The Makira Ulawa Provincial Government (MUP) has signed an agreement with the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAL) releasing the Okea Land in North Guadalcanal Plains to MAL for its agricultural development initiatives.
MUP Premier Stanley Siapu and MAL Minister Franklyn Derek Wasi signed the agreement at the MAL conference room on Wednesday this week.
The agreement leases 5.87 hectares of the land parcel for farming initiatives with 1.5 hectares to be reserved for the MUP Government.
The agreement establishes a framework for sustainable utilisation of the land parcel.
The initial agreement proposal will see Cassava farming plots and production system, development of poultry, broiler, layer and piggery units with housing and food storage enhancing food security and economic boost for both the national and provincial economy.
During the signing ceremony Mr Siapu acknowledged MAL for the offer of developing the land and expressed willingness to work closely with the Ministry not only for the Okea land farming initiative but also for agriculture development in Makira Ulawa province.
Mr Wasi acknowledged MUPG for the agreement and promised to promote agriculture sector as the backbone of the country’s economy.
He thanked the MUP for agriculture production in the province in terms of cocoa and copra; contributing to the growth of country’s economy.
Wasi added that with the agreement now signed, MAL will now move forward with its plans of clearance of unexploded ordnances (UXO) followed by fencing of the area before rolling out farming initiatives on the land.
Before the signing agreement, the MUP offered a Chupu presentation ceremony to the people of the land and the Guadalcanal Provincial Assembly as a way of cementing its land ownership of the land parcel.
Malaita Province’s Revenue Collection Team will soon make a combined trip to the Malaita Outer Islands.
The purpose of the trip is to register businesses operating illegally and to assist individuals who want to start business activities on the islands.
The Provincial Secretary of Malaita Province, Eric George confirmed that the team will include police officers and the province’s revenue officers.
He said they were alerted to the matter when they checked their records.
“I do not know about the illegal business operations until we checked the business premises with our records.
“Our revenue team is scheduling a business revenue spot check trip to MOI,”, he said.
He said the delay of the combined trip is due to transportation difficulties and challenges.
“The delay was due to transport difficulties for a combined trip. The trip will involve our police officers as well. This will help to get the proprietors to pay their business licenses,” he said.
Peter Riika Herehura from the Administration Office of Malaita Provincial Government also confirmed the trip.
“The revenue team must reach the Malaita Outer Islands to do an urgent business registration of illegal businesses operating sometime next month,” he said.
Island Sun understands that business licence and liquor licence are licences the people of Malaita Outer Islands need to settle.
Malaita province and Auki town authorities are appealing to residents to practise waste management as they try and address the town’s lack of a dumpsite.
Auki town has been without a dumpsite for months, and rubbish is accumulating everywhere becoming an eyesore and a health hazard for the public.
The town’s residents have been calling on Auki town council to address the problem.
Hazel Fanai from the Auki Town Council department said they are currently looking at alternatives to resolve the issue.
She said the issue of rubbish is everyone’s responsibility, and all the residents of Auki town need to work together to address it.
“We don’t have a dump site yet, and currently, we are looking at other possible ways to resolve the issue.
“Also, this is everyone’s responsibility. So, the residents should think about separating their rubbish and start using organic waste for small gardening,” she said.
Meanwhile, Provincial Secretary, Eric George emphasised that efforts have been planned with the Auki Town Council to resolve the issue.
He also appeals to people in Auki to manage their rubbish and use it for backyard gardening.
“We are putting in team efforts with our Auki Town Council to resolve this.
“I therefore kindly ask everyone to assist in managing our rubbish, beginning from our households and in our town, by using kitchen organic waste that is good for backyard gardening.
“Control our odd behaviours in littering. Remember, waste management is everyone’s business.
“We need to cooperate to address this matter,” he said.
Solomon Islands’ high cost of electricity is one of the main factors limiting growth in the private sector.
This was highlighted at the 18th National Trade and Development Council (NTDC) meeting held this week in Honiara.
Solomons Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SICCI) in a statement yesterday said the meeting brought together government ministries, private sector representatives, and development partners to discuss national trade and development priorities.
Representing the private sector, Solomons Chamber of Commerce and Industry Manufacturing Industry Working Group (SICCI-MIWG) raised key issues impacting business operations—particularly within the manufacturing and productive sectors.
