BY RODRICK DESURI 

Auki 

As the Auki Road rehabilitation project nears completion, police have noted that awareness of traffic rules and regulations is needed in the communities surrounding the roads.

Malaita Provincial Police Commander, Superintendent Michael Ramosaea said this in an interview on Monday this week. 

He said that while the roads are not yet complete, vehicle owners, drivers, and pedestrians need to be equipped with knowledge of traffic laws and regulations.

He said that this could lessen traffic accidents in the future in the province once the Auki Road rehabilitation project is completed. 

“As we can see, a few incidents have occurred.

“The latest incident involved a woman who should have looked both ways before crossing, but because such traffic awareness has not been done, she turned to cross the road at any time,” he said. 

Ramosaea also mentioned that there is a need for side-road stand posts showing speed limits and signs along the roads.

He said this can also help to educate and inform the drivers and pedestrians when to slow down and when to speed up.

“We will work together with the MID to put up these road stand-signs. These are essential things that can help the drivers and pedestrians,” he said.

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BY RODRICK DESURI 

Auki 

Auki Police Force has commended the public of Auki for behaving well during the Mother’s Day weekend. 

Malaita Provincial Police Commander, Superintendent Michael Ramosaea said this year’s Mother’s Day celebration was safer than previous celebrations. 

He said that although they received reports of minor issues, they did not receive any reports of serious cases during the celebration. 

“It was safe and really good that we didn’t receive any reports of serious cases. So, I commend them for behaving well during this year’s celebration.

“We have received reports of minor issues, but they were solved between them,” he said.

Meanwhile, he appeals to the Lilisiana community to behave and stop their disrespectful habits, as they have received many reports of criminal activities.

He said that the police will step in with a high visibility operation to make arrests of those involved in social activities like producing illegal drugs and marijuana.

The police described the Lilisiana community as red-marked for disrespectful behavior, producing illegal alcohol and drugs, and being involved in criminal activities like stealing and breaking into other houses.

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BY RODRICK DESURI 

Auki 

A good number of people from the Atoifi Adventist Hospital catchment communities turned up for a free health check-up at Atoifi Adventist Hospital this week.

The free health checkup aims to screen and detect Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs), as well as provide early treatment and referrals. 

In an interview with the staff of Atoifi Adventist Hospital, Alrick Naisi praised the attendance from the first two days.

He said that, from his observation, the people were interested in knowing their health status. 

“From the first two days, the attendance was good. It shows the people are interested in checking their health status,” he said.

He mentioned that about 100 people had been checked each day for the first two days. 

“I was very glad to see people coming in numbers like this. This is how we organise; each day we have a limited number catered for that day to avoid overcrowding,” he said.

He also predicted that the number of attendees for today will rise as the day progresses for larger communities.

The Atoifi Adventist Hospital in East Kwaio, Malaita Province, launched and opened the national health expo on Monday, May 11.

The launch of the program aligned with the Ministry of Health, which also launched its event in Honiara.

The program will run through this week and conclude on Friday, May 15, 2016.

The open program is free and is a great opportunity for the people of Atoifi and the nearby catchment communities.

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BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

The Isabel Provincial Government yesterday received a Fast craft, MV Isalei, from Shandong Province of the People’s Republic of China (PRC).

Speaking at the official handover yesterday, Caretaker Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele said that MV Isalei’s coming to Isabel Province is not just a diplomatic achievement.

He said that it is a homecoming of hope for the province.

“It is a great privilege as Caretaker Prime Minister to join you and officiate this important and symbolic occasion, the official handover of the Fast craft, M.V Isalei, which was generously donated by Shandong Province of the People’s Republic of China to Isabel Province.

“Let me begin by acknowledging the people of Isabel Province for whom this vessel will bring real and tangible benefits, and the specific benefits that this vessel will bring to our people on Isabel.

“But today is also about something deeper. It is about the maturing diplomatic relationship between Solomon Islands and the People’s Republic of China, a relationship built on mutual trust, sovereignty, and a common vision for a peaceful and prosperous Pacific, including Solomon Islands,” PM Manele said.

