BY JOHN HOUANIHAU
Auki Provincial Police Commander (PPC) Michael Ramosaea has said that the group of four men who approached an Australian yacht in Auki, Malaita Province, on Sunday this week were his officers.
Mr Ramosaea made the response after the owners of the yacht made a post entitled ‘SAFETY WARNING – Auki, Solomon Islands’ on social media, questioning the legitimacy of the four men.
He said that there are two people on the yacht were a female and a male.
According to the yacht owner’s post, they were confronted by four men who aggressively claimed to be police and demanded to board the yacht while anchored in Auki.
It was alleged in the post that the four men yelled, threatened, and tried to board the yacht, creating a very intimidating situation.
The four men also showed badges that did not appear legitimate as police officers.
The yacht owners said they refused the four men to board their boat and held their position. They reported the matter to an immigration officer, who officially cleared them when entering the Solomon Islands.
The yacht owners claimed that the immigration officer confirmed that the four men were not police officers.
“We’re posting this to warn other sailors. If you’re in or heading to Auki, be extremely cautious. Do not allow boarding. The only thing the real police can ask to see (without boarding your boat) is the certificate of authority to disembark from immigration.
“Keep a distance and maintain control of your vessel. Trust your instincts and escalate if needed. This was a genuinely threatening encounter and could have ended very differently,” yacht owners posted.
Speaking to this paper yesterday, PPC Ramosaea said that amongst the four men, three are his police officers, except the skipper of the OBM they used.
“They are my senior intel officers. These are my officers, one wears an RSPF T-Shirt with a badge, while the other two do not. We decided to use the OBM they used since we were in a rush on that day. It was on Sunday this week. I was also on the watch from the Auki wharf when they travelled to the yacht,” Ramosaea said.
He said that their objective is to make a routine check on the yacht.
“I ordered them to do a check-up, since a lot has been happening in our country in terms of drugs, illegal entry….,” he said.
He said that what the yacht owners have posted on social media is not true and was an attempt to damage his officers.
“We usually do our work when we believe it is necessary, either without our uniforms or in uniforms; it is our duty,” he said.

By RODRICK DESURI
Auki

The Goshen Enterprise has taken one step up to build a closer relationship with the Besi Youth Association after signing a partnership agreement on Monday in Auki.
The signing marks a milestone achievement for the Goshen Enterprise as a taro buyer and exporter, and for the entire taro industry in Malaita Province and the Solomon Islands as a whole.
The agreement aims to act as a bridge to cover the gap between rural production and high-value markets.
In an interview with the managing director of Goshen Enterprise, Levite Luciano Maesimae, he said that partnering with the Besi Association would boost the targeted volume of taro.
“Buying of taro is still underway by Goshen Enterprise, and we have experienced that the volume we are targeting is still low. So, through this partnership agreement, it will help to achieve the targeted volume,” he said.
“The outlook of the partnership and the roles of the two organizations include;

1. The Power of the Partnership
   Through the agreement, it formalizes a supply-and-market relationship in which the Besi Youth Association, based in North Malaita, will provide fresh produce, while Goshen Enterprise provides the processing and pathway to consumers.
   It will also provide reliable market access for the youth of Besi, as the agreement guarantees that their harvests have a dedicated destination at the Adaliua Taro Packhouse.
   Additionally, it transforms subsistence farming into a commercial venture, providing a stable income for young people in Ward 7 and surrounding areas.
2. Goshen Enterprise: The Processing Engine
   “Recently, the Adaliua packhouse has been equipped with industrial-grade washers, cutters, and sealers. The facility can now process raw taro into frozen products,” he said.
   Maesimae added that, with support from Australia (DFAT) and the Solomon Islands Government, Goshen is working toward HACCP compliance, which is the gold standard required to export taro to international markets like Australia and New Zealand.

By RODRICK DESURI 

Auki 

Heavy rains has washed away food gardens of the Heo and Ohio community settlements along Heo in West Are’are, Malaita Province. 

This was confirmed to Island Sun by Saverio Sinah from Hauhui yesterday afternoon. 

