‘Forced marriages’ still common here

FORCED marriages in local communities is continuing despite government efforts to curb the illegal practice. That’s according to Mark Tasha who is working with an Asian logging company in Western Province. “We are still seeing many parents forcing their teenage daughters to move in with Asians working at the logging camps,” Tasha, from Vella La…

Leprosy growing among children

SOLOMON Islands last year recorded 47 new cases of leprosy of which 10 are children. According to the Ministry of Health and Medical Services’ National TB/Leprosy Programme, Solomon Islands receives an average of 30 to 40 new cases of leprosy every year and among them are children. The ministry highlighted the issue of leprosy among…

Dausabea offers to help shop keepers

The Office of the Indigenous Chamber of Commerce, Trade and Industries Solomon Islands (ICCTISI) says it is ready to assist shopkeepers who are demanding their employers to pay their National Provident Fund (NPF) contributions. Chief Executive Officer Charles Dausabea stated this after shopkeepers in Auki working for Asian shop owners say their employers never paid…

Geber spells out challenges here

SOLOMON Islands is a very expensive place to do business, says Solomon Airlines Chief Executive Officer Brett Gebers. He made the statement in his presentation at the Tourism in Focus 2018 held in Honiara last week. Mr Gebers said that among other constraints facing the national airline, when the country is pushing boundaries to develop…

CIP police show presence

NINETEEN police officers in Central Islands Province (CIP) were involved in a walk from the Tulagi provincial police headquarters to the Diocese of Central Solomon and back to the provincial police headquarters last week. Supervising Provincial Police Commander (PPC), Inspector Hugo Maelasi says the march is part of the police high visibility as well as…

Police Credit Union probe still ongoing

POLICE investigation into the alleged misuse of the Police Credit Union is progressing well. Police Commissioner Matthew Varley revealed this when asked at his weekly media conference for an update of the investigation. “That investigation is going for quite a while,” Mr Varley said. He added it is a complex matter. Mr Varley said he…

Guadalcanal province trail blazing

The Guadalcanal Provincial Provincial Premier Anthony Veke, his Executive and officials were honored to receive H.E Paul Maddison, High Commissioner of Canada to Solomon Islands at the provincial headquarters last Thursday. Premier Veke thanked His Excellency for taking his time off his busy schedule to visit Guadalcanal province. H.E Maddison was briefed on the progress…

PM, deputy deny claims

PRIME Minister Rick Houenipwela and Deputy Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare have refuted claims that they are not in talking terms with each other. In a joint statement on Wednesday, the two leaders said they have a lot of work to do in such a short period of time and they cannot be deterred from this…