Queen shares sympathy

QUEEN Elizabeth II has send deepest condolences to the Government and people of Solomon Islands following the devastating floods that killed at least 23 people and left thousands homeless. In a message to the Governor General Sir Frank Kabui on Monday 7th April, the Queen said she was deeply saddened to learn of the devastating…

It roared like a speeding vehicle

KENTON Foafasi was still packing his family’s belonging at their Koa Hill home when Mataniko river bursts its bank last Thursday. “All of a sudden the waters and debris came rushing through,” the 24-year-old recalled as he lay in his hospital bed at the National Referral Hospital last weekend. “Our house was the first to…

West donates clothes to flood victims

A CONSIGNMENT of clothes and cooking utensil is on its way to Honiara to assist in relief efforts now underway. Western provincial premier Robert Pye Kuve formally handed the consignment to provincial disaster officer Silas Arukwai,   provincial disaster chairman Eric Kikolo before they were loaded onboard local ferry – MV Fair Glory. The boat left…

UK donates to flood relief

THE United Kingdom government has announced it will help thousands of people whose homes and livelihoods have been washed away by floods last week. Flash floods last week have affected over 50,000 people and left 10,000 people in evacuation centres. Thousands of homes have been damaged or destroyed in the capital Honiara and Guadalcanal province…

Japan steps in with $1m worth of relief

THE Japanese government is providing relief assistance worth a million dollar to flood stricken areas of Honiara and parts of Guadalcanal. Satoshi Nakajima, Ambassador and Chargés d’affaires at the Embassy of Japan on Wednesday announced that the Japanese Government will assist in providing emergency relief supplies. This was in response to the request made by…

Rice donation to flood victims

THREE containers of rice have been prepared and sent to flash flood victims of North East Guadalcanal on Wednesday. Member of Parliament for North East Guadalcanal, Dr Derek Sikua helped pay for the rice which were loaded and delivered to polling stations in the constituency. Guadalcanal plain was one of the worst hit areas in…

Bills not implemented, says Sikua

MANY approved bills were never implemented, the leader of opposition said in Parliament on Wednesday. Speaking during the second reading of the ‘Magistrates’ Courts (Amendment) Bill 2014’, Dr Derek Sikua urged the Ministry of Justice to ensure funds are ready to implement the Bill. “I think that would be one of the things that I…

No plans to replace destroyed arms

LICENCE holders of firearms are supposedly not to have their arms replaced or be given back as there are no plans to do so. Minister for Police, National Security and Correctional Services, Chris Laore told parliament during question and answer session. The question was asked by the Member of Parliament for Ngella, Johnley Hatimoana Minister…

Minister explains Magistrates Amendment Bill

THE ‘Magistrates’ Courts (Amendment) Bill 2014’ is timely as technology is embraced for efficiency, Justice Minister Commins Mewa said. When introducing the Amendment Bill during its second reading in Parliament on Tuesday, Mr Mewa said the amendments are incremental steps that can provide a large improvement in the speed and accuracy of the recording of…