Mr Sinah said the two community settlements have called for an urgent assessment of their food gardens and support from the disaster office in Auki and the ministry responsible in Honiara. 

He said their gardens were washed away by flood on Friday night, which forced the affected communities to survive on unripe potatoes, cassavas and bananas which were not yet ready for harvest. 

“Today marks four days since our gardens were washed away. Our people from these two affected communities are forced to harvest and survive on unripe potatoes, cassavas, and bananas,” he said. 

He added that the situation could worsen if an assessment is not conducted and the responsible authorities fail to assist them.

He appeals to the disaster office in Auki to quickly conduct an assessment of their gardens, as this is the only way to verify the damage caused by flooding.

Meanwhile, Pearson Simi from the Disaster Office in Auki said he will verify the report before sending an assessment team to Heo to evaluate the food gardens.

He said that a few reports have been received over the weekend, and relief support was sent to them yesterday.

“So far, we have been receiving a few reports from communities surrounding Auki. Also, Abalolo is the first community to which we sent non-food items,” he said.

“All these non-food items were donated by the Solomon Islands Red Cross here in Auki.”

BY MORRIS NAFU

Strong wind and heavy rain warning remains for the country.

Solomon Islands Meteorological Service (SIMS) issued the statement following an active trough currently positioned over the islands, connected to a tropical low situated south of Rennell-Bellona in the Coral Sea.

Expect west to northwest winds ranging from 15 to 25 knots, with gusts potentially reaching up to 30 knots at times.

Seas are forecast to be moderate to rough, accompanied by moderate west to northwest swells measuring 2.5 to 3.0 metres. Heavy rain and thunderstorms may lead to poor visibility, posing additional risks.

SIMS urge everyone in affected areas to take precautionary measures, as these strong winds could endanger lives and damage property.

Sea travellers are strongly advised to prioritize safety, as the conditions may create dangerous wave patterns hazardous to small boats.

The Meteorological Service also requests that this information be shared with people with disabilities to ensure widespread awareness.

The next update on the Strong Wind Warning will be issued at 7am.

BY BEN BILUA
Gizo

LANDOWNERS of Korona Land have questioned the legality of ongoing tubi harvesting operations, describing the activity as illegal due to poor consultation and bridge of the country country’s law.

In an interview with Island Sun, spokesperson for Korona Land, Chief Paul Fota, said the majority of landowners did not consent to the operation.

He explained that Korona Land is jointly owned by three tribes, and any decision relating to development or resource extraction must be agreed upon by all three.

“In this case, we strongly believe that only a few individuals signed the document. That makes it null and void under our customary ownership arrangements.

“Most landowners were not aware of this, and we are now investigating the matter within the three tribes,” Fota said.

He said landowners had previously raised specific demands during meetings organised by the company and government officials.

One of the key demands, Fota said, was that no new operations should proceed until a previous case involving compensation of SI$1.3 million linked to alleged illegal tubi harvesting is fully settled.

“Other demands included the proper establishment of land trustees, a clear system for the distribution of royalties and other benefits, and a special agreement between the landowners and the company to address environmental safety concerns.

“None of these demands were met. So, you can see how the government and company are messing up things again,” he said.

Fota also said that landowners were not informed of any timber rights hearing before the harvesting operation commenced.

He questioned the decision by the Commissioner of Forest Resources to endorse the operation, asking what legal documents supported the approval.

“The laws of Solomon Islands require a timber rights hearing before any logging operation can proceed. “We do not understand why there was no timber rights hearing, yet the operation is already on the ground,” Fota said.

He said landowners are confused and are calling on the government and responsible authorities to provide clear explanations regarding the approval and legality of the current harvesting activities.

BY BEN BILUA
Gizo

RECENT heavy rain and strong winds have damaged sections of coastal roads on Simbo Island, making it difficult for villagers to access their food gardens.

Speaking from Simbo Island, the Provincial Member for Nusa Simbo Ward, Gideon Tuke, said most communities on the island are safe despite the bad weather.

“Most of the communities are okay. I’m not sure about other areas, but I’m confident that they are also safe,” Tuke said.

He said a few properties and food gardens sustained minor damage while there were no reports of casualties.

