GEORGINA KEKEA Barava FM News Director of the Nature Conservancy in Solomon Islands, Willie Atu says it is regretful to hear about the man made environmental disaster in East Rennell, close to a World Heritage Site. Atu says the disaster should be a lesson for Solomon Islands and the different government ministries involved in the establishment of such activity in our islands. Aerial view of Rennell island (Photo by AMSA)   Atu says, this is a mining problem and such disaster would not have happened had proper processes been adhered to. (Audio) Atu on processes Atu says an Environment Impact Assessment would consider all aspects of any operations thus minimizing repercussions of this sort. (Audio) Atu Atu says he is also surprised why the company decided to carry out loading during the rainy season in Solomon Islands, which is November to April. ENDS///

BY GEORGINA KEKEA BARAVA FM EFFORTS to re-float the Solomon Trader, currently stranded on a reef in Lavagu Bay, is still unsuccessful. The MV Solomon Trader hit a reef two weeks ago in Rennell waters and fears are escalating over the amount of destruction it can cause to the marine biodiversity there. MV Solomon Trader (Photo Supplied) Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Environment, Dr Melchior Mataki says they are aware the ship has already started to cause some leakage into the sea. Mataki says this is the first time for Solomon Islands to deal with such an environmental disaster. (Audio) Mataki on new area for Solomon Islands Mataki says the company responsible is trying it’s best to salvage the ship but poor weather condition this past week has hampered their efforts to get a team to Rennell to salvage the wreck. He says they continue to keep him updated of their efforts. (Audio) Mataki on what the company is doing Mataki says as chai

BY GEORGINA KEKEA Transparency Solomon Islands has described sentiments made by Dr Jimmy Rodgers on labour mobility being the answer to Solomon Islands high unemployment rate as totally lacking in quality and substance. TSI in a statement said,   from such a high-powered public-sector position and an active member of a political party, he should acknowledge that Solomon Islands needs to create employment opportunity for our people within the country as a priority of any government. TSI said making such statements coming out of the Office of the Prime Minister and Cabinet without any depth and substance should be a concern to the public and private sector in this country. TSI said the creation of employment opportunities for our youth within the country should be a top agenda of such a position and how to bring this about. TSI added that this nation is blessed with abundant of resources but there is no political will from our leaders to look into economic strategies