Life will never the same again

IT’S a week today after the devastating floods hit Honiara, but Grace Funua is still mourning the loss of her five-year-old brother and four –year-old niece. While she was able to rescue her sick mother, she was unable to do that same for the two children. “I still cannot accept that my little brother and…

Voter registration extended

VOTER registration has been extended in certain areas for another 14 days. Chief Electoral Officer Polycarp Haununu confirmed this on Wednesday in light of the flood disaster. “The registration process which was scheduled to start on Monday 10th March and end on Friday 18th April is now extended to Friday 2nd May, 2014,” Mr Haununu…

Lack of road access hampers relief efforts

REPORTS from an assessment conducted at various flood stricken villages in the Guadalcanal plains revealed that the lack of transportation access and communication are preventing flood victims there from receiving relief aid and evacuation. The assessment team, which flew into Guadalcanal over the weekend by chopper, said that with roads being blocked off by debris…

Murder case adjourned

AN accused charged with murder following a killing in East Guadalcanal in 2010 has had his case further adjourned to April 23. Alphy Manedetea appeared in the Honiara Magistrates’ Court yesterday but was further remanded in custody. Police Prosecutor Abel Maelanga told the court that the file will be transferred to the Office of the…

Where are the solicitors?

THE Public Solicitor’s Office (PSO) has been requested to give explanations as to why its lawyers have not visited and provide legal representation to remandees at the Rove Correctional Centre. Principal Magistrate Jim Seuika made the request on Wednesday when presiding over criminal cases in the Honiara Magistrates’ Court. This was after two accused facing…

Lifting of Aussie travel sanctions welcomed

The Australia Fiji Business Council welcomed the formal lifting by the Australian Government of travel sanctions against certain Fijian citizens. The Australia Fiji Business Council president, Greg Pawson, said the council has long been an advocate of changing the sanctions. “This is because, whether intended or not, they were an impediment to the conduct of…

Research: Informal economy overlooked

A study on women traders in Papua New Guinea showed that the importance of the roles of market and informal economy were not given due recognition. The report showed that market access was increasingly gaining importance in developing countries which affords an opportunity for reducing poverty, improving food security, creating and strengthening income, and generating…