BY SAMIE WAIKORI

The Guadalcanal Provincial Government (GPG) has recorded a major revenue boost this fiscal year, reporting a staggering SBD $2.8 million surplus for the 2024/2025 financial period.

The surplus, which exceeds the province’s budget expectations, has been attributed to the growing business activities in the Lunga, Alligator Creek, and Henderson areas, as well as recent revisions to provincial revenue laws introduced in 2023.

Premier William Atu made the announcement recently, praising the hard work of provincial staff, business partners, and stakeholders for their contributions to the financial achievement.

“Our local revenue has steadily increased, driven by expanding commercial activities in the Lunga to Henderson corridor, along with improved compliance under our revised revenue acts,” Atu said.

He revealed that from this surplus, $1 million has been invested in a Central Bank bond, which is expected to yield $40,000 annually, starting in two years’ time.

Premier Atu also highlighted the passage of the province’s historic $67.3 million budget for the current fiscal year — the highest since Guadalcanal was granted provincial status in 1984.

“I commend our Finance Minister, John Stewart, for his leadership and for strengthening fiscal discipline across our Finance and Treasury Division. Our staff have worked tirelessly to achieve this,” Atu said.

He also announced ongoing efforts to review the Provincial Financial Management Ordinance 2018, ensuring stronger oversight and accountability for new investments, including the newly established Guadalcanal Investment Corporation Limited (GICL).

“These reforms are high on the agenda for our upcoming Provincial Assembly meeting in September,” he added.

Premier Atu also extended appreciation to all genuine investors and businesses operating in Guadalcanal, acknowledging them as “the backbone of our local revenue system.”

“The provincial government is committed to fostering a fair and transparent environment for investors — one that strengthens our local economy, creates jobs, and supports essential services,” he said.

Atu made a strong appeal to all businesses to pay their taxes regularly, stressing that tax revenue is vital for sustaining public services like health, education, and infrastructure.

On the same note, he issued a stern warning to unlicensed black-market operators, especially in rural areas.

“Operating without a valid business or hawker’s licence is a serious offence that may result in hefty fines or legal action. Every business, no matter how small, has a responsibility to contribute to the development of our province.

“I repeat you cannot build a strong community through black-market activities. If you think seriously about it, your contribution through a proper licence helps build development in Guadalcanal,” Premier Atu concluded.

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-Federal system a top priority for Atu government
BY SAMIE WAIKORI

Premier of Guadalcanal Province, William Atu, has reaffirmed his government’s firm commitment to pursuing a federal or state system of governance, declaring it a key priority policy under his leadership.

He made the assurance in a recent statement, emphasising that the goal is not about division, but rather about fairness, unity, and ensuring an equitable share of natural resource benefits for Guadalcanal and all provinces.

“This is not about division, it is about fairness.

“It is about ensuring that Guadalcanal Province, like every other province, receives an equitable share of the benefits from our natural resources,” Premier Atu stated.

He said the push for statehood is rooted in the spirit of mutual respect, a value deeply embedded in both cultural traditions and the national constitution.

“Respect for life, land and property is a fundamental value of our culture and constitution.
Our goal is to responsibly manage our resources and guarantee that our people benefit fairly from them and to cater for our growing future generations,” said the premier.

Atu also voiced strong support for the national government’s move to reintroduce the Constitution Amendment (Constituent Assembly) Bill 2024, a legislative step critical to the federal reform agenda.

“I commend Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele and the Government for National Unity and Transformation (GNUT) for prioritising this very important bill,” he said.

Atu added that he was encouraged by the Prime Minister’s reaffirmation of the federal system as a national priority during a press conference held in April this year.

“I believe they are taking this forward in the coming parliament sittings,” he said.

The Premier’s renewed call for federalism comes amid increasing public debate over resource ownership, provincial autonomy, and the need to reform the current centralized governance model.

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BY SAMIE WAIKORI

Guadalcanal province officially celebrated its 41st Second Appointed Day on Friday, August 1, 2025

The celebration for this year was held in ward level, where MPs and MPAs marked this special day with their constituents. Premier William Atu celebrated the event in other parts of the province.

The theme for this year’s celebration was “Resilient Communities, Sustainable Futures, Driving Rural Development and Inclusive Economic Growth in Guadalcanal.”

In a pre-recorded speech, Premier of Guadalcanal province, Mr William Atu on the province’s 2nd Appointed Day celebration, said the theme reflects the determination of the province to place its rural communities at the centre of sustainable development.

