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,…

Election of Speaker today

THE 50 newly elected Members of Parliament (MP) will elect the new Speaker and Deputy Speaker after taking their oaths at 10am today. At the close of nomination at 4pm yesterday, two persons have been nominated for Speaker and Deputy Speaker’s post. They are long serving clerk to Parliament, Taeasi Sanga and former Premier of…

PM assures West of DCC’s support

WESTERN Provincial Government has been assured of Democratic Coalition for Change  (DCC) Government’s support towards developing the tourism industry in the province. Prime Minister, Hon Manasseh Sogavare made the assurance yesterday when the Province’s Premier, Robert Pye paid a courtesy call to Mr Sogavare. During the brief meeting, Mr Pye congratulated Mr Sogavare following his…