BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

The Ministry of Forestry and Research, and the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, Disaster Management and Meteorology will benefit from 330 million Japanese Yen, SBD$17 million under the Japanese Economic and Social Development Programme.

Minister of Foreign Affairs & External Trade (MFAET), Peter Shanel Agovaka (MP), chargé d’affaires ad interim of the Embassy of Japan, Maruo Katsumasa, and Resident Representative of JICA Solomon Islands Office, KAWASAKI Mitsuyoshi, signed the grant agreement yesterday.

The signing ceremony for the official Exchange of Notes and Signing of the Grant Agreements for the Economic and Social Development Programme between the Government of Solomon Islands and the Government of Japan was held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs & External Trade (MFAET) Conference Room.

Delivering his remarks, Minister of MFAET Agovaka said the two grant agreements signed reflect the enduring partnership between Japan and Solomon Islands, and reaffirms the commitment of both Governments in ensuring the well-being of the people of Solomon Islands.

He said that the first grant agreement for waste management, the funds, which amount to a value of 147 million Japanese Yen, will strengthen the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, Disaster Management and Meteorology’s waste management capacity through the provision of waste treatment equipment.

Agovaka said the second grant agreement, a total of 183 million Japanese Yen to the Ministry of Forestry, will be for additional sawmills.

In 2024, Japan through the Capacity Development for Sustainable Forest Resource Management in Solomon Islands, distributed 67 sawmills to communities.

“These ongoing efforts reaffirms Japan’s commitment to sustainable forest resource management, community empowerment, and the long-term prosperity of the people of Solomon Islands,” Agovaka said.

He acknowledged JICA’s ongoing work to strengthen solid waste management systems under the existing project Promotion of Regional Initiative on Solid Waste Management in Pacific Islands Countries (J-PRISM Phase 3).

He said the newly signed project will greatly complement the J-PRISM Phase 3 project and enhance the Ministry of Environment’s capacity to implement environmentally sound practices to protect public health and the environment by addressing the challenges of waste management.  

“On behalf of the Government of Solomon Islands, thank Japan for its commitment, support, and partnership in ensuring that our development agenda continues to align with our common vision for sustainable growth, social wellbeing, and regional stability,” he said.

He said he looks forward to seeing the positive impact of this collaboration unfold and remains optimistic about the bright future Solomon Islands and Japan are building together.

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BY SAMIE WAIKORI

Premier Stanley Siapu of Makira Ulawa Province says despite ongoing challenges, the province continues to register positive results.

Speaking at the 2025/2026 Revised Budget Meeting held in Kirakira last month, Premier Siapu said that while his government acknowledges and celebrates its progress, it also remains mindful of the challenges it continues to face.

He outlined several key challenges which include;

• Bureaucratic inefficiencies that slow service delivery—adding that the Provincial Government Administration (PGA) is currently under review
• Inconsistent commitment among public officers, which affects performance.
• Influence from donors and some government ministries at times sway provincial priorities.

Premier Siapu emphasized that his government is actively addressing these issues through accountability reforms, workforce optimization, and by strengthening provincial autonomy in decision-making.

Despite these challenges, he said Makira Ulawa province is rich in opportunities that require stronger cooperation to fully explore and benefit from.

Siapu said key opportunities currently being pursued by the provincial government are;

• Strategic use of Perpetual Estate (PE) land under the Premier for development.
• Expansion of healthcare and education infrastructure, including the relocation of Kira Kira Hospital and the establishment of the SINU Makira Campus.
• Harness the province’s natural assets through the World’s Biggest Coral Tourism Strategy (2026–2030).
• The establishment of Huro Township to accommodate increased manpower needs and empower small and medium enterprises.
• Promotion of national and international cooperation through sister province relationships with Guadalcanal Province, Temotu Province, and China’s Guizhou Province aimed at fostering cultural exchange, trade, investment, and shared learning.
• Ongoing work to formalize and finalize Land Planning Schemes (LPS) for Kirakira, Namuga, and Huro townships.
•  Formalizing of processes relating to lands transferred to Makira Ulawa Province.

Premier Siapu said these initiatives represent some of the key priority opportunities his government is pursuing, and he reiterated his call for close cooperation to ensure successful implementation.

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BY NED GAGAHE

The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Solomon Islands has welcomed four new volunteers who will serve in various development sectors across the country over the coming years.

The group arrived recently in Honiara and paid a courtesy visit to the Japanese Embassy on January 12, 2026, according to a statement from JICA.

“These four individuals will be dispatched to Honiara and will engage in activities that contribute to the social and cultural development of Solomon Islands in their respective fields,” the statement said.

The newly arrived Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers (JOCV) include:

Takami Sakamoto, who will work in support for persons with disabilities at the Special Development Centre and Special Support Centre, contributing to disability support services in Solomon Islands.

Michiko Souda, assigned to the Inshore Division under the Community-Based Resource Management Section, will focus on community development and the promotion of coastal fisheries.

Hiroki Takatsuka, who will work with the Kastom Garden Association, will support marketing initiatives aimed at promoting agriculture and horticulture in the country.

Taisei Waki, attached to the Judo Federation of Solomon Islands, will focus on developing and promoting judo in Solomon Islands.

JICA said the volunteers are expected to spend two years in Solomon Islands as part of their assignment, working closely with local partners and communities to strengthen skills, knowledge sharing, and people-to-people ties between Japan and Solomon Islands.

“We are excited to announce the arrival of four passionate JICA Volunteers who have joined us to contribute their skills and knowledge to the development of the Solomon Islands.

“These volunteers will be working closely with local communities and organizations in areas such as education, agriculture, community development, and sport, fostering mutual understanding and friendship between Japan and the Solomon Islands.

“Their mission is not only to share expertise but also to learn from the rich culture and traditions of the Solomon Islands, creating a true partnership for sustainable development.” the statement said.

The JOCV programme has been supporting Solomon Islands for many years, contributing to human resource development and grassroots-level initiatives across multiple sectors.

Photo credit: JICA

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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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