PNG records 2172 new HIV cases

OF 31,945 people living with HIV in the country, 2172 of them are new infections. This was revealed during the National Economic Fiscal Commission conference in Kimbe, West New Britain last week. Deputy director ofthe PNG National AIDS Council Secretariat Dr Moale Kariko said prevalence was highest in the National Capital District and the Highlands…

Need to emphasis literacy in schools

A local literacy trainer has encouraged teachers to strengthen literacy learning in their schools to allow students to write and speak English well. Felistus Fafoi of the league literacy office (LLO) made the call at closing of the three day literacy workshop yesterday at the Solomon Islands national library. “Primary schools in the country need…

Chief concern over dressing codes

One of the concern chiefs of east Kwara’ae, Malaita province has raised concern over disrespectful dressing codes put on by young girls in east Kwara’ae recently. This came after he had noticed that the girls’ habits of wearing what he termed as crack jeans which is disrespectful. Chief Abraham Misitana said that this habit of…

Registration of political parties starting soon

The registration of political parties which will contest Solomon Islands 2014 General Elections later this year will begin in July. The Prime Minister’s Office has still to announce the commencement date to register the political parties, but it has announced the establishment of the Registry Office of the Political Parties at the top floor of…

Team work crucial for community development

Building a permanent house for a rural dweller at the north east Guadalcanal is not easy task. The scarcity of natural resources and the increasing price of materials and other important necessities are no doubt hindrances. Numbu village, a village community at the north east Guadalcanal has established a community development trust called the ‘Numbu…

Gold price volatile

THE price of gold has been relatively volatile in the last year ranging from US$1189 (K2,950) to US$1417 (K3,516), St Barbara said. The company has ‘hedged’ 153,000 ounces of future gold production at A$1415 (K3,282) per ounce giving certainty to the revenue it will receive on those ounces.  This meant St Barbara will receive A$1415…

Financial education expo for PNG

The Microfinance Expansion Project through the Centre for Excellence in Financial Inclusion is participating in the national Financial Inclusion Exposition from the 16th -20th July 2014 in Kokopo, East New Britain Province. The event is organised by the Bank of Papua New Guinea with its theme “Save now to make your dreams come true” with…

New arts and cultural hub set to open

A new, community hub promoting arts and culture called Art Haus has established in Honiara. It will open in August and support creative expression, artists and crafts people as well as emerging creative businesses. An initiative of the Solomon Islands Arts Alliance, Art Haus will create a space for people from all backgrounds to learn,…