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Gov’t moves to stop Mataniko River encroachment

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BY NED GAGAHE

New environment minister Polycarp Paea says his ministry is acting to stop encroachment into the Mataniko river.

Member of Parliament for South New Georgia Rendova and Tetepare, David Gina, raised concerns over developer encroachments along the Mataniko River.

Speaking during Monday’s Parliament sitting, he questioned what actions the government is taking to address the issue.

Responding to the question, Minister for Environment Polycarp Paea confirmed that his ministry is actively enforcing the Environment Act 1998.

“All prescribed developments, including retention walls, must submit a Public Environment Report and an Environment Management Plan,” Paea said.

He said the ministry will continue monitoring developments along the Mataniko River to ensure compliance.

“Section 17 of the Environment Act sets out the Environmental Impact Assessment process to manage the impact of encroachment,” he added.

Paea said some businesses are building retention walls to protect properties from erosion and floods.

He stressed the importance of working closely with the Ministry of Lands, Honiara City Council, and the Ministry of Mines to ensure developers follow the law.

Minister Paea said the Honiara Local Planning Scheme 2025 provides land use and development rules that apply to all of Honiara, including sensitive areas like the Mataniko River.

“Effective enforcement by the Honiara Town and Planning Board is crucial,” he added.

Paea confirmed that these regulations also apply to other rivers, such as the Lungga.

In a supplementary question Opposition Leader Matthew Wale asked whether all current developments along the Mataniko River meet environmental standards.

Minister Paea responded that in the past 12 months, authorities had demolished several illegal structures built along the river.

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Parliament welcomes new MP and announces Leader of Independent Group

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BY NED GAGAHE

Parliament on Monday, July 14, 2025 witnessed two key developments, the swearing-in of a new Member of Parliament and the announcement of a new Leader of the Independent Group.

Mary Daniella Zae Garu, the newly elected MP for West Guadalcanal, officially took her oath of allegiance before the commencement of the day’s proceedings.

Clerk to Parliament Jefferson Hallu administered the oath during a brief ceremony.

Garu won the by-election held on 4 June 2025, following the passing of her late husband, former MP Moses Garu.

Her swearing-in fulfils the constitutional requirement under Section 63, which states that all Members of Parliament must take an oath before participating in the business of the House.

In a separate announcement, Deputy Speaker of Parliament Morris Toiraena informed the House that Manasseh Maelanga, MP for East Malaita and former Deputy Prime Minister, has been appointed as the new Leader of the Parliamentary Independent Group.

He replaces Peter Kenilorea Jr., who previously held the position.

Deputy Speaker Toiraena confirmed that, in accordance with Section 66(2) of the Constitution, the Governor-General officially appointed Maelanga to the role on 6 June 2025.

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Palm oil picked up, copra drops in first quarter of 2025: CBSI

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BY NED GAGAHE

The palm oil industry has performed strongly in the first quarter of 2025, as reported in Central Bank of Solomon Islands (CBSI) March 2025 Quarterly Review.

The Quarterly Review released on July, 8, 2025, revealed that fresh fruit bunch volumes rose by 19% to 32,358 tons, up from 27,130 tons in the previous quarter.

According to CBSI this increase reflected higher yields.

As a result, crude palm oil output grew by 24% to 7,285 tons, while palm kernel oil rose by 26% to 729 tons.

CBSI said the growth is linked to higher production and favourable prices.

Contracted prices also rose, with crude palm oil up 9% to US$1,320 per ton and palm kernel oil up 16% to US$2,021 per ton.

On the global market, palm kernel oil prices rose 4% to US$1,991 per ton, while crude palm oil prices fell 7% to US$1,069 per ton during the quarter.

On copra and coconut oil production, copra production fell by 17% to 3,184 tons, down from 3,858 tons in the previous quarter.

This drop was due to unfavourable weather conditions.

Meanwhile, coconut oil output rose by 11% to 1,369 tons, supported by higher contract prices.

According to the review, Western Province led production on copra with 27%, followed by Central (22%), Guadalcanal (18%), and Choiseul (12%).

Makira and Malaita each contributed 9%, while Isabel made up the remaining 3%.

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Court to deliver ruling on unlawful wounding case

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BY ROMINAH FAKA

The Magistrate Court is set to deliver its ruling on prosecution’s application seeking to discharge a man accused of unlawful wounding.

Michael Lena is facing one count of unlawful wounding.

The ruling will be delivered this Friday, July 18, by Chief Magistrate Emma Garo.

This matter had been schedule for trial, with prosecution intending to call two witnesses.

