Call for more awareness to reduce sexual offences in Choiseul 

THE increasing reported cases of sexual offences in Choiseul Province has sparked urgent calls for increased awareness and preventative measures. Recent statistics revealed a concerning surge in sexual offence cases within the province, raising alarms among community leaders and advocacy groups.  Authorities stressed the need for more educational campaigns and community engagement to address the…

HCC announces building permit process

The Honiara City Council (HCC) Physical Planning Division and the Honiara Planning and Development Board remind all residents of Honiara that it is a legal requirement to obtain building permits before undertaking any construction or development activities. This includes constructing new buildings, property fencing, soil excavation, tree cutting, renovations, and constructing retaining walls within Honiara…

Waleanisia was re-appointed as PS

Permanent Secretary (PS) Stanley Waleanisia has been reappointed to the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Survey (MLHS). Mr. Waleanisia from Malaita Province was sworn in on Wednesday by the Governor General, His Excellency Reverend David Tiva Kapu to formalize his appointment. He was first appointed Permanent Secretary to the Ministry on 12 March 2012, a…

New Japanese envoy presents credentials to GG

Japan’s new Ambassador to Solomon Islands, His Excellency Keiichi Hagiuchi, formally presented his Letter of Credentials to the Governor General, His Excellency Rev. David Tipa Kapu, during a ceremony held today, Thursday. Ambassador Hagiuchi, who has been appointed as the Resident Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to Solomon Islands, also used the occasion to…

Bina Habour discussed with new Japanese envoy

The Prime Minister (PM) Jeremiah Manele, MP, highlighted the importance of the Bina Harbor project to the new Japanese Ambassador to the Solomon Islands, His Excellency Higuchi Keiichi, during the latter’s courtesy introductory call, Thursday. The Prime Minister emphasized that the Government for National Unity and Transformation (GNUT) prioritized the project and that it was…

Vendors celebrate new market extension

Fresh food vendors at Honiara’s Central Market say the construction of the western extension has transformed their lives, with improved business and livelihoods. The SBD10 million Australian-supported project was completed last year by local company Tropic Group Builders in partnership with Honiara City Council. The extension provides undercover space for 100 vendors, protecting them and…

CRUCIAL PROJECT PREP UNDERWAY

PREPARATIONS for the China-funded Auki Tar Seal Road Project in Malaita are progressing smoothly and Malaita Premier Elijah Asilaua has expressed satisfaction over the headway and reaffirmed his government’s full support for the successful implementation of the crucial undertaking.  The contractor, China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) Ltd, is now in full swing with the…

IT’S BALLS AND GUTS GAME

SQUABBLING within the GNUT coalition has come down to a ‘balls and guts’ game. “Would Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele have the balls to act to contain the internal turmoil from spreading further given the number of issues raised in the confidential document called, the Memorandum of Demands (MoD). Many doubt he would. “He’s such a…

LDC target unlikely

SOLOMON Islands may not be able to reach its target of graduating from the Least Developed Country (LDC) status in 2027 and meet the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, but it must work hard to eventually meet these goals. This was highlighted by the Minister for Foreign Affairs and External Trade, Peter Shanel…