All Archive April 2013

FSII Concerned over Unofficial Release of TRC Report

The chief executive of Forum Solomon Islands International (FSII) is asking who will be liable for the consequences of the leaking of a report into ethnic tensions quelled by international military intervention a decade ago.
Those familiar with industry says GPPOL has a lot to lose if it chooses to prolong negotiations.

Landowners Threaten to Close Off Access to GPPOL

Landowners at the Guadalcanal Plantation Palm Oil Limited, GPPOL, have threatened to close off access to their land due to the company's failure to meet their demands.
Prime Minister Gordon Darcy Lilo last night warned that “the Government will not be liable for damages or any consequential effects from the illegal release of the report.”

Government Disappointed Over Unofficial Release of TRC Report

The Government has expressed disappointment over the unofficial release of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) by the editor, Fr Terry Brown.

PINA at Loss over Walter Nalangu’s passing

The Pacific Islands News Association (PINA) has sent its condolences and deep sympathies to the family of Late Walter Nalangu.
"The process of the TRC is guided by the TRC Act and any release of the final report should be a decision for the parliament to make."

TRC Had No Part in Release of Report: Ata

Chairman of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC), Fr Sam Ata, says that the release of the TRC Final Report is done “without the knowledge of the commission and is a breach of the TRC Act.”
Late Walter Nalangu was the Editor in Chief of News and Current Affairs at the Solomon Islands Broadcasting Corporation (SIBC).

MASI Mourns Death of Vice President

The Executive and Members of the Media Association of Solomon Islands (MASI) has mourned the unexpected passing away of the Association’s Vice President, the late Walter Nalangu.

WHO Urges Greater Efforts in the Fight Against Malaria

News release - MANILA, 24 APRIL 2013 - On World Malaria Day, 25 April, the World Health Organization (WHO) in the Western Pacific urges Member States to remain steadfast in the fight against malaria to preserve the gains made and eliminate malaria as a public health threat.
Fr Brown says that he is convinced that the TRC Report, as an exercise in truth telling, painful as the recollection may sometimes be, will help bring about the lasting justice, peace, reconciliation and unity that Solomon Islands so badly needs.

TRC Report Made Public Unofficially

The report of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) has been released unofficially by the editor of the report, The Rt. Rev Dr. Terry M. Brown.
Georgia Molia, 37 of Solomon Islands said she valued the sharing of lessons made during the visits.

Wantok Women Share Peacebuilding Experiences in Suva

Women Peace building Leadership Program participants from West Papua, Papua NewGuinea, Bougainville and Solomon Islands were yesterday given a rare glimpse into the work of two leading women’s advocacy organisations in Fiji.
At the moment Solomon Islands produces around 4,000-6,000 metric tonnes of cocoa annually, but the Ministry believes the new strategy will help bring the amount to 20,000 over the next seven years.

New National Cocoa Strategy to Benefit 20,000 Households

Solomon Islands aims to produce 20,000 metric tonnes of cocoa by 2020 under a new Cocoa Policy to be launch by the government on Friday 26th April 2013 at the Honiara Hotel.
The author, Moffat R. Wasuka, a native of Santa Catalina himself, has drawn his material for the book, not only from research but also from many years of personal experience in participating in the festival.

New Book Celebrates a Cultural Festival

Many people associate the Wogasia Festival, celebrated every year on Santa Catalina Makira Province, merely with its spectacular spear fights.
Dr Konam (L) supported the work of agriculture extension officers to train farmers on the importance of integrated pest and disease management in cocoa gardens.

Cocoa Adviser Has Big Hopes for Local Industry

Dr John Konam is a familiar face for many local cocoa farmers. The unassuming agricultural scientist from PNG has been working in Solomon Islands for the past three years, helping the country’s farmers to improve their cocoa production.

Landowners Demand SBD$8 Million

The Chovohio Midstream Association in the Gold Ridge area is serving the St. Barbra Mining Company a two weeks’ notice to meet its compensation demand or access roads to and from the company mining site will be blocked.
The new biometric system will utilize photography and fingerprinting to improve the accuracy and integrity of the voters list.

New Voters List for 2014

The Solomon Islands will have a brand new Voters List for the 2014 Elections thanks to an electoral provisions amendment bill passed in the March sitting of Parliament.
Honiara has so far recorded the highest prevalence of dengue fever with 89 per cent of reported cases.

Dengue Active and Rising: Health Authorities

The Permanent Secretary for Health and Medical Services says the dengue fever outbreak is still active and is not showing any signs of slowing down.
Prime Minister Gordon Darcy Lilo made the announcement during a meeting with Britain’s Minister of State Mr Hugo Swire in Honiara.

