Damaged bridges, roads in Honiara and provinces in bad states following bad weather, Opposition Leader Wale calls on Government to urgently address these problems

BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

The Leader of Opposition, Matthew Wale calls on the Government to urgently address the deteriorating roads and transport infrastructure in the country.

Reports of damages to critical infrastructures in Malaita and Guadalcanal provinces as a result of the ongoing bad weather is putting lives at risk.

Wale received reports of damage to Tabalia bridge which is a lifeline for people of Northwest, West, & South Guadalcanal which needs urgent attention that must not wait for the rain to stop.

“We do not want to force communities that rely on that bridge to travel by sea in the current weather conditions. There may be other similar damage to critical infrastructure which needs to be given urgent attention,” Wale said in a statement.

He said the bridges are lifelines for our people and the Government must act now to prevent further damage and protect communities.

The Opposition Leader said the bad weather has caused serious concern for communities relying on key bridges with reports of damage, flooding, and restricted access.

According to Wale, these conditions have disrupted transport, isolated rural communities, and delayed access to health services, schools, and markets.

“Every time we experience bad weather, bridges and infrastructures are damaged or become unsafe. Our people should not be cut off from essential services because of poor planning and delayed action,” he said.

In and around Honiara the bad weather has again resulted in damages to roads in the city as well as feeder roads.

Wale said whilst he acknowledged the ongoing road upgrade around Honiara there should be no excuse for immediate maintenance.

He said the situation highlights years of neglect and failure to prioritise maintenance of vital infrastructure.

He also stressed the need for transparency and accountability in infrastructure spending to ensure projects are built to proper standards and withstand extreme weather.

“It is becoming frustrating that roads in some parts of the city and feeder roads are intended to be maintained every week. There seem to be no accountability and proper standards by companies when it comes to maintaining roads that can withstand bad weather,” he said.

The Opposition is calling on the Government to immediately conduct urgent safety assessments of all affected bridges especially in Malaita and Guadalcanal, carry out emergency repairs and provide temporary crossings where necessary and commit funding for long-term, climate-resilient bridge construction.

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[Published on Saturday, Jan 31]

BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

Four Solomon Islands media professionals have been awarded the prestigious Manaaki New Zealand Vocational Short-Term Training Scholarship.

This will provide them with an opportunity to further their professional skills through overseas study.

The Media Association of the Solomon Islands (MASI) on Saturday, Jan 31, announced that Elton Lonaratha Jnr and Morris Nafu of Island Sun Newspaper, along with Lachlan Eddie of SIBC News, will undertake Diploma programmes in Journalism at the Waikato Institute of Technology in New Zealand.

Meanwhile, Bradford Noda of Tavuli News Solomon Islands will pursue a Diploma in Animation at the Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology.

According to MASI, the four scholarship recipients are expected to depart in the coming weeks to commence their 10-month training programmes.

MASI said the scholarships were made possible through its ongoing partnership with the New Zealand Government under the Manaaki New Zealand programme, which supports capacity building and skills development in key sectors.

MASI expressed its sincere appreciation to the New Zealand Government, particularly the New Zealand High Commission in Honiara, for its continued support of the Solomon Islands media industry.

“Your investment is helping us to build a more skilled, professional, and vibrant media sector for the Solomon Islands,” MASI said in a statement.

Photo: Supplied

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[Published on Saturday, Jan 31]

BY BEN BILUA
Gizo

A weeklong Digital Content Creation training has ended successfully in Gizo, Western Province, courtesy to the Ministry of Commerce, Industries, Labour and Immigration (MCILI).

The training brought together young entrepreneurs and digital content creation enthusiasts from Gizo to gain practical skills and knowledge in content creation for online platforms.

Trainers from Reggae Haus and Reveal Pasifik spent four days unpacking video shooting techniques and hands-on video editing using free video-editing applications available online, enabling participants to learn affordable and accessible digital tools.

Speaking at the closing and certificate presentation ceremony on Friday, Jan 30, Principal Investment Officer of Western Province, Kedrian Ishmael Vilibasia, said the training reflects the Western Provincial Government’s firm commitment to build a digitally skilled workforce and empower entrepreneurs, youth and professionals to compete in an increasingly digital economy.

He said e-commerce is no longer an option but a necessity as digital transformation continues to reshape business operations and transactions globally.

Vilibasia expressed confidence that participants are now better equipped to seize new opportunities, expand markets and contribute meaningfully to provincial and national development.

“We sincerely appreciate the dedication of the trainers, the organising team and partner institutions who ensured the success of this training programme. Your expertise and commitment have made a lasting impact.

“On behalf of the Western Provincial Government, the Honourable Premier, Provincial Secretary and Deputy Provincial Secretary, I thank you for this privilege to address you at the conclusion of this E-commerce Training Programme,” he said.

Vilibasia congratulated the participants and encouraged them to apply the skills and knowledge gained to drive the growth of the province’s digital sector.

“Be innovative, confident and become ambassadors of digital transformation in your respective sectors. I wish you every success in your future endeavours,” he said.

National Coordinator of the E-Commerce Division at the Ministry of Commerce, Tristein Zutu described the training as a great success.

He said his team was pleased to see the growing interest among youths in digital content creation as a source of livelihood.

“This training is one of the best outcomes since we introduced this programme last year.

“Participants were very active and eager to learn. The videos and photos submitted for group work were beyond expectation, showing that participants took the training very seriously. My team is very pleased with the outcome,” Zutu said.

