BY SAMIE WAIKORI

The Namoaraha Council of Chiefs officially inaugurated a new Are’Are House of Chiefs, known as Nima Ni Aaraha, at Hauhau in Ward 19 of East Are’Are, Malaita province, last Wednesday.

In a statement from Malaita Issues, the re-establishment of the Arekoru Namoaraha Council of Chiefs’ Nima Ni Aaraha, also referred to as Namoaraha Nimakoru, marks a significant step in revitalising Are’Are traditional leadership and strengthening customary governance within local communities.

Speaking during the event, Member of Parliament for East Are’Are, Peter Kenilorea Jr, thanked the Namoaraha Council of Chiefs for this achievement and unwavering commitment to preserving their cultural heritage.

He described the Nima Ni Aaraha as a physical manifestation of Are’Are identity.

“This house connects our past, present, and future. It represents a deep sense of belonging for the people of Are’Are.

“The Are’Are culture is unique in the world, and it is our responsibility to preserve and protect it,” Kenilorea said.

The MP also acknowledged the support of the Mai-Maasina Green Belt, describing the organisation as a genuine partner to the people of Are’Are, through its support for the construction of the house and its ongoing community initiatives.

“As MP for East Are’Are, I stand ready to meet and consult with chiefs on the outcomes of discussions held in this house, especially those that may have national implications,” he added.

Mr Kenilorea further confirmed that the East Are’Are constituency office also contributed to the construction of this Namoaraha House of Chiefs.

Mai-Maasina Green Belt Coordinator, Mr Clifton To’otalu, emphasised the importance of cultural preservation across generations.

“Preserving Are’Are cultural heritage for past, present, and future generations is our shared responsibility,” he said.

“I am honoured to be part of this historic occasion and to officially hand over this Nima Ni Aaraha, along with a set of new wooden drums, to the Arekoru Namoaraha Council of Chiefs.”

President of the Namoaraha Council of Chiefs, Mr Benedict Paurara Rikita’ikini, reflected on the historical importance of the occasion.

“The last Arekoru Nima Ni Aaraha was seen in the 1980s. Today, on 11 February 2026, it has been revived through the support of the Mai-Maasina Green Belt in collaboration with the Su’upa’ura communities and the East Are’Are constituency,” he said.

According to Malaita Issues, the cultural event was attended by chiefs, tribal leaders, members of the Mai-Maasina Green Belt, the Member of Assembly for Ward 19, and MP Kenilorea.

The re-establishment of the Arekoru Namoaraha Council of Chiefs was funded by the Mai-Maasina Green Belt.

Photo: Mai-Maasina Green Belt

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Aussie support boosts East Rennell Rugby Development

BY RICHARD MENANOPO

Grassroots rugby development in East Rennell has received a timely boost following support from the Australian High Commission (AHC) and partners under Australia’s Pacific sports cooperation.

The East Rennell Rugby Union Association acknowledged the assistance in a post on its official Facebook page this week, confirming the receipt of rugby balls and weighted markers to support its 2026 activity calendar.

The association expressed gratitude to the Australian High Commission, the Australian Defence Force and PacificAus Sports for their continued backing of grassroots rugby programs in the province.

“Big fala tagio to the Australian High Commission, Solomon Islands, and Australian Defence Force Sports PacificAus Sports for the continued support towards our grassroots rugby activities/programs in East Rennell.

“Today we received rugby balls and weighted marker which will support us in our planned rugby activities in East Rennell this year 2026 and beyond. Thank you for your support,” the association stated.

The equipment is expected to strengthen training sessions, particularly for young and emerging players, as the association works to expand participation and improve the quality of coaching at community level.

The association also acknowledged Samuel John for facilitating the support, describing his assistance as ‘most appreciated’.

The contribution aligns with Australia’s broader partnership approach in Solomon Islands, with the High Commission reiterating the shared regional bond between the two countries.

“Australia and Solomon Islands share a deep and enduring partnership. We share a region, we share an ocean, and we share a future,” the statement noted.

Support for community sport has remained a key pillar of bilateral engagement, with rugby continuing to play an important role in promoting youth development, healthy lifestyles and social cohesion across provinces.

