BY NED GAGAHE

Transparency Solomon Islands (TSI) says the country must confront the hard truths about corruption if it is serious about building integrity in leadership and governance.

Speaking at the launch of the 2025 Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) yesterday, Chair of TSI, Rodney Kingmele said past scandals show corruption remains deeply rooted in the system.

“We cannot ignore the corruption scandals that have plagued our nation,” he said.

He pointed to the $10 million health procurement scandal in the past, police bribery in criminal investigations, the misuse of the Economic Stimulus Package, ongoing corruption in the logging and mining sectors as examples of corruption.

Kingmele also raised concern over weak oversight of constituency development funds, which he said continues to enable the misuse of public resources.

He adds that corruption has infected the country’s electoral process.

“Voters trade their votes for constituency development funds and grants. Candidates contest elections primarily to access these funds. Votes are sold and bought with cash,” he said.

He further claims that some politicians monetise elections using public funds and foreign money, creating an uneven playing field for candidates.

“Elections without integrity do not provide winners with legitimacy, losers with security, or the public with confidence.

“When there is no integrity in our electoral processes, there can be no integrity in political leadership, and therefore no genuine commitment to fighting corruption,” Kingmele said.

Kingmele said the CPI should serve as a call to action for all sectors of society.

He urges the GNUT-led government and development partners to provide adequate resources to the Solomon Islands Electoral Commission to ensure elections are managed professionally, impartially and transparently.

“Every minister, every member of parliament must demonstrate commitment to integrity,” he said.

To the business community, Kingmele describes the CPI as a critical risk assessment tool, saying a higher score signals stronger institutions and reduced corruption risks, making Solomon Islands more attractive to genuine investors.

“Refuse corrupt practices and demand transparency,” he urged.

He also calls on citizens to take responsibility.

“We are equally responsible. Stop voting for money and grants. Stop selling your votes. Stop accepting bribes from candidates, demand accountability.

“Corruption thrives in silence; we must speak out and refuse to accept that ‘this is just how things are done,” he said.

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Solomon Islands ranks 73/180 on global corruption index, TSI warns ‘we still have very weak institutions of integrity’

BY NED GAGAHE

Solomon Islands has been ranked 73rd out of 180 countries in Transparency International’s 2025 Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI), scoring 44 out of 100.

The latest report, launched yesterday, shows a one-point improvement from last year and a climb of three places in the global ranking.

Transparency Solomon Islands (TSI) Chair, Rodney Kingmele, described the release of the 2025 CPI as a critical moment for reflection, accountability and action.

“Our global ranking has improved to 73rd position out of 180 countries—moving up three places. While this represents movement in the right direction, we must be honest: a score of 44 out of 100 means we are still perceived as having significant corruption challenges that undermine our nation’s development,” he said.

The CPI is the world’s leading measure of perceived public sector corruption, ranking 180 countries on a scale from zero (highly corrupt) to 100 (very clean).

For Solomon Islands, the score is based on assessments from three sources examining issues ranging from bribery risks in business operations to political corruption at the highest levels.

The theme for the 2025 CPI is “The Integrity of Electoral Processes and Their Importance to the Integrity of Political Leadership”.

Kingmele said with the country now in the second year of the GNUT-led government and national elections only two years away, the theme should serve as a wake-up call.

“We must ask ourselves: what guarantees the integrity of our elections?”

“We cannot continue to blame only our representatives — we are equally responsible for where our country is today,” he said.

Within the Pacific region, Fiji scored 55, Vanuatu dropped to 47, and Papua New Guinea fell to 26. Mr Kingmele said Solomon Islands sits in the middle, meaning there are lessons to learn and responsibilities to uphold.

“The Corruption Perceptions Index shines a light on our challenges and illuminates our path forward. We are all responsible for bringing about integrity in our political government.

“Today’s launch is about our collective commitment to build a Solomon Islands where integrity matters, where elections are free from corruption, and where our votes truly count,” he said.

Kingmele said the question is not on whether we can improve but is on whether we courage and commitment to do what is necessary.

Meanwhile, TSI Executive Officer, Ruth Liloqula said the improvement was not significant.

“What it tells us is we still have very weak institutions of integrity that are unable to hold power to account,” Ms Liloqula said.

She added that the slight improvement was largely due to the continued efforts of the media and civil society in the fight against corruption.

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SINU Knights opens doors of floorball facility to other clubs to access and train in freely

BY RICHARD MENANOPO

The SINU Knights Floorball Club has opened its facilities for other clubs and players to have weekly training sessions in.

This offer sees free access for clubs and individual players without proper facilities to the Solomon Islands National University (SINU) Kukum Campus.

This initiative was announced in an update shared on the club’s official Facebook page on Tuesday, where the Knights management outlined plans to support wider participation and development of the sport.

“The management of the club wish to support other clubs as well for a common goal and that is to promote floorball and give opportunities to clubs for training or individuals who wish to come and improve their skills”, a statement from the SINU Knights club said.

