BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea have very close blood ties, connected by shared challenges and common aspirations, however the immense potential for trade and investment between two economies has been something that’s been underutilised.

Solomon Islands Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SICCI) Chairlady Namoi Kaluae highlighted this at the signing of the MoU between Papua New Guinea Solomon Islands Business Council (PNGSIBC) and SICCI.

The official signing of the MoU yesterday in Honiara was attended by SICCI and the (PNGSIBC) representatives.

Kaluae said the signing is not just a document, but forges a new pathway for prosperity for the two nations.

“We do have a lot of Papua New Guinea companies here in Solomon Islands. So, while we have very strong family and political ties, the commercial bridge between us now needs strengthening. And that’s why this MoU is very important and should be the architectural plan for this bridge to happen,” she said.

She said that PNGSIBC is very strategic to foster deeper engagement between private sectors for both countries that will serve as an essential forum for dialogue, network, collaboration and to facilitate practical opportunities for trade investment and innovation.

Kaluae said that the MoU should deepen economic cooperation with Papua New Guinea to enhance private sector collaboration to stimulate economic growth.

She said that SICCI’s perspective is to establish a framework for expansion of bilateral trade, identify and reduce trade barriers to enhance the flow of Solomon Islands traditional exports, such as cocoa, coconut and tuna, as well as new products into PNG markets, and also to expand access for PNG goods and services in Solomon Islands.

“Promoting cross-border investment. We want to develop a transparent pipeline of information for PNG and Solomon Islands investors in sectors like agriculture, tourism, infrastructure and renewable energy,” she said.

Kaluae said that SICCI remains committed to a reciprocal sharing of expertise; learning from each other’s successes in financial, SME development and digital economy integration, advocate for shared interests.

“We want to leverage this as our united voice to champion policies and regulations that create a more favourable and seamless environment for cross-border business between our two nations,” she said.

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BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

Minister for Environment Polycarp Paea believes the new Public Service Bill 2025 will help his ministry’s work on climate and environment.

Contributing to the bill in parliament yesterday, the Member of Parliament for Malaita Outer Islands, said the bill is an important reform to replace the old outdated Public Service Act from 1998.

He stressed that as a government, the bill is essential in terms of managing the environment and ensuring that the ministry has the most qualified people as well as in respect to how they perform.

“This means that staff working on climate, environment and disaster will be skilled, honest and responsible. It makes government agencies work better together. The bill promotes transparency and accountability across all ministries. This is crucial for environmental work, which requires different ministries to cooperate,” he said.

Paea told the house that a better coordinated government will help the ministry implement its national policy on climate change, disaster risk and environment more effectively to train their staff to be experts.

“Managing the environment requires not just skills, but also strong ethics. This bill strengthens rules to prevent misconduct and corruption. This will lead to better decisions about our natural resources and help the public trust the government to protect our environment,” Paea said.

He said that the new bill will work well with the constitution and other existing laws, including those for the environment and disaster management.

“The bill improves workforce planning and coordination between ministries. This will help my ministry better manage large, complex funding from international donors like the Green Climate Fund.

“To conclude, passing this bill will renew the pride and the spirit of public service across the government. For my ministry, it will empower our officers to serve with professionalism and integrity as they work on important national and global environmental commitments,” he said.

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BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

Papua New Guinea Solomon Islands Business Council (PNGSIBC) & Solomon Islands Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SICCI) have officially signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) yesterday in Honiara.

The MoU signed at the Solomon Breweries Head Office, Ranadi Industrial Estate, in East Honiara is to establish a framework for cooperation between PNGSIBC and SICCI to strengthen business linkages, facilitate trade, and promote investment.

This deal reflects a shared commitment to advance private sector partnerships, charitable collaborations and foster regional economic growth.

Speaking at the event PNGSIBC President Ernie Gangloff said the MoU is stage one of commitment to Solomon Islands government and the Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

He said that PNGSIBC want to create an environment where Solomon Islands businesses can go and work in Papua New Guinea.

“We have a common interest in growing the economy, both not just from here, but also, we want to invite businesses in Honiara and Solomon Islands to go and invest in Papua New Guinea.

“We’re opening the doors to have a discussion in terms of the policy framework with government, and for businesses incentives themselves,” he said.

He said that PNGSIBC have associations that work with Australian businesses, Asia, and Malaysia and now turn the focus on Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea.

“The message to the Chamber is that we want to partner with you in growing your economy. The message to the government is we want to partner with you in growing your fiscal regime, policy framework, so that businesses don’t have a problem coming and investing here.

He said one key area they will raise with the Prime Minister today, which has already been raised with their government, is a special visa class where Solomon Islanders who work for a Papua New Guinea company will not require a work permit.