For East Rennell, the arrival of new equipment comes at a crucial time as preparations get underway for a series of local rugby activities planned throughout 2026. Officials believe the added resources will help improve training standards and encourage greater community involvement.

The association’s acknowledgement highlights the growing impact of international partnerships in strengthening grassroots sport structures in remote parts of the country.

With fresh equipment now in hand, East Rennell Rugby Union Association is looking ahead with confidence as it pushes to develop the game from the ground up and create more opportunities for young players in the community.

Photo : NSC Media

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TONY IROGA

Athletics has officially become the sixth sport federation to register with the National Sport Council (NSC) for 2026.

This marks another significant milestone in strengthening national sport governance and athletic development structures.

According to a recent press release issued by NSC, the Floorball Federation Solomon Islands (FFSI) became the first federation to complete its registration with NSC for 2026.

“Since then, cricket, football, hockey and tennis have followed, demonstrating a growing commitment to involved governance standards and structed athlete pathways,” the statement said.

The statement said the latest registration reflects NSC’s ongoing commitment to building sustainable athlete development pathways, strengthening governance structures and supporting federation to actively participate in regional and international sporting platforms.

“The support extended to Athletics and other registered federation forms part of the national sport council’s standard framework available to registered federation in 2026,” the statement said.

The NSC said this will allow access to facilities, High Performance (HP) centre services and government grants is provided consistently in line with NSC policy and remains subject to compliance requirements.

NSC statement said with this registration, Athletics federation is now eligible to book national sporting facilities at no cost for the training of national squads.

“Athletics can also apply for the NSC government grant of ten thousand dollars $10,000, provided there no outstanding dept to NSC,” NSC statement said.

The statement said this will allow athletes to access the high-performance centre and nominate one senior men’s squared, one women’s senior squad, one junior men’s squad and one junior women’s squad.

“The registered federation are therefore invited to select one team per gender as part of the national athlete pathway framework to ensure that up and coming talented athletes get access to the high-performance programs,” NSC said.

NSC added that it has also issued governance recognition certificates to acknowledge federations that meet and maintain required governance standards.

“By meeting governance standards, the federations not only meet the requirements of the NSC Act but also provide assurance to potential sponsors and the public that the federation operates on the basis of accountability and transparency,” the statement said.

The statement said the funding and other support is managed for the benefit of the federation and particularly its athletes.

Photo: NSC media

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BY RICHARD MENANOPO

Cricket in Solomon Islands is steadily rebuilding its base, with the Solomon Islands Cricket Federation (SICF) stepping up preparations for 2026 through structured training at the Solomon Islands National Institute of Sport (SINIS).

According to information released by National Sports Council (NSC), the federation this week conducted a focused ‘Skills Session’ at the national High-Performance (HP) facility, marking a return to organized activity following its successful registration for the 2026 sporting calendar.

“Solomon Islands Cricket Federation has continued its 2026 preparations with a focused ‘Skills Session’ at SINIS this week”, the NSC Media update said.

The session comes shortly after the federation confirmed its registration with the NSC, a step that formally places cricket back within the national sports framework and enables access to elite facilities and technical support.

“Since confirming its registration, SICF has been actively training, building momentum from last week as it rolls out its program for the year”, the statement added.

While the training itself focuses on skills development, sports administrators say the significance lies in the timing — with preparations beginning early rather than later in the season.

Training at SINIS is expected to strengthen core fundamentals, including batting, bowling and fielding, while also improving overall conditioning standards among players.

The use of the high-performance center reflects a broader shift among national federations towards a more structured and consistent preparation, particularly as attention turns to longer-term targets beyond domestic competitions.

For local cricket followers, the return to regular training signals renewed direction for a sport that has faced intermittent activity in recent years.

NSC Media described the session as part of the federation’s wider 2026 rollout, indicating that further activities are expected as the season progresses.

Photo: NSC MEDIA

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BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

The Ministry of Culture and Tourism (MCT) successfully concluded a one-day national information session with tourism operators, reaffirming the government’s commitment to strengthening collaboration and growing the tourism sector.

