Latest News Archive October 2008

Sharzy to Launch Latest Album In Four Countries.

Popular Solomon Islands music icon Sharzy will simultaneously launch his fifth album titled "Umi Flow" on Saturday the 1st of November in four regional countries.

Guale Peace and Reconciliation to Meet

A second meeting of the Guadalcanal Peace and Reconciliation Committee is rescheduled to kick-off early next month.

Police Disrespect Uniform: Kari

The President of the National Council of Women, Mrs Hilda Kari calls on Police officers to respect the Uniform they are wearing.

SSEC Has New Bishop

The South Seas Evangelic Church (SSEC) after a long day of elections announced its new bishop last night.

Solomon's Muslim League Clarifies Position

The Solomon Islands Muslim League has clarified its association with Australian, Bassam Tiba.

Government Defends Move Towards Iran

The Government has defended its plan to sign a bilateral cooperation agreement with Iran pointing out that Iran has diplomatic relations with 102 countries, including Australia and New Zealand.

RAMSI and SI Gov't: Moving Forward Together

The Prime Minister and his Cabinet Ministers went to the RAMSI Base at Guadalcanal Beach Resort yesterday to meet with the Heads of RAMSI and the Participating Police Force(PPF).

Australia Supports Honiara Youth Climate Change Forum

The Australian High Commission is getting behind Honiara Youth and Climate Change Forum. Australian Deputy High Commissioner, Alison Duncan, today met with George Baragamu, Solomon Islands Red Cross Society Program Manager for Climate Change and Disaster Risk Reduction, to offer Australia's support for the forum.

Prime Minister and Cabinet Visit RAMSI Headquarters

RAMSI Special Coordinator Tim George and Participating Police Force (PPF) Commander Denis McDermott today welcomed the Solomon Islands Prime Minister, Dr Derek Sikua, and his Cabinet to RAMSI headquarters at the Guadalcanal Beach Resort (GBR).

Giant Coconut Crab Discovered in Pohnpei

A coconut crab discovered in Pohnpei in the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) is the largest in Pohnpei's history.

Japan, ADB to Help Kiribati with Budget Management and Public Sector Reform

MANILA, PHILIPPINES - The Asian Development Bank (ADB) will provide assistance to Kiribati to help strengthen public financial management through long-term budget strategies and to improve the efficiency of public enterprises.

Police Search for Owner of Marijuana Plants

Honiara police are searching for the owner of at least 14 fully grown marijuana plants seized in a raid carried out recently.

Local Apple (Kabarai) Season Taking Over

With the season for mango slowly coming to its end in Solomon Islands, another local fruit season is here, looks like an apple but tastes nothing like an apple. Solomon Islanders call this rather delicious fruit 'Kabarai.'

Pacific Leaders to Recommend Strategies for Adding Value to Local Foods

In the midst of global economic crises and escalating food prices, Pacific leaders are meeting in Parramatta, Australia next week to recommend strategies for Pacific Island consumers to get the most nutritional value for their food dollars.

Sustainable Energy Financing Roadshow Launched in Gizo

The Central Bank of Solomon Islands together with the World Bank and the Australian Government will launch the Sustainable Energy Financing Project roadshow program in Gizo, Western Province, on Thursday 30 October.

Australian Arrested in Honiara

A wanted man from Melbourne, who allegedly taunted Australian police saying he would never be captured, was arrested by Solomon Islands Police Force detectives at Henderson International Airport in Honiara on Tuesday (28 October 2008).

Guadalcanal Peace and Reconciliation Committee Meets

A second meeting of the Guadalcanal Peace and Reconciliation Committee is rescheduled to kick-off early next month.

RIPEL Taskforce Report Presented to PM

A Government taskforce on the reactivation of the Russell Islands Plantations limited (RIPEL) has presented its report to the Prime Minister Dr Derek Sikua yesterday morning.

FEMM 2008 Concludes

The Forum Economic Ministers met in Port Vila, Vanuatu 27-29 October to discuss Food and Energy Security.

Solomon Islands to Establish Ties with Iran?

