Is MSG a strong or sick man of the Pacific?

In almost one decade of its existence, the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) has shown its potential to be “the strong man of the South Pacific”. It is making the region more economically integrated while sustaining its Melanesian cultural identity. However, one issue threatens the Group’s core interests and imperils the whole MSG project. The United…

Peace event

Dear Editor – Its good to see the successful staging of the national healing and apology week. At least some of the former combatants have come together and reconcile with each other and with the government, police and Honiara city. Its a first step to achieving lasting peace in the country. The experience from the…

Toilet plea

Dear Editor – Honiara city is a growing in terms of the population. Yet, one of the services that is lacking is public toilet. I’m not sure how many public toilets we have in our city. I remember one near the Honiara public library and at the Central Market. Apart from that, there are not…

CSSI recruitment 2016 unfair

Dear Editor – It’s been four (4) months since the process was carried out and finally they have a final list of names for the recruitment. As a concern citizen of this beloved nation and as someone who would want to see corruption free in all government sectors and have been waiting eagerly to see…

Congratulations Solomon Islands

The country is today marking its 38th independence anniversary. In Honiara, the main event is taking place at the Lawson Tama Stadium this morning. There are celebrations nationwide and abroad to remember this important day. As the country turns a year older, there is so much to reflect on as the country continues to journey…

The Untold Side of Fiu Hydro Project

I read with interest the continuous publication in this paper relating to the proposed Fiu hydro Project on Malaita. The realisation of phases 10 and 11 and declaration of the six core tribes as appeared in an article on 27th June, 2016 draws particular interest. Whilst there is so much publicity on the aspects of…

Is globalization dead?

With Britain voting in favour of leaving EU, a single market (508 m) people larger than USA (319 m), the question that looms large: “Is globalization dead?” When the consequences are slowly sinking in, it has become difficult to stomach the decision even for those who supported Britain’s exit (BREXIT) from EU, including the once…

Happy Independence Day!

I CAN still remember, as a young boy living in Australia in the 1970s, reading about the world’s newest independent country. It was a place in the South Pacific called ‘Solomon Islands’. I had a map of the world in my room and I could see that Solomon Islands was very close to Australia. But…

Is the forestry sector the next battleground?

ON June 14 this year, the nation’s forestry industry regulator, Solomon Forest Association (SFA) issued a warning that illegal logging practices were “getting out of control”. The SFA called on the Government to act immediately, or it would dissolve itself so thatthere is a level playing field on corruption for everyone in this country. “The…