BY SAMIE WAIKORI

The Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, Disaster Management, and Meteorology (MECDM) has reiterated its commitment to supporting the Government of National Unity and Transformation’s (GNUT) policy priorities.

Speaking during the debate on the sine die motion in Parliament on Monday December 15, 2025, the Minister for Environment, Hon. Polycarp Paea, emphasized his ministry’s ongoing efforts to deliver tangible results for the people of the country.

“I am pleased to report that the ministry has made significant progress in advancing key programs and projects that directly align with the GNUT’s policy priorities for 2025,” Minister Paea said.

“These initiatives include efforts in environmental protection, sustainable resource management, climate change adaptation and resilience, disaster risk management, and the provision of 24/7 early warning services,” he added.

The minister also highlighted several key milestones achieved by the ministry in 2025.

“We’ve made notable strides in addressing loss and damage through policy dialogue and investment strategies, enabling Solomon Islands to access the international loss and damage fund,” Paea explained. “Additionally, we’ve launched the country’s first National Adaptation Plan, expanded protected areas with landowner involvement under the Protected Areas Legislation, started the construction of disaster warehouses in Honiara and Auki, and made significant progress on the country’s first weather radar.”

These achievements, according to Paea, underscore the ministry’s leadership in advancing climate action, safeguarding biodiversity, and protecting communities nationwide.

However, the minister also acknowledged the challenges in delivering environmental, climate change, disaster management, and meteorological services across the provinces and communities. He pointed out that these are complex, cross-cutting issues requiring strong national, regional, and global collaboration.

Paea further highlighted legislative and policy gaps, especially in enforcement, compliance, and the institutional capacity of the ministry. He also noted the need for stronger data sharing and coordination to ensure timely reporting and evidence-based planning.

“Despite these challenges, the ministry has shown resilience and innovation, supported by strong partnerships with line ministries, provincial governments, NGOs, civil society organizations (CSOs), churches, the private sector, and our bilateral and multilateral partners,” Paea said.

The minister expressed his gratitude to these partners, acknowledging that their contributions remain crucial in advancing shared objectives and achieving meaningful outcomes.

“As we look toward 2026, I reaffirm my ministry’s commitment to managing our resources effectively and delivering clear, practical results for the people of Solomon Islands,” Paea said.

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BY SAMIE WAIKORI

The Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, Disaster Management, and Meteorology (MECDM) has proposed key legislative reforms aimed at advancing its vision and delivering tangible, practical results for the people of the Solomon Islands.

Minister Polycarp Paea made the announcement in his remark during the debate of the sine die motion in Parliament on Monday December 15, 2025, where he addressed the ongoing work on several critical pieces of legislation within the ministry.

He emphasized the ministry’s commitment to achieving clear, measurable outcomes as the country moves closer to 2026.

Minister Paea said that the ministry is focused on stewarding national resources effectively to ensure they deliver concrete benefits to the people.

In this context, he revealed that work is already underway on updating the Environment Act 1998 through the drafting of the new Environment Bill.

In addition to this, Paea noted that amendments to the Meteorology Act, a review of the National Disaster Council Act, and the introduction of a Climate Change Bill are also part of the reform agenda.

“These legislative reforms are crucial in providing a strong legal framework that will protect our environment, strengthen resilience, and ensure that our domestic efforts align with our international commitments,” the minister said.

Furthermore, Minister Paea emphasized the ministry’s plan to enhance its presence in the provinces by improving visibility and outreach efforts on issues related to the environment, climate change, disaster management, and meteorology.

This initiative, he explained, will ensure that local communities are actively engaged in policy development and decision-making processes, while also improving coordination with provincial governments and partners to maximize resource use and avoid duplication of efforts.

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BY SAMIE WAIKORI

The Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS) is reaffirming its commitment to strengthening the country’s health infrastructure, marking a key component of the ministry’s role delineation policy. This initiative is closely aligned with the national health strategic plan.

Speaking during debate of the sine die motion yesterday, Minister for Health, Hon Dr Paul Bosawai Popora, highlighted significant progress made by MHMS in improving health infrastructure across the nation.

In 2025, the ministry successfully completed and launched several major health infrastructure projects, including:

• Mataniko Dental Services
• Konide Area Health Centre
• Deva Odedeo Rural Health Clinic
• Kukum Urban Health Facility
• Tulagi Mini Hospital
• Helena Goldie Hospital
• The Comprehensive Medical Centre

According to Dr. Bosawai, these facilities are now operational, providing vital healthcare services to communities. Looking ahead, the minister outlined plans for more health infrastructure projects scheduled for completion in 2026, including:

• Naha Birthing Centre
• Kilu’ufi Hospital Expansion
• Manuopo Area Health Centre
• Wagina Area Health Centre
• Tukutaunga Area Health Centre
• Gwanaetai Rural Health Clinic
• Sulufoloa Rural Health Clinic
• Horobao Rural Health Clinic

Dr Bosawai emphasized that these developments are a testament to the ministry’s dedication to ensuring that modern, accessible, and safe health facilities are available throughout the country.

