Vavanga to allocate portfolios today

THE GUADALCANAL new executive line-up will today allocated ministerial portfolios according to the new premier Bartholomew Vavanga. Mr Vavanga said 11 members were given portfolios. He said his new executive will improve on past failure by the outgoing group. “We will improve the province’s revenue and draw up a new plan that we will work…

Counterparts discuss air impasse in Honiara

MINISTER of Foreign Affairs, Milner Tozaka on Wednesday discussed the long standing air impasse with his Fijian counterpart  Ratu Inoke Kubuabola, in Honiara. The long-drawn air services impasse between the two countries has irked the travelling public since last year. Mr Tozaka earlier told the Solomon Star he is treating the standing issue a priority…

MPA to elect speaker tomorrow

NOMINATION for Malaita Provincial Assembly (MPA) speaker’s post will close at 4pm today. Clark Matthew Maefai said election of a speaker is scheduled for tomorrow. He said after the election, nominations will open for the election of a new premier. Meanwhile lobbying to form a new government continues with three camps in place. An insider…

MMF welcomes DCC policy statement

Outspoken pressure group, Malaita Ma’asina Forum (MMF) said it supports the Democratic Coalition for Change Government’s (DCC) policy statement. President Charles Dausabea said although DCC is yet to settle in properly, their policy statement was encouraging. “There was high expectation of a change, and now it has become a reality,” Mr Dausabea said. He said…

Guadalcanal premier confirms executive line-up

THE NEW Premier of Guadalcanal Province Batholomew Vavanga has confirmed his new executive line up. Mr Vavanga in compliance with section 22 (4) of the Provincial Government Act 1997 sent his advice yesterday afternoon to the Minister of Provincial Government and Institutional Strengthening to appoint his Deputy Premier and 10 Provincial Ministers. Acting Provincial Secretary…

ICAC is a waste of money and time: MMF

Establishing an Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) is a waste of time and resources, says Malaita Ma’asina Forum (MMF) President. Charles Dausabea said forming ICAC would be an overlap to existing organizations and institutions responsible for dealing with corruption issues. “Why establish a new body that will use up more money and resources which should…

TSI applauds plans to establish ICAC

Transparency Solomon Islands welcomes the Democratic Coalition for Change’s (DCC) plan to establish the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) in Solomon Islands. “Corruption is widespread in this country. It eats deep within but is prevented from reaching the surface by evil networks within the public sector,” TSI executive office Daniel Fenua said. He described the…

OAG releases details of 2012/3 audits

The Acting Auditor General, Robert Cohen, has publicly released the Office of Auditor General Annual Report 2014 on its operations in both 2012 and 2013 which was presented to the new Speaker of the 10th Parliament on 18 December 2014 for distribution to Members. The Acting Auditor General said that the report discloses the details…