BY LORETTA B MANELE

The Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAL) is looking to kick off their coconut replanting program next year, says Samson Viulu, MAL Permanent Secretary.

Appearing before the Public Accounts Hearing (PAC) yesterday for hearing of the 2026 National Budget (Appropriation Bill 2026), Viulu spoke about what the ministry’s doing in terms of their programs for the local commodity.

He said if they are to receive the budget for the above initiative, they will use it to start the program next year.

Viulu also said through other donor funded projects such as one with the World Bank, they are being assisted to replant coconuts.

He highlighted that next year, their target is to establish an additional new 1000 hectares for coconut and then around 300 hectares for cocoa.

“That is the direct intervention from the government through the ministry,” he said.

Viulu also mentioned that in terms of value-added downstream processing, so far, they have 4,000 metric tonne of coconut oil and have exported coconut oil in January up to October this year.

He added that while the production for coconut oil remains steady, for copra there’s a huge jump.

Member of Parliament for Small Malaita and PAC Chairman, Rick Hou asked Viulu how they can help farmers to be steady in production of the commodity; noting that commodity products fluctuate all the time.

In his response, Viulu said they are focusing on providing tools and equipment for trials.

To top that off, he mentioned that they are also working closely on a new programme with Australia’s DFAT (Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade).

Viulu said under the new programme, SICRAD (Solomon Islands Climate Resilient Agriculture Development Program), they will be building several storage sheds, in selected ports of call in every province to help act as buying centres for rural buyers in the provinces.

Moreover, he stated that hopefully when this commences and having some price stability programme, he thinks it should sit the Ministry of Commerce.

“So, we will discuss with Commerce and probably CBSI to help us with this, so that price is maintained,” Viulu said.

He voiced that apart from price, they will also have to continue to strengthen the rehabilitation and replanting of new plantations.

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BY BEN BILUA
Gizo

WESTERN Province Council of Women has elected a new executive following the successful hosting of their Annual General Meeting yesterday.

Commissioner of Oath, Charles Kelly, also the clerk of Gizo Town Council was engaged to facilitate the election.

The new WPCW Executives are; Hellen Willie (President), Ripua Mazini (Vice President), Lily Loe (Secretary), Merilyn Roy Vana (Vice Secretary), Greenter George (Treasurer).

Delivering her farewell speech, outgoing President, Rendy Solomon congratulates the new executive for accepting the responsibility.

She also acknowledged the members who voted the new executive into office.

Solomon asked the new executive to give the former, three months to prepare all the needed documents before proper handing over commences.

She said the task will be challenging but can be navigated to better outcomes and positive steps to grow the council.

“Take the challenges as motivation and move forward. I pray God will guide you. Take the challenges for the betterment of our province,” Solomon said.

She also acknowledged the members for supporting the outgoing executive for the past 18 years.

Solomon said the outgoing executive stands ready to support the new executive.

In her maiden speech, President elect, Hellen Willie said the outgoing executive has raised the bar in terms of achievements and leadership.

“I will never be like Rendy Solomon. But I will learn from her, follow her footstep and get her advice,” she said.

Willie said the task will not be easy but she looks forward to any challenges that come her way.

She said she is confident with the new executive and together with the help of the old executive, more achievements can be made.

“There will be no one man decision. There will always be a united decision,” Willie said.

“Nothing is impossible with God. Everything is possible with God,” she added.

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BY BEN BILUA
Gizo

THE Western Province Council of Women have successfully concluded its long-awaited Annual General Meeting (AGM) yesterday in Gizo, bringing together women leaders from across the province for the first time in several years.

Ward presidents and vice presidents representing all 21 wards attended the meeting, signalling what leaders described as a strong commitment by women to advance national and provincial policies at the community level.

In her welcome remarks, Caretaker President, Rendy Solomon thanked the participants for sacrificing time away from their families to attend the AGM. She said the turnout shows the determination of Western Province women to support development initiatives despite ongoing challenges.

Solomon acknowledged that her executive had struggled for years to organise the AGM due to severe financial constraints.

“Bringing all the women to Gizo, providing them accommodation, meals and their return is an expensive exercise.

“We were told to hold the AGM earlier but as I have said, it was not an easy task. We don’t have the financial capacity to call the AGM. But with the limited resources, the executive managed to produce a financial report from 2012 to 2024,” she said.

