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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BY NED GAGAHE

Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele has urged a break from the cycle of “business as usual,” calling for focused investments, disciplined prioritisation, and urgent economic transformation as the country implements the newly passed 2026 budget.

Speaking in Parliament last week, PM Manele said the government is determined to scale up proven initiatives, diversify the economy, and deliver meaningful results for Solomon Islanders, even amid competing national priorities.

“The clarity in our policy focus and our commitment to transformation helped us make the allocations captured in the budget estimates,” he told Parliament.

He acknowledged that progress may not be immediate but said that achieving change requires time, discipline, vigilance, and commitment to overcome obstacles and seize opportunities in the medium term.

According to PM Manele, the Government of National Unity and Transformation (GNUT) has defined clear priorities underpinning the 2026 budget and the next three years:

• Building economic resilience through diversification
• Investing in transformative infrastructure
• Improving delivery of public services to all Solomon Islanders
• Promoting peace, unity, and security
• Strengthening fiscal stability in the medium to long term

The Prime Minister highlighted the importance of this “break from the past” as the country prepares for several historic milestones: the 2025–2028 general elections, the 50th anniversary of independence, and Solomon Islands’ graduation from Least Developed Country (LDC) status in 2027.

“The 2026 budget is designed to achieve meaningful developments in commemoration of our nation’s 50th year of independence and sovereignty, and to ensure we sustain our graduation from LDC status,” PM Manele said.

He called on government agencies, partners, and Solomon Islanders to support the budget’s implementation as the nation charts a path toward sustainable growth, transformation, and national unity.

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BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

A mining toolkit developed by the Development Services Exchange (DSE) revealed feelings of exclusion of land owners’ voices when it comes to extractive industries such as mining and logging.

In developing the Toolkit, the Development Services Exchange (DSE) has conducted a survey of traditional landowners in Guadalcanal, Isabel, and Malaita provinces.

The survey gathered perspectives on logging and mining activities.

The preliminary findings revealed widespread feelings of exclusion, lack of consultation, and dissatisfaction with current practices.

The Key preliminary found that People found out about extractives industry operations informally, such as observing machinery or hearing rumours, as opposed to formal notification, which is required by law.

The toolkit also found that where consultation occurred, it was often late, superficial, and limited to select individuals.

The Key preliminary finding includes,

• While some people mentioned short-term economic benefits like local employment or road access, the majority reported disruptions to local livelihoods and not enough compensation.
• Extractive companies often made existing divisions and conflicts worse or created new disputes, especially when companies favoured certain families or leaders over others.
• People have been frustrated by the lack of enforcement of community and environmental protections, opaque agreements, and the neglect of traditional governance systems in the process.
• People highlighted the devastating environmental impacts, including deforestation, river pollution, and loss of biodiversity and noted that companies rarely made an effort to rehabilitate affected areas or monitor environmental impacts.

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BY SAMIE WAIKORI

The Ministry of Commerce, Industry, Labour and Immigration (MCILI) has reaffirmed its interest in the Bonale pineapple initiative, despite having limited direct involvement in the project over recent years.

The Bonale pineapple project, located in West Kwaio, Malaita Province, has remained one of the viable economic initiatives under consideration for several years. However, no significant action has been taken to unlock its full economic potential.

Speaking during the Committee of Supply debate in Parliament last week, the Minister for Commerce, Industry, Labour and Immigration, Hon. Harry Kuma, said several studies have been conducted on the Bonale initiative since 2016.

“Feasibility studies have been carried out on Bonale, including assessments on land use and other relevant aspects of the area.

“In 2019, when the USAID SCALE project came in, we expected it to provide funding, and we also hoped it would carry out further assessments,” he said.

However, the Minister noted that the outcomes of the studies were not encouraging, particularly in terms of projected pineapple production output.

“One major challenge is infrastructure. I hope that when the Bina Harbour project comes on stream, it will improve the feasibility of the proposed pineapple processing factory at Bonale,” he said.

Minister Kuma added that although the ministry has not been closely involved in the initiative, it recognises the importance of the proposed economic project.

“We will revisit this initiative. Its location is strategic, and pineapple production in the area is substantial. Therefore, we believe it should be considered in this year’s budget,” he said.

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BY NED GAGAHE

The High Court of Solomon Islands has issued urgent ex parte orders restraining several companies and individuals from extracting gravel and other resources from the Lunga River area at Betikama land, pending further court proceedings.

Justice Gina Maree Nott made the orders on November 17 2025 in Civil Claim No. 549 of 2025 according to documents sighted by Island Sun.

The application filed by the lawyer for Chief Daniel Una, Fr Joseph Bakachikai and Patteson Taba, who are representing themselves and the Rohe Tribe.