He said that the vessel, which is an 11.5 metre length, capacity for 12 passengers and two crew, a 1,400-litre fuel tank, and a 210 nautical mile endurance, is a practical tool.

He said that the vessel symbolises what can be achieved when nations respect each other’s sovereignty and work together for shared development.

“The MV Isalei will improve connectivity for Isabel Province and nearby islands. It will enhance maritime safety and emergency response. But more than that, it represents a model of political cooperation that we wish to see across all our provinces. A model where friendship leads to action and action leads to better lives for our people,” Manele said.

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BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

Solomon Islands (SI) will have the highest youth population in the Pacific by 2035, reaching around 200,000 young people.

Marko Kwaramba, SI World Bank senior country economist stressed this during a media briefing for the launch of the bi-annual World Bank Pacific Economic Update, ”Pacific Jobs Pathway”.

“This would account for nearly one-third of the Pacific’s projected youth population of 600,000,” Mr Kwaramba said.

“Another key focus of the report was youth employment, with projections showing SI will have the highest youth population in the Pacific by 2035, reaching around 200,000 young people. This would account for nearly one-third of the Pacific’s projected youth population of 600,000,” Mr Kwaramba said.

He said that this presents both an opportunity and a challenge, depending on employment and labour participation levels, based on the report.

“To address this, the report highlighted the importance of a ‘jobs-first’ approach focused on improving infrastructure, human capital, regulatory systems, and private sector investment. Major development projects such as the road projects, urban water project, and the proposed Bina Harbour development are expected to create employment opportunities, with the Bina Harbour project alone projected to provide around 1,600 jobs for Solomon Islanders.

“Youth unemployment was another major concern raised in the report. The country’s growing youth population presents both an opportunity and a challenge for the government.

“Macroeconomic stability was also identified as critical for long-term job creation, with emphasis placed on strengthening government revenue, managing debt levels and building economic resilience,” he said.

He adds that the report further acknowledges the growing participation of Solomon Islanders in regional labour mobility schemes.

Mr Kwaramba said the country recorded one of the highest increases in worker participation between 2024 and 2025 compared to other Pacific nations.

“However, labour mobility programs are only a temporary solution and do not fully address unemployment challenges within the country. Instead, the report encouraged greater focus on domestic industries such as tourism and agribusiness, which were identified as sectors with strong potential to create more employment opportunities for Solomon Islanders,” he said.

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BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

Water has been identified as a key driver for jobs and economic growth in Solomon Islands, according to discussions highlighted in the latest Pacific economic update.

Solomon Islands World Bank Senior Country Economist Marko Kwaramba told the media this yesterday, after a media briefing for the launch of the bi-annual World Bank Pacific Economic Update, “Pacific Jobs Pathway”.

He said SI is the second most water-dependent economy in the Pacific after Papua New Guinea, with about 55 percent of its economic activities relying on water-related sectors.

He said that the report highlighted industries such as tuna processing, the Bina Harbour development project, and tourism as sectors that depend heavily on access to clean and reliable water supplies.

“Investment in water infrastructure can help create jobs, support existing industries and protect employment opportunities in the country,” he said.

According to Mr Kwaramba, the report also noted that SI’s rapid urbanisation and old water infrastructure have increased the need for major improvements and repairs, which could also create employment opportunities.

He said that improving the business and regulatory environment is important to allow businesses to grow and create more jobs for young people.

“The report pointed out that while SI performs relatively well in some areas, delays in services such as water connections remain higher than regional averages in East Asia and the Pacific.

In terms of the economy, Mr Kwaramba said that the SI economy recorded positive growth in 2025 despite growing global economic challenges.

He said that based on the report, SI achieved a 3.6 per cent economic growth rate in 2025, while also recording its first current account surplus since 2012 and maintaining low inflation.

“However, the positive outlook has been affected by the ongoing Middle East energy-induced crisis, which is expected to slow economic growth to 2.9 per cent and push inflation up to 4.6 per cent due to rising fuel and commodity prices,” he said.

He said that the report also noted that SI’s large investment pipeline has become a major driver of growth, but rising costs are expected to slow investment activities.

He said that concerns were also raised over the country’s growing debt levels, which increased by almost 14 percentage points from 2020 to the current rate of 30 per cent.

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