BY BEN BILUA
Gizo

The Iriqila Community in Vella, Western Province, has taken firm action against individuals involved in the cultivation and sale of marijuana, following a community-led operation earlier this month.

Chairlady of the Iriqila Community Police Service Committee (ICPSC), Edah Pige, confirmed that 150 marijuana plants were uprooted during an operation carried out on Monday, January 5, 2026.

She said the ICPSC identified two brothers as the main culprits behind the illegal activity, accusing them of planting and selling marijuana to youths in Iriqila and surrounding villages in North Vella La Vella.

According to Pige, a team of 48 Iriqila Community Police (ICP) members travelled by boat to Makuana village on January 5 and summoned the two brothers to surrender their marijuana plantation.

“These two brothers have been poisoning Iriqila youths and the neighbourhoods with marijuana for so long.

“We no longer tolerate such behaviour and acted to stop this unwanted influence,” she said.

Pige acknowledged the recent establishment of the Iriqila Community Police Service Committee on December 19, 2025, with support from the Community Police Service Unit (CPSU) of the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) in Gizo.

She said a total of 49 community members—24 females and 25 males—have been officially appointed as Community Police under the ICPS bylaw.

“We are very grateful after waiting for almost three years for our ICPS bylaw to be in place. One of our chiefs in Iriqila was tasked in 2022 to produce a bylaw for community law and order, and finally, in collaboration with CPSU Gizo Police, we can now assist the RSIPF in maintaining law and order in our rural setting,” Pige said.

She said the committee will not hesitate to enforce its powers within its jurisdiction, which stretches from Maraziana to Takisukuru.

Pige said a set of rules has been established through community bylaws by local chiefs and will soon be endorsed by Gizo Police, either later this month or early next month.

She said offenders who breach the bylaws will be fined on the spot, with the money directed towards the ICPS fund to support ongoing community policing activities.

Photo credit: ICPSC

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BY SAMIE WAIKORI

The Yato Conservation Project in the East Makira region of Makira Ulawa Province is set to be launched in March this year.

This milestone event will mark the official recognition of the project after it was declared a protected area by the Solomon Islands Government under the Protected Areas Act of 2010 in November 2025.

Premier Stanley Siapu of Makira Ulawa Province spoke to this paper about the upcoming launch, expressing heartfelt gratitude to the communities, tribes, national government, and partners who have contributed to this significant achievement.

He said the Yato Conservation Project encompasses the largest protected area in the Solomon Islands, spanning 12,000 hectares of primary, pristine rainforest.

Premier Siapu said this marks the third conservation area to be declared under the Protected Areas Act 2010 in the province, joining two other projects in Ward 10 of Bauro region and Ward 19 of Rawa region.

In a statement that published this achievement, it says Yato is home to a rich array of biodiversity, including numerous species of plants and animals’ endemic to Makira. The area also contains culturally significant sites, such as tabu (sacred) locations and caves.

The primary goal of the Yato Conservation Program is to preserve Makira’s unique natural ecosystems, prevent destructive commercial logging and mining, and provide sustainable benefits to the local Yato communities.

An integral part of the project includes the development of a forest carbon trading program, offering an alternative income source for local communities, which reduces the reliance on logging.

Premier Siapu said the program aligns with his government’s policy to advocate for sustainable management of the province’s natural resources.

His government has consistently opposed logging in the province, and this achievement is a testament to their efforts.

The launch was scheduled to coincide with the MUP provincial assembly meeting, ensuring that all provincial Members of the Provincial Assembly (MPAs) can participate in the historic event.

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By RODRICK DESURI 

Auki 

Malaita’s capital, Auki is seeing a surge of people converging there in search of ships to return to Honiara.

And, with only few ships serving, a lot of people are still waiting in Auki.

Yesterday, Auki wharf was flooded as hundreds descended on the three ships docked there – Pelican 1 and 2, and Auki Express.

But, only less then half could make it onboard these ships.

Witnesses say it was chaotic as passengers rushed in and out of the fast-crafts, causing luggage to go missing and parents to forget their children.

Police also held Pelican 1 for almost three hours because of overloading. 

A stranded passenger, who requested to remain anonymous, said he had been trying to travel to Auki from his village since Saturday last week, hoping to board one of the vessels but was denied because he did not have a ticket.

He said he would have to wait to purchase another ticket before traveling. 

“I came on Saturday and hoped that I would travel today, but I was called out of Pelican 1 because I don’t have a ticket.

“So, tomorrow I will try my best to get a ticket before boarding,” he said.

Malaita Provincial Police Commander, Superintendent Michael Ramosaea, also warned passengers to plan their travel first.

