BY JUNELYN KELLY

Additional ground support equipment for the Solomon Airlines aimed to boost the national carrier’s services have arrived.

Financed by the World Bank and implemented by the Ministry of Communication and Aviation (MCA), the equipment was supplied by Shanghai Cartoo Machinery Company Limited, a manufacturer specialising in aviation ground support equipment, a statement by the Second Solomon Islands Roads and Aviation Project (SIRAP2) yesterday said.

MCA announced the arrival of additional ground support equipment at Honiara International Airport on December 30, 2025, marking a key milestone under SIRAP2, the statement said.

The equipment was handed over by MCA to Solomon Airlines at a handover ceremony held on Monday this week at Honiara International Airport, attended by MCA, Solomon Airlines, and the World Bank, the SIRAP2 statement said.

The World Bank Country Representative to Solomon Islands, Bernard Harborne, said the assistance provided to Solomon Airlines through MCA under the flagship SIRAP2 is of great importance to the aviation industry, as it supports safer, more reliable, and more efficient air transport services that are critical for national connectivity and economic development.

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Solomon Airlines, Paul Abbott said the new ground support equipment will significantly enhance the airline’s daily operations, improving efficiency, reliability, and safety across its ground handling services.

Abbott said several equipment items are being acquired by Solomon Airlines for the first time, marking an important milestone in strengthening the airline’s operational capacity.

He said the support comes as a major boost to the company and is a timely investment that will help the airline better meet operational demands while improving service delivery to passengers.

The newly acquired equipment include; an aircraft tow tractor, air start unit, ground power unit, diesel hybrid ground power unit, and transformer rectifier unit, the SIRAP2 statement said.

These are designed to improve aircraft turnaround times, strengthen ground handling operations, and ensure continued compliance with international aviation safety and operational standards.

Permanent Secretary for the MCA, Alwyn Danitofea welcomed the arrival of the equipment, saying that the new ground support equipment is critical to effective ground handling services, which are an integral part of the aviation system and contribute directly to aerodrome safety.

Danitofea said the equipment will enable Solomon Airlines to operate more efficiently and in a more environmentally friendly manner, while meeting modern aviation safety and operational requirements.

He added that the investment reflects the Government’s commitment to strengthening aviation infrastructure and ensuring that airlines operating in the country are supported with the necessary tools to deliver safe, reliable, and high-quality air services.

SIRAP2’s impact extends beyond Honiara International Airport. The project continues to support transport and aviation improvements across the country, including the construction offour new bridges in Malaita, upgrades to Honiara and Munda Airports and Santa Cruz and Suavanao Airfields, investments in air navigation systems in Makira-Ulawa and TemotuProvinces, ongoing maintenance of regional airports, rehabilitation of 21 kilometres of the EastRoad between Baratolo and Atori, and sealing of 12 kilometres of the North Road between Auki Gwaunaru’u Airfield Junction and Kwaisuliniu Road Junction.

Photo credit: Project Support Team (PST), SIRAP2

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BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

Data from a recent report by the Pacific Labour Mobility Support Programm (PLMSP) shows Solomon Islanders participating in the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme are sending home record-high remittances.

Between July 2024 and June 2025, Solomon Islands’ PALM workers remitted an estimated SBD $507 million, according to a statement issued yesterday from the Australian High Commission (AHC).

The data indicated that the report captures not only bank transfers but also other forms of remittances, including physical cash and in-kind remittances.

Solomon Islander workers are each remitting around SBD9,200 per month on average, according to the AHC statement.

Remittance flows directly improve the lives of Solomon Islands families, who commonly put them towards major expenses like housebuilding and school fees, the AHC SI statement said.

The statement adds that increased remittances reflect the growing number of Solomon Islanders going to work in Australia.

It further said that more than 11,000 Solomon Islanders have participated in the PALM scheme as of January 2026.

Acting Australian High Commissioner Andrew Schloeffel said Australians welcomed Solomon Islands PALM workers and understood the valuable role they played in the Australian economy.

“The PALM scheme is a true partnership, with huge benefits for both Australia and Solomon Islands.

“We’re extremely grateful for the contribution hard-working Solomon Islanders are making every day, including on farms, meatworks plants and aged care facilities across Australia.

