Resettlement plans for low-lying islands

PARLIAMENT has been told that the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, Disaster Management, and Meteorology and the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Survey have been tasked to develop a resettlement policy for low-lying atolls and artificial islands highly vulnerable to climate change. Environment Minister Dickson Mua Panakitasi disclosed this during the debate on the SINE-DIE…

Probe into MP’s traffic case still on

A traffic accident involving the Member of Parliament (MP) for North-West Guadalcanal Bodo Dettke is still under investigation – four months after the accident, police said, Tuesday. Police said the accident happened opposite the Central Market area in Honiara on 8 August 2020. National Traffic Department of the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) charged the…

Xiao freed

The Chinese national accused of unlawfully entering a quarantine station at Pacific Casino hotel in September had been freed, Tuesday. Eddie Xiao was acquitted of the charge of the prohibition of entry of a person in a quarantine station due to insufficient evidence and technical issues regarding the quarantine regulation. Xiao was charged contrary to…

Call to reinstate nursing body

OPPOSITION Leader has appealed to the government to reinstate the Solomon Islands Nursing Association (SINA) by revoking its decision. Matthew Wale made the call on Monday in his contribution to Parliament during the Sine Die Motion. He said the government should have conducted meaningful and respectful dialogue before suspending the association.  “Government’s first resort must be…

Efona vows to serve

RECENTLY elected Member of Parliament (MP) for Central Honiara has thanked the people of Central Honiara for giving him the mandate to represent them in Parliament and vows to serve them. Alfred Efona made the acknowledgment when speaking in Parliament yesterday when contributing to the Sine Die Motion. He told Parliament and the nation that…

Pit removal exercise progresses

THE Gold Ridge Mine Pit removal exercise which is part of the recommissioning process of the country’s only gold mine in Central Guadalcanal is progressing well.  A statement from Gold Ridge Mining Limited (GRML) said the removal of illegal settlers in the mining leased areas especially in the mining pits has recommenced in early October…

DBSI lending roll-out continues

THE Development Bank of Solomon Islands (DBSI) continues to lend money to borrowers regardless of the negative impacts of COVID-19 on the local economy since the bank’s inception in June this year. The Minister of Finance and Treasury, Harry Kuma announced this positive development in Parliament yesterday in response to a question from Member of…

RSIPF officers undergo Drone Operator training

 Officers of the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) are undergoing a four-day drone operator training starting today (1 December 2020) at the Rove Police Headquarters in Honiara. The RSIPF Drone Operator Training includes three Officers from the National Response Department, one officer from the National Intelligence Department (NID), and two officers from the Drone…

BIG HELP

PRC supports govt with $1.2m THE People’s Republic of China (PRC) on Friday handed over a cheque of USD150,000 (SBD1.2 million) to the Solomon Islands Government to help with the COVID-19 fight. Solomon Islands Government remains grateful towards the continued support provided by the government and people of PRC, a statement from the Ministry of…

MP on Facebook

MEMBER of Parliament (MP) for East Central Guadalcanal says the move to temporarily suspend Facebook (FB) in the country is important to manage information. Speaking in Parliament, on Monday during the Sine Die Motion, Ishmael Avui said the plan is part of controlling information in the country and to avoid civil disorder.  He said the…