Thursday, June 22nd, 2017
They are all students – only allowances separate them
THEY share a number of common denominators. They are students. They are sponsored by the Solomon Islands Government at the Solomon Islands National University (SINU). They hail from the nation’s two campuses – Panatina and Kukum in Honiara. They are Solomon Islands nationals – future potential leaders of this island nation. But that is where their commonalities end. Payments of their scholarship dues separate them – all because Members of Parliament have decided to handle some scholarship payments. Yesterday the unfortunate ones who missed out on payments that came inRead More
Premier Singamoana survives midnight political ambush
RENNELL and Bellona Premier survived unscathed a political ambush set by his Deputy and his Finance minister on Monday midnight. The two senior executive members, who are both heavily involved in the logging and mining industries, along with a third executive member, under the cover of darkness, delivered a letter demanding Premier Collin Singamoana’s step-down within 24 hours. However, in a twist of events, the third party to the letter, Hon Brad Pugeva, on the same day of issuance revoked his signature to the petition letter and a resignation letterRead More
SINU students would be paid today – Minister Fugui
MORE than 2,000 Solomon Islands National University (SINU) students, struggling to collect their allowances and other dues under Government scholarships, would be paid today (Thursday June 22, 2017). This was the message from the Minister of Education and Human Resources Development, John Moffat Fugui late yesterday afternoon. Hon Fugui said instruction had been sent to the Ministry of Finance and Treasury to pay the every student. “If you don’t receive your allowance by Thursday afternoon, please let me know,” the Minister reportedly told the angry students in front of theRead More
World Bank approves support for Tina Hydro
RELIABLE renewable energy is a step closer for Solomon Islands, a country facing some of the world’s highest per capita energy costs, following the World Bank Group’s commitment to the Tina River Hydro renewable energy project. The Board of Executive Directors of the World Bank yesterday approved US$33.6 million in funding for the Tina River Hydropower project in the Solomon Islands, which aims to reduce the cost of electricity and end the country’s near-total reliance on diesel fuel for power. Electricity costs in the Solomon Islands are among the highestRead More
Major hotels to share millions in government assistance
WHILE Solomon Islands athletes would have to wait until 2023 to share in the booty of the Pacific Games medal tally, major hotels in Honiara have reportedly landed a pot of gold. The Government is giving away tens of millions of dollars to help the hotels upgrade their facilities and services as part of the preparations for the 2023 Pacific Games, which Solomon Islands is hosting. Details of the assistance package are sketchy. However, Island Sun has been informed that major hotels expect to receive up to $10million each underRead More
Forestry denies former commissioner’s billion-dollar claim
THE Ministry of Forest and Research says the claimed former forestry commissioner, Kennedy Hoda got it all wrong in his interpretation. In an issued statement, the forestry office says although some of the issues raised are true in nature, he should have known better the constraints faced as a one-time commissioner and a coordinator for logging company himself. Kennedy Hoda alleged in the Island Sun Newspaper yesterday that government may have lost a billion dollars or more in logging revenue as a result of lack of monitoring. He also claimsRead More
Australia to maintain assistance after RAMSI withdraws
HIS Excellency Roderick Brazier has assured Solomon Islands that Australia will maintain its level of assistance to Solomon Islands after the withdrawal of the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands (RAMSI). His Excellency Brazier made the assurance on the RAMSI Farewell weekly programme on the national radio- Solomon Islands Broadcasting Corporation (SIBC). “Even after RAMSI leaves, Australia’s aid programme to Solomon Islands will remain at nearly one billion SBD every year. “It will continue to strengthen government, particularly the law and justice sector, to provide economic opportunities and to investRead More
Dissolve Parliament
Run-down state of country revealed by West Makira MP Manu’ari, calling for dissolution of parliament MEMBER of Parliament for West Makira Derrick Manu’ari has called for fresh election, given the country’s dire financial situation. In a phone interview yesterday, the west Makira MP said financial situation of the country is now going from bad to worse, and the government seems incapable to handle its finances. “I am thinking of moving a motion for dissolution of parliament under Section 73 of the National Constitution. “The nation has witnessed the government bailedRead More