Termination of Ron Sumsum

Dear Editor – Regarding the now widely published, termination of Ron Sumsum as CEO Solomon Airlines, some reports give the impression that Sumsum was removed for shutting the airline down last week. In fact, the new CEO John McCormick was appointed on 1st June, nearly a week before the shutdown. The new CEO must have…

A new MSG Trade Agreement

Last week in Port Vila, a new Melanesian Free Trade Agreement was reached by Trade Ministers from Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu, the members of Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG). The new trade agreement, which took three years of negotiations, after signatures by MSG Leaders and ratification by parliament, will be known as…

Where’s the commitment?

ON 9th of December 2015 during the marking of the International Anti-Corruption Day the nation, applauded as they listened to our Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare, declared to the nation his government’s commitment to bring about various legislative reforms to tackle corruption within the public sector, the private sector and in any environment where there is…

Indonesia is not Melanesia

Dear Editor – Professor Tarcisius Tara Kubutaulaka’s article ‘ Don’t be bullied, Indonesia is not Melanesia’ (Solomon Star May 28) makes the choice for Pacific Islanders of Melanesian background very clear and unambiguous. They have the choice to stand with the oppressed people of West Papua or with their Indonesian oppressors. In making the choice…

Disputes impede nation’s development

GWAUNARU’U Airport near Auki, Malaita, reopened Monday this week. This was after more than two years of closure due to disputes amongst landowners. The financial loss the closure had on Malaita as a province was catastrophic. Solomon Airlines, as the service provider, experienced similar losses. The reopening of the airport is not only welcomed news,…

It’s on again!

Dear Editor – No retreat, no giving in. Betel nut vendors are back again on the Honiara Streets. This time round it appears to be irresistible and wild. These consistent goings-on are happening in the eyes of the very legislator, the Honiara City Council (HCC), but no action is executed. Who is responsible for Honiara…

Get ready for plain packaging!

WORLD No Tobacco Day, on 31 May every year, highlights the burden of tobacco and tobacco-related harm. In Pacific Island Countries and Territories (PICTs), tobacco use is still a common habit. Between 25% and 75% of adult males, and 20% and 59% of adult females were current smokers according to data available for 14 PICTS…

SITCO’s bullying tactic

Dear Editor – I write to express my concern at the attitude of the staffs of Solomon Islands Tobacco Limited who for the past months have threatened us the market vendors. Since February this year staffs of Solomon Islands Tobacco Company Limited (SITCO) have been visiting us at the Kukum market purposely to preach one…