One day after the election of Rick Houenipwela as Prime Minister of Solomon Islands, 14 cabinet ministers in his Government took their oath of office. Prime Minister Houenipwela and other senior Government officials witnessed the swearing-in ceremony at Government House today.
After months without payment from the Government, Hatanga Construction Limited has decided to terminate its work on road upgrades in North Malaita. According to Jeremy Hutaloa, Hatanga’s liaison officer, the Ministry of Infrastructure Development has not paid the company for its work since March.
Rick Houenipwela is officially the Prime Minister of Solomon Islands. Mr Houenipwela was sworn in at the Government House today hours after his election victory in Parliament.
Leader of the Democratic Alliance Party Rick Houenipwela is explaining his party’s sudden move to the government side as an effort to regain desperately needed political stability.
The caretaker government has named its candidate for Prime Minister ahead of the nomination deadline this afternoon that will punctuate a week of political turbulence. Member of Parliament for Small Malaita Rick Houenipwela will be the candidate for the caretaker government coalition.
As nomination papers are being accepted for the election of a new Prime Minister next week, Solomon Islanders are thinking about the next government, its priorities — and the anti-corruption bill.
Acting Governor General of Solomon Islands Ajilon Nasiu issued notice this morning of the election of a new Prime Minister to all Members of Parliament. The election will be on Wednesday, November 15 at the chambers of the National Parliament at 9:30 a.m.
The Opposition Group is claiming the support of 27 Members of Parliament ahead of the motion of no confidence in Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare that is expected to be moved in Parliament tomorrow. In a statement released today, the Opposition said the group “has remained loyal since day one”.
Transparency Solomon Islands has raised concerns about a new clause in the Anti-Corruption Bill 2017 that exempts conduct that occurred before commencement of the Act. Section 6 of the anti-corruption bill was a newly inserted clause that applied to the ‘Application of the Act’.
There is rampant speculation about motives and possible changes in leadership after the mass resignation of ministers from the Democratic Coalition for Change Government over the weekend.
The new version of the anti-corruption bill that was withdrawn in August has made it to Parliament. The Anti-Corruption Bill 2017 was tabled for its first reading during the sitting of Parliament on Monday. It was the only bill that went through first reading in the session.
Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare faces a motion of no confidence when Parliament resumes on Monday, November 6. Speaker of Parliament Ajilon Jasper Nasiu received the motion from the Leader of the Parliamentary Independent Group Dr Derek Sikua yesterday.
The economic growth rate for Solomon Islands is higher than the population growth rate, but it might not be high enough. Minister of Finance and Treasury John Maneniaru told Parliament today, effects of the country’s current medium term economic growth rate of 3-4 percent per annum will be limited…
Two more ministers resigned from the Democratic Coalition for Change Government yesterday, bringing the total number of resignations since Saturday to nine.
The national government has allocated $4 million for the upcoming Voter Registration Update exercise in Western and Choiseul provinces ahead of their provincial elections.
Payment of the 3.5-percent Cost of Living Adjustment award for public servants is pending within the Ministry of Finance and Treasury. Some teachers and police officers have complained about the award not being paid yesterday as promised.
The Solomon Islands Government will welcome the President of the Republic of China on Taiwan Tsai Ing-wen to Honiara next week. A statement from the Prime Minister’s Office confirms, President Tsai Ing-wen and her delegation will arrive on Wednesday, November 1.
At a public forum on the anti-corruption bill, citizens expressed overwhelming support for the government to bring the bill back. Civil society organisations’ Anti-Corruption Bill Committee organised the forum on Saturday in Honiara to gather views on the new bill, and committee chairman Dr Huddie…
The Royal Solomon Islands Police Force has awarded medals to the five officers who recently returned from the United Nations peacekeeping mission in Dafur, Sudan.
Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare has made a call to the United states to reconsider its position on the Paris climate agreement and join the global fight against climate change. The Prime Minister made the statement in his address to the 72nd United Nations General Assembly yesterday.
