Lucky escape for driver

A DRIVER of a short boot Toyota car narrowly escaped death when he veered off his lane hitting an oncoming dump truck along Vura 2 road, East Honiara mid-morning on Saturday. The driver of the cab was believed to have been drunk and was sleeping behind the wheel at the time of the accident. An…

Saeni clarifies report, apologises

The chairman of the University of South Pacific (USP) Federal Council, Whitlam Saeni has made a public apology after allegations that he had assaulted a student journalist last week. Reports reaching the paper stated that Saeni has assaulted Wansolwara (USP student newspaper) editor Sonal Singh over a news report on the auditing of one of…

SINU students to elect new student body

MEMBERS of the Solomon Islands National University students association (SINUSA) will elect their student leaders today to lead the students’ body for the next two years. The election of the new executive was supposed to be held last year, however an extension was issued which resulted in the election today. SINUSA executive plays an important…

Deportation call

Government has been urged to immediately deport the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Solomon Islands Ports Authority (SIPA) and then ten (10) Singaporeans consultant. The Workers Union of Solomon Islands, WUSI, in a statement yesterday made the call saying the Government must ban them from re-entering the country. The WUSI General Secretary Tony Kagovai…

Beche-de-mer export to close by end month

The export of beche-de-mer will cease at the end of this month. This was revealed by the onshore Fisheries deputy director during the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) hearing into the budget submission from the Ministry of Fisheries & Marine Resources (MFMR). PAC members during the hearing asked about the extension of beche-de-mer harvest and export…

Govt committed to reopens REPEL

DEMOCRATIC Coalition for Change (DCC) Government is committed to reopening the Russell Islands Plantation Estate Limited (RIPEL) on Yandina, Central island province. Edward Kingmele, the national consultant for agriculture, lands &fisheries within the Prime Minister Office (PMO) highlighted this during the official launching of the Rural Development Program (RDP) component 2 at Mendana Hotel on…

RDP component 2 launched

GOVERNMENT through the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAL) on Friday officially launched the Rural Development Program (RDP) component 2 in Honiara. The official launching was attended by farmers, stakeholders, non-government organisations (NGO) and private sector at the Mendana Hotel. The objectives of RDP component 2 establishing partnership and support to enhance rural livelihoods through…

Research underway on beche-de-mer

A RESEARCH on the growth and reproduction of beche-de-mer is currently underway in the country. The Ministry of Fisheries & Marine Resources (MFMR) has told the Public Accounts Committee (PAC). Permanent Secretary (PS) Dr Christian Ramofafia said, that they are conducting a research to learn more about the growth of sea cucumber, so that right…

Fisheries top earner for govt

This Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources (MFMR) remains one of the top revenue collectors for the government over the years and is increasing. This was revealed by the Permanent Secretary (PS) Dr Christian Ramofafia during the recent Public Accounts Committee (PAC) hearing at the National Parliament conference room. The PS during the occasion revealed…

Partnership acknowledged

MINISTER for Culture and Tourism was pleased with the marketing relationship between Solomon Island Visitors Bureau (SIVB) and the influential Ignite Travel Group (ITG) from Australia. Bartholomew Parapolo said this in his speech during the island feast dinner hosted by the Ministry and SIVB to welcome the visiting group into the country. Prime Minister Manasseh…