Half of 439 cattle died on Malaita

MORE than 200 heads of cattle intended for breeding purposes on Malaita have died, according to reports from Maoa Village in West Kwaio, where the Government-funded multi-million dollar cattle rehabilitation scheme is based. A spokesman said yesterday most of the animals died in the last four months due to lack of feed. “In fact lack…

Fiu hydro power project sets to roll

THE proposed Fiu hydro-power project is set to roll. Malaita Province’s principal energy officer David Dauta confirmed this to Solomon Star. Mr Dauta said that the project which is funded for by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) is expected to kick start this month and August. “All formalities in regards to this project have been…

NPF defends $70m loan to SIEA

THE board of Solomon Islands National Provident Fund (SINPF) has vigorously defended the decision to jointly loan $70 million to SIEA (Solomon Islands Electricity Authority). When the Solomon Star asked the board why they chose SIEA and if they could inform and assure members of returns from the investment, Chairman Baoro Laxton Koraua said SIEA…

Victims claim NDMO failed them

Flood Victims accommodated at the Panatina FOPA village say the national disaster management office has failed them. Speaking to this paper in an interview yesterday, Willie Gua said last week the NDMO dropped a list to them of those who will be repatriated. But while waiting for NDMO to come and take them down to…

US docs visit Marovo

ABOUT six American doctors completed a medical tour of Marovo, Western province, last month. The team was headed by Dr Suzanne Daly from the Marovo Medical Foundation. US doctors make twice-a-year visits to Marovo since 2007 providing medical services and improving health facilities. “This year the doctors visited Bareho and Chubikobi villages providing medical services…

Gov’t urged to probe ‘failed’ aviation project

THE Joint Civil Society Groups & Concerned Citizens (JCSG & CC) calls on the government and relevant authorities to immediately investigate the failed Non-Directional Beacons (NDB) provincial airports rehabilitation project under the Ministry of Aviation. It also urged the Aviation Ministry and the Central Tender Board to properly analyse and assess the technical competencies of…

Malaria survey postponed

A PROPOSED Malaita Vector Borne Disease Control Program (MVBDCP) survey scheduled to start this month has been postponed for February next year. Ministry of Health (MOH) and Vector Borne Disease Control Program (MVBDCP) postponed the survey. Malaria indicator survey coordinator Charles Ghambu said they postponed the survey to February during the wet season when the…

Youths face many issues

YOUTHS are the most vulnerable group to social issues like teenage pregnancy, suicide, and mental illness says the Director of the Ministry of Women, Youths and Children Affairs Edward Anisitolo. He was speaking during the official opening of the Adventist Youth Alive Congress week-long celebration at the Maranatha Hall near Burns Creek, Sunday. He said…

Vendors affected by poor road and transportation

VENDORS have continued to call on responsible authorities to mend the south road, which is in its worst state due to the continuous wet weather experienced in Malaita. Market vendors who said they have been dually affected by the lack of reliable transportation and the deteriorating condition of the South road from their rural areas…