HIGH cost of living has been a problem in Solomon Islands for many years now. Opposition Leader Hon Matthew Wale highlighted during his Budget Debate speech in Parliament on Monday this week. Hon Wale said food, housing, transportation, school fees; communications are significant costs in household budgets across the country. With an already severely depressed…
A multi-stakeholder Government delegation has concluded a review of the Immigration Act 12 in Gizo, Western Province recently. The two-day review process convened from 23-24 November gathered together 56 participants representing Customs, Immigration, Western Provincial Government, Provincial Health Division, Environmental Health, Bio Security, Police, Noro Participants, Gizo Community High School, Gizo Red Cross Branch, National…
THE freezing of new vacancies in the public service sector will still be enforced unless and otherwise a ministry provides sufficient evidence that a position must be filled. This was highlighted by Minister of Finance and Treasury, Harry Kuma when introducing the Appropriate Bill 2022-2023 last week. Minister Kuma said this are some of the…
OFFICE of the Prime Minister and Cabinet has denied renting an office space for ‘ex-combatants’ at Town Ground Plaza. Secretary to Prime Minister Dr Jimmie Rodgers told the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) hearing recently. Dr Rodgers said the OPMC is not aware of any arrangements with ex-combatants for an office space at Town Ground Plaza…
The total number of people infected by HIV/AIDs has increased from 36 to 37 in 2021 and 2022. This was highlighted by Ellen Tanito, Coordinator of Western Province HIV/AIDS Gizo Hospital during the World AIDS Day celebration held in Gizo on Thursday last week. The theme for the World Aids Day is ‘’A renewed mission…
THREE men have been sentenced to 14 and 15 years in prison for robbing $1million in 2016 from an Asian outside of the Bank South Pacific (BSP) at Point Cruz, Honiara. Eric Nathanial Junior, Ben Farobo and Stanely Ramo were sentenced after they pleaded guilty to one count of armed robbery. Justice Leonard Maina when…
Ten houses were burnt down in the latest arson incident that happened at Valuado Village (SI-Corp area) in North Guadalcanal over the weekend (3 December 2022). Provincial Police Commander (PPC) Guadalcanal Province, Chief Superintendent Rodney Kuma said, “Among those ten houses there are two kitchens, a canteen and a cocoa dryer.” PPC Kuma said, “Officers…
MALAITA Province has conveyed its gratitude to the government and the people of the United State of America (USA) for supporting development in Malaita Province. Speaking at the launch of the grant under the Forest Development Fund (FDF) in Auki last Thursday afternoon in Auki, Premier Suidani, thanked the US government and its people for…
Preparation for the full-scale implementation of the $165-million grant agreement between the US foreign aid agency and SIG is underway FULL-SCALE execution of the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) Threshold Programme is set to proceed next year with the arrival of the programme’s Solomon Islands in-country Director, Charles Jakosa. MCC is an independent United Sates Government…
The Solomon Islands Infrastructure Program (SIIP) is acknowledging this year’s International Day of Persons with Disabilities (3 December) by highlighting infrastructure’s vital role in creating ‘transformative solutions for inclusive development’ – this year’s theme. “Well-designed and well-constructed infrastructure can either transform the lives of people using it, or create barriers to social and economic opportunities…