BY BEN BILUA
Gizo

MEMBER of the Provincial Government for Central Province, Michael Salini, has described the federal constitution process as the biggest scam the country has ever pursued.

Salini said successive governments have spent millions of dollars over many years on work towards a federal constitution, yet no tangible outcome has been achieved.

“Not only is it the most expensive, but it is also the longest constitutional process in the world,” he said.

Salini said the government still does not know what to do with the federal constitution process after more than 20 years of work and an estimated cost exceeding $100 millions.

“It is time the government makes a clear decision on whether to continue with it or stop it altogether.

This will help avoid further unnecessary costs and allow us to start looking at other available options,” he said.

Salini said provinces should not be kept in uncertainty for another 20 years over what he described as a failed process.

“It is enough now. We need to focus on developing the provinces where most of our people live, instead of allowing this scam to continue,” he said.

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BY SYLVANA TEKUMAHA

The Japanese Embassy of Solomon Islands has signed a grant contract of USD$106,604 to support the construction of Buruku Adventist primary school in Western Province.

Speaking during the signing ceremony on Thursday, Ambassador of Japanese Embassy to Solomon Islands HE Higuchi Keiichi said the grant will provide access to proper educational environment for students and staffs.

“Supporting young people in Solomon Islands is a priority for me, education plays an essential key role in the development of societies. Education gives a great deal of support and encouragement to everyone,” he said.

He said since Solomon Islands has a high proportion of young people, the embassy believes that by supporting this, it will also develop the country’s socio-economic sector while strengthening its bilateral ties with Japan.

Community representative, Patrick Masakolo expressed gratitude to the Japanese embassy for their support, saying it will have a lasting impact in the lives of the Buruku children.  

Over the years, the primary school has become a safe haven for the community during cyclone seasons, however over the years its condition has deteriorated.

“The worse fate of our school was in 2007 when an earth quake struck Western province. Since its foundation has already been broken, though we collaborated to maintaining it, it did not work,” Masakolo said.

Even so, with a visionary mind and an aspiration of the leaders to build new classrooms they continue to pursue it.

“In 2023, under the leadership of Maclean Jilini as the school principal, we put forth a initiative to seek funding from the Embassy of Japan because we believe it offers good prospects,” he said. 

The committee pledge to honour the gift by fostering excellence, nurturing citizens and ensuring that the project becomes a well spring of knowledge and innovation for years to come.

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Japan embassy assists Bobolo community in Malaita

BY SYLVANA TEKUMAHA

Located seven kilometres from Auki, Bobolo community in Malaita province is set to benefit from a new water supply project funded by the Japanese Embassy, bringing hope to community members after years of struggle to access clean water.

Project Coordinator Felix Bosokuru said water scarcity is an issue in the community since their forefathers were there. It forces community members to walk long distances to fetch water.

“Since women are the ones who do most of the household chores, they suffered the most. Our students also find it difficult because they have to walk through muddy paths to the water source often before they could attend school,” Bosokuru said.

He said the hardship prompted him to gather community members to form a committee to create a vision towards construction of the water supply.

“After searching for a donor for a long time, the Japanese Embassy has now responded to our need,” he said.

Community representative during the handover ceremony Joylin Oli expressed happiness following the project signing, saying today their stories will change.

 “Today marks the day our stories will change. Since this project will bring clean water closer to our homes and will lift a burden we have faced for so long,” she said.

She said it is now the community’s responsibility to work throughout the project to ensure it finishes off at the right timeframe.

“As community members, we have to cooperate to make sure our vision towards having clean water comes to a success,” she said.

The total amount of grant assistance towards the project is USD43,333.

The project is under the Japanese Embassy’s Grassroots and Human Security Human Security Project. The scheme offers support to help meet basic human needs such as water supply.

Investment in this field is essential towards strengthening health and resilience in the country, moreover it will have positive impacts on the socio-economic development of Solomon Islands.

