Name change to be explained during WP Day

THE change of name from ‘Western Province Second Appointed Day’ to ‘Western Province Day’ will be explained during the Western Province Second Appointed Day on Wednesday. This was highlighted by the Western Provincial Assembly Non-Executive Member Hon Rence Sore on his Facebook timeline. “We’ll explain the name change from Western “Second Appointed” Day to Western…

Court stories

Damusi and Su’u to appear in court TWO alleged leaders of the now defunct Isatabu Freedom Movement (IFM) and Malaita Eagle Force (MEF) will be appearing in court on Monday in relation to a planned burning of Mamara Housing Estate Development Building and attacks on other state-owned properties in May this year. Fifty-three year old…

Road users in Malaita’s East Road benefits from upgrade

REHABILITATION and upgrades of a critical but deteriorated 21 kilometer stretch of Malaita’s East Road are progressing well with road users already benefiting from safer, smoother travel over the repaired sections. The upgrades are supported by the World Bank through the Solomon Islands Roads and Aviation Project (SIRAP) and are being implemented by the Ministry…

Solomon Islands to arm patrol boats

By Ben FeltonCanberra SOLOMON Islands has become the first recipient of Australian-supplied Guardian-class patrol boats to arm its vessels, with the delivery of FN Herstal M2-QCB 12.7mm (0.50 calibre) machine guns last month. On 4 November Australian officials, including High Commissioner Rod Hilton and Defence Advisor Lieutenant Colonel Justin Bywater, handed over the weapons at…

$4.21b budget passed

AFTER four days of debate and scrutiny, the 11th Parliament yesterday finally passed the 2024 Appropriation Bill 2023 worth more than $4.21 billion. The Bill since Monday was tabled by the Minister of Finance and Treasury Harry Kuma. After the first and second reading, the Bill went through the Committee of Supply with amendment over…

Cemetery project makes progress

WORK on establishing a new cemetery for Honiara City at Gilbert Camp, East Honiara, is making steady progress. Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare informed Parliament yesterday during the Committee of the Whole House scrutiny to the 2024 Appropriation Bill 2023. Member of Parliament (MP) for Small Malaita Rick Hou asked for an update on the project…

Wale calls out Government’s inaction to expand SI’s narrow-based economy

The Leader of the Opposition Hon. Matthew Wale has criticized Government’s persistent failure to expand the Country’s small and narrow-based economy, stating that the 2024 budget offers no solution to this problem. Hon. Wale made the statement during the 2024 appropriation 2023 Bill debate in Parliament. While the Government has repeatedly acknowledged the economy’s vulnerability…