Ministry takes stand on ‘political’ scholarships

MEMBERS of Parliament (MPs) will no longer extend their influence into the selection process for students awarded with scholarships under their respective constituencies starting next year. Permanent Secretary (PS) of the Ministry of Education and Human Resources Development (MEHRD) Dr Franco Rodie revealed this to the Parliamentary Public Accounts Committee (PAC) meeting yesterday. Dr Rodie…

MASI appoints new CEO

THE Media Association Solomon Islands (MASI) welcomes the appointment of Hilda Lamani to the position of CEO of MASI. The President of MASI, Deli Oso, previous press secretary to the Prime Minister and now a sub-editor for the Solomon Star newspaper, believes that Ms Hilda Lamani will bring a wealth of business management and financial…

$400k to destroy blue boats

BLUE boats destruction cost the government $400,000, according to information revealed during the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) meeting on Tuesday. Permanent Secretary (PS) for Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources (MFMR) Dr Christian Ramofafia said the lowest bidder for the destruction of the boats is $400,000, thus government opted for the cheapest bidder to dispose…

PM meets ADB chief

THE visiting President of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) Takehiko Nakao officially meets Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare in Honiara late on Tuesday. Mr Nakao arrived on Tuesday afternoon. At the meeting, the two leaders discussed areas of common interests, including, ways to progress sustainable development in Solomon Islands. A statement from the Government Communication Unit…

GOV’T CUTS OFF AMA UNI

THE Ministry of Education will as of next year stop sending students to AMA University in the Philippines. Permanent Secretary Dr Franco Rodie revealed this when he appeared before the Public Accounts Committee on Tuesday. “We have finally decided to discontinue sending students under government scholarship to study at AMA as of next year,” Dr…

Integrity

Welcome to our discussion and this week we will look at the topic “Integrity” under our main theme “The essentials of Life.” In the light of recent developments of sacking and termination of high profile officers within the public service, I believe, this is a topic worth looking at for our discussion. In all our…

Consultation on tax review coming up

Tax Review Consultation Programme will be launched in Honiara this Friday August 25. A statement from the Government Communication Unit said, the Minister of Finance and Treasury, Hon. Snyder Rini will officially launch the event. “Following the launch, the Tax Review Consultation Committee (TRCC) will conduct and open consultation session. “Attendees will be able to…

PM meets with QLD govt, farmers body

As part of his first official visit to Australia last week, the Prime Minister met with the Queensland Farmer’s Federation and Growcom in Brisbane on Thursday 17th August. This was to discuss avenues to increase the participation of Solomon Islands Seasonal Workers in Queensland farms. A statement from Prime Minister Press Secretariat said, the meeting…