BY SYLVANA TEKUMAHA

COMMISSIONER of Lands (CoL) Alan McNeil has firmly rejected allegations circulated in the media relating to the 2023 variation of the lease over the Kongulai Water Treatment Plant land parcel.

Speaking during a media conference on Friday December 12, 2025, Mr McNeil outlined what he called misinformation and “baseless” claims made against him.

McNeil was suspended on November 13, 2025 over allegations including:

Fraudulent execution of the lease variation (RT Form 10) and the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on November 26, 2023, allegedly knowing some parties involved had already passed away in relation to parcel 191-064-1 (Kongulai Water Source).

Breach of a High Court Order (Civil Case No. 463 of 2009).

Misrepresenting a “good will” payment by former Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare as a final payment under the disputed 2023 lease agreement.

However, the suspension was revoked and set aside on November 28, 2025.

McNeil told local media that none of the alleged deceased individuals signed any documents, explaining that the old trustees appeared on the lease only because the RT Form 10 requires referencing the original 1983 lease, whose signatories have since passed away.

He said the 2023 landowners did sign the variation and the MOU, and evidence including the agreement, a group photo taken in the Cabinet room, and a news article published through the Government Portal clearly confirms this.

“There is proof that the MOA was signed on November 28, 2023 in the Cabinet room at OPMC. The evidence is there. So any landowner who claims he was not present their signatures and photographs are clear,” McNeil said.

He listed the 2023 trustees who signed as LESSOR:

Kasiano Lalau, Savino Laugana, Joseph Pali, Simon Mavi and Damako Roko.

McNeil signed on behalf of the government as LESSEE.

A lawyer representing the landowners witnessed the signing.

McNeil said that after he scanned and passed the documents to Deputy Lands Commissioner Maeli Lubasia, that was when the mistake occurred.

According to McNeil, the original landowners’ names were incorrectly hand-written onto the RT Form 10 by the Deputy Commissioner instead of the 2023 trustees who signed the MOA.

Mr Lubasia acknowledged the mistake when questioned by the media.

“The pressure I experienced during the 2023 Pacific Games was huge. I had to process the RT Form 10 quickly to ensure water was available during the Games, and I mistakenly wrote the original owners’ names,” Lubasia said.

McNeil said this error happened after the signing ceremony and was outside his control.

“I wasn’t aware of the error because it was already out of my hands by then,” he said.

McNeil insisted the mistake does not amount to fraud.

He said the administrative error occurred at a time when ensuring uninterrupted water supply during the 2023 Pacific Games was a national priority, and emphasised that: No one benefited, the error is fully correctable, and it does not meet the legal definition of fraud.

“No one benefited, nothing illegal occurred, and the mistake is fully correctable. Calling it fraud is stretching it far beyond reason,” he said.

• Commissioner of Lands McNeil confirms he is exercising his democratic right and suing government over suspension

BY NED GAGAHE

Commissioner of Lands Alan McNeil has confirmed that he is taking legal action against the Government over his recent suspension relating to allegations of fraud involving the Kongulai Water Plant land dealings.

McNeil made the revelation on Friday, December 12, 2025 during a press conference in Honiara, where he broke his silence for the first time since being suspended and subsequently reinstated just weeks apart.

He was suspended on November 13, 2025 by the Ministry of Public Service over serious allegations connected to parcel 191-064-1, the Kongulai water source land. The accusations included:

Fraudulent execution of the 2023 lease variation (RT Form 10) and the Memorandum of Agreement, alleging that deceased trustees were knowingly referenced in the documents.

Breach of a 2009 High Court Order (Civil Case No. 463 of 2009) in the manner the land transaction was handled.

Misrepresentation of a payment made by former Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare, which was alleged to have been presented as the final settlement for the 2023 lease agreement.

McNeil has publicly denied all allegations, describing them as baseless, procedurally flawed, and lacking any factual foundation.

He said he was never given an opportunity to respond before the suspension was imposed and insists he has “very strong evidence” to counter every claim.

When asked yesterday to comment further on the case, McNeil declined, citing the sensitivity of the matter.

“I’m not going to touch on that today; it’s still an ongoing matter because I have a claim in court against the government. So it’s a sensitive issue. That’s still not resolved yet,” he said.

