Destruction by fire on Electoral office tolls between $60-70 million

BY SAMIE WAIKORI

The Solomon Islands Electoral Commission (SIEC) has lost between $60-70 million worth of equipment in a fire that destroyed their office at Vavaya Ridge last week in Honiara.

The equipment was mainly vital election kits that SIEC had been using the since it began the biometric system in 2013.

In terms of money, only $10,000 belonging to their Social Club was burnt during the incident including personal items of some of the staff.

In a press conference yesterday, SIEC Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Jasper Highwood Anisi said the equipment lost was mainly registration kits SIEC used to collect data and the server that hosted the data.

He explained that SIEC got the software that keeps the data after signing a contract with the Electoral Service International, based in Canada, Germany and Belgium.

Anisi added that under the contract, the company keeps the data because the software belongs to them, but the data belongs to the government.

He said to retrieve the data, there are two options – one is to host the data for temporary purposes, and the other is to work on rebuilding the data centre. This is so that the data can be hosted there.

Anisi stated that SIEC is looking at both options, but the less expensive one is to talk with ICT to see if they can temporarily host the data in one of their servers in the country.

He furthered that in line with the idea, they are planning to rebuild a new data centre to import required resources and will be working on it over the next few months.

Anisi said there are talks with the Australian Electoral Commission that showed willingness to set up the SIEC data centre.

He said they are still in talks and nothing is official as yet. SIEC could also reach out for support from its network of partners in the Pacific.

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BY NED GAGAHE

Four Solomon Islands National University (SINU) Home Economics students will represent the university at the upcoming London–Honiara Fashion Exhibition Week set for September 22–27, 2025 in Honiara.

The students, Annette Kile, Endah Tingo, Jayleen Neve, and Phylistus Ulioha, were selected following a mini fashion show held earlier this year at the Faculty of Education and Humanities (FEH).

The international fashion event is organised by the British High Commission in partnership with the Solomon Islands National Art Gallery.

It will feature a week-long program showcasing and promoting local designers and their products through school tours, exhibitions, and fashion shows.

SINU has encouraged its staff, students, and the wider community to support the four students by attending the exhibition at the National Art Gallery and casting votes for their designs starting Monday, September 22.

“This is an opportunity to celebrate SINU’s Home Economics students and to showcase our local talent at an international cultural event,” a statement from SINU said.

The program runs throughout the week with activities designed to highlight creativity, innovation, and Solomon Islands fashion to both local and international audiences.

Photo: Supplied

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BY NED GAGAHE

The country is celebrating another proud achievement after Solomon Islander Dr Edward Maru successfully earned his PhD in Meteorology and Climate Change from Kyoto University in Japan.

Dr Maru, who hails from Tikopia in Temotu Province, has been widely congratulated on social media for his outstanding accomplishment.

Before pursuing further studies in Japan, Dr Maru worked with the Solomon Islands Meteorological Services as a weather forecaster.

As part of his academic journey, Dr Maru published three research articles in internationally recognised journals.

His specialised research focused on cyclone studies in the Western Pacific, a field of critical importance for the region’s understanding of extreme weather and climate systems.

Many have described his achievement as inspiring, commending his dedication, perseverance, and commitment to advancing knowledge in meteorology and climate change.

Dr Maru’s success is seen as a proud moment for Solomon Islands, with his expertise now contributing to both national and regional capacity in weather and climate science.

Photo: Supplied

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BY NED GAGAHE

Totua settlers living near the Gold Ridge Mine in Central Guadalcanal have been told to prepare to relocate as Gold Ridge Mining Limited (GRML) pushes ahead with its processing plant expansion project.

Totua, situated within Vulolo Ward, is a mixed settlement with some residents living inside the mining lease area and others on customary land.

GRML last week in a customary approach, presented two chupu (traditional gifts) to recognise and engage with the two categories of settlers:

1. The original families who came under traditional arrangements.
2. The newer settlers, many of whom moved in during the rise of illegal mining.

The original settlers are mainly from the Weathercoast of Guadalcanal through proper customary arrangements with landowning tribes and families.

Over the years, however, the settlement has grown considerably, largely driven by the influx of people attracted by illegal mining activities.

GRML in a statement said this rapid increase has brought with it social challenges that continue to be a concern for the company.

As part of its expansion—which will require new land for major infrastructure—GRML formally advised Totua settlers over the weekend to begin preparing for relocation.

Speaking during the ceremony, community leader Chief Golu acknowledged the company’s message.

“We accept the chupu. To those of you who were not invited, please respect the company. Their message is clear—it’s time to move out, just as you came in,” he said.

Another Totua leader, Chief Peter, also reinforced the call.

“Move now. You have heard the company loud and clear,” he said.

GRML said further dialogue will take place in the coming weeks with the original settlers to properly arrange the relocation process.