Solomon Islands Keen to Bolster Relations with Britain

Solomon Islands are keen to bolster its relationship with Great Britain after 35 years of Independence.
The buckets of paint were handed over to the President of the Rotary Club Sebastian Ilala (left).

Solomon Airlines Makes Paint Donation to Rotary Club

Solomon Airlines has donated four buckets with a total of 46 litres of paint to the Rotary Club of Solomon Islands for repainting of the maternity Ward or any other ward the Rotary Club believes may assist the National Referral Hospital.

Solomon Islands Embassy and Students in Taiwan Raise Funds for Tsunami Victims

The Solomon Islands Embassy in Taipei (ROC) together with the Solomon Islands Students Association (SISAT) received cash donation of around SB$73,000 and boxes of brand new and second hand clothes, blankets, shoes and toys on the 18th of April from the Kaohsiung Medical University (KMU) in Kaohsiung, South Taiwan.
"The 17 MPs should be named to ensure that those MPs who have provided acquittals to Taiwan do not fall under undue public criticisms," stated one commentator.

Government Accused of Allocating Money for RCDF Shortfalls

Transparency Solomon Islands (TSI) has accused the Government of behaving irresponsibly with its budget.
Communities that have mainly depended on sweet potato as their staple crop are having to diversify to produce more sustainable food sources.

Farmers Adjust Farming Methods Due to Climate Change

Solomon Islanders are being forced to change their food production and consumption habits due to climate change.

Former PM to Speak on MSG Beginnings

A former Solomon Islands Prime Minister has been given the honor to speak about the humble beginnings of the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) after 25 years of the organisations inception during the upcoming MSG Silver Jubilee Celebration in Honiara next week.
Smoking in some public places, including schools, restaurants and government offices, would also be banned.

Authorities Crack Down on Tobacco Sales

The Solomon Islands Government says it hopes to have tough new anti-tobacco laws in place by the end of May to coincide with World No Tobacco Day.

Re-Engineering Agribusiness Models in the Pacific to Capture Modern Markets

There are significant challenges ahead if the Pacific Islands are to improve the competitiveness of their agricultural exports, and supply a greater proportion of domestic demand with locally produced food, particularly in urban areas.

Teachers Back in Class

Teachers in the Solomon Islands have returned to work after settling their ongoing pay dispute with the government.
Media reports say the increases include SB$400,000 terminal grant on completion of a four year term next year, an increase from SB$100,000 dollars.

Outrage Over MPs Entitlement Increase

There is outrage over the four fold increase in entitlements to members of parliaments (MPs), many say it is untimely and unjustified.
The chocolate maker doesn’t have enough cocoa to meet its production needs and is looking around the world for new sources, including the Pacific.

Cadbury Wants Solomon Islands Cocoa

One of the world’s largest chocolate producers, Kraft-Cadbury, is seeking 10,000 tonnes of cocoa from Solomon Islands.
A representative and spokesperson for Solomon Islands students presenting traditional gifts to the Fijian family during the ceremony on Sunday 14th April.

Reconciliation Held in Fiji Over Stabbing Incident

A reconciliation ceremony between Solomon Islands students at the University of the South Pacific in Suva, Fiji, and families of a Fijian involved in a stabbing incident on 10th March has averted ill feelings between the parties on Sunday 14th April.
PM Withdraws Pension Bill

PM Withdraws Pension Bill

Solomon Islands Prime Minister Gordon Darcy Lilo has withdrawn the Prime Minister's Pension and Benefits bill 2013 on the floor of parliament.

Youths Find Future in Food Production

With little more than a bush knife and an axe between them, a group of young Solomon Island boys between the ages of nine and 18 years have taken food security into their own hands.

Centers to Connect Government to People

The Solomon Island Government’s policy to build Economic Growth Centers (EGC) at strategic locations around the country is aimed at fostering meaningful engagement between the government and rural communities.

International Support Against Dengue Welcomed

The Ministry of Health and Medical Services has welcomed dengue fever specialists from Australia and New Zealand who have arrived in the country to assist local authorities in efforts to fight the current dengue fever outbreak in the country.

Government Committed to Quality Education

The Solomon Islands National Government stated that it is committed to ensuring all citizens have equal access to quality education.
Better Coastal Management in Kosrae with Tidal Predictions

Better Coastal Management in Kosrae with Tidal Predictions

Kosrae has a new set of tide and sea-level forecasts available, based on measurements from a new water level sensor funded by the Pacific Adaptation to Climate Change project at the Lelu Marina, Kosrae.

