BY NED GAGAHE

Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele calls on all Solomon Islanders to unite and take collective responsibility for the nation’s future.

He made the statement at the launch of the National Development Strategy (NDS) 2016–2035 Medium Term Review Report and four key strategic documents in Honiara yesterday.

The event, held at the Mendana Hotel, brought together government officials, development partners, private sector representatives, and civil society organisations — all urged by the Prime Minister to work together to transform the findings of the review into real, measurable change.

“This is not just a government document. It is a national call to action.

“We must all take ownership — government, private sector, churches, communities, and individuals — because the future of Solomon Islands belongs to all of us,” Prime Minister Manele said.

The Prime Minister said the Medium-Term Review paints a mixed picture of progress under the NDS, revealing that while certain goals have been achieved, others remain far behind target due to economic shocks, social instability, and global challenges.

He said the lessons from the review must guide the next phase of development.

“We must diversify our economy, strengthen our institutions, and empower our people.

“We cannot afford to work in isolation. Development must be everyone’s business,” he said.

The review identifies five strategic objectives for the next decade — inclusive economic growth, poverty reduction and equitable development, quality health and education, environmental sustainability, and good governance.

To complement the review, four new strategic documents were also launched:

• The Solomon Islands Smooth Transition Strategy to Support Graduation from Least Developed Country Status
• Unlocking Potential for Productive Sectors in Solomon Islands: Challenges, Opportunities and Policy Considerations
• The Solomon Islands National Monitoring and Evaluation Systems Strengthening Strategy 2024–2028
• The Ministry of National Planning and Development Coordination Corporate Plan 2025–2027

Prime Minister Manele said these documents represent a “joined-up national roadmap” to guide development efforts in the years ahead.

“With these strategies, we now have a compass to navigate our journey. But a compass is only useful when we decide to move — and we must move forward together,” he said.

He also acknowledged the critical role of development partners such as Australia, New Zealand, Japan, the United Nations, and the European Union in supporting Solomon Islands’ national priorities.

“Partnerships have been central to our progress,” he said. “But true progress will come when every Solomon Islander, in every village and every province, takes part in building our shared future.”

As the country looks ahead to its 50th Independence Anniversary in 2028, the Prime Minister said the coming years will be crucial for shaping the nation’s destiny.

“Fifty years of independence will mean little if our people continue to live in poverty, if our forests are gone, if our children do not have access to quality education and health care,” he said. “We must act now — with courage, unity, and purpose — to make the next 50 years brighter than the last.”

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BY SAMIE WAIKORI

Opposition Leader and Member of Parliament for Aoke/Langalanga, Matthew Wale says the Public Service Bill 2025, now before Parliament, will support growth in the Public Service.

Speaking in support of the bill introduced by the Minister of Public Service and Member of Parliament for West Guadalcanal constituency, Francis Sade, in Parliament this week, Wale said for many years, the country has been struggling with the effectiveness of the public service.

He said productivity has been an ongoing challenge for many years and performance measurement and reviews are essential tools to ensure accountability for any lack of effectiveness and low productivity.

“Some progress is being made on this matter, perhaps too slowly, but I see progress.

“It gives me hope that the potential for growth in public service is good, and this bill provides a good legislative framework to facilitate such growth,” he said.

Wale highlighted that as in all organizations, ethical and competent leadership is essential to ensuring the public service fulfills its potential and delivers services.

He pointed out that it is therefore important that such leadership is identified, cultivated, nurtured, and mentored within the public service.

Wale added that IPAM is obviously an important tool in this matter, although not the only one.

He stressed that there is a need to consider making IPAM more arms-length from the Ministry of Public Service, so that it can attract and maintain the talent and resources it needs, and be able to conduct research that may be useful to the public service.

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BY SAMIE WAIKORI

Leader of the Independent Group in Parliament and Member of Parliament for East Malaita, Deacon Manasseh Maelanga, urges government to immediately ratify the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime (UNTOC).

The UNTOC is a critical international treaty designed to protect nations from the escalating threat of cross-border criminal networks.

A statement from the Independent Group said while Solomon Islands signed the Convention years ago, it remains unratified, leaving what Maelanga describes as a “dangerous gap in our national and regional security armour”.

“Criminal enterprises do not respect borders, they exploit them. While we sleep, syndicates are awake, weaving their illicit networks through our pristine waters and across our islands,” Maelanga warned.

He cautioned that the Pacific region is facing a rising tide of transnational organized crime, with the Solomon Islands now exposed to drug trafficking, human smuggling, and maritime exploitation.

