Crackdown on smuggling

SOLOMON ISLANDS – Increasing attempts to smuggle goods through ports in Solomon Islands have resulted in customs and inland revenue officials this week launching a joint operation to crack down on the practise.

Earlier this month customs intercepted a number of undeclared goods. The new operation at the Honiara International Seaport is going on intelligence that a number of importers are attempting to smuggle or undervalue their goods.

The Minister of Finance and Treasury Snyder Rini said examination activities of this magnitude were challenging but he believed in the dedication of the officials involved.

He said importers who did not comply would be required to pay all taxes, including penalties, and would see their goods forfeited. The operation will see officials conducting a full physical examination of containers of imports based on a risk management strategy that, among other factors, identifies high risk importers and risky countries of origin.

Blaze at city market place

SOLOMON ISLANDS – The Honiara City Council in Solomon Islands is closely monitoring the situation at the Honiara Central Market complex after a fire on Friday afternoon.

The market known to locals as the “Big Market” is the primary source of fresh produce for the capital.

Although investigations are still underway it is understood the fire started when a gas cylinder exploded inside a fish and chip shop.

The deputy clerk of the Honiara City Council Fred Warereau says so far there have been no reports of anyone being hurt by the initial explosion or the fire.

Warereau says market activities resumed today although police have cordoned off the area of the fire.

He said the council is monitoring the safety situation and will only close the market if it is absolutely necessary as vendors travel, sometimes for days over land and sea, from all corners of the country with perishable goods to sell at the market.