PM welcomes Australia’s new regional initiative

PRIME Minister Rick Hou has welcomed the recent announcement from his Australian counterpart Scott Morrison for Australia to establish a multi-billion-dollar infrastructure facility for projects in the region. This followed the new policy initiative for the Pacific Region announced by the Australian Prime Minister, Friday. Australian Prime Minister Morrison announced that the Australian Government will…

DBSI Bill before Committee stage

THE Development Bank of Solomon Islands Bill 2018 is currently before the Committee of the whole House after it was debated on the floor of the parliament, Friday. This Act will establish the Development Bank of Solomon Islands, to repeal the Development Bank of Solomon Islands Act (Cap.50) and for related purposes. The Act commences…

Australia supports study to tackle gender norms

Women face serious risks in pursuing income because of restrictive gender norms, according to a report released today by Oxfam and the Australian Government initiative Strongim Bisnis. The ‘Community perceptions of gender norms and economic opportunity in Solomon Islands’ report, funded by Oxfam and the Australian Government,identified several major barriers for women such as unpaid…

Chiefs work to resolve land issues

FAUKWAE House of chiefs in North Malaita is currently working very hard to help solve land issues in the region, to allow development activities to reach the constituency. Speaking to Solomon Star Auki, a paramount chief of Foukwae House of Chiefs, Richard Rarangia Oiomea said they have already established and identified a total of 68…

SICCI: Resolve public transport impasse

The Solomon Islands Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SICCI) is deeply concerned about the public transport sit-in protest that occurred in Honiara City yesterday which has affected workers, students and members of the general public. SICCI is calling on the rightful authorities through the Inland Revenue Division (IRD) and the Honiara Public Transport Association to…

Minister threatens to repeal NTF Act

THE road infrastructure fund was awarded this year under the National Transport Fund (NTF), after the Minister for Finance and Treasury threatens the sources of the fund to repeal the NTF Act in parliament. This was spilled on the floor of the Parliament by the Minister for Finance and Deputy Prime Minister, Manasseh Sogavare when…

‘10 MPs cases active’

There are 10 cases involving Members of Parliament (MPs) that are currently under active investigation by the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force. Police Commissioner Matthew Varley revealed this at his weekly conference at the Rove Police Headquarters, Thursday. “There are 10 active investigations that are occurring at the moment,” Mr Varley said. He said there…

STRIKE TERMINATED

Transport services resume, Friday By ANDREW FANASIA PUBLIC transport services will resume today after the strike action by the Honiara Transport Service Association (HTSA) was terminated, yesterday afternoon. Inland Revenue Division (IRD) and HTSA have finally reached an understanding after the two parties held a dialogue yesterday afternoon at the multi-purpose hall. It was established…

Lea’i will join team later

THE futsal wonder kid, Rapael Lea’i will soon join his colleague players for the Solomon Islands Ports Authority (SIPA) Futsal challenge currently underway in Honiara.  Solympics head coach Stanley Puairana confirmed this to Star Sports in an interview. “Raphael is current on holiday thus he was unable to play with us in our matches. “But…