BY ALICE T CAMPBELL

The Makira Ulawa provincial government (WUPG) has concluded ward development training throughout the province’s 20 wards.

A MUPG statement yesterday said the last training for wards 9 and 10 was held in Kirakira on Friday last week.

Speaking at the training, Provincial Secretary Christopher Waiwori said the training will improve the capacity and knowledge of ward development committees (WDC) on management and financial skills.

He said participants will put their knowledge into practice supporting good governance, transparency and accountability. 

Waiwori said WDCs act as conduits and the bridge that connects MUPG with people in each of the 20 wards of Makira Ulawa Province because they complement the roles and responsibilities of members of the Provincial Assembly. 

Waiwori said the trainings focus was on how to develop the annual work plan and a three-year rolling plan and basic finance procurement processes.

He added that the programme will also cover climate change resilient, adaptation mechanisms and gender and social inclusion – highlighting the importance of recognising the strengths that both men and women bring to improve community initiatives.

The MUPG provides grants yearly to each of the 20 wards.

For feedback, contact: [email protected]

Editor: [email protected]

BY NED GAGAHE

The Solomon Islands Government is working towards establishing a Free Trade Agreement with the People’s Republic of China as the country prepares to graduate from its Least Developed Country (LDC) status next year.

Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele revealed this during his address at the Chinese New Year reception in Honiara last Wednesday February 11, 2026 at Solomon Kitano Mendana Hotel.

The Prime Minister said China continues to remain one of Solomon Islands’ largest trading partners, highlighting Beijing’s implementation of zero tariffs on all Solomon Islands products entering the Chinese market.

“With Solomon Islands scheduled to graduate from the Least Developed Country status next year, we are now working to establish a free trade agreement with the People’s Republic of China,” he said.

Mr Manele said the move is part of broader efforts to strengthen economic cooperation and ensure smoother trade relations as the country transitions from its LDC status.

China’s zero-tariff arrangement has already eased market access for Solomon Islands exports, facilitating increased trade between the two countries. A free trade agreement will further formalise trade arrangements and potentially expand opportunities in key sectors such as fisheries, agriculture and forestry.

The Prime Minister said that economic cooperation between the two countries has grown significantly over the past six years, alongside partnerships in health, education, infrastructure, communications and rural development.

He described the bilateral relationship as being grounded in equality, mutual respect and mutual benefit.

Solomon Islands switched diplomatic recognition to China in 2019, and since then economic ties have expanded steadily, with China emerging as a major development and trading partner.

The proposed free trade agreement signals a new phase in economic engagement as Solomon Islands positions itself for a post-LDC future.

For feedback, contact: [email protected]

Editor: [email protected]

BY NED GAGAHE

Public are invited to have a say towards the dangerous drugs (amendment) bill 2025.

The Bills and Legislation Committee (BLC) of the National Parliament of Solomon Islands is inviting members of the public, civil society groups and organisations to make written submissions on the Dangerous Drugs (Amendment) Bill 2025 currently before Parliament.

Chairman of the Committee, John Maneniaru said the Committee is seeking views, knowledge and experiences from individuals and stakeholders as part of its inquiry into the proposed legislation.

“The Committee hopes to collect these submissions as evidence for its inquiry and to assist in reporting back to Parliament,” Mr Maneniaru said.

The closing date for submissions is 4.30pm today, Tuesday, February 17.

The Committee will commence its inquiry today.

Electronic copies of the Bill are available through the Committee Secretariat via email or can be accessed on the Parliament website at: https://parliament.gov.sb/business/bills/

Written submissions should be addressed to: The Chairman Bills and Legislation Committee National Parliament of Solomon Islands

For further information regarding the inquiry or assistance in making a submission, members of the public can contact the Committee Secretariat via email or by phone on 24164 or 24323.

The Committee encourages broad public participation to ensure the views of citizens are considered during deliberations on the proposed amendments.

Maneniaru reaffirmed the Committee’s commitment to an inclusive and transparent consultation process as Parliament continues its legislative work.

For feedback, contact: [email protected]

Editor: [email protected]

BY IRWIN ANGIKI

When two government ministers were kicked out of their portfolios last week, government said it was for national interest. But, it seems government is not telling the truth.

The underlying reasons are personal interests of certain powerful government ministers and MPs which are linked to sufferance wharves, tax exemption, miners and Asian business interests.

Furthermore, Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele acted to preserve his top seat, Government ministers speaking to Island Sun on condition of anonymity last week, said.

“PM Manele was threatened he would be removed if he did not remove Polycarp Paea and John Tuhaika Jnr at the outset of the realignment plan,” the government sources said.

And, more ministerial changes are to be expected since key ministries are being eyed by these powerful MPs within the Ownership, Unity, Responsibility (OUR) Party. And, these key ministries are being held by MPs from the People First Party (PFP).

