Respect our police

Public urged to be sincere when reporting rape cases  THE public is urged to respect the work of police and stop abusing the services of the law enforcement institution. Director of Public Prosecutor Ronald Bei Talasasa issued the warning yesterday in light of the latest acquittal of a rape accused after the alleged victim decided…

Officials visit crime scene

A HIGH Court judge, court officials, prosecutors, defence lawyers, and the accused visited a murder crime scene outside of the Honiara Central Market in the early hours of Friday. The visit, taken under tight security, was made between 2am and 3.30am. It was part of the proceedings of a murder trial in which four men…

Manaoba faces water shortage

RESIDENTS of Manaoba island in north Malaita are reportedly face acute water shortage. A villager Basil Mouraiasi told the Solomon Star the long dry spell for the last two months resulted in the situation. “At the moment, the wells and water tanks have dried up,” Mr Mouraiasi said. “People now have to paddle to the…

Gov’t plans to set up ICAC by next year

THE government intends to get the proposed Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) functional by 2016. This was revealed when a delegation from the Prime Minister’s Office appeared recently before the Pacific Accounts Committee. PAC members grilled the delegation about the proposal. The Government recently announced the intention as part of its efforts to fight corruption…

Project to protect seagrass, dugongs

EFFORTS to conserve seagrass and dugong in the country received a funding boost of US$5.88 million (more $40 million) from the Global Environmental Facility (GEF). The four-year project (2015 – 2018) is the first of its kind here, under GEF’s Dugong and Seagrass Conservation Project. The project was titled “Enhancing the Conservation Effectiveness of Seagrass…

Police keep SIPA dispute on radar

POLICE will continue to monitor the industrial dispute at Solomon Islands Ports Authority (SIPA), police chief Frank Prendergast says. A 28-day strike notice the workers issued lapsed on Tuesday, but it’s understood the workers have decided not to go on strike. Mr Prendergast said police are very grateful for the support they received from the…

Aussie docs help out at Referral Hospital

THE National Referral Hospital this week welcomed a team of paediatric doctors and nurses from Sophie’s Gifts for Projek Strongim Pikinini. The Projek included three full days of clinics and training in children’s health. The Sophie’s Gifts team taught life-saving skills in the management of seriously unwell children and babies. This was supported by medical…

Stop drink driving

DRIVERS are again warned against drinking alcohol while they are behind the wheel. Police chief Frank Prendergast made the friendly reminder this week in light of increasing alcohol-related road accidents. Mr Prendergast also urged the public to be responsible when on the roads to avoid unwanted accidents. “I just want to remind people that we…