BY NED GAGAHE

Prime Minister Matthew Wale says his government remains committed to deliver free education in Solomon Islands.

Speaking to local media outside Government House yesterday following the swearing-in of 16 Cabinet Ministers, PM Wale assured the public that free education remains one of the key priorities of his administration.

“There will be free education, be assured of that,” the Prime Minister told journalists.

PM Wale said the implementation timeline would depend on how quickly the Government receives the necessary data from the Ministry of Education and relevant agencies.

“If I can get the data from the Ministry of Education and the various agencies in time, then we might put it through the revised budget halfway this year,” he said.

“But if it is late, definitely beginning of next year. We will put it through the budget for next year.”

The Prime Minister reiterated that his government is determined to ensure free education becomes a reality for Solomon Islands families.

“There will be free education, you can be assured of that,” he added.

The announcement comes as the newly formed Wale-led Government begins outlining its key policy priorities following the completion of its full Cabinet line-up this week.

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PM Wale completes full Cabinet line-up

BY NED GAGAHE

Prime Minister Matthew Cooper Wale has completed the formation of his 24-member Cabinet after the remaining 16 Ministers were officially sworn in at Government House yesterday afternoon.

The Ministers took their oaths of office and allegiance before Governor-General Sir David Tiva Kapu, formally completing the ministerial line-up of the new coalition government.

The latest swearing-in follows the appointment of the first seven Ministers on Saturday.

Speaking to local journalists outside Government House after the ceremony, Prime Minister Wale said his administration is now fully assembled and ready to begin work.

“We are complete and ready to work,” Wale said.

He said the Cabinet will soon convene its first official meeting to discuss key priorities and finalise the official name of the new government.

The Prime Minister also reiterated his commitment to deliver reforms and meaningful changes for the country.

“I promise change, you better believe it. Good change, some of it painful as I forewarned, but good change to position our country well for the future,” he said.

“We want an economy that is inclusive, where there is economic justice and social justice, and that will translate into policy we will see.”

The 16 Ministers sworn in yesterday were:

• Gordon Darcy Lilo – Minister for Finance and Treasury
• Ricky Nelson Houenipwela – Ministry of Foreign Affairs and External Trade
• Peter Kenilorea Junior – Ministry of National Planning and Development Coordination
• Manasseh Maelanga – Ministry of Home Affairs
• John Maneniaru – Ministry of Women, Youth, Children and Family Affairs
• Makario Tagini – Ministry of Forestry and Research
• Derrick Rawcliffe Manuari – Ministry of Mines, Energy and Rural Electrification
• Wayne Osopo Ghemu – Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Disaster Management and Meteorology
• John Tuhaika Junior – Ministry of Police, National Security and Correctional Services
• Morris Toiraena – Ministry of Health and Medical Services
• Polycarp Paea – Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources
• Alfred Lazarus Rimah – Ministry of Provincial Government and Institutional Strengthening
• Daniel Suilea Waneoroa – Ministry of Rural Development
• George Temahua – Ministry of Traditional Governance, Peace and Ecclesiastical Affairs
• Oliver Salopuka – Ministry of Lands, Housing and Survey
• Stephen Kumi – Ministry of Education and Human Resources Development

The first seven Ministers sworn in on Saturday included:

• Deputy Prime Minister Francis Sade, who also holds the Public Service portfolio – Ministry of Public Service.

• Harry Kuma – Ministry of Commerce, Industries, Labour and Immigration
• Rick Fuo’o – Ministry of Infrastructure Development
• Fredrick Kologeto – Ministry of Communications and Aviation
• Clezy Rore – Ministry of Justice and Legal Affairs
• Franklyn Derek Wasi – Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock
• James Bonunga – Ministry of Culture and Tourism.

Photo credit: GCU

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BY BEN BILUA
Gizo

COMMUNITIES in West Gizo, Western Province, are urgently calling on the government and relevant authorities to construct seawalls to protect coastal villages from the increasing impacts of sea level rise and extreme weather conditions.

Provincial Member for Ward 11, Tapuia Ereibati said the recent cyclone served as a wake-up call after strong waves and high tides swept through several villages, causing flooding and damaging properties.

He said seawater ran through homes and community areas during the bad weather, leaving many families fearful for their safety and future.

Ereibati said coastal erosion and rising sea levels are becoming more serious every year, threatening homes, food gardens and livelihoods.

“Our people are living in fear whenever there is bad weather. During the recent cyclone, seawater entered the village and affected many homes. We really need seawalls to protect our communities,” he said.

Ereibati said many villages in West Gizo are located along low-lying coastal areas and are highly vulnerable to climate change and natural disasters.

He is now appealing to the national government and development partners to prioritise seawall projects before the situation worsens.

Ereibati warned that without proper protection, future cyclones and king tides could force some families to relocate from their ancestral land.

The call comes as Solomon Islands continues to experience the growing impacts of climate change, with coastal communities across the country facing threats from sea level rise, coastal erosion and severe weather events.

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BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

UNICEF continues to work closely with national and provincial authorities to support life-saving interventions for children and women affected by Tropical Cyclone (TC) Maila.

This was highlighted during a media briefing held on Thursday this week on UNICEF’s humanitarian response following TC Maila.

UNICEF is also strengthening accountability to affected populations and promoting Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA) across all response activities.

Since the start of the emergency, UNICEF has deployed personnel to Choiseul and Western Provinces to coordinate and lead response efforts on the ground.

To maintain essential health services in cyclone-affected areas of Western Province, UNICEF has shipped critical health and nutrition supplies aimed at supporting the continuity of primary health care and maternal services.

