Latest News Archive January 2010 News

"Time is no luxury in this instance and we need to achieve a lot within the next 2 months," Ms. Justus said.

National U-17 Women Step Up Training for OFC Championship

The Solomon Islands Football Federation (SIFF) National U-17 Women's Training Squad has stepped up its training this week in a bid to boost the team's preparation for the upcoming Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) U-17 Women's Championship in April.

Mr Sogavare says the party believes in a development strategy that centres on people, peace and economic prosperity.

OUR Party Promotes Policy in Malaita

Interim President of OUR Party and Opposition Leader, Manasseh Sogavare has assured the people of Malaita of his party's commitment to ensure economic prosperity for Solomon Islands.

"Nauruans past and present have contributed to making Solomon Islands a safer place. Their policing experience has helped with the rebuilding of the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF)."

RAMSI Congratulates Nauru on Independence Day

RAMSI's Special Coordinator, Graeme Wilson, today congratulated Nauru on the celebration of its Independence Day, noting the valuable role it played as part of the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands (RAMSI).

As repair work gets underway ministry officials say the cost could potentially run into millions of dollars.

Landowner Seeks $30,000 Compo

A landowner in West Guadalcanal is asking the government to pay $30,000 dollars in compensation for damages to property.

Mr Ingruber said his country is doing this because the Australian Government and people are genuinely committed to achieving the Millennium Development Goals.

Australia, a True Friend to Solomon Islands: H.E Ingruber

The Australian High Commissioner to Honiara, H.E Frank Ingruber, says his country has shown itself to be a true friend to Solomon Islands, ready to assist in the important task of nation building.

Mr Kola said that unregistered vehicles and unlicensed drivers is a concern as it compromises the safety of the public.

Police Clamp Down on Illegal Vehicles

Police have issued a traffic awareness to the public saying that they will be tightening traffic operations in Honiara starting today.

He said the government would have loved to implement the new Federal Constitution for Solomon Islands during it administration but circumstances dictate otherwise.

Federalism No Longer Possible: PM

The Coalition for National Unity and Rural Advancement government will not be able to implement the country's new Federal Constitution during its time in office due to shortage of funds.

Iguana found by Lovonivonu villagers in Fiji. The reptile is new to the country and is an herbivore.

Iguana Determined to be a New Species and an Herbivore

A new iguana species that was causing alarm in parts of Fiji was determined to be an herbivore, therefore not a threat to islanders' food source - seafood. It was also determined to be a new species.

NTU Set to Announce New Scholarships

The National Training Unit, NTU, of the Ministry of Education says the Solomon Islands Government scholarship awards for 2010 will be released today.

Solomon Airlines Lays Off Workers

Solomon Airlines has abolished its non-core activities departments and outsourced work previously done by those departments to local enterprises.

Mr Haununu said that the revision period will begin with officials posting a draft voters' list in public places across the country and he called on people to be active and check this draft list.

Let's Stop Double Registration: Electoral Office

Chief Electoral Officer, Mr Polycarp Haununu, has called on all Solomon Islanders to play their part in making a voters' list that has integrity and avoids double registrations.

Carbon Emissions Increasing Acidity of Ocean, Threatening Marine Life

The following article was released by SeaWeb in its latest update (January 26, 2010, Vol. 15, No. 2).There is also an accompanying video which can be accessed at the link provided below to the SeaWeb website.

Dash8 Undergoes Maintenance in PNG

The new Dash8 operation, although going well since 7th December 2009, will be leaving for PNG to undergo a major Maintenance check called a "C-Check".

Government Pushes on With Fee Free Education Policy

The national Government has assured Solomon Islanders, especially fee paying parents, that there will be no changes to its Fee Free Basic Education Policy.

Minister for National Unity, Reconciliation and Peace, Sam Iduri, appealed to the media to cover TRC activities with the level of sensitivity required.

TRC Appeals for Sensitivity in News Reporting

The Government has again called for support towards the work of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, TRC.