According to Tuke, the most concerning issue at Simbo is the abnormal high tides, which have contributed to the destruction of coastal roads.

“The odd thing happening at Simbo is the abnormal tides, which have damaged our coastal roads,” he said.

Meanwhile, Provincial Secretary for Western Province, Patrick Toiraena, said his office has not received any official reports of damage from the islands so far.

In a conversation with Island Sun, he said the only report we have received is from Ranongga Island, where some families lost their food gardens during the bad weather after the New Year.

Toiraena said the provincial office will continue to monitor the situation and will update Island Sun should any new reports of damage be forwarded to the office.

By RODRICK DESURI
Auki
Passengers from the southern end of West Kwaio and West Are’are have to board three vehicles before reaching Auki town due to the flooding of two rivers.
Malaita island was inundated by heavy rains over the weekend. The heavy rains is due to the trough which lies over the country, linked to the tropical low located south of Rennell and Bellona province.
Teacher Wilfred Oemauri, who traveled to Auki on Monday but arrived on Tuesday, January 20, told Island Sun the flooding from the Kwari’ekwa and Folu rivers in the West Kwaio Constituency has cut the main road into three segments.
He explained that this has created extra effort and expense, as the budget must accommodate the three modes of transportation.
“You’ll first take a truck from Heo to travel to Kwari’ekwa, the second trip is from Kwari’ekwa to Fulo, and the third trip is from Fulo directly to Auki,” he said.
“If we plan to travel to Auki, we have to go and sleep overnight at Kwari’ekwa, and the next day we will be waiting for the second trip to Fulo and then to Auki.”
Meanwhile, Frank Fitoo from the Weather Office in Auki said that the weather patterns are still not stable and can change at any time.
He encouraged everyone to take precaution and plan their travel before traveling to any destination.
“Yes, our weather is still not safe and stable, so I just encourage everyone to take extra precautions when traveling,” he said.
“Our weather patterns can change at any time.”

BY BEN BILUA
Gizo

ANGRY landowners have given the government one month to address the ongoing controversy surrounding tubi harvesting at Korona Land, warning that they will take matters into their own hands if no action is taken.

In an interview with Island Sun, the landowners said they are frustrated with government’s poor decision-making and a lack of respect for customary resource owners not only on San Jorge but in Solomon Islands.

“If the government fails to address this issue, we will deal with it our way,” the landowners said.

They said their first action will be a peaceful protest at the Korona logging camp to seek clarity on how and why the logging company entered their land without their consent.

“We want a better understanding of how this company landed on our land without our approval. We have already made our demands clear, but the company ignored them, and we will deal with them accordingly,” they said.

The landowners said the protest will expose individuals who are benefiting from the controversial logging deal at the expense of the wider landowning group.

“It is time for the landowners to stand up for themselves instead of watching corrupt investors, backed by the government exploiting our resources,” they said.

“This is our traditional and democratic right, and we will not back down until our concerns are addressed.”

The landowners said the dispute with the logging company, now known as Sunrise Investments Limited, dates back to 2020 and 2023, when the company was found guilty of illegally harvesting tubi at Korona.

In December 2020, the director of a logging company was fined $50,000 after pleading guilty to illegal harvesting of restricted species.

The director, Richard Song Sing Ngea from Malaysia, was convicted on charges relating to the illegal harvesting, possession, and attempted export of restricted timber species without proper licences and permits.

The charges were laid under the Forest Resources and Timber Utilisation Act and the Wildlife Protection and Management Act, as amended.

However, on 6 November 2022, the Attorney General’s Office, together with senior officials from the Ministry of Environment and the Forestry Division, allowed Sunrise Investments Limited to export the seized logs—a decision that reportedly shocked the landowners.

Sunrise Investments Limited subsequently exported about 5,000 cubic metres of tubi logs to a buyer in China, Karridale Pty Ltd.

The company reportedly received approximately $4.9 million, the Free on Board (FOB) value of the logs, through a letter of credit from Pan Oceanic Bank.

“This is a case that only the devil knows to this day,” the landowners said.

They warned that patience has run out.

