BY NED GAGAHE

Around 70 female students from five schools in Honiara visited the new Naha Birthing and Urban Health Centre as part of activities to mark International Women’s Day 2026 on Friday last week.

The event aimed to inspire young girls to consider careers in the infrastructure sector while also introducing them to the services that will soon be provided at the new health facility.

The initiative highlights Australia’s ongoing support for creating pathways that encourage more women to participate in infrastructure-related professions in Solomon Islands.

Students who attended the program came from Naha Community High School, Panatina Community High School, Elia Community High School, Florence Young Community High School and Bua Valley Community High School.

The event included a panel discussion featuring women who have worked on infrastructure projects supported under the Solomon Islands Infrastructure Program (SIIP).

The discussion, titled “A Career in Infrastructure: Pathways, Opportunities and Challenges,” featured four female professionals involved in the construction of the Naha facility.

Panellists included Netanya Tolinao of Reeves Icon, Daisy Roddy, a leading hand in carpentry with Reeves Icon, Philippa Ramofafia, a former community liaison officer with Kramer, and Winnie Sulumae, a civil engineer with Kramer.

During the discussion, the speakers shared their professional journeys, the challenges they faced, and the opportunities available for women interested in infrastructure and construction careers.

Students also watched a video presentation highlighting stories of women who have worked on SIIP-supported infrastructure projects across Solomon Islands.

The session concluded with an interactive question-and-answer segment, allowing students to engage directly with the panellists about career opportunities in the sector.

The program also included a briefing on the new health facility by Honiara City Council (HCC) Health Director, Dr Lawrence Diau.

Counsellor for Infrastructure and Finance Development Operations at the Australian High Commission, Amy Sheridan, also delivered remarks highlighting Australia’s support for infrastructure development and gender inclusion initiatives in Solomon Islands.

Students and guests later toured the new Naha Birthing and Urban Health Centre, guided by women working on the construction site.

The tour marked the first opportunity for members of the media and community representatives to view the facility, which is currently under construction but nearing completion.

Once completed, the Naha Birthing and Urban Health Centre is expected to provide improved maternal and urban health services for communities in the Naha catchment area.

The work on the new Naha Birthing and Urban Health Centre is more than 90 percent complete and is expected to reach completion by the end of this month.

Photo credit: Ned Gagahe

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BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

Four communities in the Solomon Islands have received Disaster and Climate Risk Emergency Kits from Oxfam.

The recipients are Sukiki and Komuvaolu in Guadalcanal Province, and Buma and Ailau villages in Malaita Province.

These communities are part of the Oxfam Disaster READY Project, which also include eight additional communities in Central and Temotu provinces.

Sukiki and Komuvaolu received their kits between February 23–27 during a joint visit by Oxfam and the Solomon Islands Meteorological Service (SIMS).

Buma and Ailau received theirs from March 4–9, with representatives from the National Disability Forum Solomon Islands and the West Are’Are Rokotanikeni Association (WARA) participating in the visit.

This support is provided under the Disaster READY Project, funded by the Australian Government through the Australian Humanitarian Partnership (AHP).

The emergency kits are designed to help Village Disaster and Climate Risk Committees (VDCRCs) fulfill their roles in disaster preparedness and response.

During the handover ceremony in Sukiki, the VDCRC Chairman expressed gratitude to Oxfam for the support.

“The emergency kit is essential for the work our committee do in the community. We do not want our VDCRC to become inactive. We want to be proactive, and this kit will motivate us to continue our work,” he said.

The chairpersons of Buma and Ailau VDCRCs shared a similar sentiment, emphasising the importance of working together.

“Disaster is everyone’s responsibility,” he said.

As part of the project activities, communities also conducted simulation exercises and awareness sessions to highlight the importance of regular drills.

Sukiki carried out a full simulation exercise, while Komuvaolu, Buma, and Ailau completed tabletop exercises.

Community members showed strong interest and participation, expressing their desire for more exercises led by their VDCRCs in the future.

During the visits, the teams also facilitated reviews of community disaster plans and action plans, promoted disability inclusion in disaster risk reduction, and conducted further simulation exercises to strengthen local preparedness.

Photo: Supplied

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BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

Member of Parliament (MP) for East Honiara, Morris To’iraena, emphasised the importance of teamwork among constituency chairpersons and staff to effectively serve the people of East Honiara.

