A former permanent secretary who was suspended over the Gold Ridge royalty fraud last year says he was cleared of any wrong doing, and has resigned to contest the upcoming elections. Rence Sore clarified this to the Sunday Star last Saturday in an interview. He was permanent secretary of Mines and Energy when royal money…
The people of Ontong Java in the Malaita Outer Islands are reported to be running out of food. The Director of Health Services in the Central Islands Province, Dr John Paulsen, whose wife has just returned from Ontong Java said the people there who have become dependent on rice are running out of supplies. He…
St Barbara has warned that the tailings dam at its largely abandoned Gold Ridge mine in central Guadalcanal is at risk of being breached in the approaching wet season. Attempts to reach agreement with the government to act on a remedial action plan have failed to date. And because of the security situation on the…
Outgoing Member of Parliament for Temotu Vatu constituency Clay Forau has dismissed claims he misused shipping grant the government provided to the constituency. Constituent Benjamin Ariki claimed a funding meant for Vatu Shipping Agency worth $3 million had disappeared. According to Ariki PV No: MID -5823-HQR-0215-14 receipt for VATU SHIPPING AGENCY amount of $3,000,000 never…
The Women Friendly Spaces (WFS) program set up by World Vision Solomon Islands (WVSI) following the April 3 floods is providing an opportunity for elder women in Guadalcanal Plains to transfer indigenous skills and knowledge to younger women and is a place where new friendships are formed. The programme has changed the lives of women…
More than 50 police and Correctional officers sent to provide security at the abandoned Gold Ridge mine site are reportedly under investigation for collaborating with locals to steal mine properties. An officer familiar with deployment to the site told the Sunday Star the concerned officers were now subjected to investigation. The relevant police department was…
Board members of the Solomon Islands National Teachers Association (SINTA) Credit Union are under investigation over alleged misuse of union funds. This came after the resignation of the credit union’s board chairman Donation Houkura and his deputy Lency Bambu. SINTA’s acting general secretary Walter Tesuatai confirmed receiving the resignation letters of the two officials on…
Operation Kurukuru ends The region’s annual large-scale maritime surveillance sweep of Pacific fishing waters has netted a record 12 vessels in potential breach of their fishing licenses. The vessels, nabbed by Fisheries Maritime Police from FSM (6), PNG (5) and Palau (one) are flagged to Thailand, the Philippines and FSM. They were amongst 114 boardings…
Honiara City Council’s newly built dental clinic in Chinatown will open its doors soon to the public. Many people have suffered dental problems since the closure of the Dental Centre at the National Referral Hospital. City mayor Andrew Mau said the main building has been completed. “It’s just the furnishing inside and other minor jobs…
Band South Pacific (BSP) has opened its 19th ATM in the country at the Family Market Pharmacy at Central Market, the country busiest and biggest market, Friday. The 5,000 odd vendors and thousands of shoppers will no longer travel far and spend time and money but conveniently get cash from the ATM for shopping and…