REHABILITATION and upgrades of a critical but deteriorated 21 kilometer stretch of Malaita’s East Road are progressing well with road users already benefiting from safer, smoother travel over the repaired sections. The upgrades are supported by the World Bank through the Solomon Islands Roads and Aviation Project (SIRAP) and are being implemented by the Ministry…
THE country’s delegation to the High-Level Ministerial Meeting on Urbanization and Climate Change currently underway in Dubai, United Arab Emirates has challenged world leaders to act swiftly in reducing greenhouse gas emissions while easing hurdles to accessing global climate funds to address existing impacts on worst affected countries. The current impact of climate change in…
The Leader of the Opposition Matthew Wale has lamented over Government’s reckless handling of the new nickel mining activities. In a statement this week, Wale expressed his sadness over the significant lack of knowledge and oversight by the Government in this sector. Speaking in Parliament on Thursday, Wale questioned the Minister of Mines about the…
By Ben FeltonCanberra SOLOMON Islands has become the first recipient of Australian-supplied Guardian-class patrol boats to arm its vessels, with the delivery of FN Herstal M2-QCB 12.7mm (0.50 calibre) machine guns last month. On 4 November Australian officials, including High Commissioner Rod Hilton and Defence Advisor Lieutenant Colonel Justin Bywater, handed over the weapons at…
WORK on establishing a new cemetery for Honiara City at Gilbert Camp, East Honiara, is making steady progress. Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare informed Parliament yesterday during the Committee of the Whole House scrutiny to the 2024 Appropriation Bill 2023. Member of Parliament (MP) for Small Malaita Rick Hou asked for an update on the project…
Mr. Victor Ngele was sworn in as Electoral Commissioner to the Solomon Islands Electoral Commission (SIEC) by the Governor General, Honorable Sir David Vunagi on Friday 8th December 2024. Hailed from Guadalcanal Province Mr. Ngele was appointed under Section 57(6) of the Constitution. Section 57 (6) sets out the necessary qualifications for membership of the…
The Leader of the Opposition Hon. Matthew Wale has criticized Government’s persistent failure to expand the Country’s small and narrow-based economy, stating that the 2024 budget offers no solution to this problem. Hon. Wale made the statement during the 2024 appropriation 2023 Bill debate in Parliament. While the Government has repeatedly acknowledged the economy’s vulnerability…
THE current bad weather situation has forced most shipping operators to cancel their trips to most of the provinces. With the festive season nearing its peak, most people are now planning to travel back to their provinces. However, the negative impacts of Cyclone Jasper are felt nationwide and most ships are taking shelter at nearby…
$600 fine, 10 hours counseling for land corruption case THE Acquisition Officer who falsified documents produced to the Ministry of Lands, Housing & Survey (MLHS) about land acquired for mining on Rennell island in Renbel Province in 2015 has been fined $600. Principal Magistrate Tearo Beneteti yesterday also included 10 hours of counseling for the…
The Australian Defence Force (ADF) under Solomons’ International Assistance Force (SIAF) have worked alongside the Royal Solomon Island Police Force (RSIPF) to airlift medical supplies to different hospitals in Solomon Islands. The ADF logistics with the support from Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) with the NH90 helicopter which successfully airlift the needed medical supplies…