BY RICHARD MENENOPO

Solomon Power Company Limited recently farewelled one of its valued team members in an inaugurated new year ceremony held on December 31, 2025.

After 10 years of dedicated service, Solomon Power sincerely thanked Lois Mary Tito for her service, her positive spirit, and her unwavering commitment to both customers and colleagues.

“We are truly grateful to have had Lois as part of the Solomon Power family, and her contribution will be remembered and appreciated for many years to come,” a statement from Solomon Power recently said.

Tito began her journey with Solomon Power as a Call Center Officer, becoming a familiar and trusted voice to countless customers. Throughout her career, she consistently demonstrated patience, professionalism, and a genuine commitment to service.

Over the years, she served in few other roles across the organisation. From the Call Centre, Tito moved into Customer Services Enquiries and later joined the Special Projects Team on a two-year contract as Administrator for the Tina Hydro Project. Following this, she returned to Customer Services, where she continued to serve until the end of her contract.

Tito expressed appreciation for the support, respect, and teamwork she experienced throughout her years with the company, and fondly recalled the camaraderie among colleagues—something she values deeply and will always remember.

Tito leaves her colleagues with heartfelt advice:

-Always treat customers with respect

-Remember that our work is fundamentally about serving others

-Be adaptable to change, including working with colleagues of different ages

-Respect one another and our superiors

She also shared that wherever life may take her next, she will continue to advocate for Solomon Power and speak positively about the organisation.

Tito was recruited in 2015, when Solomon Power first established its call centre and a merit-based recruitment process was undertaken for a Call Centre Officer.

For feedback, contact: [email protected]

By RODRICK DESURI 

Auki 

Police in Malaita Province have thanked the public of Auki township and people across the province for their good behaviour during the Christmas and New Year celebrations. 

Malaita Provincial Police Commander, Superintendent Michael Ramosaea said this year’s festive season was much safer than previous years’. 

He said that during this festive season, Auki town and the entire Malaita Province was peaceful, though there were minor problems. 

He also acknowledged community leaders, chiefs and church elders. 

“Yes, I want to thank the public of Auki town and the people of Malaita Province as a whole for behaving well during this festive period. 

“Here in Malaita Province, it was very peaceful, though we have received minor reports from a few communities in the province.

“Also, I want to thank the community leaders, chiefs, church elders, and even the parents. They are the people who work together with us to ensure our celebrations during this festive period are safer and more peaceful,” he said.

He added that this manner shows the positive changes in the mindset of the people of Malaita.

He encouraged that this is the only way forward for Malaita Province to improve and achieve its goals.

“This is the only way forward for our province to achieve its goals. We can also develop when we work together,” he said.

For feedback, contact: [email protected]

BY NED GAGAHE

Solomon Islands National University (SINU) Vice Chancellor and senior academic, Professor Transform Aqorau, has commended the Vessel Day Scheme (VDS), describing it as a “Pacific innovation that changed the game” and a strong example of regional economic self-determination.

In a widely circulated paper titled “Reclaiming Pacific Economic Independence: From Aid Reliance to Innovation,” Professor Aqorau said Pacific Island countries have already demonstrated their ability to take control of their economic destiny through home-grown solutions.

He highlighted the role of the Parties to the Nauru Agreement (PNA), which transformed the region’s tuna industry with the introduction of the Vessel Day Scheme in 2007.

“Not long ago, Pacific nations proved we can be masters of our own economic destiny.

“The PNA turned the tuna industry on its head with an ingenious creation – the Vessel Day Scheme,” Professor Aqorau said.

He said that the VDS shifted Pacific states from being passive price-takers to resource owners who control access to their tuna resources. By limiting and trading fishing days within their waters, Pacific countries were able to charge the true value of their tuna while ensuring long-term sustainability of fish stocks.

The economic impact, he said, was dramatic.

“Collectively, PNA governments saw tuna revenues increased fivefold within a decade while preserving the sustainability of stocks.

“We went from earning a pittance on foreign fishing licences to commanding hundreds of millions of dollars a year in fees,” Professor Aqorau said.

He likened the collective power of Pacific Island countries under the VDS to that of OPEC, noting that small island states effectively controlled access to one of the world’s most sought-after tuna fisheries.

“The numbers tell the story.

“Before the VDS, Pacific states together earned as little as US$60 million per year from licensing. After we united under the VDS, revenues skyrocketed.” he said.