He acknowledged the Western Provincial Government, the Western Province Young Entrepreneurs Council and all participants for their commitment throughout the training.

Zutu also thanked the trainers from Reggae Haus and Reveal Pasifik for facilitating and delivering the programme.

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[Published on Saturday, Jan 31]

BY SAMIE WAIKORI

The Kirakira cocoa processing plant in Makira/Ulawa Province is now ready for its second phase following the completion of the first phase, which involved the construction of a building to house the processing facility.

The project is funded by the Solomon Islands government through the Ministry of Commerce, Industries, Labour and Immigration (MCILI) and the Ministry of National Planning and Development Coordination (MNPDC).

In a recent interview, Makira Ulawa Premier Stanley Siapu gave an update of the historic project, confirming steady progress.

“The first phase of the project, which included the construction of the factory building, has already been completed.

“We are now working with the national government to pursue the second phase of the project, which involves the procurement and installation of processing machinery in the building,” he said.

Premier Siapu highlighted the cocoa processing plant as one of the key priorities of his government and said they will continue to work closely with the national government to ensure its completion.

“With the progress we have witnessed so far, my government is grateful to the national government and other stakeholders for the partnership shown in this project,” he said.

Premier Siapu said the realization of the project will have a significant impact on the national economy, with initial plans to produce chocolate locally.

He said it will also boost the cocoa industry in Makira Ulawa Province and the country as a whole by encouraging more farmers to enter the sector.

Premier Siapu assures that his government is committed to support the national government to ensure that the project is fully realized and delivers benefits to Solomon Islanders.

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[Published on Saturday, Jan 31]

BY JUNELYN KELLY

A new chapter in labour mobility between the Solomon Islands and Australia is set to begin following a successful recruitment drive by MADEC Australia.

Representatives from the Australian firm recently concluded their initial recruitment mission to the Solomon Islands, expressing significant confidence in the caliber of local workers, a statement from LMU’s Facebook page on Friday last week said.

The recruitment highlighted the candidates excellent English proficiency, strong test results, and readiness for skilled roles.

Initials placements are anticipated in sectors such as forklift, driving, horticulture, and glasshouse farming.

Following a rigorous interview process, an initial cohort of 25 Solomon Islanders is scheduled to commence work in Australia in June.

The statement said this pilot program is expected to expand rapidly, with future opportunities potentially opening in agriculture and age care, addressing key labor shortages in Australia.

MADEC lauded the professionalism of the Solomon Islands Labour Mobility unit (LMU), under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and External Trade, for their crucial role in facilitating this partnership, the statement said.

The LMU also acknowledges MADEC as one of the first Australian labor hire companies to conduct real-time recruitment in the Solomon Islands.

This collaboration is seen as a long-term benefit for both nations, providing valuable employment opportunities for Solomon Islands workers and a reliable workforce for Australia industries.

Workers are also viewed as vital ambassadors for future labor mobility initiatives, strengthening ties and fostering economic growth between the two countries.

Photo: LMU

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[Published on Saturday, Jan 31]

BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

The Minister for Agriculture and Livestock Development (MAL), Franklyn Derek Wasi, has announced a series of ambitious national targets that aim to revitalise and expand the poultry industry in the Solomon Islands over the next three years.

The targets were outlined during a consultation meeting with local poultry farmers on Thursday, January 29, where the Minister reaffirmed MAL’s commitment to address long-standing challenges faced by the sector and to promote sustainable growth.

Wasi acknowledged the efforts of local poultry farmers, noting that despite difficult operating conditions, many have continued production to support domestic food supply.

However, he said the high cost of poultry feed and the unreliable supply of day-old chicks remain the biggest obstacles, placing local farmers at a disadvantage against cheaper imported eggs and poultry products.

“To address these challenges, MAL has set clear national targets that will strengthen domestic production and reduce reliance on imports,” Wasi said.

Key initiatives include the establishment of a new hatchery at KGVI Farm with a capacity of 10,000 eggs, supported by the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and the European Union.

The ministry also plans to procure mini feed mills to enable local production of poultry and piggery feed and develop 100 hectares of maize and corn farms on Guadalcanal to supply raw materials for feed production.

Additional plans include the establishment of the country’s first commercial poultry and piggery feed mill, the first parent flock breeding centre to locally produce fertile eggs, and the distribution of 20,000 birds to 20 selected farmers this year, along with feed, essential farm equipment, and infrastructure support.

Major infrastructure investments are also underway, including a World Bank-funded slaughterhouse nearing completion at KGVI Farm, as well as plans to acquire animal transport trucks and a mobile slaughter unit to support farmers outside Honiara.

Wasi said the targets aim to significantly increase domestic egg and poultry production, reduce retail prices to $25 per packet of eggs and $50 per whole chicken, and eventually allow the government to introduce higher taxes and restrictions on imported poultry products.

During the consultation, farmers raised concerns about high feed costs, limited veterinary services, inadequate infrastructure, high bird mortality rates, and competition from imports. MAL Permanent Secretary, Dr Samson Viulu said these concerns have been combined into the National Poultry Strategy 2026–2028.

Wasi said that future government support would prioritise committed farmers and urges all previous recipients of government assistance to submit accountability reports before further support is considered.

“Together, we will rebuild the poultry industry into a vibrant, profitable, and affordable sector that strengthens food security and improves livelihoods,” Wasi said.

Photo: Supplied

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