The Solomon Islands government has come under fire over its moves to strengthen bilateral ties with Iran, a country branded by the United States as a member of the "axis of evil."

Pacific Freedom Forum Condemns Assault of Pacific Media Veteran

Media workers across the Pacific have strongly condemned the violent bashing of veteran media advocate, journalist, and trainer Peter Lomas.

Case of Man Accused of Rape Adjourned

An elderly man accused of raping his four month old step daughter, appeared at the Honiara Central Magistrate's court for a short time yesterday.

Women's Week Takes Centre Stage in Honiara

The Women's Week at the Cultural village is the current crowd catcher this week, as people flood the grounds.

Solomon Islands Deepens Ties with Belgium

Solomon Islands yesterday has welcomed with open arms Belgium's Ambassador during a brief ceremony at the Government House.

Not Guilty!

The Honiara Magistrates Court yesterday acquitted Prime Minister Dr Derek Sikua of traffic-related charges.

Quick Action Seals Damaged Runway at Munda

Technical staff of the Ministry of Aviation has taken swift action on yesterday to conceal a big hole at the centerline runway of Munda airport.

Appointment of New RAMSI Special Coordinator Welcomed

The Foreign Minister of Solomon Islands, the Hon William Ni'i Haomae, and Secretary-General of the Pacific Islands Forum, the Hon Tuiloma Neroni Slade, and RAMSI Special Coordinator, Mr Timothy George, today welcomed the appointment of Mr Graeme Wilson as the next Special Coordinator of RAMSI.

Pacific Wide Tsunami Drill Set for Today

Solomon Islands will join more than sixty-one other countries around the Pacific Rim as a participant in a mock tsunami scenario during 29 -30 October 2008.

Pacific Plan Contributes to Economic Growth in FICs

The Pacific Plan makes a significant contribution to helping the region improve strategic goals of economic growth, sustainable development, good governance and security.

RIPEL Issue to be Discussed in Cabinet

A Government Special Task Force which had been looking at ways to revamp the crippled Russell Islands Plantations Estates Limited (RIPEL) will hand its report to the Prime Minister, Dr Derek Sikua tomorrow.

Ministry of Tourism Praised for Supporting Toursim Industry

The newly established Solomon Islands Tourism Industry Association (SITIA) has praised the support the Ministry of Culture and Tourism had given to the re-establishment of SITIA as a "positive vision."

Loggers Said to Have Backed NAPSI

At least six Malaysian logging companies, mostly family based, are reported to be supporting the formation of the National Alliance Party of Solomon Islands (NAPSI), led by Honiara businessman, Bobo Dettke.

SIFF Congress Begins This Week

Delegates representing the various football associations are arriving in the national capital ahead of the SIFF Congress that will take place on Friday.

Kurukuru Squad Urged to Training

Members of the Kurukuru Futsal Squad are being called on to turn up for a brief meeting and training tomorrow at Lawson Tama.

Women's Week Officially Opened

The Women's Week was officially opened yesterday at the Cultural Village in Honiara.

Lilo Urges Waipora to Avoid Unfounded Accusations

Minister of Environment Gordon Darcy Lilo is calling on Deputy Opposition Leader Japhet Waipora to avoid making irresponsible calls to the Prime Minister to remove ministers.

COI is the Way Forward for RIPEL: Sogavare

Leader of Opposition, Manasseh Sogavare has expressed grave concern over the pure legalistic-based approach taken by the government to deal with the long-standing RIPEL dispute.

Lilo Accuses Wong of Set Up

The Environment and Conservation Minister, Gordon Darcy Lilo, has totally denied having sent anyone to ask RIPEL Chairman Patrick Wong for corrupt payments totaling $3 Million.

Pink Ribbon Event Held

A fundraising dinner was held at the Honiara Hotel last Friday to mark the Pink Ribbon event, a global initiative to create awareness on cancers affecting women.

$182.3m Provincial Funds Unaudited

The Office of the Auditor General, OAG, has revealed that $182.3 Million of Solomon Islands Government grants to Provincial Governments over the past fifteen (15) years have not been audited.

