Tuesday, April 11th, 2017
Frequent lack of quorums has negative costs: Manele
THE frequent lack of quorums in parliament has negative costs to parliament business and for the country, says the Leader of Opposition Jeremiah Manele. Contributing in yesterday’s motion of Sine Die, Mr Manele justifies that when parliament is unnecessarily forced to adjourn because there is no quorum, the business of the house stops and is unnecessarily prolonged. “We cannot afford to continue like this, we cannot,” he told MPs on the floor of parliament yesterday. Mr Manele said MPs are responsible and take their responsibilities very, very seriously. “That shouldRead More
Sikua calls on gov’t to act on questions raised in parliament
LEADER of the Independent Group and MP for North East Guadalcanal, Dr Derek Sikua, has called on the government to do something about the many serious matters raised in the parliamentary questions. This is because, he said, most if not all are directly related to government policies. Contributing in yesterday’s motion of Sine Die, Hon Sikua said this session of parliament has dealt with a record number of parliamentary questions with about more than 120 questions being noticed. Most parliamentary questions of which have been carried over from past parliamentaryRead More
Manele urges Government to enhance country’s infrastructure
‘Malaita projects and Manaoba airport issue and provincial airstrips highlighted’ THE country’s infrastructure development is still in need of more enhancements. The Leader of the Official Opposition, Hon Jeremiah Manele made the statement on the floor of Parliament yesterday when contributing on the Sine Die motion moved by Prime Minister Hon Manasseh Sogavare. Manele told Parliament when speaking on the 2017 budget that even so, he welcomes the continuous focus and priority given to economic infrastructure development. “Indeed, we need more roads, more airstrips, and more wharves, better communicationRead More
Trial into Sun Valley incident set for August
TRIAL date has been set yesterday for the case against three men alleged to have involved in an incident at Sun Valley area in 2014. Both the prosecution and the defence lawyers agreed to set the case for trial on the third week of August. The court was also told that a week’s trial is enough for the case. The three men were accused of damaging a permanent building and valuable properties worth more than $550,000 due to an ongoing issue between the two parties. The alleged incident occurred onRead More
Western province PCDF project distribution questioned
DISTRIBUTION of the PCDF projects in Western province is being questioned. Provincial member (MPA) for Gizo, ward 11, John Wale, reveals that his ward has not received any project under the Provincial Capacity Development Fund (PCDF). He reiterates that the budget should be for the whole province, questioning why his submissions have not been considered for the PCDF projects. “What is holding back other wards from receiving the same project allocation when Rural Development Programme (RDP) had outlined it clearly the equal distribution of project and money is the formularRead More
PSs to be banned in parliament chamber
PERMANENT secretaries and government technical advisors are soon to be banned from entering the parliament chamber during parliament sessions when a new parliamentary standing order comes into effect. Member of Parliamentary House Committee (PHC) and Leader of Independent Group, Dr Derek Sikua made the revelation yesterday on the floor of parliament. Dr Sikua said ministers will not have the services of their permanent secretaries to turn to during question time or when considering bills during the committee of the whole house or financial bills during the committee of supply. “AsRead More
Call for hastening repatriation plans for MOI
PLANS for repatriation of the people of Ontong Java should be carried out as soon as possible. Malaita Outer Islands Liuaniua MPA, Patrick Apua, said this should be an urgent issue for both the Malaita provincial government and the national Government to consider. Apua said both governments should recognise that his people are directly and adversely affected by climate change. And, he adds, they are gambling their lives continuing to live in the atolls, not knowing when a natural disaster might strike and claim lives. “This is our urgent needRead More
Premier Veke impressed with Tiaro-Savulei co-operative society
GUADALCANAL Premier and delegation met with Tiaro-Savulei Land Purchase Co-operative (LPC) Society at Sumate Village West Guadalcanal. The delegation which comprises Hon Premier Anthony Veke, Provincial Minister for Lands Hon Patrick Savusi, Senior Lands Officer Mr Benedict Tova and External Affairs Officer Mcfaddean Aoraunisaka traveled to Sumate village over the weekend to attend an open dialogue forum organized and hosted by the LPC Task force. They were very impressed with the attendance and the level of discussion and sharing. Chairman LPC Task Force Mr David Rosalio explained that the meetingRead More
Guadalcanal teachers’ professional development training
GUADALCANAL Province Education Authority (GPEA) with the support of Ministry of Education and Human Resource Development (MEHRD) and United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) is moving well into implementing MEHRD’s Action Plan Goal 2 to improve quality of education through strengthening the concept of School-based professional development of teachers. A refresher training on the use of the School-based, In-service, Teacher Training module was launched yesterday at the Guadalcanal Council of Women training facility, Henderson. The module’s objective is to help strengthen and sharpen teaching skills of Grade 1 and 2 teachersRead More
Defence lawyers urged to indicate witness for the LFPI
PRINCIPAL Magistrate Tearo Beneteti says that whenever defence lawyers indicate any form of preliminary to be conducted in relation to their client’s case, they should also give reasons. She made the comment following the case against Paul Kapini who was charged with one count of murder. Duty lawyer from the Public Solicitor’s office, Lazarus Waroka, told the court that the lawyer representing the accused has indicated a long form preliminary inquiry on the case. But, that Solicitor never gave any reason why that PI was elected and also there wasRead More