By the mid-2010s, PNA members were earning close to US$500 million annually from purse-seine tuna fishing fees. Total licence revenue increased from about US$64 million in 2010 to approximately US$470 million by 2016.

Professor Aqorau said these revenues had made a significant difference across the region, funding schools and hospitals, paying public servants, and supporting national budgets.

“The VDS showed the world that Pacific ingenuity can deliver economic transformation on our own terms.

“When we cooperate and assert our rights, we can rewrite the rules of an industry and capture far greater value from our natural resources,” he said.

He said the success of the Vessel Day Scheme should serve as a model for future Pacific-led innovations that aim to reduce aid dependence and strengthen economic independence.

Photo: Supplied

For feedback, contact: [email protected]

BY JUNELYN KELLY  

Northwest Choiseul Constituency (NWCC) has invested $687,162.84 from its Constituency Development Funds (CDF) in 2025 into education supporting 358 students in their educational pursuits contributing to the country’s human resource development.

From the constituency’s 2025 budget, the funds were paid directly to educational institutions in the form of tuition fees, a statement by the Ministry of Rural Development (MRD) on Monday this week said.

These supported students are undertaking studies at SINU, USP, Rural Training Centres (RTCs), and various senior high schools in Choiseul and Honiara, the MRD statement said.

Apart from the essential and social sectors, which include school fee support, the constituency office also commits ongoing support to other sectors, such as productive, resource, cultural and cross-sectoral initiatives. 

Support to the education sector is an ongoing commitment of the NWCC office under the leadership of the Member of Parliament (MP) and the Minister for Commerce, Harry Kuma, the MRD statement said. 

“Investing in our children’s education is paramount, and the constituency office under Honourable Kuma’s leadership will continue supporting this sector to ensure students excel in their education. 

“This is not the first time for the NWCC office to undertake such support; it has always been our ongoing commitment to support our constituency’s human resource development. 

“Under the strategic direction from Hon Kuma, the NWC office will continue prioritise resources for this sector,” Constituency Project Officer (CPO) Mala Poloso said.

Over the years, the NWCC office has assisted students studying at SINU, the University of the South Pacific (USP), vocational schools including, rural training centres, and other tertiary institutions in the country. 

Poloso acknowledged the national government through MRD for its unwavering commitment and support for the Constituency Development Programme, which allows constituencies to access much-needed CDF to support the various development undertakings throughout the country.

Photo: Supplied

For feedback, contact: [email protected]

BY NED GAGAHE

Solomon Islands National University (SINU) has made significant progress in strengthening its governance, accountability and strategic planning, according to Vice Chancellor Professor Transform Aqorau.

In his article “The State of Our University,” Professor Aqorau said the University Council has approved a number of new policies that aim to reinforce institutional systems and processes.

Among the key developments is the approval of a Private–Public Partnership (PPP) policy, which he said will pave the way for stronger collaboration with industry partners and investors.

Professor Aqorau also confirmed that SINU has addressed long-standing reporting obligations. He said the University’s Annual Reports for 2023 and 2024 have been completed and will be submitted to the Minister of Education for tabling in Parliament. Work is also underway to ensure the 2025 Annual Report is finalised by March 2026.

“These may sound like routine administrative tasks, but bringing our reports and audits up to date required considerable effort and signals a new culture of responsibility at SINU,” Professor Aqorau said.

He acknowledged the collective effort behind the progress, thanking council members, the management team and staff for their commitment and hard work.

Looking ahead, Professor Aqorau said the University’s governance reforms will be consolidated through a new Five-Year Strategic Plan, expected to be considered and adopted by Council in early 2026.

The Strategic Plan, developed by SINU staff with advisory support, including a monitoring and evaluation specialist funded by the Australian Government through DFAT, will guide the University’s growth over the next five to ten years.

Professor Aqorau said strong governance was the first of the three pillars he outlined when he assumed office as Vice-Chancellor, and he expressed satisfaction with the progress achieved so far.

“A university governed with integrity and vision is better positioned to attract donor support, form effective public-private partnerships and diversify its revenue base to reduce reliance on government funding,” he said.

He added that governance will remain the foundation on which SINU builds its future successes.

Photo: Supplied

For feedback, contact: [email protected]

BY RICHARD MENANOPO

SELWYN College is set to resume the 2026 academic year on Monday, January 26.

