BY MORRIS NAFU

The Australian Government has donated the first batch of 31 out of 61 police vehicles to the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF).

This donation comes as the Solomon Islands prepares to host the 54th Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) in Honiara next month.

The handover ceremony took place on Monday, August 25, 2025 at the Rove Police headquarters.

Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele highlighted the importance of this donation, noting that Australia has been Solomon Islands’ primary security partner since independence, 47 years ago.

He emphasised that this latest assistance will enhance the RSIPF’s closed protection unit, ensuring top-notch security for Pacific leaders during their visit.

“This support from Australia represents the largest transfer of vehicles to the RSIPF by any security partner since the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Island (RAMSI) era,” Manele said.

The fleet includes 40 Ford Ranger XLTs, 10 Nissan Navara Pro Forex, and 11 Toyota Hilux, all equipped with automatic transmissions and specialized police equipment.

The total cost of the vehicles and their security equipment is approximately AUD 5.2 million (around SBD 28.6 million), marking a historic investment in the RSIPF.

Notably, all vehicles were supplied by local companies, United Auto and Ela Motors, and fitted with specialised equipment by Solomon Islands Auto Electricians and Mechanics, generating local economic activity and job creation.

In addition to the vehicle support, Australia has allocated AUD 11 million (approximately SBD 60.5 million) for road improvements across the country, with nearly half designated for Honiara ahead of the Forum.

The Australian Government is also providing assistance in cybersecurity and protocol training, as well as logistical support through a C-130 aircraft to facilitate the movement of personnel and equipment.

Moreover, at the request of the National Organizing Committee, Australia has established a 48-hour emergency evacuation capability with local helicopter services during the Leaders’ Retreat in Western Province.

Overall, Australia’s financial support for the hosting of the PIF Leaders’ Meeting is estimated at around AUD 100 million, comparable to its contribution to the recent Pacific Games.

Prime Minister Manele urged the RSIPF to utilise these new vehicles effectively to ensure the safety of Pacific Forum Leaders and to serve the people of the Solomon Islands.

With this enhanced fleet, the RSIPF is reported to now be better equipped than ever to maintain law and order and safeguard national security.

In closing, Manele expressed heartfelt gratitude to Australian High Commissioner Rod Hilton and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese for their unwavering support, reinforcing the strong partnership between the two nations.

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BY LORETTA B MANELE

The Solomon Islands Water Authority (SIWA) has taken on initiatives as it strives to improve its services to customers.

Carmine Piantedosi, CEO of SIWA stressed on this when delivering a presentation on Monday, August 25, 2025 at the first day of the 9th Pacific Water and Wastewater Ministers Forum and 16th Pacific Water and Waste Water Association (PWWA) Conference and Expo 2025 at the Aquatic Centre in Honiara.

He stressed that to improve the reliability of supply they are improving the delivery of their water to customers with the construction of 11 kilowatt (kW) of track mains across the Honiara area.

“We’re also replacing our residential customer meters with new casualty meters or prepayment meters to assist our customers with accessing the water,” he added.

Piantedosi went on to state that they also have major works programme that include the rehabilitation of two sewage pump stations.

“We’re looking at the construction of new sewer mains as well and construction of sewer outfalls and reducing the outfalls.

“Currently we have 15 outfalls. We’re reducing that to two. The proposed design and construction of a septic treatment plant facility is currently under review,” he said.

The CEO expressed that they have a washing schools’ programme as well that focuses on hygiene awareness and education programme.

“That’s ongoing in the Solomon Islands as well as institutional development and capacity building,” he said.

In relation, as noted, SIWA is also introducing digital systems and management systems and looks to integrate renewable energy into their mix essentially to reduce utility operating costs.

Furthermore, Piantedosi said they are working closely with policy makers and continue to support ongoing policy development that is essential to protect and manage our catchment areas and water resources well into the future.

“We also work closely with stakeholders and land owners to manage and protect catchment areas and water sources,” he said.

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BY LORETTA B MANELE

One major challenge for the Solomon Islands Water Authority (SIWA) is ‘non-revenue water’, says SIWA CEO Carmine Piantedosi.

He revealed this when he delivered his presentation on Monday, August 25, 2025 at the 9th Pacific Water and Wastewater Ministers Forum and 16th Pacific Water and Waste Water Association (PWWA) Conference and Expo 2025 at the Aquatic Centre, Honiara.

Piantedosi stated that a major challenge for them is their non-revenue water which stands at 60 % nationally.

He added that in Honiara it is also around 60% which is all the water they produce and deliver.

Piantedosi said in 2024, they actually produced 13.5 gigalitres of water however only delivered 5.8 gigalitres, losing 60%.

