BY BEN BILUA
Gizo

THE Ward Profile and Ten-Year Strategic Plan Workshop for Western Province successfully concluded last week, marking an important milestone in the province’s drive to strengthen local development planning.

Speaking during the closing ceremony, IEDCR Consultant Adrian Toni said the next step will involve incorporating the agreed revisions, finalising the Ward Profiles and Ten-Year Strategic Plan before seeking formal endorsement and integrating the document into the province’s budget and implementation cycles.

He urges provincial leaders and Ward Development Committees (WDCs) to remain engaged and ensure that commitments made during the workshop are turned into tangible improvements in areas such as health, education, climate change adaptation, infrastructure, and livelihoods.

Toni acknowledges development partners including UNICEF, UNCDF, and IEDCR for their technical and financial support in making the validation workshop possible.

He also expressed appreciation to the Premier, Executive Members, Members of Provincial Assembly (MPAs), the Provincial Secretary, the Public Accounts Committee Chairperson, and provincial officers for their leadership and cooperation throughout the week-long program.

“To Ward Support Officers, WDC Chairs and representatives — your local knowledge, your courage to speak honestly, and your dedication have been the backbone of this process.

“To divisional heads and provincial teams — thank you for guiding the technical discussions and for making the plan practical and implementable,” Toni said.

Toni further acknowledged his fellow consultants, Alan Agassi and Dr. Morgan Wairiu, for their expertise and contribution in shaping a credible and realistic plan.

Quoting Mahatma Gandhi, he added, “Be the change you wish to see in the world. Your service this week has been that change in action.”

“May our ancestors bless this work. Walk in peace and strength, and let us go forward together — united, determined, and hopeful for a better Western Province for our children and generations to come,” he concluded.

Premier Billy Veo also commended the dedication and commitment of MPAs, Heads of Divisions, and Ward Leaders in developing the document.

He said the workshop demonstrates strong collaboration between provincial leaders and communities, highlighting a shared vision to advance the province’s development aspirations.

“This week, our Members of Provincial Assembly sat side by side with Ward Development Leaders and discussed important issues that will strengthen the Ten-Year Strategy.

“We have created the pathway, and I must acknowledge your efforts,” Premier Veo said.

Veo reaffirms his government’s support for the Ward Profile initiative, saying it has been a key focus since he took office.

He said the government looks forward to reviewing the final draft and tabling the document in the first Assembly meeting next year.

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-PM assures local media of government’s solidarity

BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

The Government for National Unity and Transformation (GNUT) remains stable and is focusing on the 2026 national budget.

Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele told local media this during his recent press conference 

in response to a question put forward by a journalist regarding the solidarity of the government.

“The government remains stable, So, our focus now is on passing the 2026 budget. And it’s for the country. So, it is a priority that GNUT attaches a lot of importance to,” he said.

The Prime Minister stressed that the government would like to ensure that the 2026 budget, gets through come December.

“We expect to pass the budget by the third week of December. Of course, there are always political undercurrents in this country with regards to politics stability, or instability for that matter. I think it’s important that as a country we need that stability in order for us to make progress in terms of our development efforts,” PM Manele said.

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By RODRICK DESURI 

Auki 

Member of Parliament for North Malaita Constituency, Daniel Waneoroa, has delivered five boats and an engine to fishermen, along with materials for their General Centre in Malu’u, North Malaita.

The shipment of the five boats, engine, and materials for the General Centre arrived safely on October 30 at Malu’u station. 

In an interview with Island Sun yesterday, constituency accountant officer Francis Bae stressed that the assistance is based on the priorities and development needs of his people, as identified in a recently conducted constituency profiling and survey report. 

He said their constituency office is doing its best to focus on the development plans that will satisfy and serve not only a few people but many people in the constituency. 

He stated that the recent shipment of the boats, engine, and materials is one of the planned shipments to North Malaita Constituency.

“We had a bigger shipment early this year, and the recent one is one of the smaller material shipments that we have planned. 

“In the recent shipment, there are five ray boats, engines, and materials for the general center that came in and were safely unloaded at Malu’u,” he said.

“Since we have many constituents asking for smaller centers for storage for fish and other things like a crushing mill, our office has come up with an idea to build eight big storage centers that will benefit everyone,” he added. 

In the meantime, Bae stressed that currently his team is in the constituency to do a survey and mark locations that are suitable for the general centers. 

