Latest News Archive November 2012

Goldridge Must Address Claims: Landowners

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' Keeper Huia makes History Books

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.
49 per cent of the 22,000 visitors to the Solomon Islands in 2011 were from Australia.

Tourism Solomon's Keen to Attract Aussies

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

SPC Staff Support Efforts to Eliminate Violence Against Women

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

Exploring New Developments in GIS Mapping

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).
It is understood that the Ministry is currently assessing food security within rural communities, one that would provide an important benchmark for future policy responses.

Going Bananas to Cope with Climate Change

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."

Efforts to Regulate Shipping in the Central Pacific Region Take Shape

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

The Internet is for Everyone PacINET 2012 Conference

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).

North Malaita Students Engage in Volunteer Work

Medical students from the North Malaita Constituency studying abroad will engage in a two-week tour of clinics in the constituency next month.
The installation is expected to be complete by March 2013, followed by a three year maintenance and support agreement.

Australian Company Awarded ICT Contract

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.
Temotu Premier Father Charles Brown Beu thanked Solomon Airlines and its board for linking Lata to the rest of the country through its services.

Lata Welcome New Dash 8

Solomon Airlines new Dash 8 aircraft marked its first inauguralservice in the country with a flight to Lata in Temotu Province onTuesday 20 November.

Geodynamics Eyes Solomon Islands Geothermal Project

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.
"The women affected by violence are our wives, mothers, sisters, daughters and friends...we need to create a society where violence against women is unacceptable," Mr Anderson said.

White Ribbon Day Focus on Stopping Violence against Women

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.
Twelve schools were connected to improved sanitation facilities last year.

Project Targets Public Health in Rural Schools

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.

FSI to Launch Strategic Plan

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

Gender Equality - Making Progress Through Mainstreaming and Statistics

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.

Conservation is Key to Maximising Benefits from Oceanic Resources

The western and central Pacific tuna fishery is the world's biggest tuna fishery, worth USD 5.5 billion in 2011.
When one considers the fact that consumer spending by this market segment is at USD$25 billion annually, it would be important to get the policy right.

Government Funds Eco-tourism Projects

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

Institute of Accountants Seek to Improve Standards

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.
A Marine Life Park spokesperson said the park is pleased to receive the permit and looks forward to welcoming the dolphins to their new residence.

Philippines Approves Export of Dolphins Originating From Solomons

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.
Minister of Police, Hon Chris Laore and RAMSI Special
Coordinator outside the Western Province's new Provincial Police
Headquarters.

Western Province Gets New Police Facilities

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

Free Trade to Open Up Soon

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.

SIWIBA Initiates Market

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

Airline Board Acknowledges Staff

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.
Supporting investment in ICT and inclusive growth are key focus areas of ADB's Pacific Approach which guides ADB's operational focus for ADB in the region.

ADB Help Deliver Affordable High Speed Internet

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.
SPC Assists Post-Drought Tuvalu with Food Security

SPC Assists Post-Drought Tuvalu with Food Security

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.

SPC Assists Countries with Maritime Boundary Treaties and Deep Sea Mining

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.

SPC Introduces New Approaches to Climate Change

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.

One Talk 4 All Unites Pacific Youth and Broadcasters

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.

Central Bank Bill Tabled

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

Lilo Praises Local Theological College

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.

Lands Issue Stern Warning

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 Joins Anti-Corruption Body

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

Immunization Programme Under Review

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).

Ontong Java Connects to the World

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

Australian Reservists Returning Home

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.
"It's just amazing. This was my first World Cup, so I never even dreamed that I would score here," says Anthony Talo.

Kurukuru's Fairy Tale Story

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 .

Lilo Refutes "Prisoner Release" Allegations

Solomon Islands Prime Minister, Hon. Gordon Darcy Lilo has denied being involved in any plans to release prisoners.
Under the new partnership Solomon Airlines will codeshare with Air Vanuatu on its flights from Honiara to Port Vila and onto Nadi.

SolAir and Air Vanuatu Form Partnership

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.

Australia Provides Community Assistance

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.

Government Looks into Pineapple Export

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.

Lawyers Now Back at Work

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.

Smokers Complain of Price Hike

Solomon Islands smokers are now complaining over the recent 50 percent price hike that Solomon Tobacco has slapped on the country's smokers.
The "Megapode's" arrival will be the highlight of Solomon Airlines' 50th anniversary celebrations on Wednesday.

Dash 8 Arrival Delayed

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.

Opening of 2nd Annual Meeting of the Applied Geoscience and Technology Division of the SPC

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.

European Commission Proposes Visa Free Travel

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.

Government Assesses Country's Food Security

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.
To maximize revenue collection, action must be taken now to limit further loss of potential revenue through closer scrutiny of applications for discretionary tax and duty exemptions.

Government Announces Measures on Tax and Duty Exemptions

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.
Hon. Lilo says his Government looks forward to any communique or conclusions reached from the meeting.

Lilo Opens Pacific Judicial Summit

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 Airline Awaits Arrival of New Craft

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

Defence Reservists on Short Term Deployment

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.
Coconut Plantation owners in Malaita, Guadalcanal and Choiseul will be combining to export the 100 tonnes of Virgin Coconut Oil.

Locals to Benefit from Coconut Oil Export

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

Pacific Island Ship-Owners Unite to Address Domestic Shipping Issues

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 survey will help the Ministry design a programme that addresses the needs of the day, and the needs of women folk in the country.

Government Assesses Country's Food Security

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.

Kurukuru Called to Step Up

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.
Prime Minister Mr. Lilo says the ROC funding is very important as it goes down to the rural people of Solomon Islands.

Government Receives Constituency Funding

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.

New Voter Registration Program Begins

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

Cleaner Diesel Fuel will be Better for PICTs

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.

Youth Worker Training Begins

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

Russia Slams Kurukurus

Russia hammered Solomon Islands 16-0 in their opening match at the 2012 Futsal World Cup at Nimitbutr Stadium last night.
Sir Peter Kenilorea says that without the presence of the mover, the right decision was to adjourn parliament to the next sitting day.

Sir Allan's Decision Questioned

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.
Canadian-born, Bishop Brown, the retired Anglican Bishop of Malaita, warned this week that high unemployment remained a "dark cloud", which could threaten future peace.

"Unemployment A Dark Cloud": Bishop Brown

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.

Law on Marital Rape Removed

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

New Milestone Achieved for Pacific Adaptation to Climate Change Project

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.

Growing Moustaches in Support of "Movember"

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".
ALA scholarship recipients for 2013 - John Fasi, Carol Pitisopa, Paul Mae, Charles Sulu and Julie Zinihite.

Six Solomon Islanders Awarded ALA Scholarship for 2013

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

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