BY NED GAGAHE

Mbokonavera Community High School (CHS) in Central Honiara has officially opened a new two-story classroom building valued at $1,255,000 — a project fully funded by the school community.

Unlike many other schools that rely on donor partners or government assistance, the new facility was financed entirely through school fees and fundraising activities over the past three years.

The building was constructed by local firm, Waigo Construction. Construction began in mid-2023 and was completed this year.

The new facility includes four classrooms, a computer lab and three staff rooms, providing much-needed space for the growing student population.

School Principal Agnes Te’e said the achievement marks the fulfilment of one of the school’s key goals — improving access to education.

“Today Mbokonavera CHS has achieved one of its goals and that is providing access for students in this school. This school accommodates students from everywhere across Solomon Islands,” Ms Te’e said.

She expressed heartfelt gratitude to parents, guardians and fee payers whose contributions made the project possible.

“This classroom building is not built from any other funds outside, but from school fees that have been paid for the past three years and also from class contribution fundraising done in previous years. Thank you, parents, for your good hands that built this beautiful classroom that we witness today,” she said.

The ceremony was attended by the guest of honour, Ellison Mane, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Honiara City Council Education Provider, along with principals from sister schools in Honiara, students and teachers.

Speaking during the ceremony, Mr Mane described the project as a powerful example of community ownership in education.

“Over a period of almost three years, this building was constructed through parental contribution. This is no small achievement. It reflects the deep values that parents and guardians place on education and their willingness to invest financially, physically and emotionally in the future of their children,” he said.

He commends the parents of Mbokonavera CHS for their perseverance, unity and vision, adding that their efforts send a clear message that education is a shared responsibility.

Mr Mane also noted that Mbokonavera CHS has one of the highest enrolments in its primary sector under the Honiara City Council Education Provider.

The completion of the new building marks a significant milestone for the school as it continues its commitment to delivering quality education in Honiara.

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BY NED GAGAHE

Honiara City Council (HCC) has commended Mbokonavera Community High School (CHS) for its sacrifice and unity in delivering a new two-storey classroom building for the school.

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the HCC Education Provider, Ellison Mane, made the remarks yesterday during the official opening of the new facility in Central Honiara.

Mr Mane said the classroom block stands as a powerful example of what can be achieved when a community takes ownership of education.

He congratulated the school board, parents, teachers and the wider Mbokonavera community for working together to make the project a reality.

Mbokonavera CHS, which has one of the highest enrolments in its primary sector under the Honiara City Council Education Provider, continues to experience steady growth.

Mane said while the growth is encouraging, it also presents challenges — particularly the transition of students from primary to secondary education.

“Too often, our children complete primary school only to face limited opportunities for secondary placement. This new classroom building directly responds to that challenge,” he said.

According to Mr Mane, the facility will help ease enrolment pressure, expand access to secondary education and ensure that more students from the community can continue their learning without disruption.

“In doing so, it supports national and city education goals of equity, access and retention,” he added.

He reminds students that the new building represents the sacrifice made by their parents and the trust placed in them by the community.

“I encourage you to respect this facility, use it wisely and commit yourself to learning. Education is the most powerful tool you have to shape your future and contribute meaningfully to our nation,” he said.

Mane urges teachers and school leadership to maintain high standards of professionalism and create a safe and supportive learning environment.

“The success of our school is not measured only by buildings, but by the outcomes of its students and values,” he said.

He said that development does not always begin with large external funding, but often through local initiative, shared sacrifice and strong leadership.

“Mbokonavera Community High School has shown what is possible, and this example can inspire other schools across the city,” Mane said.

He concluded by officially declaring the new classroom building open, describing it as a symbol of unity, resilience and commitment to education.

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BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

A fish bottling and food safety training was held at Pipisu Community, Malaita Province yesterday, bringing together selected participants from villages within the catchment area.

The training was coordinated by fisheries officers Mathew Isihanua and Peter Chaniel Hanarurua.

Participants were community members from Ta’arutona village through to Nariekeara village in ward 24 in West Are’are constituency, Malaita province.

The initiative aims to introduce safe and improved procedures for fish processing and bottling, ensuring that local communities are equipped with necessary skills to maintain food safety standards while adding value to their fish products.

Community representatives have expressed their appreciation for the training, acknowledging Mathew Isihanua for introducing what they described as a new and safe processing method to the area.

They said the knowledge gained from the training will help improve food handling practices and create opportunities for income generation through properly processed and preserved fish products.

The program is expected to strengthen community capacity in fisheries management and promote safer food production practices across participating villages.

Photo: Supplied

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BY BEN BILUA
Noro

THE total cost of the Noro Road development stands at approximately USD14 million, equivalent to around SBD120 million.

Minister of Infrastructure and Development (MID), Ricky Fuo’o revealed this during the official handing over ceremony of the road yesterday.

He acknowledges the strong partnership between the Solomon Islands Government and the World Bank, which made the project a success.

Fuo’o said the road is more than just an infrastructure project, calling it a lifeline for the people.