PM Manele denied these reports when sought by Island Sun for comments last week.

The imbalance of power

OUR Party is the largest party in the GNUT grand coalition. It has 25 members. PFP has 12.

Before February 10, 2026, both parties had 11 ministers each.

OUR Party deemed this unfair – since it was the biggest party it deserved to have the most ministers in GNUT.

With the Feb 10 reshuffle, OUR Party now has 13 ministers, PFP with nine.

Realignment for national interest?

On Tuesday, Feb 10, Paea and Tuhaika Jnr were removed from their portfolios to the back bench as government swore in three new ministers.

The Office of the Prime Minister explained in a statement that the reshuffles were necessary to bring balance of power to the parties in the Government for National Unity and Transformation (GNUT).

Government called this move a ‘realignment’ which ensured “Cabinet responsibilities fairly reflect the makeup of the Government for National Unity and Transformation (GNUT), giving due consideration to party representation and strengthening coordination for effective delivery of the 2026 programme of work”.

“As we move into full implementation of the 2026 Budget, it is important that ministerial portfolios are aligned to support strong coordination and clear leadership across key sectors.

“These adjustments strengthen our collective capacity to deliver on the commitments we have made to our people,” PM Manele was quoted in the statement by the PM Press Secretariat.

However, government sources told Island Sun this is not true, and that the real reason for Mr Tuhaika Jnr and Mr Paea’s removal was based on personal interests of certain powerful cabinet ministers and MPs.

“The removal was never about performance. Actually, these two former ministers (Paea and Tuhaika Jnr) were among the highest performing GNUT ministers,” the government ministers said.

“All the young ministers are performing exceptionally well in their portfolios and moving development and policy implementation fast.

“The ‘realignment’ narrative is just a ruse to cover up the real reason for the removal of Paea and Tuhaika Jnr and others to come,” the ministers said.

Sufferance wharves, exemption duties, miners and loggers

Paea and Tuhaika Jnr were removed because they were ‘vocal’ in Cabinet and Caucus meetings against matters which were of personal interest. Paea and Tuhaika Jnr have not responded to enquiries sent them for comments.

Certain influential government ministers and MPs promote and push for ‘outside interests’ in cabinet.

Top of the list is the issue of Sufferance wharves, which Cabinet voted to close on January 6 this year.

Other issues not of national interest which Tuhaika Jnr and Paea were vocal against in cabinet include duties and tax exemption which some ministers and MPs were abusing and selling, and interests of miners, loggers and Asian businesses, the government sources said.

Three key figures reportedly promoting personal interests are Minister of Police (MPNSCS) and MP for Gizo/Kolombangara Jimson Tanangada, Minister of Fisheries (MFMR) and MP for East Guadalcanal Bradley Tovosia and Chairman of Caucus and MP for West Honiara Namson Tran, the government sources told Island Sun.

Mr Tanangada and Mr Tovosia have denied the reports. Mr Tran has declined to comment.

The trio are referred to among the government circle as the ‘3T’.

The 3T were not happy when cabinet turned against them and voted to close the sufferance wharves and blamed Paea and Tuhaika Jnr, the government ministers told Island Sun.

Not all OUR Party supported the sufferance wharves issue, the government sources said.

But, under the banner of realignment, an agenda shared by most OUR Party members, the 3T pressured PM Manele to start with Paea and Tuhaika Jnr.

‘Not true, fabricated lies’

Prime Minister Manele told Island Sun last week when sought for comments that the reports were ‘Not true’ and were ‘fabricated lies’.

“That is not true as far as I know. Fabricated lies,” Manele said.

Tran declined to comment when sought through his CDO, Brian Taupiri.

Tovosia shrugged off the reports, saying:

“If it’s a Government decision, that’s it. Nothing personal. Not even for [sufferance wharves],” Tovosia told Island Sun.

OUR Party President, Tanangada outright denied the report.

“I categorically deny all the allegations against me.

“As Party President, my primary duty is to render the Party full support to Hon PM as our Political Party Wing Leader. There is no threat against the Hon PM, rather absolute support.

“Appointment, reshuffling or removal of Ministers are under the power of Hon PM. He is mandated to deal with Ministers including me. As a Minister, I have no personal issues against any one of my colleague Minister from our coalition parties Kadere, PFP and OUR parties. We work well with each other and enjoy good working relationship as elected leaders in GNUT.

“I have no issues with sufferance wharf and miners. As the Minister for Police, National Security and Correctional Services, I have always been critical about operation of any facilities that can possibly compromise national security,” Tanangada said.

More reshuffles ahead?

More reshuffles are expected since key ministries eyed by OUR Party are not yet taken, government sources said.

