BY NED GAGAHE
The residents of Mbokonavera 3 community in Vavaya ward, Central Honiara yesterdy celebrated the official handover of their new Waste Management Project, a community-driven initiative funded under the Solomon Islands–Australia Community Partnerships Programme.
The event was held opposite Mbokonavera School and attended by chiefs, elders, church leaders, community representatives, youth and children, the Honiara City Council, and officials from the Australian High Commission (AHC).
Speaking at the ceremony, Heather Murphy, Counsellor for the Political Section at the Australian High Commission, said the project represented more than just infrastructure — it reflected the spirit of partnership and shared responsibility.
“Waste management is not just about rubbish — it’s about protecting public health, building community pride, and creating opportunities for local men and women to work,” Ms Murphy said.
“Australia sees Central Honiara not as overcrowded, but as a place of innovation, energy, and potential, home to a strong community, active youth, and visionary leaders.”
“This project is more than a facility; it’s a symbol of the strong partnership between Australia and Solomon Islands, built on trust, friendship, and shared commitment to a cleaner, healthier future,” she added.
The Mbokonavera 3 Waste Management Project consists of seven community-built waste disposal stations, each equipped with six waste bins and a solar-powered streetlight. The project was awarded funding in December 2024 as part of a record 100 community projects supported that year under the Solomon Islands–Australia Community Partnerships Programme.
Community Chairman Jamal Namo said the project was a milestone for the people of Mbokonavera 3 and a step forward in addressing Honiara’s waste management challenges.
“Real solutions to Honiara’s waste management problems must start with the community, because lasting change comes from the people themselves,” Mr Namo said.
“This project is transformational — it helps our community become more conscious about waste, responsibility, and building a cleaner, safer Mbokonavera 3.”
“We want to make Mbokonavera 3 a model community in Honiara, where people take ownership, embrace challenges, and work together to build a better future,” he added.
Mr Namo also thanked the Australian Government, the Honiara City Council, and all partners for their continued support and collaboration in promoting cleaner, healthier, and more sustainable communities across the capital.
The project is expected to improve waste collection and community awareness, reduce pollution, and enhance environmental health for the residents of Central Honiara.

BY JOHN HOUANIHAU
International Day of Peace honours the strength of global unity in fostering a peaceful and sustainable world.
Lottie Vaisekavea, permanent secretary for the Ministry of Traditional Governance, Peace and Ecclesiastical Affairs (MTGPEA) said this when marking the International Day of Peace at the St Barnabas cathedral Melanesian Hall yesterday.
As such, he said that the fundamental human values of love, joy, family, community, justice, equality, and peaceful coexistence have become essential principles and boundaries for safeguarding human dignity for all individuals.
He noted that the world is currently experiencing a period characterized by new global polymathy, confusion, and geopolitical tensions.
“Consequently, achieving global peace often appears to be an unrealistic goal, particularly when universally acknowledged global issues such as climate change, which significantly affect nations like the Solomon Islands, are perceived by a dismissive global audience, where both offenders and victims remain unhealed, where rhetoric, urgency, and inaction persist despite years of effort, where limited global support is entangled in third-party development concerning expertise and water management, while the existing conditions endure, and where the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) have become constrained and marginalized, leaving vulnerable groups overlooked,” Vaisekavea said.
He said that this is the global landscape that the Solomon Islands must navigate.
“The theme for this year is Act Now for a Global World, for a Peaceful World. This implies that the Solomon Islands must adapt and make this theme pertinent to our everyday lives. There are numerous starting points; however, limited resources prevent the initiation of many of these priorities,” he said.

