Customs take one step ahead

Customs and Excise Division is taking a step forward in realising the ‘aviation project’ co- initiated by Brisbane based company Torn Parachute and local tourism training company Solomon Host. The aviation project involves displaying of important messages vital for travellers via plasma screens at the arrival and departure lounges of the international terminal. The project…

Electricity crucial for rural development

ABOUT seven million of the Pacific region’s ten million people still do not have access to electricity. Rural Melanesia in particular faces the exceptional challenge of achieving universal electricity access in an area where the cost of electricity and petroleum are among the highest in the world, averaging around 20% of total household income. This…

Province to repair Kamosi road

PEOPLE of Sigana ward in Isabel have welcomed the provincial government’s plan to improve the two kilometre road at Kamosi. Premier James Habu and his executive have already allocated funding for the road repair. The road stretched from Kasera sea side to the school area and is currently the main mode of travel by foot…

6,000 fraudulent voters detected

THE Solomon Islands Electoral Commission (SIEC) says the first stage of the Biometric Voter Registration process has been a great success, with the new system detecting almost 6000 potentially fraudulent voter registrations. The SIEC is in the process of finalising the Provisional List of Voters, which has revealed 5923 duplicate registrations. “One person tried to…

TSI says enforcement of law encourages fairness

TRANSPARENCY Solomon Islands says it is encouraging to see an authority using its powers to actually enforce the law. This week, the country’s giant logging company Earth Movers Solomons Limited has been served with a seizure notice by the Commissioner of Forest. The seizure notice was given following reports the company failed to comply with…

Victims: Where are the millions of dollars?

VICTIMS of the April floods have questioned the government and its relevant authorities where the millions of dollars that were poured into the country for flood victims went and spent. Speaking to this paper in an interview yesterday, chairman of the victims committee said they are anxious to know how these millions of dollars have…

Relatives confirm PM shunned

RELATIVES of the Christian Fellowship Church (CFC) spiritual leader who passed away last week confirmed the Prime Minister was unwelcomed and forced to return upon arrival for the funeral service of the late Sir Ikan Rove. After seeing the denial by the Prime Minister’s press secretary Douglas Marau yesterday, some relatives of the church leader…

Police yet to locate alleged arsonist

POLICE are yet to arrest an accused facing an arson charge in the Honiara Magistrates’ Court after he breached his bail conditions and escaped to his home province. Once police have arrested him, and the prosecutor in charge of the case resumes work in July, the court can set a trial date for the defence…

Taiwanese to take plea

A TAIWANESE accused of trying to export millions of dollars’ worth of the restricted tubi logs out of the country is likely to enter his plea on July 1. His lawyer Desmond Nimepo yesterday asked for the adjournment to take instructions for plea. He confirmed receiving disclosures from the prosecution. Mr Nimepo further added that…

More pending court orders on land

UP to 19 court orders relating to land evictions are before the High Court ready for execution. That’s according to High Court Sheriff Richard Muaki. He said land is becoming a major issue in the country and that it is good that people understand the processes involve so they do not get themselves into confusion.…