“With the number of PALM scheme participants increasing, it is great to see workers sending home record-breaking remittances to not only improve the lives of their families and communities, but also to support the Solomon Islands economy,” Schloeffel said.

With around 5,000 PALM workers from Solomon Islands currently in Australia, remittances are expected to increase further this year, AHC said.

Photo credit: AHC

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BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

The Vura clinic in Northwest Guadalcanal is temporarily closed.

Dr Ray Seleso, Provincial Health Director for Guadalcanal Province, said the clinic was closed as of Thursday last week.

He said that this is to allow for important renovation work due to termite damage and the need to improve the clinic’s WASH facilities and staff house.

He said that the renovation will be supported by the Solomon Islands Government, Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS) through the Guadalcanal Province (GP) Health Grant.

Seleso said the renovation work is expected to take approximately six weeks to reach completion.

He said that community members are kindly requested to seek health services at the Mamara Area Health Centre during this period.

“We sincerely thank you for your patience and understanding as we work to improve the clinic for better and safer health services in the future,” Seleso said.

He said with the recent increase in the provincial health budget, GP Health was able to renovate and reopen three facilities in 2025.

According to Seleso, this will be the first renovation project for this year, with several others planned.

“A significant portion of the renovation budget will be allocated to the reconstruction of the burned-down New Tenabuti Clinic, which will slightly reduce the funds available for other renovation works,” he said.

Photo credit: Dr Ray Seleso

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BY JUNELYN KELLY

The Minister of Mines, Energy and Rural Electrification (MMERE), Derek Rawcliffe Manuari, calls for tailored support from developed nations to help countries such as Solomon Islands successfully progress with sustainable energy.

He said that for Solomon Islands, sustainable energy transition means survival. And, asked international donors to help empower Solomon Islands communities.

Manuari said tailored support for renewable energy projects in Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and Least Developed Countries (LDCs) is critical to achieving an inclusive and sustainable global energy transition, a statement by the Government Communications Unit (GCU) yesterday said.

Manuari made these remarks while delivering the Solomon Islands’ national statement at the 16th Session of the IRENA Assembly, held in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, on January 11, 2026 GCU said.

He said renewable energy support must be context-specific to reflect the unique circumstances and development challenges faced by SIDS and LDCs.

“The Solomon Islands continues to face significant energy challenges.

“These include extremely low national electricity access, high energy costs, and a heavy dependence on imported fossil fuels, which currently account for more than 90 per cent of our primary energy supply.

“These challenges are further exacerbated by our archipelagic geography, which increases infrastructure costs and complicates service delivery,” Manuari said.

Manuari meanwhile said Solomon Islands is richly endowed with renewable energy resources, including hydropower, solar, ocean energy and bioenergy, the GCU statement said.

“Harnessing these resources prudently is essential to ensuring sustainable economic and social development.

“While our renewable potential is significant, access to electricity remains low. The energy transition for SIDS like Solomon Islands must therefore be practical, inclusive and people-centred,” he added.

Manuari emphasised that for Solomon Islands and other SIDS, the energy transition goes beyond emissions reduction.

“For Solomon Islands and other SIDS, the energy transition is not just about decarbonisation; it is about survival, resilience and dignity. A just transition means affordable access, stronger communities, and resilient energy systems that can withstand the next cyclone,” he said.

Manuari calls for SIDS-specific financial solutions, including highly concessional and blended finance mechanisms supported by de-risking instruments and simplified access procedures.

“We call for SIDS-specific, highly concessional and blended finance, backed by de-risking tools and simplified access, and for stronger regional procurement, planning and emergency support across our islands,” he said.

Manuari also commended the work of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), particularly in advancing energy transition pathways for SIDS through initiatives such as the SIDS Lighthouse Initiative.

He echoed the sentiments of the IRENA Director-General that energy security, climate change and inequality are part of the same equation.

“We firmly believe that solutions must focus on clean energy demand and be underpinned by targeted physical, legal, institutional and financial infrastructure to enable rapid and equitable deployment—especially in the Pacific,” he said.

He concluded by inviting development partners to work with Solomon Islands in ways that strengthen long-term national capacity.

“We invite IRENA, multilateral development banks, climate funds and the private sector to partner with us in ways that build local skills, empower communities, and leave lasting institutions – not just infrastructure,” he said.

Photo credit: GCU

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