By RODRICK DESURI 

Auki 

Auki residents in Malaita Province are being called to be responsible in disposing their own rubbish as the authority finds a possible way forward to address the current rubbish situation faced by the Auki Township areas. 

The provincial government and Auki Town Council are finding ways to address the issue while they work on a new permanent rubbish dump site at Gwaigeo, which is currently in process with the J-Prism project phase 1. 

In an interview with the Island Sun Auki this week, Hazel Fanai stressed that while work still continues at the permanent dump site, all residents of Auki and people who travel to Auki every day must take responsibility for their own rubbish. 

She stated that everyone must take responsibility to keep Auki clean and throw their rubbish away properly. 

“Yes, as we are currently having an issue with the rubbish dump site, the provincial government and we are currently finding ways to solve the issue.

“So, I encourage everyone to take full responsibility for keeping and managing your rubbish and throwing it in the right place to avoid rubbish lying everywhere in our town,” she said.

She stated that the backfilling of the rubbish in the provincial land is one of the important things that could help ease the issue.

She also calls on market vendors to be responsible for their own rubbish to help reduce the amount of rubbish in the town.

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By RODRICK DESURI 

Auki 

The Bira Bridge in West Kwaio, Malaita upgrade works under Lot 2, implemented by the Ministry of Infrastructure Development (MID-SIG) and funded by the World Bank, is progressing steadily.

This follows the unloading of the final panels for the bridge from the barge and their delivery to the site, where they were finally installed.

A statement from the Ministry of Infrastructure Development revealed that China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) has continued the advanced structural works on site to ensure a safer and more reliable bridge for the surrounding communities.

It stated that the upgrade of the Bira Bridge will improve access and enhance transport efficiency.

“It will also strengthen vital connections between key economic areas when it is completed,” the statement said.

Early this week, World Bank’s technical mission team made a visit to the Bira and Su’u Bridges construction sites to assess progress and review implementation activities under the project.

This visit gave them the opportunity to engage with contractors, supervising engineers, and local stakeholders to ensure that work is progressing according to plan, with a focus on quality, safety, and environmental compliance.

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BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele said parliament’s adjournment for November 24, 2025 is to give ample time for the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) to scrutinise the national budget.

Speaking to local media at his press conference earlier this week, PM Manele said this is an important process to transparency and accountability.

“As you know, parliament has been adjourned to 24th November 2025. During this time, the 2026 national budget is expected to be finalised and submitted to parliament, and subsequently for the scrutiny of the Public Accounts Committee. As you know, this is an important part of our democratic process to ensure transparency, accountability, and the responsible use of public funds,” PM Manele said.

He also stated that his period also allows the government to focus on key policy and governance matters that affect Solomon Islanders.

“And as you know, that the people of Solomon Islands expect transparent, accountable, and effective leadership,” he said.

Parliament is scheduled to resume sitting on Monday, November 24, 2025, after a special adjournment.

The motion for this special adjournment was moved by Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele on Friday, October 24, 2025.

The purpose is to allow the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) sufficient time to scrutinize the Appropriation Bill 2026 (the National Budget).

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BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

Remittances from seasonal workers contributed $SBD470 million for Solomon Islands in 2024.

Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele stated this in his keynote address, at the first day of the Pacific Labour Mobility Annual Meeting (PLMAM) 2025 held from November 3–6 under the theme “Sustainable Reintegration Begins with Fair and Effective Recruitment.”

“While this may be small in comparison to other Pacific family members, these remittances are of immense significance to our economy. Remittances contribute to paying school fees, building roads, and creating small businesses.

“For Solomon Islands, labour mobility is not just an economic policy. It is a lifeline of opportunity,” PM Manele told delegates.

He said that this has been referenced in the mid-term review report of the country’s national development strategy 2016-2035.

He said that thousands of Solomon Islanders have found meaningful work abroad, gained new skills, supported their families and returned home with renewed hope and experience.

“Every Solomon Islander, and I believe with the rest of the Pacific family, working overseas carries with them the spirit of our pioneers, helping families at home while contributing to regional prosperity. When one Solomon Islander or a Pacific Islander succeeds abroad, the whole community benefits,” he said.

Addressing the delegates, PM Manele said that labour mobility must go hand in hand with each Pacific Island participating countries government national development goals.

“It reduces unemployment, empowers youth and women, and builds resilience in rural communities. When workers return home, they bring back skills and perspectives that will reach our domestic industries. But we must also ensure that our local economy must provide opportunities for these workers domestically once they finish their terms.

“This is how labour mobility becomes a cycle of empowerment, not a one-way journey. Our strength lies in Pacific solidarity,” PM Manele highlighted.

The event was hosted by Solomon Islands Government and organised by the PACER Plus Implementation Unit (PPIU). It brings together representatives from Pacific governments, international organisations, employers, workers, and partners with the aim to strengthen cooperation and share best practices in labour mobility.

Photo: Supplied

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Women upset over shutdown of popular clothing spot

BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

Anger broke out among women operating their clothing businesses at the old G-Province headquarters at Point Cruz after the Honiara City Council (HCC) shut down the venue on Tuesday this week.

Following the closure, women vendors organized a protest on-site, voicing their frustration over the council’s decision to shut down the popular business spot.

However, HCC maintained its stance, explaining that the market was operating illegally without any authorization from the council to conduct business in the area.