“The tide is rising, and its wake is already lapping at our shores. The silent testimony of damaged boats found on our beaches with floating crime scenes, evidence of drug routes cutting through our own territory,” Maelanga said.

Maelanga, who is also an Anglican deacon, further identified a major legal vulnerability, the absence of specific laws enabling prosecutions of foreign nationals involved in transnational drug trafficking.

“This is a glaring loophole that turns our nation into a soft target. Ratifying UNTOC will give Solomon Islands the legal tools and international backing needed to close this gap and defend our borders,” he stressed.

Chair of Foreign Relations Committee and MP for East Are’Are, Peter Kenilorea Junior also supports Maelanga’s call, reaffirming that ratification in this instance is both urgent and straight-forward.

Currently, the Solomon Islands remains among a small number of nations worldwide yet to ratify the UNTOC, despite growing security challenges and regional cooperation commitments under the Pacific Islands Forum framework.

“Our message is simple, act now, ratify the convention, strengthen our laws, and protect our nation,” the statement said.

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PM Manele admits Solomon Islands lags behind in development goals

BY NED GAGAHE

Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele has admitted that Solomon Islands is “off track” in achieving many of its national development goals, despite nearly a decade of implementing the National Development Strategy (NDS) 2016–2035.

Speaking during the official launch of the NDS Medium Term Review Report and four related strategic documents at the Mendana Hotel in Honiara yesterday, Prime Minister Manele delivered a frank and sobering assessment of the nation’s progress.

“The past nine years have tested us in ways we could never have imagined.

“The COVID-19 pandemic brought our economy to its knees. Civil unrest shook our confidence. Climate change continues to batter our shores. Global economic turbulence has made every step forward feel like two steps back,” he said.

The NDS Medium Term Review, compiled by the Ministry of National Planning and Development Coordination (MNPDC) with support from development partners, found mixed results across the five key NDS objectives — with notable progress in some areas but significant shortfalls in others.

“Our economy remains dangerously dependent on logging, mining, and fishing.

“The targeted GDP growth rate was to reach 5 percent by 2025, but we only achieved 3 percent in 2023. We are clearly off track,” Prime Minister Manele said.

He revealed that 23 percent of Solomon Islanders — nearly one in four — are unable to meet their basic needs, while 17 percent of the population suffers from malnutrition.

“The Human Development Index improved slightly from 0.507 in 2010 to 0.565 in 2020, but it still falls short of our target range of 0.625 to 0.675,” he said.

On the health front, the Prime Minister painted a concerning picture.

“Non-communicable diseases now account for 70 percent of deaths in Solomon Islands. One doctor serves about 4,000 people. These are not just numbers — they are a call to action,” he said.

While acknowledging some achievements — such as improvements in maternal and child health, and stronger disaster preparedness — Prime Minister Manele said the review highlights the need for urgent reform and renewed commitment.

“Our Environmental Performance Index fell from 51.1 to 26.7. Walk through our forests and you’ll see the scars of unsustainable logging. Dive into our reefs and you’ll see coral bleaching and depleted fish stocks. This is not just an environmental crisis; it is a cultural and moral one,” he said.

Despite the grim statistics, the Prime Minister urged optimism, saying the review provides a clear roadmap for the way forward.

“We must learn from our successes and failures and act decisively. We must diversify our economy, strengthen food and water systems, invest in health and education, empower communities to protect the environment, and deliver services with integrity,” he said.

The review also revealed that between 2016 and 2021, Solomon Islands committed SBD 13.6 billion towards development priorities — with 65 percent funded by donors and 35 percent from government resources.

However, the Prime Minister said the impact of this investment has been uneven.

“We’ve prioritised economic infrastructure — roads, ports, and buildings — but the translation to broad-based growth has been very thin. Have we invested enough in our people? That is the question we must ask ourselves,” he said.

Prime Minister Manele closed by urging unity and accountability across all sectors of society.

“We cannot blame others. We must take responsibility and act now. The recommendations in the NDS review show us what to do — what we need now is the courage to act.”

Photo: Supplied

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BY NED GAGAHE

In Choiseul Province, where many families rely on streams for drinking water, Lavinia Pupuru is helping to change this story.

She doesn’t see problems — she sees possibilities and solutions.

When she speaks about her community, her voice carries both pride and urgency.

“Through this program, I see a powerful tool for change,” she says, her eyes lighting up with hope for a better Choiseul.

