PM: Fiu hydro prooject rolling

THE   Government’s   preparatory   work   for   the proposed  Asian  Development  Bank-funded  Fiu  River hydropower project in Malaita Province is progressing well. “The land valuation assessment of the project site has been completed and the report on this assessment will be finalised by the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Survey after it receives a report on a…

PM backs bid team

Sogavare adjourns parliament to accompany games committee PRIME Minister Manasseh Sogavare and his deputy will lead a high-powered delegation to Vanuatu next week to lodge the country’s bid for the 2023 Pacific Games. Mr Sogavare revealed this yesterday as he adjourned parliament to May 17 to allow him and his deputy, Manasseh Maelanga, who is…

Mayor faces motion

HONIARA City Council Mayor is facing a leadership challenge as moves are underway to remove from the position. A Councillor within the Honiara City Council (HCC) has confirmed that a move to oust the HCC Mayor Alfrence Fatai will be lodged as soon as he completes his 18 months ruling, as stipulated in the constitution.…

SINU students mourn death of colleague

Students of Solomon Islands National University (SINU) are mourning the shocking death of a colleague. Manga Havu, from Western Province, was found dead in his room at Panatina campus. He was studying for his Bachelor’s degree in teaching. “Havu’s death came as a shock,” one student told the Sunday Star. “He was alone in his…

Prospecting licences queried

The Ministry of Mines and Energy has come under questioning after giving Australian mining company, Iron Mountain Mining a prospecting licence for a tenement on Nende Island in Temotu. Iron Mountain Mining obtained shares when signing an option agreement to acquire 50 percent stake in privately held AU Capital Mining, believed to be holders of…

First flight to Gwaunaru’u May 9

Solomon Airlines will make its first flight back to Gwaunaru’u Airport on Malaita on May 9. Earlier, the first flight should have been made tomorrow, but this was rescheduled. Malaita premier Peter Ramohia confirmed this to the Sunday Star. He said the new date was communicated to him by the Director of Civil Aviation GeorgeSatu.…

Mine pact signed without ministry

An agreement between AU Capital Mining and Iron Mountain Mining was done outside the government’s normal process, without the input from the Ministry of Mines. Both are Australian companies and are eying bauxite prospecting at Nende, Temotu. A reliable source told the Sunday Star the Mines ministry does not recognise the agreement because it was…

Gov’t sets to table three more bills

The Government is set to table the Police and Transport Legislation (Amendment) (Alcohol Testing) Bill 2016, Penal Code (Amendment) (Sexual Offences) Bill 2016 and Anti-Corruption Bill 2016, this week. Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare announced this in Parliament on Friday when delivering the Statement of Government Business for the week ending Friday 6th May 2016. He…

Nations cautioned on deep sea mining

A new report by the World Bank said Pacific Island countries including Solomon Islands should be cautious over any plans for mining of the seabed. It said that Deep Sea Mining will be a challenge for both the investor and the Government if countries intend to venture into this lucrative but unknown industry. The report,…