NZ happy to see bridge opens

NEW Zealand High Commissioner Marion Crawshaw says her government was pleased to see the Mataniko bridge destroyed by the April 3 flash flood, restored. The New Zealand-funded bailey bridge opened for traffic yesterday – restoring a vital Honiara transport link. The new bridge was installed by Downer New Zealand Limited, with support from local firm…

Kokonut Pacific donates soaps

KOKONUT Pacific Solomon Islands is assisting the Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS) and health development partner organisations to prevent the spread of a deadly diarrhea outbreak that has so far claimed at least 18 lives. Last week Kokonut Pacific donated a box of local hand-made soaps to the Health Promotion Division of MHMS…

Resources owners told to be vigilant

FORUM Solomon Islands International (FSII) has renewed calls on resource owners not to rush into signing agreements without knowing and understanding their contents. FSII President Redley Raramo echoed this warning early this year. Mr Raramo said while it cannot be denied that the country needs more tangible development to prop up its economy, resource owners…

Aust donates further $2m for flood efforts

THE Australian Government is providing a further $2 million to help the country rebuild key infrastructure following the devastating floods that hit Honiara in April this year. The funding comes on top of the Australian Government’s $3 million emergency flood assistance package to provide immediate humanitarian relief to the people affected by the disaster. The…

Come and see a pig with big dreams!

Australian High Commissioner Andrew Byrne has announced that week two of the “G’Day Solomon Islands Film Festival” will feature one of Australia’s most popular movies, “Babe.” “Babe is a wonderful movie about a pig on an Australian farm, who wants to be a sheepdog!” said Mr Byrne. “Babe is one of Australia’s most successful films.…

Pacific nations look to increase tuna fishing fees

PACIFIC island nations announced plans Thursday to dramatically increase the fees they charge tuna fishing boats for the right to enter their waters, saying it will boost revenue and help conservation efforts. Around half the world’s skipjack tuna, the most commonly canned variety, is caught in waters belonging to an eight-nation group known as the…

KidsGames on again

THE Honiara City KidsGames is on again and will run for two weeks. It was officially opened yesterday at the Lawson Tama field with the theme, “Go for Goal, Go for Gold.” The event will involve competitive sporting = and fun activities for the kids. Director of Scripture Union Solomon Islands Nathan Mautai said that…

Ne’e is new chair of SIVB board

WILSON Ne’e is the new chairman of the Solomon Islands Visitors Bureau (SIVB) board. Tourism minister Samuel Manetoali announced this yesterday. He replaces Moses Tepai, whose term has ended. Mr Ne’e is no stranger to the tourism industry. A former Solomon Airlines executive, who is now a private businessman, he was deputy chair of the…

Call to repair Auki roads

THE Member of Parliament for Aoke/Langalanga and the Malaita Provincial Government have been called on to improve the deteriorating state of the roads in provincial capital Auki. Drivers and vehicle owners are again calling on these responsible authorities to quickly improve the state of the roads, which they said lowered the image of the provincial…

Kwara’ae book to be published soon

THE soon to be published “Taki Abu I Kwara’ae” book will this week have its final evaluation and assessment before it goes to print. President of the Central Kwara’ae Chiefs Association, Francis To’otalau called a meeting for all Central Kwara’ae chiefs to do final evaluation and assessment on the book before its publication. Speaking to…