BY MORRIS NAFU

In a significant move to safeguard the cultural heritage of the Solomon Islands, the Solomon Islands National University (SINU) formalized a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) at the office of the Pro Vice Chancellor last week.

In a SINU press statement, the agreement, focused on the Kukum Campus, establishes a collaborative partnership aimed at providing traditional musical entertainment during official SINU events.

SINU’s Pro Vice Chancellor Corporate (PVCC) Dr. William Parairato signed the agreement alongside Mr. John K. Ta’amora, Wauraha Panpipers Group Leader.

During the signing ceremony, Mr. Ta’amora hailed the occasion as a “historic step” for his group, emphasizing that this marks their first formal agreement.

“We are thrilled to be part of this partnership and are eager to implement it effectively.

“Securing an agreement with a national institution like SINU is a monumental achievement for us. We encourage other cultural groups to take similar initiatives to promote and preserve our traditions,” he said.

Further noted in the statement, as part of the MOU, the Wauraha Panpipers will offer live traditional panpipe performances at various SINU events upon request, including graduation ceremonies, welcome receptions, cultural events, conferences, and other official functions.

This partnership underscores SINU’s dedication to cultural preservation while enhancing the university’s community activities through the rich sounds of traditional Solomon Islands music.

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BY MORRIS NAFU

The Youth Entrepreneur Council of Solomon Islands (YECSI) has received approval from the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAL) through the Cocoa and Coconut Revolving Fund (CCRF), marking a significant advancement in youth involvement in the agricultural sector.

As stated in a recent press release statement, the partnership was formalized as MAL began signing funding support agreements with the first group of YECSI member recipients under the CCRF.

The signing ceremony took place at the MAL Headquarters and was attended by the CCRF Secretariat, Deputy Secretary for Special Duties, Mr. Simon Baete, and Deputy Secretary for Technical, Mr. Michael Ho’ota.

During the event, Mr. Baete congratulated the young recipients and urged them to seize the opportunity, highlighting its potential to enhance their roles within the agriculture industry.

The following recipients were awarded grants:

Willie Yates: SOL FRESH PRODUCTS LTD, Henderson, Cocoa – $150,000.00

Creina Desonia Tapalaboe: LEXCRE ENTERPRISE COMPANY LTD, North Guadalcanal, Cocoa – $50,000.00

Blessed Tavi Peni: SEANUT TRADERS ENTERPRISE, Western Province, Copra – $50,000.00

YECSI expressed its gratitude to MAL for this groundbreaking support initiative, the first of its kind aimed specifically at empowering members involved in cocoa and copra production. The organization also acknowledged the Government for National Unity and Transformation (GNUT) for initiating the CCRF program.

Established in 2018 through a public-private partnership, YECSI has seen remarkable growth, expanding from 31 members in June 2024 to 127 members as of August 2025, with 14 actively engaged in agriculture.

The partnership with YECSI reflects MAL’s commitment to supporting youth-led agribusinesses, promoting economic growth, and enhancing the sustainability of the cocoa and coconut sectors.

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BY SAMIE WAIKORI

Chairman of the Bills and Legislative Committee (BLC) and Member of Parliament for West Are Are, John Maneniaru, has assured that the committee is committed to reviewing the Public Service and Mineral Resources Bills.

Speaking during the special adjournment motion moved by Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele last week, Maneniaru emphasized the importance of the bills and the need for thorough discussion in Parliament.

The bills were also the reason for the recent parliamentary adjournment, to allow sufficient time for the BLC to complete consultations before presenting them to Parliament during the next sitting scheduled for 13 October 2025.

“The BLC is ready to review the Public Service and Mineral Resources Bills. These bills are important for strengthening the public service and the country’s mineral resources sector. We are prepared to conduct consultations with stakeholders to ensure thorough examination,” Maneniaru said.

He also highlighted the need to provide adequate resources and support to the committee to carry out its work effectively.

