BY LORETTA B MANELE

Acting Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister, Francis Sade said people must change their mindset in order to have sustainable development and long-term benefits.

He made the remark when he delivered his speech at a handover ceremony of materials from the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) from the Ministry of Rural Development (MRD) to his people of Northwest Guadalcanal constituency at Mamara yesterday.

Building materials, tools and even small tractors were handed over to churches and schools of Northwest Guadalcanal with some recipients having already received their share of assistance.

Present at the ceremony were people of Northwest constituency and Minister of Rural Development, Daniel Waneoroa and Minister for Agriculture and Livestock Development (MALD) Franklyn Derek Wasi.

Sade in earlier remarks told his people that they are rich in resources, land and sea with strong capable people.

However, if they are to change anything, change must come from within.

“We must move from waiting and this is change in mindset we always talk about. You cannot change your situation unless you change your mindset.

“We need to change our mindset in order for any development to be sustainable and give us long term benefits,” he said.

The Deputy PM, who is also the Minister for Public Service said they must change their mindsets so that they can move from waiting to action, from dependency to self-reliance, from selling raw to adding value.

He emphasised that development does not begin with money but with thinking and that what they received is not just assistance but tools for transformation that will help change their situation.

Moreover, Sade said they are moving forward with a clear and disciplined plan, one that will restructure the economy and reposition people.

He said the constituency is not working alone on this but with the Ministry of Rural Development (MRD), Ministry of Commerce, Ministry of Agriculture and other technical ministries so that together they can build and move forward.

Sade said with the Ministry of Commerce they are planning to develop a master plan that will give them more leverage for more development from the government and donors.

“Together we are building a master plan, a coordinated framework in direction for our development, a system that connects the government, private sector and our communities because real development is not isolated but a coordinated effort,” he said.

Photo credit: Loretta B Manele

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BY BEN BILUA
Gizo

WESTERN Province Premier Billy Veo calls on the Government for Reform, Empowerment, Accountability and Transformation (GREAT) and the Solomon Islands Airport Corporation Limited (SIACL) to fast-track long-awaited plans to upgrade the Nusatupe Airport Terminal in Gizo.

Speaking during discussions with Prime Minister Mathew Wale during his recent visit to Western Province, Veo expressed frustration over the prolonged delay in implementing plans to improve the province’s main airport terminal.

“I’m really disappointed with the delay of plans to upgrade the terminal. It has been too long and this must be addressed,” he said.

Veo said the Western Provincial Government has already resolved land-related issues that had previously been cited as obstacles to the project.

He said the province has already addressed the land issue, which has been used as an excuse for delaying the groundwork.

Veo said the responsibility now lies with the Solomon Islands Airport Corporation Limited to respond and move the project forward.

He said Western Province is widely recognised as one of the country’s leading tourism destinations and that the current state of the Nusatupe terminal does not reflect its importance.

“We know that Western Province is one of the tourist destinations in Solomon Islands. Tourists visit our province every month.

“This is the reason why we want Nusatupe terminal to be upgraded,” Veo said.

He said improving the terminal will enhance the travel experience for visitors and support the continued growth of the tourism sector, which remains a key contributor to the province’s economy.

Veo also calls on the national government to consider upgrading Mono Airport into a second international airport in Western Province.

He said the province already has an existing runway at Mono, which was constructed during World War II and has the potential to be developed into an international gateway.

Veo said consultations with communities and resource owners have already been completed and the necessary documentation is now being prepared.

“We have completed consultations with communities and resource owners, and a document will be presented to the provincial executive for further discussion,” he said.

Veo said the provincial executive will endorse the proposal and a final submission will be made to the government through the Ministry of Communication and Aviation (MCA).

He said the development of Mono Airport will open up new economic opportunities for the province, strengthen connectivity and support future growth in tourism and investment.

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BY IRWIN ANGIKI

Prime Minister Matthew Wale has committed Solomon Islands towards establishing a treaty with Australia.

This comes as Prime Minister Wale requested an elevation to the bilateral relations with Australia.

It is unclear yet what the treaty will cover.

PM Wale also told media in Canberra, Australia, that he would ‘review’ the controversial 2022 security treaty with China which to date has been kept from the public domain.

Solomon Islands will also sign the Pacific Policing Initiative, which former prime minister Jeremiah Manele had held back from fully supporting.

A press statement by the PM Press Secretariat yesterday described as ‘key outcome’ the agreement by prime ministers Wale and Albanese to begin work towards establishing the treaty.

A joint statement by the two leaders following their meeting said PM Wale wished ‘to bring about transformational change to the relationship’ with Australia ‘cemented in a treaty, and significant enhancement of the bilateral development assistance partnership between the two countries’.

“Both leaders agreed to commence negotiations towards a comprehensive treaty to capture the two countries’ joint ambition for the relationship. Leaders tasked Foreign Ministers, in consultation with other relevant Ministers, to lead the development of this comprehensive treaty with a view to it being concluded as expeditiously as possible,” the joint statement said.

“During their discussion, Prime Minister Albanese and Prime Minister Wale committed to elevate the bilateral relationship on the basis of mutual trust, respect and open dialogue.”

What the treaty could cover

The ‘comprehensive strategic treaty’ is expected to refine and extend beyond the existing 2017 Bilateral Security Treaty and sector agreements and programmes through which Australia is supporting Solomon Islands.