Honiara Youths Attended Blue Light Disco

Youths in communities around Honiara attended a Blue Light Disco at the Rove Police club last Friday.

SolAir to Introduce Pre-Christmas Special to Brisbane

Solomon Airlines will introduce its pre-Christmas special, where return tickets to Brisbane will cost SBD$1999 inclusive of taxes, for about three weeks in November.

SSEC Faces Serious Threat of Split

Some leaders of the South Seas Evangelical Church, SSEC, have reportedly threatened to set up an alternative SSEC leadership structure if Reverend Michael Maeliau is elected on Thursday as the Reverend Bishop of the SSEC Church in the country.

EU Increase Assistance to Solomon Islands

The European Union will increase its funding assistance to Solomon Islands under phase three of its micro project scheme to USD 80 million dollars.

Declined Support for RAMSI Expected: Sogavare

Leader of Opposition, Manasseh Sogavare, describes the decline in Solomon Islanders support for the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands, RAMSI, as shown by the recently released 2008 people's survey on the Australian-led intervention arrangement as "not surprising."

'Going Home' Service for Solomons Laucala Students

The Solomon Islands Students Association (SISA) of the University of the South Pacific's Laucala-based campus in Suva, Fiji, organised its last combined service yesterday.

Police Calls for Calm after Stabbing Incident

The Acting Police Commissioner Walter Kola has denied rumours that the recent stabbing at the Honiara Central Market could spark a reoccurrence of the Guadalcanal ethnic tension.

Niue Wins Miss South Pacific

Niue's representative to the 2008 Miss South Pacific pageant, Vanessa Marsh, was crowned the new Miss South Pacific on Saturday night in American Samoa.

Outgoing Commissioner of Prisons Farewelled

The Minister of Police, Security and Correctional Services Hon Samuel Manetoali yesterday thanked outgoing Commissioner of Prisons Barry Apsey for his outstanding service to Solomon Islands.

H.E Chan Reassures Solomon Islands

Solomon Islands relationship with Taiwan is not affected by the current global financial crisis.

Female Soccer Coach Attends Elite Coaching Course in New Zealand

Diane Justus has added another milestone to the development of women's soccer in the Solomon Islands.

Solomon Islands Signs Border Strengthening MOU with Australia

Solomon Islands has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Australian Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC), and the International Organisation for Migration to implement a Border Strengthening Program in Solomon Islands.

PM's Trial Ends, Ruling Tuesday Next Week

The Prime Minister's drink-driving case ended late yesterday afternoon at the Magistrate Court.

Baby Found Dead, Police Searching for Mother

A six month old fetus was found in a stream at Kobito One, below Naha road.

Honiara Central Market Receives Facelift

The Honiara Central Market has received a facelift, following a construction of a steel fence erected around the market premises.

First Lady's Charity and RAMSI Work on Pink Ribbon Day

Lady Alice Waena has urged the community to support Pink Ribbon Day which aims to raise awareness as well as funds for fighting women's cancers in Solomon Islands.

Strike is Legal: Kagovai

The General Secretary of the Solomon Islands National Union of Workers (SINUW), Mr. Tony Kagovai has said that the strike by the workers of the Heritage Park Hotel is "Legal."

Maemae and Sale in Oceania All Stars to Take on Becks

A young, energetic and competitive Oceania All Stars line-up will face David Beckham's LA Galaxy on Saturday December 6 at the Auckland Regional Council's Mt Smart Stadium.

PACP States Agree to Continue EPA Negotiations as Single Region

The Pacific ACP States have reaffirmed their commitment to continue the negotiations of an Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) with the European Union (EU) "as a single region" based on existing negotiating positions as agreed last March.

Pacific Nations Must Boost Structural Reform to Withstand Global Crisis - ADB Study

MANILA, PHILIPPINES - Developing Pacific nations must intensify their structural reform efforts to achieve sustainable economic growth and protect themselves from the global economic crisis, a new Asian Development Bank (ADB) study says.

