ADB gives US$200k for relief effort

The country is benefiting from a $200,000 (SBD$1.5m) grant from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to help fund humanitarian and relief efforts following recent major floods. On 3-5 April 2014, prolonged heavy rain associated with a tropical storm caused severe flooding in Honiara, and parts of Guadalcanal province. As a result of the disaster 21…

MPA wants ministry to audit tourism funds

A member of the provincial assembly (MPA) in Isabel province has called on the ministry of culture and tourism to follow up and audit funds that have been accessed by tourism operators. Rhoda Sikilabu made the comment during a meeting between the Solomon Islands visitors bureau (SIVB) officials and Buala tourism operators last Friday. Ms…

Reconstruction of jetties set for Isabel

Isabel provincial premier James Habu says his government will this year focus on rebuilding and construction of jetties around the province. He revealed this during a meeting held with the Solomon Islands visitors bureau (SIVB) officials in Buala last Friday. Mr Habu said the province would renovate existing jetties and build some additional ones  to…

Aviation: Safety is our priority

Aviation authority within the ministry of communication and aviation (MCA) says safety of airport runway is a priority. Alwyn Navo aviation’s chief air traffic training officer highlighted this during a courtesy call to Isabel provincial government’s headquarter in Buala last Friday. Mr Navo was part of the Solomon Islands visitors bureau delegation (SIVB) officials that…

We’ll be back

St Barbara says they are returning to Gold Ridge OPERATORS of Gold Ridge mine, Australian company St Barbara, has insisted it hasn’t pulled out of the country. Instead, the company said it was forced to shut down operations at the Gold Ridge mine because of flood damage and subsequent security risks. St Barbara’s managing director…

Isabel gov’t seals deal to extend airstrip

Isabel government has sealed a deal with a logging company currently operating on the island to help upgrade the Suavanao airstrip. Provincial premier James Habu revealed this last week during a visit by the Solomon Islands visitors bureau (SIVB) delegation. Mr Habu said his provincial government had a verbal agreement with a logging company operating…

Isabel to upgrade Kaomasi school

Isabel provincial government (IPG) will this year upgrade the existing roads to Kaomasi provincial secondary school (KPSS) which ran along the coast. James Habu Isabel premier told the Solomon Star last week in Buala in an interview. Mr Habu said his government put much priority in the areas of clinic, jetty, health and education. But…