Undersea cable project gets green light

Minister for Communication and Aviation (MCA) Peter Shanel revealed in parliament, Monday that the short fall of US$10 million to fund the submarine cables now stands at US$5 million after some donors willing to fund the other half of the outstanding cost. Shanel revealed this after continuous pressure from some Members of Parliament (MP) who…

Bribery claim denied

A land acquisition officer has dismissed claims AU Capital Mining Limited bribed landowners in Temotu to acquire its prospecting licence to seek minerals on their land. AU Capital Mining, an Australia company, held two tenements under its prospecting licence – one Temotu and another in Choiseul. Recently Iron Mountain Mining, a different company, obtained shares…

SICCI: we are a legal entity

SOLOMON Islands Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s (SICCI) has maintained the organisation has not been in breach of any laws. SICCI chairman Jay Bartlett reiterated this following recent media publicity casting doubt and questioning his organisation’s legality. “SICCI is an organisation of members with similar interests and is the Peak representative body for the private…

New eco-lodge opened in Guadalcanal

A NEWLY launched inland lodge has opened its doors for guests after a successful opening on Wednesday. Paringiju Inland Mountain eco-Lodge was located at Belaha highlands over Tenaru School, in Central Guadalcanal. The Paringiju Inland Mountain Lodge has formally opened in front of hundreds of locals this week. Among the invited guests were Sir Paul…

NGO code for Solomons in the pipeline

THE development of an NGO Code of Minimum Standards for the Solomon Islands will be discussed in Honiara, says the Pacific Islands Association of NGOs head, Emele Duituturaga. Mrs Duituturaga says PIANGO staff , Alanieta Vakatale and Akmal Ali, will be facilitating sessions on the development of a CSO Code of Minimum Standards at this…

Our Telekom’s Sunday promo lauded

Our Telekom’s Super Sunday TOPIDUP promotion has received widespread commendation for its convenience in the country. Various data users lauded the country’s leading network provider, saying that it makes communication suitable, especially during Sundays. Most are those that are frequent users of the social media connecting through the Our Telekom network. The promotion allows customers…

Farmers attend business empowering training

MANY commercial farmers throughout Guadalcanal have been empowered in the four days workshop held in Honiara from Monday to Thursday this week. The workshop is organised by Rural Development Programme (RDP) in the Ministry of Development Planning and Aid Coordination as part of recovery programme after most of the farmers’ infrastructures were destroyed during the…

Western delegation learn about tourism in Fiji

SUVA, (SPTO) – A delegation from the provincial Government of the Solomon Islands’ Western Province wants more programmes from the regional tourism body to assist in up-skilling their local workforce and developing their industry as a whole. Western Province Minister for Culture and Tourism, Christian Mesepitu made the comments when he paid a courtesy visit…