BY CHRIS ALEX

Team-Three from Western province has made history by becoming the first group to finish their fieldwork for the Household and Income Survey (HIES) 2024-2025, wrapping up their final Enumeration Area (EA) in Ringgi.

Their achievement comes well ahead of other teams nationwide, with most provinces expected to complete their work by October 2025, a statement by the Statistics office (SINSO) yesterday said.

Team leader Radley Kuve expressed a mix of relief and pride after completing the challenging survey.

“At the start, I wasn’t sure how I’d manage the responsibility, but as we went along, I learned how to handle the pressures and keep the team on track.

“Now that we’re almost done, I can finally sleep a little better,” Kuve reflected.

Despite the fieldwork being finished, Kuve and his team are still coordinating final data from their final Enumeration Area and await feedback before they can fully conclude their efforts.

However, the team’s swift progress highlights their dedication and effective management in the face of difficult conditions.

As Team Three returns to Marovo, their success underscores the resilience of the group, who navigated complex logistics to complete the national survey with precision.

Meanwhile, Team Two has also been making significant strides, recently reaching the smallest Enumeration Area in their survey on Kolombangara Island.

Team Leader Bryce Kanavari emphasized the importance of every single household in the survey, noting, “Every house matters, and we’re grateful that we didn’t need to replace any.”

The HIES survey, a vital national initiative, is expected to provide key insights into the living standards and economic conditions across Solomon Islands, with data collected set to shape future policy decisions.

As the teams continue their work, the successful completion of Team Three’s enumeration stands as a key milestone in the process, signaling the critical role this survey will play in improving the livelihoods of Solomon Islanders.

Photo : SINSO

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BY CHRIS ALEX

Anglican youths from across the Diocese of Central Melanesia (DOCM) gathered in unity and faith this past weekend for a profound Youth Combined Fellowship at St Michael House of Prayer in Burns Creek.

The event brought together young believers to deepen their faith, strengthen their sense of community, and be inspired to live out their purpose in Christ.

The highlight of the Sunday gathering was an emotionally charged and thought-provoking reflection shared by Fr Alfred Akwai, a prominent spiritual leader in the DOCM.

Akwai addressed the gathering under the theme, “Know Your Position in Christ Jesus”.

His words resonated deeply with the youth, calling them to embrace their identity and spiritual authority in Christ.

Akwai emphasised the significance of understanding one’s spiritual position in Christ.

He told the young audience that their relationship with Jesus is not just a personal matter but foundational to their calling in the world and the future of the Church.

“Youth, your position in Christ determines how you live your life and how you impact the world,” he proclaimed.

He went on to challenge the young congregation to see themselves not merely as members of the Church, but as “leaders in the making”.

This message of empowerment urged the youth to step forward with purpose, confidence, and a steadfast commitment to living out their faith in practical and bold ways.

The message came at a critical time when many youths face unprecedented challenges, from societal pressures to the distractions of modern life.

Akwai reminded them that despite the distractions and uncertainties surrounding them, their faith could be their anchor.

“In this time of uncertainty, when the world is full of distractions, you must remain steadfast in your Christian journey,” he urged.

The call to spiritual resilience was loud and clear as Akwai concluded his reflection with an appeal to the youth to remain strong in their faith, especially when faced with personal and societal challenges.

“Stand firm in your faith because the world needs your unwavering belief in Christ,” he encouraged.

Photo : Desmond Rahe

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BY SAMIE WAIKORI

Seventeen member countries of the Pacific Island Forum (PIF) have confirmed their attendance for the 54th Pacific Island Forum Leaders Meeting (PIFLM) in Honiara next week.

That figure with Solomon Islands as the chair of the 54th PIFLM brings the total number of attendees to 18.

Chairman of the Local Organising Committee for the PIF meeting, Sir Dr Jimmie Rodgers confirmed this during a talkback show at SIBC on Monday this week.

