Selling of school property refuted

Malaita provincial premier of Edwin Suibaea has rubbished claims that his provincial executive has sold the Auki primary school (APS) sports ground to a Chinese businessman in Auki. In an interview with the Solomon Star on Wednesday premier Suibaea said that he was shocked to hear about the news. “That’s news to me and I…

50 cabs to support tours

About 50 cabs from various taxi services in Honiara will assist Solomon Island Visitors Bureau (SIVB) with tours in and around Honiara city following the arrival of tourist boat MV Dawn Princess early this morning. SIVB marketing manager Freda Unusi told the Solomon Star yesterday said these cabs will assist them to conduct tours around…

Australia says sorry, Maelanga accepts apology

AUSTRALIA on Wednesday, apologised to Deputy Prime Minister Manasseh Maelanga over an explosive body search its immigration carried out on him last week at Brisbane International Airport. And Mr Maelanga said he had accepted the apology, which High Commissioner Andrew Byrne delivered during a meeting between the two on Wednesday. “At least the high commissioner…

Maelanga angered over body search

AUSTRALIAN immigration officials did an “explosive body search” on Manasseh Maelanga despite being told he was the Solomon Islands’ deputy prime minister. The incident last week at Brisbane International Airport infuriated Mr Maelanga, who yesterday expressed utter disappointment at the treatment. “I understand we leaders are exempted to immigration checks and body searches in international…

Bad start for new bus

The new jumbo bus service operated by Ropiko Enterprise got to an unfortunate start yesterday morning after the service was blocked and one of the bus conductors being bashed up. Reports reaching the paper said despite the service being acknowledged by many members of the public, it does not go down well with few of…

NPF $15m loan now in court

SOLOMON Islands National Provident Fund (NPF) has filed a case in the High Court to recover the $15 million loan it lent to Tavanipupu Island Resort. This was after owners of the resort failed to repay the loan. NPF’s deputy manager Mike Wate told the Solomon Star they are currently pursuing the recovery actions under…

Sir Bruce honours local scouts

HONIARA businessman Sir Bruce Saunders recently visited the Australian War Memorial in Canberra. Each day, one of the 102,000 Australian servicemen is honored at the Australian War Memorial. These daily commemoration ceremonies include a piper playing a lament, wreath laying and recollection of the service of the serviceman. Sir Bruce met with the Curator, Brendan…

Shock at ship’s engine fault

PASSENGERS traveling on board Express Pelican to Malaita on Saturday expressed fear and shock when the fast craft’s engine abruptly stopped, less than an hour away to Auki. The incident happened mid-morning during the vessel’s Friday trip to the Malaita provincial capital. “We’ve already passed Alite reef and heading towards the Auki harbour when the…