By RODRICK DESURI 

AUKI 

The people of Baegu-Asifolu constituency in Malaita province are interested in seaweed farming and coastal communities are leading the call for their Member of Parliament to help introduce the initiative there.

A security officer, Ben Abana Oketa, said seaweed farming is one of the initiatives that he is calling on leaders, especially their Member of Parliament for Baegu Asifola constituency, to initiate in their coastal communities. 

He said projects like seaweed farming is very easy for people to do, and it can support rural communities to generate income and in turn, people involved can be able afford basic essential needs.

“Seaweed farming is an easy project that the coastal communities of Asifola can focus on, and it can support them in generating income.

“When they generate income from seaweed farming, they can afford their children’s tuition fees, basic essential needs of the family, and their livelihoods,” he said.

In the meantime, Oketa mentioned that the only thing they will need for that project is training and project materials.

He added that it can be easier once the Members of Parliament seeks funding through line ministries to facilitate the projects.

“Yes, line government ministries like the Ministry of Fisheries and aid donors can support such initiatives. The only thing is our Members of Parliament need to seek it,” he said.

He also said that most of the constituencies in the country have done this for coastal communities.

“If other MPs have done it for their coastal communities, why not we, Asifola?” he said.

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BY MORRIS NAFU

The Correctional Service of Solomon Islands (CSSI) is currently facing a significant challenge with overcrowding in its prison facilities across the country.

This issue was brought to light during the recent Public Service Bill 2025 hearing held on Wednesday, where CSSI Commissioner Mactus Forau appeared before the Bills and Legislative Committee (BLC).

Mr Forau revealed that all prison facilities in the country can only cater to 645 inmates.

However, the current inmate population has reached 545, pushing the limits of available space. The overcrowding situation has become so severe that some inmates are forced to sleep on the floor due to a shortage of beds, which are fully occupied.                                                                                         

The problem is particularly acute in smaller provincial prisons, with Rove and Tetere prisons being among the few facilities that are still operational yet struggle to manage the increasing numbers.

Forau highlighted that these smaller institutions are under immense pressure as they try to accommodate more inmates than their intended capacity.

In response to this pressing issue, the CSSI is planning to introduce a new policy that aims to address minor crimes through community sentencing under the Justice (CSJ) framework.

This innovative approach seeks to reduce the burden on prison facilities by allowing convicts to serve their sentences within the community, under the supervision of designated officers.

Commissioner Forau emphasized that community sentencing not only helps alleviate overcrowding but also supports the rehabilitation of offenders by keeping them integrated within their communities.

This strategy represents a progressive step towards managing the correctional system more effectively while ensuring justice is served in a humane and sustainable manner.

The CSSI’s move towards community-based sentencing marks a hopeful development in tackling the overcrowding crisis, promising a more balanced and compassionate approach to corrections in the Solomon Islands.

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BY BEN BILUA
GIZO

GIZO, Western Province’s Provincial Capital is gearing up to host one of the most important gatherings in the country’s health sector – the National Health Conference 2025.

Western Province’s Director of Health and Medical Services, Dickson Boara confirmed that venues, logistics, and programmes are now in place ahead of the meeting, which will officially begin next week.

He said officials and delegates are expected to arrive in Gizo on Friday, September 19, aboard the MV Express Pelican.

Boara said a special welcome ceremony is planned at Gizo Wharf to receive the guests before they move to their respective accommodations around the township.

He said the official program will commence on Monday with an opening ceremony, followed by a week of plenary sessions, workshops, and technical discussions focused on strengthening the country’s health and medical systems.

“There are a number of pressing issues that will be discussed, including how to improve health services in rural areas, proper distribution of medical resources, and strategies to reduce the rising cases of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs).

“This is a huge opportunity for heads of health and medical services from across the country to share experiences, address challenges, and establish practical approaches to improve our health system,” Boara said.

He said the local organizing committee is expecting to host more than 100 officials and health experts from different provinces and national agencies.

Boara said the National Health Conference is a flagship event of the Ministry of Health and Medical Services, (MHMS) bringing together decision-makers, practitioners, and development partners to shape policies and chart the way forward for healthcare delivery in the Solomon Islands.

“For Western Province, the event also marks an important milestone, as it will not only showcase Gizo’s capacity to host national events but also highlight the province’s ongoing challenges and achievements in the health sector,” he added.

The conference is expected to conclude with a set of resolutions and recommendations that will guide future health priorities and interventions across the country.

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BY MORRIS NAFU

Our Telekom company has done away with most of its data plans, including the popular ‘$15 for 15 gigabytes for three days’.

As of September 17, 2025, the new-look data service includes lesser options of data plans.

Sales and Marketing Officer, Sean Hiele told Island Sun through email the decision was carefully considered to phase out older plans.

Hiele did not explain why Our Telekom came up with its decision, but highlighted that the ‘15GB for 3 Days’ plan is also removed saying it was only a promotional offer.

“Note that customers who are already subscribed to the plans that are scheduled to being removed tonight will still be able to use their plan until the end of its validity period,” he said.

Hiele confirms older plans that are removed includes, $15 – 250M, $20 – 400MB, $50 – 850MB, $100 – 1.7GB, $220 – 3.7GB, $400 – 6.8GB, $40 – GIGA 4GB, $50 – GIGA 5GB, $580 – 10GB, $1,160 – 20GB and $15 for 15GB/3 Days (App promotional plan)

Meanwhile validated data plans available in Our Telekom data plans app includes, $9 – 2GB, $10 -2.5GB, $11 – 3GB, $30 – 3GB per day and $200 – 25GB valid for 28 days.

