AFTER almost five years of negotiations, PACER-Plus is far from being concluded. Two issues – labour mobility and development assistance – continue to clearly stand in the way for PACER-Plus to see the light of day. “From the report by our Chief Trade Adviser, it appears that there has been very little progress on these…
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…
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…
THE Solomon Islands Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SICCI) would like to commend JICA and NZ Aid for their strong contributions to the betterment of transport and infrastructure around Honiara. SICCI has had a focus on the areas of transport and infrastructure in 2014 and is pleased to see some positive developments in these areas.…
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…
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…
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…
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,…
Work has begun to upgrade and rehabilitate Ngasini Wharf on Vangunu Island in Western Province. The wharf is one of four wharves and a landing ramp to be improved under the second phase of the Domestic Maritime Support Project, which is financed by the Solomon Islands Government, the Asian Development Bank (ADB), the Australian Government,…
ALOTA’A community high school near Auki has acknowledged Australia and New Zealand Government for the provision of the agricultural tools equipment which was supplied to the school. School principal Andrew Eteri and agriculture teacher Freda Ruka were pleased with the materials. Ms Ruka said the school is one of the community high schools in Auki…