Lavinia was among the participants of a recent provincial government social service delivery capacity-building workshop that brought together community and provincial leaders to strengthen the knowledge and technical capacity of provincial government and ward-level policy makers.

As the Ward Support Officer (WSO) for Katupika Ward 2 in Choiseul Province, Lavinia is helping drive change in her community—one solution at a time. The workshop has become a catalyst for her work, equipping her with new skills, tools and strategies to build on her existing experience in leading community development initiatives.

The training was conducted by UNICEF in partnership with the Ministry of Provincial Government and Institutional Strengthening (MPGIS) and the Choiseul Provincial Government, with funding support from the European Union (EU) through Strengthening Provincial Government Service Delivery Programme.

Held from August 20–22, the workshop brought together ward leaders and provincial officers to share experiences, discuss challenges, and identify practical solutions across the Rural Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (RWASH), Health, and Education sectors.

Lavinia shared how the workshop reshaped her approach to leadership and strengthened her connection with the communities she serves.

“As a leader, I now understand that I need to identify the real challenges in my community. Otherwise, if I just provide any type of support, the real problems are not addressed,” she said.

By focusing on community profiling and identifying specific needs, Lavinia is ensuring that decisions made at the local level are fair, targeted, and effective.

Giving Communities a Voice

One of the most significant impacts of the workshop has been stronger communication between community leaders and provincial government officers.

“Before this workshop, our voices as community leaders were not fully heard,” Lavinia explained.

Now, through stronger links between Ward Development Committees (WDCs), Ward Support Officers, and the Provincial Government, communities are becoming active participants in shaping their future.

“This week, we had the opportunity to meet and learn from one another. I believe that in the future we will have a better Choiseul Province, especially in terms of a better school environment for our children,” she said.

Building a Better Future for Children

Lavinia sees long-term benefits for children and young people emerging from this workshop. With improved WASH facilities, better school nutrition, and stronger child protection systems, the province is laying the foundation for healthier, safer childhoods.

Lavinia emphasised that education and WASH are linked and improvement in this area will ensure a better learning environment for our children.

Her vision includes sustainable food systems and community-driven efforts to reduce social problems and improve family wellbeing.

A Model for the Solomon Islands

Lavinia believes that what is working in Choiseul can inspire other provinces.

“If it works well in Choiseul, I hope that other provinces can see the importance of strong connectivity and collaboration between community and PG leaders,” she said.

Her message is clear: when communities and governments work together, real change happens. From clean water to safer schools, Lavinia’s leadership is showing that solutions begin with listening—and grow through action.

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BY NED GAGAHE

Primary School Principal of Marvin Community High School, Mclean James, says the school continues to face challenges in accessing proper Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) facilities compared to other schools in Central Islands Province.

Marvin CHS is located in Haleta Village, Gela, Central Islands Province. This year, the school enrolled around 150 students.

It was recently elevated from a primary school to a community high school, with the intake of its first Year Seven students.

Speaking during the school’s Global Handwashing Day celebration on Wednesday October 15, 2025, James said Marvin CHS has not received the same level of support as other schools that already have well-established WASH facilities.

“I came from schools that were well-organised and had all the proper WASH facilities in place. But when I arrived at Marvin CHS, which is located in a rural area, I felt sorry to see that most of our facilities are locally made,” he said.

He said teachers and students have to be creative, building their own facilities using available materials such as drinking water bottles, bamboo, and other local resources.

“We want students — especially those who have never seen proper handwashing facilities — to learn from these creative setups. This helps them understand what handwashing requires and why it is important,” he explained.

James said despite the differences between Marvin CHS and better-funded schools, the school uses locally sourced materials to strengthen students’ knowledge of hygiene.

“There are clear differences, but we use local and creative resources to build students’ understanding of hygiene, even without the modern facilities that other schools have,” he said.

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BY NED GAGAHE

The Primary School Principal of Marvin Community High School, Mclean James, has revealed that the school has developed a WASH Improvement Plan 2026.

He made the spoke about this during the school’s Global Handwashing Day celebration this week at Haleta Village, Central Islands Province.

He said the plan aims to guide future developments and ensure that students, teachers, and the wider school community benefit from improved Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) facilities.

“It is a proposed plan, and if we receive support or facilities under any WASH and hygiene initiatives, our students, teachers, and school committee will all benefit. We already have a dedicated WASH committee, and its members attended today’s gathering to show their support,” he said.

James also highlighted some of the challenges faced in implementing the programme, particularly at the school and community levels.

“Some challenges come from the community itself. Sometimes, information is not properly documented, and we need to follow up or catch up on participation and planning.”

