BY BEN BILUA
Gizo

BUDGET set and today members of Western Provincial Government expecting to take part in the motion of sine die.

Yesterday’s session was nominated by question and answers. Leaders of the non-executive put forward questions to the premier.

Most of the questions were related to how best the Alliance for Change, Alignment and Rural Economic Advancement (ACAREA) can address some of the pressing issues including; proposal to celebrate Western Day in Wards, accommodation for market vendors and sick people who seek medical help at Gizo Hospital and accommodation entitlements for provincial members.

Premier Billy Veo and his executive respond to the questions respectively to the appreciation of the movers of the questions.

He said ACAREA government is trying its best to address all the issue raised with progress made to some of the issues.

Delivering the sine die motion, Veo acknowledged the leaders for the successful debate and passing of Western Province’s 2025/2026 appropriation budget estimates.

“I would like to emphasis the challenges that my government continues to deal with as we look to explore options in progressing some of the government’s policy intention. As a provincial government and as an agent, we often do not have upper hand but we will continue to persist and exert pressure where there are leverages in order to see through some of these important visions,” he said.

Veo request the assembly to support ACAREA government in the implementation of the development projects and service deliveries.

BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

The Solomon Islands meteorological service at 4:00pm yesterday afternoon on Thursday October 9th 2025 issued strong wind warning number six.

SIMS said that a strong wind warning is current for waters of Temotu, Makira, and Rennell/Bellona provinces.

According to SIMS, situation: a general easterly wind flow is over the Solomon Islands.

The SIMS statement said expect easterly winds to reach 20 to 25 knots over waters of Temotu, Makira, and Rennell/Bellona provinces.

The SIMS further advised that seas will be moderate to rough with moderate swells (2.5 – 3.0 meters).

“People in those areas should take precautionary measures as such strong winds have the potential to impact lives and properties. Sea travelers are urged to consider safety actions as such winds can produce dangerous wave conditions which are hazardous to small boats,” a SIMS statement said.

The statement also appealed to general public to share this information to people with disabilities.

BY BEN BILUA
Gizo
REPORTS of inhuman treatment of female students at a leading school in Western Province has sparked public outrage and calls for immediate investigation.
According to information reaching Island Sun, female students at the school are locked inside their dormitories overnight under the pretext of ensuring security.
The girls are reportedly denied access to their bathrooms during the night and instead are given buckets to relieve themselves.
An eyewitness, who requested anonymity, condemned the rule as “bad” and a clear violation of the students’ human rights.
“This is insane. I was there on official duties when the girls told me about the issue. “These innocent students are caught under an inhuman school rule,” the witness said.
The witnessed added that the dormitories are locked from the outside by a teacher each night, posing serious safety risks.
“What if there’s a fire or an earthquake? How will the students escape?” he questioned.
Western Province Education Inspector, Willy Etupioh, confirmed that similar rules had existed in other schools but were scrapped due to welfare concerns.
He said the matter will be investigated and addressed accordingly.
“I understand that the girls’ dormitories are fully fenced, so security should not be an issue. While the security reason is genuine, the system used here goes beyond a school rule,” Etupioh said.
Provincial Minister of Education, Gordon Zebo, also condemned the practice, stressing that school rules must protect and not harm students.
“If that is a school rule approved by the board, it is up to the board to change it. But locking up students overnight is not the right approach,” Zebo stated.
He reiterated that such a rule endangers students’ welfare and should never be allowed in any educational institution.

