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,…

Kilu’ufi ends training

Kilu’ufi Hospital in Malaita on Friday completed a week-long computer training for health workers across the province. Twelve participants attended the training. A hospital spokesman said the training was need to assist health workers use computers to prepare their reports. “Quality reporting is important if clinics are to attract donor assistance,” the spokesman said. “This…

Yow mute to court orders

Colin Yow has refused to say whether he’ll challenge the High Court orders restraining him from entering the Solomon Islands Ports Authority (SIPA) premises. “Now is not the right time to talk about that; it’s already in the papers,” Yow replied when the Sunday Star contacted him at his Heritage Park hotel residence, yesterday. He…

MID minister resigns

MINISTER of Infrastructure Development (MID) Jimmy Lusibaea has resigned from the current ruling Democratic Coalition for Change (DCC) Government led by Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare last week. Mr Lusibaea the Member of Parliament (MP) for North Malaita tendered his resignation last Friday. A copy of the letter was cited by this paper yesterday, dated Friday…

Yow Out!

Court orders controversial CEO out of SIPA premises THE game may be over for Colin Yow. This came after the High Court ordered the former controversial Chief Executive Officer (CEO) from entering the premises of Solomon Islands Ports Authority (SIPA). Chief Justice Sir Albert Palmer issued the orders after the SIPA board, represented by the…

New approach on project development gains result

THE soon reopening of the Gwaunaru’u Airport in Malaita Province resulted from the Democratic Coalition for Change Government’s (DCCG’s) new project delivery approach in the province, Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare told Parliament on Thursday. He was responding to a question by the Leader of the Opposition, Hon Jeremiah Manele during question and answer time regarding…

Manele: We must not wait for the court

OPPOSITION Leader Jeremiah Manele says he believes that the passing of the Lands and Titles Amendment Bill 2016 this week is a long overdue legal issue that parliament failed to rectify since 1978. The Member of Parliament (MP) for Hongrano/Kia/Havulei uttered this, when presenting his statement during the passing of the Bill, Wednesday this week.…

Bainimarama pulls out of MSG summit

RNZI – Fiji’s prime minister, Frank Bainimarama, won’t be attending next week’s Melanesian Spearhead Group summit in Vanuatu. Instead, he has told the Fiji Sun newspaper that he will be going to the Queen’s birthday celebrations in London. The MSG summit in Port Vila is to revisit the appointment of Fiji’s Amena Yauvoli as the…