BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

Residents of Gizo-Kolombangara Constituency (GKC) in Western Province are set to benefit from a new Fishery Centre, a development that aims to strengthen local livelihoods and improving food security.

This is according to a recent press statement released by the Ministry of Rural Development (MRD).

The MRD statement said the $500,000 project, funded under the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) programme in the 2024 national budget, is being delivered by the constituency office under the leadership of Member of Parliament and Minister of Police, Jimson Tanangada.

It adds that the main facility is being built in Gizo town, with a supporting branch at Ringgi Station on Kolombangara Island.

According to the statement, the centres will provide cold storage and ice-making services to help fishermen preserve their catch and supply fish to Gizo Market, Honiara Market, and surrounding communities once operational.

Constituency Development Officer (CDO) Alphonsus Wale said the construction of the facilities is nearing completion, with the official launch planned for November.

“This fishery project will not only support local fishermen but also enhance food security in the province. It will reduce post-harvest losses, improve the quality of fish reaching markets, and create new income opportunities,” Wale said.

The statement also mentioned that the Gizo centre will include two large deep freezers, a cold storage room, and an ice-making machine, while the Ringgi branch will have two large freezers. Boats and eskies are also expected to be distributed to beneficiaries at the launch.

Operations of the Fishery Centre as stated, will be managed by a committee that the constituency office is in the process of establishing.

Further noted is that fisheries remain a development priority for Gizo-Kolombangara Constituency, which has previously assisted such as boats, canoes, engines, and solar-powered freezers.

The constituency office said the project reflects its ongoing commitment to empowering communities and encouraging sustainable economic development in line with national goals.

Photo: MRD

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By RODRICK DESURI 

AUKI 

The Auki Central Market Management is encouraging market vendors to use or carry fewer leaves into Auki Central Market to reduce the amount of rubbish.

In an interview, David Laeta from the Auki Central Market Management said this is a way forward to reduce rubbish in the market, as the rubbish dumpsite is currently under dispute. 

He said the market’s rubbish storage areas are almost full and are encroaching on the front of their office buildings. 

“We are encouraging our vendors to use fewer leaves in the market for packaging their produce. 

“This is because, for the past few months, our rubbish has not been collected and transported to the dump site at Kunu due to the dispute.

“Also, our rubbish storage at the market is almost full and is now nearly taking up our front office space,” he stressed.

Meanwhile, Provincial Secretary of Malaita, Eric George said all rubbish in the Auki township areas should now be transported to the new rubbish dump site at Gwaigeo.

He said the provincial survey team is already on site, clearing and cleaning the dump site.

“The Kunu rubbish dump site is just a temporary site.

“The rubbish should already be transported to the new rubbish dump site at Gwaigeo because our survey team has been clearing the area already,” he said.

George mentioned that the new rubbish dumpsite is on land owned by the province and is about two hectares.

“The new area is owned by the province, but for now, the two hectares is enough,” he added.

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BY LORETTA B MANELE

The three-day Parliament and Media Workshop is vital for mainstream media says Duane Baiabe, the Acting Director for Parliamentary, Media, Communications and Engagement Unit in the Parliament Building.

Speaking to media participants on Wednesday, October 1, 2025, the first day of the workshop at the King Solomon Hotel Conference room, he explained that the workshop is to help them assist mainstream media when it comes to reporting or accessing information from parliament.

The other aim of the workshop is to introduce the parliament press gallery of which Baiabe said they hope to bring in 2026.

“At the same time, we are working towards creating communications strategy for national parliament which will be good to guide us in terms of reporting and to also assist journalists for much more accurate reporting,” he stressed.

Baiabe said that the first day of the workshop involved an introduction of the whole program and a trip for media representatives to different offices in parliament such as the Procedures Office, Hansard Department and the Committee Office.

He went on to say that the second day is about procedures where participants will learn about things like bills, business before the house, how to report on committees like BLC and how to report using accurate information.