“It connects children to school, farmers to markets, families to health services, businesses to broader markets and communities of Noro to opportunities for Western Province — especially Noro as a hub for fisheries, trade and tourism,” he said.

Fuo’o said the new road strengthens the foundation for economic growth and social wellbeing by reducing travel time, improving road safety and creating new pathways for prosperity and sustainable development.

He said the achievement reflects strong cooperation between the Western Provincial Government and the National Government.

“I assure you that the Government of National Unity and Transformation, through my ministry, will continue to support development initiatives in Western Province for the betterment of its people and our nation as a whole.

“My ministry remains committed to advancing infrastructure development in the provinces through continued donor partnerships and government funding in the years ahead,” Fuo’o said.

He also thanks communities for their patience and cooperation throughout the project’s implementation.

“To the communities, the road belongs to you. Your patience, cooperation and support have made this achievement possible.

“With this gift comes great responsibility. Let us work together to maintain and protect this infrastructure so that future generations may continue to benefit.

“Let us work together in protecting these important infrastructures from vandalism,” Fuo’o said.

He said the Noro Road Project reflects the government’s broader national vision of building infrastructure that is climate-resilient, environmentally sustainable and inclusive for all people — men, women and children throughout the islands.

“As we officially open the road today, may it stand as a symbol of progress, unity and hope. May it serve our people.

“It reminds us that when government, development partners and communities work together, we can achieve great things,” Fuo’o said.

In his speech, Premier of Western Province, Billy Veo acknowledged the government, donor partners and the contractors for the important gift.

He said the Noro Development project will go down in the history of Western Province as one of the huge milestones in its development.

“I’m glad that the national government together with the World Bank and the SIRAP 2 recognize this significant infrastructure.

“Development sector, tourism sector, the productive sector, agriculture, fisheries including other services sectors need to interact and collaborate more to identify common objectives, outputs outcomes and how we can leverage each other in achieving our collective goals,” Veo said.

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BY NED GAGAHE

The Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) to the Solomon Islands, His Excellency Cai Weiming, reaffirms China’s commitment to strengthen bilateral ties during a reception in Honiara marking the 2026 Chinese New Year on Thursday, February 12, 2025.

Speaking at the event, Ambassador Cai said China–Solomon Islands relations remain at the forefront of cooperation in the region, delivering outstanding achievements across trade, infrastructure, health, policing, and education.

“China continues to be Solomon Islands’ top trading partner. In 2025, bilateral trade reached approximately USD 600 million. Solomon Islands’ exports to China exceeded USD 330 million, resulting in a trade surplus of USD 68 million. Seaweed exports recorded a strong 34 per cent increase,” Ambassador Cai Weiming said.

He said several major infrastructure projects funded through Chinese government grants continue to deliver benefits to Solomon Islanders.

These include the Solomon Islands National Stadium, the Solomon Islands National University dormitory, and the National Referral Hospital Comprehensive Medical Centre.

“The Auki Road Project, also funded through a Chinese government grant, is progressing well and is expected to be completed by the end of the year. Once finished, it is anticipated to significantly improve connectivity within Malaita Province, boosting economic activity and creating new business opportunities,” he said.

Meanwhile, the National Broadband Network Project — the only initiative funded through a Chinese concessional loan — is steadily expanding nationwide.

“To date, 76 communication towers have been commissioned. When all 161 towers are completed by the end of the year, the project is expected to cover about 80 per cent of the population, enhancing digital connectivity and supporting the development of e-commerce, e-education, and e-health services.

“In the health sector, China has donated medical supplies worth millions of Solomon Islands dollars. Since the arrival of the Chinese Medical Team in 2022 under a China-Aid programme, the team has worked closely with local doctors, visited all provinces, and assisted more than 60,000 patients.

“In 2025, joint efforts between the Chinese Medical Team and local health professionals led to several historic medical breakthroughs in Solomon Islands. These include the country’s first minimally invasive coronary intervention therapy, first coronary stent implantation, and first laser procedures for the removal of bladder, ureteral, and renal stones — significantly reducing patient suffering and treatment costs while transferring new medical technologies to the country.

“China has also continued to provide police equipment worth tens of millions of Solomon Islands dollars. Earlier this year, two Police Fast Craft Boats were handed over to the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF). Since 2022, the Chinese Police Liaison Team has worked closely with the RSIPF to strengthen capacity building and operational performance,” he said.

Ambassador Weiming also described the strong performance of the RSIPF SWAT team at a recent international policing event in Dubai, as a confidence boost for the force.

At the provincial level, all provinces in Solomon Islands have now established friendly relations with counterparts in China. China has provided more than 260 full scholarships to Solomon Islands students and facilitated training programmes in China for over 1,200 Solomon Islanders across various sectors.

Ambassador Weiming said these achievements have strengthened Solomon Islands’ economic and social resilience, enabled the country to stand stronger on its own, and further deepens the bond between the two nations while laying the groundwork for expanded future cooperation.

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