The SICCI-MIWG highlighted that the high cost of electricity remains one of the biggest constraints to private sector growth, especially for manufacturers and small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
“The cost of running a business is too high to sustain. Our manufacturing sector needs an environment where power is affordable and reliable so that businesses can produce, invest, and create jobs,” SICCI-MIWG said.
SICCI mentioned that the Working Group emphasised that lower and more stable energy costs are essential to reduce the cost of doing business, improve competitiveness, and attract both domestic and foreign investment.
Qila Tuhanuku, representing the SICCI-MIWG, acknowledged the ongoing participation of private sector representatives in national trade and export policy consultations, stressing that industry input is vital to shape practical and results-oriented trade frameworks.
“Across trade committees and consultations, the message is consistent — businesses need better infrastructure and stronger coordination. When government agencies and partners align their efforts, resources can deliver greater impact,” Ms Tuhanuku said.
Sea grapes farmers in the Western province are being supported to improve their harvest and livelihoods.
World Wide Fund for Nature Solomon Islands (WWF-SI) is enhancing the knowledge and skill of the sea grape farmers through regular sea grapes monitoring visits and training.
WWF-SI manager and Sirubai Voko Tribe Association (SVTA) Advisor, Henry Kaniki told this paper yesterday that WWF SI has been conducting a monitoring visit to the sea grapes farming sites in four communities in the Western Province.
He said that the activity aims to assess the growth progress and health of the seaweed, ensuring sustainable harvesting and improved livelihoods for local farmers.
“Under the WWF-SI we work with four communities to manage their sea grapes farms. Pusiju is one of the communities. So, two of our team members who have been doing the monitoring as of last week until this week are still visiting the other three communities to do regular monitoring and data collection,” Kaniki said.
He said this ongoing initiative supports community-based aquaculture and promotes environmentally friendly income opportunities for coastal households.
“We have trained local rangers as part of the project engagement with communities to do the data collection and monitoring to work with these communities. Not only sea grapes but they also do assessment monitoring on mangrove ecosystems, reef, fish, invertebrates,” he said.
He said that WFF-SI works together with communities to come up with management roles so they can sustainably harvest their sea grapes farms.
“So, they have rules, like for example how many baskets to be harvested, how often to harvest within a week. They have their management rules.
“We are trying to move to another by building the capacity of youths, just not only to conduct awareness at the community but to engage them to do the work. Currently, under this project we sponsored four rangers to do certificate programme at SINU. They are ones to lead their communities upon the completion of their studies,” he said.
Kaniki mentioned that this activity is supported by the Climate Resilience and Nature Project and funded by Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade DFAT.
Foreign ship caught at Indispensable Reef under Kurukuru operation which targets illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing
BY JOHN HOUANIHAU
A fishing vessel is being detained at the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) Maritime Unit Aola Patrol Base awaiting further investigation.
HUA SHENG 1 was apprehended on Wednesday this week at the Indispensable Reefs 50km south of Rennell Island and escorted to the patrol base at around 6-7pm.
An officer from the RSIPF Maritime Unit on condition of anonymity told Island Sun yesterday at the Aola base that the vessel was captured during a joint operation known as “Operation Kurukuru”.
“Operation Kurukuru is an annual initiative by the Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA) to combat Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) fishing in the Pacific. With regards to this one, it is a joint operation between the RSIPF Maritime Unit, FFA, Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources (MFMR),” the officer said.
The vessel’s crew includes foreign nationals and locals as witnessed by Island Sun on the ground yesterday.
When contacted for comment, a Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources (MFMR) spokesperson from the Compliance Division who also spoke on condition of anonymity said the joint operation investigation started last week.
“This matter is now under investigation. Right now (yesterday) we are preparing to go and conduct inspection on the vessel and crews,” she told Island Sun yesterday via phone call.
“As of now, no further detail will be provided until investigation is caried out. We usually have an operation three times a year. We join with FFA, and Police. It is called operation Kurukuru which involved Patrol engagement to monitor activities in our waters,” she said.
She said that the operation is part of the (MFMR) and every year to ensure that these vessels comply to their conditions under the MFMR police and laws.
“So, it was from that operation that the vessel was seized and escorted to Aola police base for detention and thorough investigation. They seized the vessel at Indispensable Reefs. A locally flagged vessel but includes foreign and local crew members,” she said.
