Latest News Archive October 2011
Ship Owners Cautioned
Solomon Islands Police in Gizo are cautioning commercial cargo ship owners and captains to thoroughly check cargoes aboard their ships.
Date Uncertain for North Malaita Bye Election
The Solomon Islands National Electoral Commission says that they are yet to decide on a date for a bye-election for North Malaita Constituency.
Pacific Peacebuilders to Receive Small Grants
Ten civil society groups from Fiji, the Autonomous Region of Bougainville, Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands, will receive small grants between US$2500 and US$10,000 in 2011 to continue peace building efforts in the Pacific region.
Royal Blues Lead in Women's Rugby
The Solomon Islands Women's Rugby 7's league will now enter its fifth week of competition tomorrow Monday 31 November at the Panatina oval.
NZ Press Ban Sets Dangerous Precedent - PFF
A ten day parliamentary ban on reporters from the largest daily newspaper in New Zealand sets a dangerous precedent for the rest of the region, warns the Pacific Freedom Forum.
Commonwealth Doors Open for Pacific Island Businesses
[Perth, October 28 2011] The Commonwealth Business Council (CBC) and Pacific Islands Trade & Invest (PT&I) this week signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to work together on business and investment opportunities between Forum Island Countries and Commonwealth nations.
Human Rights Violations Noted as High
Selected reports of human rights violations in the Solomon Islands communities were made public at a launch yesterday in Honiara.
RAMSI Coordinator Reassures Premiers
RAMSI wants to work closely with all levels of Solomon Islands society to make sure confidence is maintained throughout RAMSI's transition, the Special Coordinator, Nicholas Coppel said.
New Zealand Soldiers Honoured
The New Zealand defence force vessel HMNZS Resolution yesterday travelled to Vella La Vella in the Western Province of the Solomon Islands to repair and rededicate a World War Two memorial.
Forging Linkages to Improve Value Chains for Pacific Small-Holders
A regional workshop to review strategies to improve the capacity of small-holders to integrate markets and improve market chains is being held in Nadi, Fiji this week, 24-25 October 2011.
City Council Passes 2012 Budget
The Solomon Islands Honiara City Council has passed more than 22 million dollars budget for the 2012 financial year.
New Shipping for Western Solomons
The Solomon Islands Government and the Asian Development Bank, ADB, is now funding a new monthly shipping service to the furthest of the Islands in Western Solomons.
Workshop Organized for State Owned Enterprises
A forum on a 'good practice' governance cycle for the Solomon Islands nine state-owned enterprises opened in Honiara yesterday.
Government Ready for Next Months Parliament
The Solomon Islands Prime Minister, Hon. Danny Philip has stated that his government remains solid to enter Parliament next month and defeat a proposed No Confidence Motion and also pass its 2012 Budget.
Pacific Voice Raised at UNCCD COP 10
21 October 2011, Changwon Korea - Several Pacific island nations were given a special mention during the last meeting of the Asia Pacific Group at the 10th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification, in Korea today.
PM Deplores Misleading Information
Prime Minister Danny Philip has deplored the Opposition group's campaign to destabilize his government through continuous misinformation.
Solomons to Show Support to Fiji
Fiji and it's future role in gatherings such as this week's Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) is just one of the issues that Solomon Islands Foreign Minister Peter Shanel believes will be raised at the gathering in Perth the capital of Western Australia.
Premiers Conference Opens in Choiseul
The Solomon Islands Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Home Affairs, Hon. Manasseh Maelanga officially opened the 5th Premiers Conference and Trade Show on the provincial capital Taro, Choiseul Province this week.
Dash 8 Remains Grounded
Papua New Guinea's Dash8 on lease to Solomon Airlines in Solomon Islands remains grounded whilst the airline awaits further information from Airlines PNG regarding outcomes of investigations on the accident of one of its Dash8 in PNG some 12 days ago.
Pacific Workshop on Improving Access to Finance for the Agricultural Sector
With the current global recession, funding and financing has become a major issue in the Pacific region.
Chancery Opens in Canberra
The Solomon Islands Foreign Affairs Minister, Hon. Peter Shanel has described the opening of Solomon Islands newly built Chancery in Canberra, Australia as a momentous occasion for the Government and the people of Solomon Islands.