Public Service Minister in Barbados for Forum

The Minister for Public Service, Milner Tozaka and his Permanent Secretary Ishmael Avui has left for the Caribbean nation of Barbados, for a Commonwealth minister's forum on public sector development.

Solomons to Benefit From US for Marine Conservation

Solomon Islands is one of six countries to benefit from the Coral Triangle Initiative (CTI).

Tourism Body Reactivated

The National Tourism Association Solomon Islands (NTASI) a non-profit tourism industry association which promotes products and service to its members held a two days tourism meeting for tourism operators in the country.

I Was Not Drunk, Just Frustrated: Sikua

Yesterday the Prime Minister admitted in court that he had used abusive language to police officers on the 3rd of February, 2006.

Police Officer Arrested

An investigation by the Royal Solomon Islands Police Professional Standard and Internal Investigation (PSII) has resulted in the arrest of a police officer from Honiara on 20th October 2008.

PM Gives Fishing Communities Canoes and Engines

Prime Minister Dr Derek Sikua has given three 19-feet fiberglass canoes and three 15-horse power Yamaha outboard motors to fishing communities of his North-East Guadalcanal Constituency.

HIV Healing a Hoax

The HIV Department of the Ministry of Health has rejected claims that there are herbal medicines that can heal the HIV virus.

Sisilo to Head Nauru Foreign Affairs Ministry

Solomon Islands' trade expert Robert Sisilo has landed a lucrative job in Nauru, taking on the role of Nauru's new foreign affairs secretary from next month.

Leaders to Forge New Plan to Protect Coral Triangle

MANILA, PHILIPPINES - Senior officials from six Asia-Pacific nations, whose territories include some of the most unique and threatened marine species in the world, are forging a comprehensive draft plan to protect these natural treasures.

Non- Communicable Disease Workshop Held

The Ministry of Health's Non- Communicable Disease Department, this week organized a five day workshop on Non-Communicable Diseases.

Haomae Heads Pacific Trade Negotiations with European Commission

Minister of Foreign Affairs and External Trade, Hon William Haomae, was selected as interim spokesman for the Pacific ACP group in negotiating the controversial Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) with the European Commission (EC).

Heritage Park Hotel Workers Go on Strike

Yesterday the workers of the Heritage Park Hotel went on a strike just as the Hotel construction nears completion.

Uepi Island Resort, an Unforgettable Experience

Looking for an unforgettable experience? Then look no further, Solomon Islands is host to many eco-lodges and beautiful Island resorts, one of which is Uepi Island Resort.

Fono Defends CNURA Rural Development Policy

The Deputy Prime Minister, Hon. Fred Fono held a press conference yesterday to defend the governments much touted rural development policy.

Reforestation to Minimise Unsustainable Timber Harvesting: Tausinga

Forest resource owners must be encouraged to do downstream processing, and at the same time replant logged land areas so as to minimise the disasterous effects of unsustainable timber harvesting.

Solomon Islands Rejects 'Binding Obligation' in EPA

Solomon Islands is maintaining its position against the European Union's (EU) pressure on Pacific Nations for binding commitments in the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) between the Africa, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) group and the EU.

First Solomon Islander CEO for Our Telekom

Solomon Telekom Company limited has confirmed the appointment of Mr Loyley Ngira as its Chief Executive Officer. Mr Ngira, a Solomon Islands national from Choe, Marovo, Western Province is the first Solomon Islander to take up the role of Chief Executive.

Aorigi Islanders Come Up With Development Plan

Leaders on Santa Catalina Island, also known as Aorigi, in Makira's Far East have established a development plan to boost development on the island.

Jovita Leaves for Women's FIFA U17 Women's World Cup

Solomon Islands' only female FIFA badge referee, Jovita Qilamasala leaves this afternoon to officiate in the FIFA Under 17 Women' s World Cup in Auckland, New Zealand.

US Embassy Calls for Proposals

The United States Embassy, Port Moresby is soliciting proposals from Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu for small-scale development grants for projects.

