THE matter of the man accused of raping his 14-year-old nephew in June this year has been committed to stand trial in the High Court. This was after the presiding magistrate found sufficient evidence to sustain the charge of Rape against the defendant to be tried in the High Court. Having found strong evidences from…
THE Minister of Foreign Affairs and External Trade, Peter Shanel Agovaka, has defended the recent overseas travel of his spouse, which has sparked public debate. His wife accompanied him to the 79th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) session in New York, United States of America. From New York, they flew across to join Prime Minister…
THE Bina Harbor Tuna Processing Project in West Kwaio, Malaita Province, is free of land disputes, according to the Minister of National Planning and Development Coordination, Rexon Ramofafia. Minister Ramofafia made this announcement while opening a one-day Solomon Islands Government (SIG)/Donor roundtable in Honiara on Wednesday 9 October. The event gathered officials from the Ministry…
The Office of the Leader of the Independent Group in the National Parliament of Solomon Islands has been briefed on the Economic Stimulus Package (ESP) Audit Report this week. The opportunity to hear directly from the Auditor General David Dennis and to have the findings of the report expanded upon was greatly appreciated, a statement…
PM expresses shock over ESP Audit Report upon return from Saudi Arabia and UAE PRIME Minister Jeremiah Manele is shocked to hear the revelation of the COVID-19 Economic Stimulus Package (ESP) audited by the Office of Auditor General. The audit report reveals major fraud risks, poor to non-existent administrative controls and almost zero transparency in…
THE man accused of the murder of a man at the Nazareth Apostolic Centre (NAC) area in Central Guadalcanal in August will take his plea to the allegation next Monday. A comitial hearing will be also conducted that day. The defendant Michael Manei is facing one count of Murder. He was studying Theology at NAC…
PRIME Minister Jeremiah Manele has shrugged off any co-relation between Solomon Islands vote in support of the United Nations (UN) Resolution demanding that Israel withdraw militarily from the West Bank and Solomon Islands enhanced relations with Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and the development assistance they offer. The United Nations General Assembly…
THE crucial role played by Human Rights Defenders (HRDs) in democracies and societies was brought to the limelight as HRDs from Solomon Islands, Vanuatu and Fiji gather in Honiara for a workshop to build their knowledge on the legal protection mechanisms available for HRDs and initiate discussions of the development of National Action Plans. The…
The Royal Solomon Island Police Force (RSIPF) says its waiting for the referral of the Economic Stimulus Package (ESP) audit report from the Office of Auditor General (OAG) before commence its investigation. Commissioner RSIPF Mr. Mostyn Mangau said, police and the Office of Auditor General had signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at the Office of the Auditor-General…
Citizen participation is essential for local development, but it is often missed from the planning process in Solomon Islands. However, the Provincial Governments and Service Delivery project, funded by the European Union and implemented by UNDP, is aiming to transform the way communities engage in local governance. In line with the project’s objectives, a workshop was held…