“I shared with the Prime Minister that my committee lacks the strength and resources to navigate the challenges involved in fulfilling our responsibilities, especially in facilitating consultations on the bills,” Maneniaru said, noting that the BLC secretariat has already submitted a request for support.

Despite these challenges, Maneniaru reiterated the committee’s commitment to reviewing the bills and ensuring they are ready before the next parliamentary sitting.

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BY NED GAGAHE

Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele has voiced strong support for the principles and values outlined in the statutes of the Pacific Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (PIPA), describing them as noble and aligned with the shared aspirations of Pacific Island nations.

PM Manele highlighted this when addressing the motion moved by Member of Parliament (MP) for East Are’are and Chair of Parliamentary Foreign Relations Committee Peter Kenilorea Jnr on August 15, 2025 last Friday.

The motion asked Parliament to authorise the Speaker of the National Parliament to sign the Statutes of PIPA, presented as Parliament Paper number 14 of 2025.

Speaking in Parliament PM Manele said the statute’s preamble captures the vision of a “blue, peaceful, resilient and prosperous Pacific,” emphasizing the region’s commitment to human rights, democratic values, climate action, ocean protection, and sustainable development.

“These are principles and values that I believe both sides of the House subscribe to and all members of the Pacific family continue to advocate,” the Prime Minister said.

He highlighted the significance of addressing climate change and ocean degradation, noting that small island nations like the Solomon Islands are particularly vulnerable.

“Our very survival is tied to the health of our oceans and ecosystems, and these are issues that require collective regional responses,” Mr Manele said.

The Prime Minister also acknowledged that the Assembly provides a platform for stronger inter-parliamentary dialogue and collaboration, helping Pacific legislatures work together to advance regional priorities.

Mr Manele’s remarks underscores Solomon Islands’ commitment to regional cooperation and its readiness to support initiatives that strengthen governance, resilience, and sustainability across the Pacific.

The motion, moved by the MP for East Are’are and Chairman of Parliamentary Foreign Relations Committee, Peter Kenilorea Jr. carries both symbolic and substantive weight, highlighting the nation’s commitment to regionalism and parliamentary diplomacy.

Chairman Kenilorea Jr. said the draft statutes, tabled as National Parliament Paper No. 14, are the result of extensive work by the Pacific Island Parliamentary Group (PIPG) and a technical committee that included the Speaker.

“By authorising the Speaker to sign these statutes, we affirm our commitment to regionalism and also to parliamentary diplomacy and to the values that unite us as parliamentarians in this large ocean, the Blue Continent,” he said.

The statutes represent a new chapter for Pacific Islands parliamentary cooperation, providing a framework for inter-parliamentary dialogue, capacity building, and joint initiatives among national and sub-national legislatures across the region.

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BY NED GAGAHE

Parliament has formally authorised the Speaker of the National Parliament to act as a signatory to the draft Statutes of the Pacific Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (PIPA), a move hailed as a significant step in strengthening regional parliamentary cooperation.

The motion was moved by the Chair of the Foreign Relations Committee, the Member of Parliament for East Are’Are Peter Kenilorea Jnr, in Parliament on Friday, August 15, 2025.

Parliament gave its mandate through unopposed endorsement.

The motion sought the approval of Parliament to resolve to authorize the Speaker of Parliament to be a signatory to the statute of PIPA.

The draft statutes, tabled as National Parliament Paper No. 14 of 2025, are the result of extensive work by the Pacific Islands Parliamentary Group (PIPG) and a technical committee that included the Speaker.

Speaking in support of the motion, Mr Kenilorea said the endorsement carries both symbolic and substantive weight, and represents a new chapter for Pacific Islands parliamentary collaboration.

“It affirms our commitment to regionalism, parliamentary diplomacy, and the values that unite us as parliamentarians in this large ocean, the Blue Continent,” he said.

