Monday, February 20th, 2017
Final touches underway to re-open Gold Ridge Mine
THE Cabinet Sub-Committee of the Prime Minister’s Office says most of the issues relating to the re-opening of the Gold Ridge Mine on Central Guadalcanal are now settled. It says the Democratic Coalition for Change Government will shortly make an announcement on the arrangement to have its major investment programme re-open. The Gold Ridge Mine was closed down nearly three years ago after the last investor, St Barbara left and the mine was sold. The Cabinet Sub-Committee Secretariat says although the arrangement has encountered a lot of technical issues, itRead More
Popular desire for DBSI to re-start, says Cabinet Sub-Committee
THERE is a popular desire for the re-establishment of the Development Bank in Solomon Islands. The Secretary of the DBSI Cabinet Sub-Committee of the Prime Minister’s Office, Dentana Mckini says the desire has been echoed in international, national and provincial consultations. He says the idea of re-establishing DBSI is popular amongst small and medium entrepreneurs nationwide. Solomon Islanders view the re-vitalisation of DBSI will ease the difficulty they have been facing in accessing financial backing from foreign-owned commercial banks operating in their country. Mr Mckini says the Democratic Coalition forRead More
Fight to keep out Giant snail: Maepio
WESTERN Province Premier Wayne Maepio has supported the initiative of the Gizo Bio-security Division of the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock to step up the fight to reduce and eradicate the African Giant Snail. This comes after Gizo Bio-security Division of the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock spotted few sites within Gizo town over the weekend. Maepio wants authorities to quickly address the snails otherwise they will spread and spoil gardens and crops within Gizo Island and surrounding islands in Western province. “Gizo Bio-security Division together with the general publicRead More
Work on DBSI business model to Cabinet end of Feb
WORK on a business model for a revitalised Development Bank of Solomon Islands (DBSI) will be submitted to the Cabinet before the end of February. Secretary to the DBSI Cabinet Sub-Committee, Dentana Mckini says at the same time, legislative work will start, but that will depend on Cabinet’s endorsement. But he adds work on the business model is now closing down after international, national and provincial consultations were carried out. Mr Mckini says although the Cabinet Sub-Committee has faced challenges and changes to the time-frame, work had taken a positiveRead More
Discretionary payment to MPs legitimate: MOFT
THE Ministry of Finance and Treasury (MOFT) has reaffirmed that a total of $12.85-Million worth of discretionary funding has been paid to 43 Members of Parliament so far this year and that the recipients are legitimately entitled to the payment under the payment under the Parliamentary Entitlements Regulation (PER). The reaffirmation follows a brief statement issued by the Chief of Staff in the Office of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, Mr Robson Djokovic to refute yesterday’s Island Sun front-page article by Mr Alfred Sasako. Mr Sasako wrongly implied in theRead More
Anti-corruption campaign hits a dead end
THE DCC Government’s much-publicised anti-corruption campaign has hit a dead end, it was revealed last night. Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare, who declared weeding out corruption his number one priority when he took office on December 10, 2014, had been forced , by members in his own camp to backflip on his commitment to bring to Parliament a raft of anti-corruption Bills before his four-year term was over. Mr Sogavare has now backed out for fear of losing the leadership, insiders said. “Had he pushed it, he would have lost theRead More
Gizo drivers told to take care
DRIVERS are being cautioned to take extra care when driving along Gizo road. This comes after a tractor’s scooper smashed into a private-owned Toyota Hilux on Saturday at Gizo in front of the town’s Hot Bread Kitchen. Acting Provincial Police Commander (PPC) Vincent Eria said it is important to drive slowly along Gizo road to avoid road accidents. Eria told Island Sun Gizo yesterday that such narrow road like Gizo, and with the deteriorating road conditions, drivers need to take extra precautionary measures while driving and concentrate when driving alongRead More
Solomon’s tourism sets new profile
THE Permanent Secretary for Ministry of Culture and Tourism (MCT) describes the Pacific Asia Travel Association’s visit to the country as ‘tremendous opportunity for tourists’ destination’. The PATA’ visit in the country last week raises Solomon Islands profile in the Asian tourism market. The visit also sets the MCT and SIVB on significant emphasis looking for right investors, improving accommodation and flights which are current challenges faced. In a press conference last week, the Permanent Secretary for MCT, Andrew Nihopara said the significance of PATA’s visit gives the tourism MinistryRead More
Gizo D-road soon for tar sealing
PART of development plans for Western Province focusing on the D-road for Gizo Town, tar sealing will hopefully is soon. This is according to the Western Province Premier Hon Wayne Maepio. The D-road starts from PT 109 leading up to West Gizo “Top Hill”. It turns eastward all the way ending at the Gizo Police Station. According to Premier Hon Maepio on earlier reports, he said that the D-road project is a priority and cannot be stopped. He said it would be fair to say that his government is pushingRead More
Mandarin programme looking for students
AN invitation is being made for Solomon Islanders to take up Mandarin courses provided at the Solomon Islands National University (SINU). Facilitator of the Mandarin Programme at SINU, Ms Kuei-Mi Li said courses for the semester has already opened. She said they are offering classes for beginners which are held on Mondays and Thursdays, either from three to five in the afternoon, or from five to seven in the evenings. She said everyone is welcome to the programme regardless of their education background and they can register by attending class.Read More