He said that this is to avoid problems and loss of luggage.

“Today at the wharf, we received a report that a man lost his bag. The bag contained three red money notes and $3,000 in cash at the wharf,” he said.

He said that before traveling, passengers need to follow instructions and messages from vessel crews and carefully look out for their belongings.

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By BEN BILUA
Gizo

GIZO Town Council is optimistic about delivering two major projects before the end of this year as part of efforts to strengthen governance and improve essential services in the provincial capital.

In an interview with Island Sun, Clerk of Gizo Town Council, Mr. Charles Kelly, said the two priority projects are the review of the Gizo and Noro Town Council Ordinance, and the proposal for a proper landfill and cemetery for Gizo.

He said the review of the existing Gizo and Noro Council Ordinance is a complex and demanding process that requires extensive paperwork and legal procedures.

“It will take a legal team to review the existing ordinance, compile a new draft, then submit it to the Attorney General’s Office for scrutiny and endorsement.

“If you look at the process itself, it is huge,” Kelly said.

He said the implementation and harmonisation of the revised ordinance to meet the expectations of both Gizo and Noro towns would be another major undertaking.

According to Kelly, the vision behind the ordinance review is to zone both Gizo and Noro, with elected leaders representing each zone.

“He or she will be acting like the mayor of both councils,” Kelly said.

He said such a structure will provide a clear chain of command within the councils and significantly improve service delivery.

Kelly said the long-term goal is to establish a stand-alone town council with clearly defined responsibilities to support the growth and development of both towns.

“At the moment, Gizo Town Council is a division within the Western Provincial Government. What we want is to establish a stand-alone entity,” he said.

On the proposed landfill and cemetery, Kelly said the plan is still in the pipeline and awaits further discussions with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Western Provincial Government.

“Having a proper cemetery and landfill will be a huge bonus for Gizo as a growing town with an increasing population,” he said.

Kelly expressed confidence that with continued support and collaboration from stakeholders, the council will be able to progress both projects within the year.

Photo: Supplied

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By RODRICK DESURI 

Auki 

Vessels serving Malaita Province have been warned to follow marine instructions and regulations for the safety of their passengers.

This is to avoid a tragedy occurring during trips from Auki to Honiara and vice versa. 

Malaita Provincial Police Commander, Superintendent Michael Ramosaea, told Island Sun Auki this in an interview yesterday.

He said a tragedy nearly happened on Monday morning (yesterday) at Auki wharf when passengers overloaded Pelican 1.

He said police had to step in and ask some passengers to leave the vessel for the safety of everyone.

He also said that police escorted the captain of the vessel to the police station for questioning and warned him about marine regulations. 

“Yes, the Pelican 1 vessel nearly sunk. Luckily, my officers were there and got hold of them.

“So, they escorted the vessel’s captain for questioning and reminded him of the marine regulations. We had to tell some passengers to walk out from the vessel before we let go of them,” he said.

He said since the country is experiencing changing weather, all vessels must abide by and follow marine regulations to avoid tragedy.

Of the thousands of people who flooded the Auki wharf yesterday morning, less than half of them traveled by the three fast-running vessels: Pelican 1 and 2, and Auki Express.

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BY SAMIE WAIKORI

The Premier of Temotu Province, Stanley Tehiahua, will lead a delegation to Torba province in Vanuatu this month.

The visit’s purpose is to officially sign a trade agreement between the two provinces—Torba and Temotu—an initiative that has been in the works for the past year.

This agreement covers significant trade links between the two provinces of Solomon Islands and Vanuatu.

Premier Tehiahua said the signing of this agreement will create avenues for meaningful trade and exchange programs between the two provinces.

“We have been working on this agreement for some time, and while I was initially waiting from the national government, I decided to move forward with the deal.

“All the formalities have been completed, and our counterparts have also made the necessary preparations,” he said.

The premier also mentioned that the trip will allow him to explore business opportunities in Torba and evaluate how Temotu can benefit from these ventures.

“For example, small businesses are coming up, as well as many areas with potential for growth and investment in the province,” he said.

According to Premier Tehiahua, the trade agreement aligns with the province’s policy priorities for this year, particularly in the productive sector.

“We are hopeful that this trade deal will yield positive results and bring significant benefits, especially if both the provincial and national governments collaborate effectively.

“I would also like to thank the governments of Solomon Islands and Vanuatu for their continued support of this trade agreement,” he said.

The Premier said soon as everything is in place, they will begin their journey, traveling by Outboard Motor (OBM) from Lata, Temotu, to Torba province.

Photo: VBTC

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