A MAN has pleaded not guilty to multiple false pretence and uttering false document charges involving about 1 million when he appeared in the Honiara Magistrate Court. Chrisbane Habala, 47, recently pleaded not guilty to 11 counts of false pretence and 18 counts of uttering a false document. Magistrate Emily Zazariko Vagibule Pakoa then adjourned…
THE case against the General Manager (GM) of the Solomon Islands Tobacco Company Limited (SITCO), Darren John Corby, who allegedly breached the Tobacco Act, has been adjourned to March 17. On that day, the prosecution will confirm its position regarding a letter from Corby’s lawyer Silverio Lepe of Sol-law. The letter contains a proposal received…
THE 2.5 million Japan-funded Ado Rural Farmers Association Mini Hydro project in Falake Village, West Kwara’ae, Malaita Province, is progressing smoothly. Funding for the project was provided by the Japanese Government in 2023 under the Grassroots and Human Security Project. Photos and videos show enthusiastic support from community members who are actively contributing to the…
JAPAN and the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) signed a new partnership funding worth USD3.4 million to improve school nutrition in pilot schools in the Western and Isabel provinces. The signing ceremony was convened at the Japanese Embassy in Honiara last Friday. The funding is aimed at addressing the triple burden of malnutrition…
LAST year, five Solomon Islands future aviators were awarded scholarships to undertake training at the joint Qatar Aeronautical Academy (QAA) – the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) in Qatar. But their hopes were dashed when a week prior to their departure in February they were told the training opportunity was off, largely because Solomon Airlines…
The Ministry of Education and Human Resources Development (MEHRD) in partnership with Australia Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) and UNICEF are taking a significant step in the implementation of the Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) project in Central Province. In a way forward to progress the construction of WASH project a team from…
The first three community infrastructure projects, that will benefit over 81,000 people across Isabel, Malaita and Western Provinces, have been announced under the Australian Government’s REnew Pacific investment. REnew Pacific is a new SBD402 million (AUD75 million) investment in off-grid renewable energy for rural and remote communities across the Pacific and Timor-Leste. Over the next…
CONSTRUCTION works have started on the Su’u Harbour and Bira Bridges in Malaita Province. These bridges are built with financial support from the World Bank under the Second Solomon Islands Roads and Aviation Project (SIRAP2), a comprehensive infrastructure programme aimed at improving roads, bridges and air travel in Solomon Islands. The project is overseen by…
THE arrival of a new road infrastructure at Lalibaola within the Kwaibaita region of East Malaita brings a sigh of relief to communities after decades of chronic struggle and wishful dreams. The newly constructed Aufasu-Lalibaola extension road is historic as it brings not only the much-needed connectivity for communities to the outside world, but offers…
The Ministry of Mines, Energy, and Rural Electrification (MMERE) wishes to address public concerns regarding Hon. Minister Bradley Tovosia’s recent decision to revoke the intention to issue a prospecting license to Ni Hao Investment (SI) Ltd over Koloula. After careful consideration and consultation with relevant stakeholders, the intention was decided to be revoked. The Ministry…