He said all 17 forum island countries have confirmed their attendance for the 54th PIF Leaders Meeting that will be in Honiara from September 8-12.

He said the exception is Samoa, which has just had its elections on Friday last week.

Rodgers said they are still waiting for Samoa to confirm its participation.

He adds that the committee understands that the election results are not completed yet and a new government is yet to be formed.  

He said the committee is anticipating feedback from Samoa early this week, as to whether they will send a political leader to the forum.

However, Rodgers said Samoa will attend and so all 18 forum member countries of PIF will be in Honiara for the forum.

In terms of preparation, he said the country is ready and looks forward to receive delegations around the region to Honiara, latest by this weekend ahead of the meeting next week.

Members of PIF are Australia, Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Nauru, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tokelau, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu.

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BY MORRIS NAFU

The Solomon Island Council of Trade Union (SICTU) congratulates the Solomon Islands National Teachers Association (SINTA) for having a successful meeting and historic agreement with the government.

SINTA signed a Master Agreement (MA) with a team from the government on Friday, August 29, 2025 to address longstanding welfare issues of teachers across the country.

This is to solve the SINTA’s nationwide 28-day strike notice issued to the Ministry of Education and Human Resources Development (MEHRD) on Tuesday, July 22 which lapsed on August 29.

SICTU in its statement stressed that SINTA’s resolute and professional leadership has averted an imminent nationwide strike and, more importantly, has resulted in a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that stands as a significant victory for every teacher in the country.

“SICTU recognises the immense pressure and dedication required to reach this outcome, and the efforts of SINTA’s leadership and members are truly commendable,” said SICTU.

SICTU also stated that the signed MOU is a testament to SINTA’s able leadership, strategic planning, and unwavering professionalism throughout a challenging negotiation process.

“This achievement will undoubtedly go a long way in improving the welfare and working conditions for teachers and, by extension, their families across the nation,” said SICTU.

It is a huge step forward and a powerful demonstration of what collective bargaining and a united front can achieve for all workers in the Solomon Islands.

SICTU added that while they celebrate this milestone with SINTA, they acknowledge that the work continues as they move to ensure the full implementation of the agreement.

“SICTU offers its continued solidarity and support throughout this next phase,” said SICTU.

This victory serves as an inspiration to all unions and affirms the critical importance of social dialogue and respect for collective bargaining rights. SICTU encourages SINTA to directly communicate these positive results to its members across all provinces, fostering even greater trust and unity.

As part of the signed agreement, the terms of agreement are:

1. Job Security for Teachers

2. Recognition of Teachers’ Experience

3. Teachers’ Salary backdating to January 1st, 2024

4. Early Childhood, Technical and Vocation Education, Training, and Special Needs Education Teachers’ Salary and Classification

5. Long and Dedicated Service Benefit

6.  Establishment of the Teachers Housing Taskforce

7. Teachers’ Annual Leave Package and Balancing Employment benefits with professionalism, conduct, and performance.

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BY SAMIE WAIKORI

Tight security will be provided for the 54th Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting, (PIFLM) the Royal Solomon Islands police force has assured.

A total of 1,000 police personnel which comprises of officers from Honiara City Police, Guadalcanal Provincial Police, Rove Headquarter, Western and Choiseul provinces will be part of the security operation.

Supervising Assistant Commissioner National Operation of RSIPF, Mr Francis Ramoni highlighted this during a talkback show at SIBC on Monday, September 1, 2025.

He said the RSIPF has prepared operations to oversee security arrangement for the PIF meeting.

The operations aim to protect the safety and dignity of the leaders, as well as to provide safe, secure and peaceful environment for the meeting.

Ramoni said as part of RSIPF security plan, they will be providing operations on various areas to ensure the safety of the leaders during the course of the meeting.

