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Audit exposes illegal procurement, missing records and weak controls By Ofani Eremai A special audit into how the National Hosting Authority (NHA) spent public money for the 2023 Pacific Games has uncovered serious failures in procurement, financial controls and record-keeping. Outgoing Auditor General David Teika Dennis released the report this…
Investigation so far into 33 bauxite shipments exported from Rennell Island has uncovered years of missing, incomplete and unaccounted-for Government records, raising fresh questions over how the country’s mineral resources were managed. The findings are contained in an update Attorney General Gabriel Suri provided this afternoon. “Investigations so far have…
It is a house that has suddenly become the centre of a political storm. Since November last year, Solomon Islands Government has been paying SBD$100,000 to rent a little-known property at Tolu Street, Lengakiki, for the Ministry of Forestry and Research. The twist? The property is registered to Prime Minister…
The GREAT Coalition today released its Draft Formal Tax Policy Work Programme 2026–2028, inviting taxpayers, businesses and the wider public to have their say on the future direction of Solomon Islands’ tax system. The draft programme sets out the Government’s proposed tax policy and legislative priorities for the next two…
The Government has acknowledged an administrative error in the registration of the Solomon Islands Mineral Holdings Company, after the company’s registration details sparked public outcry on social media. The issue has attracted widespread attention since yesterday, with members of the public questioning details recorded in the company’s registration. In a…
The tribunal appointed to investigate allegations against suspended Police Commissioner Ian Vaevaso has yet to begin its work, more than a month after its original 30-day reporting deadline. Attorney-General Gabriel Suri told In-depth Solomons that the Government is now looking for replacements for tribunal chairman Sir Frank Kabui and member…
Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape has called for a new era of economic partnership between PNG and Solomon Islands. Marape said the two neighbouring Melanesian countries must turn their strong political, historical and cultural ties into greater investment, trade, jobs, downstream processing and economic independence. He made the…
Prime Minister Matthew Wale has urged Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands to turn their long-standing Melanesian ties into a “structured, bankable economic partnership.” Wale made the call today as he officially opened the inaugural PNG–Solomon Islands Investment Conference in Honiara. Held under the theme “From Opportunity to Investment: Building…
Transparency Solomon Islands (TSI) has called on the GREAT Coalition to publicly justify the number, roles and costs of its political appointees, warning that the growing payroll could place further pressure on public finances. GREAT has engaged 58 political appointees. In statement, TSI said political appointments are a legitimate tool…
The Opposition is calling on Finance and Treasury Minister Gordon Darcy Lilo to ensure the remaining appointments to the Solomon Islands National Provident Fund (SINPF) Board strengthen its financial, investment and commercial expertise. The call follows Lilo’s appointment of Dr Phillip Tagini as the new SINPF Board Chairman and Ronald…