Solomon added that the Council relies heavily on rental income from the Women’s Centre to finance its operations, noting that delays in rental payments and arrears contributed to the extended postponement of the AGM. The recent availability of rental income finally made the meeting possible.

She also acknowledged the Western Provincial Government for its support towards the event.

Representing the provincial government, Provincial Secretary Patrick Toiraena congratulated the Council for successfully hosting the AGM and thanked the women for attending despite their responsibilities at home.

He emphasized the important role the Women’s Council plays in project planning and implementation across the province.

“I really salute you for attending this meeting. Your attendance reflects your commitment towards women’s development in your wards and the province.

“Most projects require gender equality or women engagement, so you are stepping in the right direction for your province and communities,” Toiraena said.

He encouraged women to take up more leadership roles, saying this will help share the burden of leadership and introduce new ideas and visions for communities.

Toiraena also called for stronger cooperation between the Western Council of Women, the provincial government, the Ministry of Women, and the national government.

He said he looks forward to receiving the AGM report to ensure the provincial government is fully informed of the outcomes and resolutions made.

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BY LORETTA B MANELE

Solomon Power is currently progressing work in its renewable energy endeavours.

Delilah Homelo, CEO for the state-owned enterprise gave a brief take on this at a UNDP and Ministry of Mines, Energy and Rural Electrification (MMERE) Panel Discussion on “Pathways towards better electric power availability, affordability, and sustainability” at the Heritage Park Hotel last week.

When questioned about what renewable project Solomon Power is currently engaged in, she said they have a battery storage system.

Homelo explained that right now, they have a grid set up for two connection points which are Lunga and Honiara Powerhouse.

She voiced that they are very conscious about grid stability, noting that if you have multiple generations coming in to different feeders, it will impact the system.

“So, it’s very important that we need to have stability in the grid. As a result of that, we have to have battery storage,” said Homelo.

She mentioned that this battery storage project is funded through ADB and Saudi, together with Solomon Islands Government for exemptions with Solomon Power.

Homelo said they also need to prepare their grid.

She added that if there are different connection points, they will also have to upgrade whatever infrastructure they have in those areas.

“So right now, we’re also doing studies for integration, studies for interconnections as well. And it will identify what sort of upgrades that we need to do. And it will cost money as well.

“We will have to spend money to do that. But then it will enable other parties to come on board as well,” said Homelo.

She noted that as the Lunga Power Station is old, they are in the process of doing electrical upgrade.

Homelo said they are also in the process of setting up their dispatch center, so that they could also be able to manage the various renewable energy that comes through.

“So, in a few years’ time, it will be hydro plus solar plus diesel. So, we need to be able to do that as well. And we have to spend money for that,” she said.

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BY LORETTA B MANELE

The availability of energy in education and health has an impact especially on those who can only use it when it’s available.

Robert Luke Iroga, a prominent journalist and CEO of Solomon Islands Business Magazine shed light on this whilst speaking from a panel on UNDP and Ministry of Mines Panel Discussion on “Pathways towards better electric power availability, affordability, and sustainability” on Friday, November 14, 2025 at Heritage Park Hotel.

He shared briefly of how as a student back then, using energy was only possible at a certain time and for him and his colleagues at the time, it was only until 10pm.

Iroga said at school, by 10pm, the power would go out and that meant it was the time the generator would be turned off.

“So, after 10 o’clock, you have to use candles,” he said.

Iroga voiced that this experience was like limiting your ability to get extra knowledge and it was because of personal power.

He mentioned that a few years ago, he went back to the school and they still have this problem.

“10 o’clock, power off. There’s nothing more. So, you are constrained by something that others enjoy as part of their life.

“You can’t have computers connected to the school. You can’t have laptops. You don’t have internet, which also uses power,” he stressed.

Iroga went on to speak about energy in the health sector.

He voiced that when you have electricity in the rural areas, in the clinics or in the hospitals, doctors can give instructions for operations in the villages.

“And that’s the power. Once you have everybody connected to the grid, or have some access to energy.

“This happens in India. In India, a lot of the doctors are based in Delhi, but they give instructions to clinics or hospitals in the rural areas,” he said.

Iroga noted that from the perspective of a journalist, these are very good stories that as he puts it “we can actually articulate and go to another level” on.

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BY LORETTA B MANELE

We need to quickly and robustly come up with an energy policy, an energy legislation that can cater for sectors like health and education says Chris Vehe, Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Mines, Energy and Rural Electrification (MMERE).