Electoral Commission to Hold Public Information Day

Chief Electoral Officer, Mr Polycarp Haununu, says the Electoral Commission will be holding a free Official Public Information Day this week to give people the chance to find out more about voter registration.

New Parliament Seats Nonsense, Says Former Politician

A former Politician describes the Government's intention of amending the constitution to allow more seats for some constituencies as total nonsense.

"... we are moving in the direction of that vision": Sir Peter.

National Parliament Vision to Be Best in the Pacific: Sir Peter

The Speaker of the National Parliament, Sir Peter Kenilorea, said the vision of the National Parliament of Solomon Islands is to be the best Parliament in the Pacific.

Project to Improve Roads and Bridges in Makira

A partnership of government and international development agencies today announced the next phase of the Solomon Islands Road Improvement Project (SIRIP).

"[Party formation] is pure political interest for intending candidates to win ..." Dr. Roughan.

Party Formation Mockery: Roughan

The Director of Solomon Islands Development Trust (SIDT), Dr. John Roughan, describes the long time practice in the country of party formation prior to election as no basis to developing the nation.

Forum Secretariat Launches Upgraded Website

PRESS STATEMENT - Monday, 25 January 2010 - The Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat this week launched its upgraded website www.forumsec.org in line with its new corporate structure and renewed regional priorities.

The body of the young boy was found covered in debris further down the river by locals.

Police Finds Body of Two Year Old Child

The body of the missing two year old boy, washed away by flooded waters last week, was located by locals over the weekend.

Electoral Commission Engages in Massive Awareness Campaign

Chief Electoral Officer, Mr Polycarp Haununu, says the Electoral Commission's public awareness program is in full swing and aims to inform people about voter registration and the electoral process.

Electoral Commission to Hold Public Information Day

Chief Electoral Officer, Mr Polycarp Haununu, says the Electoral Commission will be holding a free Official Public Information Day this week to give people the chance to find out more about voter registration.

New Crime Decree in Fiji to Assist Fight against Sexual Abuse

Fiji's new Crime Decree of 2009 will assist in the fight against sexual abuse such as rape with new detail definition of rape and a no-drop policy for property owners on whose premises such acts take place with their knowledge.

Region Needs Sound Policies to Save its People from Poverty

Pacific Island governments need to provide sound policies to counter against the global economic crisis in order to save its people from poverty.

Fred searching for food as flood waters slowly subsides.

People Scrape Around For Food

People around burns creek and Lunga areas made their last harvest of what is left of their garden from the heavy rain and flood last night.

A search party is currently underway close to where the children were last seen.

Police Search for Missing Children

The Royal Solomon Islands Police are mounting up search operations for two children who went missing around the upper Betikama area since yesterday.

The Police Response Team, with the support of Participating Police Force assets, are doing all they can to assist the communities that are affected by the floods.

Bridges Destroyed by Flooding

Flooding has destroyed the bridges of Poha and Tamboko rivers in Northwest Guadalcanal.

Meteorological Service Express Concern over Weather System

The low pressure system located north of Santa Cruz Islands in the Eastern part of the country has a fair chance of developing into a cyclone.

Tuvalu Prepares to Adapt to Climate Change through PACC Project

In upraising the profile of the PACC Project in Tuvalu, a one day inception meeting was held last week at the Government Conference Room to introduce and launch the project.

Dr Sikua says many investigations into alleged breaches of forestry and customs laws are complex and multi-faceted.

Criticisms of Forestry Officers Unfair: PM

Prime Minister Derek Sikua has rejected as "unfair and misguided," recent criticism of the government relating to the foiled attempts by Chung Sol logging company to export tubi logs.

The items recovered included computer equipment such as screens (monitors), hard drives, modems and laptop computers.

Stolen Computers Recovered from Motel

Detectives from the Honiara City Police executed a search warrant on Tuesday 19 January 2010 at approximately 8.30am, at a Motel in Honiara and seized a large number of goods believed to have been stolen.