PM Albanese hinted the treaty will be on security and sovereignty of both countries.

“Well, today is, of course, day one and we’ve agreed to develop the comprehensive strategic treaty between us and we’ll work through the issues, but it will be one which identifies our mutual trust, our respect for each other, the sovereignty of both of our nations as we go forward,” Albanese told journalists at a press conference in Canberra yesterday.

“But we have said very clearly we want Australia to be the security partner of choice in our region and we want the Pacific family to look after our security in this region.”

The 2017 Bilateral Security Treaty allows Australia to deploy police, defence and civilian personnel rapidly to Solomon Islands during security crises.

Australia becoming Solomon Islands’ first-choice security partner?

PM Wale was general in his response to questions including whether China would have a role in policing and security in the Solomon Islands.

However, he gave a hint to Australia being his preference, citing turning to a partner which is close by and within the region.

“It will be important in such a treaty, both at the bilateral level, but perhaps also at some stage at the regional level, that the first reference point in these matters is within the region. That I think is very important going forward. So, that’s the direction we want to take,” Wale told the reporters.

Sino-SI security pact to be reviewed

PM Wale told the reporters he will be reviewing the security treaty with China.

“I haven’t been afforded a copy even of that agreement until a day before I left. So, I haven’t had a good look at it. I’ve had a look at it, I’ll be honest with you, but I haven’t had a good look at it. I’ve been praying and fasting about it, but of course, you know, Cabinet will need to have a look at these things. There is a non disclosure clause in it, so I couldn’t show it to you right away, but we are going to be reviewing as we are reviewing other security agreements that we have with many other countries,” Wale told the reporters.

Wale during his time as Opposition leader was initially a harsh critic of the Sino-Solomon Islands security pact, at one point describing it as a ‘clandestine and personal deal’.

However, Wale’s tone towards the pact softened around mid-2025 following a visit to Beijing.

Wale’s Canberra announcements are expected to rock relations with China.

The Chinese embassy told Island Sun it is ready to work with Wale’s government.

“China and the Solomon Islands are comprehensive strategic partners featuring mutual respect and common development for a new era.

“We stand ready to work with the new government of the Solomon Islands to expand practical cooperation in various fields and better benefit the people of both countries,” the Chinese embassy statement said.

Full support for the Pacific Policing Initiative

Changing Solomon Islands’ stand, PM Wale has agreed to sign the MOU for the Pacific Policing Initiative (PPI).

“Leaders expressed their commitment to shared responsibilities and contributions to regional security including through the Pacific Policing Initiative (PPI). They welcomed that Solomon Islands, under Prime Minister Wale’s leadership, signed the PPI Memoranda of Understanding to enable Royal Solomon Islands Police Force participation in the Pacific Police Support Group, which deploys at the request of other PIF members,” the post-dialogue joint statement by the two leaders yesterday said.

Previously, Solomon Islands has kept the PPI at an arm’s length, with former PM Manele endorsing the PPI ‘in principle’ only, citing the need for more consultation.

The PPI is a regional peace and security programme designed to strengthen law enforcement capability, boost coordination and combat issues like transnational crime and drug trafficking across the Pacific.

It was proposed by Australia in 2023 and formally set in August 2024.

Australia has committed AUD400 million (SBD2.3 billion) to the programme over five years.

Analysts have described the PPI as Australia’s counter-measure to China’s growing influence in the Pacific, and a reaction to the 2022 Sino-Solomons security pact.

Photo credit: Australian High Commissioner (AHC)

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BY BEN BILUA
Gizo

THE Western Provincial Government is pursuing major investments in the energy sector as part of its strategy to reduce costs and improve services for households and businesses across the province.

Premier Billy Veo said the provincial government has identified several key projects, including the proposed Paraso Thermal Power Plant and the reclamation of two fuel storage tanks in Noro.

Speaking on the government’s plans, Veo revealed that a Chinese investor has expressed strong interest in developing a thermal power plant at Paraso, with discussions currently underway.

He said the Deputy Premier is working closely with the investor to progress negotiations and determine the next steps for the project.

“Once the negotiation is complete, a paper will be presented to the executive for further discussion.

“I understand that Solomon Power will not be happy, but my government is focusing on delivering the best services for our people,” Veo said.

He said the proposed Paraso Thermal Plant is expected to provide more affordable electricity to households as well as small and medium-sized businesses.

“Currently, the cost of electricity is very expensive and we are looking at helping our people with less cost and more benefits,” Veo said.

He also announced plans to reclaim two fuel storage tanks located on provincial land in Noro once the current lease agreement with Mark Warth Oil Limited expires.

Veo said the company is presently operating the facilities under an arrangement that the provincial government no longer considers beneficial to the people of Western Province.

“Mark Warth is currently using the fuel tanks. It was an agreement that we later see as not beneficial for our province.

“When the land was transferred back to Western Province, there was a Memorandum of Understanding between the government at the time and Mark Warth on revenue sharing.

“Western Province lost huge revenue due to the MOU,” he said.

Veo said the provincial government intends to terminate the lease once it expires and take over fuel distribution operations in the province.

He described the move as a key component of Western Province’s broader investment strategy in the energy sector, aimed at creating long-term economic benefits while ensuring more affordable and reliable energy services for residents.

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