She said that the joint investigation is between RSIPF, FFA and MFMR.
She said that Operation Kurukuru ended this week since commencement last week.
“If the investigation found some breach of law, then, penalties would then be imposed whether through fine or court. Now it is still in the early stage of investigation,” the spokesperson said.
The Malaita Provincial Government has received two new brand double-cabin Toyota land cruisers from the Ministry of Provincial Government and Institutional Strengthening (MPGIS).
The two vehicles
The donation was done this month as part of Malaita and MPGIS ongoing cooperation and partnership under the Provincial Governance Strengthening Programme’s (PGSP’s) auspices.
The two vehicles will help strengthen Malaita Provincial Government’s efforts to connect with the communities in the wards in relation to service delivery, particularly the monitoring of PCDF projects by works and provincial planning teams.
Premier of Malaita Province, Hon. Elijah Asilau’a, during a brief reception ceremony for the handover occasion earlier this month, expressed deep gratitude for receiving the vehicles and assured that they would be used for their intended purposes.
He stated that the people and government of Malaita Province are appreciative of the ongoing partnerships under the PGSP, which have provided the province with many advantages.
“On behalf of the Malaita Provincial Government and our people, I would like to express our sincere gratitude for the ongoing cooperation and partnerships under the Provincial Governance Strengthening Programme’s (PGSP’s) auspices.
“With this, it has produced numerous priceless results for the nine provinces since the programme’s inception, with Malaita also greatly benefiting, as examples of which we are witnessing today,” he said.
He urges for more collaboration on the ground in regards to achieving the goals of the PGSP and the objectives of the PCDF.
Meanwhile, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Provincial Government and Institutional Strengthening (MPGIS), Dr. Derek Futaiasi, stated that it’s a privilege to formally transfer two Toyota Land Cruiser Double Cabin vehicles to the Malaita Provincial Government on behalf of the MPGIS.
He said the vehicles were purchased under the PCDF 2024–2025 allocation through the Integrated Development and Resilience Program (IEDCR), a World Bank-Solomon Islands Government partnership that generously contributes to strengthening provincial service delivery and institutional capacity building.
PS Futaiasi stressed that the vehicles are not an asset, but are to improve the efficiency of provincial operations.
He said these vehicles are to assist with project evaluation, oversight, and monitoring tasks by the provincial planning team, monitoring officers, and engineers.
SEVEN communities in Western Province have officially achieved No Open Defaecation (NOD) status, marking another major milestone in improving sanitation and hygiene across the province.
The newly declared NOD communities are Babagea, Retona, Central Buri and Logha on Ranongga Island, and Patupaele, Pine and Ilitona on Kolombangara Island. The achievement follows sustained collaboration among communities, government agencies, and development partners.
DFAT Representative Elise Newton meets Chief of Ilitona Community
The project was supported by funding from the Australian Government through the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), in partnership with UNICEF, ADRA, the Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS), and the Western Provincial Government (WPG).
DFAT’s First Secretay Health Program Ms Elise Newton delivers her speech at Central Buri Community
Speaking during the declaration of NODs in respective communities, First Secretary Health Programme of DFAT, Elise Newton said adequate sanitation facilities are not just essential for maintaining hygiene and preventing the spread of preventable diseases but also a fundamental right for every individual.
She said proper sanitation enables safer and easy access to elderly and people with disabilities as well as to promote the safety and dignity of women and girls.
Newton said the Australian Government is very proud to donate 3.5 million to the Ministry of Health and Medical Services to support the NSSP programme.
“This funding is a clear demonstration of Australia’s commitment to improving the health and well-being of communities across Solomon Islands.
“This project is a powerful example of Australia’s commitment to locally led development – championing locally led initiatives and homegrown solution to community challenges.
“We ensure that the solutions are not only relevant and sustainable but also tailored to your unique needs by placing communities like yours at the forefront of change.
“It’s through this kind of partnership that we can create lasting impact and build healthier, safer environment for generation to come,” she said.
Newton said Australia is proud to stand alongside Solomon Islands as its principal health partner.
She said the Australia-Solomon Islands Health Partnership enables health service delivery across the country to improve health outcomes for all Solomon Islanders, and to support the Ministry of Heath to achieve the ambition of the National Health Strategic Plan.
