headquarters and Gizo Police Station.

The Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) of which Solomon Islands is a part of, is now ready to implement its Free Trade Agreement between at least three of its four members.

The Solomon Islands Women In Business Association, SIWIBA, is working towards organising a market for its members and the general public in early December.

Solomon Islands Airlines Board Chairman, Mr. Bill Tyson and his Deputy, Central Bank Governor, Mr. Denton Rarawa paid tribute to the staff of the national carrier when the airlines celebrated its 50th Anniversary on Wednesday.

A financing agreement and a project agreement were signed today to support the Government of Solomon Islands, finance the building of a submarine cable system that will deliver good quality high-speed internet services at affordable prices to the people of Solomon Islands.

A senior government official from Tuvalu has called for the Secretariat of the Pacific Community's continued assistance with enhancing food security in the low-lying atoll nation, one of the worst affected by the impacts of climate change in the region.

The High Commissioner for Kiribati in Fiji, Ms Retata Nikuata-Rimon, yesterday thanked the Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC) for assisting her atoll nation with its maritime boundaries, hydrographic nautical charts and deep-sea mining.

Regional government delegates meeting in Noumea this week at the headquarters of the Secretariat of the Pacific Community will discuss the new approaches to climate change adaptation that the organisation is using to assist Pacific Island countries and territories tackle the 21st century challenge.

Young people and broadcasters from Fiji, Kiribati, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu and the Republic of the Marshall Islands came together last week for a powerful collaboration.

The Solomon Islands Minister of Finance and Treasury, Hon. Rick Hou, recently tabled the Central Bank Bill 2012 in parliament.

The Solomon Islands Prime Minister Gordon Darcy Lilo has praised the Kohimarama Bishop Patterson Theological College for its academic excellence when it graduated 42 students last Friday.

The Commissioner of Lands has issued a stern warning to people owing government in land rentals to pay up or risk losing their land titles.

Solomon Islands has joined the ADB/OECD Anti-Corruption Initiative for Asia and Pacific as one of its newest members.

The Solomon Islands Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS) with support from the World Health Organization, is currently reviewing the National Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI).

Days after the far eastern island of Tikopia was connected to the world, it was Ontong Java's turn.

One of the last contingents of Australian reservists on Solomon Islands is going home next month after a decade-long assistance mission that's been deemed a huge success.

Scoring a goal at a World Cup is impressive enough, but doing so at just 16 makes the achievement considerably more remarkable for Solomon Islands, Anthony Talo .

Solomon Islands Prime Minister, Hon. Gordon Darcy Lilo has denied being involved in any plans to release prisoners.

A new partnership with Air Vanuatu has opened up the the way for Solomon Islands national carrier Solomon Airlines to fly further into the region.

Representatives of community groups across Solomon Islands gathered at the Australian High Commission on last week to receive more than $800,000 worth of funding for development projects around the country that will directly improve people's lives.

An assessment report on pineapple production in the Solomon Islands Malaita Province has recommended the start of the export of pineapples to Australia and the setting up of a jam processing factory in Honiara and a juice factory in Auki.

The Solomon Islands Government have now signed a memorandum of understanding with the association of government lawyers to address their lawyers' grievances following their recent strike.

Solomon Islands smokers are now complaining over the recent 50 percent price hike that Solomon Tobacco has slapped on the country's smokers.

Solomon Islands National Carrier, Solomon Airlines has announced that its Dash 8 aircraft has been delayed by two days due to technical work on the aircraft's HF radio in Greece.

The Pacific region is known to be one of the areas of the planet that is most exposed to disaster hazards and now must also cope with more frequent and more intense climate change events.

Solomon Islands will join 15 other Island Nations who will soon be able to travel to the Schengen area without a visa, opening up opportunities and advantages to both the EU and the people of these 16 nations.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock says it is important that the Ministry and the Government have information on the food security situation in homes across the country.

The Solomon Islands Minister of Finance and Treasury, Hon. Rick Houenipwela has announced that the Government is continuing with its efforts to take prudent and responsible steps in the management of its finances for the remainder of this financial year and beyond.

The Solomon Islands Prime Minister, Hon. Gordon Darcy Lilo said the theme of the 20th Pacific Judicial Conference underway in Honiara "Strengthening the rule of law, justice systems and democratic principles" is both relevant and timely.

Solomon Islands National Carrier, Solomon Airlines, will on next week mark its 50th anniversary with the arrival of its new dash eight aircraft.

Employers of Western Australian Defence Reservists have travelled to the Solomon Islands to work alongside their part time Australian Defence Force (ADF) personnel on deployment to Operation Anode.

Local company, Kokonut Pacific Solomon Islands, is now expecting to export more than 100 tonnes of virgin coconut oil by year end.

Friday, 1 November 2012, will go down in history as the day Pacific regional ship-owners united to form the Pacific Islands Ship-owners' Association (PISA) in order to jointly address longstanding domestic shipping issues that have to some extent hampered the socio-economic development of our region.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock says it is important that the Ministry and the Government have information on the food security situation in homes across the country.

The Oceania Football Confederation says it's important that the Solomon Islands are competitive at this month's Futsal World Cup, if the region wants to keep it's automatic entry spot.

The Solomon Islands Prime Minister, Hon. Gordon Darcy Lilo has received nearly SBD$10m from the Republic of China as part of its second payment to support Solomon Islands constituencies.

Solomon Islands Electoral Commission will move few miles forward along the road that leads to voters' list improvement.

Friday 2 November 2012, Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC), Suva, Fiji. The Economic Development Division (EDD) of SPC has this week sent out a petroleum advisory to its members, advising that it would be beneficial economically and environmentally to consider a transition to cleaner diesel fuel.

The Commonwealth Youth Pacific Centre will this week host a training program called the 'Professionalisation of Youth Work in the Solomon Islands.'

Russia hammered Solomon Islands 16-0 in their opening match at the 2012 Futsal World Cup at Nimitbutr Stadium last night.

The Solomon Islands Former Parliament Speaker, Sir Peter Kenilorea says the current parliament speaker Sir Allan Kemakeza made a mistake when he allowed a no confidence motion to be debated despite the absence of the mover of the motion.

Bishop Terry Brown, a former Anglican Bishop in the Solomon Islands, is cautiously optimistic about prospects for "peace, reconciliation and good governance" after earlier ethnic tensions caused 200 deaths.

A law giving Solomon Islands' men the right to rape their wives has been struck down by the country's High Court.

1 November, 2012 - Seven Pacific island countries have completed a Cost Benefit Analysis under the Pacific Adaptation to Climate Change Project, the outcomes of which are being shared at a meeting in Apia this week.

If Honiara seems hairier this month, there's a good reason: the men of the Australian High Commission have begun a month-long effort to raise awareness of men's health issues by growing moustaches in support of "MOVEMBER".

Six Solomon Islanders have been awarded the prestigious Australian Leadership Awards (ALA) scholarship to undertake postgraduate study in Australia next year.