He pointed this out as one of the panel members at UNDP and MMERE’s Panel Discussion on “Pathways towards better electric power availability, affordability, and sustainability” on Friday, November 14, 2025 at Heritage Park Hotel.

Vehe stressed that we really need to have a proper guiding framework that will enable us to negotiate on tariffs for schools and health facilities.

“We really need to have a proper guiding framework that will enable us to even negotiate, you know, with our utilities that schools should have different tariffs.

“Health utilities should have different tariffs,” he said.

Vehe added that these are the kind of discussions, that unless you start discussing it with health, you start knowing the expenses and what not.

Speaking of energy, the Permanent Secretary also said that he realised that unless energy that comes from solar panels can be properly managed, it won’t affect the distribution network.

He mentioned that they are having net metering discussions in the energy sector as well as on grid codes.

Vehe said we need properly gazetted grid codes that can take care of various incoming connections to the grid.

“Unless of course we have others, who can also run their own grid, they can accept whatever that comes, but based on their standard grid codes,” he added.

Vehe furthered that while we appreciate education, health as very essential services, we also need to at least understand the technicalities around it.

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BY LORETTA B MANELE

The Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAL) is set to harvest rice today after doing some trials.

Samson Viulu, Permanent Secretary to MAL revealed this when speaking at the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) hearing into the 2026 National Budget (Appropriation Bill 2026) yesterday.

Briefly, he said they are doing some trials on rice and will harvest rice today.

Viulu explained that this stems from MAL’s close collaboration with Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences (JAAS); a leading research institution in China.

Island Sun understands that mid this year, MAL officially launched the China–Solomon Islands Agritech Workshop with JAAS under the Solomon Islands–China Agricultural Cooperation Framework.

The week-long workshop catered to participants from government ministries, educational institutions, the private sector, and MAL’s technical divisions to important sessions including rice cultivation.

This follows the MOU signed between MAL and JAAS on 22 July 2024 between MAL’s Deputy Secretary Technical, Mr. Michael Ho’ota and JAAS Vice President.

Viulu told the hearing that next year, their target for rice is to establish 10 hectares of high standard commercial rice farming here on Guadalcanal and another 21 hectares on Malaita Province which has a sister relationship with China’s Jiangsu Province.

Photo: Supplied

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Lands Commissioner Alan McNeil says he has very strong evidence to disprove the allegations behind his suspension

BY MORRIS NAFU

Lands Commissioner Alan McNeil says he has ‘very strong’ evidence to disprove the allegations behind his suspension.

Mr McNeil was suddenly suspended from duty on Thursday last week.

The suspension by the Ministry of Public Service is enshrouded in secrecy, with McNeil saying he has no inkling whatsoever of the allegations against him, neither was given any opportunity to defend himself.

McNeil however says he refutes these allegations and has ‘very strong evidence’ to clear his name.

McNeil was put on suspension by the permanent secretary of the public service ministry, Luke Cheka, in a letter dated November 13, 2025, and titled ‘Immediate suspension from duty’, sighted by Island Sun.

PS Cheka’s letter stated three points of allegations against the lands commissioner which include:

-Fraudulent execution of lease documents and MOU on Nov 28, 2023 relating to a land parcel at the Kongulai water source.

-Breach of a high court order of 2009,

-misrepresenting a ‘good will’ payment by a former prime minister in a disputed lease agreement of November 2023.

The letter prohibited McNeil from entering the premises of the lands ministry, using the ministry’s properties, conducting any ministry business and representing the ministry during suspension.

The letter said the suspension allows for thorough investigation without interference while due process is undertaken, and adds that McNeil will be given an opportunity to explain his side.

Responding to enquiries by Island Sun on Friday last week, McNeil said he only knew of any investigation or action by the ministry of public service when his suspension letter was served to him Thursday, Nov 13.

“It is just an immediate suspension based on allegations, and that’s coming solely from the permanent secretary of the ministry of public service,” McNeil said.

He believes the way he was given the suspension letter was unprocedural and not correct, and is seeking legal advice.

“There are allegations that have been made against me. I strongly refute all of those allegations. They are not true. I’ve got very solid grounds that I can use to argue against those allegations.

“If the PS of public service had at least given me the opportunity, I could have shown him all of the evidence I have, and it would have take a very short time to prove to him that all of those allegations are false.”

