OFFICE of the Auditor General (OAG) says government has inadequate control over the management of its resources.    In its 2019 report into the 2015 SIG National Accounts, a gross revelation was made by the report, pointing to lack of accountability and transparency in the financial affairs of the government.   It was reported that problems were so significant in many Ministries that the Auditor General was unable to form an opinion on the annual financial statements.   The AG receive d two sets of annual financial statements of the SIG for the year 2015 and has issued a disclaimer of opinion on the said financial statements.     The main issues the OAG highlighted were: Financial statements not comply with IPSAS cash mandatory part 1 Statement of receipts and payments disclosure incomplete Non consolidation of its controlled entities into the SIG financial statements Statement of comparison of budget and actual amount lack explan...

THE small island province of Temotu in the far eastern part of Solomon Islands is one of the nation’s most prone natural hazard areas. The tsunami in 2013 swamped through 20 villages With an estimated population of less than 25,000, Temotu often has its bouts of natural disasters. In 2015, tropical cyclone Pam left devastating effects on the tiny province where people were affected from damages to their fruit trees, food gardens and agricultural crops. People near the coast were evacuated. Then again in 2017, TC Donna in its wake and formation also impacted badly on the people of Temotu. Not to mention it was only seven years ago a tsunami claimed lives of more than 10 people, swamped more than 20 villages forcing the government to declare a state of emergency over the Santa Cruz Islands. Remains of household in Venga village after 2013 tsunami (Photo supplied) Their most recent bout of disaster was in January 2019 where bad weather caused people to face food shortag...

Christina in part of her plantation THE warmth with which Christina Tony greets you and her mounting excitement as she describes a typical day in her 20 years of being a farmer vendor in Honiara, the capital of Solomon Islands, belies the backbreaking work that’s the foundation of her entrepreneurial trajectory. The 44-year old was married by her 15 th birthday and realised very quickly that she needed an income to support her family. Christina chose to start at the market and has never looked back: today she owns a conference centre in her village of Arietakiki. “I had a dream that I must have a conference centre when we were at your (Markets for Change) training. When we have government departments or business people come here, they don’t have to sit under a tree – they hire my conference centre,” Christina said. Christina inside her conference center Christina who hosted more than 100 groups in 2018 was a 2016 beneficiary of financial literacy and agriculture...

A total of 83 government sponsored students in overseas institutions have had their scholarships terminated at the end of semester one 2019 for poor academic performance. 35 students were from USP Laucala campus, while 30 were from Fiji National University, 17 from institutions in Philippines and only one from PNG based institutions. From UNITECH/Auckland a government sponsored student was sent back because of visa issues. Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education and Human Resources Development said this is the lowest number compared to previous years. Dr. Franco Rodie said in previous years, between 100 to 200 students were often terminated at the end of each semester because of under-performance. He said MEHRD is pleased with the success rate of SIG sponsored students in semester one and they encouraged students to continue to study hard. Recently, a number of the students being sent home from institutions in Fiji were seen binge drinking on board a...

PERMANENT Secretary of the Ministry of Police, National Security and Correctional Services (MPNSCS), Ms. Karen Galokale has highlighted the value of the ongoing dialogue on border security management between Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea this week. Opening the 8 th SI-PNG Joint Border Committee (JBC) meeting Monday this week on the famous Kennedy Island in Gizo, Ms. Galokale said the 8 th JBC provides a vital opportunity for officials to discuss issues relating to the two countries security, bilateral relations and development partnership. She said the gathering in Gizo this week is not only a symbol of the two Governments’ mandate but a symbol of our desire to expand and express our two countries’ national interests in relation to border management . The meeting which is currently underway at Gizo Hotel followed on from the 7 th JBC held in Kokopo, East New Britain Province of Papua New Guinea in 2016. Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea shared a common maritim...

PREMIER of Western Province Hon. David Gina has called on the Solomon Islands-PNG Joint Border Committee (JBC) to prioritize reconciliation and reparation for border residents before any border management plans can meaningfully implemented. Premier Gina (Pic: Director, GCU) Premier Gina who was Chief Guest made the call at the start of the 8 th Joint Border Committee meeting in Gizo which formally began in Gizo, Western Province today (Wednesday 28 August). More than 40 officials from security agencies from both Solomon Islands and PNG are gathering in Gizo this week to review and discuss further improvements to existing agreements and arrangements relating to border management between the two countries. Premier Gina said the JBC is a bi-annual event that has now reached its 8 th gathering in Gizo this week but previous resolutions or outcomes were only made at the diplomatic or official level which makes his people wonder whether the implementation resolutions wo...

SOLOMON Islands and Papua New Guinea governments are having joint border talks in the western province. From Western Province, Director Government Communication Unit, Mr. George Herming said border issues between Solomon Islands government and PNG are in the interests of both countries. He said this was highlighted in the speech of the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Police, Correctional Service and National Security, Ms. Karen Galokale. (Audio) Director GCU, George Herming report from Gizo, Western Province