Members of the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) are meeting this week at the South Pacific Community Headquarters in Noumea, New Caledonia to discuss trade and economic issues and initiatives that will boost trade relations between Melanesian countries under the newly revised MSG Trade Agreement to be finalized in 2015. The MSG series of meetings started…
LOCAL businessman and former board member of the Solomon Island Visitors Bureau (SIVB) Mockson Aaron is now the sole owner of MV Kosco. Mr Aaron paid off MV Kosco with $5.5M from its previous owners. Mr Aaron, who operates the Gizo Water Front Restaurant, said he decided to buy the boat because of the travelling…
FIJI SUN: Australian investment in Fiji in 2013 increased by a whopping 559 per cent when compared with 2012. The Permanent Secretary for Industry and Trade, Shaheen Ali, revealed this, saying this increase followed a period of decline. Australian investment in Fiji in 2013 was $340 million (US$183 million), up by $288.4 million (US$155.5 million).…
Mining giant Rio Tinto is considering the future of its key stake in a company that has lost the right to mine in Bougainville. Bougainville Copper Ltd was stripped of all exploration and mining licences by the Autonomous Bougainville Government last week. “Rio Tinto has decided now is an appropriate time to review all options…
THE Reproductive Health Division in the Ministry of Health and Medical Service last week conducted a week-long training for nurses around Isabel on family health. This was done in preparation of a family health survey to be conducted in the province next week. A senior nurse from Buala hospital Ambrose Kikolo said the training was…
SIKAIANA, in the Malaita Outer Islands, is currently facing a diarrhoea outbreak with reports claiming a child had already died as a result. Reports reaching the Solomon Star claimed that the diarrhoea outbreak is taking its toll on the Malaita outer island of Sikai’ana with many living in a state of panic, especially with the…
KATUPIKA communities have created what is thought to be the biggest network of marine reserves in Choiseul Province following the addition of four new sites to existing Managed Marine Areas governed by the Lauru Land Conference of Tribal Communities. The new areas are Kukuru, Malanguni, Tarapae and Karago. All these sites are in the south…
CONSTITUENTS of Malaita Outer Island are calling on their Member of Parliament, Martin Kealoe to clarify why the constituency is still without a shipping vessel despite receiving the NCRA Government’s shipping grant in 2013. This was despite Mr Kealoe promising the people that they will soon receive a new vessel to service the Malaita Outer…
A PROMINENT leader of South Guadalcanal has hailed a reconciliation ceremony conducted for five communities in the area last week. Francis Para, who is also a board member of Solomon Island Visitors Bureau (SIVB), thanked the five communities in South Guadalcanal namely Chakudale, Vatughola, Puisugho, Vetabao and Chiba,for participating in the ceremony. The ceremony was…
TANDAI indigenous landowners in north west Guadalcanal say they wanted the government to immediately push forward with the long overdue issue of the Honiara Town boundary expansion. Trust spokesman and Provincial Assembly Member for Tandai ward John Batista Nano said the issue is of great concern and priority to Tandai people. Mr Nano, who is…