BY SAMIE WAIKORI

Opposition MPs have called on the Government for National Unity and Transformation (GNUT) to urgently address the country’s cash flow problems, warning that delays continue to disrupt the delivery of essential services.

Leader of the Opposition Matthew Wale, along with MPs John Maneniaru, Gordon Dacy Lilo, and Rick Hou, stressed the need for decisive action as the government prepares the 2026 budget.

The Opposition made the call while contributing to the special adjournment motion moved by Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele in Parliament last week.

Speaking during the motion, the MPs said the cash flow situation severely affects the delivery of services and must be resolved.

“The cash flow continues to hinder service delivery,” Leader of the Opposition Matthew Wale said.

He stressed that although government line ministries have plans in place, the situation continues to delay implementation.

“There must be a way to overcome this. We cannot remain trapped in a perpetual cash flow cycle.

“We must take steps to fix the situation and maintain a sufficient cash flow to enable the government to deliver services on time,” Wale highlighted.

Wale said he raised this issue so the government keeps it in mind when preparing the 2026 budget.

Chairman of the Bills and Legislative Committee (BLC) and MP for West Are Are constituency, John Maneniaru, joined Wale’s call for collective action to address the cash flow problem.

“I support the point raised by the Leader of the Opposition to fix the cash flow.

“Let’s address the cash flow so that when the year begins, line ministries can implement their budgets smoothly,” Maneniaru said.

Maneniaru emphasized that the cash flow issue recurs every year and requires urgent attention.

Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) and MP for Central Honiara constituency, Gordon Dacy Lilo, also supported the calls from Wale and Maneniaru.

He said the cash flow situation is tough but must not be ignored.

“The country must overcome this challenge.

“We must examine the current cash flow. It is tough, but we must find ways to address it,” Lilo said.

MP for Small Malaita, Rick Hou, echoed similar concerns, urging the government to seriously consider the matter as it prepares the 2026 budget.

Hou said the government must address the cash flow problem to ensure timely delivery of services to the people.

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– China-backed solar desalination to ease community shortages

BY BEN BILUA
GIZO

A new initiative will see solar-powered desalination plants installed in Gizo, Western Province to help address long-standing water shortages.

A delegation from Chinese State-Owned Enterprise (SOE) Jiangsu Fenghai New Energy Seawater Desalination Development Co. Ltd visited the province last week to identify potential sites and discuss the project with Western Provincial Government officials.

Water Desalination Specialist, Sophia Shen said the team will now compile their findings and begin work on delivering the plants, which will provide a more stable water supply for residents who currently rely heavily on rainwater harvesting.

Constituency Development Officer Alphonse Wale said the project forms part of Gizo/Kolombangara development programs and will receive support from both local and donor partners.

Shen highlighted that the initiative reflects ongoing collaboration and friendship between  Solomon Islands and China.

Gizo, the provincial capital, has long struggled with the lack of reliable water supply for over 15 years now.

Residents rely heavily on rainwater harvesting for their daily needs, as there is no established public water infrastructure in place.

Shen said her team has visited three communities and have identified sites for the Seawater Desalination Plants.

She said discussion with officials from Western Provincial Government was successful and fruitful.

Shen explained that the Desalination Plants requires a hectare of land to build as the machines will be powered by solar energy.

She said Jiangsu Fenghai New Energy Seawater Desalination Development Co. Ltd have also delivered similar projects in nine other countries in the world including Maldives and Kiribati.

Shen said Jiangsu Fenghai New Energy Seawater Desalination Development Co. Ltd is happy to find solutions for much needed communities soon.

“We are here because we receive request from our embassy in Honiara. We heard the people’s need and we are happy to help.

“I believe this project demonstrates the great partnership and friendship shared between Solomon Islands and China,” she said.

Shen said Jiangsu Fenghai New Energy Seawater Desalination Development Co. Ltd has technical experts and the next step is to compile all the reports from the site visit and start working to deliver the project sooner.

Constituency Development Officer of Gizo/Kolombangara Constituency, Alphonse Wale said the project is part of Gizo/Kolombangara development programs.

He explained that the project will be funded by the constituency with the help of donor partners.

Wale said the project will be piloted in three communities namely; Gizo, Babanga, and Nusabaruku communities.

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[Published on Saturday, August 16, 2025]

BY MORRIS NAFU

Deputy Prime Minister Frederick Kologeto attended the 42nd Second Appointed Day celebration for Malaita, held at DC Park in East Honiara on Thursday, August 14, 2025.

The event, themed “Guided by Faith, Rooted in Culture, United for Change”, brought together the community to honour the significance of the day.

