2017 declared Pacific year of the ocean

LEADERS that have participated in the recent Pacific Islands Development Forum (PIDF) Leaders Summit in Honiara have agreed that next year will be the ‘Pacific Year of the Ocean.’ The agreement was a follow up of this year’s summit theme ‘Stewardship for Healthy Oceans and Healthy Nations’. Speaking at the closing of the Summit in…

Flights to Auki increase

The national carrier Solomon Airlines has increased the number of flights to Gwounaru’u airport in Auki, Malaita. Three additional flights were added to the normal three flights per week due to demand. When the airport was reopened on the 30th of May this year, the national carrier only introduces three flights on Mondays, Wednesdays and…

Sogavare says summit a success

The Honiara-hosted 4th Pacific Islands Forum Development Forum Leaders’ Summit concluded Wednesday and the new Chair of the organization, Prime Minister Hon Manasseh Sogavare described the two-day dialogue as ‘very successful.’ Addressing the press at the conclusion of the summit late Wednesday, Mr Sogavare who has assumed the PIDF Chairmanship for a two-year period said,…

Tonga reaffirms support for ULMWP

The Tongan delegates meet up with the West Papuan group at the Mendana Hotel yesterday to reaffirm their ongoing support for the ULMWP full membership in MSG. Minister for Finance and Planning of Tonga Aisaka Valu Eke is here for the Pacific Islands Development Forum (PIDF) 4th summit when he has the opportunity to meet…

West Papua’s bid deferred

The Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) Special Leaders Summit yesterday agreed to defer the consideration of the application for full membership by the United Liberation Movement of West Papua (ULMWP). It was reported that the delay was agreed to until membership criteria and guidelines are further developed by the Sub-Committee on Legal and Institutional Issues (SCLII),…

Haga: Stop using media to debate

A PRIVATE political consultant lashes out at national leaders to stop accusing each other using print media. This follows an ongoing media debate by Nollen Leni and the Leader of the Independent Group Dr Sikua against Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare with their insinuations that he (Sogavare) was involved in the 2000 coup. Brian Haga said…

GP avails scholarship

Guadalcanal Provincial (GP) government has announced the provision scholarship for interested students in the province. Provincial Minister for Education Hon. Lazarus Rina on Thursday announced that the 2016 Provincial scholarship is now open for new applicants.  Application date opened on the 13th of July and will close on the 13th of August 2016, a period…

PM speaks about healthy ocean

PRIME Minister Manasseh Sogavare says harnessing the wealth of the ocean and guaranteeing its health would require zone based management of our oceans resources. PM Sogavare was speaking at the occasion of the closing of the Pacific Islands Development Forum (PIDF) pre-summit at Mendana Hotel Conference room in Honiara, Tuesday. ”I concur with our experts…

Students’ allowance

Dear Editor – At the time of this writing, there are individuals and families whose livelihoods are at stake as they depend very much on the allowances paid out to them by our government. The reason being that they have to wait till the results of those studying at USP Laucala campus are out. Already,…