BY BEN BILUA
Gizo

NORO town in Western Province has been described as a strategic location, with almost every government ministry now establishing a presence in the thriving provincial town.

Speaking during the official opening of the Fisheries Monitoring, Control and Surveillance (MCS) Building, Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele said Noro has evolved into an important hub—not only for the fisheries industry but also as home to key offices that serve the national interest.

He said the establishment of the MCS Office in Noro is both strategic and symbolic, reflecting the government’s broader vision to strengthen governance and operational capacity in the provinces.

“The facility adds significant value to the operational efficiency of the Port of Noro and directly supports the regulatory needs of SolTuna Limited—the only tuna cannery in the country and a major national employer.

“It brings regulatory oversight and enforcement capability right to the heart of the tuna industry. It enables our fisheries officers to monitor fishing activities more effectively, ensure compliance with national and international laws, and strengthen our collective fight against illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing,” Manele said.

“It is a visible symbol of my government’s commitment to ensuring that the fisheries sector operates under fair, transparent, and sustainable principles,” he added.

Manele also highlighted the strategic importance of the newly established Noro Data Centre, describing it as a vital component of the country’s national ICT framework.

He said the Data Centre enhances national IT redundancy and resilience by ensuring that essential government operations can continue even in the event of disruptions at the main data centre in Honiara.

“The Noro Data Centre provides backup capacity and data protection for critical government systems and records, especially in times of major disasters affecting Honiara,” he explained.

Prime Minister Manele reaffirms his government’s commitment to decentralisation, noting that distributing essential national functions and services more equitably across the country is key to strengthening national unity, stability, and resilience.

“This is to ensure that development and governance are not centralised in Honiara alone but reaches all corners of our nation,” he said.

Photo: Supplied

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BY NED GAGAHE

The National Parliament of Solomon Islands (NPSI) has launched the 2025 Pacific Floating Budget Office (FBO) Program in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

The two-week regional program brings together parliamentary researchers and officers from across the Pacific to strengthen fiscal analysis and transparency as the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) prepares for its inquiry into the 2026 Appropriation Bill.

The program was officially opened yesterday at the Paul Tovua Complex by PAC Chairman, Gordon Darcy Lilo MP.

The initiative aims to build technical collaboration among Pacific parliaments and improve budget scrutiny and fiscal oversight.

Participants include parliamentary staff from Tonga, Vanuatu, Fiji, Kiribati, New South Wales, and Solomon Islands.

Each legislature has nominated one in-person and one remote participant, ensuring full regional participation. Officials from the Office of the Auditor General and the Westminster Foundation for Democracy (WFD) are also attending.

Held from 3–18 November, the program features technical sessions on budget analysis, drafting, fact-checking, and proofreading. Participants will work together to analyse Solomon Islands’ 2026 National Budget.

In his keynote address, PAC Chair Lilo said the national budget remains one of the country’s most important tools for shaping development priorities.

“The budget guides how we deliver services and invest in our people.

“Through the FBO Program, we can strengthen our analytical capacity and ensure our work supports transparency and good governance,” he said.

Lilo urges participants to use the program to enhance collaboration and produce clear, relevant insights for decision-makers.

Clerk to Parliament, Mr. Jefferson Hallu, welcomed the participants, saying their presence reflects the Pacific’s commitment to shared learning and cooperation.

“We are delighted to host our colleagues from across the region. This program provides a valuable platform to strengthen our knowledge and build partnerships that support effective oversight and accountability,” Mr. Hallu said.

The FBO model, developed under the Pacific Parliamentary Effectiveness Initiative (PPEI), gives parliamentary researchers hands-on experience in fiscal analysis and policy scrutiny.

Findings from this year’s program will directly support the Public Accounts Committee’s inquiry into the 2026 Appropriation Bill.

Photo: Parliament

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By RODRICK DESURI 

Auki 

About ten Mothers’ Union groups of the Anglican Church of Melanesia’s (ACOM) Malaita Diocese have ended a regional conference on Sunday, November 10, 2025 at Fo’au Parish, Central Kwara’ae, Malaita Province. 

The annual regional conference is ACOM’s 10th conference and it aims to shape and equip the Mothers’ Unions groups with teachings and family life. 

In an interview with the Island Sun Auki, Samantha Vulesau of Fo’au said over a hundred mothers of the Anglican Church, Malaita Diocese, attended the celebration. 

She said nine Anglican parishes in Malaita Province attended and received first-hand information from the Anglican Church leaders. 

