Economy Archive August 2007

Castles Appointment Dubious: Sogavare

Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare said the appointment of the former Commissioner of Police, Shane Castles of Australia was dubious.

RAMSI Not 'Running the Show', says Tim George

Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare's assertion that RAMSI was the primary enforcer of law and order in Solomon Islands comes as a surprise for the RAMSI Special Coordinator.

RAMSI Not Withholding Information on Guns: George

Allegations that RAMSI was withholding information on the presence of weapons in the community were "simply not true".

ANZ Rural Banker Wins Trip to Samoa

Samoa is playing host to the XIII South Pacific Games and thousands of athletes are participating from across the South Pacific including more than 300 athletes from the Solomon Islands.

Dr Sikua Blames Kemakeza for Scholarship Woes

Dr. Derick Sikua has put the blame on the former Allan Kemakeza government for the huge anomalies of tertiary scholarships highlighted in the auditor general's report.

Oti Hails Partnership Between SI and US

Foreign Affairs Minister, Patterson Oti, last week hailed the US assistance to Solomon Islands under a new US-led Pacific Partnership Goodwill Mission.

Bill Passed to Review RAMSI Facilitation Act

The National Parliament yesterday passed a motion for a review of the Facilitation Act which governs the operation of the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands.

Rise in Diabetes Cases Alarming: Soalaoi

Health and Medical Services Minister Clay Forau told Parliament that the leading cause of death in Solomon Islands is cancer, followed by diabetes.

Government Creates Three New Ministries

Three additional ministries will be implemented as part of the government's bottom up approach to service the rural population.

Domestic Violence Increase Worrying: NCW

The drastic rise in reported cases of domestic violence has prompted calls from the Solomon Islands National Council of Women (NCW) for the tougher laws against domestic violence.

Moti Should Step Down: Bar Association

The Solomon Islands Bar Association, which regulates the professional and ethical conduct of legal practitioners in the Solomons, has called on Attorney General, Julian Moti, to step down.

USP Petition to be Addressed Accordingly: Anga

A petition submitted to the Ministry of Education and Human Resources Development in Honiara by government-sponsored students at USP in Suva, Fiji, will be addressed "accordingly".

NGO's to be Made "More Transparent"

A legislative framework requiring all non-government organizations and members of the civil society to be accountable was proposed in parliament.

Another Logging Company Accused of Abuse

Another Asian logging company, operating at Wairokai in West 'Are 'Are in Malaita Province, has been accused of abusing children and women in the area.

New Foreign Investment Act Attracts Investors

The Foreign Investment Division has released its 2007 quarterly report. The report shows that business investment and employment in the Solomon Islands has continued to grow.

Constitutional Reform is Necessary, says PM

The Prime Minister, in welcoming delegates of the Constitutional Congress and members of the Elders Advisory Group, stated that constitutional reform is necessary if not compelling.

PM on Sexual Abuse Report

Logging companies operating in Makira/Ulawa Province are called on to respect Solomon Islands' laws and employees are urged to behave themselves.

USS Peleliu arrives in Solomon Islands

U.S. Navy ship USS Peleliu arrived in Solomon Islands waters today to provide humanitarian and civic assistance in a planned, coordinated effort with the government of the Solomon Islands.

USP Students Petition Minister

Government sponsored students of Solomon Islands at the USP Laucala Campus in Fiji have signed a petition for payment of their living and book allowances.

Malaita By-Elections Prolonged

The by-elections for the Aoke-Langa Langa and East Malaita constituencies, will be held in February next year, according to the Electoral Commission.

Former Militant Arrested

A man has been arrested and charged with offences dating back to 2003.

SBD$4.8 Million Earmarked for Gizo

The Western Provincial Government will benefit from a SBD$4.8 Million dollar project to build a new water supply system for the Gizo Township and to tar seal the Gizo roads.

NDMO Dismisses Claims of 'Missing Millions'

The Solomon Islands National Disaster Management Office (NDMO) has dismissed claims made by the Premier of Western Province, Alex Lokopio, of a possible shortfall in tsunami aid money.

Internet Access in Oceania Low

Internet access penetration is "very low" in Oceania, according to founder and President of the Internet Protocol version Six, I-P-v-6, Latif Ladid.

AG Discontinues PM's High Court Actions

Julian Moti QC informed Parliament that the Speaker's very carefully reasoned ruling on Haomae's latest No Confidence motion, he has been instructed to withdraw the Prime Minister's case.

6.7 Magnitude Earthquake Hits Honiara

An earthquake, measuring 6.7 on the Richter Scale, hit the capital Honiara at about 20 minutes to 8 last night.