In his keynote address, Kologeto expressed gratitude for the opportunity to celebrate with the people of Malaita.

He emphasised the relevance of the event’s theme, noting that it comes at a crucial time when policies and visions are influenced by competing ideologies and rapidly changing moral values.

He remarked on the unique pace of ideas and product development in today’s digital age, where information spreads quickly.

Kologeto called for unity among the people of Malaita and Solomon Islands.

“When we join hands, united in purpose and vision, we become a formidable force of change,” he said.

He reiterated the government’s commitment to unity and sustainability as part of its policy framework, which includes four key pillars: unity and sustainability, economic transformation, infrastructure development, and human capital development.

He assured the audience that the government is dedicated to unifying the nation and improving the lives of its citizens.

Kologeto highlighted the need for economic diversification, as indicated in the upcoming 2025 budget, which prioritizes the productive and resource sectors.

He noted increased funding for agriculture, fisheries, tourism, and commerce, as well as support for the mining industry.

The Deputy Prime Minister stressed the importance of stability for development and called for collaboration among national and provincial leaders to facilitate progress across all regions, including Malaita.

He urged local leaders to engage with their communities to ensure that development occurs with minimal disputes.

In closing, Kologeto acknowledged Malaita’s significant contributions to the nation’s social, cultural, and economic development over the past 42 years. He encouraged everyone to embrace the day’s theme as a call to action and wished the community a happy Malaita Day celebration, invoking blessings for Malaita and the Solomon Islands.

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[Published on Saturday, August 16, 2025]

BY CHRIS ALEX

West Makira MP, Derrick Manuari has issued an urgent call to all Makirans who may be involved in illegal mining activities at the Gold Ridge Mining Limited (GRML) site to refrain from being involved in illegal mining activities.

In a social media statement, the Minister for Mines, emphasised that despite any local connections or invitations, engaging in illegal gold panning activities in the pits excavated by Gold Ridge Mining is a breach of the law.

The area in question falls within the Mining Lease and Prospecting License of Gold Ridge Mining, as outlined in the Mines and Minerals Act, making such activities illegal.

“I understand that many of you may have been invited by friends to visit the site, but it is crucial to recognise that this is illegal.

“The Government cannot allow such practices to continue, as they undermine the rule of law and can lead to unsafe and unsustainable mining conditions,” Manuari said.

The Minister urges all involved parties to leave the mining site immediately.

“It is in the best interest of all concerned that you vacate the site as soon as possible,” he said.

The authorities are working closely with Gold Ridge Mining Limited and local landowning communities to address this situation in a responsible and cooperative manner.

For those who traveled to the site from Makira, the Minister reassured them to return to Honiara.

“We will ensure sea fares so people can safely return home. Your safety and well-being is our priority, and we are committed to help you return home without delay,” he said.

This call to action follows rising concerns over illegal mining activities in the Gold Ridge Mining site, which not only poses environmental risks but also complicates relations between the government, mining companies, and local communities.

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[Published on Saturday, August 16, 2025]

BY CHRIS ALEX

Honiara City Mayor Edward Siapu, has expressed heartfelt gratitude to both the national government and the Australian government for their roles in reopening the Kukum Clinic in Honiara.

Speaking at the reopening ceremony on Thursday, August 14, 2025, he said it’s a proud moment for the city, for Honiara City Council (HCC) and the many families that depend on the facility for their health and well-being.

“The renovated Kukum Clinic will now provide better, safer, and more comfortable services for our mothers, children, and families,” he said.

The renovation project, which received significant funding from the Solomon Islands government with generous support from the Australian government through the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), marks a new chapter for healthcare in Honiara.

Kukum Clinic is one of three key facilities under the HCC’s health services, alongside Mataniko and Rove Clinics.

Siapu took the opportunity to thank both governments, noting that the partnership between national and international stakeholders demonstrates the power of collaboration in driving positive change for the people of Honiara.

“This achievement shows what can be done when we work together for the good of our people,” he said.

A significant aspect of the project is its impact on the broader region.

According to the Provincial Health Director, the Kukum Clinic serves as a critical hub not only for the capital but also for those traveling from Guadalcanal, Malaita, Central Islands, and beyond.

Siapu made a special call to HCC’s Health Division, urging them to continue providing care with compassion and to ensure no one seeking help is turned away.

“Our role as a city is to serve with compassion, ensuring that no one is turned away in their time of need,” he emphasised.

Looking ahead, the mayor revealed bold plans to further enhance the clinic’s capacity to serve Honiara’s growing population.