“It affirms that inclusive economic growth rooted in resilience and equity is the path forward for our province,” he said.

Atu stated that the celebration is also time to reflect on challenges and successes the province has experienced as people and government.

“Guadalcanal province has come through many challenges and to put it into perspective, it has been saved by both natural and human-induced events.

“The devastation of the World War II, the migration of plantation labour under Liver’s Pacific Plantation in the 1950s, urban growth and informal settlements via Temporary Occupancy Licences or what they call TOL.

“The ethnic tensions from 1998 to 2003, the April floods of 2014, Cyclone Harold in 2020, the roots of the riots of 2019 and 2021 and most recently COVID-19 pandemic,” he said.

The Premier, however, said the province today, has new challenges that continues to demand the province to be strategic in its planning and execution of service for the province.

“Today, we face newer challenges, the depletion of our primary forests from logging, the rise of mining, the looming threats of climate change and rapid population growth.

“These challenges, some within our control, others are not and they demand a strategic and a coordinated provincial response,” he said.

Acting Prime Minister, Hon Fredrick Kologeto, who attended the celebration at Mamara as guest speaker, congratulated the people and government of Guadalcanal on marking their 41st Second Appointed Day.

The acting PM assures commitment and continued support of the national government to Guadalcanal province in their efforts to develop the province.

Highly respected dignitaries who represent our diplomatic partners also attended the celebration at Mamara.

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BY SAMIE WAIKORI

The Guadalcanal provincial government expresses positive status in its pursuit of the development of Guadalcanal’s new provincial headquarter at Mamara in Northwest Guadalcanal constituency.

This has been a proposal the province has continued to pursue and so far, a number of essential infrastructure projects are already on the ground.

In a pre-recorded speech by Premier William Atu to the people of Guadalcanal to officially mark this year’s province’s 41st 2nd Appointed Day, he assured the commitment of his government behind the proposal.   

“I would like to bring your attention again on the provincial headquarter and infrastructure investments.

“Following the relocation of our headquarter from Point Cruz to Rita 11 after the tension, we are moving ahead with the development of a new provincial headquarter at Mamara in the west side of Honiara.

“This site is strategically located near Honiara. It is already undergoing clearance.

“We have invested 1.3 million to cater for 10 hectares of unexploded ordinances, remnants of World War II. Though costly, this is an essential step.

“Guadalcanal province has acquired 20 hectares and so far, we are starting to develop 10 hectares,” he said.

The Premier also stated the construction of the Guadalcanal provincial assembly chamber and administration building is underway and is expected to complete by 2027.

Atu said there is an agricultural pack house funded by PCDF nearing completion as well. This facility will support our farmers with post-harvest handling, capacity building and improved market access.

The Premier is proud to say these efforts are financed through the province’s internal revenues and the PCDF through the Provincial Government Strengthening Programme, PGSP, under the Ministry of the Provincial Government and Institutional Strengthening (MPGIS).

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BY LORETTA B MANELE

Dr Gregory Jilini, Deputy Secretary, Health Care, for the Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS) has described the recently launched “Child and Family Welfare System-Multi-Sectoral Implementation Plan 2025-2030” as a roadmap to protect children and strengthen families and vulnerable members of our communities.

He voiced this at the launching program of the plan on Friday, July 25, 2025 at Heritage Park Hotel.

Dr Jilini said the implementation plan is more than a document.

“It reflects what we value as a nation. It is the roadmap for how we work together to protect children, strengthen families, and support the most vulnerable members of our communities,” he said.

Dr Jilini highlighted that the work of protecting children is never simple and never the job of just one ministry, one agency, or one sector.

He said it is rather a shared responsibility rooted in the law through our Child and Family Welfare Act 2017 and brought to life by the people, social workers, health professionals, teachers, police, church leaders, and community champions.

Moreover, Dr Jilini stated that the plan is fully aligned with our National Health Strategic Plan 2022-2031.

“The health system is often the first place where signs of abuse or neglect are seen. That means our doctors, nurses, and midwives have a critical role not only in providing care, but in responding with compassion and urgency,” he said.

Dr Jilini added that the implementation plan also connects closely with the National Education Action Plan 2022-2026.

He stressed that schools must be places of safety, not fear and teachers must be supported to notice when a child is not okay.

“The referral pathway must be clear.