“Nine Anglican parishes from the Malaita Diocese attended this Keava Regional 10th Conference.

“It’s over hundreds of mothers that had the opportunity to hear and equip themselves about Christ’s teachings and family life talks,” she said.

She stressed that it is the second time the program was held at Fo’au parish.

“Last year, this conference celebration was hosted by Anonakinaki parish. So, this year it is our second time that the celebration has been hosted in our parish,” she said.

According to the Anglican Church book, the Mothers’ Union conference is a time when members engage in a variety of activities focused on spiritual growth, fellowship, and practical action to support families and communities.

The core purpose of these conferences is to empower women in their roles within their homes, churches, and communities, guided by Christian principles.

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BY BEN BILUA
Gizo

NORO town in Western Province has been described as the country’s strategic centre for trade, investments and connectivity.

Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele made the statement during the official opening of the new Noro Police Station yesterday.

He said Noro is one of the most important economic hubs in Solomon Islands — home to SolTuna Limited, one of the country’s largest private employers and a key contributor to the national economy.

“It hosts an international port, lies close to the Munda International Airport, and sits at the heart of our Western tourism and fisheries industries.

“This makes Noro not just an economic centre, but a strategic centre for trade, investment, and connectivity. A secure Noro means a secure Western Province and a secure Solomon Islands,” Manele said.

He said the completion and opening of the Noro Police Station marks not only a milestone for law enforcement but also a significant boost for economic growth and investor confidence.

However, Manele reminded the gathering that maintaining safety and security requires a collective effort from all sectors of society.

He said the government is committed to ensuring that by 2026, the implementation of both development and recurrent programs will achieve meaningful progress that delivers real impact at provincial and community levels.

“Infrastructure like this is part of that transformation. But we must remember that security is a shared responsibility,” Manele said.

He stressed that the national government, the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF), development partners, provincial authorities, and communities must work together to preserve peace, uphold the law, and safeguard the country’s future.

“Together, we can build a Solomon Islands where every province enjoys peace, where investments flourish, and where our people live with confidence and dignity,” Manele said.

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By RODRICK DESURI 

Auki 

The Malaita Provincial Assembly Speaker, Joe Hero’au, has put a 14-day notice period for any possible motion of no confidence for submission, starting yesterday.

This comes following media claims of a possible motion of no confidence to be moved against Malaita’s Premier, Elijah Asilaua, once the Malaita Provincial Assembly starts its meeting this month. 

Speaker Hero’au said his office is yet to receive any report of the motion from the mover. 

He stated that since he has put the notice period for submission, his office will welcome any submissions of the motion. 

“Yes, I can say that since last week, I haven’t received any formal submission of any motion of no confidence.

“Since I haven’t yet received any submission, I put a 14-day notice period for the submission of the motion,” he said.

He stressed that once his office receives any submission of a motion of no confidence, it will be the assembly’s first business.

“If there is no submission of any possible motion, then we will go straight into our meeting. But if I receive any submission, then it will be our assembly’s first business,” he said.

Island Sun understands that Malaita Provincial Premier, Elijah Asilaua’s government has taken up office just last year in May and if there is a motion to be moved against him, it will be the first.

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BY LORETTA B MANELE

The airfield upgrade in Santa Cruz, Temotu Province is advancing steadily towards completion, marking a step in improving connectivity, safety and climate resilience of the Solomon Islands aviation sector.

A statement from the Project Support Team (PST) of the Second Solomon Islands Roads & Aviation Project (SIRAP2) yesterday said the upgrade delivered under SIRAP2 is funded by the World Bank and implemented by the Ministry of Communication and Aviation (MCA), with China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC) as the contractor and Egis as the construction supervision consultant.

Recent progress is said to include the application of prime coat on the final sections of the runway (CH1+260 to CH1+330).

Shoulder treatment for the phase 1 works is also noted as “complete” except for areas near the temporary terminal building.

Meanwhile ongoing works include;

– rock revetment at the eastern end, with geo-bag installation reaching eighth of ten layers and scheduled for backfilling in mid-November 2025

– sealing of the remaining runway, with pre-coasting of aggregate underway with remaining materials expected to arrive in the coming week

Meanwhile, construction of the new terminal building and installation of airfield ground lighting are to commence shortly.

Alwyn Danitofea, MCA Permanent Secretary commended the project team for their commitment.

“The progress at Santa Cruz Airfield reflects the strong collaboration between all stakeholders- from the project support team to the contractor, the supervision consultant, and the local community. Once completed, this upgraded infrastructure will greatly enhance connectivity, safety, and economic opportunities for the people of Temotu Province,” he said.

