Sustainable economic development vital

SUSTAINABLE economic development in the region is vital to address social needs ranging from health and education, to environmental and cultural protection, says a report released by the Pacific Private Sector Development Initiative. In its seventh progress report for July 2013 — June 2014, PSDI said this could not occur without resources generated by private…

PNG aims for balance budget

Papua New Guinea Government has handed down yet again another historic budget – a record K16.2 billion (US$6.19b) in comparison with three previous biggest budgets of US$5.7b in 2014, US$4.9b in 2013, and US$4.01b in 2012. The 2015 Budget has been framed against a backdrop of moderate, albeit strengthening global economic growth and continued domestic…

Opposition welcomes Govt’s plan to establish ICAC

THE Parliamentary Opposition has welcomed and acknowledged the announcement made by the Prime Minister to establish an independent Commission against Corruption (ICAC). Leader of Opposition Jeremiah Manele in a statement on Monday said the Parliamentary Opposition Group fully supports the establishment of an ICAC. Mr Manele said for many years, undetected and unchecked corruption in…

PM defends Sore’s appointment

Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare has defended his decision to appoint the former Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Mines Rence Sore to the position of Special Secretary to the Prime Minister. This followed disapproval expressed by the Office of the Leader of Opposition and Gold Ridge landowners over Mr Sore’s appointment, alleging that the appointee…

Sore is the best choice: PM

PRIME Minister Manasseh Sogavare says Rence Sore is his best choice for the Special Secretary to Prime Minister’s (SSPM) job. Mr Sogavare made the defence after the Opposition and Gold Ridge landowners alleged that Mr Sore is yet to be cleared as a suspect in the $18-Million Gold Ridge royalty payment scandal.  “He has the…

My plan for the city

Alfrence Inoga Fatai recently returned to city council politics to claim the mayor’s job. In his victory speech, he spoke of change as what is needed to make Honiara a better city for everyone to live.  “Let us introduce changes in all sectors – you want change, I want change, all of us want change,”…

Call to discuss city boundary

Member of Parliament for Central Honiara, Moffat Fugui says the issue of Honiara City boundary should be discussed thoroughly. He said this during the swearing in of the newly elected city councilors last week. Fugui said the issue of Honiara boundary is that, it cannot be extended further and for decades, Guadalcanal, as host of…