BY BEN BILUA
GIZO

The Western Provincial Government (WPG) has resumed its Assembly meeting yesterday to deliberate on and approve the 2025/2026 provincial budget.

The meeting, which will run for a week, saw the attendance of the majority of Provincial Members who gathered at the Assembly Chamber in Gizo to discuss key financial matters and development priorities for the province.

Speaker of the Western Provincial Assembly, Ramrakha Aquila Talasasa, welcomed the members and acknowledged their continued commitment to the affairs of the province.

He thanked the members for their dedication and urged them to approach the week’s discussions with unity and a shared vision for Western Province.

In his opening address, Premier Billy Veo called on the Assembly members to exercise wisdom, understanding, and cooperation as the revised 2025/2026 budget was tabled.

He explained that the revised budget is necessary to address virements and replenish certain divisional heads whose allocations have been exhausted during the current financial year.

Veo further stated that the revision will also appropriate uncaptured revenues, including more than $1 million received under the Provincial Capacity Development Fund (PCDF).

He said the additional funding was awarded to the province for achieving a perfect financial assessment for the 2023/2024 fiscal year — a milestone that demonstrates the province’s sound financial management.

“We have come to that time of the year again where, as a provincial government and assembly, we are required to table a revised budget as per the Western Provincial Financial Management 2018, Part 4, Section 14, Subsection 2. It is therefore an obligatory undertaking,” Veo said.

The Assembly is expected to continue deliberations throughout the week, with hopes of passing the revised budget to guide the province’s development programs and service delivery in the coming year.

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By RODRICK DESURI 

AUKI 

Auki town’s rubbish woes is expected to linger for months as work continues to prepare a new dumpsite for Malaita province’s capital.

The responsible authority for the collection of rubbish within the Auki township areas, Auki Town Council, is still waiting for the new landfill at Gwaigeo to be cleared and cleaned before it can be used as a dumpsite.

The Malaita Provincial Government acquired about two hectares of land owned by the province for a dump site after the temporary dump site at Kunu was disputed. 

Since last month, many residents of Auki Town have voiced their concerns about why Auki Town Council hasn’t been collecting rubbish for weeks. 

Auki Town Council is responsible for the collection of rubbish starting from Mage village to Aimela. 

However, Hazel Fanai from Auki Town Council said they are partnering with J-Prism (III), a 25-year SPRED-JICA partnership on a waste management project, to work on the new Gwaigeo landfill. 

She stressed that an assessment of the site and a meeting were held with the surrounding communities of the site.

“We have done an on-site assessment, and a meeting was held with the surrounding communities of the site. The assessment is to see how the site will be planned, how the roads will go, and how our compactor truck will move,” she said.

Fanai emphasized that the Environmental Internal Assessment will be the next assessment that needs a specialist from the Ministry of Planning or from Japan.

“For this Environmental Internal Assessment, it’s good that a specialist from Japan will come to do that, because the riverbanks and swampy areas need good planning,” She said.

Meanwhile, Fanai assured the residents of Auki township to start the process of sorting different waste types at the source—such as recyclables, organic materials, and general waste—into separate containers to facilitate recycling, composting, and proper disposal.

She said this practice can reduce piles of waste and pollution, conserve resources, and contribute to a more sustainable environment.

She added that Gwaigeo landfill will be ready for use sometime early next year, 2026.

“All I can say is that the collection of all rubbish will start around early next year when our landfill is fully ready and safer for dumping rubbish,” she said.

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BY BEN BILUA
GIZO

The government of Western Province under the leadership of Premier Billy Veo has made history by being the first provincial government to ever submit a consolidated financial report to the Office of the Auditor General (OAG) — a milestone that has now qualified the province for the Provincial Capacity Development Fund (PCDF).

Premier Veo revealed this during the Western Provincial Assembly meeting this week, describing the achievement as a “historic breakthrough” for the province.

“I’m indeed pleased to note that after being disqualified in the 2021/2022 and 2022/2023 financial years’ assessments, we finally qualified in the 2023/2024 assessment,” Veo said.

Western Province scored 62 out of 100, placing it second behind Isabel Province in the national PCDF assessment for the 2023/2024 financial year.

Veo said the achievement is the result of his executive government’s strong political will and commitment towards ensuring accountability and transparency in financial management.

He explained that the provincial government successfully compiled financial statements for the Western Provincial Investment Corporation (WPIC) covering 2020/2021, 2021/2022, 2022/2023, and 2023/2024 financial years.

“This has enabled our Provincial Accounting Specialist and WPIC accountant to consolidate both WPG and WPIC financial statements before submitting them to the OAG in June 2025,” Veo said.

