SOLOMON Islands has the highest-ranked passport of Pacific Island nations – sitting at 37th equal. Thats according to the Henley Passport Index. The index, organised by a consulting firm that describes itself as “the global leader in residence and citizenship by investment,” released the list based on global travel freedoms using data from the International…
The National Statistics Office, NSO, is resuming the Household Income and Expenditure Survey, HIES, 2024-2025 from rounds 10 to 22 towards 48 field rounds by mid-October 2025, after a break for the Christmas and New Year festivities. The survey resumed on Monday 6th January 2024 with enumeration in the selected Enumerated Areas within all provinces…
Titus Soba, a prominent chief of the Chacha tribe of Gold Ridge, has strongly criticised the recent decision by the Minister of Mines, Energy and Rural Electrification and Deputy Prime Minister, Bradley Tovosia, to cancel Gold Ridge Mining Limited’s (GRML) Prospecting License (PL05/22) over Mt Vunusa. In a letter dated December 9, 2024, addressed to…
THE Gizo Market in the Western Provincial Capital is undergoing a significant facelift as part of ongoing efforts to enhance its appearance and create a more welcoming environment for vendors, customers and visitors alike. As part of the beautification initiative, palm trees have been planted around the market compound, adding a touch of greenery and…
VEHICLE owners in North West Guadalcanal are raising the alarm over the deteriorating state of the Kesao Bridge, urging responsible authorities to ensure immediate repair works to avert potential accidents. The concerned vehicle owners describe the bridge as a high-risk, particularly for those transporting heavy loads. Elder Luteru Kunuku, a long-time resident of the Kesao…
The Honiara City Council (HCC) Physical Planning Division and the Honiara Planning and Development Board remind all residents of Honiara that it is a legal requirement to obtain building permits before undertaking any construction or development activities. This includes constructing new buildings, property fencing, soil excavation, tree cutting, renovations, and constructing retaining walls within Honiara…
Fresh food vendors at Honiara’s Central Market say the construction of the western extension has transformed their lives, with improved business and livelihoods. The SBD10 million Australian-supported project was completed last year by local company Tropic Group Builders in partnership with Honiara City Council. The extension provides undercover space for 100 vendors, protecting them and…
CALLS are mounting for the Control Price Unit (CPU) in the Ministry of Commerce, Industry, Labour and Immigration to conduct thorough inspections of foreign-owned shops operating in Gizo, Western Province, amid concerns that they do not comply with pricing regulations. Residents of the Western Provincial Capital, including community leaders, are urging the CPU to ensure…
BETELNUT chewers in Gizo, the provincial capital of the Western Province, are facing a significant financial squeeze as the seasonal betel-nut shortage currently experienced drives prices to a record high. Over the past months since the early Christmas festive and prior to new year, the cost of betel nut has skyrocketed across the province and…
THE Minister of Finance and Treasury, Manasseh Sogavare, has approved a total of $15.2 million in exemptions for Xiao’s Henderson Hotel Ltd, a Chinese company. The exemptions include: Both exemptions were granted on 31st July 2024 and will expire on 31st January 2025. The issuing of exemptions to both local and foreign businesses has been…