By RODRICK DESURI

AUKI

Five police personnel from the Honiara Police Response Team (PRT) are conducting a public order management and requalification training for police in Auki, Malaita Province this week. 

This training is focused on uplifting and supporting police officers in their abilities to match public order management and requalification processes. 

Malaita Provincial Police Commander Superintendent Michael Ramosaea, the training is of importance as it will benefit and support his officers with current public order management regulations. 

He said according to policy, every officer has to undergo requalification training every 12 months. 

“As we have overheard, our officers are now in the police training session with the five PRT officers from Honiara.

“In our policy, after every twelve months, we will have requalification training. This is to refresh and strengthen the abilities of police officers in upholding policies and handling and using equipment, such as sprays,” said Superintendent Ramosaea.

One other thing officers will be assisted in through the training getting to know when and when not to use police equipment.

Superintendent Ramosaea added that failure to comply with the guidelines regarding the equipment and unnecessary use of equipment is a crime. 

He stressed that if any police officer is found using such equipment by unnecessary means, he or she can be arrested and put in jail.

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By RODRICK DESURI

AUKI

The Waitoto community in Maramasike Passage, southern part of Malaita Province, is set to benefit from a six-day training on honey bees, piggery and tilapia this week. 

According to Malaita’s Senior Fisheries Officer in Auki, Mathew Isihanua, the training started on Monday, August 4 and will end on Saturday, August 9. 

He said the training comes under the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAL) and the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources (MFMR). 

Isihanua explained that the training aims to support members of the Apunepara Conservation with alternative livelihood activities.

He mentioned that the training has reached Southern Malaita following requests from the Apunepara Tribal Conservation Association. 

“This training comes under the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock, and it was the Apunepara Tribal Conservation Association that requested it,” he said.

He added that during the first two days of the training, participants learned a lot from the theoretical side of the training.

“The participants have learned a lot during the first two days of theory training. Topics covered during the two days included bee keeping, pig farming and husbandry, and tilapia farming,” he said.

He stated that they also learned how to formulate feed for bees, pigs, and tilapia.

Isihanua said today, Thursday, August 7, 2025, they will continue the training and focus on pig husbandry, production parameters of pig farming, and integration methods of tilapia farming and value adding.

The Fisheries Senior Officer encourages rural communities in Malaita Province to engage their youths and adults in such trainings.

The six-day training is funded by the Apunepara Tribal Conservation Association, Waitoto community, in the southern region of Malaita Province.

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By RODRICK DESURI

AUKI

Police in Auki, Malaita Province will attend the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Bina/Talifu beneficiaries at Buma Catholic Station today.

Malaita Provincial Police Commander (PPC) Superintendent Michael Ramosaea said police presence during the meeting is vital to avoid any disturbances.

He said the AGM is a crucial part of the process and a way forward for Bina Harbour project, thus, should not be disturbed.

“Our team will be deployed to Buma Catholic Station to attend the AGM on Thursday, 7th, and they will conduct a high-profile operation during the AGM,” he said.

“This is to prevent any unwanted disturbances during the meeting,” he added.

Ramosaea mentioned that hundreds of people from Honiara will be coming to attend the meeting.

“About hundreds of people from Honiara will be coming to attend the meeting. So, the police won’t want anyone or any group to cause arguments that disturb the meeting,” he said. 

The Police Commander appeals to the people of West Kwaio and Kwara’ae, or elsewhere, who claim to be the owners of the land to step aside and let the meeting commence.

He added that the Bina Harbour development is what is needed in the province and everyone should respect its due processes. 

“I want to appeal to my good people of West and East Kwaio, and Kwara’ae, or any group claiming to be the owners of the land, to step aside and let the meeting flow.

“The Bina Harbour project is a national project that will benefit all the people of Malaita Province,” he said. 

He added that the police will not tolerate the arrest of anyone or any group that causes disturbance during the Annual General Meeting (AGM).

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BY SAMIE WAIKORI

The Guadalcanal provincial government assures that they will work closely with Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources (MFMR) to boost fisheries sector in the province.

Speaking during the recent Guadalcanal province 41st Second Appointed Day celebration, Premier of Guadalcanal province, William Atu highlighted the effort of the province behind the sector.

In terms of fishery sector, the fishery divisions continue to implement key programmes across Guadalcanal province with support from MFMR.

“There are ongoing projects on aquaculture development and community-based fishery resources management to strengthen conservation and improve livelihoods.

“Recent initiatives include tilapia farming training in Tetekanji ward, turtle monitoring and livelihood consultations in Bota, Moli ward and community awareness visits from Savulei to Tangarare in west Guadalcanal.

“These activities support the province’s policy objective of establishing a network of community managed marine areas,” he said.

Atu also highlighted the effort of the province through the Provincial Capacity Development Fund (PCDF) program on fisheries sector in the province.

He stated Guadalcanal province through its fisheries division has recommended increased technical training and provisions of aquaculture materials through PCDF award grants.

Atu said this will be a greater budget support to strengthen coastal fisheries management and support fish farms in the province.

In the meantime, he encourages people in Guadalcanal province to work together with their Members of Parliament (MP) to support and improve the sector.

Atu said fisheries is among other vital production sectors that will contribute by boosting the economy of the province.

