By RODRICK DESURI 

Auki 

The election registration process for the West Baegu/Fataleka ward 5 by-election is proceeding smoothly in Auki, Malaita Province.

Malaita Provincial Election Manager, Peter Herehura, during an interview yesterday said the process is going smoothly without any disturbance since the nomination period opened on February 18. 

“As of the day when the registration opened, which was on February 18, there have been no disturbances to the registration process.

“We are very happy and excited that this process is running smoothly and have not encountered anything that could disturb the registration process,” he said.

He said that one candidate has been registered and they are expecting more candidates to complete their registration this week and early next week.

“So far, one candidate has registered, and it would be best if others come early to complete their registration on time to avoid worry and last-minute registration.

“We are assuming that some candidates will come this week or early next week to complete their registration,” he said. 

Meanwhile, the official date for the close of the registration is March 4, while March 5 is the final day for checking the validity of nomination papers and the withdrawal of candidates, with the last day being March 6. 

The final day for the ballot paper draw will be on March 11.

For feedback, contact: [email protected]

Editor: [email protected]

BY SAMIE WAIKORI

The Member of Parliament for North Malaita Constituency, Daniel Waneoroa, has provided significant support to Walo Community High School, including building materials and a Starlink kit to enhance internet access.

The handover took place last Friday, as part of a series of ongoing community and institutional support efforts by MP Waneoroa throughout the constituency.

In a statement posted by William Abuinao, it was revealed that the support for Walo CHS included 100 bags of cement, additional materials for classroom improvements, and the Starlink kit.

This contribution aims to upgrade the school’s infrastructure and improve internet connectivity, which will benefit both students and teachers.

MP Waneoroa emphasized that this investment not only supports the current generation of students but will also benefit future generations who will study at the school.

During his visit, another significant milestone was achieved, with five tribal groups within the constituency signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the constituency office for the Kwaithafu Mini Hydro Project.

“MOU signed between the constituency office and five tribal groups in the constituency for the Kwaithafu Mini Hydro Project,” MP Waneoroa announced.

Additionally, MP Waneoroa confirmed that the constituency office has also provided emergency support for road maintenance.

“NMC also supported Exodus Company for emergency road maintenance due to the recent adverse weather conditions,” he said.

Other projects are also being handed over as MP Waneoroa and his team continue their work in the constituency.

For feedback, contact: [email protected]

Editor: [email protected]

BY SAMIE WAIKORI

The North Malaita Constituency (NMC), through its Member of Parliament (MP) Daniel Waneoroa, has delivered its contribution to Afufu Community High School under the Australia Community Partnership Grant Project.

On Monday this week, MP Waneoroa, along with the NMC team, handed over the support to the school.

The delivery included a range of items that aim to improve the school’s infrastructure and digital connectivity.

In a statement posted by Mr William Abuinao, the project is said to be a key part of NMC’s ongoing commitment to strengthen education in the constituency.

The support also underscores the constituency’s continued partnership with Afufu Community High School and the local community to enhance both learning facilities and access to digital resources.

The items delivered by MP Waneoroa to the school include:

• SBD $10,000 cash for labour costs
• 20 bags of cement
• 10 steel rods
• A Starlink kit for internet and communication

MP Waneoroa praised the school’s leadership and the project committee for their transparency and dedication in implementing the project.

He commended their efforts to ensure the generous support from the Australian government is utilized effectively for the benefit of both the students and the wider Afufu community.

The MP also expressed sincere appreciation to the Australian government for its continuous support towards community development in North Malaita.

He emphasized that such partnerships are crucial to improve education services and foster rural development across the constituency.

North Malaita constituency remains committed to working with development partners, local communities, and educational institutions to enhance education standards and infrastructure for future generations.

This project is expected to benefit over 150 households within the school catchment area in Ward Eight of the constituency.

For feedback, contact: [email protected]

Editor: [email protected]

BY NED GAGAHE

The vast and scattered geography of the Solomon Islands is creating growing vulnerabilities to drug trafficking, customs officials have warned, pointing to extensive marine borders, multiple entry points, and informal shipping networks as key risk factors.

Appearing before the Bills and Legislation Committee yesterday on the Dangerous Drugs Amendment Bill 2025, John Lagi, Supervising Comptroller of Solomon Islands Customs and Excise said the country’s physical layout presents unique border security challenges.

