PM: I’ve no interest in airport contracts

PRIME Minister Manasseh Sogavare has dismissed accusations he had vested interests in the contractual jobs at Henderson Airport. Former Aviation and Communication minister Commins Mewa claimed Mr Sogavare removed him from the ministry because of vested personal interest. But Mr Sogavare told the Solomon Star in an exclusive interview yesterday he has no vested interest…

New bishop for Santa Isabel

THE Anglican Church of Melanesia has a new bishop for the Diocese of Isabel. The Diocesan Electoral Board of the Anglican Church of Melanesia elected the Reverend Ellison Quity as the sixth bishop for the Diocese of Ysabel. The meeting, which was preceded by a retreat yesterday,took place at Tete Ni Kolivutu, East of Honiara.…

Leni says he’s the reappointed SIPA chair

CHAIRMAN of Solomon Islands Ports Authority (SIPA) board, Nollen Leni has defended his re-appointment. This came after insider sources claimed newly appointed Minister for Infrastructure Development, Jimmy Lusibaea plans to appoint new board members due to some allegation leveled against Leni. The former SIPA board under the leadership of Mr Leni had finished their term…

Govt told to control expenditure

  Opposition Leader Jeremiah Manele has cautioned the national government to control expenditure to keep its fiscal balances close to their budget target.   He made the statement when debating on the 2015 Supplementary Appropriation Bill in Parliament, Tuesday.   “It is obvious that the fiscal position of Solomon Islands generally has deteriorated due partly…

Govt seeks cost of free education

The Democratic Coalition for Change (DCC) government will come up with the costing for free education policy in 2017 budget. The policy is to relieve parents in paying school fees for their children to attend schools. Minister of Finance and Treasury, Snyder Rini confirmed this when asked by member of Aoke Langalanga, Mathew Wale in…

Local food encouraged

Department of Non Communicable Disease (NCD) within the Ministry of Health & Medical Services has appealed to the general public to eat more locally grown food, in order to maintain good health. Speaking to the Solomon Star recently, a health officer said, the rising rate of NCD cases in the country is associated with high…

Training on how to use EU funds

A training on the 11th European Development Fund (EDF) based on the financial contractual and procedures kicked off at the Heritage Park Hotel in Honiara on Monday. European Development Fund (EDF) team leader Anthony Acheampong explained the workshop was designed for European Development Fund key stake holders in the country to learn about the modules…

UNDP assists Kilu’ufi’s psychiatric unit

United Nation Development Program (UNDP) in partnership with the Ministry of National Unity Reconciliation and Peace (MNURP) handed over a number of equipment to the National Psychiatric unit at the National Psychiatric Unit centre at Kiluufi hospital in Malaita province. Speaking during the handing over director of peace and reconciliation Reuben Lilo said, the human…

Malaita praises UNDP, MNURP

Malaita provincial premier Peter Shanel Ramohia praises United Nation Development Program (UNDP) by working together with the Ministry of National Unity Reconciliation Peace (MNURP) through their generous support towards the national psychiatric unit of Solomon Islands base at Kilu’ufi, Malaita province. During the handing over of the equipment to the psychiatric unit yesterday Mr Ramohia…

Rini introduces 2015 supplementary budget

Minister of Finance and Treasury Snyder Rini yesterday introduced in Parliament the 2015 supplementary Appropriation Bill 2015 in its second reading. The object of this Bill is to authorize additional supplementary expenditure of one hundred and ninety five million, seven hundred and forty thousand, and one hundred and thirty one dollars, authorized under the 2015…