Despite these challenges, he praised the local community for their strong cooperation and commitment to the school’s WASH efforts.

“This community is a very good one. They cooperate well with the school, talk openly, and support the programme. When we discuss things, they respond positively,” he said.

He said the school committee and community members have worked hand in hand to prepare the site for future development under the WASH programme.

“The school has already identified and secured the land boundary for the WASH project. We even signed an agreement with the Ministry confirming that the land would be made available free of charge for development on the school campus,” James explained.

He added that the school and project team have already mapped out and agreed on the proposed site, with the community contributing local resources such as sand and gravel to assist with site preparation.

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BY NED GAGAHE

Marvin Memorial Community High School (CHS) in Central Islands Province joined 30 other schools across the province and rest of the world to commemorate World Handwashing Day on Wednesday October 15, 2025.

Island Sun was on the ground to witness the colourful celebration, that brought together students, teachers, parents, and the surrounding Haleta community. This is the first time ever that the Global Handwashing Day was celebrated in the country.

The day began with a vibrant parade through Haleta village, led by the entire school. Students proudly chanted a special poem they composed for the day, drawing attention from the whole community.

Various school activities were showcased, including art displays, and demonstrations highlighting students’ creativity and understanding of hygiene practices. From Early Childhood to Secondary level, every class took part in the celebration.

Adding to the excitement, the school launched its own theme song for the day, sung passionately by both students and teachers. Parents and community members turned out in large numbers to join in the event, showing strong community support.

The formal part of the program featured speeches, awareness talks, and a show of locally made handwashing facilities designed by teachers and students.

Global Handwashing Day, is observed every year on October 15. The 2025 theme “Be a Handwashing Hero” was used worldwide to encourage people — especially children, parents, teachers, and healthcare workers — to promote hand hygiene in their communities.

Year Six student Simon Peter said the commemoration was both exciting and educational.

“Clean hands make us clean and healthy. Handwashing prevents diseases and stops harmful germs from entering our bodies,” he said.

Year Seven student Salome Sogho also expressed her happiness to be part of the global event.

“Today is an important day, Global Handwashing Day. I know people around the world are also observing this day. Handwashing is very important for us students and everyone because it helps keep our bodies clean and healthy,” she said.

School Principal (Secondary Sector) Mr George Solomon Gegere said Global Handwashing Day is an important event for students to learn about good hygiene.

“The day is very important, especially for young people, students, and those still in school. Without proper hygiene and handwashing, their future health could be at risk. Handwashing has a big impact on the wellbeing of children,” he said.

“People around the world are also observing this day.

“Here at Marvin CHS, we gathered to promote good hygiene and demonstrated some of the handwashing facilities that were supported by UNICEF earlier this year,” he added.

School Principal (Primary Sector) Mr Mclean James said that while Marvin CHS continues to face challenges in accessing proper WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene) facilities, the school remains committed to teaching students through local innovation.

“Marvin CHS has not received the same support as other schools.

“Most of our facilities are locally made. We teachers and students use materials like drinking bottles and bamboo to build handwashing stations. It’s a creative way to teach students the importance of hygiene,” James said.

He also revealed that the school has developed a WASH Improvement Plan 2026, which aims to improve facilities and strengthen hygiene education in the coming years.

UNICEF National Officer for WASH in Schools and Health Care Facilities, Patricia Keniherea, said 30 schools in Central Islands Province are currently part of the WASH in Schools programme, which is funded by the Australian Government and implemented by the Central Islands Provincial Education Authority with technical support from UNICEF.

Keniherea explained that the two-year project, which began in April 2024 and will end in April 2026, has two main components — hardware development and hygiene behaviour change.

“The hardware component includes construction of water supply systems, sanitation blocks, and handwashing stations.

“The behaviour change component focuses on hygiene training for teachers, school boards, community leaders, and parents, using the Solomon Islands National WASH in Schools Standards,” she said.

She added that Global Handwashing Day allows schools to advocate for hand hygiene through creative activities such as poems, songs, and dramas.

“This is the first time schools in Central Islands Province are commemorating a global hygiene event like this.

“We hope this event inspires other schools across the country to also hold their own hygiene advocacy and promotion activities,” Keniherea said.

She said such events give schools the opportunity to raise awareness about proper handwashing at critical times — before eating, after using the toilet, after playing with animals, after caring for the elderly, and after caring for babies.

“When we celebrate global events like this in schools, we create an opportunity to advocate for positive change within schools, communities, and families,” Keniherea said.

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