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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BY SAMIE WAIKORI

Secretary to Cabinet, Nego Sisiolo highlighted the values mentioned in section 23 of the Public Service Bill 2025, and the need for public servants to respect them.

Under the section, it mentioned about nine (9) values, but one that stands out is in sub-section (3) three; which mentions “Public Service Value to Aspire to Develop Wisdom.”

Sisiolo said the values of Public Service mentioned in section 23 of the bill are universal values which means wherever you work, the values are applicable.

He made the statement, as he joined a delegation from the Ministry of Police, National Security and Correctional Services before the Bills and Legislative Committee (BLC) yesterday.

Sisiolo said one particular area that is interesting to him is subsection 3 of section 23, which is “Public Service Value to Aspire to Develop Wisdom.”

Sisiolo, who was a long-time Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Public Service said the wisdom referred to in the bill isn’t philosophical.

“It doesn’t mean somebody has to take PhD before saying its wisdom. I don’t think so.

“In our context, it means public servants, who are working in public service must have deeper understanding of machineries of the government.

“It calls for making decisions based on thorough consultation, facts and decisions that are right,” he said.

Sisiolo said this is how he tries to understand “wisdom” as mentioned in the bill, because there is no interpretation provided for it in the section.

The Secretary to Cabinet further highlighted the biblical text “the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom” urging public servants to honor this.

He stressed that public servants must also demonstrate this by paying great respect to the law and even in honouring or respecting leaders.

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BY SAMIE WAIKORI

The cabinet is working on a policy to elevate the entry for the police recruitment from the current practice of form 5 and 6 leavers.

This is part of the national security strategy that aims to address some of the shortfalls within the police regulations, according to Police Commissioner Mr Mostyn Mangau.

Speaking before the Bills and Legislative Committee (BLC) yesterday, Secretary to Cabinet, Mr Nego Sisiolo revealed the plan as the government is working on it.

“I’m informed, there is a plan that the government will increase its discipline force, as we progress from 2026-2030.

“The policy will be looking at the entry of recruitment for RSIPF. The entry will be elevated from the current practice of say maybe form 3 or 5 leavers.

“The policy intention is to recruit graduates either from university or RTCs, who have at least demonstrated competencies, some behaviors being learned, discipline etc.…,” he said.

Sisiolo said if the country goes by the policy, it might affect the motivation of those who will recruit for police, if it is to be elevated.

He said this is a heads-up on what the government proposed to do in light of the new security strategy, and will hopefully implement it next year.

Commissioner of the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force, Mr Mostyn Mangau, also highlighted the policy, which will strengthen the work of RSIPF and a review is underway on Police Act 2013.

He said the National Security Strategy will address some of the shortfalls within the regulations and workforce of police.

“At the moment, we are reviewing our Police Act 2013 to capture those important areas and one of which is this policy intention, which looks at elevating the police force,” Mangau said.

Commissioner of CSSI, Mr Mactus Forau also joined Commissioner Mangau, Mr Sisiolo and delegations from Ministry of Police before BLC yesterday.

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