How can we truly help persons living with disability? Stronger implementation of inclusive policies, Fa’asala says

BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

Solomon Islands needs real and stronger implementation of inclusive policies for persons with disability.

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Disabled Peoples’ Association of Solomon Islands (DPASI), Casper Joseph Fa’asala said talking about policy commitments means little unless they are translated into real programmes that benefit people with disabilities.

Mr Fa’asala is representing Solomon Islands at the 2026 Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) Week hosted by the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat.

Speaking during the conference, Mr Fa’asala said while gender equality and social inclusion have become key priorities for policymakers in Solomon Islands, the real challenge lies in implementation.

“In a country like Solomon Islands, gender equality and social inclusion can sometimes sound like a magic word for policymakers to ensure their policies are more inclusive.

“But the challenge is implementation, where are the mechanisms, and how do we translate those policies into tangible activities and programmes, especially for persons with disabilities?”

He said heavy emphasis on policy development alone does not guarantee meaningful change.

“When you put a lot of emphasis on policy development, it may not mean anything for people with disabilities unless those policies are transformed into real programmes and activities that meet their needs and aspirations,” he said.

The Disabled Peoples’ Association of Solomon Islands, established in 2003 and based in Honiara, is the peak national non-profit, self-help organisation that advocates for the rights of persons with disabilities through provincial self-help groups across the country.

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10-yo Zeenia Choko shares her passion for tennis

BY TONY IROGA

Ten-year-old Zeenia Choko from Western and Malaita provinces is taking on the road to become a tennis champion in the future.

Ms Choko says this is doable with commitment and determination, and with the help and support of the Solomon Islands Tennis Federation (SITF).

Island Sun met up with the tennis enthusiast during her training session at the national tennis grounds in East Honiara yesterday.

“This year is my first time to register and become a member with Solomon Islands Tennis Federation,” Choko shares with a bright smile.

“I knew nothing about tennis but luckily it was the spirit of sport that comes every day in my mind to come and join the federation training. I use to come in training after class at 3pm in the afternoon.

“I usually play and train tennis in the orange ball category,” she said.

She shared that at first it was not easy especially with training. But, not long into the routine of training and learning new skills of the sport, she began to enjoy and just could not get enough of the sport.

Diving into the sport, she said tennis has its fun and enjoyment side, then it also has its physical and health side.

“Tennis exercises the whole body and gets you healthy and fit.

“It is also a mind-game that you have to mentally calculate, like the force with which you hit the ball, the estimated location you want the ball to go, anticipating your opponent’s next move, etc,” Choco said.

She dreams of becoming one of the country’s top tennis players in the future and is optimistic of going overseas with the local tennis squad.

“There is also the money side. Once you become good enough, you can earn money by turning semi or outright pro,” she smiles.

Choco encourages other children to come and play tennis and said that membership registration and instalment fees are only $400.

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By RODRICK DESURI 

Auki 

A one-week training workshop on Management Information Systems (MIS) for SIART young professionals is underway in Auki, Malaita Province. 

The workshop aims to provide broader knowledge on how to enter data into the system and tips that farmers need to know when selling products. 

One of the SIART young professionals, Ruth Mae said the training workshop helped them a lot by providing essential knowledge to train and share with rural farmers on how they can price their products. 

She said the information shared during the workshop was important, especially for cocoa, coconut and pig farmers. 

“Yes, this information is very important as it helps us gain knowledge. When we go into the field, we can share it with rural farmers in our communities.

“This is very important for our rural farmers to know when selling their products,” she said.

She provided a simple example – when coconut farmers buy one $1 per nut, after drying, they sell at $8 per kilogramme.

She said that a total of 18 SIART young professionals are attending the workshop, which includes 15 officers from Auki and three from Honiara.

The training workshop also includes a field trip for the young professionals.

The workshop started on Wednesday, February 11 at the Bahai Centre in Auki and will end Wednesday next week, Feb 18.

Photo: Ruth Mae

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BY JUNELYN KELLY

The return of Rollen Seleso, Member of Parliament for South Guadalcanal to the Ministry of Provincial Government and Institutional Strengthening (MPGIS) has been hailed as ‘timely’.

He was sworn in on Tuesday this week.

Seleso had held the portfolio during the last government, DCGA, up until May 2024 under the current government, GNUT.

