Ports: we are ready for COVID-19 lockdown

SOLOMON Ports says it is now fully prepared for any possible lockdown scenario as the Covid-19 Pandemic continues.  As part of preparing for a possible lockdown scenario, new prefab container houses have been completed as an ‘Emergency Response Compound’ for port workers. As an essential service provider to the country, Solomon Ports is taking these…

Sale of betel nut still on at market

A GOOD number of betelnut and cooked food vendors continue to ply their trade with impunity at the Central Market in complete contravention to Honiara City Council’s COVID-19 Market Ordinance. This concern was raised by a local farmer from Malaita. “I was here at the market for the past two weeks selling my market produces…

Resident wants HCC investigated

A LONG time Honiara resident John Kina has called on responsible authorities to investigate the controversy over the Honiara City Council fire extinguisher initiative. Kina said the Minister of Home Affairs and the Leadership Code Commission should take a deep look into the matter and take the necessary action should it be deemed right under…

Kabui clarifies changes to COVID-19 orders

THE Special Secretary to Prime Minister Albert Kabui has clarified the intention to amend the first regulation, which now becomes Regulation 2 after its gazette last week. Speaking during a radio talk-back show on Tuesday, Kabui said that there are public perceptions amongst certain groups that these new regulations will suppress them in what they…

3 escapees to be sentenced today

CHIEF Magistrate Emma Garo will today deliver her sentence for the three prisoners who escaped from Rove prison last December. Frank Firimolea, Dilo Faiga, and Willie Olo are facing charges of escaping lawful custody. They had on Tuesday entered their guilty pleas and their sentencing submissions and mitigations were tendered to the court. The trio…

In court with Assumpta

Young sex offender told to stay out of trouble ‘No offender is too young under law’ Gov’t urged to rehabilitate offenders Young sex offender told to stay out of trouble A 15-YEAR-OLD male who confessed to sexually assaulting a four-year-old girl in February this year in Honiara was given a bond sentence yesterday. R.I.R was sentenced after pleading…

Premiers now well-versed with emergency powers

A SUMMARY of outcomes following the two days Premiers Workshop recently in Honiara on the State of Public Emergency (SOPE) has revealed that the country’s provincial leaders now have an improved understanding of the emergency powers. According to the summary, those who took measures without fully understanding their limitations realised those errors and promised to…

Bars, pubs and casinos reopen for business

KAVA bars, pubs, and casinos operating within the emergency zone of Honiara are now allowed to reopen for business. But night clubs will remain closed. Attorney General John Muria Jnr. clarified this yesterday during the COVID-19 radio talk-back show. Kava bars, pubs, and casinos within Honiara were ordered to close down under the initial 2020…

Province to cancel licence of Chinese

TWO Chinese who were caught conducting illegal beche-de-mer trade in Malaita Province during the ban period will have their operating licences cancelled. Yan Pang and Zhaoxinlz, who have beche-de-mer buying licences from Malaita Province, are behind the illegal trade of beche-de-mer in the province. According to information received from the Fisheries Office in Auki, the…