Apart from this project, the statement mentions that SIRAP2 is also involved in other projects, namely;

– construction of the Noro Roads and four new bridges in Malaita

– upgrades to Honiara and Munda Airports and Suavanao Airfield in Isabel Province

– investments in air navigation systems in Makira-Ulawa and Temotu Provinces

– maintenance of regional airports

– rehabilitation of 21km of East Road between Baratolo and Atori

– sealing of 12km of North Road between Auki Gwaunaru’u Airfield Junction and Kwaisuliniu Road Junction

Photo: Project Support Team (PST), SIRAP2

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BY LORETTA B MANELE

The completion of the Noro Fisheries MCS Building is an initiative that aligns with our national fisheries vision.

Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele expressed the sentiment whilst speaking at the official handover of the Noro Fisheries Monitoring Control and Surveillance (MCS) Building and Noro Data Centre in Noro, Western Province on Monday, November 10, 2025.

He said completion of the building is a direct reflection of the government’s commitment to ensure that Solomon Islands continues to exercise sovereign control and stewardship over our fisheries and aquatic resources.

“This initiative is firmly aligned with our national fisheries vision— A sustainable fisheries sector that contributes to the socio-economic needs of all Solomon Islanders.

“This vision stands as the cornerstone of our fisheries development strategy, and it underpins our belief that true sustainability requires both responsible management and effective enforcement of our laws,” he said.

The Prime Minister went on to state that the protection and preservation of our marine resources are vital for our nation’s future.

Vital in the sense that the country’s marine resources provide livelihoods, income, and food security for our people.

He said to safeguard these resources, we must ensure that our monitoring, control, and surveillance capabilities are strong, modern, and strategically located.

“…..and that is exactly what this facility in Noro represents,” he added.

Speaking of the Noro Data Centre, Manele said this marks another transformative step forward but this time in the digital sphere.

“It supports the Government’s Digital Transformation Agenda and National ICT Policy, which aim to modernize public service delivery, improve access to government services, and bridge the digital divide across our islands.

“Our digital vision is clear.

“Empowering Solomon Islands with inclusive, resilient, and innovative digital infrastructure that drives economic growth, enhances social well-being, and ensures equitable access to digital opportunities for all citizens,” he said.

Manele noted that the establishment of this Data Centre embodies that vision and is a cornerstone in the effort to build a digital future that serves every Solomon Islander, no matter where they live.

Photo: Supplied

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BY NED GAGAHE

Leader of Opposition and Solomon Islands Democratic Party (SIDP) Parliamentary Wing Leader, Matthew Wale, has admitted that the “fee-free education policy” introduced during the Derek Sikua-led government was a terrible failure.

Mr Wale, who served as Minister for Education when the policy was implemented, made the admission during a recent SIDP podcast series.

He recalled that while the policy initially appeared promising, it quickly became problematic as schools began introducing various fees that made education even more costly for parents.

“During the initial stage of implementation, it looked like it was going to work well. But then schools came up with all kinds of fees, it doubled up or even got worse. So now, looking back, the evidence is clear that the policy was a failure,” Wale said.

He explained that despite the challenges, the government at the time continued with the policy, though its effectiveness was questionable.

“The test of that policy is simple, if a parent does not pay a fee, then the child is not allowed to attend class. Right now, that is still happening,” he said.

Wale said the SIDP’s education policy aims to ensure true free education, where no child is deprived of classroom time simply because their parents cannot afford school fees.

“We want true free education, not a so-called fee-free system where a child is sent home because parents can’t pay,” he stressed.

He highlighted that the new Education Act now makes schooling compulsory for all children aged six and above, meaning parents are legally required to send their children to school or face penalties.

“The Act stipulates that failure to comply will result in a warning, fine, or even prosecution,” he said.

Wale said the SIDP’s policy will ensure that all children remain in school regardless of their parents’ financial situation.

“Education is a public good, it must be delivered to everyone. The education of a child benefits not only the parents but all of us, because it helps build a productive and meaningful society,” he said.

He added that while parents have responsibilities to support schools, their failure to do so must not punish the child.

“If a parent fails to pay the development fee or contribute to school work, which is an issue between the parent and the school, the child must not be punished for it,” he said.

Wale said the SIDP will push for reforms to ensure every Solomon Islands child has access to classroom learning every single day.

“We will change that. We want all Solomon Islander children in the classroom every single day as long as they are able,” he affirmed.

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