The Anglican Church of Melanesia (ACOM) Education Provider (EP) has also outlined a strict schedule for registration and student arrivals.

ACOM Education Secretary Desmond Waita announced in the ACOM Facebook page that all students are required to be on campus by 4pm on Sunday, Jan 25.

Official school registration will be conducted off-site at the All Saints Church Hall, Mission Place. The registration window opens Wednesday, Jan 14, and will run through Friday, Jan 23.

To facilitate the process, Waita advised parents and guardians to secure the necessary documentation early.

“School fees proforma can be obtained from Mrs. Karen Ratu or Miss Vicky Samani at the ACOM PHQ Office, Mission Place,” he said.

The announcement comes as Selwyn College prepares for a full academic term under the updated 2026 school fee structure.

Meanwhile, for further details on registration requirements, parents can visit the Anglican Church of Melanesia headquarters.

Photo: Supplied

For feedback, contact: [email protected]

BY ALICE T CAMPBELL

THE Anglican Church of Melanesia (ACOM) Education Provider has announced a revised school fee structure for Selwyn College this year.

ACOM Education Secretary Desmond Waita confirmed in the ACOM Facebook page that  Selwyn College Council has approved minor fee adjustments to address rising operational demands.

Under the new proposal, tuition for Forms 1-3 will increase by 10 percent, while fees for Forms 4-7 will see a 5 percent increase.

Waita said that the adjustments are necessary to combat inflationary pressures and ensure the long-term sustainability of the institution.

“These financial implications and proposed fee adjustments will enable the school to cover rising operational costs,” Waita said.

He noted that the additional revenue is earmarked for facility maintenance, the rollout of a 2026 “re-culturing initiative” and strengthening of student welfare and discipline actions.

The college also plans to invest in self-reliance projects to enhance institutional sustainability while maintaining its current standards for boarding and academic services.

In addition to the fee changes, the ACOM Education Provider is implementing major administrative reforms.

In alignment with the new Education Act, the Ministry of Education and Human Resources Development (MEHRD) has officially approved a new contract template for 2026.

This legislative shift will result in all current offer letters becoming null and void.

“All teachers currently teaching in ACOM schools will be issued new offer letters effective from 2026,” Waita confirmed.

Photo: Supplied

For feedback, contact: [email protected]

BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

Plan for the construction of a permanent health clinic to replace the burnt-down New Tenabuti Health Clinic is underway, with a new site identified, said Guadalcanal Provincial Health Director Dr Ray Seleso.

He told this paper yesterday that the Guadalcanal Provincial Health Authority has confirmed that the New Tenabuti Health Clinic in Paripao Ward in North East Guadalcanal was deliberately burned down on the night of December 26, 2025.

He said that this was a criminal act of arson linked to ongoing land disputes and rising tensions associated with mining prospecting in the area.

The fire destroyed the clinic and all medical equipment, leaving communities in Paripao Ward without essential health services.

“We confirmed via investigation reports from Guadalcanal Province (GP) Law Enforcement team that there is no evidence of accidental causes, with witness accounts confirming suspicious activity and individuals fleeing the scene shortly before the fire erupted. The suspect has been arrested and is in custody,” Seleso said.

He also condemned the act of violence and the blatant disregard for a vital public health facility in the strongest terms, saying that such actions directly harm vulnerable communities and undermine public welfare.

He said that the clinic previously served as the primary health facility for surrounding villages, providing maternal and child health services, immunisation, outpatient care, and emergency treatment.

“In response, the GP Health team visited the community on December 30 2025 and confirmed an immediate plan to restore health services. In the immediate Restoration Plan, an incomplete, newly constructed building, owned by a local community member, has been voluntarily offered for use as a temporary health clinic.

“Architectural redesign and planning have been completed, and procurement of building materials is scheduled for this week. The temporary clinic is expected to commence operations towards the end of January 2026,” Seleso said.

He said that the repurposing of the building will be funded by the Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS) through the Guadalcanal Provincial Health Grant, ensuring continuity of essential health services while long-term reconstruction plans are developed.

“Planning for the construction of a permanent health clinic is already underway. All future health facilities will require a proper land acquisition process and formal registration with GP Health, including the New Tenabuti clinic, to prevent similar incidents in the future,” he said.

He said that community members are advised to seek health services at Numbu Clinic or Good Samaritan Hospital until temporary services are operational.

Photo: Supplied

For feedback, contact: [email protected]