BY JOHN HOUANIHAU
The Ministry of Women, Youth, Children and Family Affairs (MWYCFA) with MHMS- Social Welfare Division with support from UNICEF, have hosted a Child Protection Partners Dialogue.
The event took place yesterday at the Heritage Park Hotel in Honiara.
The dialogue provides an important platform for partners, government agencies, and donors to strengthen coordination, update on on-going programmes, share lessons, and identify investment priorities for child protection system in the Solomon Islands.
The dialogue also featured the soft launch of the study on the Economic Cost of Violence against Children in the Solomon Islands, highlighting the social and economic impact of child abuse, neglect, and exploitation.
It also complements the roll-out of the Child and Family Welfare System Multi-Sectoral Plan (2025–2030), which outlines ten strategic outcomes for strengthening child protection systems across sectors.
The partners dialogue seeks to document progress, improve inter-agency collaboration, mobilise resources and create a shared understanding among donors and partners of priority areas requiring joint and collaborative investment. It will ensure alignment between national priorities and partner-supported initiatives under the Child Protection Multi-Sectoral Plan.
The objectives of the Dialogue aim to, present and launch the findings of the Study on the Economic Cost of Violence against Children in Solomon Islands, present the Child and Family Welfare System Multi-Sectoral Plan (2025–2030) priority outcomes.
It also aims to engage key government line ministries, development partners and civil society organizations to provide feedback ongoing programmes and lesson learnt for effective strategies for addressing and preventing child protection issues; Identify areas for joint resource mobilization and investment in child protection programs and services in 2026 and beyond and strengthen coordination and accountability among key ministries, NGOs, development partners, and donors in implementing child protection initiatives.
The expected outputs are to ensure;
• Partners and donors are informed of the study on the economic cost of violence against children in the Solomon Islands.
• Shared understanding of the Multi-Sectoral Plan 2025–2030 outcomes and priorities. 3. Documented feedback from partners and donors on effective approaches to strengthen child protection systems.
• Agreed potential areas for collaboration, resource sharing, and investment in child protection services.
• Strengthened multi-sectoral partnerships to support implementation of the Child and Family Welfare System Multi-Sectoral Plan.

BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

Nominations for the Young Entrepreneurs Council Solomon Islands (YECSI) Awards Night are now open as of this week.

The YECSI awards night returns after a two-year pause due to circumstances such as the COVID-19 pandemic and others.

However, this year’s YECSI is set to host its event on Saturday, November 6 for the second time since 2022.

This year’s nomination will close on October 24, and members have three weeks to get their nomination forms and nominate their candidates.

Following the board and secretariat discussions for this year and the proposals put forward, YECSI’s awards for 2025 comprise 11 awards, up from the five awards in 2022.

“The highest award for this year is the PMs award, followed by the most committed entrepreneur of the year, most innovative entrepreneur of the year, most improved male entrepreneur of the year and most female entrepreneur of the year,” Moses Jnr Aumanu, YECSI coordinator, told Island Sun.

Additional awards for 2025 include agri-business of the year, tourism entrepreneur of the year, E-commerce entrepreneur of the year, provincial entrepreneur of the year, community award of the year, and association award of the year.

“We have members in all nine provinces, giving back to the communities through their services. So, we like to recognise these entrepreneurs as well,” Jnr Aumanu said.

“Last year, we had nine associations that joined YECSI. These nine associations themselves have 480 members, some in the climate space, some focus on capacity building, and some are provincially based,” he said.

Children in Solomon Islands continue to experience violence despite laws protecting them, study finds

BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

Despite the presence of an established policy framework to ensure protection of all children in the country, children in Solomon Islands continue to experience multiple forms of violence at significant levels.

A study on the Economic Cost of Violence against Children (VAC) in the Solomon Islands launched yesterday at Heritage Park Hotel shows this.

The VAC was launched by the Ministry of Women, Youth, Children and Family Affairs (MWYCFA) with the Ministry of Health’s (MHMS) Social Welfare Division with support from UNICEF Child Protection Partners Dialogue.

Findings from the 2015 Solomon Islands Demographic and Health Survey (DHS) suggest that 85.5 percent of children in Solomon Islands aged 2-14 years experienced some form of violent discipline, with 77.9 percent of children experiencing psychological aggression and 68.3 percent experiencing some form of physical punishment.

The DHS found that such violent discipline was more prevalent among households from poorer income quintiles, households in rural areas, and households in which the primary caregiver had lower levels of education. 

According to DHS, the total economic costs of VAC in Solomon Islands in 2021 amount to SBD1 116.1 million, equivalent to 9.13% of GDP.

These costs comprise SBD41.1 million in direct medical costs, SBD20.1 million in direct non-medical costs, SBD185.2 million in indirect tangible costs and SBD869.6 million in indirect intangible costs.

