Wednesday, October 5th, 2016
Fiji Police taking a British lead in video recording interviews with suspects
IT was reported in a Radio New Zealand International News Bulletin today, 4 October 2016, that the Fiji Police is to initiate a project to include the video recording of statements made to the police and also to provide a suspect with legal counsel within one hour of arrest, known as the First Hour Procedure. The RNZI bulletin went on to say (quote) “In recent weeks a team of Fiji police have attended training in Britain on the video recording of statements. “Fiji discussed its efforts to improve police proceduresRead More
Moving towards Digital payments
The United Nations Pacific Financial Inclusion Programme (PFIP) and the Central Bank of Solomon Islands (CBSI) co-hosted a workshop on ‘Digitizing Government Payments’. The interactive Workshop is aimed at identifying payment channels and the actions needed to move these payment channels to a digital platform in the short to medium term. Speaking on the launch of the workshop is the Deputy Governor of CBSI, Gane Simbe. It is my pleasure to welcome you all to this interactive workshop on ‘digitizing government payments’, which is jointly hosted by theRead More
Women need increased credit opportunities
INCREASED opportunities for women to access credit remains a top priority need for women in Western Province and across the country. It is documented that micro finance schemes and banking services for women are limited in the Western Province, especially for rural women. The most significant barrier is having the required collateral or something to borrow against. This is according to a 2016 revised Western Provincial government three year Development Plan. “Banks are also unwilling to provide small amounts, as is often needed by women entrepreneurs and compounding this issueRead More
Miss Solomon contestants visit parliament
THE six contestants contesting this year’s Miss Solomon Islands visited the National Parliament of Solomon Islands yesterday and have been encouraged to treat themselves as the country’s ambassadors representing young women. As part of their series of visits, the contestants had the opportunity to meet with the Young Women’s Parliamentary Group (YWPG). This included a civic education tour inside parliament. The National Parliament of Solomon Islands’ Young Women’s Parliamentary Group (YWPG) made its first public appearance by joining with other women’s groups for the first time to share views inRead More
St Joseph Tenaru and SPO to improve partnership
ST Joseph Tenaru Board of Management has vowed to improve their partnership with South Pacific Oil (SPO). Tenaru Board of Management made the proposal after receiving a GENSET (Generator) from South Pacific Oil on Tuesday this week. School Principal Mr Abraham Hihiru said SPO has shown its seriousness in helping schools and communities, as such the school will be looking at strengthening the partnership between the school and SPO. “We have business alliance, partners and friends but this is different and we want to strengthen this partnership,” Mr Hihiru added.Read More
South Pacific Oil assists St Joseph Tenaru
SOUTH Pacific Oil has donated a brand new generator to St Joseph Tenaru School. Team from South Pacific Oil, which comprised of different departments, went up to Tenaru School on Tuesday this week to officially hand over the generator and also carry out awareness talk for the students. Presentations were made based on the background of SPO, functions of different departments within SPO, products of SPO, and SPO safety standards. In his speech during the visit, Accountant Manager of SPO Mr Joseph Huta said the donation and awareness programme areRead More
Moving towards electronic payments
MOVING payments towards an electronic or digital platform can transform how individuals, business and the Government interact financially. As a national financial inclusion priority area, the Central Bank of the Solomon Islands (CBSI), is committed to working with partners to identify and digitize payment channels. Around the world, the movement towards electronic payments has been driven by cost savings, a need for audit trails, the ability to immediately make payments and receive funds and the efficiencies related to handling reduced volumes of cash less frequently. At the same time, theRead More
500 plus POB Purses opened in the West
THE ‘POB Purse’ is gaining widespread popularity throughout the country as more provincial customers register to join. During its roll-out in the Western Province last week, over 500 customers opened Purse accounts. POB team, last week travelled to Munda, Noro and Gizo to conduct awareness on the banking initiative to people; and Minor Saving to school children, during which companies, groups and individuals had the chance to join the POB Purse and open bank accounts. In Munda, over 100 POB Purse accounts were opened within the week with a numberRead More
PM pressured
SSPM case stirs public discussion. PRIME Minister Hon Manasseh Sogavare has come under heavy public reproach on public social forums for not removing his Special Secretary Andrew Muaki. In early March this year a complaint (report) for sexual harassment filed by the Prime Minister’s Press Secretary, was referred to the Leadership Code Commission (LCC) for investigation Investigations revealed that he sexually harassed three female officers within the Office of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (OPMC). In mid-May this year the LCC found the Special Secretary to the PrimeRead More
Lack of goals worrying sign: Toata
SOLOMON Islands men’s interim Head Coach Moses Toata says it is a worrying sign for the national team following their 3-0 loss to New Caledonia yesterday. Toata expressed after their international friendly match with New Caledonia that the lack of goals in the squads previous games is a worrying sign but promises they will work on improving this. “As a coach this is worrying. Looking at the last four games we seemed to have lost that goal scoring instinct which is worrying,” Toata said. “Players like Benjamin Totori, Joses Nawo, JerryRead More