The Bethesda Disability and Support Centre in Guadalcanal has received essential equipment and furniture from Australia enabling them to deliver inclusive training for its students. Items handed over includes a generator (plus drum fuel), ICT equipment, and furniture which will ensure a comfortable learning environment and enable students to continue their studies during power outages. Mrs. Thelma Awasi, Principal of Bethesda Disability and Support Centre, said the resources will strengthen the Centre’s mission to empower individuals with disabilities. “This collaboration with Australia comes at the perfect time. These resources will significantly enhance the quality of our programs and services, allowing us to better meet our students’ needs,” Mrs Awasi said. “This support will strengthen our ability to nurture growth and independence, and will bringing hope and opportunity to many individuals living with a disability.” Australia has been a long-standing partner of the Solomon Islands Government in delivering training and upskilling...

The construction of a new Aviation Complex Building at Honiara International Airport is set to commence soon, marking a significant milestone in enhancing aviation infrastructure in the Solomon Islands. These works, financed by the World Bank under the Second Solomon Islands Roads and Aviation Project (SIRAP2), is managed by the Ministry of Communication and Aviation (MCA) who will oversee its implementation to ensure alignment with international aviation standards. The design and build contract was signed between MCA and China Railway Construction Engineering Group (CRCEG) on November 1, 2024, with a kick-off meeting held on November 8, 2024. This meeting formally introduced CRCEG to the SIRAP2 Project Support Team and the Engineer, marking the official commencement of preparations. As a mandatory requirement, the Contractor’s Environmental and Social Management Plan must be submitted for review and approval by MCA and the World Bank before mobilization and commencement of construction. A conceptual design...

RENOWN local comedian Lang Joke has supported Kaiza United when the soccer team did their fundraiser at the Zome area, Central Guadalcanal, on Sunday. The fundraiser saw the selling of cooked food and drinks. When Lang went to the fundraising stall to purchase food and drinks in support of the team, he become the centre of attraction as others turning up to support the fundraising were drawn to him by his humour. He cracked jokes that made customers and Kaiza United team members laugh. Lang made that day enjoyable. His presence also drew many to the fundraiser and resulted in the fast sale of cooked food. This fundraising drive was to raise funds towards the participation of Kaiza United in a soccer 11 aside soccer tournament to be hosted in Ughele village, Rendova Island, Western Province. A prominent Ughele Leader, the Soltuna Marketing Manager Kenwood Harry will be hosting this...

SAN JORGE Landowners on Isabel are demanding an urgent investigation into the activities of Far East Resources Company Ltd, claiming the company is not complying with the conditions of its prospecting licence. “Its prospecting licence should be revoked or at least put on hold on the grounds of non-compliance,” Chief Edward of Vulavu village told Solomon Star yesterday. “The Company’s San Jorge operation is definitely not prospecting but actual mining activities,” Chief Edward said. He called on the Ministry of Mines, Energy and Rural Electrification to undertake urgent due diligence check on this aggressive miner. “Since they were granted the PL on July 5, they are transporting six dump trucks, bulldozers, excavators, land cruisers and other heavy machineries in. What sort of prospecting is this,” Chief Edward said. “The underlying consideration of our concern is that the due process appears to have been high-jacked and the Far East Resources Company...

The National Crime Prevention Department (NCPD) of the Royal Solomon Island Police Force (RSIPF), with the assistance of New Zealand Police (NZP) officers attached to the Solomon Island Policing Support Program (SIPSP), delivered the ‘5-Step Mind Set’ Training program at Seghe and Gizo in Western Province (WP) recently. The training focused on the National Crime Prevention Strategy and discussed the inner workings of family violence, which took them nine days to deliver the training.  The NZP, working alongside NCPD and Learning and Development (L&D), has developed the training to assist the RSIPF in developing their people. The greatest asset to the RSIPF are its staff, and ensuring they are armed with the right mindset will ensure they are capable and professional in executing their duties. RSIPF and CSSI officers during the training in Gizo. Twenty-eight officers who attended the two sessions were trained, including a contingent of four officers from...

