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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…
Prime Minister Matthew Wale has called on Germany and the European Union to strengthen their engagement with Pacific Island countries. Wale made the call during a courtesy meeting with visiting German Ambassador Beate Grzeski, who is based in Canberra, Australia. Speaking as Chair of the Pacific Islands Forum, Wale stressed…
The GREAT Coalition Government is moving to strengthen forestry laws and improve the management of Solomon Islands’ forest resources. The proposed reforms seek to improve governance, transparency, accountability and enforcement across the forestry sector. Recently, the Legislative and Policy Reform Subcommittee of the Office of the Prime Minister and Cabinet…
By Georgina Maka’a Prime Minister Matthew Wale has offered an unreserved apology to the people of Guadalcanal for failing to attend the province’s 42nd Second Appointed Day celebrations on Monday in Honiara. And he acknowledged that he had misjudged the depth of feeling surrounding his absence. The apology, delivered on…
Households, businesses and government services in Honiara are a step closer to receiving cheaper and more reliable electricity, with construction commencing on the 22-kilometre transmission line that will connect the Tina River Hydropower Facility to the Honiara national electricity grid via Lungga Power Station. The Solomon Islands Government, Solomon Power…
By Georgina Maka’a The Solomon Islands Government is preparing new legislation to overhaul the management of cemeteries, with Home Affairs Minister Manasseh Maelanga warning that growing population pressure is rapidly reducing available burial space. Responding to the Speech from the Throne in Parliament on Thursday, Mr Maelanga said the country…
By Georgina Maka’a Opposition Leader Manasseh Sogavare has put the Government on notice, declaring it will be judged not by the promises in the Speech from the Throne but by its ability to deliver. Closing his response in Parliament yesterday to the Speech from the throne, Sogavare embraced the national…
Deputy Prime Minister Francis Sade has assured Guadalcanal Province that its long-standing aspiration for statehood will remain a priority for the Government. And he pledged the GREAT Coalition would advance constitutional reforms while refusing to commit to the province’s proposed 2028 deadline. Responding to Premier Willie Atu’s call for Guadalcanal…
Auditor General David Teika Dennis is urging the Ministry of Public Service to urgently enforce the Government’s Attendance Management Policy. His call came after an audit his office carried out found ineffective implementation has contributed to an estimated $1 billion in wasted public resources between 2023 and 2025. The findings…
The Government has pledged sweeping reforms to the country’s mining sector following the recent tragedy at Gold Ridge, declaring that Solomon Islands’ mineral wealth must benefit its people rather than leave communities bearing the costs. Deputy Prime Minister Francis Sade made the commitment while responding to concerns raised by Guadalcanal…