Attorney General John Muria Jnr, when approached for the government’s position, also declined to comment, noting that the matter is now before the High Court.

McNeil confirmed his case is formally listed for February next year.

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BY NED GAGAHE

PRIME Minister Jeremiah Manele has called for national unity, responsible leadership and shared commitment to building a stronger Solomon Islands.

Speaking in Parliament on Thursday, December 11, 2025 Prime Minister Manele outlined the Government achievements and challenges in 2025.

He said Solomon Islands continues to grapple with heavy dependence on extractive industries, a narrow revenue base and a rapidly growing youthful population that urgently needs jobs, skills and opportunities.

“These challenges are not new, but our commitment to addressing them is unwavering,” he said, adding that the recently passed 2026 Budget is designed to tackle these long-standing issues head-on.

Mr Manele stressed that nation-building is not the responsibility of Government alone, but a collective duty shared by citizens, families, communities and leaders across all levels.

“We must teach our children the value of hard work, respect, unity and service,” he said.

“Whether we live in rural areas or urban centres, whether we serve in the public or private sector, we must all contribute to building Solomon Islands.”

The Prime Minister urged MPs to always reflect on the national interest when making decisions, whether as ministers or ordinary MPs.

Ahead of the Christmas break, Mr Manele expressed appreciation to public servants, teachers, police officers, provincial governments, churches, NGOs, private sector organisations, farmers and fishermen for their contributions to national development throughout 2025.

“Our journey is far from over, but our direction is clear,” he said. “With unity, stability and determination, we will continue to build a stronger, peaceful and more prosperous Solomon Islands.”

The Prime Minister held back his Christmas greetings, noting he would deliver them when winding up the Sine-Die Motion next week.

Parliament yesterday was adjourned on Thursday 11 to Monday December 15, 2025 to continue delibration on the Sine-Die-Motion, with the House set to conclude the Sine-Die-Motion on Wednesday 17 December 2025.

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BY LORETTA B MANELE

Pauline McNeil, permanent secretary for the Ministry of Health and Medical Services has described the Women’s Leadership Initiative as a campaign to stand up for women in the health sector.

She expressed this at the launch of the “Women’s Leadership Initiative” by MHMS and Solomon Islands Australia Partnership on Wednesday, December 10 at Heritage Park Hotel.

“It is also a campaign that calls on all of us to stand for safety, respect, dignity and equality for all our women, all our health workers who continue to serve and deliver health services; all our girls of today and years to come,” said Mrs McNeil.

She emphasised that for the health sector, this responsibility is immediate and deeply relevant.

McNeil said violence affects the health, safety and dignity of women across our country, hence, strengthening women’s leadership is therefore part of their broader obligation to ensure that our health facilities and workplaces are safe, respectful and equitable.

“It represents a deliberate effort to create pathways for our women in the service. Opening opportunities for them, empowering them, building their capacity to ensure they are confident and competent in the work that they do,” she said.

On this note, the Permanent Secretary stated that for leadership development and for meaningful participation in shaping our health system in this country, they will establish an alignment of network of leaders who can mentor others, regardless of where they are, whether it’s at a lower health facility or at an average ministry headquarter.

“We’ll ensure that the opportunities are available and accessible to ensure that they share experience and serve as role models across the country.

“We will also use evidence from Nationwide Diagnostic Survey of Women in the Health Workforce to identify the barriers, the bottlenecks and the challenges and design effective practical solutions that will be reflected in our strategies, frameworks and policies,” she said.

To top that off, McNeil said they will also continue to advocate for workplace reforms that support women as well as transparent promotion processes, safe and respectable environments that are free of harassment and violence, zero tolerance of violence and flexible arrangements for them to be recognized as they go along in their leadership journey.

She stressed that these commitments are essential if we want a leadership culture that truly reflects the talent, the skills and the diversity of our health workforce.

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BY NED GAGAHE

AFTER five days of intense debate and scrutiny, Parliament has passed the 2026 Appropriation Bill 2025, approving a total government expenditure of SBD$5.6 billion for the 2026 financial year.

The Bill went through the Committee of Supply and the Third Reading without any amendments and was passed on Wednesday, December 10, 2025.

Speaker Patterson Oti declared the Budget approved.

The passage of the Bill authorises government spending amounting to SBD$5,605,482,104, and also sets annual borrowing limits in accordance with the Public Financial Management Act 2013.