Women who spoke to Island Sun at the scene said that the HCC law enforcement team arrived early in the morning, forced them to close the venue, and allegedly damaged several stalls.

In an interview, manager and caretaker of the area, Dinah Te’angoha Ramoga, who was assigned by the landlord to look after the site, said HCC had no right to close the venue.

“I am the manager of this place. The landlord assigned me to oversee the women doing business here. The landlord allowed them to use this area after they approached him to operate their clothing business,” Ramoga explained.

She added that on October 27, HCC issued a letter ordering them to close by Monday, November 4.

“We did not comply because it was not a High Court order but only from HCC. The landlord told us to continue marketing since HCC has no authority to evict us from this land. But today, they came, damaged everything, pulled down tents, even chopped down trees, and ordered us to leave,” she said.

Ramoga claims that the current landlord had previously won a court case over the land and continued to allow the women to operate there to help support their families and children.

“If HCC wants to close the site, they should provide an alternative venue for these women so they can continue to earn an income, feed their families, and pay school fees,” she said.

When contacted, HCC Clerk Justus Denni confirmed that the clothing market was operating without legal authorization.

“The HCC closed down the market because it was operating illegally. The owner did not have permission from HCC to run a business in that area. Although the owner collected fees from the vendors, there was no permit from the council,” Denni stated.

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By BEN BILUA
Gizo

RANONGGA Island has been crowned the cleanest island in Western Province, thanks to its outstanding achievements in sanitation and community health efforts.

This recognition comes as the island now boasts the highest number of communities declared No Open Defecation (NOD) in the province.

According to ADRA representative Sharon Dalileke Kele, the recent launch of four additional NOD communities has raised Ranongga’s total number to 12.

“Several more communities are still in the implementation phase and will soon be declared NOD,” she said.

Kele acknowledged the strong collaboration between ADRA, donor partners, the Western Provincial Government, and the Western Provincial Health Authority in supporting hygiene and sanitation projects across the island.

She also praised the commitment and perseverance of officers working in the field.

“The task is not easy when it comes to awareness and convincing communities to change their lifestyle. “But credit goes to the hardworking officers and the community leaders, women, and youths who have supported this initiative,” Kele said.

She encouraged other communities to follow Ranongga’s example, emphasising the importance of maintaining healthy community environments to prevent disease.

Western Province continues to lead the way in the NOD program nationally. The current Provincial Government has prioritised health, water, and sanitation initiatives as part of its broader strategy to enhance public health and community wellbeing.

Under its health policy, the Western Provincial Government remains committed to promoting clean, safe, and healthy environments in villages—an objective aligned with the National Health Strategic goal of improving sanitation and reducing the spread of preventable diseases.

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BY BEN BILUA
Gizo

PROVINCIAL Member of Assembly for Ward 8 in Western Province, Kadiba Alu, has described the Ward Profile and Validation workshop as both important and timely to strengthen rural development planning.

Speaking to Island Sun, Alu said ward profiling is a vital process that helps identify community needs and priorities while paving the way for targeted development interventions.

“Ward Profile is an important document that outlines key areas and helps guide development planning in rural communities,” he said.

Alu explained that the profiling exercise will support ward leaders to identify priority development needs, compile reliable data for long-term reference, prepare information for donor engagement, and improve alignment of ward development programs.

He acknowledged that while many development plans exist across the province, limited funding continues to hinder progress.

“Under the current system, ward development efforts heavily rely on limited ward grants which is not enough to fully fund our development plans,” Alu stated.

He suggests that the Ministry of Provincial Government consider introducing special funding mechanisms dedicated to ward-level development to help bridge resource gaps.

Alu also emphasized the importance of collaboration between Constituency Development Committee and Ward Development Committees in executing priorities outlined in ward profiles.

“These documents are not for decoration but to help us explore new development avenues through innovation,” he stressed.

He added that close cooperation between constituencies and wards is crucial to improve service delivery and achieve development goals.

“Constituency and ward must work together to complement service delivery and development. At the end of the day, we serve the same people and communities,” Alu said.

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BY BEN BILUA
Gizo

THE Mile 6 Cattle Project in Gizo, Western Province, is making steady progress under a new partnership between the Western Provincial Government (WPG) and the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAL).

Chief Field Officer for Western Province, Sipuru Rove, recently confirmed that his office received 1,500-star pickets and 100 rolls of barbed wire from MAL as part of the initiative’s support package.

He said the materials were transported to Gizo last week, noting that freight costs totalling SBD$11,000 will be paid by WPG as agreed.

“Under the arrangement, MAL will provide the materials and WPG will meet the freight, labour costs, and posts for the fence,” Rove explained.

He further revealed that the provincial government has already allocated SBD$377,040 towards the project to support ongoing work at the site.

According to Rove, the newly received fencing materials will cover 32 hectares of the 70 hectares set aside for the livestock development program.

He said the Mile 6 Cattle Project aims to establish a breeding facility before distributing improved cattle breeds to smallholder farmers across Western Province and other provinces.

Rove also highlighted the need to introduce new cattle breeds to boost livestock quality and productivity.

“Currently, the herds are in-breeding – mating of individuals that are related. We are waiting for the facility to be completed before bringing in new breeds to improve production. This will be done once the new facility is ready,” he said.

He acknowledged MAL and WPG for their continued support in driving livestock development in the province.

“We want to thank Dr. Samson Viulu and the Minister for their support towards this project,” he said.

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