BY BEN BILUA
Gizo

THE much-anticipated yearly festival known as the “Lagoon Festival” returns to Munda attracting both locals and tourists who are eager to see the culture and traditions of Roviana and Western Province.

The festival opened with speeches as guests took turns to say something interesting about the only community driven festival.

In an interview with Island Sun, Adrian Wickham said the festival started in 2009 as a community event that took place annually.

He explained that the tuna industry was the main sponsor back then, but now the festival has its own funding.

Wikham said the festival has now become a community event, driven and administered by communities.

He said the festival is now more attractive and is also a place to be for tourists.

Wickham said Lagoon Festival has two main aims which are to bring communities together and promote culture and tradition.

Chief Principal Officer for Western Province Tourism, Meria Paza said her office fully support events such as the Lagoon Festival as the activities can bring back traditional knowledge, culture and tradition to the younger generation to learn from.

She adds that Western Tourism Division’s support is not only through promoting the event but also by allocating small funding for the event.

Paza said Western Tourism Division also supports local organising committees and communities with necessary funding to host such events.

She highly encourages domestic tourism as people move from one place to another to see the events which is good for the economy.

Paza mentioned that such an event also provides a huge opportunity for women and girls to sell their produce.

“Other communities should also establish their festivals to promote uniqueness of respective resources,” she said.

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BY BEN BILUA
Gizo

PRIME Minister Jeremiah Manele says the strength and future of Solomon Islands rests on its people, reaffirming the Government’s renewed focus on human capital development.

He made the remarks during the Western Province Day celebration at Seghe, Western Province earlier this week, highlighting that the nation’s progress is inseparable from the growth and empowerment of its citizens.

Manele said strong human capital is the foundation of a thriving society and economy, adding that meaningful development requires collective effort.

“A better society and growing economy depend on partnership between people, organisations, provinces and countries,” he said.

He stressed that development cannot occur in isolation, but must be driven through collaboration at all levels.

“Development fundamentally relies on partnership. Its positive impact cannot occur in isolation.

“It must be supported by collaboration across our villages, towns, provincial, national and international levels. This involves working with a broad spectrum of stakeholders—national and provincial government institutions, customary landowners, churches, the private sector and non-government organisations,” he said.

Manele further emphasised that development must be inclusive, ensuring no individual or community is left behind.

He also reminded those present that the GNUT Government’s policies are anchored on four key pillars.

First, delivering tangible development and progress across the country, while ensuring unity and stability at all levels of governance.

Second, driving economic transformation through productive and resource sectors such as fisheries, agriculture, tourism and mining.

Third, advancing infrastructure development as a lifeline and enabler of economic growth and service delivery.

Fourth, strengthening human capital, which he said is the true backbone of the Solomon Islands.

Manele said these pillars guide the government’s ambition to build a more resilient, inclusive and prosperous nation.

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BY NED GAGAHE

Opposition Leader Matthew Wale has warned that Solomon Islands’ logging industry is heading towards an inevitable collapse “by default” as forest resources become exhausted, with Government policy still failing to address the crisis.

Speaking during the Committee of Supply proceedings in Parliament yesterday, Wale said the forestry sector is on a downward spiral not because of deliberate policy decisions, but simply because there are no longer enough logs to cut, particularly below 400 metres where the majority of commercial harvesting occurs.

“We continue on this pathway and we are totally unsustainable.

“It seems the industry will reach its end not through leadership or planning, but by running out of trees,” Wale said.

He highlighted that the official sustainable harvest rate is 300,000 cubic metres per year, yet the country has been cutting between 1.6 and 3 million cubic metres annually for years—up to ten times the sustainable limit.

He argued that the Government has shown no political will to take decisive action to reform the sector or invest in alternatives, despite repeated warnings from environmental experts and international partners.

“Downward pressure on harvest rates is being forced by the lack of stock, not by Government policy.

“We are simply letting the industry crash on its own,” Wale said.

Wale urged the Government to shift to value-added processing and take a long-term approach that would deliver more revenue from a smaller, sustainable harvest.

He said short-term pain would lead to mid-term gains if the country commits to processing timber locally instead of exporting raw logs.

In response, Forestry Minister Makario Tagini admitted the situation is dire, stating openly that “there’s no sustainable logging in our country” and confirming that logging remains the nation’s number one revenue source.

Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele acknowledged Wale’s concerns and said that it is something that the Policy Evaluation Unit is to work with Forestry and Finance on to prepare a Cabinet paper to outline future options for the sector.