• RSIPF will provide traffic escort for leaders upon arrival at Honiara International airport to hotels and from hotels to the airport. RSIPF will provide traffic escort for leaders throughout the PIF meeting.
• RSIPF will offer close personal protection to each of the leaders from the 18 Pacific Island countries will attend the forum meeting.
• RSIPF will provide static security at accommodations, meeting venues and visiting venues of the leaders during the one-week meeting.
• RSIPF will also offering sea-mobility security. Patrol boats and police fast crafts will be monitoring seas from Kakabona to Henderson, along the coastline of Honiara.
• And a strong visibility presence of RSIPF along the street of Honiara, even outside of town boundaries.

The Assistant Commissioner furthered that leading to these operations, the RSIPF is currently carrying out the operation Honiara clean-up.

He added that the operation is part of RSIPF’s initial phase of security operation, which includes preparation, planning and intelligent gathering.

Ramoni said the operation is conducted by PRT – mainly for key targeted areas based on intelligent. This includes; illegal sale and brewing of kwaso, black market, night clubs and other illegal activities could be picked up by police intelligence.

Moreover, he said the RSIPF’s security plan for the PIF also covers natural disasters or threats that might arise.

Ramoni appeals to the general public of Honiara for their support and cooperation with police to ensure successful hosting of this regional event.

He also urges road users to bear with police as there will be escort of leaders for the whole of next week’s meetings that sometimes may cause traffic congestion.

Ramoni reaffirms the confidence of RSIPF to provide security for the 54th PIF leaders meeting, which is only 5 days away.  

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Wale condemns colonial hangover mining law and calls for new bill to prioritise landowners

BY CHRIS ALEX

Opposition Leader Matthew Wale has spoken out against government’s ‘below six feet’ mining policy.

Mr Wale described this law as an outdated and unjust monarch law that continues to disadvantage indigenous landowners, particularly those in the Gold Ridge region.

Speaking at a meeting of the Bills and Legislation Committee on Monday, September 1, 2025, Wale condemned the government’s “below 6 ft” policy, which asserts that all minerals and resources found beneath 6ft of the earth belong to the state.

Wale argued that this policy has long deprived indigenous landowners of rightful benefits from the natural resources found on their land.

“Gold Ridge landowners, among others, have been shortchanged by this outdated system. For too long, they’ve only seen a portion of the benefits through royalties, but this is simply not fair.

“These resources belong to them, not the state or the monarchs who once ruled over us,” Wale said.

The Ministry of Mines, Energy, and Rural Electrification (MMERE) presented their proposals for the new Mineral Resources Bill 2025 yesterday, outlining how the legislation will be implemented within the country’s evolving federal framework.

The bill seeks to address many of the issues around resource ownership, distribution, and landowner rights.

However, Wale stressed that the new legislation must prioritise the interests of landowners, particularly in light of the history of land dispossession under colonial rule.

“It is time for this country to recognise that the resources beneath our land belong to the people, not to the state,” Wale said, challenging the historic notion that monarchs had the rights to control such wealth.

“The state’s role should be to fairly distribute benefits for all citizens, but landowners must be at the forefront of this equation,” he added.

Wale emphasised the need for the new bill to ensure that landowners receive a more equitable share of the proceeds generated from the resources extracted from their land.

He highlighted that under the current system many indigenous landowners have seen little benefit while the state has continued to profit significantly from their land’s wealth.

The Opposition Leader’s remarks come as the government faces increasing pressure to reform policies that critics argue continue to perpetuate historical inequities.

As discussions over federalism and land ownership laws intensify, the new Mineral Resources Bill 2025 could serve as a pivotal moment in ensuring a fairer, more just distribution of the country’s mineral wealth.

While the government asserts that benefits from these resources are shared equitably across the country, Wale calls for landowners to be the top priority, signaling a growing movement to acknowledge indigenous peoples’ rights to the wealth beneath their feet.

The final version of the Mineral Resources Bill 2025 is expected to be presented for review in the coming weeks, with consultations continuing on how to best implement federalism while ensuring indigenous landowners are no longer left behind.

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