Narakobi to Deliver Key Note Address to Congress

Prominent Papua New Guinean, and currently the High Commissioner of PNG to New Zealand, H E Bernard Narakobi, will deliver a key note address to the Constitutional Congress.

Constitutional Congress Starts Induction next Week

The Constitutional Reform Unit in the Office of the Prime Minister will hold the Constitutional Congress Induction next week from Monday 20th to Friday 24th at the Mendana Hotel.

Solomon Students in USP Still Without Allowance

Government sponsored students of Solomon Islands studying at the University of the South Pacific in Suva, Fiji face yet again financial dilemma due to delay of allowance payment.

Millions Spent in Tsunami Relief under Scrutiny

The Solomon Islands Auditor General will probe into how millions of dollars set aside for tsunami relief work in the Western Solomons have been used.

SBD$1 Million Earmarked for Premiers Conference

Rennell Bellona Province will have at least 1 million dollars injected into its small rural economy for the upcoming Premiers Conference, which is scheduled for September 11 to 15.

Law Student Laid to Rest

The funeral of the late Paul Sikoiasi, a law student who died tragically in Port Vila, was held recently in Honiara.

Beat Office to Fight Petty Crime

The Solomon Islands Police have opened a Beat Office at the Central Markets in an effort to fight the growing number of complaints of petty crime in the area.

Leadership Code Commission Fines MPAs

The Solomon Islands Leadership Code Commission last week imposed penalties of one-hundred dollars each on members of three Provincial Assemblies.

Police Disgusted over Memorial Defacement

Police officers have expressed disgust over damage caused on the Police Memorial at Rove.

Inland Revenue Explains Tax Relief to Gizo

Members of the Gizo Small Business Association have been briefed on how government will support businesses in the tsunami-stricken areas.

Police Dismiss 'Underground Army' in Makira

The Makira-Ulawa Provincial Police Commander, George Guna, has called on residents of Kira Kira to stop spreading rumors of the much talked about 'secret army'.

Makira - Ulawa to Empower its Chiefs

The Prime Minister, Manasseh Sogavare, has been invited as a special guest to witness the commissioning of Chiefs in Makira-Ulawa Province on the 17th of this month.

Teachers Face Pay Cut after Re-Levelling

The re-levelling exercise, demanded by teachers in the country, has had some unexpected results. It has been revealed that a few teachers are now receiving lower salaries.

Government Accused of Politicizing SOEs

The Premier of Choiseul province, Jackson Kiloe, says the government is doing harm to State Owned Enterprises, when it handpicks people within its own political circle to board positions.

Solomons Committed to a Modern Corrections System

Minister for Police and National Security, Issac Inoke, said during the closing of the Pacific Corrections Conference that he is committed to the vision of a modern correctional service.

Tragic Death for Young Student

A funeral service for a Solomon Islands student who died tragically in Vanuatu takes place in Honiara today.

National Parliament Launches Website

The Solomon Islands National Parliament yesterday launched its official website (www.parliament.gov.sb).

Solomon Islander Dies after Brawl in Port Vila

A Solomon Islands student studying at the Law faculty of the University of the South Pacific in Vila, has died following a brawl with security guards at a Vanuatu nightclub over the weekend.

New IPAM Complex Dedicated to Late Sanga

The Ministry of Public Service dedicates its new Institute of Public Administration and Management (IPAM) complex to the late East Malaita Member of Parliament, Hon. Joses W. Sanga.

Where are the Relief Funds: Lokopio

The Premier of Western Province, Alex Lokopio, has questioned how millions of dollars in emergency relief funds were spent.

Draft Federal Constitution Progressing Well: Sogavare

Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare says that work on the Draft Federal Constitution is progressing well.

Western Province Hands Over Report on State Govt.

Western Province Premier, Alex Lokopio handed over the document in a brief ceremony in the Prime Minister's Office yesterday morning.

Kira Kira Residents Awaiting 'Mystery Army'

A cargo cult is growing in Kira Kira, the provincial capital of Makira-Ulawa Province. The township is awaiting the appearance of a mystery military platoon.

PM Reaffirms Commitment to RAMSI

The Grand Coalition for Change Government is committed to improve its relationship with the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands, RAMSI.

PM Calls for United Approach by Guadalcanal on Demands

The people of Guadalcanal are urged to take on a coordinated and united approach to discuss matters of their concern.

Prime Minister Commends Guadalcanal

Guadalcanal Province has been commended for being the country's "engine room" since independence.

Laws and Regulations Need to be Updated, says Kengava

Many of the country's laws and regulation needs updating, according to a Member of Parliament.