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 BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

The issue of West Papua is a standing agenda matter as part of the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) leaders meeting outcome in Honiara held from September 8 – 12, 2025.

Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele, PIF Chair responded to a question raised by Stefan Armbruster from Torres Strait Island Media Association, CIMA Forum W and Torres News regarding the matter.

The PIF Troika consist of the Solomon Islands, Tonga, and the Cook Islands. The Troika serves as a strategic leadership body to ensure continuity and cohesion in Forum priorities and actions.

The Troika mechanism is also designed to ensure continuity and stronger Pacific advocacy on the global stage, as well as a smooth transition between Forum Chairs.

Speaking at the 54^th PIF Troika Conference in Honiara, Stefan Armbruster raised the question about one of the two standing agenda items, referring to the nuclear issue and West Papua.

He said that there’s no reference in the PM’s opening address or remarks about West Papua, and what discussion was there about West Papua.

Mr Armbruster asked if this gives an avenue for West Papua to seek reserved status with the Pacific Islands Forum?

“Thank you, PM Manele responded. In terms of West Papua, yes, it’s a standing agenda matter as part of the outcome. The leaders tasked the secretariat in terms of working with the United Nations human commission and follow-up on the previous decision on that,” said PM Manele.

According to PM, in relation to whether West Papua will become an observer at this stage, he said that the 54^TH partnership policy has been adopted.

“But the details troika will be working on the details going forward,” said PM Manele.

At this year’s 54^th PIF forum communiqué, Leaders reaffirmed the Forum’s ongoing recognition of Indonesia’s sovereignty over West Papua (Papua).

PIF Leaders recalled Indonesia’s 2018 invitation for a mission led by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights.

According to the communiqué, Leaders tasked the Secretariat to work constructively with Indonesia on a proposed visit by Forum Leaders Envoys in 2026, in consultation with the Melanesian Spearhead Group Secretariat.

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BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele and the Chair of the Pacific Islands Forum said that the East New Britain initiative can be used as a tool to generate more income from the Tuna fisheries sector in the region and Solomon Islands.

PM Manele highlighted this during this year’s 54^th Pacific Islands Forum Leaders (PIF) Troika Press Conference in Honiara.

Speaking of the Blue Pacific Ocean Strategy 2050, Tuna fisheries remain the region’s most valuable resource, valued at almost 5 billion USD annually, according to data, annually.

Speaking to the press, PM Manele said that tuna fisheries is a very important resource to the region and the Solomon Islands economy.

He told regional and local journalists that to elevate this sector in the region, including the Solomon Islands, initiatives such as the East New Britain must be utilised.

“I think you heard about this East New Britain initiative, where we can expand our fisheries so that we can get more value for money,” said PM Manele.

He said that through these initiatives, countries can process and export tuna to generate income to support their economies going forward.

“We can process our fish in-country, in the region, and we export it. Most likely, we will get more revenue going forward. If you look at the canneries, for example, they create jobs for us. We will have to expand on the fisheries plan, have value so that we can also create job opportunities for our people,” he said.

He also noted the challenges faced in the tuna fisheries sector.

“Of course, there are challenges in the tuna fisheries and the fisheries sector. This is not new; there are challenges in terms of fishing. So, through the Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA), we continue to monitor, we have surveillance in terms of the region’s workers.

“Tuna fisheries are very important and so are coastal fisheries. Sometimes we do not value the impact on that, but our people in the rural areas also depend on coastal fisheries for their livelihoods and to generate income,” PM Manele said.

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BY SAMIE WAIKORI

Construction of four (4) bridges in Malaita province under the Solomon Islands Road and Aviation Project (SIRAP2) are progressing well, as they near completion.

The projects are funded by World Bank and supported by national government through line ministries such as Ministry of Communication and Aviation, Ministry of Finance and Treasury and Ministry of Infrastructure Development.

The bridges include; Kolofe 1 & 2 bridges on North Road and Su’u harbour & Bira village bridges on South Road in Malaita.

The four bridge projects in Malaita province are implemented by the China Civil Engineering Construction Cooperation (CCECC).

The completion of the bridges will definitely ease transportation challenges faced in the heavily populated regions of Malaita province.

The projects will to deliver high quality standard of infrastructure that expect to be weather resilience, which will provide affordable and consistent transport access.

Most importantly, the projects will stimulate and improve economic activities and delivery of goods and services in the province.

This paper understands that under the SIRAP 1 project, a number of infrastructure projects especially on road transportations were constructed in Malaita province.

The people in Malaita are enjoying these projects and as SIRAP 2 comes, it will continue to support them and the development of the province.

According to the SIRAP 2 project, the total funding for SIRAP2 program is USD$89.21 million, which comprises of US$67.69 million concessional credit and US$21.52 million grant.

These financing comes under the International Development Association or IDA through the World Bank Group.

Photo: SIRAP2 Project

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