Thursday, March 30th, 2017
Minister fined $5000
MINISTER of Justice and Legal Affairs William Marau has been fined $5000 for the charge of presence of alcohol in a person’s blood. Principal Magistrate Augustine Aulanga told the Minister yesterday that as a legislator he should honour and uphold what he had legislated for vehicle users throughout the country. He said Mr Marau is a Member of Parliament who participated in the making and passing of the Police and Transport Legislation (Amendment) (Alcohol testing) Act 2016 for public compliance and adherence. “Instead, he dishonoured it,” Magistrate Aulanga said. MagistrateRead More
RSIPF must be adequately funded
‘Community Policing and Crime Prevention Model commended’ THE Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) has been urged to be adequately funded in light of the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands (RAMSI) drawdown. The comment was made yesterday on the floor of Parliament by Member of Parliament (MP) for Aoke Langalanga, Hon Mathew Wale, in a supplementary question that was initially raised by the Leader of the Independent Group, Hon Dr Derek Sikua. Sikua questioned the Minister for Police, National Security and Correctional Services, Hon Stanley Sofu yesterday onRead More
Premier Veke condemns waste oil storage and spillage
GUADALCANAL Provincial Premier Hon Anthony K Veke condemned in the strongest term the revelation of illegal importation and subsequent storage of industrial wastes in IBC Container at Tanaro, Northwest Guadalcanal that are now spilling toxic oily substance into the surrounding fragile ecosystem. Premier Veke said that he could not believe reading from news that the transporting vessel MV Neptune Gale had already been impounded with the consignments yet managed to escape authorities after a week of its apprehension in 2015. “The best analogy I can give is like, having aRead More
Fourth arrest for JANUS Task Force
AN Inland Revenue Division (IRD) employee has been arrested yesterday by police on two counts of official corruption. He is the fourth government official to be caught by the potent JANUS joint-operation between the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force and the Ministry of Finance and Treasury (MOFT), since its inception. The arrest follows the execution of search warrants at the Honiara office of the Inland Revenue Division (IRD) and at the employee’s residential address on Tuesday March 28, 2017 by the RSIPF and Ministry of Finance & Treasury staff. ItRead More
SI 2017 GDP growth rate forecasted to increase
SOLOMON Islands ‘real’ Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth rate in 2017 is forecasted to be around 3.2 percent and average between 3.5 percent over the medium term. Minister of Finance and Treasury, Hon Snyder Rini announced this in Parliament yesterday when presenting the 2017 Supplementary Appropriation Bill 2017 to the House at the Second Reading Stage. The supplementary bill seeks the approval of the house for the regularisation of Government expenditures incurred under the Contingency Warrant Provision Section 58 and Advance Warrants Provision Section 60. Variations to allocations within theRead More
Auki clinic project delayed
THE Auki clinic project earmarked for this year is being delayed by lack of land. Premier of Malaita province, Hon Peter Ramohia confirmed this to Island Sun in Auki yesterday. He reveals the project has been shifted for next year because the land earmarked for the project is still not available. “We cannot allocate funds for project which we are sure the land is not available. “That is why we shift it forward for next year 2018 when land is available for the project.” According to director of the ministryRead More
West Honiara communities receive projects
FIVE communities within West Honiara Constituency have received $100,000 each as part of the constituency’s Feeder Road Project. Constituency Development Officer of West Honiara Constituency, Mr Brian Taupiri, handed over the projects to representatives from the communities during a hand-over ceremony yesterday. Mr Taupiri said the implementation of the project will be guided by a legal document – a constitution signed by community representatives. He said the projects are to assist communities improve road access for better road service within West Honiara Constituency. Mr Taupiri explained that the model isRead More
MID acknowledges West Honiara Constituency initiative
THE Ministry of Infrastructure Development (MID) has applauded West Honiara Constituency for taking the responsibility to improve road access in the outskirts of West Honiara. Speaking to the media, Procurement Officer of MID, Ms Dalcy Ausuta said the initiative is welcoming and MID will give its support towards the implementation of the projects. She said such initiative is very important as it will encourage community participation in road development. Ms Ausuta adds that such initiative will inspire communities to take ownership of roads and services provided. She said MID willRead More
Huge plan for West Honiara Constituency feeder road project
WEST Honiara Constituency is looking at engaging up to 15 communities in its Feeder Road Project this year. Constituency Development Officer of West Honiara Constituency made the announcement when talking to the media yesterday. Mr Brian Taupiri said West Honiara Constituency has applied for the project and that the application is currently with the Ministry of Infrastructure Development. He said five communities have been awarded with the project this year with 10 more communities expecting to join the programme later this year. Mr Taupiri said West Honiara Constituency Officer isRead More
Western province gov’t applauded for tabling 2017-18 budget
WESTERN province’s member for ward 16, Hon Ramrakha Talasasa Jnr acknowledges the province’s government for tabling its draft budget estimate for 2017 and 2018. Member for ward 16 Hon Ramrakha Aquila junior Talasasa has acknowledge the Alliance for Rural Reform Development (ARRD) government to tabling the draft budget estimate for 2017 and 2018 in Western Province. Speaking during the debate on the draft budget estimate for 2017 and 2018 yesterday, he thanked the Minister of Finance Hon Lester Huckle Saomasi for tabling this very important document at the Full AssemblyRead More