Latest News Archive October 2012
Innovative Climate Change Project for Solomon Islands
The Solomon Island Government has launched a pilot project that could have far reaching benefits for the Pacific region.
CBSI Warns of Forged Documents
The Central Bank of Solomon Islands, CBSI, warns the general public of certain forged documents circulating in Honiara.
Upgraded West Guadalcanal Road Officially Open
The Government of Solomon Islands and development partners today opened the West Guadalcanal road, boosting connectivity between West Guadalcanal and Honiara.
PNG: Another Media Bashing Condemned
PFF, Rarotonga, COOK ISLANDS-- Another attack on a journalist in Papua New Guinea has been condemned by regional media monitoring body the Pacific Freedom Forum, PFF.
Sikua Seeks to Declare Motion Outcome Null and Void
The Opposition Leader will seek a High Court Declaration that his No Confidence Motion on the Prime Minister Gordon Darcy Lilo is still valid.
More Arrests Expected in Gizo Unrest
Police say more arrests will follow after an outbreak of violence in the town of Gizo.
Sikua Files Against Speaker
Leader of Opposition Dr Derek Sikua has filed a case in the High Court seeking a review of the Proceeding of the National Parliament on Friday October 26.
13 Arrested in Gizo Unrest
Thirteen people have been arrested in Gizo after police reinforcements were sent to deal with civil disturbances between two groups over the weekend.
Political Integrity Taskforce Presents Report to Premiers
The Taskforce on Political Integrity and Stability in Solomon Islands last week presented its reports to the 6th Premiers' Conference in Kirakira, Makira-Ulawa Province.
Rotary Club Assists Referral Hospital
The Chief Pharmacist of the National Referral hospital, Julie Zinihite, has thanked the Rotary Club of Honiara for the timely donation of a brand new two door refrigerator, to be used for storage of highly sensitive cancer medicine.
Sikua Absent, Motion Defeated
Dr Derek Sikua, the mover of the motion of no confidence against Prime Minister Gordon Darcy Lilo, failed to show up to Parliament, the motion was subsequently defeated.
SPC and IRENA Sign MoU to Collaborate on Renewable Energy
The Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC) has formed a partnership with the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) to coordinate energy security strategies around the vast Pacific region through a unified approach.
No Confidence Motion Deffered
The motion of no confidence against Prime Minister Gordon Darcy Lilo has been deferred to later this afternoon.
Melanesian Countries Discuss Forest Carbon Rights
SPC, through its Forests and Trees team in the Land Resources Division (LRD), has organised a two-day regional workshop in Nadi, Fiji, on forest carbon rights in Melanesia.
Kurukuru Stun Thailand 4-3
Solomon Islands stunned Thailand 4-3 yesterday in a warm-up match for next month's Futsal World Cup.
Solomon Islands Ranked Highly by Lonely Plant
Solomon Islands has been ranked in the Top 10 hot destinations for 2013 in Lonely Planet's latest travel guide.
Pacific Model for Conflict Resolution: Gegeo
An academic and lecturer of Pacific studies says a Pacific model of conflict resolution could have been adopted by Solomon Islands during its ethnic tensions instead of a South African model.
PM Lilo Faces No Confidence Vote
Prime Minister Gordon Darcy Lilo is reportedly facing a second no-confidence motion, second in less than two months.
Different Roles, Different Needs, Different Priorities in New Caledonia
Does the high cost of living in New Caledonia have the same impact on women as on men?
Axiom Mining in Solomon Islands Court Case
Axiom Mining is in a trading halt pending release of the outcome of litigation in a Solomon Islands court.
Ministers Fired and Replaced
The Solomon Islands Government has reshuffled three of its Ministers and appointed two new backbenches following the sacking of two of its Ministers over the weekend.
Solomon-Australia Alumni Constitution Finalized
The Solomon Islands-Australia scholarship alumni network is ready for action with the constitution finalised to guide the operation and activities of the alumni.
Lilo Welcomes Investors
The Prime Minister of Solomon Islands, Hon. Gordon Lilo Darcy, last week joins fellow Solomon Islander government and business leaders in Brisbane, Australia for the fourth meeting of Australia Solomon Islands business forum.