New Zealand to Send Medical Team

New Zealand will also be supporting the Solomon Islands in the fight against Denghue by sending its medical staff to the Solomon Islands following the outbreak.
Solomon Airlines will use the temporary terminal until construction work is completed at the eastern end of the runway and the construction team opens the fully refurbished and expanded Munda runway.

Munda Opens Temporary Terminal

Solomon Islands national carrier, Solomon Airlines has opened a temporary terminal in Munda as construction work continues on upgrading the Munda runway to international standards.
Samson Faisi says SINTA will call off the strike when the government fully address the re-leveling and arrears payment for all teachers.

Teacher's Issues Remain Unresolved

The Solomon Islands National Teachers Association is standing by its position that its members will go back to classes when the government pay off teacher's re-leveling and arrears.

Local Police Given Full Control Over Shortlands

The Solomon Islands Police have taken over the control of policing in the Shortland Islands following the withdrawal of RAMSI Participating Police Force from the Lofung Post.

World Bank Assist in Domestic Violence Fight

The World Bank and the Solomon Islands Government have signed a grant agreement to help improve services for those affected by gender-based violence.
Households throughout Honiara experience shortages of clean water for cooking, drinking and washing on a daily basis.

Water Shortages Raises Sanitation Concerns

The Solomon Islands, as a developing island nation, has one of the highest urbanisation rates in the region, and the basic service infrastructure is struggling to cater for the influx of people from the provinces to the capital, Honiara.
Minister Elijah Doro Muala at the Bali Conference on People Smugglers and Human Traffickers.

New Immigration Law Gets Tough on People Smuggling

Solomon Islands will soon criminalize People Smugglers and Human Traffickers once its new Immigration law is fully enforced.
Australia's Foreign Minister Bob Carr with Solomon Islands Prime Minister Gordon Darcy Lilo.

Australia Responds to Solomon Islands Dengue Fever Crisis

Foreign Minister Bob Carr today announced that Australia has sent a medical team to Solomon Islands to assist with the dengue fever outbreak.
More workers have been recruited under the Labour Mobility Scheme to work in Australia’s horticulture industry.

More Seasonal Workers Bound for Australia

At least 20 additional seasonal workers from Solomon Islands, including 3 females and 17 males have been recruited under the Labour Mobility Scheme to work in Australia’s horticulture industry.
The Topla Birpi handbag, a unique aspect of Temotu's culture.

Banana Fibre Bags, a Symbol of Pride in Temotu Province

In Temotu Province, one of the unique things that people in Grasiosa Bay are known for is the weaving of banana fibre into hand bags, which they call Topla Birpi.

UQ Leads Study on Environmental Impacts of Mining

The University of Queensland has joined industry partners in a program designed to help ensure a major mining project takes account of the needs of Solomon Islands communities and the environment.
National consultation that involved more than 1,200 people across the country’s nine provinces indicated that the top priority was education.

Post MDG Discussions Underway in Solomon Islands

Education, jobs, access to water and sanitation are among the priorities Solomon Islanders have told the United Nations Development Programme to focus on beyond the Millennium Development Goals.

Warriors and Ba Fight Out Thrilling Draw

The OFC Champions League has continued this afternoon with an exciting 2-2 draw between tournament debutants Solomon Warriors and Fijian champions Ba in front of a large crowd at Lawson Tama Stadium in Honiara, Solomon Islands.

Vietnamese Jailed in Solomon Islands

The Solomon Islands High Court has sentenced a Vietnamese national to four and a half years for unlawful wounding of a crew member of a fishing vessel.

Petition Against Development Fund Defeated

The petition against the Solomon Islands Government’s Constituency Development Fund (CDF) Bill 2013 was defeated in parliament last week after it was tabled and debated.

Communities Collaborate to Improve Sanitation

Solomon Islands Ministry of Health, UNICEF and Non Government Organizations have participated in a recent Community Led Total Sanitation (CTLS)to improve sanitation.
Because of the strike, parents are now suggesting that authorities be lenient with cut off marks for entry into national, secondary and community schools in 2014.

Teachers Strike Raises Concern

Members of the Solomon Islands Teachers Association, SINTA, across the country continue to remain on strike despite warnings issued by the Ministry of Education and Human Resource Development to resume classes.

All Archive

2024

2023

2022

2021

2020

2019

2018

2017

2016

2015

2014

2013

2012

2011

2010

2009

2008

2007