“This plan helps to make that happen. Likewise, the goals of the National Children’s Policy 2023-2030 to ensure all children are safe, supported, and able to reach their full potentials are carried forward here with practical, measurable actions,” said Dr Jilini.

He further noted that at the highest level, this “Child and Family Welfare System-Multi-Sectoral Implementation Plan 2025-2030” supports our country’s National Development Strategy 2016-2035 by promoting strong families, healthier communities, and a more inclusive society.

This plan, an initiative of the Ministry of Health with partner ministry, Ministry of Women, Youth, Children and Family Affairs (MWYCFA) was made possible with the support of UNICEF and the Australian government.

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BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

The JICA Solomon Islands Office has welcomed four new Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers (JOCVs), who arrived in Honiara on July, 30, 2025.

They will undergo a series of orientation activities, including Pijin language lessons and a village stay program in Tamboko, Guadalcanal Province.

Yoshu Ota, Volunteer Coordinator at the JICA Solomon Islands Office, said each of the new volunteers will contribute to key sectors across the country.

One of the volunteers is Mr Kosaka, a physical education teacher who will be assigned to Solomon Islands National University (SINU).

Upon his arrival in the country, he shared his first impressions of Solomon Islands.

“The Solomon Islands immediately struck me with its beautiful ocean and mountains, it’s truly refreshing. The national flag, visible throughout the city, represents the sea, forest, and sun with its blue, green, and yellow colours. It’s stunning. Everyone I’ve met in town has been so friendly. I’m looking forward to life here,” he said.

Another volunteer is Ms Mifuyu who will work at Honiara City Council (HCC) as an environmental education officer.

She also expressed her motivation for this role and her goal is to help make Honiara a more comfortable and liveable environment.

According to Ota, Mifuyu noticed a large amount of litter on the streets and the absence of waste separation, which is very different from Japan.

Mifuyu hopes to focus on building relationships with the local community and adapting to daily life here.

There is also Ms Hana who will serve as a PE teacher at FM Campbell School in Makira-Ulawa Province.

Ota said that she hopes to promote a broad understanding of sports beyond physical activity and teach students to not only enjoy participating in sports but to also appreciate the experience of watching games, supporting others, and engaging with sports in many ways.

The fourth volunteer is Ms Naomi, who will teach Japanese at SINU.

Naomi emphasized on cultural exchange and through her Japanese language classes, hopes to contribute to the development of Solomon Islands’ tourism sector.

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BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

Police officers in Buala, Isabel Province will investigate the Narco-sub boat that villagers towed ashore on Thursday, July 31, 2025.

Provincial Police Commander (PPC) of Isabel Province, Harry Poutz Vanosi spoke to Island Sun about this on Friday, August 1, 2025.

Buala police have only recently learned of this discovery following an inquiry by Island Sun regarding the rumours, which indicated that weapons were discovered within one of the secured booths of the vessel yesterday.

Villagers of Goveo, on Thursday, July 31, at 6 am, spotted the narco-sub boat at Kikita reef, Goveo, Kokota ward in West Maringe district.

PPC Vanosi, in his response to Island Sun said he had just received the information and will follow up on it.

He said he was aware about the issue only after returning to Buala from Honiara on Thursday, 31st July, 2025.

PPC Vanosi furthered that he requires adequate information before sending his officers to the location.

In a phone interview with a 24-year-old male, who identified himself as Son son, on Friday, August 1, 2025, he told the paper to clarify claims regarding the boat having a room and that firearms were discovered within it after it was opened on Thursday night.

“Inside the boat, there exists a very narrow corridor. Shorter individuals can stand upright and walk, whereas taller individuals must lower themselves to walk through. What was described as a room is not a room. Rather, it is two large, sealed, box-like structures located at both the front and back of the boat. These may be its fuel tank. But I cannot confirm this as they are completely sealed and have no lock attached to them,” said Son son.

“These two sealed, box-like structures have not yet been opened. They remain as they are since I went there yesterday morning,” he added.

Son son said the boat now anchors at Paloho Point, close to Goveo village and the villagers have already removed the boat’s engines.

This is the same boat MP for Lau/Mbaelelea constituency, Ben Maenu and his crew discovered floating off Ramos Island around 5 pm on Monday, July 28, 2025, during a fishing trip to Isabel Province.

Items recovered from the submarine include clothing and a voter ID card featuring a photo of a Black individual, and Spanish words, with the only word familiar to the locals being “San Francisco”.

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