Taiwan Continues to Help National Plantation Development Project

H.E George Chan, Ambassador of ROC (Taiwan), has handed the last tranche of fund for National Plantation Development Project, worth of SBD$3 million to H.E. Dr. Derek Sikua, Prime Minister of the Solomon Islands on 20th October, 2008.

Prime Minister Appeared in Courts

Prime Minister, Dr. Derek Sikua, this morning appeared before the Magistrate Court in relation to a traffic-related offence he was charged for.

New Crime Causes Concern

A new crime has hit the streets, causing concern among the Police.

Public Encouraged to Test for HIV

The Oceania Society of Sexual Health and HIV Medicine President Dr Tenneth Dalipanda has encouraged the general public to test for the deadly disease, HIV.

National Athletics Championship to be Held

A Primary School Carnival and a National Athletics Championship Competition will be held in Honiara from the 30th to the 31st of October.

NAPA Draft Plan Finalizing

The National Adaptation Programmes of Action (NAPA) committee of the Ministry of Environment held a one day workshop yesterday to review their Draft Action Plan for 2009.

Haomae Wants to Include Tobacco and Alcohol in PICTA

Minister of Foreign Affairs and External Trade, William Haomae, has announced the Solomon Islands Government's intention to include alcohol and tobacco in the Pacific Island Countries Trade Agreement (PICTA).

Integrity of PACP States to be Protected in EPA Negotiations

The new Secretary General of the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat, Tuiloma Neroni Slade has called on Pacific ACP Trade Ministers to protect the integrity of the positions of the PACP States and retain the unity of the Group in the negotiations of the Economic Partnership Agreement with the European Union.

Ontong Java Threatened by Climate Change

The Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Environment, Mr. Rence Sore, has stated that relocation would not be forced upon inhabitants of the remote atoll of Ontong Java in the Solomon Islands.

'Christmas Shopping' Alert!

With Christmas just around the corner, many people are now on high alert for the 'Christmas Shopping' dramas.

Training, an Important Element in Music: Walekwate

The Solomon Islands Music Federation (SIMF) recognizes that training is an important element instrumental to the success of the Music Industry in the country.

CRGA 38th Meeting Concludes

The Thirty-eighth Meeting of the Committee of Representatives of Governments and Administrations (CRGA 38) was held at the Secretariat of the Pacific Communities (SPC) headquarters in Noumea, New Caledonia, from the 13th to 16th October 2008.

Dr. Sikua Vists Heritage Park Hotel

The owner of the Heritage Park Hotel currently under construction in the centre of Honiara, Mr. Kostas Constantinou, said that his new hotel is going to be one of the best hotels, not only in Honiara but also in the Pacific.

RIPEL Needs to Reopen: Lilo

The Acting Minister of Finance, Hon. Gordon Darcy Lilo says Government wants to see the re-opening of operations of the multi-million dollar company, Russell Islands Plantations Estate Limited (RIPEL).

Shipping to Uneconomical Routes Soon to be Finalized

The Marine Division of the Ministry of Infrastructure and Development is on the final stage of its plan to subsidize shipping services to uneconomical routes in the country.

Malaita Completes Second Intra-Reconciliation Program

The second phase of the intra - reconciliation program was successfully completed recently throughout the four regions of Malaita Province.

First RSE Agent Licensed to Recruit

The Solomon Islands Government has granted license to a first local recruitment agent for the New Zealand Seasonal Labour Employment scheme, Monday last week.

Report Reveals Disturbing Extent of Sex Exploitation in Fiji

A research team on commercial sexual exploitation of children (CSEC) and child sexual abuse (CSA) in Fiji has compiled a report that reveals the extent of sexual exploitation in the country with reports of the abuse of women and children and the factors that are enabling this disturbing trend.

USP Leading Provider of Education: Salini

The University of the South Pacific is a leading provider of education in the South Pacific, including Solomon Islands, says Acting Director of USP Centre in Honiara, Chris Salini, at the Centre's Open Day.

Less Disturbance from Nightclubs in Honiara

Police are receiving less reports of criminal activities from nightclubs.