However, before a summon could be served on the crown eye witness, police learnt that the witness had already travelled to Australia under the Labour Mobility Unit (LMU) programme for seasonal work.

Because of that, prosecution filed an application under section 52 and 53 of the Evidence Act, seeking to allow the witness to give evidence via Audio Visual Link. (AVL).

The prosecution said the AVL option will enable the witness to testify via video or audio link without having to return to Honiara.

However, court refused the prosecution application for the use of Audio-Visual Link.

In response, on Tuesday, July 15, 2025, the prosecution made an application under section 190 (2) (b) (ii) of Criminal Procedural Code, requesting that the charge against the defendant Micheal Lena be withdrawn.

This is so that they have time to liaise with the LMU office and contact the Australia employer of the witness to determine when the witness might return to Honiara.

The incident occurred on June 28, 2024, between 9 and 10pm, at Wind Valley, White River.

The complainant, who resided in Choviri, travelled with others to Namoruka to solve an issue involving an assault on an elderly person.

The matter could not be resolved so the group decided to return to Choviri using the Wind Valley Road.

Along the way, they met defendant Lena and some other boys.

The defendant and the boys reportedly attacked the complainant and two others with iron, sticks, and stones.

The defendant struck the right side of the complainant’s head with an iron and when he fell to the ground, the defendant continued to kick him in the face.

The complainant sustained injuries to his head and face.

The complainant was transported to the National Referral Hospital for medical attention.

Paul Junior Fanasia is prosecuting and Jagilly Weigant of Public Solicitor’s Office act for the defendant.

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High Court moves 2013 MHMS scandal case appeal for August 15

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BY ROMINAH FAKA

The High Court has postponed the appeal hearing into the 2013 Health ministry fraud scandal case for August 15.

The case involves former procurement officer from the health ministry (MHMS), who was convicted of corruption for receiving a large sum of money in exchange for facilitating payment to a fake shipping company.

The hearing was initially scheduled for Friday last week, July 11, but was deferred after prosecution sought an adjournment due to a death in their office.

Court granted the adjournment and the matter has been rescheduled for hearing on August 15, 2025.

The Magistrate Court has sentenced defendant Robert Manu to two years imprisonment, which was suspended under section 44 of the Penal Code.

In delivering the sentence, the presiding magistrate highlighted the significant eight-year delay in the case, which began in 2016.

The delay was considered a mitigating factor in the sentencing decision.

The magistrate noted that the prolong delay was caused by lack of proper case management and timely investigation.

The office of Director of Public Persecution was not satisfied with this and filed an appeal in the High Court, appealing that the sentence imposed by the Magistrate was manifestly inadequate.

The defendant, Robert Manu, former procurement officer at the MHMS was charged with four counts of official corruption.

Defendant Manu’s role was authorizing payments to Eroba Shipping, totaling to $1,608,371, by bypassing proper procurement procedures in exchange for large sums of money deposited into his personal bank account.

The payment he received amounted to $195,000.

This case is linked to a larger scandal that involved the ministry between 2012 and 2013, involving 15 fraudulent payments to Eroba Shipping Services and Joke Shipping, managed by John Biliki and Wesley Poloso.

In August 2013, an internal audit revealed that all 15 payments were fraudulent, with evidence suggesting involvement between MHMS officials and shipping agents to defraud the Solomon Islands Government.

Manu also charged with a separate charge of false pretence, together with other former Health workers, former finance controller, Stephen Dalipanda, former Senior Accountant, Randy Hatigeva, and former Accounts Officer, Dalcy Maena.

These former health workers allegedly caused a total of $1,594,935.10 to be paid to the ghost shipping service, Joke Shipping Services by fraud.

The two shipping agents John Biliki and Wesley Poloso of Eroba Shipping Service and Joke Shipping Service defrauded the Solomon Islands Government of approximately $7.3 million.

These millions of dollars were Aid donor funding and Solomon Islands Government money intended to support and improve rural health services. This severely affected the implementation of health projects in rural areas and left negative impact on the provision of government health services in rural areas.

Sabrina Habu of Public Prosecution office is prosecuting and Jim Seuika act for Manu.

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Court issues summons for man accused of domestic violence

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BY ROMINAH FAKA

The Magistrate court has issued summons for a man accused of domestic violence who did not turn up for his hearing yesterday.

A ruling on legal issues relating to his case was scheduled to be delivered on Tuesday, July 15, 2025.

The defendant is facing one count of domestic violence.

The prosecution applied for a warrant of arrest to be issued against the defendant, however, the presiding magistrate refused the application and instead issued summons to be served on the defendant.

The court stated that the matter was initially listed to be heard last week but was administratively adjourned.

