$3M to fight pest

A TOTAL of  SBD $3 million has been allocated by the government to fight against the deadly Rhinoceros Beetle which continues to destroy the coconut and oil palm plantations in the country. Permanent Secretary  of the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock, Jimi Saelea revealed this on Monday in an exclusive interview with the Solomon Star.…

PARASI AIRFIELD TO REOPEN

Parasi airfield in Small Malaita which has been closed for the past seven (7) years is now set to re-open. This follows the signing of a memorandum of agreement (MOA) at the Ministry of Infrastructure Development (MID) in Honiara yesterday – Monday 25th September 2017. The signing comes after much negotiations and discussions by the…

BLUE BOAT CLARIFIED

Two destroyed, one held for study purposes By AATAI JOHN ONE of the three blue boats being ordered to be destroyed has been held for study purposes. That’s according the Director of Fisheries Edward Honiwala. Mr Honiwala said this was to allow the Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA) to do some work to enable satellite detection…

TOP COP’S SON PROBED

A young Police Constable Moffat Manelusi is under investigation for allegedly using a G-plated RSIPF land cruiser for a drinking spree. Manelusi is believed to be the son of the Deputy Commissioner Operations of the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RISPF) Gabriel Manelusi. Reports said, the police were tipped and started tracking down the young…

In Court With Assumpta Buchanan

Rape accused to take their pleas A COUPLE accused of working together to rape a girl at Gela, Central Province, will take their pleas this week. This was after the court was informed that George Solopoto, and wife Elizabeth Koka are now armed with lawyers. They were previously without lawyers. Having confirmed that the two…

First Miss Guadalcanal crowned

THE organising committee for Miss Guadalcanal Pageant program on Wednesday 20th September 2017 has successfully selected a candidate to represent Guadalcanal Province in the upcoming Miss Solomon Islands Pageant 2017. The successful candidate is 21-year-old Gladys Veronica Vasuni. Miss Vasauni snatched the Miss Guadalcanal crown from two other finalists in the first ever provincial pageant…

POLICE CHARGE AIPIA

Doctor accused of starting illegal beche-de-mer farm By ASSUMPTA BUCHANAN POLICE on Thursday charged medical practioner Dr Reginald Aipia and his American business consultant over their alleged illegal beche-de-mer farming in the Ontong Java atolls, Malaita Outer Islands. The pair appeared in the Honiara Magistrate Court yesterday on two counts each of engaging in commercial…