“Day 2 is about procedures and committee work and how media comes in and reports,” Baiabe said.

He said today, Friday, October 3, 2025, the final day of the workshop, will cater to an introduction to the parliament press gallery.

The Acting Director for Parliamentary, Media, Communications and Engagement Unit said that what they are trying to do is to get mainstream media to understand the importance of having a press gallery in parliament.

He noted that it is also about how our people can be able to get good information from parliament from reporters who are part of the parliament press gallery.

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BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

Deputy Secretary Corporate of the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Disaster Management (MECDM), Karl Kuper, said the Pacific Ocean Portal is more than just a digital tool.

Speaking during the launch at The Club, Heritage Park Hotel in Honiara on Wednesday this week, Kuper said the portal is designed to ensure ocean climate information is not only available but useful, usable, and ultimately for Pacific people and institutions.

He said that it reflects both the Pacific-led capabilities and the strength of Pacific states’ long-term partnerships.

He also stated the portal offers a direct response to the needs identified by the region and delivers major improvements in its usability and functionality.

“It provides a tailored user experience, allowing the fishers and forecasters to access the ocean data that matters most for them. It brings interactive data access with real-time visualisations, dynamic maps and downloadable formats that make information more engaging and actionable.

“It offers secure national dashboards, enables countries to host customised versions of the portal and integrate local datasets and choose what they want to share publicly. Colleagues, this is more than just a digital tool. It is already informing decisions in areas that matter deeply to us, including coral reef protection, maritime safety, tourism, fisheries and disaster resilience,” Kuper said.

He said that it reflects the Climate and Ocean Support Program in the Pacific (COSPPac’s) enduring commitment to deliver climate and ocean services that are technically robust, locally relevant and people-centred.

“Most importantly, the Pacific Ocean Support Portal is a public good and a truly Pacific-owned achievement. Allow me to congratulate SPC, COSPPac and all of our partners for this remarkable achievement. This portal is not just a tool, it is a symbol of partnership, progress and Pacific leadership.

“So, may it continue to empower our communities, inform our decisions and strengthen our collective resilience in the face of a changing climate,” Kuper concluded.

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BY NED GAGAHE

Almost half of the Solomon Islands National Provident Fund’s (SINPF) earnings this year come from its subsidiaries, highlighting the critical role these entities play in the Fund’s overall performance.

Chairman of the SINPF Board, Sir Dr Jimmie Rodgers, during the official announcement of this year’s crediting rate said without contributions from subsidiaries such as Telekom, Soltuna, and other investments, the Fund would have reached only about 50 percent of the current gross surplus of $330 million.

“That’s how important their work is. Our subsidiaries continue to deliver returns, create jobs, and support the Fund’s objectives of providing benefits to members while ensuring long-term growth,” Sir Jimmie said.

He noted that public criticism of some services, such as telecom packages, often overlooks the role these subsidiaries play in generating revenue for the Fund and helping maintain affordable services for the public.

Sir Jimmie also stressed the importance of balancing immediate member benefits with long-term investment growth, with subsidiaries playing a key part in generating higher returns than traditional bank deposits or government bonds.

“Our subsidiaries are essential to the Fund’s performance. They allow us to pay members meaningful benefits while also growing the Fund for the future,” he added.

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BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

The Pacific Ocean Portal upgrade has been described as ‘timely’, coming about when a lot of challenges are being reported across the region.

The Pacific Community (SPC) recently launched the newly redeveloped Pacific Ocean Portal, marking a significant step forward in providing open access to ocean information for the Pacific region.

The launch took place on Wednesday at The Club, Heritage Park Hotel in Honiara, with SPC’s Deputy Director for the Ocean and Maritime Programme, Jens Krüger, highlighting the importance of the upgrade.

The portal was first developed under the Climate and Ocean Support Program in the Pacific (COSPPac) in partnership with the Australian Bureau of Meteorology before being transitioned to SPC in 2016.

