Thursday, April 13th, 2017
Bills passed in Parliament must be fully implemented
THE non-implementation or stagnant legislations passed in Parliament have been an ongoing issue. This is according to the Member of Parliament (MP) for East Central Guadalcanal, Hon Ishmael Avui. “Another issue which leads to non-implementation of Acts passed in this Honourable House is that, there were is no budget and human resource allocations specifically to implement these Acts of Parliament,” Avui said. He then added that whilst Ministries are stretched with their designated responsibilities, the come-about of new Acts offers them additional challenges and responsibilities “The officials will either doRead More
PM declares war on illiteracy
PRIME Minister Hon Manasseh Sogavare yesterday declared illiteracy as an enemy of development and assured READ SI (Resources for Education to Advance Development in Solomon Islands) of Government support to address illiteracy. The Prime Minister was speaking at the launch of a National Campaign Against Illiteracy organised and funded by READ SI in Honiara yesterday. The initial campaign involves the deployment of literacy teachers to 10 villages across the country to teach adults and children to read for a period of six weeks. The ultimate aim of this campaign isRead More
Delayed Bills urged to go through second reading
MEMBER of Parliament for East Central Guadalcanal, Hon Ishmael Avui says he is anticipating the Government to bring forward the three delayed bills and have them passed. He made the statement when contributing on the Sine Die motion moved by Prime Minister Hon Manasseh Sogavare in Parliament this week. The three Bills that are currently before Parliament and have been set down for second reading are the Ombudsman Bill, the Whistleblowers Bill and the Anticorruption Bill. “While on that Mr. Speaker, I have observed over the years that Governments competeRead More
Don’t give CDF to Ministries: Avui
MEMBER of Parliament for East Central Guadalcanal Hon Ishmael Avui has strongly recommended not giving Constituency Development Funds (CDF) to ministries. He made the statement when contributing on the Sine Die motion moved by the Prime Minister Hon Manasseh Sogavare this week in Parliament. “Mr Speaker, there were commendable points raised in Parliament on the motion by the Leader of Independent on the CDF. “Immediate steps now should be taken by Parliament and perhaps the Office of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (OPMC) to have a Bi-partisan group established,” saidRead More
New Primary and Public Health office complex plan underway
THE current Western Provincial Health Services plan for the old hospital site, burnt down last year, in Gizo Town is to build a new Primary and Public Health Office complex. At this stage there is no estimated cost for the new complex. The new complex should house about 14 divisions or Health units that were affected by the fire, according to the WPHS Director Dr Dickson Boara. In addition, there should be space for a mental ward and a TB ward included. There will be a resource space like aRead More
Tourism can boost growth in Solomon Islands: ADB
WITH growth in the Solomon Islands expected to moderate to 3-percent in 2017 and 2.8 percent in 2018, tourism is being viewed as an untapped source for economic growth, says a new Asian Development Bank’s (ADB) report. The new Asian Development Outlook (ADO) 2017, ADB’s flagship annual economic report, notes that gross domestic product (GDP) growth in the Pacific nation accelerated to 3.2 percent in 2016, but will likely moderate as the short-term benefits of expansionary fiscal policy and unsustainable logging dissipate. “Growth has been broadly steady, but in theRead More
Hearing of evidence on cyber mini casino’s case continues
TRIAL into the case of an Asian has resumed in the Honiara Magistrate Court before Principal Magistrate Tearo Beneteti. The prosecution has so far called one of their six witnesses. The trial was supposed to have continued yesterday but due to the lawyers having other commitments in the High Court the case adjourns to today for continuation. This is the case against Ting Kwong Hing, who entered not guilty pleas to the charges of unlawful commercial gaming and unlawful possession of instruments for gaming. His was charged under section 10Read More
Avui commends Government support to his constituency
‘suggests better feeder roads and infrastructure’ MEMBER of Parliament for East Central Guadalcanal Hon Ishmael Avui, has commended and at the same time raised concerns over services and developments in his constituency. The MP made the statement in his statement on the Sine Die motion moved by Prime Minister Hon Manasseh Sogavare on Monday this week. “I also recognise the commitment of Ministers since January to ensure services and functions of their Ministries continue to be delivered. “I thank in particular, the Minister of Finance, Minister for Planning andRead More
Innovation, key to economic growth
PRINCIPAL Economist of Asia Development Bank says innovation is the key to achieve economic growth. In his presentation during the launching of 2017 ADB Report yesterday, Mr Donghyun (Tom) Park said innovative Economy together with better infrastructure, skilled work force and improved Information Communication Technology can drive economic growth. He explained that innovativeness can lead to high productivity and growth in productivity. Mr Park adds it is important that innovative ideas are driven by entrepreneurs with new ideas and exceptional technology skills. He believes that sound policies and institution areRead More
Retail shop licence fee goes up in W-province
RETAILING shops licence in urban commercial areas at Western Province has been increased, from SBD$1,500 to $1,750. According to the Minister of Finance and Treasury for Western Province, Hon Lester Saomasi, this is the second time the retailing shop licence fee has been amended under his watch. He emphasises that the increase is only $250, which he describes as ‘slight’. “My reason to this increase is because I have seen the volume of transactions from shops in Western Province commercial areas of Gizo, Noro and Munda which are more efficientRead More