Politics Archive August 2022

"These will universally apply to all visiting naval vessels," the Prime Minister's office said in a statement.

Government Suspends Entry For All Foreign Navy Ships

The Solomon Islands has suspended entry into its waters for foreign navy ships pending adoption of a new process for approval of port visits, the Prime Minister's office said on Tuesday, in a bid to better police its exclusive economic zones.
Serevi proudly shared that he has a middle name ‘Tikoisolomoni’ meaning ‘was in the Solomon Islands’.

Wale says Serevi 'an Inspiration for Sports Men and Women'

The Solomon Islands Opposition Leader, Hon Matthew Wale has described the renowned world ‘king of 7s’ Waisale Serevi as an ‘inspiration for sports men and women in the pacific’.
The vessel was conducting patrols as part of an international mission to prevent illegal fishing when it sought to make a stop to refuel on the island of Guadalcanal.

Government Blocks US Coast Guard Port Entry

A US Coast Guard cutter was unable to get clearance for a scheduled port call in the Solomon Islands as concerns grow about China's influence on the Pacific nation.
“Vision of the policy is to achieve safe, clean, healthy, friendly, peaceful and vibrant rural communities all throughout Solomon Islands by 2035,” PS Dr. Viulu highlighted.

Nationwide Consultation on Constituency Development Policy Commences

The Ministry of Rural Development (MRD) has commenced its nationwide consultation on the first ever Solomon Islands Constituency Development Policy (CD).
The two leaders discussed issues on Solomon Islands-US diplomatic relations which was formalized on the 9th of October 1978.

US Senator Blackburn Pays Courtesy Visit to Sogavare

A United States Government delegation led by Senator Marsha Blackburn made a courtesy visit to the Solomon Islands Prime Minister, Hon. Manasseh Sogavare in Honiara yesterday.
Hon Wale said Prime Minister Sogavare’s failed attempt to ban facebook, his decision to control SIBC and his plan to control media in the country clearly depicts a person with paranoia.

PM's Increasing Disregard for an Independent Media: Wale

Opposition Leader Hon Matthew Wale has described Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare as a person with extreme ‘paranoia' following reports that he instructed government officials to summon the Australian High Commission Office over a Four Corners program aired on ABC TV recently.
While in Washington DC, the Minister met with senior officials from the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC), the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), and the Peace Corps to discuss their assistance programs and future plans.

Minister Planning in Washington DC to Discuss Development Programs

Solomon Islands Minister for National Planning and Development Coordination, Hon Rexon Ramofafia was in Washington DC last week to discuss the progress of several programs supported by the United States Government.
Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare and UNICEF’s Pacific representative Mr. Jonathan Veitch.

Head of UNICEF Pacific Meets Sogavare

The new United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund, UNICEF’s Pacific representative Mr. Jonathan Veitch has been formally introduced to Prime Minister Hon. Manasseh Sogavare.
With Portugal renowned in several sports particularly soccer, Solomon Islands would like to deepen people to peoples diplomacy through sporting avenues. Our countries can explore technical assistance and expertise on soccer sporting faculty from Portugal, this would enhance and hone our teams for Gold medal winning chances.

PM Sogavare Welcome H.E Pedro Rodrigues Da Silva

Prime Minister Hon. Manasseh Sogavare today welcome the Ambassador of Portugal, His Excellency Pedro Rodrigues Da Silva into the country.
In terms of funding, the statement confirms that the SINBIP will be fully funded with a 20 years’ term concessional loan of approximately USD$66 million from the Exim Bank of China at one percent interest rate.

Government Pushes Ahead With 161 Telecom Towers USD$66 Million Loan

The Government has confirmed that the Solomon Islands National Broadband Infrastructure Project or SINBIP for the construction of up to 161 towers has been progressed with the recent signing of a contracting agreement with the vendor and contractor, Huawei/China Harbour Engineering Company Limited.
Chairman of the Electoral Commission Mr. Patterson John Oti said the primary objective of the consultations was to solicit views from stakeholders on holding simultaneous elections and the proposed amendments to the election laws.

Proposed Reform Looks at Holding Provincial and National Elections on the Same Day

The Solomon Islands electoral commission (SIEC) are working on a proposed electoral reform that will see both the provincial and national elections being held on the same day.
“The current health advisory for this outbreak is to once again practice and practice constantly the following public health measures, as we did for COVID-19,” the Health Minister stressed.

Health Minister Declares Outbreak of Viral Respiratory Illnesses

The Minister of Health and Medical services Dr Culwick Togamana has declared that there is now an outbreak of Viral Respiratory Illnesses (VRI) in Honiara and Malaita.
The Central Bank of Solomon Islands (CBSI) says that the extent of the adverse impact on the economy is extensive and estimated to have reached SBD$534 million, up from the SBD$227 million initially estimated shortly after the riots.

Government Allocates SBD$125M to Assist Businesses Affected by November Riots

The government has confirmed that an amount of SBD$125 million has been allocated to assist businesses affected by the 2021 November riots.
The Commission will produce the final register of electors for both provinces by 30 October 2022.

Registration of Voters in Western and Choiseul Provinces Nears Completion

Registration of voters currently undertaken in and for the provinces of Western and Choiseul is nearing its completion.
“What belongs to the people of my constituency must be given to them at all costs because this is not my money,” Hon. Auga expressed.

