Premier Sagupari warns against illegal trade of WWII relics in Ngella

Urges protection for tourism and future generations

BY NED GAGAHE

Premier of Central Islands Province, Kenneth Sagupari, is strongly calling for protection of World War II relics in Ngella amidst growing concern over reports that certain individuals are secretly collecting and shipping these historical artifacts to Honiara under the cover of darkness.

The information, first shared on the Central Islands Province Facebook Forum, alleges that a group has been approaching villagers in Halavo (Ward 3) and Bola (Ward 5), offering up to $10,000 for each wartime firearm or relic they can acquire.

Premier Sagupari, responding to questions from Island Sun, acknowledged that while the claims are yet to be confirmed, such activities if true must stop immediately.

“This news is still a rumor, but to those individuals who go around must stop.

“These relics are vital for Central Province as we work towards developing the tourism industry as the next tourism hub,” Premier Sagupari said.

He emphasized the cultural and historical significance of the relics, stating that efforts are underway to expand heritage tourism across the province. Among such efforts is the upcoming opening of the Number 1 House Museum in Tulagi.

“I call upon the people of Central Province, who are custodians of these relics, to come forward to the provincial government tourism division and discuss a way forward.

“Seek support from the province and the responsible line ministry to upgrade and protect these valuable sites,” he urged.

A concerned resident of Tulagi said that they recently received reliable information that a group has been moving through Ngella, purchasing relics and preparing to ship them to Honiara during the night.

“This is very concerning if the source of this information is true.

“These relics are not just old war items, they are part of our history and culture, and they attract tourists,” the resident said.

The resident stressed that tourism is a top priority for Central Province, and the removal of these artifacts could undermine future development opportunities.

“We already have a museum in Tulagi, and our province’s future depends greatly on tourism. If these relics are taken away, we lose both our history and our future.”

The resident further calls on Tulagi Police to investigate the matter urgently and monitor known relic sites to prevent further theft or illegal sales.

“By law, these items cannot be removed without proper permission.

“Tourists are already showing strong interest in sites like Halavo and Bola. We must protect these relics for future generations and for the continued benefit of our province.” Premier Sagupari said.

Central Province, particularly the Ngella group and Tulagi was a major battleground during World War II, hosting Allied and Japanese forces in some of the Pacific’s most intense military operations.

Today, the remnants of that era ranging from rusted firearms and ammunition to military vehicles and equipment are scattered across the province.

These relics hold immense historical and cultural value, and in recent years have become key attractions for wartime and heritage tourism.

Tulagi, once the British administrative capital and a strategic military base during WWII, is now positioning itself as a tourism hub for the Solomon Islands.

However, unregulated collection and illegal trading of relics is threatening this vision.

The Central Islands Province government encourages local communities to report any suspicious activities and collaborate with authorities to ensure the preservation of their historical legacy.

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BY BEN BILUA
GIZO

Gizo Primary School came alive on Friday, August 29, 2025 with vibrant colours, sounds, and flavours as a successful host to a cultural and traditional event, bringing together students, parents, and the wider community.

The event showcased traditional costumes, dances, and food from across the Solomon Islands, highlighting the country’s cultural richness and diversity.

Students were divided into groups representing different provinces, an initiative to help them learn and appreciate traditions beyond their own heritage.

The celebration began with a colourful parade from the PT109 area to the school hall, where activities and performances took place.

Guest of honour and Minister of Education for the Western Provincial Government, Gordon Zebo, described the event as a vital platform for instilling cultural pride in young people.

“Events like this will help the younger generation to appreciate their culture and tradition. I encourage parents to also take time to train our children about their culture and traditions,” Zebo said.

While praising the school’s initiative, Zebo also expressed concern that cultural and traditional studies are absent from the national education curriculum.

He called for a review of regulations to ensure cultural studies are included.

“Our cultures are our identity. They reflect our way of life. It is important that we pass them down to the next generation,” Zebo added.

