Tuesday, February 7th, 2017

 

2017 premiers’ conference confirmed

THE 9th Premiers’ Conference will take place in Malaita province. Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Provincial Government, Stanley D Pirione confirms this to the paper yesterday. Mr Stanley Pirione said he has already met with the premier of Malaita Province, Hon Peter Ramohia, his three ministers and provincial secretary. He said the date is yet to be fixed for this annual event, however a meeting will commence by early next month for his ministry to establish a working committee within the Ministry. Mr Pirione adds that officials from theRead More


PS clarifies Malaita debt issue

MINISTER of Provincial Government and Institutional Strengthening (MPGIS), David Tome, did not mislead Parliament on debts incurred by the Malaita Provincial Government, it is said. Permanent Secretary of MPGIS Mr Stanley Pirione made the clarification in response to an article published by this paper last week. In the article, Premier of Malaita Province accused Minister Tome of making false statements in Parliament that Malaita Provincial Government borrowed $12.6 million. But, in an inclusive interview with this paper, PS Pirione said Minister Tome’s statement in parliament was the truth and isRead More


They get nothing for looking after our politicians

DO you think Members of the Parliamentary Entitlements Commission (PEC) are on a salary? If so, how much do you think they get in a fortnight or a year? The truth is that PEC members do not receive a salary. They get a sitting allowance of around $400 per sitting, which is quite infrequent. As one member who spoke on anonymity told me recently, “we meet only whenever there’s an agenda on the table. And that’s when we get paid a sitting allowance. Other than that, we get nothing else.”Read More


Town ground flat demolished

THE flat, once standing next to Nicky’s fast food, has been demolished under the Ministry of Public Service last week. Standing since 1980s, the flat used to accommodate government workers at town ground. Families that had been living in the flat are reported to have been evacuated, and are being taken care of by the Public Ministry. The demolition is said to be for further development for a government project, the Institute of Public Administration and Management’s (IPAM) project. An insider shares that the building was in dilapidated conditions beforeRead More


Govt has 57 PAs

THE Democratic Coalition for Change Government (DCCG) has 57 Political Appointees engaged to date. This was confirmed by the Prime Minister Hon Manasseh Sogavare on the floor of Parliament yesterday. The Prime Minister disclosed this yesterday in response to questions raised by the Leader of the Official Opposition Hon Jeremiah Manele. Manele asked the Prime Minister to disclose how many political appointees have been employed under the Prime Minister’s private office to date, at what scale are the PAs employed and the combine salary and other entitlements. The total ofRead More


Plagiarism plagues Malaita think-tank report

THE report of the Think Tank on Malaita National Projects’ credibility has been questioned and alleged of plagiarism. The Prime Minister Hon Manasseh Sogavare disclosed this on the floor of Parliament yesterday after the Leader of the Official Opposition Hon Jeremiah Manele, questioned the Government on the engagement of the Malaita Think Tank. Sogavare told Parliament that contents of the compiled report consisted of written work by the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources that was not made reference to. The Malaita Think Tank was engaged to look into theRead More


Fish flow in Gizo market affected by bad weather

FLOW of fish selling supply for Gizo Town is likely to decrease due to the continuous heavy rain currently faced in the Western Province. The impact of the current weather situation affecting the flow of fish for the peaceful town is affecting their prices as well. In Gizo Town, fish is one of the main foods so to face a decrease from suppliers will affect the town consumers. According to local fisherman Mr Ioane Luxton from Titiana Village, west Gizo, speaking on behalf of other fisherman’s confirmed that there wouldRead More


Western Province faces heavy rains and thunderstorms

WESTERN Province is said to expect continuous heavy rains and thunderstorms in the coming days. This is confirmed by the MET Forecasting Division when contacted yesterday. They said there is a trough leading to low depression above the country forming south of Western Province. “The provinces of the country especially Western Province will face heavy rain and thunderstorms in coming days and the future outlook is still not good,” said the MET Forecasting Division. They advised for everyone in the provinces to listen out for further notice on the radio.Read More


Malaita chamber fundraising Committee to meet

THE National Malaitans’ Fundraising Committee in aid of Malaita Assembly chamber will be organising its first meeting mid this month. The Committee’s Vice Chairman, Redley Raramo, in a recent statement to Island Sun, said the meeting is to finalise its programme for 2017. Mr Raramo told this paper that money raised in last year’s fundraising drives and contributions is safe within the National Malaita Fundraising Account. He said there is a mutual understanding between the Malaita Provincial Government and the committee that the money will be kept until such timeRead More


Bad weather warning for West

PUBLIC around Western province have been advised to take extra precautionary measures and to remain alert in light of the current bad weather situation in the province. This is confirmed by the Solomon Islands Meteorological Service when contacted yesterday, that public must take extra care as the wet season will continue in the coming weeks. A spokesperson from the division said people must take extra precaution when traveling out at sea. “All Heavy Rain Alerts is now upgraded to Heavy Rain Warning. A Heavy Rain Warning is enforce for allRead More