The DHS point out that this large economic burden can be avoided through targeted investments in interventions to prevent and respond to VAC that realise demonstrable gains in reducing the burden of VAC represents a strong evidence-base to advocate for increased child protection investments in Solomon Islands.

Solomon Islands ratified the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC), which calls upon Member States to be committed to the protection and provision of the rights of children.

The legislative framework for this commitment is presented in the 2017 Child and Family Welfare Act, which seeks to promote the wellbeing and protection of all children in Solomon Islands.

In response to the high levels of violence against children in Solomon Islands, the MWYCFA has developed the Multi-Sectoral Child and Family Welfare System Implementation Plan 2023-2027, which outlines the Solomon Islands government’s strategy to prevent and respond to violence, abuse, and exploitation of children.

BY BEN BILUA
Gizo

WESTERN Provincial Assembly has passed a total revised budget estimate of SB40,224,244.00 for 2025/2026 fiscal year development and service deliveries.

The overall budget is from a recurrent expenditure of 21,124,278.00 and recurrent plus other capital expenditures of 19,099,966.00.

The recurrent expenditure allocations are as follows; Office of the Premier [SBD2,401,422.00.00], Provincial Assembly [1,929,648.00], Administration [2,582,225.00], Finance [1,860,916.00], Development Planning [2,916,750.00], Works, Transport & Communication [1,649,785.00], Education [535,558.00], Health and Medical Services [1,110,281.00], Lands [ 1,030,123.00], Commerce [136,083.00], Youth [ 180,489.00], Sports [369,534.00], Culture [ 127,298.00], Women’s Development [269,295.00], Tourism [ 573,342.00], Agriculture and Livestock [ 918,295.00], Fisheries and Marine Resources [189,536.00], Forestry [68,520.00], Environment and Conservation [168,258.00] and Local Council [2,106,920.00].

Capital Expenditure includes; Administration [2,136,828.00], Works, Transport & Communication [ 4,463,800.00], Education [1,975,679.00], Health and Medical Services [2,537,163.00], Commerce and Investment [44,813.00], Youth [1,894,049.00], Agriculture [855,086.00], Fisheries and Marine [260,000.00], General Investment Servicing [1,222,387.00].

Other Capital Expenditure includes Ward Development Grant (WDG] and RCDF Contributions at [3,710,162.00].

The budget estimate went through first reading, secondary reading, intense debate and third reading before it was passed by the whole house.

When presenting the budget, Minister of Finance for Western Provincial Assembly, Ron Kituru Ghemu said the budget estimate reflects the Alliance for Change, Alignment and Rural Economic Advancement (ACAREA) government’s unwavering commitment to fiscal responsibility, inclusive development and the empowerment of communities across Western Province.

He said the revised budget estimate will enable the provincial government to undertake development and service delivery until the next financial year April 2026.

Ghemu said the revised budget estimates are based on updated revenue projections, confirmed fund inflow, and compliance requirements.

“This process ensures that our financial planning remain responsive, realistic, and aligned with both national and provincial priority standards.

“It is not merely a financial document – it is a strategic roadmap for exclusive growth, responsible governance and community empowerment,” he said.

BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

Concerned youths of Pipisu Village in West Are’are Constituency are demanding answers after the MV Taimareho, a vessel purchased with constituency funds, abruptly stopped servicing their community.

The MV Taimareho was intended to serve all communities within West Are’are, ensuring villagers could access essential shipping transport service.

However, young men who spoke to this paper recently said the vessel no longer docks at Pipisu, leaving them isolated costing villagers to travel far distances to board the vessels.

“Now it doesn’t come to Pipisu anymore. We deserve to know why,” the youths said “We feel ignored and sidelined, even though this asset was meant for all of us.”

The concern youths said that family members and people travelling to Honiara have to travel to other nearby villages by OBM’s to board the vessel.

“People have to hired OBM, pay for the fuel in order to go and wait at the other port to travel to Honiara. This is not good for us and we want answers from the WAC office,” the youths said.

“We will not accept being left behind while resources meant for all of us are diverted elsewhere,” the concern youths said.