The session, held at the Mendana Hotel on Thursday, February 19, brought together tourism operators and industry stakeholders to discuss government plans, policy direction, and strategies for sector development.

In an interview, MCT Permanent Secretary, Bunyan Sivoro said the information session is an annual initiative designed to maintain open communication between the government and private sector operators.

“The purpose of this event is to share updates from the ministry and ensure that our plans are aligned with the operators, who are the drivers of the industry. At the government level, we develop policies and strategic plans, but implementation relies heavily on our tourism operators. That is why partnership is critical,” he said.

He said that the tourism industry cannot thrive if stakeholders work in isolation, adding that collaboration between the government and private sector is essential to achieving sustainable growth.

The Permanent Secretary confirmed that invitations were extended to tourism operators across the country, and those able to travel attended the session.

He said the government’s long-term vision is to empower more Solomon Islanders to lead and benefit from the tourism sector.

“One of our key goals is to ensure that local people actively participate in and benefit from tourism. We encourage individuals or groups with potential tourism sites, accommodation facilities, tours, or cultural products to come forward and join the sector,” he said.

He said that tourism remains one of Solomon Islands’ key economic sectors that is generating income for families and contributing to national revenue.

“The ministry hopes that continued engagement with operators will strengthen service standards, increase local participation, and position the country as a competitive destination in the Pacific region,” he said.

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BY BEN BILUA
Gizo

PREMIER of Western Province, Billy Veo says any development must meet both economic and social viability to bring meaningful and lasting impact to people.

He made the statement during the official handing over of the Noro Road, describing the project as an important milestone that reflects the government’s commitment to improving infrastructure and livelihoods across the province.

Veo said development initiatives should not only focus on physical infrastructure but must also create economic opportunities and improve social wellbeing for communities.

He said projects that fail to address these two key elements often struggle to deliver long-term benefits.

“Development must be practical and beneficial to our people. It must support economic growth while also improving access to services such as health, education and markets,” Veo said.

He said the Noro Road will play a critical role in strengthening connectivity between communities, businesses and essential services, particularly for residents and industries operating around Noro township.

Veo stressed that improved road infrastructure will ease transportation challenges, reduce travel time and support local economic activities including fisheries, small businesses and agriculture.

He also acknowledged development partners, contractors and stakeholders who contributed to the successful completion of the project, saying collaboration is key to delivering quality infrastructure in the province.

Veo encouraged communities to take ownership of public infrastructure by ensuring proper care and maintenance so that the benefits can be sustained for future generations.

He reaffirmed the Western Provincial Government’s commitment to prioritising development projects that are inclusive, sustainable and aligned with the needs of rural communities.

Veo said the government will continue to invest in infrastructure that strengthens economic resilience while improving the social conditions of people throughout Western Province.

The Noro Road handover marks another step towards improving transport networks and supporting broader development efforts across the province.

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BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

The Solomon Islands is set to install its first-ever weather radar system, marking a major step forward in strengthening the country’s weather forecasting and disaster early warning capabilities.

Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, Disaster Management and Meteorology (MECDM), Permanent Secretary, David Hiriasia, confirmed in an exclusive recent interview that two engineers from Australia have arrived in Honiara to begin work on the project.

Mr Hiriasia said all major equipment for the radar system is already in Honiara, with installation work scheduled to commence next week.

“The project is being delivered under the Weather Ready Pacific Programme, an initiative coordinated by the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP).

“Initial funding for the broader Weather Ready Pacific Programme is provided by the Australian Government, while the radar system itself is funded by the Government of New Zealand through SPREP,” he said.

Hiriasia described the radar system as a highly sophisticated and costly piece of equipment that will significantly enhance the country’s ability to monitor severe weather events.

“Once operational, this will be the first-ever weather radar in the Solomon Islands,” he said.

He said that the radar will improve early warning systems, particularly during heavy rainfall and flooding events, which frequently affect Honiara.

“The system will be capable of pinpointing areas likely to experience flooding, allowing authorities to issue more accurate and timely warnings. The radar will also support aviation safety by providing more precise weather data for pilots,” he said.