“The same thing with a Papua New Guinea company that’s here. So, without all the red tape, without the work permits, that’s the first one we’re trying to illustrate. Like I said, a part of that is looking at what else we can do to try and create that environment to make it work,” Gangloff said.

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BY NED GAGAHE

UNICEF National Officer for WASH in Schools and Health Care Facilities, Patricia Keniherea, has revealed that a total of 30 schools in Central Islands Province are benefiting from the ongoing Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) Project funded by the Australian Government.

She shared the update following the Global Handwashing Day celebration held this week at Marvin Community High School in Haleta Village, Central Islands Province.

Keniherea said the project is funded by the Australian Government, with technical support from UNICEF, and implemented by the Central Islands Provincial Education Authority.

“The donor is the Australian Government, and UNICEF provides technical support. The project is being carried out in selected schools by the education provider in Central Islands Province,” Keniherea explained.

She said the two-year project began in April 2024 and will conclude in April 2026.

The WASH project consists of two main components — the hardware component and the hygiene behaviour change component.

The hardware component includes the construction of water supply systems, sanitation (ablution) blocks for students, and handwashing facilities, including group handwashing stations and handwashing points near the new ablution blocks.

The hygiene behaviour change component focuses on training and capacity building for teachers, school boards, community leaders, and parents.

“These trainings use the Solomon Islands National WASH in Schools Standards, which the Ministry of Education uses each year to monitor the status of WASH in schools,” Keniherea said.

She said trained school leaders use monitoring and assessment tools provided by UNICEF and the Ministry of Education and Human Resource Development (MEHRD) to ensure standards are maintained.

“The second series of trainings focus on hygiene behaviour change, where teachers and students learn about hygiene and create art and advocacy activities. Through these, they identify behaviours that need changing and promote better hygiene practices,” she added.

Keniherea said Global Handwashing Day provides an opportunity for schools to promote better hygiene behaviour both in schools and at home.

“Today, we are celebrating Global Handwashing Day, which gives schools the opportunity to advocate for improved handwashing practices. Students also perform dramas, poems, and songs to encourage parents, teachers, and fellow students to practise handwashing during the five critical times — before eating, after using the toilet, after playing with animals, after caring for elderly people, and after caring for babies or changing diapers,” she said.

She said this is the first time schools in Central Islands Province have commemorated a global hygiene event of this kind.

“We invited the media to come to the schools to capture stories, commitments, and changes observed. This is the first time for schools in Central Islands Province to commemorate a global hygiene event like this,” Keniherea said.

She pointed out that the event aims to inspire other schools across the country to take similar initiatives, regardless of their challenges.

“We hope this event inspires other schools across the country — even those who might think it’s too difficult or that they lack the capacity — to also hold their own hygiene advocacy and promotion events,” she said.

Keniherea stressed that such celebrations create important opportunities for advocacy and community awareness.

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

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Transparency Solomon Islands questions government and police over delayed investigations into $309m ESP payment

BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

Transparency Solomon Islands is asking government what has become of the investigations into the ‘grand theft’ involved in the $309 million economic stimulus package payout 2020-2021.

It is now a year since the Auditor General’s (OAG) report from October last year exposed mega-fraud involved in the payout of the ESP. The ESP was meant to keep businesses afloat amid impacts of covid-19.

Police say they are investigating but to date they have been silent on the matter. The last time police spoke out about the investigations was May 7 this year when RSIPF commissioner Mostyn Mangau told a press conference that they were ‘inviting individuals for interview’.

TSI Chief Executive Officer Ruth Liloqula expressed concerns regarding the police investigation saying since the release of the ESP Audit report by the Auditor General’s office on October 2, 2024, there have been no arrests made or charges laid against those implicated in the report to date.

Liloqula said this raises concerns about the police’s handling of the situation and more importantly Government’s (GNUT) commitment to ensure fraud of such levels never occur again, especially in times of disaster.

In an interview with Island Sun this week, Liloqula said these allegations permit a thorough investigation.

She also raised concerns regarding the willingness, commitment, capability and skills of the police in this investigation; in light of the huge support received from donor partners such as Australia, New Zealand, and China, she believes should assist the police in their investigation efforts.

“Unfortunately, according to reliable sources, a significant number of records from the ESP have gone missing from the Prime Minister’s office. That is what I am aware of. Instead of being housed in the Ministry of Finance, they are kept there and are unaccounted for. Who should be held responsible for this? The Auditor General was only able to examine 10 percent of the required document a situation that police may also face.

“We are aware that secretary to the prime minister (SPM) and secretary to the cabinet (STC) are the two prominent figures in that office. It is important that someone is held accountable for failing to supervise the handling of that money,” Liloqula said.

She also reflected on the previous national general elections regarding police investigations into a number of politicians nearing completion and with assurances that charges will be laid soon with regard to the misuse and abuse of CDF. 

