Parl endorses ‘Short Bus Route’ report

IMPLEMENTATION of the recommendations contained in the ‘Honiara Short Bus Route’ report now falls squarely on responsible authorities. Parliament yesterday deliberated on the report after it was introduced by former chairman of a special select committee established to look into the issue, Moffat Fugui. After some heated debate, the recommendations were passed.  Short Bus Routes…

New lands bill passed

PARLIAMENT this week passed the Land and Titles (Amendment) Bill 2014. The (Amendment) Bill seeks to increase transparency and openness in the process of land allocation and to provide an administrative system that should stimulate better customer service and set the platform for a fairer, efficient, justifiable and equitable land allocation system. As such, the…

British envoy to be guest of honour at banana festival

BRITISH High Commissioner to Solomon Islands Dominic Meikel John will be the guest of honour at next week’s three-day Banana festival in Makira-Ulawa Province. The cultural festival will be held at provincial capital Kirakira from June 4 to 6. Festival organising committee chairman Noel Mamau said they were pleased Mr John had accepted their invitation…

Kirakira ready for Banana Festival

PREPARATIONS for next week’s Banana Festival in Makira-Ulawa Province are well on track, according to organising committee chairman Noel Mamau. “Final touches should be completed this week,” Mr Mamau said. The festival, to be held at provincial capital Kirakira, will run from June 6 to 8. Mr Mamau said all work major works have been…

Choiseul villagers celebrate their faith

PAQOE village on Choiseul celebrated the 100 years centenary of the arrival of the United Church in their community, recently. The gospel was brought to the area on 12 May 1914. The week-long celebration was organised under the theme ‘Celebrating the Amazing Love of God’. United Church Moderator Wilfred Kurepitu, who was the guest of…

UN releases $13.1m for flood relief work

THE United Nations Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) has released US$1.8 million (SBD 13.1 million) to provide critical humanitarian support to flood-affected people in the Solomon Islands. The UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF), UN Population Fund (UNFPA) and the World Health Organisation (WHO) will use the funds to deliver life-saving activities, including health, nutrition, immunization, reproductive…

Taiwanese doc ends assignment here

A TAIWANESE doctor has completed his one-week volunteer service at the National Referral Hospital in Honiara and Good Samaritan Hospital, Guadalcanal plains. Dr John Wei-Chung Lai had worked at Melbourne Hospital for five years. In the wake of cyclone Ita striking Honiara, more than 10,000 people were affected. Due to poor sanitation and flood influence,…

Titiru: Your new lodge down West

A NEW eco-lodge for the adventurous traveller has just opened its doors on Rendova Island in Western Province. Called Titiru Eco Lodge, it was located northwest on Rendova island, about 40 minutes’ drive from Munda airport. Titiru is surrounded by untouched marine life with beautiful landscape at its background. The facility has self-contain bungalows furnished…

Guale gets automated weather station

THE installation of an automated weather station and rain gauge in the villages of Avuavu and Marau Sound in the Guadalcanal Province will assist in gathering more accurate data on the unpredictable weather patterns in the provinces. The installations were the first under the “Strogem Woaka Lo Community Fo Kaikai (SWoCK)” project. A total of…