All Archive March 2012

Party Wants Businessman Tried in Solomon's

The Solomon Islands Democratic Party Executives has expressed disappointment over the government's immediate action to order the deportation of an Asian Businessmen without any proper judicial trial in the Solomon Islands courts.

Crops for the Future; Surviving Climate Change

Twenty six participants from across the Pacific are currently in SPC's Pasifika Conference Room, Suva, attending a regional consultation to evaluate crop diversity as a tool for managing climate variability.

Temotu Experience Food Shortage

Provincial leaders in Temotu are calling for a speedy response from the government, particularly the national disaster management office (NDMO), on its current food crises.
A United Nations report has issued a blunt warning that the world will face "more deadly extreme weather events unless it tackles global warming."

NDMO Warns of Tropical Disturbance

The National Disaster Management Office, NDMO, has issued a tropical disturbance safety message for all parts of the country.

Women's Rights and Customary Laws in New Caledonia

On Friday, 16 March, over 200 people gathered at the Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC) conference hall in Noumea, New Caledonia to discuss women's civil rights within the framework of customary and common law.
The Opposition Leader says that if it is true than the actions of the Prime Minister is "uncalled for, as it is obvious he is serving the interest of his cronies."

Sikua Accuses PM of Interference

Opposition Leader Dr Derek Sikua says he is deeply concerned that there are allegations emerging that Prime Minister Gordon Darcy Lilo is interfering in the affairs of a State owned entity.

Pacific Voice Heard at Global Dialogue on Organics

The GOMA (Global Organic Market Access) conference held in Nuremburg, Germany from 13 to 16 February 2012, entitled Let the Good Products Flow, examined the complex issues surrounding organic standards and guarantee systems worldwide, and how these can either support or hinder growth of the organic industry.
Many in Russell Islands are concerned that action might only come after a tragedy, which they say is sad and unfortunate.

Remnants of World War II a Threat

Villagers of Russell Islands in Central Province are concerned that large stockpiles of buried ammunitions from World War II pose a "serious threat to them and future generations."

USD2.3 Million for Fiji Solar Initiative

[Friday, 23rd March 2012, Suva, FIJI] The Pacific Environment Community (PEC) Fund will contribute US$2.3 million towards a rural solar home systems project in Fiji.
The World Bank says a change of law in Solomon Islands is needed to combat violence against women.

Solomon Islands Rate Poorly in Violence against Women Report

The World Bank has rated Solomon Islands as the worst country in the world for sexual violence against women.
Traditional huts being built for the Arts Festival.

Arts Festival Council to Monitor Progress

With the 11th Festival of Pacific Arts due to take place in July, Solomon Islands are preparing performance and display sites in and around the capital, Honiara.

PFF Supports No-Treason Call for West Papua

PFF, Rarotonga, COOK ISLANDS --Three years in jail for five West Papua activists is a further erosion of free speech and other human rights for the province, says the Pacific Freedom Forum.

Two Years for Bank Thief

A security officer has been sentenced to a two year jail term after pleading guilty to stealing more than a million dollar of soiled notes from the Central Bank of Solomon Islands, CBSI.
He said while police could support and assist in the investigations there must be a request or a report forwarded to the police by the Ministry of Fisheries before they can act.

If Requested we will Investigate: Kola

Acting Police Commissioner, Walter Kola, said police can only conduct an investigation into the beche-de-mer network if they are requested to do so by the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources.

RAMSI Sends Condolence Message to Tonga

RAMSI Special Coordinator Nicholas Coppel today offered his condolences to the people and Government of the Kingdom of Tonga at the death of his Royal Highness King George Tupou V.

Water Security is Food Security: World Water Day in the Pacific

Today is World Water Day - a perfect day to reflect on how much water you use.

Australia Continues to Support the PACER plus Negotiations

Australia has demonstrated its commitment to the negotiations for a new Pacific trade and economic agreement - known as PACER plus - by agreeing to a funding arrangement with the Office of the Chief Trade Adviser (OCTA).
Patterson Oti (R) with Governor General Sir Frank Kabui and Minister for Foreign Affairs and External Trade Clay Forau Soalaoi.

Oti Heads Suva Mission

Former Foreign Affairs Minister and long time politician Patterson Oti has been commissioned as Solomon Islands High Commissioner designate to the Republic of Fiji.
Many in the Gizo township have not fully recovered from the devastating earthquake and tsunami of 2007.

Claims of Doomsday Earthquake a Hoax

The National Disaster Management Office (NDMO) has dismissed rumors circulated by an unknown group that claim a massive earthquake of "biblical proportion" will hit Western and Choiseul Province later this week.
The new Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Culture and Tourism Mr John Wasi.

New PS Impressed with Festival Preparations

The new Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Culture and Tourism Mr John Wasi is impressed by the ongoing preparations toward the 11th Festival of Pacific Arts.
King George Tupou V at his crowning in 2008.

Tongan Monarch Passes

King George Tupou V, Tonga's reigning monarch has passed away.

SPC and PPA Join Hands to Address North Pacific Energy Challenges

Monday 19 March 2012, Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC), Suva
Minister for Education and Human Resources Development, Dick Ha'amori.

Government Allocates Land for USP

Minister for Education and Human Resources Development, Dick Ha'amori, after much public pressure, has announced the allocation of an alternative plot for the USP Solomon Islands campus.

Prove it, says PM

Prime Minister Gordon Darcy Lilo has called on the Opposition Leader, Dr Derek Sikua, to produce evidences of the illegal stockpile he claimed to have knowledge of.