BY JOHN HOUANIHAU
The Ministry of Traditional Governance, Peace and Ecclesiastical Affairs (MTGPEA) has commemorated and celebrated International Peace Day (IPD) outdoors for the first time.
The Ministry observed the 2025 International Peace Day under the theme “Act Now for a Peaceful World”.
The event took place at the St Barnabas Cathedral Melanesian Hall yesterday.
The highlights of this year’s International Peace Day included a school speech competition on the topic, “How can young people in Solomon Islands act now for a peaceful Solomons?” and “Act Now for a Peaceful Solomon Islands: The Role of Youth in Building a United Nation.”
These topics were categorized into two groups: the junior category, which included forms 1-3 discussing how young people in Solomon Islands can act now for a peaceful Solomons, and category 2, where forms four to six spoke on “Act Now for a Peaceful Solomon Islands: The Role of Youth in Building a United Nation.”
The two schools that participated yesterday were St Joseph Tenaru National Secondary School and St John High School, although invitations were extended to King George the Sixth, Betikama Adventist College, Florence Young, and St Nicholas College.
Winners of the speech competition were also presented with prizes during the closing event of the event.
International Day of Peace (IDP) or World Peace Day is observed each year around the world on September 21. The UN General Assembly has declared this as a day devoted to strengthening the ideals of peace more so to promote peace.
Since 2008, the government and the people of Solomon Islands through the Ministry of Traditional Governance, Peace & Ecclesiastical Affairs, have joined the international community to commemorate this day through various peace activities, themes and messages.
Since 2016 the Global Goals or 17 SDG were strategically implemented by succeeding Solomon Islands Government and it aligned to the Solomon Islands Governments National Development Strategy 2016 to 2035.

By RODRICK DESURI
AUKI

Malaita Provincial Assembly’s third quarter meeting has been rescheduled for the first week of November to give ample time for the Joint Oversight Committee to finalise its paperwork.
Premier Elijah Asilau’a told Island Sun Auki that since Malaita is qualified for PCDF, the Joint Oversight Committee needs to finalise ‘vital areas of PCDF’.
“Our assembly meeting was moved to next month, about the first week of November or at the end of November,” he said.
“This is to give some time for the JOC, the Joint Oversight Committee, to finalize, oversee, and revise areas that need to be finalised in the PCDF.
“Since our province qualifies once more for the PCDF, a clear and focused plan on areas that need to be finalised before our meeting,” he said.
He said the Joint Oversight Committee will be having their meeting sometime next week.
Asilau’a encouraged the people of Malaita province to be patient with the provincial government regarding the implementation of projects under the PCDF for this year.

BY SAMIE WAIKORI
Secretary to Prime Minister Dr Melchor Mataki says the government through its responsible line ministries will be working together to address pollution issues surrounding Siruka mining operation in Choiseul province.
Speaking during the recent Prime Minister’s press conference, the SPM stressed the need to recognise that all major ocean pollutions originate from land-based activities.
What is done on the land is reflected in the ocean.
“We need to fix the land issues first before we can effectively address issues to do with the sea,” he said.
Regarding mining operations in North Choiseul, Mataki explained the Ministry of Environment is responsible for ensuring compliances with environmental regulations.
Besides that, he added there is also operational aspects which the Ministry of Mines and Energy supposed to be also looking at.
“Whether processing or extraction of ore is designed to minimise outflow into the ocean.
“It’s the matter of these two ministries working on that,” Mataki noted.
The SPM said the issue has been raised with both ministries and they must work together to sort out deficiencies in the environmental management plan, for example the one the company has for managing ore.
He furthered that in their management plan; it should also have measures that would include how to manage sediment flows.
“They should check on those ones. This is the matters of two-line ministries to enforce compliances on the environmental management plan as well as the mining plan.
“Beside that as well, it is important that the company also does its obligations. It’s something all parties have to work together.
“Government agencies and the company have to play their parts. This issue needs to address and the two-line ministries and the company must do so,” the SPM said.

BY NED GAGAHE
Acting Plan International Solomon Islands Country Program Manager, Sheebah Mirisa, has called for stronger collaboration and action to protect the rights of girls and ensure they have equal opportunities to thrive.
Speaking during the International Day of the Girl celebration in Honiara yesterday, Ms Mirisa said this year’s theme, ‘Child, Early and Forced Marriage and Unions’, underscores the urgent need to end child marriages in all their forms.
“This year’s theme highlights the urgent need to protect girls’ rights and end child marriages in all forms,” she said.
Mirisa said Plan International remains proud to provide safe spaces and platforms for dialogue, empowering students, teachers, and youth leaders to speak out and raise awareness on harmful practices affecting girls.
“Plan International is truly proud to provide another platform for dialogue — enabling students, teachers, and youth leaders to share ideas and raise awareness on how early marriage limits young people’s potential,” she said.
She reaffirmed Plan International’s ongoing commitment to building a Solomon Islands where every girl and boy can live free from marriage and realise their full potential.