Additionally, the minister revealed plans for 2026, which include the construction of 16 primary health facilities across Solomon Islands, starting with hospitals in Lata (Temotu), Choiseul, and Guadalcanal.

“In the 2026 budget, we will begin the construction of these 16 new primary health facilities,” Dr Bosawai said. “These projects are part of our ongoing efforts to enhance the country’s health infrastructure and deliver high-quality, improved health services to our people.”

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BY NED GAGAHE

OPPOSITION Leader Matthew Wale has strongly criticised the Government for National Unity and Transformation (GNUT), saying its legislative performance has fallen well short of the priorities outlined in the Speech from the Throne.

Speaking in Parliament during the Sine Die Motion on Monday December 15, 2025, Wale said the Government was “not as productive as it could have been,” despite this being GNUT’s first full year in office.

“The list of priorities and legislative agenda outlined during the Speech from the Throne was not matched by what came through the House,” Wale said.

“I had high hopes that Parliament would be kept on its toes by the load of legislative work to be transacted. This was not the case.”

While acknowledging the Prime Minister’s explanation that political instability had affected productivity, Wale said this was an issue GNUT itself must resolve. He added that excessive overseas travel by ministers had also contributed to the lack of progress.

“I was told that overseas travel by some ministers was without the information, let alone the consent of the Prime Minister. If true, this is just terrible and wrong,” he said.

Wale further revealed that his office had received reports of ministers failing to attend their offices, leaving Permanent Secretaries without political guidance and contributing to poor policy delivery.

“This behaviour leaves Permanent Secretaries in an awkward position and is a contributory factor to this low productivity by GNUT,” he said.

He called on the Prime Minister to “put his foot down” and impose discipline on ministers, noting the Prime Minister’s assurance that 2026 would be a much busier legislative year.

Wale also criticised the recurring issue of political instability, saying it has become “custom” for Prime Ministers to complain about it.

“GNUT is not stable, we all know that,” he said. “There are simply too many factions sponsored by a diversity of vested interests feeding off the personal interests of certain individuals in GNUT.”

He described the situation as “state capture,” arguing that national interest is no longer the sole driver of government decision-making.

“When you know what the right thing to do in the national interest is, but you make a different choice, then you know the government is held captive to other interests,” Wale said.

He warned that such instability erodes national sovereignty and harms the economy, stressing that all leaders share responsibility to address the problem.

“This situation has become normalised, but it cannot continue if we want to see our country and people grow to their full potential,” Wale said.

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Opposition Leader Wale slams high costs, poor services, calls for strong policy action

BY NED GAGAHE

OPPOSITION Leader Hon. Matthew Wale has criticised the government over poor service delivery, rising costs and what he described as policy lethargy that continues to choke economic growth and burden Solomon Islanders.

Speaking during the budget debate, Wale said Parliament spent considerable time discussing the lack of meaningful competition in the telecommunications sector, which he said continues to deliver poor quality services at high prices.

“There are tools in the hands of government to make structural changes that would result in better quality, more reliable and cheaper communications,” Wale said.

He said that communications, like electricity, fuel and transportation, are critical to a vibrant economy, yet service providers continue to “get away with” delivering substandard services at high cost.

“What we see is an attitude of providers betting on getting away with poor quality services under the excuse of ‘fitim Solo na ia’,” he said.

Wale said service providers are not being held accountable, and warned that unless reforms to the independent regulator are strengthened, the economy will remain on a “chokehold” and Solomon Islands will fail to attract investment.

“As long as policymakers accept this lazy excuse, we will not be the attractive investment destination we ought to be,” he said.

Turning to education, Wale said the cost of schooling has become unaffordable at all levels, from early childhood education to Solomon Islands National University (SINU).

“This is directly under the control of government, yet somehow it has slipped,” he said.

Wale said school fees in many cases exceed the annual income of parents, and in some instances are more than double what families earn in a year.

“It is as if school fees are set to prohibit families from sending their children to school. This is an absurd situation,” he said.

He said education should be free, but if the Government for National Unity and Transformation (GNUT) is unable to deliver free education, then school fees must at least be reduced to a reasonable proportion of the national income per capita.

Housing was another critical area Wale said has been neglected by government policy, resulting in soaring rental costs beyond the reach of ordinary Solomon Islanders.

“Urban centres are now showing a clear class divide when it comes to housing,” he said.

