Conflict of interest

ITS good to hear the Member of Parliament (MP) and Deputy Prime Minister Manasseh Maelanga coming out to explain his side of the story last week. This came after the Opposition Leader claimed that the road contractor, Eastern Esteem Construction Ltd, is partly owned by the Deputy Prime Minister (DPM) and the Minister of Infrastructure…

Good work Commissioner of Lands

THE recent land case victory by the Commissioner of Lands, Alan McNeil, over two Asians who obtained a strip of land near the Honiara International Airport in East Honiara through fraudulent means should send a clear message to others planning to obtain land through any corrupt dealings. The court has ruled that the duo have…

More support for passport services needed

IT’S good to hear that the Immigration Department under the Ministry of Commerce, Industry, Labour and Immigration is working hard to improve passport services. This comes after the delay in the printing of passports which caused so much frustration amongst Solomon Islanders, especially those wanting to go for seasonal work in Australia and New Zealand.…

Mercy will be back, thanks US

SO it had been announced that US Navy Hospital Ship ‘Mercy’ will return to our shores come November 19 when the 2023 Pacific Games will commence. This is made possible thanks to the understanding of the US Government for allowing this floating hospital to arrive and support the country host this biggest regional games. In…

Job scarcity is real

AT the closure of the two-week Worker Ready Pool (WRP) recruitment drive launched by the Labour Mobility Unit (LMU) on Friday 10th March, more than 15,000 Solomon Islanders have submitted their applications. It is a huge number. It sends a clear message to our leaders, the government and donors that our unemployment rate remains high.…

THE IMPORTANCE OF THE BEIJING OFFICE

IT is heartening to know the government is working on a new appointment for our diplomatic mission in Beijing, China. It shows, among other things, the importance the government attaches to our growing relations with the People’s Republic of China, PRC for short. China is a very important strategic partner in development. Its good intention…