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by Gina Maka’a Solomon Islands has lost millions of dollars in log export revenue over the last 15 years due to lack of monitoring and compliance checks, the nation’s top forestry administrator has admitted. To address the issue, Richard Raomae, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Forestry and Research, said…
by Ronald F. Toito’ona Rennell & Bellona Province is moving towards formalising a new sister relationship with Hainan Province in China. Renbel’s recently elected premier Derek Pongi confirmed this to In-depth Solomons after having talks with China’s ambassador to Solomon Islands Chi Weiming. “As a province, we have adopted the…
By Ronald F. Toito’ona Honiara’s newly elected mayor Eddie Siapu says China will be his new administration’s “partner of choice” in advancing the council’s interests. Siapu, councilor for Rove-Lengakiki Ward, retained the top job following an election this morning – securing 13 votes against his only rival Robert Oge, who received seven ballots. As a first step, he…
By Ronald F. Toito’ona Daniel Suidani, the former Premier of Malaita Province in Solomon Islands, has announced that he will not be contesting in the premier’s election in provincial capital Auki, next Tuesday. This decision comes as a surprise to many, following earlier reports that he is seeking re-election to become the…
By Ronald F. Toito’ona Solomon Islands newly-elected Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele has pledged to tackle the country’s collapsing economy as he took on the task of leading his nation of 700,000 people for the next four years. In his victory speech today, Manele highlighted rebuilding the economy as a priority his…
By Ronald F. Toito’ona He may have only 20 of the 50 MPs on his side, but Matthew Wale says he remains confident of a surprise result in tomorrow’s prime ministerial election. Wale will be up against Jeremiah Manele in the contest for the top political job, which will take place…
The prime minister of the Pacific Island nation has recently gone on a home-building spree, constructing eight valuable new houses in and around the capital city of Honiara. KEY FINDINGS: by Aubrey Belford (OCCRP), Dan McGarry (OCCRP), Ofani Eremae (In-Depth Solomons), Charley Piringi (In-Depth Solomons), Gina Maka’a (In-Depth Solomons), and Ronald…
