Dear Editor – I read with much interest the exchange of words and counter-argument between Mr. Dora and Mr. Tuhanuku on the SIPA saga. The latest being Mr. Tuhanuku’s explanation as appeared on Issue 2295 on 21st May 2016 of the Weekend Sun; which to me presented a strong and honest position that any intelligent…
Dear Editor – The Island Sun heading “ Political Appointee Sacked” in reference to Mr. Martin Housanau is not correct. The fact is that Mr. Housanau’s contract had expired and OPMC decided not to re-engage his service. A letter sent to him last week was to this effect. The use of the words “sacked” or…
Five men accused of armed robbery outside of the Bank of South Pacific (BSP) at Point Cruz earlier this year will plea to the amended charges against them. The charge of armed robbery remains the same except that amendments were made to the wordings on the charge sheet. Prosecution will have it amended and served…
Villagers of remote Reef Islands in Temotu Province could not hide their joy when they took delivery of three water supply projects last week. This effectively brought to an end years of walking long distances to fetch drinking water from nearby wells. The three water supply projects were jointly funded by the Government of Taiwan…
A number of shops in Auki lost significant amount of goods after their premises were flooded on Friday. A blocked drainage was blamed for the flooding following a heavy downpour overnight. Shop owners spoken too were furious at their loss. “This is unacceptable,” one shop owner said. “Look at how much we lost here,” he…
The Ministry of Culture and Tourism is seeking an additional $5 million to help finance plans to boost cruise ship visits to Gizo in Western Province. Permanent Secretary Andrew Nihopara and under-secretary Moses Tepai explained this to the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) last week. PAC is conducting hearing into a supplementary appropriation bill the government…
A Taiwan Mobile Medical Team is here to offer free medical service. The trip is being funded by the Taiwanese government. It was led by Dr Chin Yi-Ying, a dermatologist, and comprised of three medical doctors and three nurses from Taiwan Kaohsiung Medical University Chung-Ho Memorial Hospital. While here, the team will first visit Tongan…
Executive Personal Secretaries and their assistants from the various government ministries received training and mentorship on their roles and responsibilities last week. IPAM conducted the training as part of its role in improving capacity and working knowledge of public servants. The three-day workshop ended with a field trip and presentation of certificates to participants by…
The government spent $6 million to send its 170 participants to the 12th Festival of Pacific Arts in Guam, which opened last Sunday. Under Secretary of the Ministry of Culture & Tourism Moses Tepai revealed this to the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) hearing last week. PAC was examining the Supplementary Appropriation Bill 2016. Tepai said…
The invasive giant African snail has invaded a huge area in Guadalcanal from Aruligo in the west to Ruavatu in the east. That was according to the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAL) Jimmy Saelea. He was speaking before the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) hearing of the Supplementary Appropriation Bill 2016…