BY SAMIE WAIKORI

The Minister for Environment, Climate Change and Disaster Management, (MECDM) Trevor Manemahaga, has praised the Ministry of Culture and Tourism (MCT) for the recent growth in the tourism sector.

In the past weeks, the MCT in collaboration with private partners, has overseen the opening of several new accommodations, particularly in the Western, Central, and Guadalcanal provinces.

Ranging from lodges to hotels, these establishments are expected to boost tourism and reflect the government’s commitment to developing the sector.

Speaking at the official opening of Raiders Hotel in Tulagi, Central Islands Province last weekend, Manemahaga commended the MCT for advancing tourism and fostering partnerships with private investors.

He emphasized that expanding tourism investment and partnerships is a key policy priority for the GNUT government.

“Such partnerships are very important if we are to realise our national development goals,” Manemahaga said.

The minister added that tourism has the potential to create jobs, support local businesses, and stimulate economic activity across the country.

“Investments at the Raiders Hotel will help create opportunities for our people and contribute to the broader development of the Central province and Solomon Islands as a whole,” he said.

Manemahaga also congratulated the investors and owners of Raiders Hotel for their vision and commitment.

“Your decision, based on your time, resources, and confidence in our tourism sector, is truly commendable,” he said.

He urges all stakeholders to continue supporting tourism development, stressing that the sector provides long-term, sustainable benefits and through collective effort, we can unlock its full potential.

Photo credit: Samie Waikori

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BY ALICE T CAMPBELL

Honiara City Council (HCC) law enforcement officers participated in a three-day Community Policing Training, at the Multi-Purpose Hall in Honiara which started on Monday, March 16.

A statement from HHC said the training is facilitated by the New Zealand Police in partnership with the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF).

HCC said the training aims to strengthen officers’ knowledge and skills in community policing, with focus on building stronger cooperation and communication between authorities and societies in maintaining law and order within the country.

Chairman of the HCC Law Enforcement Division, Councillor Rolland Konai, expressed appreciation to the New Zealand Police and the RSIPF for facilitating the training and sharing their professional expertise with HCC officers.

He said HCC law enforcement officers are fortunate to have experienced facilitators, noting that their knowledge and dedication will help strengthen the officers’ ability to better serve the people of Honiara.

Photo: Supplied

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BY SAMIE WAIKORI

The Leader of the Parliamentary Opposition, Matthew Wale, is scheduled to host a public talk for staff and students of King George VI Senior Secondary School this Friday.

The event forms part of the opposition’s civic awareness program and aims to engage students and staff on key issues related to the roles of the opposition and parliamentary processes.

The talk will take place at the school’s Lecture Hall from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM, covering topics including:

• The constitutional role of the opposition in Parliament
• Key policies of the Solomon Islands Democratic Party, of which Matthew Wale is the party leader
• An overview of the parliamentary process
• How students can engage with the opposition office on national issues and matters affecting them

In addition to King George VI School, Matthew Wale will also visit White River Secondary School and the University of the South Pacific campus in Honiara.

According to the Opposition’s press secretary, Douglas Marau, the visits will allow the leader to learn about the concerns and challenges facing schools, including infrastructure, teacher welfare, administration, scholarships, and other areas critical to improving education as a national investment.

While the program provides students with the opportunity to learn about the opposition’s role in Parliament, it also allows the opposition to communicate its policy positions and incorporate feedback from schools into national discussions on education policy.

And one of the key objectives of the initiative is to ensure that concerns raised by schools are brought into broader national dialogue, shaping policies that enhance the quality of education across the country.

Photo: Supplied

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By RODRICK DESURI 

Auki 

The Malaita Provincial Assembly has started its debate on town subdivision, agricultural hubs, and infrastructure to create better connections among the people of the province yesterday.

This debate follows the Premier and Finance minister’s speeches on Monday.

The assembly meeting is focusing on the province’s plans, issues, challenges, and achievements. 

Provincial Permanent Secretary of Malaita Province, George Eric said the house based its debate on town subdivision, agricultural hubs, and infrastructure to create better connections among the people of the province.

He said that since Auki town has limited space, they are looking to develop of the Afio substation. 

“Since we have limited space to accommodate our economic activities in town, we are looking at the development of sub-stations like Afio in Small Malaita.