These include provisions for Treasury Bills during exceptional situations and borrowing facilities through development partners or local financial institutions to support key infrastructure and development priorities.

Minister of Finance and Treasury, Rexson Ramofafia, confirmed during the third reading that the Bill had emerged from the Committee of Supply unchanged.

He highlighted the Government’s medium-term objectives under the 2026 Budget, which include:

• Achieving average GDP growth of 3–5 percent, driving increased economic activity in rural and urban areas and boosting employment by around 3 percent.
• Keeping domestic inflation at or below 3 percent.
• Maintaining sustainable budget balances consistent with projected revenue and financing capacity.
• Ensuring debt levels remain manageable.
• Gradually rebuilding cash reserves through surplus revenue transfers.
• Budget Aims for Transformative Change

Earlier, Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele said the 2026 Budget represents a shift away from “business as usual” toward a more proactive and transformative direction, guided by the theme:

“Accelerate Economic Transformation: Resourcing the Resourced for Economic Growth and Sustainable Development.”

He said the Budget is anchored on six core development objectives:

• Promoting transformative and sustainable economic growth
• Maintaining affordability in the national budget
• Safeguarding fiscal stability
• Improving service delivery through quality and targeted spending
• Strengthening national unity and empowering communities
• Advancing good governance and accountability

“These objectives highlight the areas central to our work next year,” the Prime Minister said. “With these priorities in mind, my Government will continue its efforts across all sectors and provinces.”

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BY LORETTA B MANELE

Pauline McNeil, permanent secretary for the Ministry of Health and Medical Services has described the Women’s Leadership Initiative as a campaign to stand up for women in the health sector.

She expressed this at the launch of the “Women’s Leadership Initiative” by MHMS and Solomon Islands Australia Partnership on Wednesday, December 10 at Heritage Park Hotel.

“It is also a campaign that calls on all of us to stand for safety, respect, dignity and equality for all our women, all our health workers who continue to serve and deliver health services; all our girls of today and years to come,” said Mrs McNeil.

She emphasised that for the health sector, this responsibility is immediate and deeply relevant.

McNeil said violence affects the health, safety and dignity of women across our country, hence, strengthening women’s leadership is therefore part of their broader obligation to ensure that our health facilities and workplaces are safe, respectful and equitable.

“It represents a deliberate effort to create pathways for our women in the service. Opening opportunities for them, empowering them, building their capacity to ensure they are confident and competent in the work that they do,” she said.

On this note, the Permanent Secretary stated that for leadership development and for meaningful participation in shaping our health system in this country, they will establish an alignment of network of leaders who can mentor others, regardless of where they are, whether it’s at a lower health facility or at an average ministry headquarter.

“We’ll ensure that the opportunities are available and accessible to ensure that they share experience and serve as role models across the country.

“We will also use evidence from Nationwide Diagnostic Survey of Women in the Health Workforce to identify the barriers, the bottlenecks and the challenges and design effective practical solutions that will be reflected in our strategies, frameworks and policies,” she said.

To top that off, McNeil said they will also continue to advocate for workplace reforms that support women as well as transparent promotion processes, safe and respectable environments that are free of harassment and violence, zero tolerance of violence and flexible arrangements for them to be recognized as they go along in their leadership journey.

She stressed that these commitments are essential if we want a leadership culture that truly reflects the talent, the skills and the diversity of our health workforce.

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BY RODRICK DESURI 

AUKI 

A ship carrying building materials for North Malaita, Malaita Province, is set to sail soon to the constituency. 

The shipment will contain housing scheme materials, project materials and income-generating equipment for the proposed growth centre. 

In an interview with Island Sun Auki, Member of Parliament for North Malaita Constituency, Daniel Waneoroa, said the distribution of the materials to each of the recipients will be based on project proposal submissions. 

He said many project proposals have been submitted and received by his constituency office, but the limited constituency fund does not allow for every application to be approved. 

“Distribution of the materials to the recipients will be based on proposal submissions,” he said. 

“The funding for the materials is limited; however, we will try our best to address everything once the funds are sufficient,” he said.

Waneoroa said that under his leadership, there are a few major plans in place for implementation, but due to pressure from constituents, they will not become a reality.