BY BEN BILUA
Gizo
WESTERN Provincial Government wrapped up its assembly meeting on a high note yesterday.
Yesterday’s session started with the Motion of Sine Die giving opportunities for provincial members to share their views on issues and opportunities that would encourage economic growth and job creation in the province.
Winding-up the Sine Die Motion, Premier of Western Province, Billy Veo acknowledged the concern and advises raised by the provincial leaders.
He said his government has taken note of the issues raised through out the session to deliver better development and services to the people of Western Province.
“This government must take note of the concerns and recommendations to develop our province in the future.
“I acknowledge all of you to remind us and this government to work extra hard
“I urge the house to work hard with collective supports to make more improvements in the next remaining years,” Veo said.
He acknowledged the Office of the Speaker of Western Province, the provincial administration and other stakeholders who support the assembly meeting a success.
Veo wishes all the members of the provincial government merry Christmas and happy new year 2026.
He strongly advised members to continue with the good work and serve the people of Western Province.

By IRWIN ANGIKI
Harry Kuma, member of parliament for Northwest Choiseul, has resigned from the Ownership, Unity and Responsibility (OUR) Party.
Mr Kuma, who is GNUT’s minister for Commerce, Industry, Labour and Immigration (MCILI), is now with the People First Party (PFP).
OUR is the largest coalition party of the Government for National Unity and Transformation (GNUT), boasting 24 members. PFP follows with now-12 members.
Resigning yesterday, the reasons for leaving OUR include ‘weak accountable manner in the administration and management of the party’s affairs’, a sighted copy of Kuma’s resignation letter said.
Furthermore, OUR Party has ‘evolved significantly, and I find that certain values I initially aligned myself with have either changed or been marginalised in practice’, Kuma’s letter said.
Kuma’s resignation comes at a challenging time for government, which is reportedly trying to patch up internal divisions among members of its two major coalition partners.
Kuma was GNUT’s finance minister until he was abruptly removed on August 30 this year for acting against a cabinet decision relating to sufferance wharves.
The issue of sufferance wharves has divided government – one group supporting sufferance wharves, the other opposing it.
Outside interests are reportedly behind this, pulling the strings.
Opposition leader Matthew Wale on Wednesday this week called out prime minister Jeremiah Manele for not having control over his government members.
Responding to the PM’s statement that he has the numbers in anticipation of a third motion of no confidence, Wale said it is clear that the PM does not have control over the numbers.
Rather, Wale said there are other forces, both within the NUT government, and also outside that control those numbers, the Opposition statement said.
Kuma was reportedly part of a group within government that had planned to remove PM Manele.
Government ministers who spoke to Island Sun on condition of anonymity for an earlier article said the group had planned to replace Manele with Rexson Ramofafia, MP for Fataleka who until October 3 was the GNUT minister for National Planning and Development Coordination.
This plan was reportedly hatched while PM Manele was overseas on international engagements.
PM Manele returned on October 1, and two days later Mr Ramofafia was given the prestigious finance ministry portfolio.
The reshuffle on October 3 saw Ramofafia become new finance minister, replacing Trevor Manemahaga, MP for Gao Bugotu, who had only been on the job for a month.
Mr Manemahaga took Ramofafia’s former portfolio.
OUR president Jimson Tanangada and PFP leader Frederick Kologeto were contacted yesterday for comments, however no reply before the paper went to print last night. Kuma could not be reached for comments.

International day of the girl marked with call to eliminate forced unions

BY NED GAGAHE

International Day of the Girl was marked yesterday with the call to end child marriage.

Plan International Solomon Islands yesterday joined partners, students and youth advocates at the Multipurpose Hall in Honiara to commemorate this year’s International Day of the Girl under the theme ‘Child Early and Forced Marriage and Unions’.

Acting Country Programme Manager Plan International Solomon Islands, Sheebah Mirisa, in her keynote remarks, celebrated the achievements and strength of girls across the country and reaffirmed Plan International’s ongoing commitment to promoting girls’ rights and ending child marriage in all its forms.

