BY GEORGINA KEKEA Barava FM Investigation into the wrecked Solomon Trader has stalled because vital equipment needed for this process was removed from the ship before SIMSA had a chance to retrieve it from the vessel. SIMSA Acting Director, Jonah Mitau says work is progressing well with the salvaging process. However Mitau says his officers are finding it difficult to carry out their investigation without the equipment to back their findings. "What we hear about black box on the planes, for ship it is called VDR, Voyage Data Recorder. Somebody has already removed the VDR and it is now in Australia. Now they are inviting us to go over to be present when they download the data. There is a possibility they might tamper with the equipment and we might lose information", Mitau says. He says the Attorney General is currently working on this issue and how SIMSA can retrieve the VDR from Australia. He says only the investigating authority should remove the equ...

AUSTRALIAN HIGH COMMISSION THE first of six support helicopters arrived at Henderson Airport yesterday (14 March) as part of the Australian and New Zealand Defence Forces’ joint logistics support to Solomon Islands to help deliver a safe and successful election in April. New Zealand Defence Force NH-90 helicopter is delivered by an Australian Royal Air Force (RAAF) C-17 aircraft    At the request of the Solomon Islands Government, the Australian and New Zealand Defence Forces are working together in a Combined Task Group to provide contingency logistics support to the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) and Solomon Islands Electoral Commission (SIEC) for the election. The New Zealand Defence Force NH-90 helicopter, delivered by a Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) C-17 aircraft, was greeted at Henderson Airport by the Ministry of Communication and Aviation Chief Operating Officer, Mr Sylvester Kenatsi, and the RSIPF Aviation Liaison Team. New Zealand Defenc...

BY GEORGINA KEKEA THE first woman Member of Parliament in Solomon Islands after the country gained Independence, Hilda Kari says custom has never been an issue when she was contesting as a candidate, 20 years ago. Hilda Kari (Photo supplied)   Mrs. Kari says money is the ruling factor now and women are finding it difficult to get into parliament without financial support. She says in the 80’s, people were more open minded. "Even in the 1980's when you expect culture to play a big role, when I stood as a candidate back then, it was not so much an issue. People looked at me as who I was. I didn't stand for any party because back then I didn't know party systems exist in Solomon Islands. It was only after I won that I joined the late Mamaloni's party, People's Alliance Party (PAP)". Mrs. Kari says it is sad to note that nowadays, some people still think women are unfit to be Members of Parliament. She says, women for a lo...

AS  efforts continue to stem oil flowing from a grounded bulk carrier on Rennell Island, Tourism Solomons has stressed the situation has not in any way impacted on the destination’s main tourism corridors or the country’ ability to manage its international visitors. Tourism Solomons CEO, Josefa ‘Jo’ Tuamoto said while he did not want to be seen to be downplaying the situation, Rennell Island lies close on 250 kilometres from the nearest main dive location – the Florida and Russell Islands – and this area was not under threat from the oil spill. The implication is that our entire country is awash with oil and this is simply not the case, Mr Tuamoto said. ENDS///