Suidani welcomes US assurance

The Malaita Provincial Premier Daniel Suidani has welcomed US Ambassador Erin Mckee’s 2021 message of hope and progress to the Solomon Islands.  In an issued statement, Premier Suidani said Ambassador Mckee’s message is welcoming news for the country and he on behalf of the Malaita Provincial Government very much appreciates the news. Malaita Province that…

WHERES THE $1.2M FOR COVID?

THE Ministry of Finance and Treasury has remained tight-lipped about the whereabouts of USD150, 000 (about SBD1.2 million) provided by the People’s Republic of China (PRC) to help the Ministry of Health and Medical Services fight the COVID-19 pandemic. Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health and Medical Services, Pauline McNeil told Solomon Star in…

Passenger wounded with bush knife in Malaita

Officers of the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) in Auki are investigating a wounding incident of a passenger who boarded a passenger vehicle heading to Atori in East Malaita on 5 January 2021.  Supervising Provincial Police Commander (PPC) Malaita Province, Inspector Michael Ramosaea said the incident happened along the east road to Atori on the night…

NEW EDUCATION BILL AFTER 40 YEARS

The Ministry of Education and Human Resources Development, MEHRD, is anticipating a new Education Bill to go before Parliament this year 2021.  This is historic as the current Education Act has been the law for over 40 years. The National Education Board, NEB, has considered and provided advice on matters relating to the draft Education…

Fanega, SINU’s new Pro Vice-Chancellor

A former Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Finance and Treasury, Shadrach Fanega is the new Pro-Vice-Chancellor (PVC) of the Solomon Islands National University (SINU). Mr. Fanega replaced the late John Usuramo who held the position at the time of his passing last year. Mr. Fanega’s appointment has drawn criticisms from members of the public,…

PAY CUT

Teachers call for investigation into salary stoppage     MORE than 500 teachers whose salaries were terminated without explanation are demanding an immediate investigation into why the Ministry of Education and Human Resources Development [MEHRD] took such action without forewarning. One of the 574 teachers who were affected told Solomon Star yesterday their salaries were…

Vunagi calls for youth empowerment

THE Governor-General of Solomon Islands Sir David Vunagi says the country must be vigilant about the increase of its population in the absence of capacity. In his New Year’s speech, Vunagi said that with the recent national population now stands at 721,455 according to the 2019 National Population and Household Census results, youth itself makes…

ADVANCED TEAM IN BEIJING 

For opening of new embassy AN advanced team to prepare for the opening of Solomon Islands Embassy in China has arrived in Beijing, ahead of the arrival of Ambassador-designate, John Moffat Fugui. It is still unclear when the Embassy in Beijing would be officially opened. But the appointment of Theresia Chanel – the lone junior…