He explained that they only collected $167 million from actual water that was sold and with 60% of non-revenue water, it equates to about $185 million SBD of foregone revenue.

Piantedosi also stated that revolutions in climate, unpredictable weather patterns, including flooding, droughts also impacted their water availability and infrastructure at the same time requires them to take some strategic actions.

He furthered that compliance is also outdated which leads to increased leaks, and increased costs, and increased disruptions in their services.

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BY LORETTA B MANELE

Dr Chris Vehe, Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Mines, Energy and Rural Electrification (MMERE), says in the Pacific, water is not just a resource, but is life itself.

He made the remark during the opening ceremony of the 9th Pacific Water and Wastewater Ministers Forum and 16th Pacific Water and Waste Water Association (PWWA) Conference and Expo 2025 at the Friendship Hall yesterday.

“We gather here today under one common understanding. In the Pacific, water is not just a resource, it is life itself,” said Vehe.

He expressed that for our island nations, water defines our survival, our well-being and our development.

Vehe added that however, this very source of life is under increasing threat from climate change, through rising seas, furlough droughts and shore storms that strike the greater intensity.

“This reality places water security at the very heart of regional priorities.

“And it is precisely by bringing us all together, leaders, experts, young professionals, women, youth, is so vital. Each of us carries a voice, a perspective and a responsibility,” he said.

In this regard, the Permanent Secretary said by uniting science with lived experiences and policy with community needs, we can create solutions that are not only resilient but also inclusive.

Vehe stressed that this conference should be viewed as more than just a meeting and as a platform to strengthen our collective voices, to share innovation and to strategically chart pathways that safeguard our future.

He said in doing so, we are not only securing water, but we are securing health, stability and prosperity of the Pacific people of generations to come.

“Let us approach the day ahead with purpose and with unity. May this PWWA conference inspire us to act with urgency, with courage, with solidarity in protecting the most precious resource we have, water, our life,” Vehe said.

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BY LORETTA B MANELE

SIWA’s (Solomon Islands Water Authority) infrastructure developments currently taking shape is said to be worth $126 million.

Carmine Piantedosi, SIWA’s CEO revealed the figure while delivering a presentation at the first day of the 9th Pacific Water and Wastewater Ministers Forum and 16th Pacific Water and Waste Water Association (PWWA) Conference and Expo 2025 at the Aquatic Centre yesterday, Monday, August 25, 2025.

Initially, he stressed on the five components that come under the Sanitation Services Project which he said was established to deliver an estimated USD$400 million of infrastructure investments within the Solomon Islands as part of SIWA’s 30-year strategic plan.

This project is primarily the Urban Water Supply and Sanitation Sector Project (UWSSSP), a World Bank and ADB-funded initiative.

Piantedosi explained that the project comprises of five separate components which focus on five separate outcomes.

The first component’s focus is on providing and improving urban water services, increasing access to safe, clean water, and ensuring secure and sustainable water supplies for the growing population of Honiara.

In second place, is the component of providing and expanding access to safe urban sanitation services.

“The third component was raising hygiene awareness and education on water usage and conservation and health benefits of clean drinking water.

“We also provide education in hygiene practices to enhance the health and wellbeing of Solomon Islanders,” said Piantedosi.

He went on to state that the fourth component under the project was to build Solomon Water’s institutional capacity to enhance their financial and technical sustainability and develop and train all their people to deliver improved services to our customers.

The final (fifth) component as he said, is “protecting our water sources and our catchment areas, managing the activities to reduce the impact on the environment”.

Moreover, Piantedosi shed light on what development projects SIWA is currently undertaking and at what cost.

“Currently, what we have in the pipeline, as it works, is about $126 million worth of infrastructure development going on as we speak,” he said.

Piantedosi stated that under the five components mentioned, they are working on priority sub-projects.

“That’s basically to deliver water supply and sanitation services, including capacity building for Solomon Water, education and awareness for our customers and the public, as well as water resource and catchment protection outcomes.

“This is an extensive list of projects and works that are currently being managed by SIWA and are at various stages of design, development, construction and implementation,” he said.

Piantedosi mentioned that some of the major works identified comprise of the Honiara Water Supply Expansion Project, which includes water treatment plants, construction of reservoirs, construction of track mains, including water supply upgrades in the provincial capitals of Noro, Tulagi and Auki.

To top that off, additional storages are being constructed in Panatina, Tasahe and Titinge that will improve security and quality of supply and add about 8 megalitres of storage capacity.

The SIWA CEO said work at these three storage sites worth around $60 million SBD is nearing completion.