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BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

The Audit Report on the COVID-19 Economic Stimulus Package (ESP) remains a top priority for continuous investigation, says the Minister of Police, National Security and Correctional Services, Jimson Tanangada.

The Audit Report was released in early October 2024, with the Solomon Islands’ Office of the Auditor General (OAG) detailing mismanagement, procurement breaches, and compliance issues with the 2020 stimulus funds.

It shows major fraud risks with 3 government officials signing off on many payments, one of them cleared 251 cheques totalling $6.8million and over 2,000 grant payments and only 200 applications could be found for review by OAG.

The government’s $309 million Economic Stimulus Package in 2020 to revitalise the economy during the pandemic was a payment disaster, an audit has found.

However, updating the local media during the Prime Minister’s Press conference on November 28 2025, Tanangada did not provide further details but said that he takes the matter seriously.

“I will not comment in detail on that. Probably what I can say is that any issues of national interest are relevant to this now. As far as the police are concerned, if the case is really reported, then I will be, as a Minister, able to request agencies that are responsible for investigation to give the updated information,” he said.

He further pointed out that the issue cannot be anticipated or even verified if there is a case or not.

“We cannot pre-empt it, and even cannot even substantiate it at the moment whether there is a case or not. But that is a very important matter that, of course, the public and people living in the country need to be aware of,” he assured.

He stressed that he needs to confirm whether there is a report so he can issue instructions to provide updated information on the matter immediately.

“I need to confirm whether there is a report. And then I can issue instructions for immediately updating the public at the moment on how far the investigation is going,” he said.

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BY BEN BILUA
Gizo

WESTERN Province has successfully delivered 408 completed development projects since 2008, marking one of the strongest provincial performance records in the country.

Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele revealed the achievement during the Western Day celebration at Seghe, Western Province on Monday, December 8, 2025.

He said the total investment injected into these completed projects is estimated at $70.6 million, directly benefiting nearly 60 percent of the province’s population.

According to Manele, the completed developments include 63 education infrastructure projects valued at $28.6 million, 197 water supply systems serving more than 23,000 people, 38 agriculture projects, and 223 solar installations across 49 communities.

He said additional investments were also channelled into waste management, fisheries, and environmental conservation, all of which contribute to improved livelihoods and long-term sustainability.

“Building on this strong record of achievement, the Western Provincial Government has qualified for the 2025/2026 PCDF allocations and approved 31 new capital infrastructure projects worth $19 million to be delivered before the end of the fiscal year,” Manele stated.

He said the upcoming projects will prioritise economic infrastructure, education, youth development, and health services, further strengthening Western Province’s commitment to improving living standards.

Manele added that Western Province, compared to other provinces in the country, demonstrates a higher level of economic development, driven by consistent project delivery and effective utilisation of development funds.

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Veo slams government over delayed PGA review

BY BEN BILUA
Gizo

WESTERN Province Premier, Billy Veo has criticised the national government for what he describes as a failure to address long-standing recommendations submitted by provincial premiers on the review of the Provincial Government Act (PGA) 1997.

Speaking during the Western Day celebrations at Seghe this week, he said provincial governments across the country are increasingly frustrated that key issues such as the devolution of powers, a revised revenue-sharing scheme, and other pressing provincial matters continue to be overlooked.

“Intentions of all provinces are clear.

“We want decentralisation of powers and a revised revenue-sharing scheme,” Veo said.

He calls on the Ministry of Provincial Government and Institutional Strengthening (MPGIS) and the national cabinet to urgently establish a taskforce that will assess the submission made by premiers and to work towards producing a revised Bill no later than 2026.

In response, Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele acknowledged the concerns raised by the premiers and has given his assurance that broader reforms are on the way.

He said the MPGIS will collaborate closely with all nine provincial premiers next year on advancing meaningful reforms to devolve relevant functions and powers to provincial governments.

Manele also confirmed that the Attorney General’s Chambers has cleared the proposed “quick-fix” amendments to the PGA 1997, paving the way for cabinet deliberation.

“I understand that the PGA 1997 needs substantial review. But it is also essential that these reviews are carried out systematically and neatly.

“It is in that regard that more comprehensive reforms will follow the quick-fix proposed amendment to the PGA 1997,” he said.

Manele further revealed that MPGIS has consulted relevant ministries and will re-table the Revenue Sharing Scheme to cabinet early next year.