The applicants named Lee Kwok Kuen & Company Limited, AJ Concrete Limited, Dragon Construction Limited, ZYG Trading Limited, S.I. Cement Products Limited, VFresh Beverages Production Limited and Xiao’s Construction Limited as the first to seventh respondents.

Several individuals, Daniel Bale, Nesi Guu, Patrick Tuna, Marilyn Tuna, Aaron Devesi, Billy Black, MPA Alfred Bobby and Peter Isaac, were listed as eighth respondents.

Under the orders, the first to seventh respondents are restrained from entering the Lunga River area, extracting, moving, purchasing or dealing in any way with gravel or other resources from the Betikama land, whether directly or through their agents, contractors or associates.

The court also ordered that the companies must not transfer, disburse or dispose of any proceeds arising from gravel already extracted or sold after service of the order. Any such proceeds currently held must be preserved until further order of the court.

The eighth respondents are restrained from authorising, permitting or granting any rights to enter the land or extract resources, and from interfering with the applicants’ claimed ownership, possession or management of the Betikama land.

A penal notice has been endorsed on the orders, warning that any knowing breach may constitute contempt of court and could result in a fine, imprisonment of up to three months, or both.

The court directed that the orders will remain in force until the applicants file substantive proceedings in accordance with the Civil Procedure Rules, and thereafter until further order or final determination of the case.

The High Court confirmed that any defence or response to the substantive claim must be filed before 14 December 2025.

The matter is scheduled for mention on January 22, 2026 at 9:30am.

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BY NED GAGAHE

PRIME Minister Jeremiah Manele has highlighted the government’s strategic investments in the agriculture sector, underlining their role in driving economic growth and improving food security.

Speaking during the debate, PM Manele said the government is focused on export-oriented agricultural activities while simultaneously enhancing farmers’ purchasing power to strengthen domestic food security.

“As a government, we are intentional and deliberate in our strategy in the agriculture sector and in the allocation of resources,” he said. “We have not neglected food security; in fact, we have allocated nearly US$30 million for local food production and security through our partnerships.”

The Prime Minister highlighted the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock’s initiative to expand domestic rice production trials, which forms part of broader efforts to reduce the country’s rice import bill.

He also outlined several externally funded projects supporting local food production and nutrition, including:

• IFAD – Agriculture Investment for Market and Nutrition, with a budget of US$19 million over six years.
• FAO – Sustainable Transformation of Domestic Agri-food System, with a budget of US$3 million over three years.
• FAO – Food Systems Integrated Programme, with a budget of US$5 million over five years.
• UNICEF and Japan – School Meals Nutrition Project, with a budget of US$3.4 million over three years.

PM Manele said that the government’s approach is both intentional and deliberate, aimed at strengthening the agriculture sector, boosting exports, and improving food security for Solomon Islanders.

“Our initiatives are designed not only to support farmers but also to ensure that our people have access to nutritious and affordable food while reducing reliance on imports,” he said.

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BY SAMIE WAIKORI

The national government, through the Ministry of Commerce, Industry, Labour and Immigration (MCILI), is taking steps to establish the secretariat and board for the Special Economic Zone (SEZ) initiative.

Part of this effort includes the recruitment of a highly qualified CEO, who will be tasked with driving the SEZ’s development, a key initiative aimed at transforming the nation’s economic landscape.

The proposal marks the first major implementation of the SEZ after Parliament passed the initiative earlier this year.

Speaking in Parliament recently, the Minister for Commerce, Harry Kuma, confirmed that his ministry has secured budget funding to set up the SEZ board next year.

“We are currently in the process of establishing the SEZ secretariat and board. These must be set up first.

“Once the board is in place, they will recruit a world-qualified CEO to lead the initiative. We aim to recruit the CEO in 2026,” he said.

The Minister furthered that to begin the roll-out of SEZ, government will focus on locations that already have basic infrastructure in place, to minimize upfront costs.

“We will begin with areas where infrastructure exists, making it easier and quicker to establish operations and grow from there,” he said.

In a separate statement, Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele described the SEZ as a breakthrough to attract investment and stimulate the country’s economic growth.

“The SEZ is designed to foster investment, streamline business processes, and create employment, especially in rural areas.

“These zones will offer tax incentives, infrastructure support, and customized regulations to attract both local and foreign investors, focusing on sectors like manufacturing, tourism, and agriculture,” he said.

Rex Ramofafia, the former Planning Minister and current Minister for Finance and Treasury, echoed the Prime Minister’s sentiment, noting that the SEZ will create a business-friendly environment, encourage investment, and bring economic opportunities to long-neglected areas.

“This initiative will not only create jobs and boost local businesses but will also help increase foreign exchange receipts and contribute to a more diversified and resilient economy,” Ramofafia said.

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