“My government plans to upgrade Kukum Clinic into a fully equipped Urban Health Centre or even a Mini-Hospital. Honiara City does not have its own hospital, and Kukum’s strategic location makes it ideal for this transformation,” Siapu explained.

He added that talks with the Ministry of Health and Medical Services will begin soon to explore the next steps in realising this vision.

Siapu also thanked health workers who will continue to care for the clinic’s patients.

He urges the community to take pride in the renovated facility and to ensure it remains well-maintained for the future.

“Today is indeed a momentous day for Honiara City Council. Seeing this clinic completed and the services resume is both welcoming and reassuring,” Siapu said.

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[Published on Saturday, August 16, 2025]

BY CHRIS ALEX

The Solomon Islands marks a significant milestone in its economic development with the launch of the Gold Ridge Mine Processing Plant Expansion Project, a multi-billion-dollar initiative expected to dramatically boost the nation’s economy and bring widespread benefits to landowners and communities.

At a groundbreaking ceremony held on Wednesday, August 13, 2025, Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele hailed the expansion as “the beginning of a new chapter for the Gold Ridge mining project”, highlighting the transformative potential of the estimated SBD $6 billion investment.

The project will triple the mine’s processing capacity to 13.5 million tonnes per year, generating an estimated SBD $7.5 billion in annual revenue once fully operational.

Approximately SBD $2 billion annually to the Solomon Islands Government, around SBD $400 million per year in royalties and dividends for landowners and creation of over 1,200 direct jobs and 3,500 indirect jobs.

“This project aligns with our economic transformation agenda and will diversify our economy while creating thousands of opportunities for Solomon Islanders,” Prime Minister Manele stated.

He also reaffirms his government’s commitment to overhauling the mining sector through the upcoming Mineral Resources Bill, which aims to modernise regulatory framework, enhance transparency, and improve revenue-sharing mechanisms for landowners.

“Gold Ridge is a national asset, and it must be developed in a way that safeguards our environment, respects our people, and delivers lasting benefits,” Manele said.

He stressed that the project’s success relies on responsible development, strong governance, and close cooperation between the company, landowners, and all levels of government.

“This is about building a legacy. A legacy of capacity building, economic empowerment, and shared prosperity for all stakeholders from GRML to landowners and government entities alike,” he added.

As Solomon Islands steps into a new era of economic opportunity, the Gold Ridge expansion stands as a symbol of the nation’s ambition to chart a path of sustainable and inclusive growth.

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Nearly a year without health & medical services, people of Sikaiana are desperately pleading authorities

[Published on Saturday, August 16, 2025]

BY CHRIS ALEX

As Malaita province celebrates its 42nd anniversary, its people on the outlier atoll of Sikaiana are about to mark a year without health-medical services.

A year without a nurse and the 400-plus people on the remote atolls, mostly children and elderly, are reiterating their plea to authorities not to forget them.

The last nurse left Sikaiana before October in 2024.

Since then, many calls have been made for a replacement. These calls turned to pleas. Still, authorities are sitting on this problem.

Member of Provincial Assembly for Malaita’s Ward 33 (Sikaiana) Lemuel Kevianga is amplifying his people’s call, urging responsible authorities not to turn a blind eye to his people.

Kevianga, who is also Malaita province’s finance minister, said already two emergency medical cases have had to be evacuated by helicopter from Sikaiana.

“These emergency situations could have been avoided if Sikaiana had a nurse to treat the patients in their early stages of disease,” Kevianga said.

He adds that it is an expensive exercise to airlift emergency cases, straining their limited budget.

Speaking to Island Sun, Kevianga emphasised the urgency of the matter.

“Our people are in dire need of professional care. I urge the responsible health authorities to take swift action and resolve this issue as quickly as possible,” he said.

In response to Kevianga’s calls, Richard Maegerea, Malaita’s health director, assured that efforts were underway to address the situation.

He acknowledged the logistical challenges of deploying a nurse to such an isolated part of the country.

“We are working hard to resolve this issue. We’re not reluctant to send a nurse to Sikaiana.

“Discussions with the Ministry of Health and Medical Services are ongoing, and we are also awaiting new recruits that can be dispatched to the island,” Maegerea said.

The health crisis has been compounded by the fact that the last nurse stationed on the island left before October in 2024, just last year, leaving the atoll without medical support for nearly a year.

Since then, Sikaiana’s residents have had to face the harsh reality of limited healthcare options, relying on herbals and costly airlifts for emergency cases.

As local leaders and residents continue to voice their concerns, the situation remains critical.

The call for immediate action grows louder, with the Sikaiana community hoping for a prompt and effective resolution to the healthcare crisis.

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