Police officers with uprooted marijuana plants being loaded onto waiting police vehicles.

Father and Son Arrested for Kwaso and Marijuana

Honiara City police have arrested a 47 year old father and his 17 year old son for the illegal production of kwaso and the cultivation of marijuana at Lunga area at approximately 9.00am yesterday morning.

Solomon Islands Women Form Political Party

A new political party that will represent the views of Solomon Islands' women is in the making.

National U-17 Women's Squad Called to Training

The Solomon Islands Football Federation (SIFF) Women's Development Officer has called on the National U-17 Select Squad to attend their bi-weekly training sessions starting this Thursday 21st January.

Court to Hand Down Decision on Former Forestry Head

The Magistrates Court in Honiara will hand down its decision, Friday this week on former acting Commissioner of Forest Mahlon Ali who faces charges of official corruption, abuse of office and false pretences.

The Minister for Environment, Conservation and Meteorology, Gordon Darcy Lilo says least developed countries and small island states were disappointed with the Copenhagen accord.

SIDS Deserve Better Than Copenhagen Accord: Lilo

The Solomon Islands government says vulnerable people from small island developing states, SIDS, deserve a better deal than the Copenhagen Accord.

Forum Secretariat Clarifies its Role after Pacnews Publication

The following is a Press Statement released by the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat is response to an article that was published regarding the Secretariat's role under PACER.

Live and Learn Comments on Illegal Log Export

Media officer for Live and Learn Forestry Centre in Solomon Islands, Charles Stennett says the attempt to export the hardwood tree, known in Isabel as "tubi", as round logs shows a lack of respect for government laws.

"I've been in the Army for 8 years and I'm so honoured to be representing my country overseas. I hope I can really make a difference to the lives of the locals" she said excitedly.

From Personal Trainer to Peace Keeper in Solomon Islands

Paynesville's Polly Cooper is no stranger to helping people. The bubbly personal trainer helps her clients to lose weight, eat right and maintain a healthy everyday lifestyle.

TSI says that the Government's action will not deter others from engaging in such illegal behavior.

Government Decision on Illegal Logging Irresponsible: TSI

Transparency Solomon Islands, TSI, has labeled the Government irresponsible for its decision to simply warn an Asian logging company that tried to export round logs illegally.

Giant African Snails Cause Concern

The discovery of giant African snails, a potentially lethal crop killer, beside the Mataniko River on Saturday has again prompted response by Agriculture specialists in the country.

LEARN & Play Wins Opener against Vanuatu North

The young SIFF LEARN & play Team opened their campaign in the Vanuatu TVL International Tournament with a 4 - 1 victory over the Vanuatu North team on Saturday at the Port Vila Stadium. It was a good start from a side who were worried about their lack of international exposure going into the tournament.

Electoral Commission Committed to "One Name One Place" Only

Chief Electoral Officer, Mr Polycarp Haununu, says the Electoral Commission is committed to registering voters under one name only, in one place only.

Fee Free Education Continues

The government has allocated more than SBD$66 million dollars for the Free Fee Basic Education this year.

USP Signs MOU with Korea University

The University of the South Pacific (USP) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Korea University last week to establish links for a student and staff program.

Police Investigates Horrific Death

Police are still investigating the death of a seven year old boy found inside a refrigerator at the Borderline area during the New Year period.

HFA League to Resume

The Honiara Football Association, HFA, 2009 DJ League will resume on Saturday 23 January 2010.

Boundaries Commission Yet to Table Report

Chairman of the Electoral Commission Sir Peter Kenilorea says he hopes the Constituency Boundaries Commission will table its report to Parliament at the next sitting in March this year.

Police Confirms Arrest of Murder Suspect

Police Commissioner Peter Marshall has confirmed the arrest of a man on Saturday in relation to the murder of a man in Tinagale village in the Aola area in Guadalcanal last week.

