Importance of data highlighted

The very importance of collecting, having available updated official statistic data has been highlighted as essential towards achieving social economic development goals of Solomon Islands. Ministry of Finance and Treasury Permanent Secretary, Harry Kuma said this during the launching of the 2012 – 2013 Household Income and Expenditure Survey (HIES) Reports Findings on Friday. “Data…

Threat from coconut syndrome monitored

Solomon Islands is still monitoring the threat of Bogia Coconut Syndrome (BCS) disease at the international boarder in Shortland from entering the country. The disease found in Madang province, Papua New Guinea in 2013, is caused by a phytoplasma that not only affects coconuts but also banana and betel nuts. Minister of Agriculture and Livestock,…

Training for ministerial planners

MINISTERIAL planners from various government ministries underwent a training at the Institute of Public Administration and Management (IPAM) training room, last week. The UNDP’s Pacific Risk Resilience Programme (PRRP) in partnership with the Ministry of Development Planning and Aid Coordination (MDPAC) organised the training for all Ministerial planners across all the sectors. “This training will…

TDP back in action

THE Trade Dispute Panel (TDP) has so far heard about 70 industrial disputes since it started its normal hearing end of last month. The hearings commenced on October 27 following the appointment of Trade Dispute Panel’s new chairlady, Natalie Kesaka. She hears industrial grievances twice a week on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. On Tuesday, Mrs Kesaka…

Uneven distribution of resources, a challenge

A NEW report has urged the national government to address the uneven distribution of social services and public infrastructures across the country. The Household Income and Expenditure Survey (HIES) for 2012 – 2013 report was launched yesterday. The report highlighted the uneven distribution of social services, public infrastructures, and household income and expenditure as major…

Two new awards for health workers

THE Ministry of Health and Medical Services has given out two new recognition awards to end the 2015 National Health Conference in Honiara on Thursday. The first award, under the category of the Best Performing Province in the past four to five years, went to Guadalcanal Province. The award, which is in the form of…

Health outlines priorities

THE Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS) has outlined its priorities for the next five years at this week’s National Health Conference in Honiara. Priorities reflected in the new National Health Strategic Plan 2016 – 2020 include improving the coverage and quality of health services, building strong partnerships to expand the reach of health…

Health workers show the way

HEALTH workers attending the 2015 National Health Conference this week in Honiara have been modelling healthy behaviors. In the course of the Health Conference which is successfully ended yesterday, the health workers voluntary donated blood, doing physical exercises between sessions and getting their blood pressure, blood sugar and weight checked. Speaking in response to the…

Gov’t urged to seriously review PPIA

THE Parliamentary Opposition Group has urged the DCC Government to seriously prioritize the reviewing of the Political Parties Integrity Act (PPIA). In a statement, the Parliamentary Opposition understands the review is currently in progress as the national consultation process is underway. However, the Parliamentary Opposition Group says the recent political developments have proven that the…