“It’s almost completed. The three storage sites, total value around $60 million SBD.

“As I mentioned it includes Tasahe which is 3 megalitres, Titinge which is 3 megalitres and Panatina which is 2.5 megalitres.

“All the various stages of completion, are very close to it,” he said.

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BY SAMIE WAIKORI

Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele says climate change is the single greatest threat to water security in the Pacific region.

Also equal to it is other non-climate pressures that are in play and can be controlled, he adds.

They are – pollution of water sources, ecosystem degradation and unsustainable land use that contaminate rivers and groundwater, damage catchments and weaken the very ecosystems that sustain clean and reliable water.

Speaking at the official opening of the 9th Pacific Water and Wastewater Ministers Forum and the 16th Pacific Water & Wastewater Annual Conference and Expo on Monday, August 25, 2025 in Honiara, Prime Minister Manele highlighted the above issues and calls for collective and strategic resolution.

“In the Solomon Islands, our water resources and services are already being affected by these non-climate pressures.

“The interaction of climate change and non-climate pressures compound risks confronting water and wastewater services. Our response must therefore be comprehensive.

“We must be committed to protecting catchments and ecosystems, investing in rainwater harvesting, developing resilient supply networks and safeguarding groundwater resources.

“This requires financing. Solomon Islands is tapping into climate and disaster financing mechanisms. 

“Additionally, we must also push regional adaptation and development proposals that secure greater international support for Pacific-specific solutions.

“At the same time, our water utilities must be supported and their services ought to remain affordable, efficient and accountable,” he said. 

Moreover, PM Manele emphasised that the principles of resilience, affordability, and sustainability must guide our financing and regulatory choices.

He said better planning and investment in water and wastewater services should be supported across the Pacific region.

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A crisis that refuses to end. 2 decades on, Western province’s capital still without water supply

BY BEN BILUA
GIZO

For more than two decades, the people of Gizo in Western Province have lived under the shadow of a persistent crisis and lacks clean and reliable water supply.

Despite being the administrative heart of Western Province and home to both provincial and national government offices, the town’s most basic need remains unmet.

In Gizo, life depends on the skies. Residents rely almost entirely on rainwater, collected and stored in tanks, for cooking, drinking and bathing.

When the rains come, tanks are filled up, bringing relief. But when dry spells linger, survival becomes a struggle.

Thirty-one-year-old, Winnie Raoka who grew up in Gizo is unable to remember the last time she ever bathed from tap water growing up.

She said all she knows since her childhood is drinking, washing and having baths from tank water.

Raoka said most residents can only endure three weeks without rainfall before their tanks run dry.

“It is painful to think that the provincial capital is still struggling with something as basic as water.

“We contribute so much to the country’s economy, but our voices are ignored,” she said.

The Western Province is a major contributor to the Solomon Islands’ national economy, generating income through fisheries, logging and tourism.

The province is regarded as the tourism hub of Solomon Islands.

Yet, residents argue that government support for essential infrastructure, such as a proper water supply system, has been inadequate.

Over the years, promises have been made, reports written, and proposals drafted, but little has changed.

While other parts of the country move forward, Gizo’s people remain trapped in a cycle of dependency on rain, tanks, and hope.

As the weather patterns become increasingly unpredictable, the water crisis in Gizo is more than just an inconvenience.

It is a humanitarian concern — one that residents say deserves urgent attention before another generation grows up under the same struggle.

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BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

The Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) Supervising Assistant Commissioner (AC) National Operation Francis Ramoni is calling on the general public to work with the police during the two regional meetings in Honiara.

The 9th Pacific Water and Wastewater Ministers Forum and 16th Pacific Water and Wastewater Association (PWWA) Conference and Expo (PWWC25) kick starts today, Monday, 25 to August 29 at the National Aquatic Centre in Honiara.

There is also the upcoming 54th Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting (PIFLM) that is to be held from 8 to 12 September in Honiara.

Francis Ramoni made the call when he spoke at the SIBC Radio talkback show on Sunday, August 24, 2025.

“I would like to urge our general public to be patient with us because mainly there will number of traffic escorts during the movement of our leaders from the airport to their accommodation as well as to the meeting opening ceremony venue.

“We need your support,” he said.

He also appeals to people in Noro Town in the Western province to work with the police during the leaders’ retreat in Noro.

“I would like to urge our good people down at the Western Province, particularly in Noro, to be supportive and bring moral support,” he said.

He said that policing is everybody’s business to contribute and showcase respect to the visiting dignitaries, and for a peaceful environment for all.

 “Our good leaders are visiting us in a couple of weeks,” said Ramoni.

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