AUSTRALIA has committed approximately SBD$137million to assist the Solomon Islands Electoral Office ahead of the 2024 National General Election. This was announced by Australia’s Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles. Australia is committing up to AUD25million ($137million) to assist the Solomon Islands Electoral Office undertake a range of preparations such as biometric voter registration, preparation and…
THE new blank e-passport book stock is running low due to the ongoing high demand for passports. As a result, there will be no new enrolment or new applications accepted, the Passport Unit in the Immigration Department said in a statement last week. The statement explained that printing and new applications can only be done…
THE visiting Australia’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence, Honourable Richard Marles, has announced a package of commitments for Solomon Islands maritime sector. A statement from the Australian High Commission in Solomon Islands said the package builds on Australia’s 40-year strong Defence Cooperation Program. Australia has already provided more than 20 ray boats to…
Public awareness to ban single use plastics in the country will start soon. A Technical Working Committee is now well into its preparation to have the regulation in place. Chaired by the MECDM Deputy Secretary Corporate Mr. Karl Kuper, the Technical Working Committee is tasked to see that a regulation be put in place…
The Central Bank of Solomon Islands (CBSI) has formally released its Financial Stability Report (FSR) for the second half of 2022, outlining a general positive assessment in terms of the stability of the nation’s financial system within this period. FSR is one of the main reports from CBSI which is produced twice a year, to…
A MAN has been sentenced to 11 years and eight months in prison for sexually abusing his teen daughter on four occasions in 2021 and 2022. The now 40-year-old defendant was found guilty of one count of persistent sexual abuse after a closed-court trial. He was 38 years old and his daughter, only 16, when…
Solomon Islands Immigration will host the Pacific Immigration Development Community Regular Annual Meeting, PIDC RAM, in Honiara in 2024. The bid to host the meeting was supported by the PIDC member states during a recent Regular Annual Meeting hosted by Vanuatu Immigration at Ramada Hotel, Republic of Vanuatu. The Regular Annual Meeting is an annual…
THE Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS) has reassured the public that the malfunctioned fridge situation at the Blood Bank Centre at the National Referral Hospital (NRH) has been dealt with. NRH Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Dr George Malefoasi said it noted the concerns raised via social media and Solomon Star article “Blood Supply…
THE issuance of the mineral prospecting business license to the New Asian Mining Company by the Premier Martin Fini-led government has attracted more negative reactions than positive reactions from Malaitans. The Fini led Malaita New Government for Fundamental Redirection (MNGFR) issued a business license to the New Asian Mining Company in April this year, just…
Solomon Water is proud to announce the successful completion of the Panatina borehole drilling and construction project. The SBD 5.1 million project was jointly funded by Solomon Water and the Australian Government. Representatives from Solomon Water, the Australian High Commission, local contractors, and key stakeholders celebrated the milestone at a completion and handover ceremony on…