Krüger noted that the 2025 upgrade was “timely” and a reflection of Pacific-led capability and innovation.

“I’m proud to say that it’s been completely reimagined now. It took a while, working on Pacific time after all, but good things take time. And I’d say this upgrade has arrived at exactly the right time,” Krüger said.

The new version of the portal is now built entirely on open-source technology, with the code publicly available on GitHub for anyone to use or contribute to.

Krüger said the shift ensures transparency and fosters collaboration across the region and beyond.

SPC has already conducted training in 15 Pacific countries to ensure users can navigate and benefit from the upgraded system. Additional sessions are planned for Pacific territories, including American Samoa.

Krüger also extended gratitude to Australia and New Zealand for their long-term support of the project.

He emphasised the significance of reliable ocean data for Pacific communities.

“The ocean is not a space. It’s full of waves, tides, currents, storms, and heatwaves. These physical aspects define us and shape our activities. You can’t manage what you can’t measure,” he said.

Krüger said the portal provides vital information for a wide range of ocean activities, from fishing to scuba diving, while supporting the region’s broader efforts in ocean management and resilience.

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BY NED GAGAHE

China reaffirms its commitment to help Pacific Island countries confront the challenges of climate change with the announcement of a USD 2 million pledge to support regional projects.

The announcement was made by Chinese Ambassador Cai Weiming during celebrations marking the 76th Anniversary of the Founding of the People’s Republic of China in Honiara recently.

Ambassador Weiming said the funding was first declared during the third China–Pacific Island Countries Foreign Ministers’ Meeting held in May this year.

He explained that discussions are now underway with the Solomon Islands Government to determine how to best access and utilise the resource.

“My colleagues are working with the Solomon Islands Government on how to dip into the resource,” he said.

He added that China has also offered funding support to the Pacific Resilience Facility, a regional initiative designed to help island nations adapt to the impacts of climate change and natural disasters.

The Ambassador said the climate funding reflects China’s commitment to strengthening cooperation with Pacific Island nations in priority areas such as resilience building, sustainable development, and disaster preparedness.

“This initiative is part of China’s broader efforts to deepen cooperation with Pacific Island countries on combating climate change,” Weiming stated.

Climate change is one of the most pressing issues facing Pacific Island nations, with rising sea levels, coastal erosion, and intensifying weather patterns threatening livelihoods and communities.

Ambassador Weiming noted that the support is in line with the “win-win” partnership Solomon Islands and other Pacific nations enjoy with China, highlighting that Beijing is committed to working with island countries to deliver practical benefits that improve lives.

The pledge adds to the growing list of China-backed projects in Solomon Islands and across the Pacific under the framework of the China-Pacific comprehensive strategic partnership.

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By RODRICK DESURI 

AUKI 

Rubbish collection in Auki has stopped for months, causing accumulation of debris and foul odor throughout the town.

This is reportedly due to a standoff between landowners of the town’s dumpsite and Auki’s town council.

Residents are up calling on authorities, especially the Auki town council to address this problem.

A resident of Faasitoro, Erick Maefelo, said the collection of rubbish in the town has been stopped for two or three months now. 

He said residents of Auki township are experiencing this issue, as their rubbish is now rotting and causing an unacceptable smell throughout the town. 

“Since I came and settled here a few months ago, I have not seen the trucks come to collect our rubbish and waste until now.

“The residents of Auki town will experience the same thing,” he said.

A few residents in surrounding areas of Auki town have also raised the same sentiment, saying urgent action is needed.

Management of Auki Central Market, David Laeta, said collection of rubbish in Auki town was halted because of a land dispute with the landowners of the rubbish dump site.

He explained that not only the township areas will be affected, but also the residents of the surrounding areas.

“The issue here is that there is a land dispute with the landowners of the rubbish dump site. This is what I know about the halting of rubbish collection at the moment.

“Even our rubbish here at the market area has piled up and is taking up more space, moving closer to our office,” he said.

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