Transition to be Handled Carefully: Coppel
RAMSI is working closely with Solomon Islands to ensure confidence is maintained as the mission gradually transitions its programs and operations after eight years in the country, RAMSI Special Coordinator, Nicholas Coppel stated yesterday.
Local Lady Marries in Style
Little known Esmie Ereoli of Solomon Islands, over the weekend, exchanged vows with Papua New Guinea's Governor General, Sir Michael Ogio in PNG's first ever state wedding.
New Zealand Navy Provides Assistance
The New Zealand naval vessel, HMNZS Resolution, is delivering much needed supplies to one of the Solomon Islands more remote islands.
Theme Song Selected for Arts Festival
The Solomon Islands Organizing committee for the Festival of Pacific has selected the Festival Theme Song after the final competition two weeks ago.
Regional Workshop on Mapping Pacific Cultural Heritage Sites
Participants attending a sub-regional workshop on mapping cultural heritage sites along the Coral Coast in Sigatoka were informed of the significant role physical mapping plays in the preservation of endangered cultural heritage sites.
Temotu Man Charged Over Mataniko Incident
A man from the Temotu Province has been arrested and charged for murder over the body found floating in Mataniko River last week.
SICHE Allows Grounds for Festival Use
The Solomon Islands Festival of Pacific Arts committee has last week sealed a deal with the Solomon Islands College of Higher Education (SICHE) for the use of its grounds during the Pacific Festival in 2012.
Wetney Back in Vanuatu
Solomon Islands soccer international, Jack Wetney has re-joined his Amicale team mates in Port Vila as the squad looks to prepare for its second successive O-League campaign.
Doing Business Improves for Solomon Islands
Solomon Islands have been ranked 74 out of 183 economies in a new report from the International Finance Corporation and the World Bank that measures the ease of doing business.
Australian Rotary Assists Auki Primary
The Booval Rotary Club in Australia is sending surplus furniture donated by the Bremer TAFE to the Auki Primary school in Solomon Islands that was destroyed by fire earlier in the year.
Dedicated Rotarian Dies Providing Assistance
With his colourful clothing and mis-matched socks, Jim Adam was a man not to be missed, but he will be, as the affable cabbie, keen cyclist and dedicated Rotarian this week, died suddenly during a charity trip to the Solomon Islands.
SPC and USP Commit to Increased Collaboration
The Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC) and the University of the South Pacific (USP) today (Tuesday) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), committing to increased collaboration for the benefit of the Pacific region.
Fiji Ginger Sprouts New Roots
SPC assists with revival of industryKaiming Qiu believes in taking chances. The agro-entrepreneur recently opened a FJ$0.5 million processing facility in Navua, some 45 minutes outside the Fijian capital of Suva, which will produce powdered, crystallised and syruped ginger products for export markets.
RAMSI Acts within the Law: Coppel
RAMSI is confident that it has always acted in good faith and in accordance with the laws and constitution of Solomon Islands, RAMSI Special Coordinator Nicholas Coppel said.
Solomons Improves in Ease of Doing Business
The Solomon Islands' global ranking leapt forward seven places between 2010 and 2011 in a new report from IFC and the World Bank that measures the ease of doing business.
Investigation into Dead Body Continues
The Solomon Islands Acting Commissioner of the Royal Solomon Islands Police, Walter Kola, has confirmed that the dead body of the man discovered in the Mataniko river on Wednesday was a result of Homicide.
Pacific Resources Not to be Taken for Granted
18 October 2011, Changwon Korea - Understanding the resources we have in the Pacific cannot be taken for granted has hit home for the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Fisheries and Forest of Fiji, Viliame Naupoto.
Ex-Combatants Attend Peace Building Meeting
Former ex-combatant commanders, Jimmy Lusibaea and Andrew Te`e, are currently in Juba, South Sudan, for the G7-plus meeting for fragile states on Peace-building and State-building.
$2 Million Goodwill Payment Criticized
The Parliamentary Opposition says it is highly suspicious of the Cabinet's decision to include an additional SB$2 Million dollar bid under the 2012 budget as further goodwill funding by Solomon Islands towards the Papua New Guinea Chancery project in Honiara.
Pacific Ports Addressing Tomorrow's Challenges and Opportunities Today
Over 70 delegates are participating in the 36th Conference of the Pacific Maritime Transport Alliance (PMTA), which commenced in Suva, Fiji today.