Our Telekom is a leading the telecommunication outlet in the country alongside B-Mobile company.

However, its monopoly on internet data service is under heavy competition with Starlink which is distributed by SatSol, BeMobile and other smaller internet provider companies.

In a recent dividend contribution to the Solomon Island National Provident Fund (SINPF) contribution, Our Telekom contributed $45 million.

This dividend payment will directly benefit the more than 200,000 members of SINPF.

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BY MORRIS NAFU

The Teaching Service Commission has been notably excluded from the draft Public Service Bill 2025, raising concern about fairness among public servants, particularly education practitioners across the country.

According to the draft bill, it includes the Judicial Legal Service Commission, Police, and Correctional Service Commission, leaving out Teaching Service Commission.

This omission has been described as unjust in the education sector.

Speaking at yesterday’s Bills and Legislative Committee meeting, Member of Parliament for Auki Langalanga and Leader of Opposition, Matthew Wale highlighted that the bill’s definition of “Commission” on page 3.

Wale stressed that it would be fair if teachers were treated equally as other public servants.

“Unfortunately, this has not been the case for decades.

“If it was one public service, then what you give public servants, you give teachers. It shouldn’t depend on who shouts the loudest from their trade unions,” Wale said.

Chairman of the Teaching Service Commission, Milner Tozaka, emphasised the importance of collaboration among all commissions.

“We commissioners cannot act alone in running the public service. Everything — prisoners, police, judiciary — is public service. We need to come together to create a working culture aligned with the bill’s objectives: a dynamic, efficient, effective, and productive public service,” Tozaka said.

He added that while respecting constitutional independence, regular meetings among commissions are necessary to share insights and improve management and administration across public offices.

Wale also noted that in an earlier presentation, it was explained that the Teaching Service Commission falls under the Education Act 2023, which is why it was excluded from the Public Service Bill 2025.

However, he urged the Teaching Service Commission to formally submit a request to be included in the bill.

The Public Service Bill hearing is set to continue today.

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BY BEN BILUA
GIZO

Security cooperation between Solomon Islands and the People’s Republic of China (PRC), China continues to deepen, marking another milestone since the diplomatic switch of recognition from Taiwan to China in 2019.

This week, a high-level Solomon Islands delegation led by Minister of Police, National Security and Correctional Services, Jimson Tanangada, travelled to China to participate in the 2025 Conference of the Global Public Security Cooperation Forum in Lianyungang, Jiangsu Province.

In an interview published by CHINADAILY.com.cn, Minister Tanangada described the Solomon Islands–China security partnership as “special” and “timely,” saying it comes at a critical moment as Solomon Islands works to strengthen its domestic security obligations.

“Solomon Islands and China have a very special relationship in terms of security cooperation because it was established at a very critical time for our country,” he said.

Tanangada explained that while the cooperation is primarily focused on enhancing domestic security within Solomon Islands, it also has broader implications for regional and global peace.

He praised China for its leadership role in promoting international security dialogue and collaboration.

“It is so encouraging to see China taking a leadership role in hosting a global public security forum where all countries that value peace can come together and contribute to addressing global issues in security,” Tanangada said.

The 2025 Global Public Security Cooperation Forum was held under the theme “Shaping Global Public Security Together: United Action to Tackle Diverse Threats.”

The event brought together leaders and representatives from across the world to discuss collective approaches to security challenges ranging from transnational crime to emerging global threats.

Solomon Islands’ growing security partnership with China has been closely watched in the region, especially as the country navigates complex geopolitical relationships in the Pacific.

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$4m boost for ocean protection in Solomon Islands

BY BEN BILUA
GIZO

Solomon Islands has secured USD 4 million in funding to strengthen its ocean protection efforts, thanks to support from the Bezos Earth Fund, the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, Disaster Management and Meteorology (MECDM), and the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS).

The project aims to enhance enforcement of conservation frameworks and build national capacity for effective ocean governance, with Temotu, Makira, and Western provinces identified as pilot sites.

Deputy Secretary Technical of MECDM, Agnetha Vave-Karamui, hails the partnership as a significant milestone for the country’s marine conservation agenda.

“This Earth Fund support will help us strengthen the capacity and tools needed to secure our marine and coastal resources, safeguard biodiversity, and ensure present and future generations of Solomon Islanders continue to benefit from the rich waters of Temotu, Makira, and the Kavachi Seascape,” she said.

Karamui added that the initiative aligns with the government’s forthcoming National Marine Spatial Plan and supports the regional ‘Unlocking Blue Pacific Prosperity’ strategy, endorsed by Pacific leaders to sustainably manage all ocean areas and protect sites of ecological and cultural importance.

WCS Solomon Islands Country Director, Alec Hughes, welcomed the Earth Fund’s investment, saying it will be instrumental in advancing practical marine protection measures.

“With this support, we will work hand in hand with the Solomon Islands Government, provincial leaders, and communities to strengthen marine planning, governance, and sustainable management.

“Our goal is to protect biodiversity while improving community resilience and livelihoods,” he said.

Island Sun understands that the funding will support activities such as marine spatial planning, establishing new marine protected areas, developing enforcement and monitoring systems, and piloting a national conservation trust fund to ensure long-term sustainability.

The initiative is part of a wider USD 37.5 million program announced by the Bezos Earth Fund to accelerate marine protection efforts across 12 Pacific Island countries and territories.

The Solomon Islands’ involvement underscores its commitment to protect ocean resources for future generations while ensuring that local communities remain central to marine conservation efforts.

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