Speaking to the paper on Tuesday this week, former Deputy Mayor, Jim Sevesi welcomed Minister Seleso’s return.

He said Seleso resuming the MPGIS portfolio comes at a critical juncture as government is signalling its intension to review the existing Provincial Government Act.

He said this review is anticipated to spark considerable debate and generate diverse perspectives on the future of provincial administration.

Sevesi believes that Seleso with his extensive knowledge and experience in the provincial government system will ensure that any reform will be done under careful consideration, with particular emphasis on the interest of landowners.

With regards to the Rennell and Bellona province, Sevesi said a consensus has been reached, announced by the province’s premier at a meeting with East Rennell landowners earlier this year, which welcomed re-examination of the Act.

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BY BEN BILUA
Gizo

SAINT Luke Anglican Church in Gizo, Western Province acknowledges continued support from the Provincial Member for Ward 11 following the latest donation towards its development projects.

Yesterday, officials from the Ward 11 Development Committee formally handed over bags of cement, pipes and other building materials to assist with the ongoing construction of the St Luke Church brothers’ household.

Speaking during the handover ceremony, Chairman of the Ward 11 Development Committee, Henry Kuma said the committee was pleased to deliver the final phase of assistance to the church.

He said the committee has been working tirelessly to ensure development projects are fairly distributed among communities within the ward.

Kuma said Ward 11 comprises of 10 zones and projects are distributed among the zones.

He said his committee has already delivered three other assistances totalling more than $30,000, and his committee looks forward to continue working with the St Luke Church Committee.

“I, on behalf of the Provincial Member for Ward 11, Honourable Erebati Tapuia, am pleased to deliver this final assistance towards the church.

“Ward 11 Development Committee is happy to be part of the church’s development,” Kuma said.

Finance Officer of the Ward 11 Development Committee, Wryne Lingasasa, said that the ward development allocations are limited, making distribution challenging.

She said St Luke Church is among community-based organisations that have been fortunate to receive support from the ward despite the constraints.

Mrs Lingasasa said the committee is currently working on a new budget line for the 2026/2027 projects.

“I’m happy to announce that our committee has endorsed the application of the St Luke Women Group. We will continue to work together to deliver the projects,” she said.

Chairman of the St Luke Anglican Church Council, Moffat Fugui said the donation has a significant impact on the church’s household project.

He said construction of the brothers’ household has been progressing well, thanks to the support from Ward 11 and other partners.

Fugui expressed gratitude to the MPA for Ward 11 and the development committee for their continued assistance.

“On behalf of the parish priest, the chairlady of the St Luke Vestry Committee and all St Luke parishioners, I thank the MPA for Ward 11 and the hardworking Ward Development Committee members for the support.

“This partnership reflects the shared efforts of St Luke Church and Ward 11 towards building a better community,” he said.

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BY NED GAGAHE

The Chinese community, the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China and the Solomon Islands Government yesterday celebrated the Chinese New Year at the Mendana Hotel in Honiara.

Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele graced the event accompanied by Cabinet Ministers, members of Parliament and senior government officials, reaffirming Solomon Islands’ growing partnership with the People’s Republic of China (PRC).

In his remarks, Prime Minister Manele extended warm Lunar New Year greetings to President Xi Jinping, the Government and the people of China, wishing them prosperity in the Year of the Horse.

“Let the Year of the Horse bring new beginnings to all of us. And may it inspire all people to embrace strength, nurture connections and persevere in the New Year,” he said.

Reflecting on six years of diplomatic relations, the Prime Minister said that despite global challenges, the relationship between Solomon Islands and China has grown stronger, marked by deeper trust and cooperation.

He reaffirmed Solomon Islands’ recognition of the One China Principle, describing it as central to advancing infrastructure development, rural progress and broader socio-economic advancement.

“Please allow me to reiterate again that the country’s recognition of the One China Principle in our six-year relationship is a step towards realizing the goal of advanced infrastructural development and rural, social and economic advancement,” he said.

Prime Minister Manele also acknowledged China’s support in hosting the 2025 Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting, including the provision of vehicles to assist with logistics.

He also highlighted China as one of Solomon Islands’ largest trading partners, noting that zero tariffs on Solomon Islands products have boosted trade flows.

