Auga: Research is fundamental to agriculture development

Minister for Agriculture and Livestock (MAL) Augustine Auga has reiterated the importance of research as a key to improving agricultural productivity in the country. Mr Auga highlighted this in parliament recently when he contributed his ministry’s support towards the motion of sine die. He told the house that research is fundamental to development of plans…

Auga calls for unity

Member of Parliament (MP) for Lau/Mbaelelea Constituency and Minister for the Ministry of Agriculture & Livestock (MAL) Augustine Auga has called on his constituents to work together as one people to push development forward. Speaking on the Sine Die Motion at the Parliament Auga asserted that they must do away with thier differences so that…

SIDT celebrates 33rd anniversary, pays tribute to its pioneers

A well known Non-Government Organization (NGO), Solomon Islands Development Trust (SIDT) has celebrated its 33rd Anniversary at the headquarters in Honiara on Wednesday. The theme for the 33rd Anniversary was “Strong Villages equals to Strong Nation”. More than a hundred invited guests, families, friends and staff of the organizations celebrated the day together. SIDT has…

Fake permit exposed

Miner caught trying to deceive Customs INDONESIAN firm Bintang Borneo Limited has been caught attempting to deceive Customs with a fake export and consignment permit. The move was the latest attempt by the company to export bauxite it illegally extracted on Rennell island, Renbel Province, since last year. But the fake permit, issued on 27…

MPs get tax free pay

MEMBERS of Parliament are now enjoying tax free salaries as of April 1 this year. Parliamentary Entitlements Commission (PEC) awarded the tax free benefits to MPs under recent changes it made to MPs entitlements. That’s beside the tax free $400,000 terminal grant each MP gets after a term in parliament. Under recent awards, MPs’ discretionary…

Murder case adjourned to May 4

THE case of the two men accused of the murder of a young man found floating at Lungga Creek, East of Honiara has been further adjourned to May 4. This is to give time for prosecution to prepare and serve the disclosures on this case to the defence counsel. Principal Magistrate Ricky Iomea ordered prosecution…

Public praised for good behavior

Police Commissioner Frank Prendergast has thanked the members of the public for behaving well during the good-will visit made by the Taiwanese Navy squadron early this week. When speaking to the local media during a police press conference yesterday, the police chief said, the public has displayed a friendly welcome and a peaceful behavior to…

Patrol boat Auki to remain in Vanuatu

The Police patrol boat ‘Auki ‘will continue to provide assistance to neighboring Vanuatu for an extra period of time upon request from the Vanuatu government. This was revealed by the Police commissioner, Frank Prendergast while speaking at the police media conference yesterday. Patrol Boat Auki was deployed to Port Vila, Vanuatu on a humanitarian mission…

Revenue for1st quarter on the right trend

REVENUE collection for the first quarter of this year is on the right direction towards achieving the estimated 2015 budget., That’s according to the Permanent Secretary (PS) for the Ministry of Finance & Treasury Fred Fakariwhen appearing before the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) committee recently. “We are currently in the position we expected to be,…

Taskforce set up to probe beche-de-mer

A Special Taskforce has been established to investigate the beche-de-mer industry in light of allegations that the issuance of licenses for the exportation marine products (beche-de-mer) were in breach of relevant laws. The Office of the Prime Minister and Cabinet has announced this Thursday. “It was alleged that issuance of Export License on Marine Products…