Limited Avenues for Justice for Women: UN Rapporteur

The United Nations Special Rapporteur on violence against women has stated that there are limited avenues for justice available to women victims of violence.

Mariculture in the Pacific - New Report Urges Cautious Approach

A new report on mariculture (marine aquaculture) has urged Pacific nations to think twice before embarking on sea-farming enterprises.
"The only solution is for the police to confiscate the illegal stockpile of beche-de-mer and sell them off for the state," said Dr Sikua.

Investigate Behce-de-mer Network: Sikua

Opposition Leader Dr Derek Sikua is calling on the police to investigate what he describes as "serious allegations leveled against the government and certain elements in the police."

NFD Signs Fishing Agreement with Government

The National Fisheries Development (NFD) General Manager Adrian Wickham has signed a long liner licensing agreement with the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources.

Ministry of Fisheries Explore Aqua-farming

The Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources is looking at the possibility of helping Solomon Islanders go into aquaculture or fish farming.
The Magistrate Court found him guilty of misusing SBD$280,000 of his constituency's fishing project funds in 2007.

Kemakeza Convicted, Loses Seat

Gela MP Mark Kemakeza has been sentenced to fourteen months in jail, which effectively means he loses his seat in Parliament.

PNG Government, Media Leaders Must Act on Police Grenade Threat

PFF, Rarotonga, COOK ISLANDS -- The Pacific Freedom Forum condemns the grenade threat against a Papua New Guinea journalist by Police force officers late last week, and is calling on the O'Neill government and the PNG Media Council to publicly support media freedom.
A remote fishing village in southern Madagascar which has sold its first batch of locally farmed sea cucumbers to Taiwan.

Beche-de-mer Farming on Trial

The government has built a hatchery building for breeding of beche-de-mer with financial assistance from the Japanese Government.

Kemakeza Awaits Fate

The defence team for Mark Kemakeza MP has completed its submission this morning, appealing to the court for leniency given that Mr Kemakeza had repaid the money.

Be Transparent with Beche-de-mer Issue: SIDP

The Solomon Islands Democratic Party (SIDP) executive has called on the Government to clean up the beche-de-mer issue before lifting the ban on its harvest.

Organic Certification Scheme in New Caledonia Bears Fruit

An organic guarantee and labelling system created under the auspices of the Pacific Organic and Ethical Trade Community (POETCom) and Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC) has met with success in New Caledonia.

Beche-de-mer Ban Still in Force: PS

The ban on the harvest, storage and export of bechedemer is still in force.
United Nations Special Rapporteur on Violence against Women (VAW), Rashida Manjoo.

UN Expert Visits Solomon Islands

United Nations Special Rapporteur on Violence against Women (VAW), Rashida Manjoo, has arrived in the Solomon Islands over the weekend.

Career Public Servant Awarded

A career public servant renowned for her fearless commitment to transparency and accountability in government has been honored with the RAMSI Special Coordinator's Award for Women, 2012.

Building Capacity in Energy Auditing in Palau

The Secretariat of the Pacific Community, in close collaboration with the Palau Energy Division and the National Development Bank of Palau (NDBP), conducted a two-day energy audit training session this week (5-6 March 2012) in Koror, Palau.
USP Solomon Islands campus Open Day in 2011.

Uproar over Decision against USP Campus

The Minister of Education, Dick Ha'amori, has been accused of being insensitive to the needs of tertiary students after stating that "building a permanent USP campus in Honiara is not in the national interest."

SPC Encourages Agroforestry as an Integrated Farming Approach

The concept of agroforestry is not new; it is an old farming system with a new name.
Will and Kate Confirmed for September

Will and Kate Confirmed for September

Britain's Duke and Duchess of Cambridge will visit the Solomon Islands in September.
Mr Pacha was first elected to the National Parliament in 2006, representing South Guadalcanal Constituency. He again won in the 2010 elections with a comfortable margin.

Another MP Goes to Court

Trial into the case of South Guadalcanal MP David Dei Pacha will formally begin today at the Magistrate's Court.

Seeking Out a National Dress

The Ministry Of Home Affairs in cooperation with Kaleko Barava Fashion Weekend are calling on locals to share ideas on a Solomon Islands National Dress.

Plant Health Clinics to Improve Diagnostic Services to Farmers

Farmers in the Pacific region will soon be able to take a sick plant to a plant health clinic in the town market for a diagnosis and recommended treatment - much like we visit a local medical clinic when we are not feeling well.
Arts Festival Face Accommodation Shortfalls

Arts Festival Face Accommodation Shortfalls

The Director of this year's Festival of Pacific Arts says accommodating all of the participants in Solomon Islands may be a problem.

Pacific Nations Join Forces to Tackle International Arms Trade

Ending the deadly impact of the illicit trade in firearms and reducing the threat of armed conflict in the Pacific will be the focus of talks in Brisbane this week.

NZ Workers to Get Free Tuition

The New Zealand High Commission says Solomon Islands workers who go to New Zealand under the Recognized Seasonal Employer RSE scheme will be eligible to apply for 20 hours of free tuition in English, maths, finance, computer literacy and health.

The suspect was taken to Honiara and has been remanded in custody while Police continue their investigation.

Bank Thief Arrested

Police have arrested a 30 year old man in relation to the theft of more than one million dollars of old bank notes from the Central Bank of Solomon Islands last year.

SPC Signs MOU with the Forestry and Forest Products Research Institute of Japan

The Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC) recently signed a memorandum of understanding with the Forestry and Forest products Research Institute (FFPRI) of Japan.

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