BY GEORGE MANFORD

AUKI

CONCERNED voters of the Aoke-Langalanga constituency in Malaita province, are calling on their member of parliament (MP) to visit them.

Speaking on their behalf, a Mr Jay Walelifu said their MP, Mr Matthew Wale, has not visited the constituency for more than three years.

“Your term in office almost over and your plans and visions for the constituency is not known to us where no visitations and meetings concerning the constituency’s development budget and plans.

“As far as I am concerned only the constituency development officer (CDO) sometimes visited the constituency but not our MP.

“We call on our MP to clarify to us the projects that he has promised to us agriculture farmers in Aoke Langalanga that is still yet to be carried out and implemented.

“We call on the MP to come down in the constituency and hold talks with his voters and the people of Aoke Langalanga about the future of the constituency.

“I believe for four years there are no visits made by the MP.

“We acknowledge Mathew Wale for a fine job through implementing fishery projects and housing schemes within the constituency.”

BY MAVIS NISHIMURA PODOKOLO

SOLOMON Islands has been affirmed to be a leading reformer in the Pacific region due to being actively seeking and implementing reforming initiatives.

Asian Development Bank (ADB) Head in SI Mr Amila Salgado announced this during his speech on the recent launching of the SI State Own Enterprises (SOE) website in Honiara.

He said the initiative was significantly supported by the Pacific Private Sector Development Initiative (PSDI) through its funds which Solomon Islands has received the largest share at around $4.8million.

Salgado said the SI government has also made important progress in placing its SOEs on a commercial footing since the enactment of the SOE Act in 2007.

He adds, the implementation of regulations supporting director selection and community services obligations has been instrumental in the dramatic improvement in SOE performances in recent years and the government is to be commended for these efforts.

By Gary Hatigeva

THE Russian delegation that arrived in the country on Monday has held thorough talks with the national government through relevant ministries in an attempt to gain support for its bid to host the World-Expo in 2025.

The group met with top government officials from the Ministry of Culture and Tourism Ministry and other relevant Ministries where discussions were centred on their proposition.

In an interview with the Permanent Secretary of the Tourism Ministry, Andrew Nihopara explained that the delegation headed by Russia’s Ambassador to Australia presented the candidacy of the city of Ekaterinburg to host the World Expo between May 2 and November 2, 2025.

The meeting heard that if earned the right to host, Russia has projected to set its main focus on the developing countries, under the theme “Changing the World: Inclusive Innovations for Our Children and Future Generations”.

The delegation also highlighted some of their objectives to promote and understand the markets and settings of anticipated participating countries.

With fast growing developments in the area of technology in the first world, Russia is also intending to look at how best they can best include the developing nations to fit in and interact with these various settings in the future.

The delegation was told that what’s highlighted in the meeting was a clear opportunity to expand the reach and market of the country’s tourism sector, however any decisions on it will depend very much on cabinet.

Nihopara said his ministry acknowledges the group’s presentation on their bid to host the expo, but clarified that no commitment of support was made at the meeting.

“Any decisions on this will rest entirely on cabinet to make, but yes, we do appreciate and acknowledge them for the presentation of their bid document, and we can only wish them luck in their submission,” the Permanent Secretary further explained.

It is understood that another group is also accompanying the New Zealand-based Russian Federation Ambassador Valery Tereschenko who held visits to the eastern Polynesian region.

Last week, a similar presentation of the candidacy of their city, Ekaterinburg was made to the Prime Minister of Samoa and his cabinet, by the Chief Executive Officer to be the host country for the global event of the Ekaterinburg Bid Committee who was part of a delegation of four officials presented their bid,.

The election for the host country will be made in June this year.

BY BARNABAS MANEBONA

There is now green light for the Media Association of Solomon Islands (MASI) after it was revealed that the Leadership Advisory Group (LAG) will look into the recent MASI standoff.

The standoff concerning MASI’s constitution came about after their Special General Meeting (SGM) that was held on Saturday February 17, 2018.

According to the President elect of MASI Mr Charles Kadamana speaking to Sam Seke of Radio Australia’s Tok Pisin Service, LAG will be meeting over the MASI constitutional issue raised by Island Sun and whatever outcome or decision will be from them.

In the interview, Kadamana said as MASI’s new president he is keen on helping media in Solomon Islands in the area of trainings for Journalists.

Since speaking to ABC and revealing the next step forward for MASI, Island Sun understands that LAG is still to receive formal notices or call from the current MASI executive to sort out the issue at hand.

Island Sun has spoken to a number of members from LAG who revealed that they have not yet heard from MASI Executive but only heard about the decision for them to step in through the news from ABC.