Politics Archive November 2020
34 articles
Philippines Flight Now Rescheduled to 9th December
The next flight from Manila, Philippines, is expected to arrive in Honiara on the 9th of December 2020. Secretary to Prime Minister, Dr. Jimmie Rodgers revealed this in the Oversight’s weekly talkback show.
Facebook Ban is an Attack on Human Rights: Civil Society
Civil Society Organisations in the Solomon Islands are utterly disappointed with the Cabinet’s decision to suspend the world’s biggest social networking site, Facebook.
Extending SoPE is Not the Only Answer: Wale
Leader of Opposition Hon. Matthew Wale says, the government has to accept that Covid-19 is going to be here for a while, and the country needs to adjust to it and return to normalcy, instead of relying on State of Public Emergencies (SoPE) to deal with the effects brought about by the global pandemic.
PM Announces Plans to Broaden Economic Base
Prime Minister Hon. Manasseh Sogavare has announced the Government’s 5 objectives under its redirection policy to sustain and grow an inclusive broad-based economy.
Governor General Extends State of Public Emergency
The Governor General, His Excellency, Sir David Vunagi has extended the State of Public Emergency (SOPE) last night for a further 4 months following the expiry of the country’s second SOPE on November 24.
State of Public Emergency Extended
The State of Public Emergency (SOPE) expires today.
Six Positive COVID-19 Cases, Flight to Philippines Cancelled
The second repatriation flight for students in the Philippines scheduled for tomorrow (24th November) has now been cancelled. Sogavare says this decision is made as six more students in the Philippines have tested positive for COVID-19.
Facebook Must Be Regulated Says PM
Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare says the use of the biggest social networking site in the world must be regulated in Solomon Islands.
ESP Updates to be Made Known this Week
Updates on the Economic Stimulus Package (ESP) will be made known this week by the ESP Committee.
Efona Wins Central Honiara
Alfred Efona has been declared the winner of the Central Honiara by election.
Police Calls on Voters to Accept Election Outcome
The Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) call on the people of Central Honiara and North East Guadalcanal Constituencies to accept the outcome of the By Election result.
Counting Resumed Today for Central Honiara
Counting of votes of for Central Honiara had recommenced 12pm today.
Ethel Vokia Wins North East Guadalcanal
Ethel Vokia has been declared the winner of the North East Guadalcanal by election.
Counting Resumes for 2020 By Election
Counting of votes for Central Honiara and North East Guadalcanal Constituencies had resumed this morning with Central Honiara having 9 batches to count and North East Guadalcanal 2 batches.
Police Secures Counting Venue After By-election
Officers of the Royal Solomon Island Police Force (RSIPF) are securing the RSIPF Conference Centre at Rove in Honiara, the venue for the counting of ballots from yesterday’s by-elections in North East Guadalcanal and Central Honiara, which started this morning.
Counting Begins for Central Honiara and North East Guadalcanal Constituencies
Counting for the Central Honiara and North East Guadalcanal elections will start this morning. Results for North East Guadalcanal should be known this evening, with Central Honiara sometime tomorrow.
Polling Day for Central Honiara and North East Guadalcanal
Today is polling day for Central Honiara and North East Guadalcanal constituencies. All the polling stations were open since 7am this morning and will close at 5pm.
Amnesty International: Planned Facebook Ban is Brazen Attack on Freedom of Expression
Amnesty International has responded to the Solomon Islands government’s plan to ban Facebook because of the posting of alleged abusive or defamatory comments against government ministers.
Public Holiday for North East Guadalcanal and Central Honiara Constituencies
Wednesday 18th November 2020 is a public Holiday for North East Guadalcanal and Central Honiara Constituencies. The two constituencies will go to the polls on that day to elect their new representative in Parliament.
Wale: When Will the List Be Published?
The Leader of Opposition, Hon. Matthew Wale, has called on the Permanent Secretary of Finance and Treasury, Mckinnie Dentana, to state when he will publish the list of Economic Stimulus Package (ESP) beneficiaries.
Solomon Islands Cabinet Passes Ban on Facebook
Cabinet has agreed to ban the world’s biggest social networking site, Facebook, in Solomon Islands.
Opposition Leader Urges Government to Publish ESP List
The Leader of Opposition Hon. Mathew Wale again calls on the Minister and Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Finance to publish the list of beneficiaries of the Economic Stimulus Package (ESP).
Security Strategy Marks Milestone in our Sovereignty: PM
Our two national security platforms have marked a new milestone in our nation’s sovereign security.
FPAS Wants to Address Gaps in Interagency Work
The Government’s Foreign Policy Advisory Secretariat (FPAS) within the office of the Prime Minister, together with other key line ministries have reached an agreement to address gaps within our existing systems that will boost economic growth.
Repatriation Plans Underway
Plans are now underway to repatriate students and citizens from regional tertiary institutions.
Three More COVID-19 Cases
Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare has confirmed that three more persons have tested positive for COVID-19.
Dentana Clarifies Payments Made to Public Officers
The leaked list of the recipients of the Economic Stimulus Package (ESP) included names of senior public officers - the public are now calling for an investigation into how the funds have been administered.
Wale Questions Stimulus Package Payment to North East Guadalcanal
Opposition Leader, Hon. Matthew Wale calls on the Minister of Finance and Permanent Secretary to explain why the government made an ESP Payment of $600,000 to North East Guadalcanal Constituency when the former MP, Lency Vokia left the seat after his election was declared null and void by the High Court, in February, 2020.
“No Police Protest,” Mangau Confirms
Commissioner of the Royal Solomon Island Police Force (RSIPF) Mostyn Mangau assures members of the public that there will be no protest by frontline officers over unpaid COVID-19 allowances as the Government is dealing with the issue.
"Sick and Depraved!": 23 Year Old Male Rapes 3 Year Old Girl
The Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) Sexual Assault Team in Honiara arrested and charged a 23-year-old man on 29 October for alleged sexual assault on a three-year-old girl in West Honiara on 20 October 2020.
Wale Questions High Risk Quarantine in the Heart of Honiara
The Leader of opposition office, Hon. Matthew Wale is questioning the decision by the Government to allow one high risk passenger to be quarantined with lower risk ones at the King Solomon hotel quarantine centre, right in the heart of the city.
Deregistered Businesses Receive COVID-19 Support
Several contractors providing services for the government are deregistered companies.
Media Prepares for the Upcoming By-elections
As campaigning for the Central Honiara and North East Guadalcanal constituencies shifts into high gear the media is also prepping itself for extended coverage on polling day.
Five New Cases of positive COVID-19
There are five new cases of COVID-19 registered in quarantine.