Australian Government, FIBA Oceania announce new partnership through support high-performance basketball THE Australian Government and FIBA Oceania will partner through PacificAus Sports to support high-performance basketball in the Pacific. The three-year partnership will focus on women’s basketball in the region, including enhanced pathways for coaches, officials and administrators. This initiative underscores FIBA’s strategic priority to promote Women in Basketball and will aim to ensure that women and girls have equal access to resources, learning and development opportunities, and decision-making spaces at all levels of basketball. Thanks to this partnership with the Australian Government, FIBA Oceania will expand its existing programs and provide more support to its Member Federations, from grassroots to elite levels. “This partnership with PacificAus Sports marks a significant moment for FIBA Oceania,” FIBA Executive Director, Amanda Jenkins said.  “It underpins our unwavering commitment to promoting Women in Basketball, and we are incredibly grateful for the support and...

The Solomon Islands Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SICCI) has successfully hosted the highly anticipated 8th Business Excellence Awards (BEA) on Saturday night at the Aquatic Center. The event, widely regarded as SICCI’s most prestigious annual gathering, drew an impressive turnout from the business community. Members of SICCI came together to celebrate outstanding achievements and recognize excellence within the Solomon Islands business sector. Prime Minister (PM) Jeremiah Manele graced the occasion, underscoring the significance of the event in fostering innovation, resilience, and economic growth. This year’s BEA showcased an impressive 47 nominations across 12 categories, reflecting the diversity and dynamism of the local business landscape. The BEA continues to serve as a platform to honor enterprises and individuals who contribute to the economic development of Solomon Islands through exceptional business practices and leadership. The celebration marked another milestone in SICCI’s efforts to promote a vibrant and sustainable business environment, with...

A joint team from Solomon Islands, Australia and Papua New Guinea (PNG) are working closely together to progress the Border Management System (BMS) project. Australia is proud to be funding the SBD 18 million trilateral BMS project, which will boost Solomon Islands’ prosperity and security, simplifying the process for applying for a visa and facilitating the movement of people across the border. The project is being implemented trilaterally, with Australia providing funding and technical expertise, and PNG – which already uses the same system – providing in-depth knowledge on visa and travel facilitation process. MERIT Business Analyst Roshan Bandara demonstrating the system to officials from Solomon Islands, Australia and PNG. “The BMS is a game-changer for Solomon Islands’ border management,” His Excellency Rod Hilton, High Commissioner to Solomon Islands said, Sunday. “It means Solomon Islands will be able to both reap the economic benefits that come with the large numbers...

The Minister for the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAL) Franklyn Derek Wasi has met and held fruitful discussions with the Rome based Director General for UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), His Excellency Dr. Qu Dongyu. This was during the 2024 Pacific SIDS Solutions Forum in Nadi, Fiji recently. Its the first time for Minister Wasi to meet with the FAO Director General since he became the Minister for MAL. During the meeting, MAL Minister thanked Dr. Qu for the many technical cooperation projects facilitated by FAO through the ministry. Some of these projects include the Sustainable Transformation of Domestic Agri-food Systems (STODAS), One Country One Priority Product (OCOP) to address the whole value chain for cassava production, processing, marketing and consumption, the Hand In Hand Initiative (HIHI) focusing on poultry and coconut development and the Digital Village Initiative (DVI) where a solar powered digital hub and conference facility...

The Minister for Culture and Tourism Choylin Yim Douglas MP, had the privilege of officially opening the newly renovated reception area of the South Pacific Tourism Organization (SPTO) office in Suva, Fiji, on Tuesday. This special event took place during the Minister’s visit to Suva for the SPTO Council of Tourism Ministers meeting. The newly renovated reception area, which provides a modern facelift to the SPTO office, is designed to enhance the work environment and improve service delivery to its customers. Hon. Yim Douglas was given the honor of unveiling the upgraded space, symbolizing the collaborative spirit and commitment to advancing tourism across the Pacific region. In his remarks, the CEO of SPTO expressed sincere appreciation for the Minister’s presence, emphasizing that her involvement reflects the strong ties between Solomon Islands and the regional tourism community. The renovation of the reception area is part of SPTO’s ongoing efforts to provide...