Australia a ‘true friend’, says PM

PRIME Minister Manasseh Sogavare has described Australia as a “true friend” who has stood beside Solomon Islands in its darkest hour. Sogavare highlighted this when launching the bushfire fundraising drive at the Honiara Hotel last week. The prime minister said Australia occupies a strategic position and plays a strategic role in our regional joint efforts…

New look multi-purpose site progresses 

Construction work at the new look multi-purpose hall site is progressing well, the Honiara City Council has reported. The Contractor has progressed construction on site over the Christmas and New Year period, despite some interruptions due to poor weather. Foundation preparations for the Hall extension, Youth Centre and Performance stage are underway, with the steel…

Iyaz to perform here

THE British Virgin Islands singer Keidran Jones, better known by his stage name Iyaz, will stage a one night show in Honiara this coming weekend on Friday 24th January at the Pacific Casino Hotel. Iyaz is currently doing his 10 Year Anniversary Tour of his worldwide hit song ‘Replay’ to Australia Solomon Islands, New Caledonia,…

Dunde villagers enthrone chief

VILLAGERS at Munda, Western Province, last week witnessed the enthronement of Eti Daga of Dunde as their new chief. Daga was appointed by his predecessor Chief Simion Mamupio 30 years ago to be a chief, but has not been enthroned until Tuesday this week. Thousands of villagers and invited guests witnessed the occasion. The Dunde Council…

‘Ban butane gas canister’

AUTHORITIES should ban the import the import of butane gas canister into the country because of its dangerous and hazardous effects. Medical doctor Dr Pedical Togamae expressed this after a six-year-old boy nearly lost his life at Burns Creek when an empty butane gas canister he was playing with exploded and burned his face. The…

New ADB head takes office

JAPANESE Masatsugu Asakawa assumed office as the 10th President of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) on Friday. “I am honoured to assume the role of ADB President and to begin working in close cooperation with our 68 member countries,” Asakawa said. “ADB has been a trusted partner of the region for more than half a…

M4D condemns sale of expiry goods 

MALAITA for Democracy (M4D) has condemned the sale of expiry goods at shops in Auki. The civil society group made this statement in a press release after it learned that few Chinese shops in Auki have been selling expiry goods. Early this month, Malaita province security officials confiscated expired rice from Low Price Enterprise shop…