He said that the pressure from people coming and asking for assistance is one issue that can’t be addressed for any further development.

Island Sun understands that this will be the second chartered materials for the North Malaita Constituency.

Other constituencies in Malaita Province have completed their material shipments.

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BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

Anti-mining activist Adi Galokepoto Bennett has acknowledged the Mining toolkit developed by the Development Services Exchange (DSE) and its partners.

The project is a collaboration between ICAAD (International Centre for Advocates Against Discrimination), the Development Services Exchange (DSE), Apunepara Ha’amwa’ora Natural Resources Association (AHRNA), and a CBO from Lauru/Choiseul Province.

It is supported and funded by the Earth Rising Foundation.

Speaking to Island Sun during the DSE-organised Mining Toolkit and Media Advocacy Workshop held at St. Barnabas Melanesia Leaf Hut yesterday, Mrs Galokepoto said that communities can now be informed of their rights with the availability of the mining toolkit.

“You let the community know what their rights are? How to use several pathways for raising issues, if they are unhappy with how the government is carrying out mining, whether it’s affecting their livelihood, there are clear guidelines on how to assist those who are raising the issues, rather than taking matters into their own hands,” she said.

Mrs Galokepoto, a member of the Forum Against Mining on Choiseul (FAMOC), said that the toolkit provides an avenue where communities can also share their disagreements.

“At least they have a mechanism where they can also share their grievances. This mining toolkit can help them understand the laws, what process they can follow, and how they can further advocate if they don’t want mining to affect their area. It’s a useful mining toolkit,” she said.

She said that it allows communities to have a say and be aware of the pros and cons of mining, understand the conditions surrounding mining, and the responsibilities of the government.

“So, for us, we are looking at enhancing the process that we started a few years ago, back in 2014, where we tried to do more awareness. At the time, we used whatever materials we had. But this time, at least there’s a standard way we can use to communicate and encourage collaboration amongst our communities for sharing our thoughts and raising awareness of what our rights are as well,” she said.

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BY NED GAGAHE

PRIME Minister Jeremiah Manele has reaffirmed the Government’s strong commitment to lowering the high cost of electricity in the country, describing the issue as a major barrier to economic growth and an unnecessary burden on households.

Speaking in Parliament yesterday during the Sine-Die Motion, the Prime Minister said significant work is already underway to address the issue through targeted reforms in the energy sector.

He said the review of the Electricity Act is progressing, while the review of the non-fuel tariff component for the next three years has just been completed.

“Solomon Power as a state-owned enterprise must follow the Government policy. There is no way around this,” Mr Manele said.

“Our people deserve better. The high electricity cost makes doing business in Solomon Islands very expensive. We will address this and we are committed to push to bring the price of electricity down.”

The Prime Minister added that the energy sector must also open up to more independent power producers, noting that ongoing reforms are designed to encourage competition and increase efficiency.

Mr Manele also highlighted major progress in the telecommunications sector, pointing to nationwide improvements in digital connectivity.

“Telecommunications connectivity has significantly improved with additional 4G and 5G expansion efforts underway,” he said.

He explained these developments are helping to reduce the digital divide and are unlocking new opportunities for education, business, innovation and community development.

The Government continues to build new communication towers across the country, although some sites face land-related disputes.

“We have signed off on a new submarine fibre optic cable to enhance communication resilience and we look forward to its completion,” the Prime Minister said.

He also stressed that mobile and internet costs must be reduced and made more affordable for all Solomon Islanders.

Mr Manele said the Government places high value on its citizens, describing them as the country’s “greatest asset.”

He said since taking office, the Government has continued to invest in education, health, youth development and skills training to build a stronger and more capable population.

“The 2026 Budget passed this week is a testament to our commitment for human capital development, where health, education and police sectors got unprecedented allocations—and rightly so,” he said.

The Prime Minister outlined the Government’s support toward school infrastructure development across provinces, additional learning resources and strengthened teacher training programmes.

He also confirmed that curriculum reforms are underway to ensure Solomon Islands students gain the skills needed for the future.

In the health sector, Mr Manele said the Government has improved the supply of essential medicines, increased disease surveillance, and supported upgrades to provincial hospitals and clinics.

“We work closely with partners to strengthen emergency response systems and community health outreach programmes,” he added.

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