SBD$5M Worth of Projects Shipped to Lau/Mbaelelea

A total of SBD$5 million worth of projects funded under the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) programme of the government were shipped to Lau/Mbaelelea Constituency by their Member of Parliament and Minister for Agriculture Hon. Augustine Auga last week Friday.
Speaking on Tuesday, Marape reassured Papua New Guinea that his party was “not for one region, not for one family, not for one person” but “belongs to this country”.

Sogavare Congratulates Marape On His Re-election As PNG Prime Minister

Prime Minister Hon. Manasseh Sogavare formally congratulates Hon. James Marape on his resounding victory in being elected unopposed as the ninth Prime Minister of the Independent State of Papua New Guinea.
“From feedbacks we received during recent consultations, many ordinary people who do not understand the legal processes said they were misled to believe the assumptions that this proposal is unconstitutional, which, is incorrect and disturbing to our ordinary folks,” Kabui said.

Kabui Says Misinformation Dominates Discussions on Deferral of Elections

Ongoing misinformation by anti-government groups and individuals on the proposed one-off deferral of the 2023 election have effectively confused and disturbed ordinary citizens, especially, those in rural areas.
The Opposition Leader is encouraging Solomon Islanders to come forward and express their views at the bills and legislation committee, which will look at the bill before it is presented to Parliament.

Bill to Delay Elections Reportedly Submitted to Parliament

Leader of the Opposition Mathew Wale has taken to Twitter to confirm that the bill to delay elections has been submitted to Parliament.
(From L) Solomon Islands Police Maritime patrol boat Taro, the U.S. Navy's littoral combat ship Oakland and Japan's Maritime Self-Defense Force destroyer Kirisame engage in a joint drill on Aug. 8, 2022, in the South Pacific.

Japan, US and Solomon Islands Conduct Joint Drill

Japan's Maritime Self-Defense Force (MSDF) said Tuesday it has conducted its first joint drill with Solomon Islands maritime police. They were also joined by the U.S. Navy's littoral combat ship Oakland.
The Opposition Leader said the G80 is a historical event not only for our visiting friends but also because of its significant history attached to our people.

Wale Slams PM’s Absence at the 80th Anniversary of the Battle of Guadalcanal

Leader of Opposition Hon Matthew Wale has discredited the reasons given for the Prime Minister’s absence during the commemoration of the 80th Anniversary of the Battle of Guadalcanal (G80).
A local attacked and stabbed a Japanese military personnel during a Guadalcanal battle commemoration service on Monday.

Guadalcanal Battle Commemoration Marred by Stabbing of Japanese Military Man

The 80th Guadalcanal battle commemoration was marred by the stabbing of a Japanese military man at the bloody ride, East Honiara.
“A permanent US presence in the Solomon Islands will strengthen relations between the United States and Solomon Islands, and augurs well for the bilateral partnership going forward,” acknowledged the PM.

PM Raises Several Development Issues with Visiting US Deputy Secretary of State

Prime Minister Hon. Manasseh Sogavare received a US Government delegation on Sunday led by the Deputy Secretary of State, Wendy Sherman.
Makoto Oniki, Japan's state minister of defense and U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman attend a ceremony to mark the 80th anniversary of the World War II Battle of Guadalcanal in Honiara, the capital of Solomon Islands, on Sunday

Japan and U.S. Vow to Enhance Ties with Solomon Islands Amid China Clout

Senior government and military officials from Japan and the United States on Sunday vowed to strengthen cooperation with the Solomon Islands amid increasing Chinese influence, as they gathered in the capital Honiara to mark the 80th anniversary of the World War II Battle of Guadalcanal.
US Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman sought to reiterate the US's intention of consolidating ties with Pacific island nations.

Boosting US-Pacific Ties a Priority, says Top US diplomat During WWII Memorial Visit

Strengthening ties with the Pacific is a priority for the Biden administration, says a top US diplomat, while warning the region faces a struggle from countries that seek to coerce and pressure the Pacific Islands family.
Alebua served as the country’s third Prime Minister from December 1986 to March 1989.

Former Prime Minister Ezekiel Alebua Dies

Former Solomon Islands Prime Minister and Guadalcanal Province Premier, Rt. Hon. Ezekiel Alebua, passed away last night, Sunday, 7th August 2022 at 10:26pm at Haimatua, his home village on the Weather Coast of Guadalcanal.
The Opposition Leader said Inland Revenue has been understaffed for too long, a matter government must give serious attention to.

Wale Raises Serious Concerns Over Tax Evasion and Non-Compliance Issues

Opposition Leader Hon Matthew Wale has raised serious concerns over non-compliance and tax evasion in our country’s economy.
“This will hijack well entrenched principles of law on defamation and freedom of speech thus depriving the public using SIBC to freely express their views, or accessing information on government activities,”

Wale Lashes Out at PMs Decision to Control SIBC

The Opposition Leader Hon Matthew Wale has lashed out at the Prime Minister’s decision to remove the Solomon Islands Broadcasting Corporation (SIBC) as a State Owned Enterprise (SOE).
The government recently removed the national broadcaster as an SOE, citing lack of ethics and professionalism in how it disseminates information.

War on Media Freedom Misguided: PMO

The Prime Minister's office (PMO) has accused local media of being involved in a “War on media Freedom” that is misguided, unethical and simply unprofessional.

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