Thursday, June 15th, 2017
World Blood Donor Day celebrated
THE World Blood Donor Day was celebrated yesterday in Honiara. The celebrating theme for this year is “Give Blood, Give Now, Give Often”. Director of the National Medical Laboratory under the MHMS, Mr Alfred Dofai said it is sad what some families had to endure due to lack of blood. Saying until then the issue of blood shortage remains a major challenge in ensuring life for patients who need blood. He said this year’s celebrating theme focusses on emergency preparedness on the global scene. “But for us it also focussesRead More
MHMS and SIRC to carry blood donation to new heights
THE MHMS and SIRC are committed to take voluntary blood donation to new heights within the next four years. As set in their blood programme, their target is to reach 80 percent, which will be on voluntary basis. Secretary General of Solomon Islands Red Cross Society, Mr Thomas Bebeu recently said there was a commitment showed between MHMS and SIRC to pursue the target. In doing so, he said there will be an increase of awareness as part of the commitment to carry-out the blood programme. “Currently the challenge ofRead More
Cooperation vital in mining industry: Toba
THE Director of Mines says cooperation is the only way forward to develop a safer and beneficial mining industry. Speaking to the media last week, Mr Thomas Toba said mining development is a risk taking development but, with strong policy guidelines the industry can mitigate some of the issues. He said the launching of the Mineral Policy is a good start for the country as it focuses on developing the mineral industry. Mr Toba said the recently launched Minerals Policy accommodates some of the social responsibilities the government, investors andRead More
Fire and Rescue officers upskilled
THE country’s Fire and Rescue Department officers have been upskilled with advanced fire training from the New South Wales, Australia Fire Services. 24 Fire and Rescue Officers of the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) completed two weeks of Fire and Rescue Training which include hot fire training that expose officers to real fires to learn about fire behaviours. The training was facilitated by two NSW Fire Instructors under RAMSI capacity building programme. Special Guest at the closing ceremony held on June 9, 2017 was the Deputy Commissioner (DC) FireRead More
A plea to help local flood victims
DEAR EDITOR, heavy rain last Saturday caused the Ladeabu River in East Fataleka, Malaita, to burst its banks affecting much damage to local food gardens. A similar situation currently prevails in parts of Guadalcanal where homes and food gardens have been badly affected. It is my earnest plea that the residents of the flooded areas are given urgent assistance by the local authorities, including officials of the National Disaster Council and the Solomon Islands Red Cross Society if at all possible. The affects of climate change can envisage more challengesRead More
Sprinters aim for personal best
SPRINTERS who will represent the country at the upcoming Oceania Area Championship have vowed to improve their timing at the event. A total of five sprinters, four male and one female were named among the total of 16 athletes who were finalised to take part in the regional event. The sprinters are Claytus Taqimana, Kevin Pio, Paul Maunukeni, Alfred Ilisia and Elizabeth Gani. “Looking at the past weeks training, I think I’m ready for the championship. Most importantly, I will work on improving my timing at the Games,” Taqimana, whoRead More
Australia signs $5.8m grant for Youth@Work Auki and Gizo
THE Australian government has committed SBD$5.8m to Youth@Work for another two years of operation in Malaita and Western provinces, as part of its ongoing support for youth development in Solomon Islands. The announcement follows visits of Australian High Commissioner Roderick Brazier to Youth@Work in Honiara and Gizo to take part in activities, interact with youths, and to demonstrate Australia’s continuous support. During a recent visit to Youth@Work in Gizo, HE Brazier met with youths participating in the program and encouraged them by sharing his own experiences of hard work andRead More
CIP disqualifies on PCDF funding
Fate lies on JOC meeting as Executive Government makes re-appeal…. CENTRAL Islands Province (CIP) has been disqualified from the 2017-18 PCDF Funding. According to the CIP Premier Hon Patrick Vasuni, the fate of the province now lies on their re-appeal to the Joint Oversight Committee (JOC). The former CIP Provincial Executive Government during under the leadership of former ousted Premier Hon Selwyn Mapuli had breached Law 2 of the PCDF Minimal Conditions Procedures under the Public Service General Orders. Under Law 2 of the Minimal Conditions, an OfficerRead More
RAMSI exit too early: Weathercoast chief
CHIEF Allan Sarevo, a man from Horabau in the Weathercoast of Guadalcanal, said the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands (RAMSI) has done an incomplete job, and its exit of the country is too early. Mr Sarevo, despite appreciating and thankful of RAMSI for reinstating peace and normalcy in the country, said the people of south Guadalcanal, especially those who suffered under the barrel of the gun during the crises, have no trust in the government. “I do thank RAMSI to restore law and order in the country, but theRead More
Students suffer humiliation, hunger and health problems due to allowance delay
SOLOMON Islands Government SIG-sponsored students in Fiji are feeling the brunt of the country’s cash-flow problem. Halfway through June and they are still waiting for their monthly allowance, facing an all too familiar routine of foraging around for food to survive the day. Heart-breaking testimonies from students challenge the so-called principles of the DCCG in its policies on the country’s human resources, which Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare had touched on in his 2015 address to students at Laucala campus. Students, driven by extreme hunger, are reportedly resorting to fruits fromRead More