The PIPA statutes set out a framework for inter-parliamentary dialogue, cooperation, and capacity building among national and sub-national legislatures across the Pacific.

Key provisions include membership and observer arrangements, governance structures, rules of procedure, budget contributions, partnerships with regional and international organisations, and transitional arrangements as the assembly evolves into a treaty-based body.

Kenilorea said that Solomon Islands will contribute USD 15,000 annually as part of tier two member contributions, and highlighted that the PIPA statutes are aligned with Pacific regional values such as human rights, good governance, and sustainable development.

The motion received wide support across the House, with MPs recognising the importance of formalising Solomon Islands’ participation in this regional initiative.

It also paves the way for the adoption of the statutes at the Fifth Annual Conference of the Pacific Islands Parliamentary Group, scheduled for August 26–29, 2025 in Fiji.

“The authorisation is not merely administrative. It is a declaration of trust in the Speaker as the institutional representative and a recognition of the importance of the Solomon Islands Parliament being formally aligned with this regional initiative,” Mr. Kenilorea said.

The move positions Solomon Islands as an active participant in shaping regional governance and parliamentary diplomacy, reinforcing the country’s leadership role in promoting a united, resilient, and empowered Blue Pacific.

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BY NED GAGAHE

Leader of the Opposition, Matthew Wale has expressed his support for Solomon Islands’ to participate in the Pacific Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (PIPA), describing the move as an important step for regional parliamentary collaboration.

Speaking in Parliament last week, the Opposition Leader Wale commended the Chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee, Peter Kenilorea Jnr, for bringing the motion before the House.

He said the draft statutes for PIPA are clear and straightforward, allowing Solomon Islands to be part of the founding of this new regional parliamentary platform.

“This is a very good development in the regional collaborative platforms that we are part of,” he said, noting that being involved at the founding stage ensures the country is fully aligned with the objectives and values of PIPA.

The Opposition Leader highlighted the broader benefits of regional parliamentary cooperation, including opportunities for sharing ideas, learning lessons from other Pacific legislatures, and enhancing regional and international advocacy for parliamentary roles.

He noted that while most international engagements are carried out by the Executive Government, it is equally important for parliaments to collaborate across the region.

“The motion is straightforward, and it would be good for you, Mr. Speaker, to go with the mandate of the House and sign up for the founding statutes.

“We will then look at how the Parliament can progress from there,” he said.

The statement reinforces cross-party support in Parliament for Solomon Islands’ active participation in PIPA, which aims to strengthen inter-parliamentary dialogue, good governance, human rights, and sustainable development across the Pacific.

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BY NED GAGAHE

A violent incident at Tubila in Central Province has left a man hospitalised and raises serious concerns over community safety and antisocial behaviour in the Sandfly area.

According to reports, the incident occurred on Friday, August 15, 2025 when a boy from a nearby community stabbed the husband of a secondary school teacher from Siro Community High School (CHS) during an argument.

The victim, who had stepped in to intervene in the dispute, sustained injuries to his neck and was later referred to the National Referral Hospital in Honiara for treatment.

A concerned leader from Sandfly strongly condemned the attack, describing it as a serious threat to peace, safety, and harmony in the area.

“This act of violence is deeply concerning. Violence of this nature not only harms individuals but also disrupts trust and stability within our villages,” the leader said in a statement.

He further calls on chiefs, community leaders, and stakeholders to work together to address antisocial behaviour through dialogue, cooperation and accountability.

“I condemn this attack in the strongest terms and urge communities to unite in response. Our schools must remain safe places of learning, free from threats and disturbances,” he said.

He mentioned that this same group of people had previously caused trouble at Siro CHS.

The leader appeals to all Sandfly communities and the wider Central Province to stand together against violence and uphold values of peace, respect, and responsibility.

“Our collective efforts will help ensure safer, stronger communities for everyone,” he said.

Police are yet to release an official statement on the matter.

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