He made the remarks during the East Honiara Constituency Zone Chairpersons’ Workshop at Maranatha Hall Thursday last week.

The workshop brought together chairpersons in the constituency to share knowledge, develop skills, strengthen collaboration, and discuss development projects that address the needs of communities in East Honiara.

Speaking at the event, To’iraena urged members of the constituency office to work closely with chairpersons.

“I want to appeal to the team at the constituency office that you should work closely with the chairpersons,” he said.

To’iraena said the chairmen and chairwomen who attended the workshop represent more than 150 zones within the East Honiara Constituency.

He said through teamwork and a clear understanding of their respective roles, they can better serve their communities.

“Chairmen and chairladies, you are the backbone of our community structure. You are the link between the people on the ground and the leadership of our constituency,” he said.

He reminded the participants that their performance directly affects the success of the constituency.

“You represent your people. When you fail, we fail. When you are strong, we become stronger together. You are the channel between the community and the constituency office,” Mr To’iraena said.

He said the role of chairpersons includes mobilising communities, managing projects, and ensuring development initiatives reach the people.

“If a bridge in your area is damaged and you do not report it to the office, it means the work is not being done. We are here to serve our people,” he said.

Mr To’iraena said the workshop was organised to strengthen participants’ understanding of development programmes within the constituency.

“The knowledge and information shared today will help you better serve your zones and our people, ensuring that development initiatives are implemented responsibly and transparently,” he said.

Photo credit: John Houanihau

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BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

The Constituency Development Fund (CDF) is designed to support development and promote self-efficiency in communities, says George Barairamo, Deputy Secretary Technical at the Ministry of Rural Development (MRD).

Speaking during a workshop for East Honiara Constituency Zone Committee chairpersons at Maranatha Hall on Thursday last week, he said the CDF is a national programme implemented by MRD under the CDF Act 2023.

He said funds are distributed through two main components; grants and the Preferred Supplier Arrangement (PSA).

“These methods ensure that funds are allocated and utilised effectively to benefit constituencies,” he said.

Mr Barairamo told the attendees that the money does not belong to individual constituencies or Members of Parliament.

“The money belongs to the government and is allocated to improve the livelihoods of people in constituencies, including East Honiara,” he said.

He said the two main components of the CDF include the Solomon Islands Constituency Development Fund support provided by the Solomon Islands Government and the Rural Sustainable Programme.

Mr Barairamo said MRD is responsible in ensuring that the funds are used properly.

“As soon as the money is allocated to the constituency, we must ensure it is used according to its intended purposes,” he said.

He said that the CDF is strictly meant for development activities.

“It is not intended for other purposes such as buying bags of rice, paying compensation, or purchasing bride price. These are not development activities. CDF should support initiatives that transform livelihoods and provide sustainable benefits to communities,” he said.

Mr Barairamo said funds can be accessed by individuals, groups, or communities to support development initiatives that improve people’s lives.

“The purpose of CDF is to provide access to funding for people with special needs and to assist individuals, community groups, and organisations to participate in socio-economic development,” he said.

He said CDF also aims to address unemployment and support small-scale economic activities.

Mr Barairamo said that under the National Development Strategy (NDS), the CDF is aligned with medium-term development goals.

“To support small businesses and develop the rural economy so that there is cash flow in rural areas. This will help create employment opportunities,” he said.

He said CDF can also support construction of small infrastructures such as wharves, bridges, and roads to support community development.

Photo credit: John Houanihau

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BY ALICE T CAMPBELL

McCrystal Agricultural Services Pty Ltd, a sweet potato and sugar cane farm based in South Kolan, Queensland, has successfully wrapped up its two-day recruitment drive at the Solomon Islands National Institute of Sport in Honiara.

The farm, a key participant in the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility scheme, interviewed 75 candidates and plans to recruit 40 workers who will be mobilized in cohorts between May and December this year, a statement from the Labour Mobility Unit (LMU) said.

Director Russell McCrystal highlighted that beyond farm work, the company is committed to supporting employees through skills development and capacity building, ensuring long term benefits for workers and their families.

With workforce numbers set to grow, McCrystal Agricultural Services is also investing in infrastructure, including expanded accommodation facilities for employees, LMU said.

LMU under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs & External Trade acknowledged McCrystal Farm for choosing to recruit from the Solomon Islands and expressed optimism for continued collaboration in the future.

Photo credit: Labour Mobility Unit

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