AN African national accused of illegally staying in the country after his residence permit expired last year is facing court here. Mumtaz Baidoo of Ghana is facing one count of unlawful presence. He is charged under the Immigration Act 2012. According to the Immigration, Baidoo’s residency permit expired in May, 2014. Public Prosecutor Willie Vaiyu…
Three men accused of obtaining more than $300,000 from selling fake gold bars to a former Minister in 2012 will be making an application to stay the false pretence charge laid against them. The application will be heard on April 6 if the Honiara Magistrates’ Court has the jurisdiction to hear it, but if it…
SECURITY issues at the country’s international airport still maintain International Civil Association Organisations (ICAO) standards. This was revealed by Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Aviation and Communication Francis Lomo in an interview yesterday. He said, the country is no different to any other country in the world that undergo ICAO’s audit to justify whether…
THE outstanding issues with water and toilet facilities at the airport terminals will be fixed soon once the 2015 national budget is passed. Permanent Secretary (PS) of the Ministry of Aviation and Communication Francis Lomo revealed this yesterday. He said, a team has already compiled a work program to identify specific areas that will be…
THE proposed motion of no confidence against current Western Provincial Premier Robert Pye Kuve and his government will be tabled this morning. Ward 16 provincial member Ramrakha Talasasa is moving the motion. Mr Talasasa has accused Mr Kuve of poor performance due to his ailing health condition. He claimed the premier has been sick for…
MANILA, PHILIPPINES – The Asian Development Bank (ADB) is preparing initial assistance to support the government and people of Vanuatu after Tropical Cyclone Pam caused deaths and widespread damage across the South Pacific archipelago over the weekend, ADB President Takehiko Nakao announced yesterday. “I offer my deepest condolences to the people of Vanuatu for the…
A FOUR days training funded by Live&Learn in partnership with the Ministry of Culture and Tourism (MCT) has ended successfully in Isabel Province last week. It was organised at two different venues namely Lololeheo Homestay and Boletei, Havulei Ward and was attended by nearly 42 participants. About 24 participants attended the training held at Lololeheo…
DIGICEL FIJI – As recovery efforts commence in Vanuatu, Digicel has made good progress in restoring its network enabling customers to make and receive calls, text messages and emails. The Digicel network in Vanuatu’s capital, Port Vila, is almost fully restored and teams will soon now move to connect the rest of Efate, Tanna, Santo…
SPREP – The Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) was in the Cook Islands this month helping local broadcasters to understand how they can promote and shape resilient development through their daily reporting and to also keep safe and stay ‘on air’ during times of disasters. National media and key Government agencies, including…
SIPA defends review SOLOMON Islands Ports Authority (SIPA) chief executive officer has defended a Singaporean consultancy firm engaged by the authority to review its activities. Collin Yow spoke out after SIPA workers issued a 28-day strike notice and demanding the termination of consultants International Business Partners (IBP). Workers also claimed SIPA is paying dearly for…