Monday, January 23rd, 2017
Earthquake expressed as biggest to date
CHOISEUL and Western province citizens have expressed the 7.9 magnitude earthquake that struck from the bottom heart of Bougainville yesterday as “the biggest shake ever felt”. Reports reaching Island Sun from Choiseul Province said that people had to lean on ‘solid support’ such as tree branches in order to keep their balance when standing. Reports reaching Island Sun from Gizo also contained similar experiences. “Of all earthquakes I have come across here in the Western Province, this is the biggest ever experienced,” said one Gizo local. “I had to jumpRead More
Solomon airlines top duo return to Australia
SOLOMON Airlines’ new CEO, Brett Gerbers and his Operations manager Dave Pierce left for Australia yesterday amidst growing concerns within the national carrier. Capt Gerbers had been in the country spending five days familiarising himself with the airlines’ operations and the issues awaiting his attention when he formally takes over as CEO. It is not clear when he will return. His operations Manager Dave Pierce also left yesterday (Sunday) reportedly to sort out berthing bay allocation for Solomon Airlines at Brisbane Airport. This reason for his trip has been questionedRead More
APEC Summit Venue, Port Moresby
Solomon Islands misses out potential opportunity to host US president. SOLOMON Islands could have begun the next step in getting the new US President to make a brief stopover in Honiara on his way to or from the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Leaders’ summit in neighbouring Papua New Guinea if a proposal to build a World War II Pacific Museum in Honiara had been endorsed by the Government. Port Moresby has set 12-18 November 2018 for the Summit which brings together world leaders such as the President ofRead More
Gold ridge mining project in final phase towards re-opening
THE Cabinet Sub Committee on Gold Ridge, is finalising work to ensure the relevant framework is in place for the mine to re-open the mine. The re-opening of the mine, is one of the main developmental targets of the Democratic Coalition for Change Government (DCCG). The mine was closed after Santa Barbara left, triggering a new arrangement of purchase and re-investment with Gold Ridge Mining Company Ltd (GRML). This remained an issue for some time until recently after some key technical and regulatory matters were addressed by GRML with theRead More
Big plan for Henderson airport
THE Ministry of Communication and Aviation has confirmed the government’s major plan for the Henderson International and domestic Airport. Permanent Secretary, Moses Virivolomo revealed that the plan involved refurbished international terminal and relocation of domestic terminal. “We already have consent from Japan to do a study in Henderson Airport. “Our priorities are to refurbish the international terminal; we will move the domestic terminal from its current location to the west of the international terminal. “We will improve the apron of the airport to the end of the fence, and removeRead More
DBSI Cabinet sub-committee in Isabel for consultation
THE Development Bank of Solomon Islands (DBSI) Cabinet Sub-committee team is currently in Isabel Province for a weeklong consultation on the proposed reinvigoration of DBSI. The team which consists of the Secretariat of the Cabinet Sub-Committee, Ministry of Finance and representative of Central Bank of Solomon Islands left Honiara yesterday morning by boat braving the bad weather. Speaking upon their arrival at Luvalu village in Isabel, Director of Government Communication Mr George Herming said the weeklong consultation will kick off today morning at Kolobuti and later in the afternoon atRead More
DBSI consultation reaches final phase in Isabel
THE Solomon Islands Government will be holding final consultations in Buala, Isabel Province regarding the revitalisation of the Development Bank of Solomon Islands (DBSI). The consultations will be conducted by the Cabinet established Sub-Committee and will include Business houses and the Provincial Executive. A Cabinet Sub Committee team will travel this Sunday to consult with the business sector and the Provincial Executive. The Team will also include amongst other, Public Private Partnership (PPP) specialist Mr Peter Forau Final Consultation on the programme is expected to kick off by Monday, JanuaryRead More
First cruise ship to visit Honiara
A cruise ship called Crystal Symphony is expected to berth in Honiara on the Sunday January 29 (next Sunday). Crystal Symphony is a luxurious 50-kilotonne cruise ship and can accommodate 922-guests. The cruise ship is best described as one of the most spacious cruise ships at sea. Crystal Symphony has already left Sydney on Friday last week and is now heading for her first stopover at Alotau – the capital city of Milne Bay Province, southeast of Papua New Guinea. She will also visit Kiriwina Island, and Rabaul in PapuaRead More
Earthquake shocks Gizo raising fear among residents
A massive 8.0 earthquake shocked people in Gizo town 4.30pm yesterday. The earthquake centred near West of Arawa, Bougainville. Residents in Gizo are reminded of the tragic events in 2007 in which several people lost their lives to a tsunami that swept through Gizo and parts of surrounding islands. Last night and today people are keeping their eyes and ears peeled for odd signs in the surrounding sea. According to the report issued by the Solomon Islands Meteorological Service, people living near the coasts should look out for unusual seaRead More
Community development programmes
DEAR EDITOR, it has been announced that the Solomon Islands Ministry of Provincial Government and Institutional Strengthening programme is set to further expand Community governance and Grievance Management Projects in other provinces other than Rennell/Bellona and Makira/Ulawa provinces where the project has already been piloted. The information on the project work is sketchy although it is reported the World Bank has said the aim of the project work is geared at employing community officers to help chiefs, elders, woman, youth and church leaders to resolve disputes within communities. So far,Read More