Civil Servants Suspected of Blogging in Fiji could Lose Jobs

The current Fiji government is investigating some of its civil servants for contributing to anti-government blogging sites.

Taiwan to Assist in Recovery Efforts

Taiwan Embassy says the Taiwanese government is to donate 300,000 dollars to help victims of the recent earthquakes in the Western Province.

OUR Party to Launch Manifesto

The 2010 national elections fever is starting to gain momentum with yet another launching of a political party manifesto in Honiara this Sunday.

"I call on you to do your best to reach every part of the country to ensure the transparency and integrity of the final voters' list," Sir Peter said.

Voter List Must Have Integrity: Sir Peter

The Chairman of the Solomon Island Electoral Commission, Rt. Hon. Sir Peter Kenilorea, has called on voter registration officials to make sure that everyone who is 18 and older is registered to vote, and that those who have left the country, or may have gone to glory, be removed from the voter's list.

Mr Sasako says Mr Marshall should not have commented on the case until he publishes his final article on the issue.

Sasako Accuses Police Commissioner of Supporting DPP

Freelance journalist, Alfred Sasako has accused Police Commissioner Peter Marshall of making pre-mature comments in support of a move by the Director of Public Prosecution to close a potential manslaughter case.

Avui Calls For Public Officers to Return to Work

Public officers on prolonged Christmas and New Year's leave, and others who are absent from work without official approval are being called on to return to work.

Government Road Projects Target Unemployed Youths

Under Secretary of the Ministry of Infrastructure Development Mr. Moses Virivolomo said the Ministry's Rapid Employment Project for this year will target the unemployed youths living in various selected areas in which roads maintenances will be done.

Voter Registration Training Begins

The Electoral Commission will begin a three day training program for Registration Officials on Wednesday 13 January, ahead of voter registration starting on 25 January.

Regional Doctors Raise Fear about Low-Grade Meats

Pacific Island doctors have raised their fear that low-grade meats are being sold to the region.

ADB Strengthens Business Processes to Boost Quality, Responsiveness of Work

MANILA, PHILIPPINES - The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has begun implementing sweeping new changes to the way it does business to improve the quality and responsiveness of its work.

Police Arrest Murder Suspect

Police detectives have arrested and charged a 34 year old man from the Aola area in East Guadalcanal, following the death of a man over the weekend.

Mr Sogavare says the issues behind the ethnic crisis were merely developmental in nature but unfortunately leaders and donors misinterpreted them and took no action to address them.

OUR Party Promises Change

Opposition Leader Manasseh Sogavare has assured the people of the of East Fataleka and West Kwara'ae in Malaita Province of OUR Party's commitment to addressing the political and development aspirations of Solomon Islanders.

Police Raid Illegal Beer Outlet

Police arrested a 57-year-old man from Tawanaora Village, East Are'are in Malaita, for allegedly selling liquor without license at his residence in the West Kola Ridge area at approximately 8.00pm last night.

Assessment Team Returns to Honiara

Half of the team deployed to the earthquake stricken island of Rendova Island, Western Province early this week, returned to Honiara this afternoon with the response stage phasing.

More than 1000 people were left homeless following the recent earthquakes and tsunami in Western Province.

New Zealand Red Cross Specialists to Assist in Solomon Islands

Two New Zealand Red Cross Information Technology and Telecommunication technicians left for the Solomon Islands yesterday to help relief efforts in the country in the wake of last week's earthquakes and tsunami.

UNICEF expects children and adults will suffer significant psychological trauma following two tsunamis in such a short period of time.

UNICEF Joins Relief Effort

The U.N. Children's Fund says it is providing immediate support to the victims of a tsunami that hit Rendova and Tetepare Islands in the Solomon Islands this week. This is the second major disaster since April 2007 when another tsunami hit the Solomon Islands Western Province.