The supplies are expected to assist between 480 and 600 children under five years old who are suffering from or at risk of acute malnutrition, as well as 1,500 to 2,000 households facing an increased risk of diarrhoeal diseases due to damaged water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) systems.

In addition, the distribution of 400 long-lasting insecticidal nets (LLINs) is expected to protect around 2,000 people, including children and pregnant women, from vector-borne diseases.

Medical equipment and Interagency Emergency Health Kits (IEHK) will also help restore services at 8 to 10 primary health facilities, benefiting an estimated 12,000 to 15,000 people.

Three midwifery kits have also been supplied to support safe delivery services for approximately 150 to 200 pregnant women.

Despite progress made through life-saving assistance, UNICEF said major gaps remain in the WASH, health, education and protection sectors, highlighting the need for continued humanitarian support and early recovery interventions to restore essential services for affected communities.

Logistical challenges and high fuel costs in remote island locations continue to affect response operations, particularly in communities that rely heavily on marine transport for the delivery of aid.

To further guide response planning, UNICEF, in partnership with the Ministry of Health and Medical Services, will conduct a Rapid Nutrition Assessment targeting between 800 and 1,200 children aged six to 59 months, alongside caregiver interviews to assess nutrition risks and anticipated needs.

TC Maila affected an estimated 150,000 people across 161 communities, with the worst impacts recorded in Western and Choiseul Provinces. Additional impacts were also reported in Guadalcanal and Isabel Provinces.

Photo credit: UNICEF

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BY BEN BILUA
Gizo

THE Director of Health and Medical Services in Western Province has welcomed the arrival of a Chinese Medical Team, describing the deployment as a significant boost to healthcare delivery in the province.

Dr. Dickson Boara said the team brings with it specialised medical expertise that is expected to greatly benefit the people of Western Province, particularly in areas where medical services have been limited due to shortages in human resources.

He said the visiting medical professionals will help provide services that were previously unavailable at local health facilities, improving access to specialised care for communities across the province.

“The arrival of the Chinese Medical Team is timely and important for our health sector. Their expertise will complement the work of our local health workers and help address some of the service gaps we have been facing,” Boara said.

In addition to supporting healthcare delivery, he said it is an opportunity for local medical personnel to learn from the visiting team through hands-on collaboration and knowledge sharing during their stay.

Boara said Western Province Health and Medical Services staff are expected to work closely alongside the Chinese team, gaining valuable experience and skills that will strengthen local capacity in the long term.

He said the medical team will spend one week supporting staff at Gizo Hospital and assisting outreach efforts in cyclone-impacted communities across the province.

“Their work is expected to provide much-needed medical attention to residents still recovering from the effects of recent severe weather events,” Boara said.

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BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

The Ministry of Culture and Tourism (MCT) has announced the return of the National Panpipe Festival (NATPAN) after several years of suspension due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the Pacific Games preparations.

Director of Culture Division in the Ministry of Culture and Tourism and Chair of NATPAN Dennis Marita made the announcement during a media briefing yesterday.

Mr Marita confirmed that the festival will take place from July 1^st to 5^th 2026, in Honiara.

He said that the National Panpipe Festival was first launched in 2017 and held again in 2019 before activities were halted.

“We were supposed to host the festival again in 2021, but COVID-19 affected many activities in the country,” he said.

He added that the event was again postponed in 2023 as the government focused on hosting the Pacific Games.

He said that the National Panpipe Festival and the UMI WAN Festival are two major cultural events initiated by the ministry to preserve and promote Solomon Islands culture while supporting the tourism sector.

“This year will be the third hosting of the National Panpipe Festival,” he said.

Mr Marita said that the festival will now continue on a biennial basis, alternating with the UMI WAN Festival every two years.

He said that the panpipe music remains one of Solomon Islands’ strongest cultural identities and is widely recognised across the Pacific region.

“Whenever people hear panpipe music, they immediately think of Solomon Islands,” Director Marita said.

He explained that the festival aims to celebrate the country’s cultural diversity and encourage the preservation of traditional bamboo music practices across the provinces.

“Groups from Malaita, Makira, Isabel, Guadalcanal, Western Province and Choiseul are expected to participate in this year’s event. The ministry expects around 40 performing groups, including traditional panpipe performers, cultural dancers, solo artists and contemporary bands that incorporate panpipe music into their performances,” he said.

He said the festival is also expected to contribute to tourism by promoting Solomon Islands culture locally and internationally.

Photo credit: John Houanihau

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By RODRICK DESURI 

Auki 

The Provincial Administrations in the country have played critical and significant roles in national policy reforms.

This was stated by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Public Service, Mr Luke Cheka, during their courtesy visit to the Malaita Provincial Executive on Tuesday, May 12, 2016, before hosting their three-day workshop on public service socialisation. 

According to a media release from the Ministry of Public Service, the meeting between the Ministry of Public Service and the Malaita Provincial Government Executive reaffirmed their opportunities for collaboration.

It stated that the national and provincial leadership has set and strengthened institutional alignment as the public service reforms transition into implementation.

During the courtesy call, the Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Public Service, Mr. Cheka, highlighted the importance of strong intergovernmental coordination in ensuring the successful implementation of the Public Service Act 2025.

He said that provincial administrations play a critical role in translating national policy reforms into practical service delivery outcomes.

He added that the sustained collaboration between national and provincial levels will be essential to achieving the objectives of the reform agenda.

“Provincial administration plays a very crucial and significant role in translating the national policy reforms.

“With that, it will highlight the sustained collaboration between national and provincial levels,” he said.

Photo: Supplied

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