He added that Western Province is now the first province or public entity in the Solomon Islands to have ever submitted a consolidated financial statement — setting a benchmark for other provinces to follow.

Veo acknowledges the Western Provincial Government Administration, the Provincial Planning Team, and the Finance and Treasury Division for their dedication and teamwork in achieving the milestone.

“I would like to urge you to continue to work hard and ensure we get even better results in the next PCDF assessment,” he said.

Photo: Supplied

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PM Manele confident amid talk of third motion of no-confidence

BY NED GAGAHE

Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele says he is confident his government has the numbers to survive the mounting rumours of a possible third Motion of No Confidence (MONC) against him when Parliament resumes next Monday, October 13.

No notice of motion of no-confidence was filed by close of business yesterday, Clerk to Parliament Jefferson Hallu told Island Sun last night.

Speaking to local media during a media conference yesterday afternoon following his return from his official engagements abroad last week, Prime Minister Manele said he is confident and prepared to face any motion.

“Everybody is claiming numbers. I am confident that I have the numbers.

“You tend to hear a lot of rumours and meetings — that is usual when motions are around. But let me stress, every time a motion is moved, the country is kept in suspense for months, and this sends a bad signal to our people and to investors who depend on stability,” the Prime Minister said.

The Prime Minister said he respects the right of MPs to move a MONC but warned of its destabilising impact.

“Motions of no confidence without strong basis move the country backwards instead of forward. I am prepared to face any motion, but my duty is to safeguard stability for our people,” he said.

In recent weeks, political tension within the Government for National Unity and Transformation (GNUT) has intensified, with reports of internal cracks and meetings fuelling speculation of another attempt to unseat the Prime Minister.

Over the weekend, Opposition Leader Matthew Wale lashed out at the government’s repeated reshuffles in the Finance Ministry, describing them as “a clear sign of weak and indecisive leadership controlled by outside interests.”

In just three weeks, the controversial sufferance wharves issue has seen GNUT shuffle the powerful Finance portfolio three times — from Harry Kuma to Trevor Manemahaga, and most recently to Rexon Ramofafia.

Mr Wale said the constant reshuffling “is undeniable proof that the Prime Minister is not in control and that powerful outside players are dictating appointments.”

But Prime Minister Manele pushed back strongly, stressing that reshuffles are about maintaining stability, not weakness.

He said while motions of no confidence are a democratic right, their repeated use only holds the country back.

Since assuming office as Prime Minister, Manele has already survived two motions of no confidence — both of which were later withdrawn before it was debated on the floor of Parliament.

The resumption of parliament next week is expected to be closely watched, as speculation grows over political manoeuvring within the ruling coalition and the Opposition ranks.

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BY BEN BILUA
GIZO

Fatboys has officially opened it brand new Dive Shop over the weekend marking another milestone on its operation.

The Dive Shop is equipped with world-class equipment and a 100-horsepower boat for divers to travel to their destination of choice.

Guests from Honiara included officials from DFAT, Strongim Bisnis, Tourism Solomons and Solomon Airlines and were joined by provincial guests led by Deputy Premier of Western Province.

In his speech, Deputy Premier of Western Province, Brian Lotikena congratulates Fatboys for the great achievement saying that the dive centre will not only provide employment to locals but also showcase the underwater beauty of Western Province.

He adds that the dive centre is more than just equipment and building but a tourism product that will contribute to national tourism industry.

“The opening of this dive centre marks an important milestone to your operations by adding another activity to your products. I’d like to congratulate you all for this great achievement,” Lotikena said.

He said Fatboys is unique as it is surrounded by natural beauty and the marine and tropical environment.

In her speech, DFAT’s representative, First Secretary Danielle Bourke also congratulated Fatboys for the important milestone saying that the opening of the dive centre marks a step forward for the dive industry in Western province and Solomon Islands.

“We’re pleased, the new customised boat and the jetty will help Fatboys attract more tourists from Australia and across the world,” she said.

Bourke said DFAT through Strongim Bisnis continues to support tourism operators in Western Province by establishing a hub at Munda.

She explained that the support is more on enabling local tourism operators to accommodate more guest and improve their products.

“I spend last couple of days here and have seen first hand the beauty of Western Province and the rest of Solomon Islands.

“This why Australian makes up the highest number of tourists and visitors to the Solomon Islands.

“The beautiful beaches, the rich culture and people, and off course the great underwater world. We want the world to see it too,” Bourke said.

She said Australia is working closely with the Solomon Islands government and other partners to support the tourism industry.

Bourke adds that Australia will continue to support local businesses to create more jobs for local communities.

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