Hou questions PEC membership

Member of Parliament (MP) for South Malaita Rick Hou has questioned the independency of the chairman for Parliamentary Entitlement Commission (PEC) and Minister for Finance as PEC members saying its a conflict of interest when they try to make any decision. This was raised during the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) hearing of the Prime Minister’s…

Salt fish sales still on

A NUMBER of fish vendors are still selling the salt fish at the Central Market despite a ban being imposed by the market management and the Honiara City Council. The ban which restricts vendors from selling salt fish at the market was agreed upon this week following a meeting. Market Master Saxson Ofata early this…

Market closure affects vendors

THE recent closure of the Honiara Central Market has affected market vendors in their daily sales of products. Speaking to this paper on Thursday, a group of women said for the past three days they are not receiving any income at all. They said they do not see any reason to close the market for…

Tackling sanitation and hygiene

IN a move to help tackle poor sanitation and hygiene in the Solomon Islands a new multi-sectoral working group has been established. A statement from the Ministry of Health media unit said, sanitation may not be the most attractive of development topics, but in the Solomon Islands, it is one of the most important.  “It…

Sisilo welcomes the proposed Malaita summit

SOLOMON Islands’ former ambassador to the European Union, Robert Sisilo, has welcomed the Malaita Provincial Government’s proposal to hold a conference on the future of the province in May or June of this year. The conference hopes to bring together Malaita Province’s elected leaders in the national and provincial governments and others in the private…

Committee established to implement projects

A STEERING committee has been established to ensure the successful implementation of the projects earmarked for Suafa and Bina in Malaita Province, Noro in Western Province, Choiseul Bay in Choiseul Province and Tatamba in Isabel Province. This is part of the Democratic Coalition for Change Government to get some of the national priority projects rolling.…

USP utilises new classrooms

THE University of the South Pacific, Solomon Islands (USPSI) campus is now using its newly completed classroom complex in Chinatown to host its daily tutorial and lectures. The new classroom building is located just opposite the Coronation Christian School at Chinatown and is owned by a Chinese businessman. The new location was necessary following last…

SIEA meets Fiu River landowners

SOLOMON Islands Electricity Authority (SIEA) top officials have met this week to discuss the proposed Fiu River hydro project. Pradip Verma, Chief Executive Officer of SIEA, met the Task Force of the Customary Landowners on Tuesday. The meeting was facilitated by the Provincial Government in Auki and Honourable Peter Ramohia (Premier), Honourable AlickMaeaba (Deputy Premier),…

SI yet to be a WIPO member

SOLOMON Island is yet to become a registered member of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). Despite that the country continues to receive support from WIPO. Director of Culture Division in the Ministry of Culture and Tourism (MCT) Dennis Marita revealed this during a two days draft Solomon Islands Intellectual Property Rights Strategy’ facilitated by…