ADB pledge help

Asian Development Bank (ADB) has pledged to assist the country achieve its development goals. The bank’s Pacific Department Director General Xianbin Yaomade the offer during the opening of ADB’s Extended Mission in Solomon Islands (EMSOL) office on Friday. “We are expanding our presence in the Solomon Islands because we are here to help,” Yao stated.…

TARD games underway

The Tobaita Association for Research and Development (TARD) annual free Christmas games has kicked off in Malu’u station, North Malaita early this week. Speaking to Star Sports in Auki on Tuesday a member of TARD Wale Rilifia said teams from villages in the Tobaita region are currently competing. Sports played in this tournament included seven-a-side…

$10M health scandal

ACCOUNTANT ARRESTED POLICE on Tuesday arrested and charged a former senior accountant in the Ministry of Health and Medical Services in connection to the missing $10 million within the ministry. Randy Hatigeva of Renbel Province appeared in the Honiara Magistrate’s Court on 10 counts of false pretense and released on $10,000 cash bail. This is…

RINI REJECTS NPF PLANS

MINISTER of Finance and Treasury, Snyder Rini has rejected Solomon Islands National Provident Fund (SINPF) investment proposals. These projects includes a lending bank, Malaita Telekom House and purchasing 15% shares of Pan Oceanic Bank through selling its shares in South Pacific Oil (SPO). Rini told Parliament when he winded the debate of the $4.1 billion…

“We lost everything”

Zinnia grabbed her one-year old baby and ran for the door after the magnitiude 7.8 earthquake struck in the early hours of Friday morning. Before they could escape, the brick door structure collapsed. When the door was clear, she continued and another structure collapsed just where they had been standing. Thankfully they were not injured,…

Sogavares grace carol night

Prime Minister Hon Manasseh Sogavare and wife Madam Emmy along with their daughters Shannon and Marydale graced the 10th Christmas ‘Carols in the Islands’ programme at the Lawson Tama Stadium on Saturday night with their presence. The Prime Minister’s participation comes as the Government for the first time this year became a co-sponsor of the…

Red Cross pledges support

Solomon Islands Red Cross (SIRC) on Wednesday launched its FINPAC Project at the Lord Howe Settlement. Speaking at the launching ceremony, SIRC Community Risk Disaster Management spokesperson Cameron Vudi said this project would enable an improved monitoring and delivery of weather and climate services to the community. Vudi said communities would be able to use…

Veke on policy framework

Guadalcanal Province premier Anthony Veke says Guadalcanal Province needs equal participation from its entire population to attain sustainable development in the province. Premier Veke said all men and women must participate. He made this comment when congratulating the province’s women and girls in the successful launching of the province’s women’s policy framework on Wednesday last…

New water project launched

Solomon Water has started its million dollar infrastructure project upgrade last week. The upgrade started with a ground breaking ceremony on Friday at the Tasahe main supplying tank. The$22 million project was awarded to a joint venture contractor Reeves International and CCB Envico. The project, which was supported by the Australian government, will construct new…

AUSTRALIA OFFERS RELIEF HELP

THE Australian government has supported Solomon Islands after Friday’s magnitude 7.8 earthquake by offering more than SBD$290, 000 in relief efforts. A statement from the Australian High Commission office in Honiara yesterday said Australian government is on standby to help. It has also expressed condolences to Solomon Islands. The statement added, the Solomon Islands Government…