Temotu to elect premier next month

TEMOTU Province will elect its new premier next month. That’s according to deputy provincial secretary Sam Kafukese.  Mr Kafukese said provincial members elected in the December 10 elections are now in Lata lobby to form the next government. He said two camps have been formed. One camp prefers provincial member for Temotu Neo ward Nickson…

MV Kosco wrecked on Gizo reef

COASTAL freighter MV Kosco ran aground on Monday morning near Nusa Tupe island in Gizo but was freed a short time later. The vessel was on its way to Gizo with passengers and cargo when it crushed on a reef. However, eye-witnesses said after about an hour on the reef, it freed itself with the…

Ministry denies report

THE Ministry of Foreign Affairs and External Trade says it is not aware of any delegation being dispatched to Fiji to resolve the long-drawn air services impasse between Fiji and Solomon Islands. The ministry was responding to a news article on the Saturday issue of Solomon Star. “Neither the ministry nor authorities in Fiji are…

Gov’t to rebuild PM’s residence

THE Government plans to pull down the Prime Minister’s official residence at Vavaya Ridge and rebuild it before Manasseh Sogavare can move in. Mr Sogavare will, in the meantime, remain at his private residence at Lungga, east of Honiara, while work on the official residence is being carried out The prime minister’s press secretary Deli…

Honiara’s festive star attraction

IT’S definitely the festive season’s star attraction. Placed right in the heart of Point Cruz in Honiara, the 15 meter (50 feet 7 meter) high Our Telekom Christmas tree has over the past week attracted hundreds of visitors in the evenings. Many come just to take photos with the tree and also enjoy the feel…

Rini is new Finance minister

MEMBER of Parliament for Marovo, Snyder Rini is the new Minister for Finance and Treasury. Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare had advised the Government House of Rini’s appointment yesterday. Mr Sogavare also appointed MP for Central Guadalcanal, Peter Shanel as the new minister for Police, National Security and Correctional Services. Their appointments have completed the cabinet…

Guadalcanal shows unity

All provincial members elect new premier GUADALCANAL’S newly-elected provincial members united in force to elect their new premier yesterday. He is Bartholomew Vavanga, 59, of Ghaobata ward in northeast Guadalcanal. All 21 members of the assembly, including his only opponent Peter Araonisaka, cast their ballots for Mr Vavanga, to earn him a 21-0 victory. This…

Rini, Shanel take oaths

TWO ministers of the Sogavare led government have taken their oaths before Governor General Sir Frank Kabui at Government House on Tuesday. They are Minister for Finance and Treasury, Snyder Rini and Minister for Police, National Security and Correctional Services, Peter Shanel Agovaka. Their appointments followed the swearing-in of the 21 cabinet ministers last week.…

PM defends Dettke’s post

“He is someone who cannot be bought“ PRIME Minister Manasseh Sogavare has assured the nation that the performance of every minister under his Democratic Coalition for Change (DCC) Government will be strictly supervised by Cabinet. Mr Sogavare was responding to concerns raised by members of the public over the appointment of Northwest Guadalcanal MP Bodo…