Tuesday, May 16th, 2017
A stunning trip to Epanga Island
EPANGA Island is next to Nusa Tupe Airstrip, where you can find people from Simbo Island who own the island. I went over to Epanga Island to cover the Tourism Ministers tour last week. The visit was aimed at allowing the ministers to see firsthand the beauty and settings of developed tourism sites, which they can relay to their own tourism aspirations back in their own provinces. I boarded the Police stabicraft in Gizo on Thursday headed for Saeragi Village. After, we went on to the Urilolo Lodge, Njari Island and Orava Cottage resort. We were briefed at the Oravae Cottage resort for ten minutes before continuing to EpangaRead More
Three leaders praise Arnavon Marine Park
THREE leaders of Katupika society in Choiseul province have commended the Arnavon Community Marine Park’s initiative which they believe will enhance learning opportunities. Board Member for Arnavon Community Marine Park, Mr Derald Daniel said protecting marine resources is important for educational and social learning of Isabel and Choiseul students. Even Solomon Islands and University students abroad who wish to do environmental research as well, he adds. Mr Daniel said few marine lives are at risk, and might be extinct in few years’ time, and by preserving them now would enableRead More
Wram launches new website
WRAM (Women’s Rights Action Movement) launched their website on May 13. WRAM chairlady, Ms Anika Kingmele opened the programme with a few remarks. She said that working together is very important especially working with women as this contributes to the wellbeing of the family the nation as a whole. WRAM Research and Policy Officer, Ms Donna Makini took the pleasure of launching the website. She initially said that the aim of the website is to raise WRAM’s profile and extend its publicity. In relation, Ms Makini said that the websiteRead More
Responsible and ethical journalism
DEAR EDITOR, this week Prime Minister Sogavare again called for responsible journalism. The PM made very interesting comments about ‘responsible journalism’ when he was quoted as saying – “Responsible Journalism is journalism that is above ordinary journalism. It is not popular journalism but ethical journalism. The practice of responsible journalism requires the observation of five principles. Truth and Accuracy; Independence; Fairness and Impartiality; Humanity; and Accountability.” The PM also called for truth and accuracy by media workers. I can easily align with the PM’s call for responsible journalism because IRead More
Solrice a good Samaritan
DEAR EDITOR, the local media reported the tragic death of a Guadalcanal mother of five young children last week. I would like to thank Solrice for coming to the aid of the five children by paying for a medical check-up and assisting with feeding and supporting the children at home. The alleged violent death of the children’s mother shocked the nation and prompted an urgent appeal for help by the Guadalcanal Provincial Council of Women which was published in the Solomon Star newspaper. Yours sincerely FRANK SHORT
The Arnavon Community Marine Park a stunning achievement
DEAR EDITOR, I congratulate the communities of Katupika, Wagina and Kia for combining their efforts that has led to the setting up of the Arnavon Community Marine Park’s declaration. The initiative of the three communities to seriously consider marine life conservation in the Arnavon Islands in a place frequented by the hawksbill and Green sea turtles is truly inspirational and much credit is due to all concerned. It is to be hoped that strong enforcement by appointed rangers and the police will see the conservation park survive as a livingRead More
Country loses great leader
A funeral service was held yesterday at St Barnabas Cathedral to celebrate the life of the late Chief Dennis Carlos Lulei. Family members, relatives, government officials, members from the constitution reform congress, chiefs, IDC staff and those who knew Mr Lulei attended the service to pay their last respects. Mr Lulei hails from a chiefly and Christian family. As the Paramount Chief of House of Chiefs in Isabel, Mr Lulei had also taken up a good number posts both in provincial government and national government. He was a teacher, principal,Read More
WWF supports women in savings club
WORLD Wide Fund for Nature-Solomon Islands and WWF-Solomon Island office continue to support nearly 1,000 women through savings clubs, and undertaking business and financial management training in Western Province. Gizo base WWF Field Project Coordinator, Mrs Salome Tepo said that more than 120 new small businesses have been achieved under GELCA savings club. She added that this provides for their families and help them achieve personal empowerment. “In only a few years, I have been privileged to see so much positive change, and I ‘m excited to see how muchRead More
WWF signs MOU with Western provincial government
A MEMORANDUM of Understanding (MOU) was signed between the World Wide Fund for nature – Solomon Islands and the Western provincial government in Gizo, Western Province. The signatories are WWF Field Project Coordinator rep, Mrs Salome Tepo, on behalf of the Country Manager, and the Western Province Premier Hon Wayne Maepio. This was held at the Telekom Conference Room, Telekom Building, purposely to build stronger collaboration between the two for the management of the environment and natural resources of the people of Western Province. Gizo base WWF Field Project Coordinator,Read More
Large logging companies getting away with non-payment of import duties
CUSTOMS, which always tops the government’s revenue collection every year, is allegedly allowing large logging companies to get away with non-payment of export duties, sources in the logging industry have revealed. The sources said the practice is widespread based on what they described as “inducement dependency syndrome”. “What it is that large logging companies simply issue Customs a cheque as surety for a shipment to go with the promise that once the letter of credit (LC) is received, payments would be made to Customs. “But in almost all cases thisRead More