Renbel assembly to meet Nov 6

RENNELL and Bellona Provincial Assembly meeting is rescheduled for 6 November 2015 to give time for the premier and his three executive members to attend. They failed to attend the meeting when it opened on Thursday. The Office of the Speaker said they want all members of the provincial government to attend the meeting, particularly…

Gov’t commits to reforming mining

MINES and Minerals minister, David Dei Pacha says the government will review the Mines and Minerals Act. Mr Pacha said the main areas of focus in the reform program cover the processing, negotiations, compliances, royalty and managing and protection of the environment from effects of mining. He pointed out that the reform will thoroughly take…

Bishop Mason: We are not ready for mining

THE country is not ready for mining, says Anglican Church of Melanesia’s bishop and Isabel Paramount Chief James Mason. He made the observation during this week’s National Conference on Extractive Industry Transparency Initiative.  The British-based bishop Mason: “I felt that there’s no justification for the poor land owning tribes who were always the losers in…

No confidence vote withdrawn

LEADER of Opposition Jeremiah Manele had withdrawn a no confidence motion he had submitted to move against Prime Minister, Manasseh Sogavare in parliament. Speaker of Parliament Ajilon Nasiu had announced in Parliament the withdrawal of the motion at the start of yesterday’s meeting. The withdrawal was made shortly after a High Court ruling by Chief…

Call to improve Visale health centre

Chiefs in North West Guadalcanal, Saghalu ward has called on the Catholic Arch Diocese of Honiara to give allow donors to develop health centres in Visale mission station. Speaking on behalf of the chief’s, elderly chief Joseph Kokobi said, they want the Church to work together with donors, communities and interested to improve health centre…

SINU journo students on excursion

ABOUT 17 journalism students undertaking media studies at the Solomon Islands National University (SINU) attended the weekly police media conference as part of their study. The excursion was made to Rove headquarters, West Honiara yesterday to observe members of the main stream media attending a press conference called by the Police Commissioner Frank Prendergast. The…

Liquor ban in force

A LIQUOR ban is currently in force as part of security measures ahead of today’s no-confidence vote. Police imposed the ban on Thursday midnight and will continue until midnight tonight. “The RSIPF is already enforcing a liquor ban as of midnight 29th October 2015,” police said in a statement. “Police will ensure that the Liquor…

Four to defect?

FOUR Member of Parliament (MP) within the Democratic Coalition for Change (DCC) Government are likely to make a switch if the proposed motion of no confidence is tabled today. A resigned Minister told the Solomon Star last night claiming  these four MPs are currently within the government. “They are likely to resign and join us…

Gov’t in total control

IN what appears to be a display show of strength against the looming no confidence motion against the Prime Minister this Friday, Government had aligned swearing in of 10 ministers at Government House yesterday. With this latest political twist, Government had claimed it now commands the support of 31 members of the 50 seat Parliament.…