The Japanese Embassy hopes this project will serve as a symbol of good relationship between Solomon Islands and Japan.

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BY ALICE CAMPBELL

Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele on Wednesday evening had a private dinner with Lord Malcolm Bruce of the United Kingdom House of Lords. 

The dinner was hosted by the British High Commissioner, HE Paul Turner at the British Residence.

The discussions focused on shared parliamentary insights and the importance of strengthening support for Members of Parliament, ensuring that MPs can effectively balance national legislative responsibilities with the needs of their constituencies.

Bruce is visiting Honiara from February 2-6 as part of the Westminster Foundation for Democracy (WFD) programme.

WFD has partnered with the National Parliament of Solomon Islands since November 2022 to support parliamentary accountability, transparency, and institutional development.

The meeting was marked by a candid exchange of lessons drawn from extensive careers in public service.

Bruce, who served as a Member of the UK House of Commons for more than three decades before his appointment to the House of Lords, shared insights into Parliamentary reform issues. 

A key topic of discussion was the practical value of a parliamentary calendar, with both leaders noting that a predictable parliamentary schedule enables members to plan their work and constituency travel in advance, reducing pressure to choose between parliamentary obligations and community engagement.

PM Manele noted that, drawing on shared experiences highlighted by Lord Bruce, the effectiveness of parliamentary secretariats is a critical factor in ensuring that parliamentary committees function effectively.

Strong committees, supported by capable and well-resourced secretariats, were identified as essential to a well-performing and accountable parliament.

Manele was appreciative of the UK support for the National Parliament and highlighted that such discussions form part of ongoing efforts to ensure Solomon Islands MPs have access to international best practices. 

He noted the continued engagement of WFD, with the rollout of forthcoming online learning resources for Members of Parliament, and follow-up consultations with those who participated in recent professional development visits to the United Kingdom and the Isle of Man.

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BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

Relief and maintenance works were carried out on Wednesday night this week at several key roads in Honiara as authorities continue efforts to address road damage caused by the recent bad weather.

The Ministry of Infrastructure Development (MID) confirmed that grading works were completed on Vura 1 and Vura 2 roads, with teams set to move to Vura 3 next for drainage improvements and culvert repairs.

Asphalt sealing is planned once preparatory works are completed.

MID said that grading and resurfacing using basecourse materials were undertaken to maintain safe and smooth access between Point Cruz and the Honiara City Council area along Mendana Avenue.

These temporary works will help sustain the road condition while awaiting full rehabilitation by China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) under the Land and Maritime Connectivity Project (LMCP).

At Hibiscus Road, grading and resurfacing are also underway in preparation for asphalt sealing, MID said.

The Ministry’s Transport Infrastructure team is assessing drainage easements that have been blocked by nearby buildings, noting that effective water management is essential to ensure the longevity of the repairs.

MID said that relief works also commenced on the Panatina–Tanakake road network, which has been affected by poor drainage and road surface deterioration.

Meanwhile, preparations are underway for the reconnection of the Kohi (Tanaeba) Bridge.

MID said a contractor is expected to be mobilised to the site once the necessary paperwork is finalised.

The Ministry said additional road networks within Honiara and in the provinces have been identified for relief and repair works. However, budget limitations mean that priority will be given to the most critical sections first.

To support the ongoing road works, the Road Transport Board Taskforce is rolling out traffic management measures that aim to ease congestion and reduce delays, particularly along the main highway.

MID cautions that all works remain highly dependent on weather conditions, as the country is currently experiencing the wet and cyclone season.

Despite these challenges, the ministry reaffirms its commitment to continue essential road maintenance across the capital.

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 BY JUNELYN KELLY

Young women from Solomon Islands and overseas are busy preserving the cultural heritage of our islands.  

Under the watchful guidance of National Museum curator, Grinta Ale’eke and Nick Dixon from the New Zealand Voluntary Service Abroad (VSA), the young ladies have been cleaning, reorganising and electronically cataloguing all the cultural heritage artifacts of the National Museum before they get installed back into the main exhibition hall.