He said that Solomon Islands joins other Pacific nations benefiting from the programme, including Fiji, Vanuatu and Tonga, as part of a regional effort to establish a network of weather radar systems that will enable data sharing and strengthen collective disaster preparedness across the Pacific.

He said that the project represents a significant milestone in building climate resilience and improving public safety in the country.

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BY SAMIE WAIKORI

As a developing nation, Solomon Islands faces growing demand for infrastructure development, particularly for roads, wharves, and bridges.

However, limited funding remains the biggest challenge.

This is reflected in the annual budget of the Ministry of Infrastructure Development (MID), where allocated funds consistently fall short of the ministry’s planned projects.

Despite financial constraints, infrastructure development has slowly progressed with support from development partners and aid donors, helping to sustain economic activities across the country.

Speaking at a recent MID press conference, Minister for MID, Ricky Fuo’o acknowledged the ongoing funding challenges, despite the ministry’s ambitious plans to expand and improve infrastructure nationwide.

He noted that the country continues to require new roads, pointing out that Solomon Islands currently has only about 1,500 kilometres of roads.

Given the situation, the ministry has shifted its priority to properly completing and maintaining one road before moving on to another.

“For instance, an asphalt road can last at least 10 to 15 years. When we spend money on road maintenance, we must do it properly and ensure quality work,” the minister said.

Fuo’o reiterated the ministry’s commitment to expanding road networks, taking into consideration the growing demand from communities seeking better access.

He admitted that budget constraints remain a persistent challenge, but emphasized that the ministry is doing its best within the available resources.

At present, the government is working on a new road project in the Northwest Choiseul constituency of Harry Kuma. The ministry is also considering plans for a new road on mainland Ngella, noting that currently only Tulagi has roads in the entire province.

Deputy Secretary of MID, Mike Qaqara, echoed the minister’s sentiments, stating that as a developing country, there is an ongoing need for roads to boost economic activities, particularly in rural areas.

He added that as part of this effort, the ministry has upgraded several logging roads this year, converting them into government roads.

While funding continues to pose a major obstacle, he reaffirmed the ministry’s policy of permanently fixing one road before proceeding to the next project.

Photo: MID

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BY JUNLYN KELLY

The construction of the new Kirakira Wharf is reportedly progressing significantly, now that it is in the advanced stage.

Ministry of Infrastructure Development (MID) in a statement on Thursday, February 19, said the vital infrastructure project implemented under the Land and Maritime Connectivity project (LMCP) represents a substantial investment by the Solomon Islands Government with crucial assistance from the Asian Development Bank (ADB).

MID said the project aims to strengthen maritime infrastructure in Makiara/Ulawa Province (MUP).

The main wharf structure remains on schedule and is anticipated to be completed by mid-2026, with work on the passenger Terminal Building expected to commence shortly and this will run alongside other remaining construction activities, which include the installation of kerbs, fencing, safety, as well as improvements to the access road.

The completion of the Kirakira Wharf is set to greatly enhance maritime connectivity and economic opportunities.

The statement said a joint assessment team, comprising of officers from MID, Safeguarded Unit and the Land and Maritimes Connectivity Project (LMCP) and Contracted Supervision Consultant (CSC) team conducted a site visit at Kirakira last week.

The purpose of the visit was to evaluate ongoing constructions activities for the new wharf.

The delegation, which included representatives from the contractor, China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC), also held discussions with Makira-Ulawa Province Premier Stanely Siapu and executive members.

The meeting focused on the project’s current status and its anticipated benefits for the province.

Premier Siapu said the project is critically important for the province, as it will significantly improve maritime access, strengthen trade and transportation and support essential service.

“Reliable wharf infrastructure is fundamental to the province’s economic and social development,” Siapu said.

MID said the premier pointed out the dependence of communities on the sea transportation mode as their link to markets, healthcare, education, and government service.

Premier Siapu also said that the passenger terminal building will further improve travel experience by offering sheltered waiting areas.

MID Permanent Secretary, Allan Lilia reaffirmed the government’s commitment to delivering critical infrastructure that strengthens connectivity and supports inclusive development.

He said the new Kirakira Wharf is designed to improve maritime safety and reliability in Makira Ulawa Province.

Photo: MID

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