“Time for leniency is over. It is time for us, as resource owners, to stand up for our land and for our children’s future,” they said.

BY BEN BILUA
Gizo
GROWING pollution and the impacts of climate change are threatening the future of Simbo, one of the inhabited islands in Western Province.
In an interview with Island Sun, the Provincial Member for Nusa Simbo Ward, Gideon Tuke, said the island is facing mounting pressure as its population continues to grow while the land area steadily shrinks.
He said the birth rate on the island has increased significantly and is now on track to overwhelm the limited resources available to residents.
“Simbo is now dominated by young couples who start families at a very early age.
“Because they marry young, there are many children, even exceeding the amount of land available for gardening and the building of houses,” Tuke said.
He said overcrowding is becoming a serious concern, predicting that within the next 10 years, up to four families may be forced to live under one roof due to the lack of space for new housing.
“In short, Simbo is now overpopulated,” Tuke said.
Adding to the challenge is the growing threat of climate change, particularly rising sea levels.
Tuke said some parts of the island have already experienced seawater encroachment of up to one metre inland.
“Sea level rise is a huge threat to our communities, adding that plans are now being considered to relocate some coastal settlements to safer areas,” he said.
Simbo consists of two islands located close to each other and is home to a dormant volcano.
The island is well known for producing sweet oranges, yams and other root crops, which have long supported the livelihoods of local communities.
In 2017, Simbo Island gained national and international recognition when it was officially certified as an organic island — the first of its kind in Solomon Islands.
The certification was issued by the National Association for Sustainable Agriculture Australia (NASAA) as a third-party certification body.
Despite its achievements, leaders say urgent action is needed to address population pressure, environmental pollution and climate change impacts to secure a sustainable future for Simbo and its people.

Trade Union calls on government to review schemes of service for frontline public officers

BY JOHN HOUANIHAU
The Solomon Islands Council of Trade Unions (SICTU) has called on the national government for an immediate review of the schemes of service for frontline public officers.
SICTU, the representative of the collective voice of workers across the nation, demanded that Government, through responsible ministries and the Public Service Commission, immediately establish and execute a comprehensive review of the schemes of service.
This includes the scheme of service for medical doctors, nurses, allied health workers, police officers and correctional services officers, according to a SICTU statement on Monday this week.
SICTU recognised these dedicated professionals as the backbone of the nation’s security, health, and social stability; yet their terms of employment, career progression, and remuneration have been neglected for far too long.
The current schemes of service are outdated, not reflecting the current demands, complexities, and cost-of-living realities faced by these officers, and this prolonged governmental inaction has resulted in the systematic under-compensation of labour across these sectors, SICTU added.
SICTU said while peripheral discussions may have begun for some groups, the Scheme of Service for Nurses, police and correctional officers been left untouched for an unacceptably long period is a clear case of negligence that must be improved without further delay.
The SICTU said frontline workers continue to serve the country with dedication, often under challenging conditions, however burdened by inadequate payment that does not match the value of their labour.
SICTU said this is detrimental to national morale, service delivery, and the retention of vital skilled professionals and calls for-

1. The immediate establishment of a dedicated and inclusive Review Board/Taskforce for each relevant sector, which must include official representatives from SICTU and its affiliated unions to directly represent the interests of Medical Doctors, Nurses, Allied Health Workers, Police, and Correctional Officers.
2. The relevant Ministries, led by the Ministry of Public Service in collaboration with the Public Service Commission, are to prioritise and expedite the preparation and submission of necessary Cabinet Papers to authorise these urgent reviews and secure the required resources.
3. The Coalition for National Transformation and Unity (CNUT) Cabinet and Caucus to treat this matter with the utmost seriousness it deserves.
   SICTU urge government to act swiftly and decisively on behalf of the thousands of public officers who have waited long enough for justice and fair compensation and demonstrate that it values their service by moving beyond words to concrete, accelerated action.
   SICTU expect a formal response and a clear timeline for this critical process within the shortest period possible, claiming that their members and all frontline officers are watching.
   SICTU stands ready to engage constructively but firmly to ensure this long-overdue correction is achieved.