Immigration, labour laws to be reviewed

THE country’s existing immigration and labour laws will come under review as part of easing the challenges affecting foreign investment in the country. A statement from the Government Communication Unit said this step is one of the activities undertaken in the Government’s sectoral reform programs to strengthen the Ministry of Trade, Commerce, Industries and Immigration.…

Election office ends workshop

“NO problem is too small to overlook for the health of smooth running of elections.” These are the word of Chief Electoral Officer Polycarp Haununu. “Our continuous strive for future elections is to achieve, free, fair and credible Elections” After the successful completion of the National Biometric Voter Registration and Election last year, the Solomon…

Shopkeeper jailed for theft

A SHOP keeper has been sentenced to a one-year imprisonment and fined $2,000 yesterday after pleading guilty to stealing $75,000 from his employer. Moses Kande, 20, of Gela pleaded guilty to one count of embezzlement. Principal Magistrate Edwin Saramo regarding the aggravating circumstances, said he accepts that embezzlement, and similar offences such as larceny by…

Punched, kicked and stoned

But SIPA chief vows reform must go on SOLOMON Islands Ports Authority (SIPA) chief executive officer Colin Yow vows not to abandon the current reform he was engaged to oversee, despite Wednesday’s violence at the port’s premises. A highly determined Mr Yow, who was brought in recently to administer the Asian Development Bank (ADB) initiated…

Leni spill the beans on SIPA

WORKERS of state-owned Solomon Islands Ports Authority (SIPA) are illegally giving themselves personal loans of up to $75,000 or more. That’s according to SIPA board chairman Nollen Leni, who decided to spill the beans after the employees, through their union, demanded his sacking over current reforms. “The SIPA Act is specific on company loans; it…

Alleged robbers deny charges

Three men accused of robbing the Automatic Teller Machine (ATM) at the Kwaimani building, East Honiara, last year have denied the allegations made out against them. Security Officer Joe Silas, Dilo Faiga and Saverio Sulimae have again entered their not guilty pleas yesterday to the amended charges. They have already entered their not guilty pleas…

Chinese cleared of larceny charges

TWO Chinese nationals facing larceny charges here have been cleared of the allegations in the Honiara Magistrates’ Court this week. Prosecution on Monday have asked the court to withdraw the larceny by servant charges against Xu Pie Ping (Female) and Zhau Zhen Wei (Male). Police Prosecutor Wilfred Sura’au made the application without a file as…

Leni hits back at Kagovai

SOLOMON Islands Ports Authority (SIPA) board chairman Nollen Leni has made a scathing attack on union leader Tony Kagova, describing him as opportunist. He was responding to calls from SIPA workers, who are being led by Mr Kagovai, for his sacking. “The issues which Tony raised and recommended the need for an investigations are tactical…