Ministry takes stand on ‘political’ scholarships

MEMBERS of Parliament (MPs) will no longer extend their influence into the selection process for students awarded with scholarships under their respective constituencies starting next year. Permanent Secretary (PS) of the Ministry of Education and Human Resources Development (MEHRD) Dr Franco Rodie revealed this to the Parliamentary Public Accounts Committee (PAC) meeting yesterday. Dr Rodie…

MASI appoints new CEO

THE Media Association Solomon Islands (MASI) welcomes the appointment of Hilda Lamani to the position of CEO of MASI. The President of MASI, Deli Oso, previous press secretary to the Prime Minister and now a sub-editor for the Solomon Star newspaper, believes that Ms Hilda Lamani will bring a wealth of business management and financial…

$400k to destroy blue boats

BLUE boats destruction cost the government $400,000, according to information revealed during the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) meeting on Tuesday. Permanent Secretary (PS) for Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources (MFMR) Dr Christian Ramofafia said the lowest bidder for the destruction of the boats is $400,000, thus government opted for the cheapest bidder to dispose…

PM meets ADB chief

THE visiting President of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) Takehiko Nakao officially meets Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare in Honiara late on Tuesday. Mr Nakao arrived on Tuesday afternoon. At the meeting, the two leaders discussed areas of common interests, including, ways to progress sustainable development in Solomon Islands. A statement from the Government Communication Unit…

GOV’T CUTS OFF AMA UNI

THE Ministry of Education will as of next year stop sending students to AMA University in the Philippines. Permanent Secretary Dr Franco Rodie revealed this when he appeared before the Public Accounts Committee on Tuesday. “We have finally decided to discontinue sending students under government scholarship to study at AMA as of next year,” Dr…

PM meets with QLD govt, farmers body

As part of his first official visit to Australia last week, the Prime Minister met with the Queensland Farmer’s Federation and Growcom in Brisbane on Thursday 17th August. This was to discuss avenues to increase the participation of Solomon Islands Seasonal Workers in Queensland farms. A statement from Prime Minister Press Secretariat said, the meeting…

GET READY TO PAY MORE

THE GOVERNMENT has imposed further tax charges on cigarette products as part of controlling smoking in the country. Permanent Secretary (PS) for Ministry of Finance and Treasury (MoFT) Harry Kuma revealed this when he appeared before the Parliamentary Public Accounts Committee (PAC) on Friday. He said government has increased the tax duty for cigarettes and…

PACHA IS NEW DEPUTY SPEAKER

THE Member of Parliament for South Guadalcanal David Dei Pacha is the new Deputy Speaker of Parliament. Pacha was elected unopposed to the post when Parliament resumed on Monday. Pacha and the Member of Parliament for East Fataleka Steve Abana were the two nominees for the position but the latter withdrew his candidacy yesterday morning…

Low turn out at Caucus

Only 17 government ministers and backbenchers attended an urgent Caucus meeting called for on Sunday to ascertain the support of the Democratic Coalition for Change Government (DCCG) for the leadership of Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare, Caucus insiders revealed. The meeting was convened amidst reports that 29 Members of Parliament including government ministers and backbenchers have…