Ministry denies report

THE Ministry of Foreign Affairs and External Trade says it is not aware of any delegation being dispatched to Fiji to resolve the long-drawn air services impasse between Fiji and Solomon Islands. The ministry was responding to a news article on the Saturday issue of Solomon Star. “Neither the ministry nor authorities in Fiji are…

Gov’t to rebuild PM’s residence

THE Government plans to pull down the Prime Minister’s official residence at Vavaya Ridge and rebuild it before Manasseh Sogavare can move in. Mr Sogavare will, in the meantime, remain at his private residence at Lungga, east of Honiara, while work on the official residence is being carried out The prime minister’s press secretary Deli…

Honiara’s festive star attraction

IT’S definitely the festive season’s star attraction. Placed right in the heart of Point Cruz in Honiara, the 15 meter (50 feet 7 meter) high Our Telekom Christmas tree has over the past week attracted hundreds of visitors in the evenings. Many come just to take photos with the tree and also enjoy the feel…

Rini is new Finance minister

MEMBER of Parliament for Marovo, Snyder Rini is the new Minister for Finance and Treasury. Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare had advised the Government House of Rini’s appointment yesterday. Mr Sogavare also appointed MP for Central Guadalcanal, Peter Shanel as the new minister for Police, National Security and Correctional Services. Their appointments have completed the cabinet…

Guadalcanal shows unity

All provincial members elect new premier GUADALCANAL’S newly-elected provincial members united in force to elect their new premier yesterday. He is Bartholomew Vavanga, 59, of Ghaobata ward in northeast Guadalcanal. All 21 members of the assembly, including his only opponent Peter Araonisaka, cast their ballots for Mr Vavanga, to earn him a 21-0 victory. This…

Rini, Shanel take oaths

TWO ministers of the Sogavare led government have taken their oaths before Governor General Sir Frank Kabui at Government House on Tuesday. They are Minister for Finance and Treasury, Snyder Rini and Minister for Police, National Security and Correctional Services, Peter Shanel Agovaka. Their appointments followed the swearing-in of the 21 cabinet ministers last week.…

PM defends Dettke’s post

“He is someone who cannot be bought“ PRIME Minister Manasseh Sogavare has assured the nation that the performance of every minister under his Democratic Coalition for Change (DCC) Government will be strictly supervised by Cabinet. Mr Sogavare was responding to concerns raised by members of the public over the appointment of Northwest Guadalcanal MP Bodo…

City election today

Twelve wards in Honiara City will conduct their election today. They are Buburu, Point Cruz, Kola, Kukum, Mataniko, Naha, Ngossi, Panatina, Rove/Legakiki, Vuhokesa, Vura and Vavaya ward which has the biggest number of candidates contesting. The Honiara City Council election will allow all voters who have registered under the new Biometric voters registration system to…

LCC to investigate MP

THE Leadership Code Commission (LCC) will investigate Member of Parliament (MP) for East Guadalcanal, Bradley Tovosia after he was charged by police on Monday. Tovosia, who is the member of the Opposition, faces charges of abuse of office and demanding money with menaces with former Premier of Guadalcanal Anthony Veke. Newly appointed chairman of LCC,…