The youths have vowed to continue pressing for answers and demand that services be restored immediately.

Responding to the queries, a spokesman from the WAC shipping operations said that the closure of the port is only a temporary due to some issues within some communities there and the company.

Speaking to this paper yesterday the spokesman said that operational in terms of fuel cost may have led to the decision plus the ongoing issue yet to be addressed.

“There is an issue, not with the community of Pipisu but other communities there that is need to be settle before we resume back our operation to pipisu and others in the upper lagoon. This is not permanent decision, it’s a temporary based on the issues, “a spokesman said.

The spokesman said that they are working on ways to solve the issue in order to resume services to these concern communities.

BY MORRIS NAFU
A motion of no-confidence against Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele is unlikely for parliament’s resumed session on October 13.
As of yesterday [Wednesday, October 9] no notice for a motion of no-confidence (MoNC) has been submitted, Clerk to Parliament Jefferson Hallu confirmed to Island Sun last night.
“No notice of a motion of no confidence has been received as yet,” Mr Hallu said.
“Since such a motion requires a minimum of 7 days notice, it might not be ready to be moved on the 13th.
“However, it would still be procedurally correct to move it at a later date if put on notice in the coming days.”
In recent weeks reports of a planned MoNC on PM Manele were viral.
Media reports said a group of government MPs were moving to oust PM Manele via MoNC to be tabled when parliament resumed on October 13.
Interestingly, a recent reshuffle out of the blue saw MP Rexson Ramofafia become the new finance minister, replacing MP Trevor Manemahaga who had only been finance minister for 33 days.
Earlier Mr Manemahaga had been reshuffled into the finance portfolio replacing Harry Kuma on August 30.
Manemahaga is now the Minister for National Planning and Development Coordination (MNPDC) and Mr Kuma is minister of Commerce, Industries, Labour and Immigration (MCILI).
The latest reshuffle on Friday, October 3, coincides with the rumours that had alleged that Ramofafia was one of the government ministers who had planned to desert government.

BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

The Conservation Division within the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Disaster Management is ready to assist communities faced with the impact of logging operation.

MECCDM Conservation Division Mr. Joseph Hurutarau said that when responding to concern raised by villagers at Pipisu village in West Areáre and surrounding communities regarding an abandoned tugboat that start leaking oil in the area.

The tugboat which was formally used by Jubilant Development Logging company start to leak oil after it has sunk in 2020 after ceasing operation since commencement of operation in 2018.

Villagers worried that this might resulted in huge damage and impact on the marine ecosystem that they depend on for their livelihood and to generating income.

Speaking with Director Hurutraau in an interview, he said that there are specific agreements that pertain to those areas, detailing what the company is required to do both during and after the operations.

He said that while it may pose a challenge if the company has already vacated the site, it would still necessitate the company to undertake a cleanup operation.

“If complaints arise from the community, we will initiate an impact assessment of the area and provide support to the villagers, which means we must engage with the company to ensure they address this issue responsibly. Once we receive formal complaints, we will assist the villagers in communicating with the company or licensee to ensure they properly manage the bulky waste.

“We will review the development consent and environmental management plans applicable to those specific sites. Regarding compensation, it varies based on the community and the assessments conducted,”Mr Hurutarau said.

He said that most cases are generally pursued as civil matters; if a company fails to resolve the issue outside of court, it must be addressed through legal proceedings, and the Division typically offer its support in such situations.

However, he noted that some of these agreements are not adequately addressed, and at times, landowners do not receive appropriate legal counsel on these agreements, which hinders their understanding of what emerges during and after the operations.

“These areas, particularly those concerning post-operation activities, are often neglected. It is essential to prioritise this aspect, and when it pertains to our role, it involves managing the impact of the operations on the environment, which falls under our mandate and processes, particularly in relation to the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report,” he said.

“Typically, the EIA report outlines environmental management strategies to mitigate impacts during operations. One critical aspect they must consider is the post-operation phase, especially concerning bulky waste, which I believe is very significant for us; it needs to be clearly articulated, particularly regarding equipment such as machinery, etc. Therefore, these cases must be addressed individually to resolve such matters,” Mr Hurutarau said.