Newton explained that Australia is investing over SBD150 million over the next four years to improve the health of Solomon Islanders.
She said the investment goes to through the Ministry of Health and Medical Services while other funding goes directly to provincial health departments across the country.
Newton said half of the new funding worth SBD75 million will support provincial departments to deliver essential primary health services, through provincial grants.
“We are proud to providing SBD2.4million to Western Provincial Health Authority this year – a total of SBD46.1 million since 2016.
“We’re delighted that today’s certification and celebration brings us one step closer to achieving outcomes we envision for Solomon Islands,” she said.
Newton acknowledges the implementing partners; MHMS, UNICEF, ADRA, WPG, Western Province’s Health Authority and communities for the great achievement.
She also congratulates the communities for the declaration as NOD communities.
Minister of Health for Western Province Kenneth George said Western Province has long been recognised for its leadership and commitment to improving the health and wellbeing of its people.
He adds that Western Province has made a great stride in promoting safe sanitation and hygiene, thanks to partners like the Ministry of Health and Medical Services, UNICEF, DFAT, ADRA and other stakeholders.
George said 31 communities have now been declared as NOD communities within Western Province.
Officials and people of Retona and Babagea CommunityOfficials declare Pine Community as NOD communityOfficials at Niubare billboardOfficials officially open one of the toilets at Niubare Community
“To ensure Western Province achieves full NOD status, we have set an ambitious yet achievable target to build 95 toilets in 2026 and 100 toilets each from year 2027 to 2030,” he said.
George acknowledges DFAT, UNICEF, MHMS, ADRA and Western Province’s Health Authority for supporting the project.
He also acknowledges community leaders, women and youths for their contributions towards the NOD project.
Students from Adau’a Secondary School in Fataleka, Malaita Province received an awareness training on cyber bullying.
The awareness programme held on Tuesday at the school hall was conducted by police officers from New Zealand and the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF).
The one-day awareness training aims to equip students with fair knowledge of cyber bullying, its effects, and consequences, as the usage of social media is currently on the rise.
In an interview with Island Sun Auki, a teacher from Adau’a Secondary School, Mua Tua’Alohainaia, stressed that the awareness is very important for teenagers, especially students.
He said since the use of mobile devices is common and widely used by students, this awareness will help to show the real value of education and how it disrupts their studies.
“My view as a teacher is that this kind of awareness is very important for teenagers, since they are very active in using social media all the time.
“Most of the time, our students spend time on their mobile devices and Facebook without realizing that it also has side effects on their lives,” he said.
He stated that spending more time on Facebook also causes disturbances for the students and affects their studies.
He added that they also had the opportunity to learn about issues related to cyberbullying in school.
Island Sun understands that the police officers also handed out soccer balls, a volleyball net, and balls for the students of Adau’a Secondary School.
The awareness was made possible by New Zealand police officers.
Minister of Agriculture and Livestock (MAL) Franklyn Wasi has acknowledged this year’s organisers of the World Food Day event.
The 2025 World Food Day celebration was marked at the Heritage Park Hotel on Monday this week themed “Hand in Hand for Better Food and a Better Future”.
The theme highlighted the need for governments, organizations, communities, and individuals to work together to transform agrifood systems.
To top this event were the launch of MAL’s first-ever Agriculture National Advisory Council (ANAC), and MAL’s Corporate Plan 2025–2028.
The Agriculture National Advisory Council (ANAC) is a landmark initiative that aims to strengthen leadership, coordination, and modernisation across the agriculture sector.
Wasi said that the new Corporate Plan provides a clear roadmap to guide agricultural development and modernisation over the next four years.
He adds that it aligns with the Solomon Islands Government’s national vision for inclusive economic growth, food security, and improved rural livelihoods.
He said the plan is a reflection of the government’s renewed commitment to modernise agriculture, empower farmers, and ensure sustainability of the country’s natural resources.
Minister Wasi said that MAL through the government is focusing on transforming the sector to become more resilient, inclusive, and productive in the years ahead.
“I would like to acknowledge everyone who contributed to organising this event, the staff of the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock, our partners, exhibitors, and participants. Let us continue to work together hand in hand for better food, better health, and a better life and future for our beloved Solomon Islands. God bless us and bless Solomon Islands from shore to shore,” Minister Wasi said.