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BY SAMIE WAIKORI

Premier of Guadalcanal province, William Atu acknowledges the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAL) through agents in west Guadalcanal for a proposal to provide shipping service to farmers in West Guadalcanal.

Speaking at the recent Guadalcanal 41st Second Appointed Day celebration, he said the support comes in-line with initiatives the province is exploring.

“The Guadalcanal provincial government is actively exploring ways to support transportation of agricultural produce from rural Guadalcanal to Honiara markets,” said Atu.

This is especially through reliable and affordable shipping services.

Atu mentioned that during their awareness program in the province, transportation was one of the key challenges raised by people.

Especially by cocoa and coconut farmers, who depend only on ships to transport their produce to Honiara to sell.

The Premier sincerely thanks the agriculture ministry for a proposal of monthly shipping services set to benefit Duidui ward in South Guadalcanal and cover all of west Guadalcanal constituency.

He stressed that this is a positive step to ensure farmers get their goods to the market in a timely and cost-effective manner.

Atu said while his government applauds the proposed initiative, they’re also looking forward for the same service in East Guadalcanal.

The premier stated that his government is proud of the proposal and will continue to explore ways to ensure farmers have access to transport to bring their produce to markets in Honiara.

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BY SAMIE WAIKORI

The Atu led government of Guadalcanal Province assures commitment to support agriculture in the province.

In a statement to officially mark the recent Guadalcanal 41st Second Appointed Day celebrations, Premier of Guadalcanal province, William Atu echoed that his government highly prioritizes the sector. 

He voiced that agriculture remains the backbone of our economy and Guadalcanal’s provincial government is committed to support this very vital sector.

Atu said through the agriculture division, they continue to build the capacity of their farmers through targeted training programmes and international learning opportunities.

“Notable training of trainers’ sessions has been conducted on climate smart agriculture, equipping local trainers with skills in participatory community vulnerability assessments and climate resilient agronomic practises.

“Cocoa enterprise development has also been a key focus with training delivered to support farmers in improving both quality and production,” he said.

The Premier is delighted that several provincial agriculture officers and farmers attended international training programmes in China.

“The training covered topics such as cross-border e-commerce in food circulation, agriculture industry development, poverty reduction, mechanised soil tillage methods, and Junko industry development for Pacific countries,” he said.

Atu highlighted that these experiences not only build technical experiences but also help inspire new ideas for sustainable and modern agricultural practises across Guadalcanal province.

On this note, he encourages all cocoa and copra farmers in the province to continue their hard work and dedication.

In further remarks, Atu said the increase in cocoa and copra prices presents an important opportunity for improved incomes and rural livelihoods.

He urges farmers to apply for support under the World Bank-funded SIART programme which provides financing and technical support to expand commercial farming activities.

Atu said several farmers in the province have benefited from the funding and he is thankful for the milestone achievement.

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BY CHRIS ALEX

Solomon Islands Ambassador to China, Barrett Salato reaffirms his support for the One-China Principle, declaring it the bedrock of Solomon Islands’ China relations.

Speaking at the “China Through My Lens” video competition prize ceremony in Honiara on Tuesday, August 5, 2025, Salato emphasised that both past and present Solomon Islands administrations have maintained a consistent and clear stance on the One-China Principle, in line with United Nations General Assembly Resolution 2758, which recognises the People’s Republic of China (PRC) as the sole legitimate government representing all of China, including Taiwan.

“There is only one China in the world and the People’s Republic of China is the only sole legal government that represents the whole of China,” declared Salato.

He calls on all national leaders in Solomon Islands to respect the sovereign decision taken by the government in 2019 to align with the One-China policy, a move he said placed the country “on the right side of history”.

Salato pointed to a growing list of development projects and aid contributions that highlight the deepening cooperation between China and Solomon Islands.

Among the most notable are;

-State-of-the-art national sports facilities, including a modern stadium and training venues currently considered the best in the Pacific.

-The Comprehensive Medical Centre (CMC), which provides specialised healthcare services for the first time in the nation’s history.

-Medical exchange programmes, with Solomon Islands professionals currently undergoing training in China, and Chinese doctors deployed to local hospitals.

-The Auki Road Project in Malaita Province, a major infrastructure development fully funded by China that is expected to enhance economic activity in the region.

-Continued cooperation in education, with 160+ scholarships awarded to Solomon Islands students to study in China in diverse fields such as medicine, engineering, and communication.

-Ongoing initiatives in trade, civil aviation, agriculture, law enforcement, fisheries, and people-to-people exchanges.

Salato said we don’t need a billboard to see the impact of China’s contributions.

“You can see with your own eyes the tangible development benefits our relations have brought to this country,” he said.

The ambassador’s speech also carried an implicit message that aims to counter regional and domestic critics of the country’s foreign policy orientation.

He reiterated that the Taiwan issue is a domestic affair of China and urges Solomon Islands leaders to place national interests first when engaging in regional diplomacy.

The ambassador’s comments follow similar reaffirmations by Solomon Islands Prime Ministers during bilateral declarations in 2023 and 2024, and come shortly after the China Pacific Island Countries Foreign Ministers Meeting in Xiamen, where the One-China Principle was again upheld.

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