Solomons Trip Inspires Fundraising
A group of Bundaberg students, doctors and volunteers have returned from a moving trip to the Solomon Islands determined to improve the lives of their hosts.
High Court Rules against Lusibaea
The High Court has ruled that the MP for North Malaita, Jimmy Lusibaea, should have ceased to perform his functions as a Member of Parliament and vacated his seat on the 30th of January this year.
Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation Merge
Disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation merge to protect Pacific agriculture and forestry sectors
CBSI Commends Reduction in Banks Lending Rates
The Central Bank of Solomon Islands, CBSI, has joined others, particularly those within the business community, in commending the commercial banks for reducing lending rates to their clients and customers.
MOU Establish Trade Link between Temotu and Vanuatu
A memorandum of understanding (MOU) to establish trade links between Vanuatu and Temotu Province will be signed in late November.
Sikua Critical of Diplomatic Postings
The Opposition says it is very concerned with recent diplomatic postings to Fiji and Taiwan, along with the costs for repatriating the outgoing heads of these missions home and re-posting them to their new missions.
PNG Governor General to Wed Solomon Islander
Papua New Guinea is preparing for its first ever state wedding for the nation's ninth Governor General, Sir Michael Ogio.
WHO Calls for Political Commitment to Tackle the Growing Mental Health Burden
MANILA, 13 October 2011-The World Health Organization (WHO) today called for stronger political commitment to address mental health problems, including increasing investments for mental health.
Government Should Prioritize NDS: IMF
Chief of the Pacific Islands Unit, Asia and Pacific Department of the International Monetary Fund, Patricia Tumbarello says the government needs to prioritize and make sure funds are available for its newly launched National Development Strategy (NDS).
WHO Calls for Urgent Global Action to Combat Antimicrobial Drug Resistance
Manila, 12 October 2011-Amid threats that antibiotics and other essential medicines may lose their power to cure disease, countries in the Western Pacific Region today pledged to support the World Health Organization (WHO) in its efforts to fight drug resistance.
New Caledonia Arts Festival Team Visit Facilities
The visiting New Caledonia Arts Festival Delegation yesterday visited a number of sites and facilities to be used during the 11th Festival of Pacific Arts in July 2012.
Successful Visit by Australian Medical Team
A 10-day visit to the National Referral Hospital by an Australian volunteer ear, nose and throat (ENT) medical team has been successful, with the team holding more than 105 consultations and performing 21 operations during their visit.
Warnings against Bogus Recruitment Agents
Solomon Islanders have been warned to look out for individuals or groups who claim to be recruitment agents under Australia's planned Pacific Seasonal Worker's Pilot Scheme.
Bureau Should Not Receive PNG Budgetary Support: Opposition
The Parliamentary Opposition is advising Papua New Guinea that the recently announced SBD$300 million dollar budgetary support for the NCRA government be paid directly to the Ministry responsible for Rural Development and not the Bureau for Social and Economic Reform.
WHO to Reform to Meet Country Needs
MANILA, 10 October 2011- The World Health Organization (WHO) will undertake a comprehensive global reform plan to ensure the Organization stays aligned with its mission and keeps pace with evolving global health needs.
PM Philip Congratulates Taiwan
Prime Minister Danny Philip has congratulated President Ma Ying-Jeaou on the occasion of Taiwan's National Anniversary celebrations in Taipei, on behalf of the Government and People of Solomon Islands yesterday.
Landowners Demand Royalty Payments
Landowners of Gold Ridge in Central Guadalcanal are calling on the government to pay them about one million dollars in outstanding royalties following four shipments of gold from their land.
RSIPF Pledges to Boost Policing in Isuna as PPF Withdraws
Solomon Islands Police Force Deputy Commissioner, Edmond Sikua has pledged the RSIPF to boost policing services to Isuna and surrounding communities on the Weathercoast following the closure of RAMSI's Participating Police Force (PPF) post last week.
Work Begins to Include Financial Education in Curriculum
The Ministry of Education and Human Resource Development (MEHRD) and the Central Bank of the Solomon Islands (CBSI) are in the midst of exciting work towards determining the best means of introducing financial education within the school curriculum.
SPC is the Proposed Site for a New Regional Pesticide Registration Centre
The meeting was hosted by the Australian Pesticide and Veterinary Medicine Authority (APVMA) at their offices in Kingston, Canberra. Pesticide registrars from Fiji, Samoa, Tonga and Vanuatu attended, as well as heads of research and CEOs. Solomon Islands were not able to send a representative.
