PM appears in loan hearing

SOLOMON Islands Prime Minister Solomon Mamaloni has appeared before the country’s Leadership Code Commission to give evidence on his connection with a proposed US$25O million loan from an Italian lending agency. Opposition Leader Andrew Nori had called on the Commission to investigate, saying arrangements for the loan did not have Parliament’s approval.

Independent Western Samoan parliamentarian Tupuola Sola Siaosi has joined the Opposition Samoa National Democratic Party (SNDP). He said his decision was influenced by an overwhelming support in his constituency for SNDP leader Tupua Tamasese Efi and his deputy, Vaai Kolone.

Former Fiji Labour Party general secretary Krishna Datt has taken over from Australian Richard Walsham as secretary-general of the Council of Pacific Teachers Organisations. He will be based in Suva. Datt was a teacher and was president of the Fiji Teachers’ Union, an Indian organisation, on two terms from 1974-77 and 1983-87. He was Finance Minister in the Coalition government ousted in a military coup in 1987. □