US Provides Assistance to Quake Victims

The United States will provide about SBD$590,000 dollars of assistance to people affected by the recent earthquakes in parts of the Western Province.

2011 SP Games Team Starts Preparations

The Solomon Islands Football Federation (SIFF) through its Media Office has announced that preliminary preparations for the Men and Women's National Teams to participate in the 2011 South Pacific Games are starting this month.

Australian Assistance to Solomon Islands

Australian Trade Minister and Acting Minister for Foreign Affairs, the Hon Simon Crean, today announced that Australia will provide up to AUD50,000 (around SBD325,000) in immediate emergency relief assistance in response to the earthquakes that have recently affected Solomon Islands.

Police Investigates Deaths

Police are still investigating two deaths that occurred over the New Year in Honiara.

Mr Dausabea says in the quest for transparency and accountability, the inquiry must focus on the behavior and actions of certain Government officials in the deportation of Mr Moti.

Former MP Calls for Inquiry into Deportation of Moti

Prime Minister Derek Sikua has been called on to set up a Commission of Inquiry to establish the truth regarding the deportation of former Attorney General, Julian Moti to Australia.

Dr Sikua said that in the meantime relief food for the neediest ones will be government's top priority.

Sikua Visits Victims of Recent Earthquake

Prime Minister Dr Derek Sikua has visited areas affected by the recent earthquake yesterday, assuring them that his government is doing all it can to assist them.

PNG Looks at Legislations to make Women Pay Maintenance for Children

Papua New Guinea is looking legislations that will require women who abandon their families to pay maintenance just as men who do the same are required to.

Lesley Ngiumona, captain of Sipa FC, lifting the winner's trophy.

Sipa Wins Soccer, Suvania wins Netball

The Sipa United sports club, hosts of the 2009 Christmas "Bridging the Divide" Tournament, has won the soccer event with the Suvania netball club walking away with the netball prize.

Marine Safety Campaign Continues

Head of Marine Search and Rescue Jack Bana says people who are travelling between islands after the festive season should think first about the safety of their families and themselves whilst travelling at sea.

Villager Concerned With Misinformation

A villager of Hopongo on Rendova Island is urging rural PeopleFirst Net stations to gather facts and correct information before going to the media and relevant government authorities such as the National Disaster Management Office.

Assessment Team Sets Up Base in Western Province

A government team has set up its base in Munda, New Georgia, Western Province before travelling to Rendova Island tomorrow to assess the damages that may have been caused by the recent earthquakes.

PNA Office Opens in Marshalls

An office has been opened in the Marshall Islands for an organisation to help oversee part of the region's fisheries.

Gizo waterfront in the Western Province.

Minimal Damage Caused by Earthquake

Reports from the Western Province say that there has been minimal damage caused by the recent earthquake.

Records show that there has been a huge decrease in criminal activities as compared to the previous year.

Decrease in Burglaries over Christmas and New Year Period

Detectives from Honiara City have worked tirelessly over the Christmas and New Year period to crack down on thefts and burglaries in and around Honiara.

Upkeep of Runways Need Improvements: Solomon Airlines

The Solomon Airlines has expressed grave concerns at the way in which runways are maintained, with reports of damage to tyres of the Dash8.

Matt Moody, chief executive of Mary Jane's Soda, at a 7-Eleven store in Los Angeles.

Kava Drink Gaining Popularity in Southern California

A new anti-energy drink laced with kava is gaining popularity in Southern California, USA, where it is being used for relaxation.

Many say that there is very little to celebrate as 2010 will just be another year of hardship for many.

New Year 2010 Celebrations Quietest in Years

There were no fireworks, not many vehicles hooting their horns, not even the odd beating of empty rubbish drums in the suburbs of Honiara.

Gizo town in the Western Solomon Islands.

Two Earthquakes Hits Western Solomons

Two earthquakes, one a magnitude 7.2 quake, struck near the Western Solomon Islands, the U.S. Geological Survey said today, but there were no immediate reports of injury or damage.