Government Archive August 2013
Mining Company Denies Pollution Claims
The owners of the Gold Ridge mine in Solomon Islands are denying it is polluting the river downstream of the tailings dam.
Anna Returns Home
Anna Crumley-Effinger has returned home this week to share stories from her internship in the Solomon Islands as part of her studies as a Rotary Club Peace Fellow.
Nusatupe Receive Final Touches
A remote runway in Solomon Islands is due to be completed by next week, as the final part of New Zealand’s biggest single aid package.
Discussions Begin on ICT Policy
The Ministry of Communication and Aviation in collaboration with the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) will hold a consultation workshop on the development of the “Solomon Islands ICT Policy and Strategic Plan” in Honiara today.
Heads of Mission Consultations Commended
The Solomon Islands Minister of Foreign Affairs and External Trade, Hon. Clay Forau Soalaoi have commended the recently concluded Heads of Missions national consultation meeting in Honiara last week.
Consumer Affairs Takes Tough Approach
The Solomon Islands Government’s Consumer Affairs and Price Control Department is seeking to increase penalties on shop owners who continue to sell expired or defective goods.
SIWIBA Looks for More Opportunities
A group representing Solomon Islands business women is hoping plans to operate a daily flea market in the capital will soon be approved.
SINU Signs with USP
The University of the South Pacific signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Solomon Islands National University (SINU), on Thursday 8 August, 2013, at the USP Laucala Campus in Suva.
Tougher Business Laws Called For
The Solomon Islands Chamber of Commerce says tougher law enforcement is needed to stop foreigners taking jobs that are reserved for the country’s citizens.
Directors for Economic Growth Center Announced
The Public Service Commission has finally appointed nine Directors out of ten to the Economic Growth Center Division who will be directly responsible for the planning, coordination, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of Government’s Economic Growth Center Policy.
Lilo Rebuffs Opposition Claims
“The Opposition needs a bit of economic lecture to understand how we connect to international trade,” says Prime Minister Gordon Darcy Lilo when rebuffing recent criticisms against his visit to Indonesia.
Australia Apologizes to Lilo
Australia has apologized to Solomon Islands Prime Minister Gordon Darcy Lilo after a lapse in protocol saw him swabbed for explosives at Brisbane airport.
Opposition Questions Funding for Indonesian Trip
Solomon Islands Opposition Leader Dr. Derek Sikua has accused the Prime Minister of lying about the funding source for his trip to Indonesia.
ANZ Announces Profits
Last week ANZ Bank has announced a profit of A$4.8 billion (K10.9 billion) for the nine months to June 30, up 11% from the same period last year.
New Opening hours for Fiji Internet Shops
All internet shops in Fiji will now open until the hours allowed under their specific business license, says Fiji Prime Minister Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama.
Free West Papua Campaign Office Opens
The Free West Papua Campaign has opened its office in the Hague, in the Netherlands.
Disagreements Arise Over Munda Airport
A Group of landowning tribes claiming original ownership over the Munda international Airport are threatening to close the airport over what they claim as being left out of negotiations for the national infrastructure on their land.
Descendants in Search for Answers
Descendants of a tribe from the Solomon Islands residing in the heart of the Ra Province are searching for clues on how and when their ancestors first arrived into the country.
Lilo Attends Blackbirding Anniversary
Solomon Islands Prime Minister, Hon. Gordon Darcy Lilo has paid tribute to Solomon Islanders who were part of the South Sea Islanders taken as slaves to Queensland, Australia 150 years ago.
Violence Against Women Discussed Regionally
Twenty-six representatives from six Pacific Island countries are in Suva this week for a five-day regional workshop to develop concrete action plans to address high rates of violence against women in the region.
Calls to Arrest Riumana Seen as Pointless
Member of Parliament for Kia-Hograno Selwyn Riumana says calls by the Anti-Corruption Network of Solomon Islands for the police to arrest and charge him was unnecessary.
McCully Opens Munda Airstrip
New Zealand Foreign Affairs Minister Murray McCully yesterday opened the new Munda runway and Noro-Munda road in the Western Province of Solomon Islands.
New Ambulance Received
Solomon Islands Ministry of Health and Medical Services has taken delivery of a new ambulance, thanks to the New Zealand amphibious sea lift ship HMNZS CANTERBURY for the delivery.
Billions Lost Due to Weak Mining Policies
Papua New Guinea has been losing billions of kina in mineral resources due to lack of strong policies and capacity to properly monitor and regulate the industry.
Kazukuru Board Sign Agreement
The National Coalition for Rural Advancement (NCRA) Government yesterday signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the Kazukuru Land Trust Board Inc (KLTB) of Western Province.
'Nokim Daon Vaelens' Reach Out to Community Workers
Solomon Islands Planned Parenthood Association (SIPPA) together with Ministry of Health and Medical Services – Social Welfare Division Gender Based Violence Program are implementing a project funded by the British High Commission called ‘Nokim Daon Vaelens’.
Students Receive Allowance
Solomon Island students at the USP received their allowances yesterday after a long wait.
Community Development Projects Signed
A financing Agreement for 168 community projects funded by the Solomon Islands Government through the Rural Development Program (RDP) has been signed in Honiara yesterday.
Corporate Direction for Visitors Bureau Launched
The Minister of Culture and Tourism, Hon. Samuel Manetoali has officially launched the new Corporate Direction for the Solomon Islands Visitors Bureau (SIVB).
More Graduate from APTC
115 Solomon Islands students graduated from the Australia Pacific Technical College (APTC) on Wednesday at a special ceremony in Honiara - the largest APTC graduation ceremony held in Solomon Islands.
Delegation to Attend Blackbirding Anniversary
Ten artists and weavers will represent Solomon Islands at the 150th Anniversary of Australian South Sea Islander History commemorations in Australia.
Government to be More Transparent with Budget
In discussing the new Public Financial Management Act, Solomon Islands Minister for Finance and Treasury, the Hon. Rick Hou said that a key feature contained in the Act is the new fiscal responsibility provisions.
Government to Borrow Cautiously Under New Act
Solomon Islands Minister of Finance and Treasury, Hon Rick Hou, announced that the new Public Financial Management Act will facilitate better decisions on Government Borrowing, On-lending and Guarantees.
Lilo Says No to "Pacific Solution"
Prime Minister of Solomon Islands, Hon. Gordon Lilo Darcy says his country is not interested in being part of the Australian Government's 'Pacific Solution' for asylum seekers.
Solomons to Learn from Sri Lanka
Solomon Islands Permanent Representative to the United Nations Collin Beck says the country has a lot to learn from the experience of Sri Lanka as the two countries formally established diplomatic relations last month.