Taloikwai, a humble person, says Sikua

GABRIEL Taloikwai, 65, who died last week on Wednesday night at National Referral Hospital in Honiara was described as a friendliest, most comprehensive and humble person. Former Prime Minister and Member of Parliament for North West Guadalcanal, Dr Derek Sikua mentioned this in his eulogy on the life of late Taloikwai at Holy Cross cathedral…

Australia volunteers here to serve

THE Australian High Commission has welcomed 10 new Australian volunteers to Solomon Islands who will use their skills and expertise to develop host organisations across the country. The volunteers, funded by the Australian Government through the Australian Volunteers for International Development program, will work in the areas of health, water resources, sports, finance, business, education…

FSII hails ruling

FORUM Solomon Islands International (FSII) has welcomed the High Court decision handed down by Chief Justice Sir Albert Palmer on Tuesday 19th April. Justice Palmer in his 17-page decision ruled that the MPs benefits set out in the [“the 2015 regulations”] awarded by the MPEC which came into force with effect from 1st April 2015…

Why homes were burned

THE burning of homes at Windy Ridge, central Guadalcanal, last Sunday, was retaliation to an earlier attack by youths from the area. Taxi driver Patkin Rere from Malango said youths from Windy Ridge attacked his car early Sunday when returning from Honiara to his village. “They’ve actually set up a road block near their settlement,”…

Veke dismisses claims

GUADALCANAL premier Anthony Veke says the provincial government has nothing to do with last Sunday’s burning of homes in the Windy Ridge area, central Guadalcanal. At least five homes were set alight during the incident, leaving women and children homeless. Mr Veke said his government does not have anything to do with the incident, and…

Malaita tribe supports call

KWANA’AI Tribe Board of Trustees (KBT) from north Malaita has thrown its support behind the call from the Guadalcanal provincial government to address squatter settlement in provincial territories. KBT spokesman Lency Wanefalea said his tribe supported the call. Mr Wanefalea said the concern voiced by the Guadalcanal Provincial Government Premier over the squatter issue on…

Churches told to tackle violence

FAITH and gender specialist, Maclean Dlodlo, is encouraging church leaders to take the lead in promoting equitable relations and gender-based violence reduction. Maclean, a Zimbabwean based in South Africa, will arrive here today ahead of opening of the Channels of Hope for Gender, Church and Partnership Conference at the Mendana hotel on Monday. Maclean was…

Why the delays

Police chief clarifies corruption probes POLICE Commissioner Frank Prendergast says there many factors that contribute to delays of investigating corruption cases. Mr Prendergast highlighted this during the Bills and Legislative Committee hearing in Parliament yesterday. The Committee was scrutinizing the Anti-Corruption Bill, which aims to combat corruption in Solomon Islands in all its forms by:…

Earning an income

Dear Editor – I was struck by the simple story, published in your last issue of the Sunday Star, of the determination and self-enterprise which has resulted in Winnifred Nanau, originally from Malaita, earning a living and income for her family by selling used clothing from her rented hut in Honiara. Winnifred was reported as…

Human rights and journalism

Dear Editor – A three-day Human Rights and Media Forum, supported by the Australian Government and the European Union, ended in Nadi, Fiji, last Friday. The Forum saw the attendance of editors, senior journalists and government communications officers from 13 Pacific Island countries, including from the Solomon Islands. Reportedly, the Forum reaffirmed the vital role…