New mayor promises change

NEWLY-ELECTED city mayor Alfrence Inoga Fatai has promised “change” for Honiara as be assumed responsibility yesterday. But he acknowledged change can only be achieved through cooperation. “Let us make changes in the sectors, you want change, I want change; all of us want change,” he said during his victory speech. Mr Fatai said change has…

Tovosia, Veke deny charges

EAST Guadalcanal Member of Parliament Bradley Tovosia and former Guadalcanal premier Anthony Veke yesterday denied the allegations made against them. Tovosia entered not guilty pleas to one count of abuse of office and 13 counts of demanding with menaces while Veke pleaded not guilty to one count of abuse of office and one count of…

Guadalcanal premier thanks PM

NEWLY-ELECTED Guadalcanal premier Bartholomew Vavanga has thanked Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare and his family for their visit to the Good Samaritan Hospital, as part of celebrating their Christmas. Mr Vavanga said although their visit was a surprise to his people, he was sincerely thankful to Mr Sogavare, his wife Emmie and their family, for their…

Kyrgyzstan is our new friend

SOLOMON Islands has entered into diplomatic ties with the central Asian nation of Kyrgyzstan. The country’s ambassador to the United Nations in New York, Collin Beck, formalised the relations with his Kyrgyzstan’s counterpart on December 22. Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade Beraki Jino said the two countries agreed to strengthen…

Mapuli shares plans

NEWLY elected Premier of Central Islands province, George Selwyn Mapuli says RIPEL and Anuha resort are main priorities for his new government to pursue. This comes as he is still to appoint his five ministers and sit down with them to look at their policy direction after winning the premier’s election last Wednesday at Tulagi.…

PM lauds Sir George’s contribution

PRIME Minister Manasseh Sogavare has described the late Sir George Lepping as a meritorious statesman and commended the people of Pirumeri in the Shortland Islands for the service he rendered to the state. Mr Sogavare made the remarks yesterday when paying tribute to the late Sir George at a state funeral held for the country’s…

Fatai is new city mayor

HONIARA City Council has a new mayor. He is Alfrence Fatai of Vura ward. Mr Fatai polled 16 votes against his contender, Charles Cheka Aiwasuga, who received only two votes after round one of voting. One vote was rejected after the councillor did not ink the x sign on it. Former city mayor, Andrew Mua…