These key ministries include – Mines and Energy (MMERE), Finance (MoFT), Commerce (MCILI) and Infrastructure (MID).

A week before Feb 10, sources close to government had told Island Sun, on condition of anonymity, that a string of replacements and reshuffles were to take place.

The first three were to test the waters, the sources said.

PM Manele told Island Sun last week after the swearing in of the new ministers on Feb 10 that “There will be no more reshuffles for the timebeing”.

Stability assured for GNUT?

PM Manele has said the realignment exercise was made amicably, thus was some sort of assurance of stability for the GNUT coalition.

“I made the decision after consultation with Party Leaders in the coalition, with the objective of ensuring that there is a fair and balanced distribution of cabinet portfolios among the coalition parties in GNUT,” Manele told Island Sun last week.

However, political pundits close to PFP said there is unease among the party.

“The members are not happy over GNUT’s realignment exercise because it is a policy which is culling PFP.

“At the same time, PFP members are not happy with their leader who they say is weak and not standing up for them.”

PFP party leader Fredrick Kologeto, MP for South Vella la Vella and Deputy Prime Minister, has not responded to enquiries sent to him by Island Sun for comments.

For feedback, contact: [email protected]

Editor: [email protected]

BY BEN BILUA
Gizo

INVESTIGATION is continuing into a road accident that occurred in Noro last Friday night.

Noro Police have confirmed to Island Sun that they have received a report of the incident and have since launched an investigation.

According to reports, a vehicle believed to be a RAV4 struck a woman on Friday night. The circumstances leading up to the accident are still unclear.

The report further states that the woman was rushed to hospital with the assistance of bystanders who witnessed the incident.

Their swift response ensured the victim received immediate medical attention.

Police remain tight-lipped regarding further details when contacted by this paper, including the condition of the victim and whether any arrests have been made.

The accident occurred shortly after the official handing over of the newly upgraded Noro Road to Western Province and the people of Noro.

For feedback, contact: [email protected]

Editor: [email protected]

BY MELVILLE TITIULU

Auki Police in Malaita Province have arrested a 20-year-old male suspect for damaging a family home and making threats against his parents.

A statement from the RSIPF yesterday said the incident was reported by the suspect’s parents after he allegedly threatened to burn down their house and went on to damage the house.

“Police quickly responded to the report, arrested the suspect, and placed him in police custody,” the statement said.

Supervising Provincial Police Commander (PPC) Malaita Province Superintendent Michael Ramosaea said the suspect, who resides with his parents, allegedly damaged their home and other properties belonging to them.

“It was alleged that the suspect has a history of violent and hostile behavior towards his parents and members of the community and was heavily involved in marijuana use.”

Police records indicate that the suspect was previously apprehended by Auki Police for related matters.

“Given his previous records, the suspect will be remanded at the Auki Correctional Centre awaiting his court date,” the statement said.

PPC Ramosaea commended the parents for their courage in coming forward to formally report the matter and press charges, acknowledging that such decisions are often difficult for parents, even when the offense is serious.

“The community has previously experienced issues involving youths consuming liquor in public places, causing nuisances through abusive language, drunk and disorderly behavior, and engaging in one-on-one fights. We need to work together to deal with such issues,” the statement said.

The suspect was formally charged with malicious injury contrary to Section 326 of the Penal Code and an additional charge of intimidation contrary to Section 231 of the Penal Code.

For feedback, contact: [email protected]

Editor: [email protected]

BY BEN BILUA
Gizo

FOUR tourism operators in Western Province have been selected to attend the upcoming South Pacific Tourism Exchange Programme this year.

The selected operators are; Oravae Cottage, Imagination Island Resort, Agnes Gateway Lodge and Titiru Resort.

These operators will be supported under the Strongim Bisnis Solomon Islands programme to participate in the regional event.

Operators will attend series of events as part of the programme.

The program is hosted by the South Pacific Tourism Organisation (SPTO) and will bring together tourism stakeholders from across the Pacific region.

SPTO will host its 2026 SPTO Industry Day on March 24, 2026, at the Tanoa International Hotel in Nadi.

The Industry Day will focus on sustainability, digital marketing and the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in strengthening regional tourism.

The event will coincide with the 2026 South Pacific Tourism Exchange (SPTE), providing a valuable opportunity for networking with international buyers and tourism partners.

According to SPTO, the Industry Day will emphasise capacity building, AI integration and crisis management strategies for National Tourism Organisations (NTOs) and private sector partners.

Participation in the program is expected to provide the four Western Province operators with exposure to international markets, enhance their marketing strategies and strengthen their business resilience.

The inclusion of the Western-based operators highlights growing efforts to promote Solomon Islands tourism products on the regional and global stage.

For feedback, contact: [email protected]

Editor: [email protected]