Wale called for a comprehensive housing policy that addresses bank lending, government incentives, land availability and values, infrastructure, and access to utilities.

“Neglect cannot be an option,” he said.

On economic policy, Wale acknowledged government’s identification of growth sectors such as minerals, tourism, fisheries, agriculture, infrastructure, telecommunications, aviation and commerce. However, he said identifying sectors alone was not enough.

“It is one thing to identify these sectors, but it is another to unlock their true potential,” he said.

He said government policy both fiscal and regulatory must play a leading role in enabling other players to create opportunities in these sectors.

“The government cannot do everything, but it is the key player in enabling others to do their part,” Wale said.

He criticised the 2026 Budget, saying it failed to introduce “game-changer initiatives” needed to drive growth and improve livelihoods.

Without decisive policy action, Wale warned, the country would continue to fall short of its economic potential.

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BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

TWO major Agricultural projects in the country’s two main provinces are progressing, said Franklyn Wasi, Minister for Agriculture and Livestock (MAL).

This includes the two-story Agriculture office building at Kirakira Mankira, Ulawa Province, and the two-story agriculture office buildings in Malaita Province.

Mr Wasi said that all building materials for the Two-Storey Agriculture Office Complex at Kira Kira in Makira Ulawa Province are now on site.

According to the Minister, work has now started, and the building is anticipated to be completed before June 2026.

He said that the Makira will also have a new 3-bedroom house for the Chief Field Officer, fully funded by MAL.

“Chief Field Officer 3 bedroom fully funded under MAL.  The two-storey office complex is now under a World Bank-funded project “Solomon Islands Agriculture and Rural Transformation” or SIART for short,” he said.

He further adds that work on the Malaita two-storey Agriculture Office Complex is also in progress.

He said that Funding for these projects comes under the World Bank-funded project Solomon Islands Agriculture and Rural Transformation (SIART).

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GUADALCANAL Province has taken a major step toward stronger, more efficient social services with a three-day workshop that brought together leaders from 22 wards to strengthen planning, coordination, and community-driven development.

The provincial government, with support from UNICEF through the EU-funded Provincial Governance and Service Delivery Strengthening Programme, delivered a three-day integrated capacity-building workshop on improving social service delivery in Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH), health, and education sectors, a statement said.

Held from December 1 – 3, 2025 at Ginger Beach in west Northwest Guadalcanal, the workshop was attended by a total of 36 policy makers and stakeholders from provincial government, Chairpersons from Ward Development Committees (WDCs), and Ward Support Officers (WSOs) representing 22 wards in Guadalcanal Province.

The training aimed at improving the provincial policy makers and ward leaders’ capacity in planning, budgeting, designing and efficiently implementation of social sector programme and projects at community level.

Director of Provincial Health Guadalcanal Province, Dr. Rayboy Seleso highlighted the importance of community-based health committees and encouraged closer collaboration to bridge ongoing funding challenges impacting sector infrastructure.

In addition to the social sectors, the workshop also provided platform for officials from provincial government divisions responsible for women, youth, children, and agriculture to provide updates on current priorities and identified potential areas for stronger people-community-government collaboration.

The participants benefitted from increased understanding of sector mandates and planning processes; stronger call and recognition of the role of ward structures in improving social services; and shared commitment to strengthen coordination and communication between wards and the provincial government. Improved skills and effective coordination are expected to benefit about 154, 000 people including 60,000 children and over 10,000 people with disabilities.

During the closing of the workshop, Mrs. Lavinia Tafea Ward Support Officer for Moli ward 10, acknowledged the valuable support of UNICEF, the EU, and partners, and encouraged continued partnership to ensure improved services reach every family in Guadalcanal Province.

BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

The Apunepara Ha’amwaora Natural Resource Association (AHNRA) in South Malaita received prestigious recognition as the Association of the Year from the Young Entrepreneurs Council of Solomon Islands (YECSI).

This award was announced during a special breakfast event organised at King Solomon Hotel to honour this year’s sponsors and award recipients on 9th December 2025.

During the ceremony, the Chairman of YECSI expressed deep appreciation for the dedication and hard work exhibited by the members of AHNRA.

He highlighted their unwavering commitment to sustainable practices and community development, which have significantly contributed to the local economy and environmental stewardship in the region.

The acknowledgement not only celebrates the association’s achievements but also encourages other groups to pursue similar paths of innovation and collaboration for the benefit of their communities.

Abel Oscar Watesao, a dedicated Board Member of the AHNRA Association, graciously accepted the award on behalf of the organisation.

This recognition reflects the hard work and commitment of the entire team at AHNRA in advocating for their mission and serving the community.

Abel expressed his gratitude for the honour and highlighted the collective efforts that have led to this achievement, emphasising the importance of collaboration and perseverance in their ongoing initiatives.

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