“Today is a very important day, and I just want to begin by celebrating every girl in this room — and all our sisters, daughters, nieces, and granddaughters across the Solomon Islands,” Ms Mirisa said.

“Let’s all put our hands together for all the girls in this country,” she added, drawing applause from participants.

Mirisa acknowledged the collaboration of the Solomon Islands Ending Violence Against Children (SIEVAP) coalition — comprising Save the Children, Child Fund, and World Vision — for partnering in this year’s commemoration.

She also extended appreciation to participating students from St Nicholas College, Coronation School, Honiara Integrated School, and youth representatives from Gizo, who travelled to take part in the event under the Girls Taking Action for Climate Change project.

The event was also attended by visiting colleagues and local staff from Plan International Solomon Islands.

Mirisa highlighted that this year’s global theme underscores the urgent need to safeguard the rights of girls and to eliminate all forms of early and forced marriage.

“It aligns strongly with the collaborative efforts of the SIEVAP campaign, Make It 18,” she said. “Each year, Plan International publishes the State of the World’s Girls Report to mark this occasion. The 2025 report focuses on the lived experiences of already married or partnered girls — those often overlooked by existing child marriage interventions.”

The report also sheds light on the intersecting challenges faced by girls living with disabilities, those from displaced communities, minority groups, and those affected by poverty.

Mirisa said Plan International is proud to provide a platform for dialogue where students, teachers, and youth leaders can share ideas and raise awareness about how early marriage limits opportunities for young people to realise their full potential.

“The main feature of this dialogue is for young girls and boys to take leadership roles as stakeholders and community advocates in voicing their stand on protecting children from early marriage,” she added.

She encouraged all participants to remain committed to building a Solomon Islands where every girl and boy can live free from child marriage and achieve their dreams.

“Together, through collaboration and action, we can make this a reality,” Mirisa said. “Happy International Day of the Girl — and to our participants, happy dialogue day.”

BY NED GAGAHE

Mbokonavera 3 community in Central Honiara is setting an example in community-led waste management following the official handover of the Mbokonavera 3 Waste Management Project yesterday.

The project, funded by the Australian Government under the Solomon Islands–Australia Community Partnerships Programme, consists of seven community-built waste disposal stations, each equipped with six waste bins and solar-powered streetlights.

Speaking during the ceremony, Chairman of Mbokonavera 3 Community, Mr. Jamal Namo, said the initiative represents a major step forward for the community in addressing one of Honiara’s long-standing challenges — proper waste management.

“Real solutions to Honiara’s waste management problems must start with the community, because lasting change comes from the people themselves,” Mr. Namo said.

He said Mbokonavera 3 had taken the bold step to organise itself as a registered urban community in 2024 under the slogan “Embracing Challenges, Building Community.” Since then, the group has been actively organising monthly clean-ups and developing partnerships to improve waste collection and environmental awareness.

“This project is transformational — it helps our community become more conscious about waste, responsibility, and building a cleaner, safer Mbokonavera 3,” he added.

Mr. Namo acknowledged the Australian High Commission, the Honiara City Council (HCC), and the Central Honiara Constituency Office for their continued support and collaboration. He also paid tribute to community members and local leaders who played key roles in the project’s success.

“We want to make Mbokonavera 3 a model community in Honiara — where people take ownership, embrace challenges, and work together to build a better future,” he said.

Councellor for Political section at Australia High Commission, Ms Heather Murphy, commended the community’s initiative and leadership.

“Waste management is not just about rubbish — it’s about protecting public health, building community pride, and creating opportunities for local men and women to work,” Ms. Murphy said.

She said the project symbolises the strong friendship and shared commitment between Australia and Solomon Islands in supporting cleaner, healthier, and more sustainable communities.

“Some people see urban communities as overcrowded or overly busy, but Australia sees Central Honiara as a place of innovation, energy, and potential.” she added.

The event was attended by chiefs, elders, church leaders, community members, youth, children, Honiara City Council representatives, and other partners.

The Mbokonavera 3 community plans to continue working closely with the Honiara City Council and other stakeholders to ensure regular waste collection and expand future waste management projects.