PM assures Malaita of gov’t support

Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare has appealed for cooperation and mutual partnership amongst the Malaita Provincial Government, resource owners, churches, non-governmental organisations and community groups in the province to ensure economic development and prosperity. The Prime Minister made the appeal in his address at the province’s 32nd Second Appointed Day Anniversary celebration in Auki Friday where…

Bosconians got talent

The first day of a three-day celebration concluding the bi-centenary of Don Bosco’s birth, Bosconians from Tetere, DBTI – Henderson and Mother Mazzarello Centre – Henderson had their Talent Show at DBTI Hall yesterday from 10.30 AM. Oh, what a show!!!  Magnificentor Fabulous wouldn’t be good enough an expression! The program began with the hoisting…

Don Bosco quiz, a unique experience

The quizzing experience for the Bosconians was the first of the kind. The quiz Master, Sebastian Drobner, a German Volunteer, provided an unforgettable experience to the Bosconians, with the variety in quizzing exhibited at the Don Bosco Quiz, Friday. 110 questions related to Don Bosco were made available to the students of the 3 institutions…

Women briefed on limited rearmament

About 2,000 women of the Catholic Church from several provinces across the country were briefed on the Staged Limited Rearmament of the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) on 13 August. The women from Guadalcanal, Central and Makira provinces are attending the 8th Archdiocese Gathering for Catholic Women being held at the Catholic Tangarare Parish…

APID secures mine caveat

Move baffles Rennell landowners LOGGING company, Asia Pacific Investment Development Ltd (APID) has taken a 10-year caveat over mining tenements in West Rennell, deepening the controversy over the controversial grant of its mining lease as well as the process of its land acquisition At the same time, the company has doubled the size of its…

Maelanga: Scheme rigged of corruption

A PROPOSED housing scheme the Sogavare government plans for public servants is rigged of corruption, Parliamentary Independent leader Manasseh Maelanga says. Mr Maelanga also slammed the $3.7 million the government paid to owners of speed boat Sun Express, which they hired during the government formation stages last December. “This government must come out clear on…

Crackdown on Illegal logging

THE Ministry of Forestry is embarking on new tougher measures to crackdown on illegal logging practices in the country. The new initiative is aimed at ensuring that logging companies and operators do business within the laws of the land by fully complying with the requirements of the Forestry Act and other related regulations.  Minister for…

Makili: Timber talks a miscarriage

LOCAL environmental campaigner Lawrence Makili has described the recent Solomon Islands-New Zealand Timber Industry Meeting as a “total miscarriage”. He said this is because reps from environmental organisations were excluded from the talks. “As an environmental campaigner, I have made attempts to be part of the dialogue but received no positive response from organisers,” he…

Health fraud ruling Sept 31

THE court will be handing down its ruling on a legal issue raised in relation to the $7.3 million fraud in the Ministry of Health and Medical Services case on September 31. Public Solicitor Douglas Hou last Thursday raised the issue of double jeopardy on the charges against accused John Biliki. Biliki is facing 14…

NGO leaving Temotu

A NEW Zealand-based non-government organisation, OceansWatch, is leaving Temotu Province because of Customs and Immigration issues. The NGO, whose workers normally travelled directly to Temotu on yacht, said they’ve always experienced immigration and customs clearance delays at Lata. This is due to the absence of immigration and customs officers in the province. OceansWatchhad been working…