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MMERE is working to establish laboratory

BY SAMIE WAIKORI

The Ministry of Mines, Energy and Rural Electrification (MMERE) is working towards establishing a laboratory to enhance its capacity to determine the values, quality and quantity of minerals being exported.

Speaking in Parliament last week, Minister for Mines (MMERE), Derrick Manuari made the statement, highlighting this milestone achievement for the mineral sector of the country.

He said, with regards to progress across the ministry, the Geological Survey Division has achieved major milestones, including the procurement of modern analytical and geochemical laboratory equipment.

“I know this is a concern that has been raised, given our incapacity to determine the value, the quality and quantity of our minerals that are being exported.

“Some of the equipment has been procured and some will be procured soon. A critical infrastructure that has been highlighted in the national budget,” the Minister stated.

In light of the initiative, he added that the ministry through its Geological Division has completed preparatory works for the National Geochemical Laboratory.

“This laboratory, as we all know, once fully operational, will significantly reduce our dependence on overseas testing.

“It will accelerate exploration timelines and strengthen minerals valuation and compliance verifications,” the minister emphasized.

Manuari thanked the Central Tender Board for approving submissions by the Ministry for the procurement of specialised and laboratory equipment worth more than SBD $5 million.

He emphasized that the laboratory will modernise and enhance the capability of the current geochemical lab to support the mining sector.

On the same note, the minister also announced that the Geological Subdivision has also completed upgrades to the Geohazard Monitoring and Disaster Readiness Systems.

“This is a development of hydrology and groundwork data platforms, and updates of minerals occurrence maps across Solomon Islands.

“The initiative established collaboration with regional and national institutions and organisations to enhance geological research and mapping, which will improve access to advanced data and technology and support better management of earth resources and geohazards,” he said.

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BY LORETTA B MANELE

Opposition Leader, Matthew Wale has stressed on the initiative of having a fully fledged medical faculty at the Solomon Islands National University.

He raised this in parliament yesterday during discussion on the 2026 Appropriation Bill 2025, particularly on the Ministry of Health and Medical Services budget allocation which is SBD $728,507,879.

Initially, Wale raised that SINU already has a production line of nurses hence there is the supply of doctors.

On this note, he said with the size of our population and the growth rate, the level of experienced and qualified doctors in the postgraduate level is high already.

“We can have a fully-fledged medical faculty at SINU. So perhaps that needs to be, you know, a little bit of energy put behind that one.

“Again, I think there’s been some initiatives taken, but for a fully-fledged one, so that in 2027 we have a medical faculty up and running, so many students per year,” he said.

Wale also mentioned that other countries in the region like Vanuatu, Kiribati and Tuvalu would also be interested in this venture.

“So, there is already a need, a catchment for that.

“I’m just wondering whether the government wants to move in that direction and how quickly,” he said.

Minister of Health and Medical Services, Paul Popora Bosawai in response to this, agreed, pointing out that this is something we need in the region.

He also informed parliament that he is already in discussion about this with his Vanuatu counterpart and is also in discussion with his counterpart in Papua New Guinea.

“I’m already in discussion with the Vanuatu counterpart.

“Even my recent trip to Fiji during the WHO, we also explore who are interested, like for Fiji and PNG, they already have their faculty. 

“I’m also in discussion with my counterpart in Papua New Guinea, if we can increase the quota of our intake of our medical students there. So, these are some things that are in discussion,” he said.

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By RODRICK DESURI 

Auki 

Auki Police officers in Malaita Province have kick-started their high visibility operation for the approaching festive season.

This visibility operation is held specifically to crack down on social activities such as the fighting, stealing, selling of marijuana and the consumption of locally brewed alcohol (Kwaso) in public areas and communities. 

Malaita Provincial Police Commander, Superintendent Michael Ramosaea, stated that they started the operation over the weekend with an awareness campaign in parts of Auki township.

He said the operation will cover all communities of Auki township and beyond. 

“Yes, we have started a high visibility operation in V3 and Sigitae communities over the weekend.

“During the operation, we chased a few youths along with older people who were grouped and involved in drinking in various locations,” he said.

Meanwhile, he appeals to the public of Malaita, especially Auki Township, that they will not tolerate anyone involved in these social activities.

He added that his officers are well-trained and equipped for the operation with full force.

“I call on everyone to treat this festive period with a good Christian heart and not to get involved in social activities that can disturb others,” he said.

Superintendent Ramosaea also encouraged community leaders and elders to work together with the police for a safer festive season and celebration.

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