BY BEN BILUA
Gizo

PROVINCIAL Member for Ward 12 in Western Province, Jenty Isaac, praises communities that have achieved the No Open Defecation (NOD) status, describing the milestone as a significant step towards improving public health and community wellbeing.

Speaking during the NOD declaration ceremony at Ilitona and Pine communities in Ward 12 this week, Isaac said proper sanitation plays a vital role in preventing diseases, promoting health, and enhancing the overall quality of life.

He said poor sanitation has contributed to the spread of preventable diseases such as diarrhea, which has affected many people—especially children—in rural areas.

“One of the most effective ways to protect our children is through the elimination of open defecation,” Isaac said.

Isaac congratulated the people of Ilitona and Pine for their dedication and teamwork in achieving NOD status. He also acknowledged donor partners and implementing agencies for their continued support.

“I would like to thank the Australian Government through DFAT for providing the necessary funding, and our partners—UNICEF, the Ministry of Health and Medical Services, the Western Provincial Health Authority, and ADRA—for implementing this important project,” he said.

Isaac reaffirms that the current Western Provincial Government is committed to supporting policies and plans that strengthen health, water, and sanitation systems to improve the livelihood of communities across the province.

He said the provincial policy framework aligns with the national agenda to promote clean and healthy villages, emphasizing the importance of maintaining sanitation standards.

Isaac further assured that Ward 12 will continue to work closely with the Provincial Health Authority, Ministry of Health, and donor partners to extend the NOD program to more communities.

He urges residents, particularly those in NOD-certified communities, to take responsibility for maintaining their sanitation facilities.

“These facilities were funded through taxpayers’ money, and it is our duty to look after them. Caring for these facilities is part of maintaining a healthy lifestyle and a clean environment,” Isaac said.

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BY MORRIS NAFU

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.

Photo: Supplied

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By RODRICK DESURI 

Auki 

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.

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BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

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.

Photo: Supplied

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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.

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By RODRICK DESURI 

Auki 

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 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.

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