Principal of Gizo Primary School, Dickson Nathan, thanked students, parents, and teachers for their contributions, saying the school was proud to host the event.

“Culture and tradition are important not only to students but also to those who know little about the diverse provinces.

“Engaging children at a young age to learn about culture and tradition is very important,” Nathan said.

He confirmed that Gizo Primary School plans to continue organising similar events in the future.

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BY CHRIS ALEX

At the recent 16^th Pacific Water and Wastewater Association (PWWA) Conference in Honiara, Mandus Boselalu, the country’s lead for Fluvio, captured attention as a passionate advocate for the future of water management.

A key figure among water professionals, Boselalu took the opportunity to share his journey in the water sector, emphasising the significance of collaboration among professionals across the Pacific to build a sustainable water future.

Boselalu detailed the exciting advances in water monitoring brought about by the Fluvio project, which has transformed how the Solomon Islands Water Authority (SIWA) tracks water turbidity.

Previously reliant on manual methods to record turbidity levels, SIWA now benefits from a cutting-edge system developed through the project.

The new mobile app and real-time monitoring stations have revolutionized how water quality is measured, especially in challenging circumstances such as at night or during floods.

“Through the Fluvio project, we’ve been able to digitize data collection and monitoring,” Boselalu explained.

“This makes it much easier to keep track of water quality, especially when weather conditions make manual checks nearly impossible,” he added.

Real-time monitoring stations have now been installed across SIWA’s water sources. These stations automatically record turbidity levels every 10 minutes, transmitting the data to a cloud database.

SIWA can then access these real-time reports and take immediate action when turbidity levels spike, particularly during the rainy season.

This innovation has not only saved valuable time but also enhanced decision-making, ensuring that water quality is effectively managed.

Boselalu also shared the pressing issue of water pollution, particularly concerning the Kongulai water source, which supplies Honiara’s main water supply.

The catchment area has been severely affected by logging operations, which pose a threat to the water quality.

To combat this challenge, SIWA is working on strategies to protect the catchment areas, including establishing a governance system with local landowners.

This collaborative effort ensures that landowners are not only safeguarding the water source but are also compensated for their role in protecting this vital resource.

“We’re not only focusing on protecting the catchment area, but are also working closely with landowners to ensure they benefit from preserving the water sources.

“This partnership will help create a sustainable model for managing our water resources while providing landowners with an income,” Boselalu said.

With the combination of real-time data collection and community collaboration, SIWA is taking significant strides towards ensuring a cleaner, more sustainable water supply for Honiara’s residents.

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BY CHRIS ALEX

Rosie Sanderson, a Sanitation Expert, shed light on the critical sanitation challenges faced by Honiara during her address at the recent 16th Pacific Water and Wastewater Association (PWWA) Conference in Honiara.

Speaking before local and regional stakeholders, Sanderson called for a “Citywide Inclusive Sanitation” (CWIS) approach to address the city’s growing sanitation needs, an initiative supported by the World Bank’s Global Water Security and Sanitation Partnership (GWSSP).

As Honiara grapples with rapid urbanisation, particularly in informal settlements lie outside the city’s official boundaries, Sanderson emphasised that sanitation services must be expanded to cover the broader “Greater Honiara” area.

As informal settlements continue to expand without clear jurisdictional oversight, the city’s sanitation services are becoming more fragmented, with unclear lines of responsibility between local, like Guadalcanal provincial, and national authorities.

“Urban growth is pushing beyond the official city limits, and we need to consider Greater Honiara not just within the city boundaries when we look at sanitation services,” Sanderson remarked, noting that the city’s rapid expansion makes it increasingly difficult to implement a sustainable sanitation service model, especially as many residents in informal housing rely on inconsistent incomes.

90 pecent of Honiara’s population depends on on-site sanitation systems, such as septic tanks and pit toilets. While only 10% of the city is served by Solomon Water’s sewerage system, plans are underway to extend this coverage. However, for the majority, on-site sanitation systems will remain the primary method of waste disposal in the foreseeable future.

