Tausinga may switch side

MEMBER of Parliament for West New Georgia/Vona Vona, Silas Vaqara Tausinga looks set to join the Democratic Coalition for Change (DCC). Camp insiders told the Sunday Star Tausinga, a member of the Solomon Islands Party for Rural Advancement (SIPRA), is currently in dialogues with his party’s executive and will be tendering his resignation before teaming…

Call to disengage CDO

An EAST Makira constituent has urged the constituency’s re-elected MP, Alfred Ghiro to dump his former Constituency Development Officer (CDO), Samuel Waitara. Mr Waitara had come under intense criticism during his tenure as CDO over the manner he administered the constituency’s development funds. Wanione chief, Robert Wetara claimed Mr Waitara had fooled the constituency and…

How the numbers stand

As the 50 Members of Parliament prepare to vote for a new prime minister on Tuesday, here’s how the numbers stand as of last night: Democratic Coalition for Change (Honiara Hotel camp) 1.     William Marau (Ulawa-Ugi)2.     Freda Comua (TemotuVatud)3.     Manasseh Sogavare (East Choiseul)4.     John Moffat Fugui (Central Honiara)5.     Danny Philip (South New Georgia, Rendova/Tetepare)6.     Mathew…

New, but capable

Manele’s nomination gets everyone talking No MP has ever secured the trust and confidence of his colleagues to contest the prime minister’s job on his first foray into parliament. That is until Friday when Jeremiah Manele, a first-term parliamentarian, was nominated by the Solomon Islands People’s Democratic Coalition to be its candidate in Tuesday’s vote.…

FSII praises Solomon Water for successes

FORUM Solomon Islands International (FSII) has applauded Solomon Water for its recent achievements. Solomon Water’s achievement was a result of funding assistance it received from Japan, through Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), and Australia. FSII chief executive officer, Benjamin Afuga said Solomon Water and JICA must be congratulated for the life-saving project which greatly alleviated…

Group rejects Waena claim

THE newly established Democratic Coalition for Change (DCC) based at the Honiara Hotel has refuted claims Sir Nathaniel Waena made against them. Sir Nathaniel, president of People’s Alliance Party (PAP), has claimed his members have been bribed to remain at Honiara Hotel. But the group said Sir Nathaniel’s claims were unfounded and a propaganda to…

Sogavare camp signs coalition agreement

THE Honiara Hotel camp signed their coalition agreement yesterday ahead of next Tuesday’s election of a new prime minister. The camp consisted of only two parties – the United Democratic Party (UDP) and Kadere Party. This comes after People Alliance Party (PAP) members resigned, leaving only party wing leader Milner Tozaka at the helm of…

Health on alert against Ebola

THE Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS), with the support of the World Health Organisation (WHO), is taking action to prepare for an imported case of Ebola virus disease. This has long-term benefits for the health system and frontline healthcare workers in Solomon Islands. “Although the risk of Ebola spreading to Solomon Islands is…