“After election we hear no more of the status of these investigations and it is business as usual -no further actions were taken.

“What does this mean? It is a sign that indicates we do not have a police force that is independent of political influence when it comes to carrying out its mandated functions under law. A police force that is no longer answerable to the law that stipulates how it is to carry out its duties and responsibilities but one that is heavily or is significantly influenced by political agenda. Although we may not have definitive proof, the signs are there. 

“Media reports suggest that there is lack of accountability, performance and investigations have become stagnant especially of the findings of the Auditor General’s audit report into the ESP implies a compromised police investigation. 

“Maybe a police force that is no longer independent in performing its duties as mandated by the constitution and the police act. We must save our police force from political capture.

“Consider the One Link issue involving $300,000; an amount that went missing in the care of police within its office, no one is charged for it. If our police force is unable to safeguard money in its custody, explain how the drugs went missing in its care etc. what capability does our police possess to investigate cases beyond their jurisdiction?

“Furthermore, we must urge our development partners to build our police capability and capacity in investigative skills, talents, knowledge etc. so that they can do their work and collect the evidence they need to charge offenders. 

“They now have vehicles and those implicated in the Auditor General’s audit report are not in the provinces but in Honiara. 

“There is no good enough reason not to have carried out the necessary investigation they are mandated to do and to effectively carry out their responsibilities.

“ESP audit report shows grand theft of public money on a Grand Scale. Use of Public funds for MPs in government has reached excessive levels and is going to get worse if we the people do not demand accountability and sustain public pressure respectfully on our police force to investigate and prosecute. 

“There is also the question of whether or not what we are seeing is a case of police corrupting the investigations something that we need also to keep in mind,” TSI CEO said.

Photo: Supplied

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BY SAMIE WAIKORI

More than 1,300 students of Honiara Senior High School (HSHS) can now access clean water, improved sanitation, and hygiene facilities.

This is possible thanks to a joint initiative between the Government of New Zealand and UNICEF, in partnership with the Ministry of Education and Human Resources Development (MEHRD) and Honiara City Council (HCC).

The new Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) facilities were officially inaugurated yesterday in Honiara, highlighting the importance of care, dignity and a healthier future for students and teachers.

Speaking at the event, New Zealand High Commissioner to Solomon Islands, His Excellency Jonathan Curr reaffirmed his government’s commitment to supporting children’s wellbeing and education in the Pacific.

“In September, we launched SBD300 million for 10-year investment in Solomon Islands here in this school. This is a complimentary assistance which New Zealand provides to improve WASH in schools in Guadalcanal Province,” said Mr Curr.

He said New Zealand is proud to stand with UNICEF and the Solomon Islands Government to help ensure schools provide a safe, inclusive and resilient learning environment for every child.

UNICEF Pacific Solomon Islands Chief of Field Office Officer In-charge, Abdiweli Osman Mohamed emphasised that clean water and safe toilets are a child’s right, not a privilege.

“Behind every statistic are real children—students who miss class because of a lack of safe toilets, girls who skip school due to the absence of private spaces to manage menstruation, and teachers who struggle to maintain clean and healthy classrooms.

“This initiative is about restoring dignity, improving learning outcomes, and ensuring that every child can thrive in a safe and healthy school environment,” he said.

Permanent Secretary for MEHRD, Dr Franco Rodie urges HSHS students to be WASH champions and to use the facilities with great care.

“Remember, how you treat your school reflects how you value your education. If you respect your surroundings, you respect yourself, your parents, your teachers, your community and your beloved country Solomon Islands. Your actions will decide whether these facilities will last many more years to come. Let your legacy be one of respect and pride,” he said.

The NZD 2.9 million partnership between the Government of New Zealand and UNICEF aims to improve WASH facilities in 20 schools across Honiara and Guadalcanal Province.

The initiative is also to ensure that more children have access to clean water, gender-friendly toilets, and handwashing facilities with soap and water.

According to a 2019 WASH in Schools survey by MEHRD and UNICEF, only one in 10 schools in Solomon Islands had access to basic toilets, and just 31 percent had reliable access to clean drinking water.

This partnership seeks to close this gap through climate-resilient and child-friendly infrastructure, as well as community training for maintenance and hygiene promotion.

By the end of the programme, over 4,000 students and 190 teachers are expected to benefit from improved WASH facilities, with 20 schools meeting national WASH standards.

“Clean water and safe toilets should never be a privilege—they are every child’s right.

“Together with the Government of New Zealand, we are turning that right into a reality for children across the Solomon Islands,” said Abdiweli Osman Mohamed, UNICEF Solomon Islands Chief of Field Office Officer In-charge.