PNG and Solomon Islands Seek Greater Economic Integration
Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands are championing moves for greater integration of the economies of the Melanesian Spearhead Group of countries.
Prime Minister Philip Visits LNG
Prime Minister Danny Philip yesterday visited the multi billion-dollar Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) base outside Port Moresby as he winds up his official visit to Papua New Guinea.
Opposition Ups Ante Against PM
The Leader of Opposition, Dr Derek Sikua, has gone on the attack against Prime Minister Danny Philip, accusing him of interference in the work of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC).
PM Philip in PNG
Solomon Islands Prime Minister, Danny Philip, is visiting Papua New Guinea for two days - his first since being elected Prime Minister last year.
Lilo Unhappy with Leaked Letters
Finance Minister Gordon Darcy Lilo says people who leaked his letter of nominee for the Solomon Airlines Board to the media have breached the country's State Owned Enterprises (SOE) Act.
Tougher Actions Needed Against Sex Offenders
The Honiara Council of Women, HCW, strongly condemns the alarming increase in sexual offences against women, which include rape, defilement and incest.
Opposition Files Complaint to LCC
The Office of the Leader of Opposition has filed three more complaints of misconduct against Prime Minister Danny Philip with the Office of the Leadership Code Commission (LCC).
New Caledonia Delegation Visits SPC Suva to Learn About Sustainable Land Management
A group of 17 community leaders and chiefs from New Caledonia recently visited the Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC) office in Nabua, Suva to learn about sustainable land management and conflict minimisation.
Festival Preparations on Track
The Government maintains Solomon Islands will host the 2012 Festival of Pacific Arts in Honiara mid next year.
SINTA Calls for Investigation into Exam Leaks
The Solomon Islands National Teachers Association (SINTA) has called on responsible authorities to seriously investigate circumstances surrounding the illegal sale of exam papers to students.
Inclusive Education for Persons with Disabilities
PRESS RELEASE - 4th October 2011 - The challenges and a new direction for including persons with disabilities in the Pacific region's education system will be discussed at a meeting of Pacific Islands Forum Directors of Education in Nadi, Fiji, 19 - 21 October.
Work on Tobacco Act Implementation Begins
The Solomon Islands Tobacco Control Act recently passed by Parliament will be effective from January 1st, 2012.
No Sympathy for Sex Related Offenders
The Solomon Islands Director of Public Prosecutions, Ronald Bei Talasasa strongly warned that his office will not tolerate offenders of sexually-related cases.
Women's Rugby to Begin
The Solomon Islands Women's Rugby Sevens competition for 2011 will kick off at Panatina Oval this Thursday 6th of October starting at 4:00pm.
Prime Minister Explains Decisions
The Solomon Islands Prime Minister, Hon. Danny Philip has stated that the issue on the sale of the government house at Tandai had already been taken up to the Leadership Code Commission.
Rakahanga Project: Cook Islands Accesses US$1 million from PEC Fund
PRESS STATEMENT - [3 October 2011, Rarotonga, Cook Islands] - Renewable energy is no longer an option, but an imperative for the Pacific region.
PINA 2012: Fiji Venue a Concern says PFF
Rarotonga, COOK ISLANDS -- Updated arrangements for the Pacific Islands News Association biennial meeting have been welcomed by the Pacific Freedom Forum, but the regional media monitoring network is concerned over the potential pitfalls of hosting the event in Fiji.
Fiji Has Alot to Offer: Mose
Outgoing Solomons Island's High Commissioner to Fiji, H.E Moses Kouni, says the Melanesian Spearhead Group has no intention of replacing the Pacific Islands Forum as purported by certain observers.
Australia and EU Pledge Support for NDS
Australia and European Union have pledged commitment to ensure Solomon Islands achieve the objectives of the Solomon Islands National Development Strategy, NDS.
ONOC Calls for Investigation into Mismanagement of Funds
The Solomon Islands Olympic Committee has so far avoided suspension from the Oceania Olympic committee (ONOC), as the regional group's chief calls for investigations into allegations of fund mismanagement.
Solomon Islands Make commitments to the UN Human Rights Council
Solomon Islands made significant commitments to make progress on human rights before the UN Human Rights Council last week.