The museum has been closed for renovation but should be reopened soon.

The cleaning and cataloguing work is a multinational effort: Margareth Dawea and Lucy Florita are young Solomon Islanders who will be working for the Museum when it reopens. 

Natalie and Claire Turner are the nieces of British High Commissioner, HE Paul Turner. 

The twins, who have just graduated from school, are currently spending a month in Solomons working on voluntary programmes; they plan to go to university next year. 

Mr Turner visited his nieces at work yesterday and was given a tour of the premises and the thousands of artefacts in storage. 

He said it was a hugely enriching experience seeing young people discovering and preserving Solomon’s history.

Mr Dixon is working for the Ministry of Tourism and National Museum.  

A key part of his work is organising the permanent exhibition at the new “Number 1 Haus” Museum in Tulagi where some of the artefacts will be shipped. 

The building is the former residence of the first British Commissioner for Solomon Islands, Charles Woodford, and was the centre of the British Solomon Islands Protectorate until World War II. 

The reconstruction of the residence was completed last year through the support of the Ministry of Tourism.  

New Zealand and the UK are providing financial and technical support to the “Number 1 Haus” exhibition which is planned to open in June.

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BY ALICE CAMPBELL

OPPOSITION Leader Matthew Wale calls on the Ministry of Infrastructure Development (MID) to ‘seriously’ review all road and infrastructure contracts.

Following a month of heavy rains, Honiara’s roads have deteriorated to severe conditions which Mr Wale described earlier this week as ‘posing risks to lives’.

Wale doubled down on this yesterday, blaming it on ‘unqualified contractors who lack the technical capacity, equipment, or experience to deliver durable infrastructure’ who MID has been contracting to repair Honiara’s roads.

He also calls on the MID Minister to ‘remove people who are incapable of their job’.

“I encourage the minister to take the lead to ensure only genuine, properly qualified, and experienced contractors are awarded road construction and maintenance contracts across the country,” Wale said in a statement yesterday.

The Opposition Leader said the continued deterioration of roads, bridges and infrastructure, particularly during heavy rain, is clear evidence of poor workmanship and weak oversight in the awarding of public infrastructure contracts.

“Too many of our roads are failing within months of completion. This raises serious questions about contractor qualifications, procurement standards, and supervision by responsible authorities.”

Taxpayers’ money must not be wasted on substandard work carried out by unqualified contractors who lack the technical capacity, equipment, or experience to deliver durable infrastructure, Wale said in the statement.

Wale said officials entrusted with safeguarding public funds and infrastructure standards have a duty to do their jobs.

He said their failure to properly monitor projects and hold contractors accountable has contributed significantly to the current state of our roads.

“I am urging the MID minister to remove people who are incapable of their job.

“Roads, bridges or any public infrastructure for that matter are not just about convenience. They are critical for safety, access to markets, health services, and education. When roads collapse, communities suffer and lives are put at risk,” Wale said.

The Opposition is calling MID to:

-Enforce strict contractor qualification and accreditation requirements

-Ensure transparent and competitive tender processes

-Strengthen supervision and quality control during construction

-Hold contractors accountable for defective or failed works

Solomon Islands has just come through three consecutive bouts of bad weather in which heavy rains and strong winds warnings were sounded for the entire country.

The adverse weather conditions were associated with troughs which hovered over the country, caused by tropical low systems which were developing to the country’s south.

Cancellation for the latest bout of bad weather warnings came about on Sunday, Feb 1.

Apart from Honiara’s roads, bridges in parts of Guadalcanal leading into the east and western ends of the city were also damaged by flooding.

MID throughout has been engaging contractors to repair the roads in between intermittent torrential rains but it only seemed to worsened the roads’ states.

With the sun shining again, it is hoped that the dry weather continues for road repairs to continue without disturbance.

Photo: MID

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