With Solomon Islands expected to graduate from its Least Developed Country status next year, the Prime Minister revealed discussions are underway to establish a Free Trade Agreement with China.

In the health sector, he pointed to the full operation of the China-Aid Comprehensive Medical Center Building, equipped with advanced technology including the country’s only large-scale digital subtraction angiography machine.

He also revealed that 141 telecommunications towers have been constructed nationwide, with more than 70 already connected to the national system.

Chinese Ambassador to Solomon Islands, Cai Weiming said the Spring Festival is the most important festival in China and a time to celebrate achievements and plan for the year ahead.

“As we bid farewell to the Year of the Snake and welcome the Year of the Horse, I wish everyone a smooth ride into greater success,” Ambassador Cai said.

He added that the past year marked the completion of China’s 14th Five-Year Plan, highlighting continued high-quality economic and social development.

The reception concluded with cultural performances and renewed commitments to strengthened bilateral ties.

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BY NED GAGAHE

Transparency Solomon Islands (TSI) says the continued absence of a Director-General at the Solomon Islands Independent Commission Against Corruption (SIICAC) is undermining the country’s fight against corruption.

Speaking at the launch of 2025 Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) on February 11, 2026, TSI Executive Officer, Ruth Liloqula urged authorities to urgently appoint a substantive head.

“First and foremost, we need to appoint the Director-General and not play around with the appointment because SIICAC is the flagship of the government in the fight against corruption.

“It being without a head is a big issue for us,” Liloqula said.

Her remarks follow Solomon Islands’ 2025 CPI score of 44 out of 100 — a one-point improvement from last year. TSI says the marginal increase reflects ongoing institutional weaknesses.

Liloqula said the leadership vacuum is affecting implementation of the National Anti-Corruption Strategy, a priority under the government’s 100-day programme.

“It was launched, but as of today nothing much is happening.

“They haven’t held any meeting. It’s all to do with the absence of a leader inside the flagship of the government to fight corruption,” she said.

SIICAC was established under the Anti-Corruption Act 2018 to investigate corruption offences and promote integrity in public institutions.

The commission remains without a substantive Director-General after the Judicial and Legal Service Commission (JLSC) rejected the recruitment panel’s recommended candidate.

Former Director-General John Kouni’s contract has since expired.

Lawyer and former Leadership Code Commission chairperson Solomon Kalu was recommended for the post, but the JLSC reportedly declined the appointment following concerns raised by the Attorney-General over compliance with the now-revoked “No Jab, No Job” policy.

Under the Constitution and the Anti-Corruption Act, the JLSC has final authority to approve or reject the appointment.

TSI says the prolonged vacancy is affecting anti-corruption initiatives and weakening public confidence in integrity institutions.

“By improving accountability and holding power to account — which is the responsibility of institutions of integrity — we can improve this,” Liloqula said.

TSI calls on authorities to prioritise the appointment to restore momentum in the fight against corruption.

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BY JUNELYN KELLY

The Solomon Islands Tertiary Education and Skills Authority (SITESA) released the provisional Solomon Islands Government (SIG) Scholarship list on Wednesday this week.

The list was published on SITESA’s website – www.sitesa.gov.sb.

SITESA labelled the publication as a ‘provisional list’ – meaning it is not the final one.

Categories published include:

– Combine Pre-Service with 725 awardees

– In-Service Public Service with 53 awardees

– In-Service Private with 133 awardees

911 awardees in total were published.

Categories not yet published include In-Service Teacher and In-Service Closed.

A total of 1,440 spaces were purported to be in the scholarship list that was endorsed by Education Minister Tozen Leokana on Thursday, February 5.

This means 529 names are still missing, or are yet to be published.

Following weeks of calls from public for the SIG scholarship list to be published, a ceremony was held on Feb 5 in which Education Minister Leokana officially endorsed; what was said to be the official list.

That list was never showed to media. However, Island Sun was told it had 1,440 spaces and was expected to be published the next day, Feb 6.

But it did not happen.

Six days later, on Feb 11, the incomplete provisional list was published.

SITESA has not come out with explanations for the delay in publication after the official endorsement of the list by the education minister.

SITESA has not explained the incomplete provisional list.

None of the officials at the scholarship office could be reached yesterday for comment. Island Sun is following up on the matter.

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