Kurukuru Build Up Strengthens
The Solomon Islands national futsal team, Kurukuru are continuing to show improvement as they build to the FIFA Futsal World Cup Thailand 2012, falling to recently relegated Spanish National League side Carnicer Torrejon just 3-0 on Tuesday.
Survey Shows Fear of Gun Remains
A national survey in Solomon Islands has shown that people are frightened of the return of killings and the appearance of guns in the community.
Tax Evaders Warned
Inland Revenue has announced that it is becoming very concerned over the high level of outstanding taxes and the large number of over-due tax returns owed by Solomon Island taxpayers to the Government.
Training for Local Fishermen to Supply Fish to Kiribati's New Fish Factory
The EU-funded, SPC-implemented, DevFish2 project funded a training workshop on small fishing operations (SFO) from 11 to 20 September 2012 in Kiribati.
Government Plans to Recall Local Doctors
The Solomon Islands Ministry of Health and Medical Services has revealed that it is working with neighbouring Papua New Guinea to recall local doctors working in PNG hospitals.
Old Coins Now Have Deadline
The Solomon Islands Central Bank has issued a statement on the deadline of old coins currently in circulation.
Underwater Cable Seen As Crucial
Solomon Islands Prime Minister, Gordon Darcy Lilo, says it is providing funding support to the current underwater fiber communication cable project by the Asian Development Bank.
Police Morale Steps Up in Isabel
In the Solomon Islands' province of Isabel, police morale is up and community confidence is growing, much to the support of RAMSI's Participating Police Force, the Royal Solomon Islands Police and the communities.
Auluta Basin Sets Standards
Its progress as a national development project may seem slow to Western eyes but for the past two years, officials behind the Auluta Basin Oil Palm Project have navigated through the contentious issue of landownership on the island of Malaita, Solomon Islands.
Schools Soon to Receive Grant
The Solomon Islands Ministry of Finance has assured the heads of Government schools that their school grants will be paid early this week.
Pacific Risk Resilience Programme Launched
Solomon Islands will be one of the countries who will benefit from a new Pacific Risk Resilience Programme that will focus on strengthening governance mechanisms for disaster risk management and climate change adaptation at the sub-national and local levels.
Policy Makers Undergo Gender Awareness and Analysis Training
"This is the first targeted training for government officials to undergo training on gender awareness and analysis to support them in their role to mainstream gender into public policy and programmes in Cook Islands."
Teachers Threaten to Close Schools
The General Secretary of the Solomon Islands Teachers Association says it is highly likely schools will close because of the government's failure to prioritise the education sector.
Escapees Still At Large
The Royal Solomon Islands Police says the two escaped prisoners are believed to have reached their villages on the weather coast of Guadalcanal.
Philipines Ban Dolphin Re-Exportation
The Quezon City Regional Trial Court in the Philipines has stopped the re-exportation of 25 Solomon Islands dolphins to Singapore.
CBSI Goes Rural
The Central Bank of Solomon Islands is one of the 19 new members of the international scheme called the Maya Declaration, that aims to improve and increase greater financial inclusion amongst the majority of the worlds "unbanked" rural population.
Protocol on Sharing Benefits of Genetic Resources Signed by Pacific Island Nations
10 October 2012, CBD COP 11, Hyderabad India - Three Pacific island countries, FSM, Palau and Vanuatu have signed the Nagoya Protocol on Access and Benefit Sharing, with Fiji, the fourth country in the process of acceding to the Protocol.
'New Flags Flying' Records Conversations with Pacific Leaders
A book recording conversations with some of the founding Pacific Islands Forum Leaders has been launched in the region at a ceremony held at the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat in Suva, Fiji on 9 October.
Lilo Provides Support to Constituency
Three communities from the Gizo and Kolombangara Constituency in Western Province, Solomon Islands are the recent recipients to Solar units and Out board motor engines.
Kurukuru Returns to International Stage
Almost 18 months ago, the Kurukuru from the Solomon Islands defeated Tahiti 6-4 in the final of the 2011 OFC Futsal Championship to qualify for the FIFA Futsal World Cup Thailand 2012.
Government Pursues UN Offer
The Solomon Islands Government is planning to pursue an offer by the United Nations for Solomon Islands police officers to join UN missions overseas.
