Page 5 - IB MAR 2019

Publisher’s Note

Managing Director / Publisher By Samisoni Pareti
Samisoni Pareti
Group Editor-in-Chief
Samisoni Pareti
Editorial Consultant Christian’s out, eyes on Hou
Samantha Magick

SO Peter Christian, who was until the 5
Design Consultant March elections President of the Federated
Dick Lee States of Micronesia, is now out of the
Main Correspondents presidential race after he failed to secure
his at-large Senate seat for Pohnpei state.
Fiji Anish Chand
He was beaten by a mere 59 votes by
Australia Nic Maclellan newcomer David Panuelo. Rick Houenipwela Enele Sopoaga Peter Christian
Cook Islands Helen Greig With the president and the vice presi- adviser someone who is just as capable,
dent to be elected from the four at-large long time Director General of the Pacific
Kiribati Taberannang Korauaba
Senators, Christian is out of contention Community (SPC,) Dr Jimmy Rodgers.
French Polynesia Nic Maclellan
and his hopes for a second and final term But as any observer of Melanesian
New Caledonia Nic Maclellan as FSM leader are now gone. politics will tell you, qualifications and
New Zealand Jason Brown The Island Times is reporting that Chris- competence are not the only criteria voters
tian was badly burnt by revelations that look for. It is always a special feature of
Niue Naea Michael Jackson
the FBI was investigating some members Solomon Island politics that a significant
Papua New Guinea Sam Vulum of his family for alleged bribery over some number of the sitting MPs will lose their
Patrick Matbob of the country’s engineering contracts, said seats in any general elections, making way
Samoa Taina Kami-Enoka to be worth US$7.8 million. The names for newer and independent candidates.
of his son in law and a son have been Just ask Gordon Darcy Lilo. A former
Solomon Islands Priestly Habru
implicated in the racket. Son-in-law Mas- Prime Minister and finance minister,
Tonga Iliesa Tora ter Halbert now faces money-laundering Lilo has been unable to win back his
Vanuatu Bob Makin charges. parliamentary seat in Solomons’ western
Elections for the new president will now province over the last two elections, the
take place in May. most recent being a by-election.
Islands Business is published monthly by With elections in this north-western
Front Page Limited Voters there go to the poll on 3 April,
Editorial & Advertising Offices Pacific nation completed, the focus moves then our election radar will shift further
10 Tower Street, south to Solomon Islands where incum- east where it is said a very nervous Enele
PO Box 12718, Suva, Fiji Islands. bent Rick Houenipwela is gunning for Sopoaga, the current Prime Minister of Tu-
Tel: +679 330 3108, 773 1118 another term as Prime Minister of this valu will also need to seek a fresh mandate
Melanesian island nation of some 611,000 from his electorate.
Emails people. As a long time governor of the
Editorial: editor@islandsbusiness.com
Subscriptions: subs@islandsbusiness.com country’s central bank, the Prime Minis-
Advertising: marketing@islandsbusiness.com ter is an astute economist and financial
manager. He has also recruited as his chief
Printing:
PrintHouse, Suva, Fiji.
FEATURE: NEW CALEDONIA’S NO VOTE PAGES 22-24 FJD $4.35
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