SOEs here doing well

State-owned enterprises (SOE) in Solomon Islands are now making profits as a result of reforms spearheaded by international financial institutions. This was revealed in a new report released by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) last week. The report stated engaging the private sector through public-private partnerships and privatisation improves the performance and service delivery of…

Two die from measles

The Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS) has confirmed that two children died in Honiara last week due to measles related complications. “Over 550 cases of measles have been reported to the MHMS National Surveillance Unit since the outbreak began in July 2014, and it is likely there are thousands more cases that have…

More seek mining licences

More foreign companies are seeking prospecting and full mining licences from the government, records from the Mining Department revealed. The records showed 25 companies have been issued with exploration licences and are currently on active prospecting. This number could increase after the Mines and Minerals board met last Friday to consider some of the applications.…

How to reduce poverty according to UN

A newly launched UN report has recommended that Pacific island countries must take serious considerations to the nine key recommendations in order to cut poverty and inequality in the region. The report titled, “The State of Human Development in the Pacific: A report on Vulnerability and Exclusion in a time of rapid change,” was launched…

View from the Bench is appalling

Below is the full text of the speech High Court judge Justice STEPHEN PALLARAS delivered at the Family Violence and Youth Justice Workshop that ended recently in Honiara. In his presentation, Justice Pallaras criticised the regular travels and absences of Director of Public Prosecution Ronald Bei Talasasa, which led to a heated media exchanges between…

Police urged to keep fit

A Malaitan has urged police officers from the province to stay health and maintain their fitness. Jonah Myles said he had noted a lot of police officers today – both male and female – are unfit, with some of them almost obese. “As officers of the law, it is their responsibility to stay health and…

Auki police end training

A WEEK-LONG Public Order Management (POM) training conducted for Auki police ended successfully, Friday. The training, which started Monday, was part of police preparation for the upcoming national elections. The training was conducted at the Aligegeo sports ground. It concluded with presentation of certificates. Commandant of Correctional Service of Solomon Islands (CSSI) at Auki, inspector…

Island issues, global problems

The problems affecting Small Island Developing States (S.I.D.S.) are as far removed from the idyllic tropical holiday as the picture perfect postcard that is sent home by the tourist. But how does one capture in a photo for a postcard the rising seawaters that are affecting our aquifers, the increasing intensity of extreme weather events…