Keithie Barred by Government House
Government House has released a statement revealing that the United States (US) consular to Solomon Islands, Keithie Saunders, is officially barred from any future programmes or events hosted by the Government House.
Leadership Code Commission Fines Former PM
The Leadership Code Commission has fined former Prime Minister Danny Philip SBD$4,000 after finding him guilty of misconduct in office.
ANU to Offer New Melanesian Pidgin Course
The Australian National University (ANU) has announced it will offer a revamped Melanesian pidgin and Creoles language course.
Confirmed HIV Cases Jumps to 17
The National HIV Aids Council has now confirmed 17 positive HIV cases in the country.
Fiji Calls for More Support at Biosafety Meeting
6 October 2012, CBD COP 11, Hyderabd, India - The Pacific region has engaged in the course of international meetings to help save World biodiversity with the curtain raiser event in Hyderabad, India.
Murder Escapees on the Run
Police are expanding their search for two escapees from Rove prison - both convicted murderers and described as "possibly armed with light weapons and dangerous."
Pacific Break Spotlight on Solomon Islands
The entries are in, and the countdown is on! Listen to this year's Pacific Break entries from Solomon Islands.
USD4 Million for Niue Solar Initiative
PRESS STATEMENT - The remote island nation of Niue will access US$4,000,000 from the Pacific Environment Community (PEC) Fund for a significant national solar power initiative.
UNGA Successful for Country
Prime Minister, Hon. Gordon Darcy Lilo has described his trip to the recent United Nations General Assembly in New York as a meaningful one for Solomon Islands.
Gun Issue Raises Concern
A recent firearm incident in the Province of Makira, Solomon Islands had left police seriously concerned about the country's security.
Search Continues for Inmates
Two Solomon Islands inmates had escaped yesterday morning while on rehabilitation work at the Rove Correctional Centre's joinery.
Progress in Regional Disability Strategy Implementation
The Pacific region has recorded progress in the implementation of the region's strategy on disability since it was adopted in 2009.
Poitete School to Reopen
Permanent Secretary for the Solomon Islands Ministry of Forestry, Jeffrey Wickham says the Poitete School of Natural Resources in Western Province will reopen in 2013.
People Survey Shows No Change
The 2011 People' survey on Solomon Islands has shown little change since it was first conducted in 2007.
Decisions by NPF Board Questioned
Malaita Maasina Forum has called upon the sacking of the National Provident Fund (NPF) Board of Directors for lending SBD$15m to the Tavanipupu Island Resort, in Marau, East Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands.
Pacific Island Ministers Endorse Regional REDD+ Policy Framework
The 3RD Regional Meeting of Ministers of Agriculture and Forestry, convened by the Secretariat of the Pacific Community on 28 September 2012 in Nadi, Fiji, endorsed the Pacific Islands Regional Policy Framework for REDD+.
Health Ministry Urged to Implement Projects
The Ministry of Planning and Aid Coordination says it is concerned that a number of health projects budgeted for in the 2012 Development estimates have not yet been implemented.
Honiara Hosts Science Show
A science show hosted by the Faculty of Science, Technology and Environment of the University of the South Pacific in Suva has opened in Honiara, Solomon Islands this week.
SPC Partners with Paradise Technologies to Improve its Corporate Carbon Footprint
Monday 1 October 2012, Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC), Suva, Fiji. This year was declared the UN International Year of Sustainable Energy for All, and the initiative has three major goals to be achieved by 2030.
Young Lady Creates a Milestone
The Solomon Islands Sasape International Shipyard has announced its new General Manager yesterday as Ms. Rachel Ramoifuila.
Government Embarks on Evaluation Exercise
A week-long evaluation exercise on the National Government's priority programs for 2012 starts today Tuesday 2nd October in Honiara, Solomon Islands.
Solomons Puts Support Behind Fiji
The Solomon Islands has stated that it recognises the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Fiji.
Alcohol Remains a Huge Problem
The abuse of alcohol continues to be a serious and ongoing problem for the country of Solomon Islands.
Futsal Boost Through Gifts
The development of futsal in the Solomon Islands has received a boost with the donation of 20 balls, supplied by the Royal Spanish Football Federation and distributed by OFC.