Auki shops flooded

A number of shops in Auki lost significant amount of goods after their premises were flooded on Friday. A blocked drainage was blamed for the flooding following a heavy downpour overnight. Shop owners spoken too were furious at their loss. “This is unacceptable,” one shop owner said. “Look at how much we lost here,” he…

Ministry intends to boost cruise ship visits

The Ministry of Culture and Tourism is seeking an additional $5 million to help finance plans to boost cruise ship visits to Gizo in Western Province. Permanent Secretary Andrew Nihopara and under-secretary Moses Tepai explained this to the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) last week. PAC is conducting hearing into a supplementary appropriation bill the government…

Taiwan medical team here

A Taiwan Mobile Medical Team is here to offer free medical service. The trip is being funded by the Taiwanese government. It was led by Dr Chin Yi-Ying, a dermatologist, and comprised of three medical doctors and three nurses from Taiwan Kaohsiung Medical University Chung-Ho Memorial Hospital. While here, the team will first visit Tongan…

EPS’s trained on their roles

Executive Personal Secretaries and their assistants from the various government ministries received training and mentorship on their roles and responsibilities last week. IPAM conducted the training as part of its role in improving capacity and working knowledge of public servants. The three-day workshop ended with a field trip and presentation of certificates to participants by…

Gov’t spends $6m to send contingent

The government spent $6 million to send its 170 participants to the 12th Festival of Pacific Arts in Guam, which opened last Sunday. Under Secretary of the Ministry of Culture & Tourism Moses Tepai revealed this to the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) hearing last week. PAC was examining the Supplementary Appropriation Bill 2016. Tepai said…

African giant snails invading Guadalcanal

The invasive giant African snail has invaded a huge area in Guadalcanal from Aruligo in the west to Ruavatu in the east. That was according to the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAL) Jimmy Saelea. He was speaking before the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) hearing of the Supplementary Appropriation Bill 2016…

SINU graduates query certificates

Students who graduated from Solomon Islands National University (SINU) urged the university to finalise their certificates so that they can collect them. On graduation day, the students were issued certificates that did not carry the signature of the chairman of SINU council Dr Culwich Togamae. Those familiar with the processes said the Vice Chancellor, Dr…

Coral Triangle Day June 9

Coral Triangle Day will be celebrated on June 9 this year. The Regional Secretariat of Coral Triangle Initiative together with its six member countries are organising the event, with the theme  “Save Coral Triangle – Stop Plastic Pollution”. Solomon Islands is a member of the Coral Triangle Initiative. The theme aims at generating awareness and…