According to the club, training sessions will run every Tuesday from 5pm to 7pm at the New China Hall building, Kukum Campus, starting February 10 and continuing through to the end of the 2026 floorball season.

The training facility will be made available free of charge, with players only required to bring their own water bottles, sportswear, shoes and floorball sticks.

“The invitation is open to both new and experienced players from all clubs, a move that will also contribute to the broader efforts of the Floorball Federation Solomon Islands to expand opportunities for training and improve playing standards across the country,” the statement from the Knights said.

SINU Knights is the university’s-based team comprising students from various academic faculties and is the first floorball side formed under the Solomon Islands National University banner to compete in the national Floorball Super League.

Photo: SINU Knights floorball club

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BY RODERICK DESURI

AUKI

Project validation for West Kwaio Constituency, Malaita Province, will take a month as constituency sub-committee members will need time to work, decide and make final arrangements.

MP Claudius Tei’ifi’s advisor, Walter Maesugea raised this during the sub-committee meeting on Monday, February 9, at Buma, West Kwaio.

He said it is good that they have taken up work on the validation of the projects and selection because they are the ones who live in the communities.

Maesugea told those at the meeting that the list of project applicants will be handed in to the sub-committees next week.

He said following this, sub-committees will then do a final cut-off of who will receive funding and who will not, or re-level before resubmitting the paper work to the constituency office for final analysis by the Constituency Development Committee members.

“As you have discussed and agreed that the validation of the projects will be done by you, we will give you ample time to assign yourselves depending on your zones.

“The lists of the project proposals for each zone will be sent to you by next week. This means that as soon as you receive yours, try to work on it as early as possible and resubmit it to the constituency office by mid-March for final screening and analysis,” he said.

Member of Parliament for West Kwaio, Claudius Teiifi, apologised for the delay in implementation.

“I want to thank you and apologise for delaying our material shipment, as the issue is beyond the control of our office bearers.

“However, since I respect you, our shipment will depend on when you complete the validation process,” he said. 

In the meantime, constituency development officer, Bobby Siarani, expressed that through collective ideas and by working together, good things can be achieved.

He said the constituency office is looking forward to a close collaboration with everyone to deliver the needed projects.

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By RODRICK DESURI 

Auki 

The people of Kolofe One and Two, North Malaita, are happy and take pride in two top-class new bridges that reached completion last week.

These bridges will provide enhanced safety and transportation as well as access for business transactions between Auki and the villages along the Fouia–Auki main road; supporting trade, services, and economic growth in Malaita Province. 

On behalf of the people of Kolofe One and Two, Alfred Malakai who uses the road to and from Auki/Fouia said the completion of the two bridges marks a major infrastructure achievement for their region.

He said the bridges form a critical link connecting Fouia Head Road to Auki and will improve access between the provincial capital and the villages located along the main road.

“This bridge will make life easier, safer, and more connected for everyone who depends on it, especially during emergencies and bad weather.

“I am thankful to all those who contributed to and supported this important project for us,” he said.

He also extends his appreciation to everyone: the contractor, provincial and national government, and especially the aid donors.

“We extend our sincere appreciation to the Solomon Islands Government (SIG), World Bank, Egis/Azimuth Surveys, CCECC, and the Kolofe Community for their strong partnership and shared commitment to the success of these bridges,” he said.

In the meantime, Malakai said it is the community’s responsibility to now own, care for and protect the assets.

“It is now our collective responsibility to care for and protect these valuable assets and to take pride in the infrastructure that reflects quality, cooperation, and progress for Malaita Province,” he said.

In Malaita Province, four top-class bridges have been constructed under the Second Solomon Islands Rural and Aviation Project (SIRAP2) funded by the World Bank.

Photo: Leon Labuga

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BY BEN BILUA
Gizo

THE Speaker of the Western Provincial Assembly, Ramrakha Talasasa Jr, has confirmed that preparations for the upcoming Western Provincial Assembly meeting are in progress as planned, with the meeting scheduled to take place from March 16 to 20.

Speaking in an interview with Island Sun, he said the provincial administration has begun its preparations last week and will continue until all necessary processes are completed ahead of the meeting.

“Currently, the Provincial Administration is busy aligning and compiling documents for the next process, which is the Provincial Public Committee hearing.

“All Ward Development Committee leaders will participate in the consultations, with outcomes from the meeting forming part of the proposed budget allocations for each division and ward across the province,” Talasasa said.

He said the document will be submitted to the provincial executive before proceeding to the Provincial Public Accounts Committee for final scrutiny ahead of deliberations by the full Assembly.

“At the moment, our administrative officers are drawing up the skeleton of the whole process, from identification of services and development priorities to allocating funds for implementation.

“So, we are dealing with documentation at the moment. The next step is the money side of it,” Talasasa said.

He said the Western Provincial Administration and Members of the Provincial Assembly are looking forward to the important sitting, which is expected to determine key operational priorities for the province during the first quarter of 2026.

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