AG calls for procurement strengthening

THE Auditor General (AG) has issued a special thematic audit report calling on the Government to strengthen procurement processes after compliance audits of three key ministries uncovered a series of problematic procurement practices in their management of $90-million worth of COVID19 response funds. Speaking at a press conference in Honiara on Wednesday, the Auditor General,…

In Court with Assumpta

Unlicensed firearms possessor to return to court THE matter of a man accused of possessing a World War II rifle and ammunition without a firearm licence in 2021 will return to court next week. That is for Pre-Trial Conference. Iro Kwaita is facing one count of possession of firearm or ammunition without licence, to which,…

COMMUNIQUE TO BE AXED

The New Malaita Executive Government under the leadership of Premier Martin Fini vows to remove the Auki Communique THE Auki Communique, long regarded as the signature policy of the MARA administration and a stumbling block to economic development on Malaita, is to be shelved, sources within the new administration have confirmed. The removal of the…

AFP host Asia-Pacific Region pre-deployment training for UN peacekeeping missions

The Australian Federal Police (AFP) has hosted 21 police officers from the Asia-Pacific region who completed a pre-deployment training course for United Nations (UN) peacekeeping missions. The officers from Fiji, Kiribati, Nauru, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Timor-Leste, Vanuatu, Vietnam and Canada completed two-weeks of training at the Australian Institute of Police Management in…

“SAFE GREEN GAMES” LAUNCHING CONFIRMED

The Pacific Games National Hosting Authority (NHA) has confirmed the launching of the Safe Green Games initiative scheduled for 3 March 2023. The grand launching programme marks the beginning of beautification and clean-up activities within the entire Honiara City in the build-up towards the 2023 Pacific Games in November. Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare is scheduled…

SHOCKING FINDINGS

Audit Report finds widespread abuse of COVID-19 disaster relief funds in three government ministries THERE is widespread abuse of disaster relief funds in three government ministries, a new Audit Report has revealed. The Audit Report, which focuses on procurement relating to COVID-19 disaster relief funds, highlights noncompliance, potential fraud and lack of accountability. Immediately after…