THE $850m TRIGGER

How and what triggers the political rumblings on Malaita   MALAITA Province seems to be on an irreversible course – for bad or worse – is anyone’s guess. But pinning down what triggered such determination is also difficult, if not very difficult until now that is. Now that things have settled somewhat, snippets of what…

IMF: SI economy hit hard by Covid-19

THE COVID-19 pandemic and its economic fallout has hit hard on the country’s economy. Head of International Monetary Fund (IMF) to Solomon Islands Jarkko Turunen during the IMF virtual press conference yesterday said while the government stringent measures are required to contain and suppress the pandemic to protect lives, these measures will also increase the…

Wale refutes PM’s position on Malaita

THE Leader of Opposition, Matthew Wale has refuted the Prime Minister’s recent declaration of innocence towards Malaita as not true. Responding to his announcement, Wale held that the Prime Minister’s recent statement does not match his actions when it comes to Malaita province. Far from having no issue with Malaita, Hon. Wale insisted, the Prime…

$44.1M FOR GAMES

The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has agreed to allocate $44.1 million dollars from the JICA-Covid-19 Crisis Response Emergency Support Loan to fund four specific projects to support the 2023 Pacific Games. The funding support is being provided by the Government of Japan to the Solomon Islands Government (SIG). The funds will be channeled to…

Embezzlement claims refuted

WESTERN Provincial Secretary (PS) and former Secretary to Prime Minister (SPM) has refuted claims of embezzlement over royalty payments intended for the Ziata Landowners in Munda, Western Province. This follows a report claiming that Jeffery Wickham who was the then SPM under the Gordon Darcy Lilo government collected the payment in 2014. The sum of…

ADB supports Tonga

NUKU’ALOFA, TONGA — The Asian Development Bank (ADB) will contribute a $5 million grant to a program that will help restore and accelerate inclusive, private sector-led economic growth in Tonga. The Economic Recovery Support Program will help the government progress ongoing reforms to foster Tonga’s economic recovery from the downturn caused by the coronavirus disease…