BY BEN BILUA
GIZO

In the heart of Gizo town stands Outback Living, a humble yet vibrant establishment offering accommodation, conference rooms, second-hand clothing, a restaurant, and a souvenir shop.

But behind this growing business lies a story of perseverance, hardship, and remarkable transformation.

This is the story of its founder, Moffat Maeta.

A respected leader and successful businessman today, Maeta’s life was not always defined by stability or success. In fact, it was shaped by one of the most difficult decisions of his life — standing up for what he believed was right.

“I’m a teacher by profession. Back in the early 2000s, I was among the many teachers across the country who staged a sit-in strike to demand better treatment and working conditions,” Maeta began as we sat down for a candid conversation.

His participation, however, came at a high cost.

“My involvement in the strike cost me and my family the only lifeline we trusted for our future,” he said.

Maeta was terminated from his teaching position and his wife, also a teacher, suffered the same fate.

In the weeks that followed, the Maeta family found themselves plunged into uncertainty.

“The life we once enjoyed was taken away by a piece of paper and a few words on it,” he reflected, referring to his termination letter. “I watched my family spiral downward.”

With only a modest amount of savings, Maeta turned to the streets of Gizo, selling betel nut and cigarettes to support his family.

It was a far cry from the classroom where he once taught students, and adapting to his new life was no easy task.

“At first, I was like a stranger to my new job. “It took me more than three years to fully accept this change,” he said.

But Maeta’s story didn’t end there.

One day, while walking along the western side of Gizo, he stumbled upon a swampy area — a neglected, rubbish-filled lot that doubled as an informal dumping ground and public toilet.

Where others saw waste, Maeta saw potential.

“I went to the land office and enquired,” he recalled. “I was told the area was a wasteland. With determination, I bought it.”

Cleaning up the site was no easy task. “I was greeted by piles of rubbish and even human feces but I never gave up, because I knew this would be a turning point in my life,” Maeta said.

What followed was a long and laborious rehabilitation of the land. Maeta’s original plan was to develop a cultural centre where tourists could experience the traditions of the Western Province. But when COVID-19 struck and tourism came to a halt, he had to pivot. Instead, he converted the area into a conference venue and accommodation hub.

That pivot proved to be a wise one.

Today, Outback Living Gizo is more than just a business — it’s a symbol of resilience. From its original conference room and guest lodgings, the enterprise has expanded to include a second-hand clothing outlet, a restaurant, and a souvenir shop.

“Life is much better now,” Maeta said with a smile. “My family is fighting back and we’ve managed to cope with the challenges life throws at us.”

Moffat Maeta’s journey is a powerful reminder that setbacks are not the end — they can be the beginning of something greater.

His story is one of faith, grit, and unwavering determination.

“When life knocks you down, you just have to get back up and keep going,” he said.

Indeed, Maeta’s story is not just about building a business. It’s about rebuilding a life — and doing it with courage, commitment, and heart.

He walked through darkness when life struck him down with ruthless blow. They stripped his name, they stole his pride, even love and hope took turns to hide.

Yet deep within, a flame would soon take form. He turned his losses into strength. With trembling hands, he shaped a plan, no silver spoon just grits of a man. He sowed each tear into the ground where faith in self is truly found.

He grew stronger every day with faith that no riches born from schemes or lies, but sweat and truth beneath the skies.

With a humble shop as a beacon, his path was paved by pain and fear yet he endured, and now people see.

Forged by fate, no longer lost, no longer small but stands proud and tall.

The man he was, remains the man to be.

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BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

The Solomon Islands Maritime Authority (SIMA) does not have the mandate to cancel shipping business licences when it comes to accidents.

SIMA Director Thierry Nervale said that following the pelican incident that involved a crew who fell overboard and is still missing to date.

“If you’re talking about a license to operate a business, it’s not with SIMA,” he said.

Nervale said that SIMA delivers certificates to vessels to confirm that they are safe.

“We issue certificates to the vessel to confirm that the vessel is safe. Maybe later, when we’ll have the regulation in place. We’ll also have in the regulation; safety management system and we’ll issue a certificate to confirm that the vessel implements a safety management system approved by SIMA. So, it would be at a lesser stage. But we don’t have any power over the operation of the business. Like to cancel the license or something like that? No, no,” he said.

Nervale said the cause of the accident is that this crew member exposed himself and was then washed off by a wave.

He furthered that there could be some responsibilities, but if the police are involved, and then they go to justice, and then it’s the court that will decide.

“But it’s not for the SIMA administration to decide or even for the police to decide,” said the SIMA Director.

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BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

The Solomon Islands Maritime Authority (SIMA) has implemented reforms to improve safety management in vessels.

SIMA Director Thierry Nervale said this aims to improve safety management for vessels, crews and passengers.

“One that is very important to us is what we call here safety management,” he said.

Nervale explained that this is the way the shipping company and the crew on board manage safety.

“Which is typically to understand it easily. Having procedures when you embark the passengers, during the voyage, and how you take care of the passengers, the cargo. How you manage the navigation and where the vessel is going, how you manage the weather, and so all of this to be in a system, written system, where you have procedures,” he said.

Nervale added that this is to be implemented by the company, the crew, and the ship master.

“So, it’s something that we have been working on,” he said.

Nervale mentioned that they have also started delivering training for the crew, developing their management system on board and implementing it.

“Then the next phase will be to conduct some audits on how they implement the system,” he said.

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BY SAMIE WAIKORI

Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele has explained the adjournment of the current parliament sitting to 4th August.

Speaking to the media during a press conference on Friday, July 18, 2025, he said he adjourned the current sitting of Parliament on Monday, 14th July, to Monday, 4th August 2025 to allow the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) to look into the 2025 supplementary appropriation bill.

Manele added that this is to allow time for the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) to carry out its inquiry into the 2025 Supplementary Appropriation Bill.

He emphasized that this reflects GNUT’s ongoing commitment of due process and parliamentary scrutiny, as key pillars of transparency in how public finances are managed.

Manele said his government is also preparing to present the 2024 Supplementary Appropriation Bill which regularises government spending for last year.

On the same note, he acknowledged the chairman and members of the Bills and Legislation Committee (BLC) for their continued efforts, particularly in reviewing the National Building Standards Bill.

The PM stated that this is an important piece of legislation that will strengthen the safety and resilience of infrastructure across the country.

He said the BLC report on this legislation or bill is ready and they will look into it when parliament resumes on the 4th of August, 2025.

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By RODRICK DESURI

AUKI

Maeana community in Malaita Province has applauded World Vision for selecting them among five other communities for the five-year Regreening project. 

Chairman of Maeana community, Aaron Ida expressed that they were not expecting such good news.

“I want to thank World Vision and welcome the project, especially as it is now starting to roll out. We didn’t expect this, but it’s a blessing that we were selected,” he said.

Ida said the Regreening project will help them a lot, especially in addressing social, environmental, and economic challenges that have really hit the country. 

He added that for many years they have been applying for such projects from the government and aid donors, but all were thrown away in the bin.

“We applied many times, but we never had any luck. Our hopes were thrown away,” he said.

Meanwhile, World Vision Solomon Islands facilitator and project coordinator, Kelly Housiho, highlighted that this project will benefit the whole community if they work together with World Vision.

Housiho said they will regularly visit the communities every month to provide essential training. The World Vision team will also move to Kwa’a community next week to roll out their project.

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