A significant concern raised by Sanderson was the alarming number of non-functional toilets in informal settlements. Recent surveys revealed that only half of the toilets in these areas are operational, creating a public health risk.

Sanderson highlighted the increasing risk of open defecation, particularly in densely populated areas where sanitation services are scarce.

“While there is demand for toilets, it’s more about upgrading the existing infrastructure and ensuring that it’s functioning properly,” Sanderson explained.

The current sanitation service chain in Honiara is a complex network of various actors, including the Honiara City Council, private operators, and Solomon Water.

The City Council plays a vital role in providing low-cost collection services, crucial for low-income households, but the absence of a clear regulatory framework poses challenges. Sanderson pointed out that while private operators manage much of the fecal sludge collection, they are not regulated, leading to inconsistencies in pricing and service reliability.

Furthermore, the inadequate management of fecal sludge disposal at the Ranadi landfill is a growing concern. Trucks currently dump waste into an open pit, which, due to poor management, results in environmental hazards, including leachate contamination in nearby creeks. With the landfill set to close under an Asian Development Bank (ADB) project, there is an urgent need to identify a more sustainable and safer disposal solution.

One of the most pressing issues is the lack of adequate treatment and disposal options for the city’s fecal sludge. While Solomon Water manages a few communal septic systems, they serve only a small fraction of the population. With many households relying on poorly maintained on-site systems, the risk to public health remains high.

In response to these challenges, Sanderson proposed a dual-market model for sanitation services, which would see both public and private operators working together to improve collection and transportation.

The Honiara City Council would continue providing low-cost services while taking on a more prominent role in regulating the industry. Additionally, Sanderson suggested that Solomon Water could lead efforts to construct a fecal sludge management treatment plant with support from the World Bank’s WASH.

The urgency of addressing Honiara’s sanitation issues has never been greater, as the city’s population continues to grow, and its sanitation infrastructure remains under pressure. Without strategic reforms and adequate financing, the city faces significant risks to public health and environmental sustainability.

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BY LORETTA B MANELE

Solomon Islands Water Authority’s (SIWA) five-year corporate plan sets out their vision of “safe water for a healthy nation”.

SIWA CEO Carmine Piantedosi spoke about the plan on Monday, August 25, 2025 at the 16th Pacific Water and Wastewater Association Conference and Expo 2025 at the Aquatic Centre in Honiara.

He said the plan, launched in 2024 sets out their vision for safe water for a healthy nation.

“It also spells out our mission, and that is to provide reliable safe water supply and sanitation systems. Working with communities to plan, deliver and operate infrastructure that minimises the social and environmental impacts of our activities,” said Piantedosi.

He added that the plan also spells out their core values of impartiality, morality, professionalism, accountability, consistency and transparency.

The CEO pointed out that what they mean by these values is treating all their customers and stakeholders with fairness.

“Uphold standards of what is right and good conduct.

“Provide our services with the highest degree of professionalism, competency and skills. Show our readiness to take full accountability for our actions. As well as to ensure consistency and operate in a fair and open manner and without prejudice in delivering water services,” he stressed.

Piantedosi mentioned that the values clearly underpin their corporate objectives.

“And that is being a customer centric organisation is a primary objective in our corporate plan,” he said.

Piantedosi explained that while they focus on human resource management and development, safety and financial management of the organisation is also another area objective along with sustainable use and management of environment and water resources.

He noted that they are also working on delivering services in a safe and sustainable manner.

“And enhancing our operational performance and delivering customer service standards and levels of service. But of course, all this path to recovery will be more improvable,” he said.

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BY BEN BILUA
GIZO

Tabaka Technical Institute (TTI) in Western Province marked a milestone in its development journey on Friday, August 29, 2025 with the official opening of three major infrastructure projects that aim to improve learning conditions and student welfare.

