Police arrest rape suspect

NAHA police have arrested a male suspect for allegedly raping a 33-year-old disabled female over the weekend at Lau Valley, East Honiara. The arrest was made after the male suspect was apprehended by the woman’s relatives and brought to the Naha Police Station. RSIPF Sexual Assault Squad investigators assisted Naha CID officers to interview the…

40 to receive Australian awards in 2018

FORTY Solomon Islands students will study in universities both in Australia and the Pacific region in 2018 under Australia Awards Scholarships. The Australia Awards program provides successful applicants with the skills and knowledge to drive change and influence economic and social development in Solomon Islands. The awards covers travel, health insurance, living allowances, tuition fees…

Blue boat appeal went unheeded

AN appeal to the government not to destroy the three Vietnamese blue boats has not been heeded. Managing Director of Treasure Islands Export, Henry Star Dora, recently wrote a letter to the government requesting the boats not to be destroyed. A copy of the letter dated 27/08/2017, addressed to the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine…

SICCI welcomes tax review

THE Solomon Islands Chamber of Commerce & Industry (SICCI) has commended the national government for commencing work to undertake a tax review consultation that involves a wide scope of stakeholders including private sector groups. SICCI, as the peak body representing the private sector, has always advocated for tax reform and the review is a step…

Betel-nut is next for beetle

BETEL nut palm trees are next for the coconut Rhinoceros Beetle (CRB) to attack in this country. This was according to the Guadalcanal Plains Palm Oil Limited (GPPOL) General Manager, Craig Gibsone. “This devastating beetle will attack coconuts, oil palms, Sago Palms, Bananas, sugar canes and next is betel-nut palm trees,” Mr Gibsone said. He…

PAC WARNS MINISTRIES

“Keep your hands off Development Budget” By AATAI JOHN THE Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has warned government line ministries to stop applying for funds in the Development Budget to fund expenditures categorised under the recurrent budget. This was revealed by PAC Chairman Rick Hou when the Attorney General (AG) and his officers appeared before his…

RINI: CASH CRISIS OVER

THE government’s cash-flow crisis is over, Finance minister Snyder Rini says. “The cash-flow crisis which the country experienced recently is not an issue anymore as revenue generation is back on track,” Mr Rini told parliament last week at the passage of the 2017 Supplementary Appropriation Bill. More than $400 million was appropriated for in the…

Big war needed against beetles

There’s a need to launch an all-out-war against the devastating Rhinoceros beetle, which is seriously threatening the coconut and palm oil industries. General Manager of Guadalcanal Plains Palm Oil Limited (GPPOL) Craig Gibsone uttered this as the beetle continues to spread around Guadalcanal and into Malaita and Central provinces. In the last three months, Gibsone…

Warrant of Arrest issued for minister

A WARRANT of arrest (WOA) has been issued on Friday at the Honiara Magistrates’ Court for the arrest of the Minister of Provincial Governments and Institutional Strengthening David Tome. Chief Magistrate John Numapo issued the warrant of arrest for the government Minister after he and his lawyer Michael Pitakaka of Michael Pitakaka Law Chamber failed…