Tovosia on mining

MINES minister Bradley Tovosia says he’s well aware of the problems the mining industry faces and pledged to fix them for the good of the country. He was answering a question from the leader of Opposition Mathew Wale in parliament, Monday. Wale pointed out that issues the mining industry faces, which he said must be…

Panga found guilty of abusing office

FORMER PREMIER IN POLICE CUSTODY By ASSUMPTA BUCHANAN FORMER Guadalcanal premier Stephen Panga is in police custody after he was found guilty of abuse of office, last Friday. He has been remanded awaiting sentencing tomorrow. Principal Magistrate Jim Seuika in his judgment said Panga appeared to have fulfilled his intention to obtain $10,000 from a client.…

KAVA FARMERS BENEFIT

LOCAL kava farmers in the country are benefiting financially from the lucrative kava industry due to global demand. Last week farmers from from Umulana village at the border of West Kwara’ae and Fataleka in the highlands of Malaita received $46,950 from Varivao Holdings Ltd on Wednesday. During the same week local kava farmers from Santa…

Manele visits Taipei

THE Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) on Saturday announced a 5-day visit by Solomon Islands Foreign Affairs Minister Jeremiah Manele beginning September 8 amid speculation of a possible switch in political allegiance by Honiara to Beijing. “MOFA warmly welcomes Jeremiah Manele, foreign minister of the Solomon Islands, our Pacific ally, who is scheduled to…

Rodgers: gov’t remains focus

THE Sogavare-led government remains focus as they continue to wait for the report from the bi-partisan taskforce on whether to switch from Taiwan to China. Secretary to Prime Minister Dr Jimmy Rodgers stated this when he appeared before the Foreign Relations Committee (FRC) hearing on the issue, Wednesday. “I believe Prime Minister Sogavare is aware…

Wale: MSG failed West Papua

THE Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) has miserably failed its members and the Melanesian people of West Papua who are fighting for their freedom. That’s the view of Opposition leader Mathew Wale. Wale joined a local gathering of West Papuan supporters in Honiara yesterday to call for the liberation of West Papuans from Indonesian rule. The…

China eyes SI resources

‘Can we manage China’s appetite for our natural resources?’ By ANDREW FANASIA CHINA is certainly eyeing Solomon Islands raw materials to boosts its economy and sustain its 1.4 billion people but are we capable of managing it? This question was raised during the Foreign Relations Committee hearing on Wednesday when the head of ministerial delegation…

Kuma launches budget 2020

The Minister of Finance and Treasury Harry Kuma has launched the 2020 budget process on Monday. At the same time he called for wide-ranging support from development partners, the private sector, NGOs and ordinary people to support the Government in this endeavor. This is the first National Budget since the formation of the Democratic Coalition…