Government Archive November 2007

Boyers: Join Govt. to Make Country 'More Prosperous'

The newly sworn-in Minister for Finance and Treasury, Hon. Peter Boyers, says he joins the government "in order to make [the] country ... more prosperous".

Solomons at Serious Risk from Effects of Climate Change

Solomon Islands is among the world's lowest emitters of carbon emissions, yet it is one of the countries at serious risk from the effects of climate change.

Govt. Rejects Claim Report

The government has rejected media reports alleging it to have claimed Opposition MPs, Mr Peter Boyers and Mr Edward Huniehu and defector MPs, Mr Stanley Sofu and Mr Sam Idurii.

Govt. Appoints Boyers Finance Minister

Member of Parliament for West New Georgia/Vona Vona, Mr Peter Boyers, was sworn-in as the Minister for Finance and Treasury.

Govt. Holdup on 2008 Budget "Delaying Tactic" : Huniehu

The Opposition spokesman on Finance and Treasury, Edward Huniehu, has described the Government's excuse to hold up the 2008 budget as a delaying tactic.

SIBC reporter bias: Huniehu

An SIBC report on four Opposition MPs defecting to the government camp has been described as biased.

Opposition Members Deny Switching to Govt.

The Parliamentary Opposition Members reported to have joined the Manasseh Sogavare-led government refutes claims.

Premier Lokopio Upset by Lilo's Cleanup Deal

Western Province Premier, Mr. Alex Lokopio, has expressed great disappointment over the former Finance and Treasury Minister's award of the Gizo Cleanup contract to the Red Devil company without a prior consultation of the Western Provincial government.

PM Sogavare Congratulates New Aust. Counterpart

Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare has conveyed Solomon Islands' congratulations to Australia's new Prime Minister, Honourable Kevin Rudd, upon his election victory to the top political post.

Govt. to Challenge GG Over Declaration of Parliament Meeting

The Government will be challenging the declaration of the date for the resumption of the next Parliament session by the Governor General, His Excellency Sir Nathaniel Waena.

Governor General Sets Date for Parliament Meet

The Governor General has announced the new date for the National Parliament to meet.

Opposition Determined to Set Things Right: Mr. Fono

Leader of Opposition, Fred Fono, says intentions by the Prime Minister and the country's controversial Attorney-General to lodge a case in the High Court is a mere desperate attempt to stop Parliament from meeting.

Governor General Urges Govt. to Set Date for Parliament Meet

Solomon Islands Governor General, Sir Nathaniel Waena, has made a move to help resolve the political impasse between the government and the opposition group.

Govt to Seek High Court Ruling

The Government, through its Attorney General, will be seeking legal clarifications from the High Court of Solomon Islands on various constitutional requirements.

Governor General Not Calling Parliament Meet

Governor General Sir Nathaniel Waena said that much as he would like the current political turmoil to come to an end, he does not have the power to act alone in the situation.

Former Ministers and Backbenchers Return Vehicles

Government vehicles issued to former government ministers were handed back to the Ministry of Infrastructure.

PM Sogavare Calls on SICA to Stay Out of Politics

Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare has called on the Solomon Islands Christian Association to act responsibly by allowing the current political impasse to be resolved at the political level.

Lilo Allowed Illegal Shipment of Logs: Caucus Chairman

Sacked former Minister of Finance, Gordon Darcy Lilo, had illegally ordered the release of a banned shipment of logs in Western Province when he was Finance Minister early this year.

Ne'e Clarifies Legal Fee Accusation Against Sogavare

Chairman of the Government Caucus, Nelson Ne'e, has categorically denied opposition allegations over legal fees paid by the government during his High Court trial in relation to the April riots.

PM Stunned by Abana's Rebuttal

Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare was stunned at the former Minister for National Development and Aid Coordination's media statement announcing he was the Minister being referred to as recipient of the $7-million payout.

PM Sogavare Clears Further Opposition Allegations

Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare has rejected further allegations against him by the Opposition Group in its second paid advertisement in the Solomon Star.

"Scandals, Lies and Excuses" - Lilo Urged to Be Honest

Sacked finance minister, Gordon Darcy Lilo, is challenged to explain why he has not implemented an $8 million government funding allocated for the civil rehabilitation of devastated infrastructure at Gizo, Western Province.

Lilo Denies Allegations Against Him

The former Minister for Finance, Gordon Darcy Lilo, denies being the man behind the current political upheaval in the country.

Minister Kengava Rebuffs Abana's Claim

Minister for Rural Development and Indigenous Affairs, Mr Clement Kengava has refuted the front-page article in the Solomon Star claiming that he requested rejoining the Opposition Group.

Meet Seeks to Solve Week-Long Power Row

The Governor General has the legal power under Standing Order 7 (3) to cause Parliament to meet.

Opposition Urges Sogavare to Call Parliament Meet

The Parliamentary Opposition is urging the Prime Minister to call a meeting of Parliament.

Opposition Claims Inaccurate: Govt

The Government today said the Opposition's attempt to defend certain parliamentary entitlements enjoyed by former minister's who defected to the opposition early this week is inaccurate and unlawful.