Innocent until proven guilty

Solomon Islands’ system of justice is based on the premise that a suspect is considered innocent until proven guilty.

The action by the Ministry of Public Service is opposite, treating McNeil as guilty and jumping the gun to suspend him before setting out to prove the allegations.

The letter is worded as branding McNeil guilty before investigations are carried out.

It however says that McNeil will be given an opportunity to be heard, but does not detail to whom, or when, or how. The letter also does not detail the process or whether McNeil will be given a copy of the report against him.

It is understood that one of the grounds for suspension has to do with a lease variation which is in a case that is currently before the courts, therefore it is under Sub Judice and reportedly should not be talked about by the Ministry or PS.

In the Solomon Star edition 9310 of Monday 17 November 2025, the front-page headline reads “It’s definitive fraud” with the unauthored article stating that this is based on a purported memo to the Permanent Secretary for Lands, Housing and Survey but without naming who the memo came from. It is unclear how the Solomon Star newspaper could use a headline “It’s definitive fraud” when it is not stated who is saying this and what authority they have to say it, while the matter is still being investigated.

The second point in the letter is on a case dating back to 2009 with orders dating back to 2011. McNeil became Commissioner of Lands in 2018.

Meanwhile, McNeil says this is the first time for him to face such a challenge in his career. He adds that he looks forward to clearing his name as soon as possible.

Comments are being sought from the PS of public service.

Photo: Supplied

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BY MORRIS NAFU

South Guadalcanal Member of Parliament Rollen Seleso is pushing further for tertiary education in the constituency.

This follows the completion of an awareness programme in four communities in the constituency about SINU’s distance flexible learning programme.

The South Guadalcanal Constituency Office, in collaboration with the Centre for Distance Flexible Learning (DFL) of Solomon Islands National University (SINU), announced the successful awareness event in a statement on Sunday, November 16.

These events took place at Laloato Community High School, Veramogho SDA Primary School, Kuma Community High School, and Chapuria Community High School, the statement said.

All three community high schools will serve as satellite centres for the programme, with Veramogho SDA Primary School to be hosting the main administrative centre for the initiative within the constituency.

This series of awareness activities follows the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between SINU and the South Guadalcanal Constituency in March of this year.

The partnership aims to establish an out-of-campus centre in the Southern Region, bringing higher education closer to remote communities and breaking down barriers of distance and access, the constituency statement said.

Representing SINU at the awareness events were Obed Szutu, manager of the DFL, along with Clive Marx and McLean Vovo, while the constituency was represented by MP Rollen Seleso and his office team.

All communities expressed deep appreciation for this initiative, recognising it as a transformative step towards positive change, community development, and increased educational opportunities.

Seleso emphasised that education is the cornerstone of progress and development, the statement said.

He highlighted that changing mindsets through education is vital for fostering sustainable growth in South Guadalcanal, a region challenged by its geographical setting.

The MP expressed his heartfelt gratitude to SINU for partnering in this vision, which aligns with his goal of empowering his people and unlocking their full potential.

Szutu reiterated SINU’s commitment to inclusivity and accessibility, stating that by establishing the DFL Centre in South Guadalcanal is a pioneering step to remove traditional barriers to higher education, especially in remote areas.

He said by using innovative teaching methodologies and technology, SINU aims to provide flexible, student-centred learning experiences tailored to diverse needs, ultimately building lifelong learning and community development.

He said that through this partnership, learners in South Guadalcanal and surrounding areas will have access to a wide range of academic and vocational programs, equipping them with skills to contribute meaningfully to their communities and the nation’s sustainable development.

Szutu added that this initiative is not only about opening doors to education but also about nurturing social transformation, economic growth, and community empowerment.

“It aligns with SINU’s strategic goals of ensuring quality education is a right accessible to all, regardless of geographical location”, the DFL Manager explained.

Meanwhile, in one of his closing remarks, Seleso expressed his optimism that this partnership will serve as a major boost for positive change, inspiring communities to embrace education as a pathway to progress and development.

He reaffirmed his commitment to working with SINU to realise his vision of a well-educated, empowered South Guadalcanal, the statement said.

“The South Guadalcanal Constituency Office and SINU look forward to working together to expand educational access across the Weather Coast and beyond, making a lasting impact on the lives of many,” the South Guadalcanal MP concluded.

Photo: South Guadalcanal Constituency Office

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