He mentioned that the general centers will not accommodate one sort of sector like fisheries, but will also include the agriculture sector.

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BY MORRIS NAFU

THE Nukufero community on West Russell Island has commended Member for Savo Russell Constituency Oliver Salopuka MP for spearheading the construction of a new community hall, addressing long-standing needs for communal gatherings.

During a recent site visit, project coordinator Peter Nukuofa told Island Sun News that the facility will significantly ease hosting events.

“Before, we struggled immensely with community gatherings.

“Now, with this setup, we’re incredibly fortunate and deeply thankful to Honorable Oliver Salobuka and his office for this initiative, which directly meets our community’s requirements,” he said.

The project involved a collaborative effort, with the community contributing manpower and food, while the constituency office covered materials and logistics.

Nukuofa emphasized the hall’s status as the largest built by the office in the area and expressed hopes for further advancements, including a local clinic—currently requiring boat travel for medical care—and improved water supplies.

Salopuka, highlighted that the hall’s design aligns with local cultural traditions, featuring low ceilings and open spaces for traditional activities.

“I’m pleased that our discussions have come to fruition.

“This hall reflects my commitment to all residents of the constituency, not just voters.

“My office will equip it with a sound system, lighting, and a standby generator,” he said.

Salopuka assured that this is just the beginning, pledging continued support for upcoming projects, such as housing schemes and other essential developments.

The community echoed their appreciation for Salopuka’s generosity, viewing the hall as a vital step towards enhanced quality of life.

With the building now complete, the official handover and opening of the facility is expected to commence next month.

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By RODRICK DESURI 

Auki 

Eating local food can protect you against harmful sicknesses and prolong your lifetime, says Chief and community leader, Tome Lori’imae.

He said kumara, yam, taro, cabbage, and other local foods can strengthen the human immune system, making the body strong against any diseases and sicknesses, helping the body grow healthier for long periods, and sustaining people’s lifetimes to reach 80 to 100 years old.

He compared his early days in the 1980s, when people lived up to 80 to 100 years and even more, to the current situation where the average lifespan is only 50 to 65 years.

“Local foods are better than imported foods. They can help our bodies grow and get healthier. They strengthen our immune system against any sort of diseases and sicknesses.

“I already saw with my eyes when I was just eight years old. The lives of people can reach 80 to 100 years, but now people are shifting their focus to imported foods, which can shorten our lifespan to only 50 to 65 years,” he said.

“Not only that, it can bring sicknesses and diseases into our bodies that can sometimes be fatal,” he added. 

According to the American Board of Physician Specialists, the primary benefit of eating locally grown foods is that it provides your body with the nutrients it needs and limits the substances that can be harmful to you in high quantities, such as refined sugar, high fructose corn syrup, salt, and synthetic trans fats, just to name a few.

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BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

The Pacific Labour Mobility Annual Meeting (PLMAM), provides the opportunity to share experiences and strengthen coordination across the PLM participating countries, says Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele.

He stressed this during the official opening of the Pacific Labour Mobility Annual Meeting 2025, held from November 3-6 in Honiara.

“We must continue to stand together with governments, employers, recruiters, partners and trade unions to uphold the values that make Pacific Labour Mobility distinct – the values of fairness, dignity and care for our people,” PM Manele said in his key note address.

With the theme “Sustainable reintegration, begins with fair and effective recruitment” PM Manele said that the Solomon Islands Government reaffirms its commitment to work collaboratively with all stakeholders to address long-standing challenges and deliver the mutually open outcomes that inspire Pacific Labour and Mobility.

He calls on other participating Pacific states government to make that same commitment.

“One country’s effort is not enough, but together we can overcome what once seemed insurmountable. Every returning worker brings with them knowledge, experience, drive and capital to invest in their communities. Our challenge is to support our people by creating and enabling an environment to maximise their investment opportunities.

“We must work together to enable local investments in key growth sectors in our respective countries. Friends, our greatest strength is not only in gold or fish. It is in our people, their harbour, their faith, and their resilience,” PM Manele said.

He said that their duty as leaders is to protect workers rights, expand their opportunities and ensure their journeys abroad bring tangible benefits home.

“As we open the Pacific Labour Mobility Annual Meeting 2025 here, let us renew our shared vision that labour mobility is not just about the movement of workers, but about the movement of food, skills and opportunity across the global city. The realisation of this goal is truly within our reach,” he said.

Photo: Supplied

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