Lilo's Allegations of Interference Lame and Childish

Political Appointee within the Office of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, Mr Robson Djokovic staunchly denied allegations levelled against him by the former Minister of Finance and Treasury Hon Gordon Darcy Lilo.

Sir Allan joins Grand Coalition for Change Government

The Member of Parliament for Savo/Russells and former Prime Minister, Sir Alan Kemakeza has joined the Grand Coalition for Change Government.

PM Sogavare: No Bribery Offered to Koli

The government has denied reports that Member for East Guadalcanal, and Opposition MP, Hon Johnson Koli, has been offered large sums of money to join the government group.

PM Speaks Out Against Intimidation of MPs

Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare has expressed concern over the Opposition Group's intimidation of the MP for West Kwara'ae, Sam Idurii and the MP for East Kwaio, Stanley Sofu not to rejoin the government.

"The Game is Now Over": PM Sogavare

Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare last night says the current political upheaval in the country is now over as his government took control of a clear majority once more.

Sogavare Terminates RAMSI Special Envoy

Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare has terminated the appointment of Michael Maina as the government's Special Envoy to the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands.

Two Former Ministers Firmly with Opposition

Two former Ministers said to have rejoined the government are still with the Opposition camp.

Ne'e Says Sogavare Administration Still Intact

The chairman of the Government Caucus, Nelson Ne'e, said the administration of Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare is still intact.

Solomons to Celebrate Children's Day

The young generation of Solomon Islands looks forward to celebrating 'Children's Day' this Thursday.

Govt Delegation Returns from Vanuatu

A government delegation has returned from a week-long visit to Vanuatu.

Three Makira MPs Maintain Support for Government

The Minister for Provincial Government and Constituency Development, Japhet Waipora and government backbenchers, David Sitai and Bernard Ghiro refuted claims by the Opposition camp that they intended to crossover to the Opposition bench.

Governor General Demands Resignation Letters

Ministers who have resigned from the government are required to submit their resignation letters on ministerial letterheads.

PM Calls for Calm as Govt Resolves Political Turmoil

Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare called for calm as his Grand Coalition for Change Government works strategically to address the political crisis affecting Solomon Islands.

Sir Nathaniel: Current Power Struggle Political Crisis

Governor General declares that the current power struggle is a political crisis and not a constitutional crisis.

PM Banks on Truth to Maintain Office

Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare says his source of strength in the current political crisis lies in his explanation of the reasons for the sacking of his two cabinet Ministers.

Kemakeza Rejoins Govt

The Minister for Forestry, Environment and Conservation, Mark Roboliu Kemakeza, has reaffirmed his commitment to the Sogavare-led Coalition for Change Government after signing an MOU to join the Opposition group over the weekend.

We Still Have the Majority: Lilo

Former Finance Minister, Gordon Darcy Lilo, says they still hold the majority even though three members crossed back to the government late yesterday afternoon and have been sworn in as Ministers.

Three New Ministers Sworn In

Three new Ministers have been sworn in this afternoon.

Sir Nathaniel Likely to Announce Urgent Parliament Meet

An urgent Parliament session is likely to be announced by the Governor General, Sir Nathaniel Waena, following the mass resignation of nine Cabinet Ministers and three backbenchers.

New Govt Promises to Repatriate Moti

Attorney General, Julian Moti, will be repatriated to Australia if a new government comes into power.

Solomons Citizens Call for Government Stability

The recent mass resignation of government ministers and backbenchers has created confusion among the general public.

Lilo, Abana Sacked for Working Against PM

Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare has terminated the new Minister for Justice and Legal Affairs, Gordon Darcy Lilo and the Minister for Development Planning and Aid Coordination, Steve Abana for lobbying support against his leadership.

PM Seeks Legal Advise Against National Express

Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare is seeking legal advise on the front-page article of the National Express Newspaper today titled 'THE PM'S MILLION DOLLAR ESTATE" for possible legal action.

Only Parliament Can Vote Me Out: Sogavare

Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare, in light of the mass resignation of government ministers and backbenchers, said he would rather that Parliament vote him out of office.

Solomons Govt in Political Crisis

The Solomon Islands Grand Coalition for Change Government face political crisis following the mass resignation of government ministers and backbenchers.

PM Satisfied with Progress at Gold Ridge

Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare yesterday stated that he is satisfied with the progress of the Gold Ridge Mining project in Central Guadalcanal.

Sogavare Reshuffles Cabinet Ministers

Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare has announced a reshuffle of two ministers in his Grand Coalition for Change Government.

Constituency Development Officers to Link Rural

Newly recruited Constituency Development Officers attend their first meeting with their Minister, Clement Kengava.

Ministers' Wives Receive Donation from Taiwan

The delegation of Solomon Islands Ministers' wives led by Madame Emmy Sogavare currently visiting Taiwan, received a donation of US$5,000.00 towards its charity mission in Solomon Islands.

Liloqula Dismisses Claims to Suppress Freedom of Speech

The Secretary to Cabinet, Ruth Liloqula, has outrightly dismissed claims of suppressing freedom of speech.

Govt Pays Allowance for Wives Trip to Taiwan

A government source has revealed that the traveling allowances of the 13 wives of Government Ministers and MPs traveling to Taiwan were paid for by the Government.