SIPDC: Former PAP MP’s paid $500,000 each

THE Solomon Islands People’s Democratic Coalition (SIPDC) has accused the Honiara Hotel, now Heritage Park Hotel based DCC (Democratic Coalition for Change) of bribing former members of the People’s Alliance Party (PAP) to resign and join other parties within DCC. A spokesperson for SIPDC accused former PAP MP’s, Willie Marau (Ulawa/Ugi), Freda Soria (Temotu Vatud)…

Makili: Sogavare is the best PM for SI

OUTSPOKEN former Honiara City Councillor and activist, Lawrence Makili has insisted that Solomon Islands need a strong and brave Prime Minister, with Manasseh Sogavare the only candidate that has such qualities. Mr Makili said that it is true both candidates, Sogavare (representing the Democratic Coalition for Change) and Jeremiah Manele (representing the Solomon Islands People’s…

Isabel ready for election

Isabel Province says it is now ready for is provincial election to be held on December 10. Returning officer John Mark said all’s set for Wednesday’s polls. “Training for polling officials have been completed and deployment of officials to respective stations is underway,” Mark said. Isabel Province Acting Police commander Jerry Rofomanaalso said that preparation…

Chief condemns school arson

A Malaita chief says the burning down of school classrooms by disgruntled electorates was an uncivilised act that must be condemned by all. Chief Joshua Niutoto of east Malaita was reacting to the burning down of three locally built classrooms at Kwarea village by people unhappy about the November 19 election results. “This type of…

Pele MP faces petition

The first runner up in the Pele constituency election result is lodging a petition against the winner Dudley Kopu. Alfred Toaki claimed the basis of his petition will on corrupt practices. He claimed the winning candidate handed out cash during campaign to individuals and families. Toaki claimed Kopu has been doing that since June this…

Call to build bridges

VEHICLE owners in West Kwaio and West Areare, Malaita Province are urging responsible authorities to build bridges over rivers along the South road in the vicinity of West Kwaio-West Areare. They said that the safety of passengers and transport owners is vital because few rivers along the road starting from Su’u area to West Areare…

Manele: I’m humbled by my nomination

Kia, Hograno and Havulei MP Jeremiah Manele says he is humbled by his nomination as the Solomon Islands People’s Democratic Coalition candidate for the Prime Minister’s position. Manele, a former diplomat and permanent secretary for almost 10 years, said he was also appreciative in the manner in which his nomination was made. Manele’s candidature was…

Locals graduate from USP Emalus

ONE hundred and forty students graduated from The University of the South Pacific (USP) Emalus Campus last Friday. Seventy four percent graduates were from Vanuatu while the remaining were from Belize, Cook Islands, Solomon Islands, Fiji, Federated States of Micronesia, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Niue and Tonga indicating the regional nature of Emalus Campus. Thirty three…

Bech-de-mer ban lifted

The ban on bech-de-mer has been lifted for the next three months. The Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources announced this, Friday. The ban has been imposed to ensure the sea cucumber have time to regenerate after studies revealed the fast depletion of this lucrative sea resources. The ban was lifted on December 1 and…

Forestry fast depleting

A Forestry expert has warned that Solomon Islands forest will inevitably become a “sunset industry” facing almost depletion of forest resources post 2015. Dr Shon Cheol-Ho, an expert from the National Forestry Cooperative Federation NFCF of Korea revealed the startling condition of the country’s forest industry during a workshop last Thursday. The workshop – Investigating…