Photos: Supplied

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BY SAMIE WAIKORI

Leader of Opposition Matthew Wale says Public Service bureaucracy is the primary vehicle that delivers government services to citizens, and is essential to maintain a functioning state or government.

Speaking in support of the Public Service Bill 2025, which was introduced by the Minister for Public Service, Francis Sade in parliament yesterday, Wale highlighted the importance of the bill.

He stressed that to understand why this bill is necessary, it is important to first understand the purpose, or why a public service bureaucracy is an indispensable and necessary part of a functional state and government.

“At the very basic level, you cannot have a state without a public service bureaucracy, nor can you have a government without a public service bureaucracy.

“One could go further and say you cannot have a country without a public service bureaucracy. It is that basic and essential,” Wale said.

He added that for a government to be effective in doing things, it needs a bureaucracy that will implement its policies and plans, and deliver services to the citizens of the country.

Wale explained that public service bureaucracy, composed of non-elected, specialized civil servants, and it’s the administrative “engine” that translates political decisions into practical reality.

He stressed that the necessity of a public service bureaucracy stems from its ability to provide order, expertise, and continuity in governance.

Unfortunately, the Opposition Leader said small countries such as Solomon Islands really struggle to afford the cost of maintaining the bureaucracy necessary to have a functional state and government.

He expressed that each time parliament passes new legislation, it almost always adds to the burden of work that the bureaucracy must perform.

Wale went on to state that it is either existing employees will have increased workloads or that additional staff are needed.

“In our current context, the cost of the bureaucracy is by far the largest share of the annual budget that parliament must appropriate, so that the government can function,” he said.

Wale emphasized that it is to afford the cost of the bureaucracy that, in the first instance, taxes are levied.

“So, it must be clear that having a public service bureaucracy is absolutely essential to maintaining a functional state and government.

“When we talk about government providing services to the people, it is the public service that is the primary vehicle for delivery of such services.

“This is why we must take an active interest in ensuring that this Bill will provide for building a fit-for-purpose public service for Solomon Islands,” he said.

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BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

The World Health Organization (WHO) has amplified Health Minister, Dr Paul Popora Bosawai’s statement of zero fatalities related to covid vaccines in Solomon Islands.

This status is consistent with global safety monitoring, which shows that serious vaccine-related adverse events are extremely rare, in sharp contrast to the millions of lives lost to COVID-19 itself, WHO said in a statement yesterday.

Minister Bosawai had told parliament on Tuesday this week that the country has no record of any death resulting from side-effects to the covid-19 vaccines.

WHO’s statement referenced Island Sun’s frontpage yesterday titled ‘ZERO COVID VAX DEATHS’ which reported Bosawai’s statements in parliament.

Bosawai was responding to question ‘Can the Minister update the house on any recorded case of unexpected deaths linked to covid-19 vaccinations’, put forth by the Member of Parliament for West Kwara’ae, Alfred Tuasulia.

“This local finding is consistent with global safety monitoring, which shows that serious vaccine-related adverse events are extremely rare, in sharp contrast to the millions of lives lost to COVID-19 itself.

“While more than seven million deaths from COVID-19 have been officially reported worldwide, the true global death toll is likely around 14 to 18 million after accounting for underreporting of deaths since the pandemic began.

“COVID-19 vaccination fundamentally changed this trajectory. Global modelling published in Lancet Infectious Diseases suggests vaccinations prevented an estimated 14 to 20 million additional deaths in 2021 alone, the deadliest year of the pandemic, meaning the global death toll would have been two to three times higher without vaccines,” WHO said.

The health organization said that despite tremendous press to the contrary, an analysis by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention published in MMWR estimated that COVID-19 vaccines prevented 3.2 million deaths and 18.5 million hospitalisations in the United States by the end of 2022.

This significantly reduced pressure on hospitals and intensive care units during the height of the pandemic.

WHO adds that further evidence of continuing protection comes from a large study published in 2025 in the New England Journal of Medicine, which followed nearly 300,000 U.S. veterans receiving care through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

Between September 2024 and March 2025, people who received the updated 2024–2025 COVID-19 vaccine had a 64% lower risk of death, a 58% lower risk of hospitalization, and a 62% lower risk of ICU admission compared to unvaccinated individuals.

The protection was said to be strongest among older adults and those with chronic illnesses, showing that vaccination continues to save lives even as COVID-19 becomes endemic.

“Of critical importance, the benefits of vaccination in preventing severe illness and death remain far greater than the risks, particularly for older adults and people with underlying health conditions. This fact is confirmed by WHO, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, and the European Medicines Agency, which affirm that serious adverse events causally linked to vaccination are extremely rare.

“Solomon Islands has recorded zero COVID-19 vaccine-related deaths — and globally, vaccination has saved millions of lives,” said Dr Howard Sobel, WHO representative in Solomon Islands.

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