Final consultation on SEZ conducted

FINAL consultation on the Special Economic Zone Technical Expertise draft bill commenced on Thursday in Honiara. Representatives of the private sectors, Non Government Organisations and Isabel, Central, Makira and Guadalcanal Provinces have participated in the two-day workshop. Ministry of Commerce, Industries, Labour and Immigration organised the workshop, with the aim of getting the views from…

Chainsaw training for Temotu villagers

CHAINSAW owners and operators in Temotu province have recently completed a successful skill training workshop on chainsaw overhauling & servicing, and timber milling processing. The training was held at Lata, Temotu’s provincial head quarter. Facilitating the training was the Principal Mechanical Labour Officer Nathaniel Mara from the Ministry of Commerce, Industry, Labour & Immigration (MCILI).…

Malaita thanks APTC

THE Malaita Provincial Government has acknowledged the Australian Government for initiating the Australia Pacific Technical College (APTC) which the province has benefited from. Acting premier Joe Heroau uttered this during the APTC graduation held at Hotel Malaita in Auki, Wednesday. Twenty-one early childhood teachers graduated during the ceremony. “First of all, on behalf of the…

Airport facelift

Big plans for Gwaunaru’u SOLOMON Airlines says plans are in place to tar-seal and build a lighting system for Gwaunaru’u Airport in Malaita. Chief Executive Officer Ron Sumsum announced this on Wednesday at the commissioning of the airport, following its reopening, Monday. Gwaunaru’u, the third busiest domestic airport in the country, was closed down more…

Use of breathalyser commences today

Legislation for the alcohol testing of drivers or operators of vehicles has been gazetted and is now in force.  The Police and Transport Legislation (Amendment) (Alcohol Testing) Act 2016 commenced operation on 1st June 2016. The Act provides police with the power to require the driver or person in charge of a vehicle to submit…

Accused told to find a lawyer

A man facing a traffic offence that resulted in the death of another person at Aruligo, Northwest Guadalcanal last year has been given time to find a lawyer to represent him. This was after Clifton Ruele of the Public Solicitor’s office, who was allocated the matter, informed the court he cannot represent Lionel Rifasia. This…

5 years in jail for sexually abusing child

The man who pleaded guilty to sexually abusing his eight year-old niece between 2013 and 2014 has been sentenced to serve five years behind bars. Justice Francis Mwanesalua imposed a one year imprisonment for each of the five counts of indecent assault charge. Those sentences were ordered to run consecutively, meaning all the sentences were…