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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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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