SBD$407m project coming

World Bank announces Airports, roads upgrade Tens of thousands of Solomon Islanders will benefit from upgrades to key roads and two of the country’s biggest airports under a new project supported by a US$30.5 million credit and a US$20.5 million grant approved today by the World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors. The Solomon Islands Roads…

COA further defers Sae’s matter

The Court of Appeal has deferred the matter of the former fugitive Edmond Sae, who was acquitted of the murder of the former police Commissioner Fredrick Soaki in 2017, to April 9. This was because the Director of Public Prosecutions, Ronald Bei Talasasa, who deals with this matter, is currently sick. Sae’s matter was listed…

‘Stop spreading the rumours’

Candidates for this year’s National General Election and their supporters are asked to refrain from spreading rumours, gossips and false claims when campaigning. Speaking at his weekly conference, Police Commissioner Matthew Varley said spreading rumours and false claims can incite people to get upset and carry out violence and retaliation. “We want to make sure…

Election float parade hits city

WITH just over a day before the country goes to poll this Wednesday, election related float parade along the streets of Honiara is now evident. Over the weekend, a good number of candidates and their supporters have hit the roads through convoy of truckloads of voters and supporters. According to the recently passed election regulation,…

KEMAKEZA HITS BACK

Says decision politically motivated By AATAI JOHN LAUNGI FORMER Member of Parliament (MP) for Ngella Constituency claims his disqualification from contesting the Savo/Russell seat in Wednesday’s National General Election (NGE) was politically motivated. Electoral Commission has disqualified Mr Mark Kemakeza saying he falsely nominating himself as a member of the Solomon Islands Democratic Party (SIDP)…

New election apps released

THE Solomon Islands Electoral Office has introduced two new apps called the interactive mobile phone SMS text platform, and a webpage called ‘Polling Station Locator’ to ensure voters know where to go to cast their ballots next Wednesday. Chief Electoral Officer CEO Mose Saitala said: “These additional election services from SIEC launched today will make…

Market to close on election day

THE Honiara Central Market will be closed during the polling day and counting days. Police Commissioner Matthew Varley also announced on Thursday at his weekly media conference that there will be a national ban on alcohol sales declared on April 3 and also on counting days. Varley said at the moment they are looking at…

HEALTH WORRY

NRH scale down services as workers head home to vote By ANDREW FANASIA SERVICES at the National Referral Hospital (NRH) in Honiara have been scaled down starting last Thursday to allow doctors, nurses, and other medical workers to travel and vote in their home constituencies. That’s according to hospital chief executive officer Dr Steve Aumanu…

LIQUOR BAN APPEAL

THE Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) strongly appeals to all liquor license holders throughout the country to observe the liquor ban declared from 2 – 6 April 2019 to coincide with the National General Election next week. The Liquor Ban Order has been issued by the Caretaker Minister of Home Affairs, Ishmael Avui under…

MURRAY JAILED

*Former PS gets 4 years verdict*Ineligible to contest NGE By ASSUMPTA BUCHANAN THE former permanent secretary for the Ministry of Infrastructure Development (MID), who corruptly received more than $700,000 from the government has been sentenced to four years imprisonment, Friday. This means that Henry Murray, 52, who is also a candidate contesting the East Makira…