“This will support our rural communities in bringing their produce to markets, create opportunities, and connect our people to access better infrastructure,” he said.

He said this is a plan and they are looking closely at it to shift their focus to it, as it will help tackle the challenges faced in the province.

According to the statement of government business for this week, today (Wednesday 18), the assembly’s meeting today included the following;

1) First reading of the 2026/2027 original budget,

2) Second reading of the 2026/2027 original budget,

3) Committee of the Whole Assembly on the 2026/2027 original budget to commence and conclude,

4) Third reading of the 2026/2027 original budget, and

5) Motion of Adjournment.

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BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

The Member of Parliament (MP) for East Honiara, Morris To’iraena, urges constituents to follow the proper channels when raising concerns related to development issues.

He made the call while addressing chairmen and chairwomen during the East Honiara Constituency chairpersons’ zone workshop held in Honiara.

He said that matters relating to development projects must be communicated through respective constituency chairpersons.

“Chairs, you are the bridge for our constituents. Any issues relating to development must be channelled through you to the constituency office,” he said.

Mr To’iraena also encouraged chairpersons and constituency office staff to work collaboratively to effectively address the needs of the people.

“Constituents must understand the process. They should go through you rather than approaching the office directly to discuss their issues,” he added.

Meanwhile, Constituency Development Officer (CDO) Standley Araha echoed similar sentiments during the workshop.

Mr Araha said chairpersons representing the 150 zones in East Honiara must be familiar with the office’s consultation schedule to better inform constituents.

“This is very important as it helps avoid misunderstandings between the office and our people,” he said.

He explained that consultation times are scheduled to allow the office to manage other responsibilities during official working hours.

“We also need time to deal with other matters concerning the constituency. That is why consultation days are allocated for our constituents,” Mr Araha said.

Mr Araha calls on chairpersons to work closely with the constituency office to serve the best interests and address the pressing needs of the people.

Photo credit: John Houanihau

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BY MELVILLE TITIULU

The trial involving a man accused of sedition and unlawful assembly charges in connection to the November 2021 Honiara riot resumed at the Central Magistrate Court yesterday.

At the close of the prosecution’s case last week, Principal Magistrate Tearo Beneteti reminded the defence counsel of four options the defendant has to make out of the defence’s case, as provided under the criminal procedure code.

Defence yesterday opted for the defendant to make a dock statement (a statement made by defendant without being sworn) that will weigh on their evidence to trial.

The defendant was called to the witness stand and was asked by Principal Magistrate Beneteti to testify without taking oath as chosen.

The defence lawyer posed several open-ended questions for the defendant to make statements  relevant to disproving the elements of the two charges to which the defendant was charged with.

The defendant then testified in his own defence. Mr Konofilia presented to court his version of the sequence of events during the time in question, being November 21, 2021 between 9am to 12pm – the day the riot broke out.

The defendant at the witness stand, also took time to highlight his own credibility as a witness with view to potentially create doubt in the prosecution’s case.

Apart from the defendant testifying, three records of interviews between the police with the defendant will be added as evidence disclosures, where the defendants dock statements will weigh in on those evidences as a defence case.

In the meantime, the court directed that prosecution file its closing submissions on Monday, March 23, and that defence file their closing submissions before close of business on March, 30, and to serve a copy of the same to prosecution.

The matter was adjourned for Wednesday, April 1, at 1pm for closing submissions hearing, where the court will hear both the prosecution and defence closing submissions.

Bail was extended for Konofilia to April 1.

Konofilia, 49, faces two counts of charges.

Count 1, sedition contrary to section 3(1)(i) of the Sedition Act, and Count 2, taking part in unlawful assembly contrary to section 74 of the Penal Code.

The defendant pleaded not guilty to the two charges of sedition and taking part in unlawful assembly when he was rearraigned on Thursday, March 12.

The trial issues before court is whether or not the defendant was part of the group of men called the Malaita for Democracy (M4D) who travelled from Malaita on a ship and converged at Point Cruz, calling on the resignation of the then Prime Minister, Manasseh Sogavare, on November, 24, 2021.

And if so, whether or not that amounts to unlawful assembly.

Special Prosecuting Counsel, Ms Mary -Ann Zurenuoc from the Director of Public Prosecutions, appeared for the Crown, while Mrs Lilly Ramo from Just Lawyers represented Konofilia.

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