The projects include a refurbished double-storey classroom and workshop, a new boys’ dormitory, and perimeter fencing for the girls’ dormitory.

Representatives from the Assembly Office, Tabaka Board Members, community leaders, staff, students, and families of the institute witnessed the program.

Principal of TTI, Mr. Joash Lawrence, described the new facilities as a testament to the institute’s commitment to providing quality education in line with the Solomon Islands Tertiary Education and Skills Authority (SITESA) quality standards.

“These developments are more than just buildings. They are spaces that will create opportunities, ensure security, and help nurture the talents of our young people,” he said.

Lawrence said the double-storey classroom and workshop will provide improved spaces for both theory and practical lessons, while the boys’ dormitory addresses long-standing accommodation challenges.

He adds that the fencing around the girls’ dormitory enhances safety and security for female students.

The Assembly Office acknowledges the tireless contributions of Principal Lawrence, his staff, and students in bringing the projects to completion.

“These infrastructures represent a collective achievement and a solid foundation for TTI’s continued growth,” an Assembly Office spokesperson said.

The new facilities are expected to significantly benefit students by creating a safer and more conducive environment for learning and personal development.

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BY CHRIS ALEX

The Head Master of Anuta Primary School in West Makira, Alfred Uranagi acknowledges the successful completion of the Year Six Final Science Performance Task, calling it a major milestone for students, teachers, and the surrounding communities.

The task, titled “Selling Garden Produce” required Year Six students to carry out a community-based survey to determine which local garden produce is more or less economical.

This hands-on project was specifically designed to test students on scientific knowledge they gained throughout the year as well as to encourage them to apply their learning in a real-life, culturally relevant context.

“This final task is more than an assessment. It’s a celebration of learning that reflects our way of life.

“I proudly acknowledge the efforts of our students, teachers, and parents in making this milestone possible,” said Ura.

Assessment marks will be awarded based on a clearly defined marking criteria, focusing on students’ scientific understanding, data analysis, and their ability to effectively communicate their findings. This performance task forms a vital part of the students’ academic growth and progression.

Ura extended heartfelt appreciation to the Year Six teacher, school staff, parents and the surrounding community for their unwavering support.

“Your teamwork and encouragement helped turn this task into something greater than just a school assignment. It became a meaningful experience that challenged and inspired our learners,” he said.

He further emphasized the lasting impact of the initiative.

“This is the kind of learning that lasts. It’s grounded, hands-on, and rooted in the life we live here on Anuta Island. Together, we continue to grow strong, curious, and capable learners ready for the next chapter,” he said.

The project is being celebrated as a model of how education can be deeply relevant, practical, and empowering for students in rural communities.

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BY MORRIS NAFU

Delegation of six members of the Ministry of National Resources (MNR) of the People’s Republic of China (PRC), China visited the Solomon Islands National University (SINU) on Friday, August 29, 2025.

A statement from SINU said the visiting delegation was led by Dr Tan Jun, Deputy Director of the Island Research Center and included senior experts such as Dr Yu Fan, Mr Xie Jian, Ms Zhou Shuihua, Mr Su Bo, and Dr Ye Xiaomin, all bringing expertise from various marine and environmental departments within China’s MNR.

As stated, the visitors were warmly received by Pro-Chancellor and Council Chair Dr. Morgan Wairiu, Pro Vice-Chancellor Academic Associate Professor Erick Katovai, and key faculty members from the Faculty of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (FAFF), including Dean Dr Vaeno Vigulu, Fisheries Head Dr Kofi Apreku, Dr Lindon Havimana, and International Relations Officer Mr Andrew Awa.

The discussions focused on shared interests and future collaboration opportunities in marine disaster prevention, ecological protection and restoration, and blue economy initiatives.

This visit highlights the vital role of international partnerships in promoting marine sustainability and reinforces SINU’s dedication to advancing research that benefits Solomon Islands and the broader Pacific community.

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