Mr Lagi told the committee that Solomon Islands dispersed islands and long coastline make monitoring and enforcement particularly complex.

Unlike countries with consolidated land borders, Solomon Islands consists of hundreds of islands spread across a vast maritime domain.

He said this creates numerous potential points of entry for illicit goods, including drugs.

Mr Lagi said that border control operations must cover not only major ports but also smaller provincial wharves and informal landing sites, stretching already limited resources.

The geographical spread, he said, makes comprehensive surveillance difficult and increases the risk of undetected trafficking activity.

Customs acknowledged that monitoring such a wide maritime area poses significant logistical challenges. Limited surveillance assets and personnel must cover expansive ocean territory, leaving potential gaps that criminal networks could exploit.

Lagi said that traffickers may take advantage of remote islands and lightly monitored coastal areas to move illicit substances through the country.

He said that strengthening maritime surveillance and improving intelligence coordination would be critical to addressing these vulnerabilities.

Another concern raised was the widespread use of small vessels and informal shipping networks for domestic and inter-island transport.

While these networks are vital for trade and community connectivity, he said they can also be exploited for illicit purposes due to minimal documentation requirements and irregular monitoring.

Mr Lagi said that transnational organised crime groups are increasingly using Pacific Island states as transit points for methamphetamine and cocaine shipments.

He said the proposed amendments to the drug law send a strong deterrent message but emphasised that enforcement efforts must take into account the country’s geographic realities.

If passed, the reforms are expected to strengthen border protection, Customs made clear that geography will remain one of Solomon Islands’ greatest security challenges.

For feedback, contact: [email protected]

Editor: [email protected]

BY LORETTA B MANELE

Acting Police Commissioner of the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) Mathias Lenialu said it is essential that the police are provided with the adequate powers to deal with drug offences.

He said this when RSIPF appeared before the Bills and Legislation Committee (BLC) hearing on the Dangerous Drugs (Amendment) Bill 2025 yesterday in parliament.

Speaking about methamphetamine, commonly known as meth entering the country, Lenialu said if they cannot catch the offenders, they cannot be fined.

He said in countries experiencing similar challenges such as Fiji, and Tonga, the criminal law contains additional offences.

“…. such as dealing with the prescription, chemicals and equipment used to manufacture drugs, and additional powers to investigate and detect drug networks through operations,” he said.

Lenialu said having such powers in place means that police will have the capacity to execute safe and evident drug busts, pointing out the recent drug bust in Fiji as an example.

“Having the right powers will also improve our capacity to work together with international partners,” he said.

The Acting Police Commissioner also spoke about how RSIPF resources will be impacted when they deal with the finding those responsible for bringing in Meth.

“There will not just be a cost for the individual. There may also be a cost in enforcing severe penalties for the Solomon Islands government.

“Since the fine for all offences in the meth roads is up to 15 million or life imprisonment, these offences cannot be dealt with in the magistrate’s court. See Magistrate’s Court Act Cap 2.0 and Section 2.7. This means that provincial police or correctional services may bear additional accommodation and food costs until court or on court circuit in that province,” he said.

Lenialu said if fines are imposed in minor cases but the offenders are unable to pay the fines, it is more likely that they will be imprisoned and as a result, the policing and correctional service portfolios may also have increasing costs for imprisonment.

For feedback, contact: [email protected]

Editor: [email protected]

By RODRICK DESURI 

Auki 

One candidate has registered to contest the West Baegu Ward by-election so far, with only eight days remaining before the close of the nomination period. 

The nomination period for the West Baegu election started on February 18 and will end on March 4. 

Election Manager of Malaita Province, Peter Herehura, said his officers are expecting other candidates who wish to register for the upcoming election to do so this week or next week. 

He said that the intending candidates should come early to complete their registration to avoid last-minute registration. 

“It could be better if the candidates could come early to do their registration to avoid registering at the last minute and missing the deadline for registration,” he said.

He said any candidates wishing to register to contest the seat must have all the required documents.

He also said the candidates must have three nominees, be registered in the West Baegu ward, be registered in the wards in Malaita Province, be over the age of 21, and pay a registration fee of $2,500.

The election day for West Baegu, ward 5, is April 15.

For feedback, contact: [email protected]

Editor: [email protected]