As a result, the defendant may not have been aware of the new court date, which could have explained his absence.

The case has been adjourned to July 29, 2025, for court to deliver its ruling on the legal issues raised, particularly concerning the definition of assault in the previous hearing.

The alleged victim is a 61-year-old man and the defendant is 19-year-old male.

The defendant is the complainant’s youngest son.

Police alleged that on May 24, 2025, between 4 and 5pm, the defendant was reportedly drunk and attacked the complainant while he was sitting in front of his house with his wife.

It is alleged that the defendant was holding a piece of 4×1 timber approximately one and a half metres in length, which he used in an attempt to strike the victim.

However, both of the defendant attempts to assault the victim were unsuccessful.

Following the incident, the victim reported the matter to Naha Police Station.

Able Maelanga of Police Prosecution Department is prosecuting and the defendant is self-represented.

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ECONOMY WEAKENS

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CBSI reports weaker global and domestic outlook in first quarter 2025

BY NED GAGAHE

Solomon Islands’ economy has weakened since January this year, according to the Central Bank of Solomon Islands (CBSI).

In its March 2025 Quarterly Report released on July 8, 2025, CBSI said the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in its April 2025 World Economic Outlook had revised global growth for 2025 down to 2.8 percent from the previously forecasted 3.3 percent.

IMF attributed the downgrade to the widespread impact of US tariff hikes and retaliatory measures by key trading partners.

It expects a mild recovery to 3.0% in 2026.

On domestic economy, CBSI said domestic economic activity was mixed in the first quarter of 2025.

“The primary sector shrank, with the production index dropping to 119 points from 125 in the last quarter of 2024. The fall came from weaker output in agriculture, fishing, and mining, though forestry posted gains,” CBSI said.

CBSI said the secondary sector also remained weak due to low performance in manufacturing and utilities.

“Services delivered uneven results across subsectors, while investment remained moderate and labour market conditions improved slightly as inflation cooled in the first quarter.

“Headline inflation dropped to 2.4% in March, down from 4.6% in December 2024.

“Lower electricity prices and better food supply helped push domestic inflation down. This outweighed a small rise in imported inflation.” the report said.

Core inflation also declined, reaching 0.9% in March from 1.9%, while external conditions weakened in early 2025.

The balance of payments (BOP) surplus narrowed to $237 million, down from $277 million in the last quarter of 2024.

This was due to a smaller capital and financial account surplus, despite gains in the current account.

Gross foreign reserves rose by 1% to $5,889 million, covering about 10.9 months of imports.

On fiscal position, the government recorded a provisional fiscal surplus of $83 million in Q1, reversing a $225 million deficit from Q4 2024.

CBSI said the surplus comes from a sharp drop in development spending due to slow budget execution.

“Revenue declined slightly but stayed in line with budget plans. Public debt also dropped, aided by consistent debt servicing,” the report said.

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UNICEF visits key partners in Western province

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BY BEN BILUA
GIZO

A high-level delegation led by UNICEF’s Chief of Field Office in Solomon Islands and Japan’s Ambassador to Solomon Islands visited key partners of the Nutrition Improvement through School Meals Project upon their arrival in Gizo yesterday, Monday, July 14, 2025.

The team began their visit by paying a courtesy call to Western Province Premier Billy Veo and his executive before touring Gizo Hospital, where they met with Director of Health and Medical Services Dr Dickson Boara and his staff.

Japanese Ambassador to Solomon Islands, His Excellency Keiichi Higuchi thanked Premier Veo and his executive for their support, adding that Japan is pleased to fund and assist the school meal project.

UNICEF Solomon Islands Chief of Field Office, Benjamin Grubb acknowledged both the Government of Japan and Western Provincial Administration for their collaboration.

He emphasised UNICEF’s commitment to child welfare in Solomon Islands, particularly through the nutrition-focused school meal project, currently piloted in Western and Isabel Provinces.

Grubb highlighted concerns about children’s growing dependence on processed foods and stressed the importance of improving diets to enhance learning outcomes.

“We need to address this issue with our young generation and I count on Western Province to make this project a success,” Grubb said.

Premier Veo welcomed the initiative, expressing readiness to support the programme.

He also thanked UNICEF for selecting six schools in the province to be part of the pilot phase, calling the project “vital” in promoting healthy eating habits.

Provincial Secretary Patrick Toiraena shared similar sentiment saying that the programme revives the tradition of using local foods in school diets.

He said Western Province’s Planning Division will closely coordinate with partners to ensure successful implementation.

The project, funded by Japan and implemented by UNICEF in partnership with national and provincial governments, aims to introduce climate-smart, school-based meal programs in nine schools—six of which are in Western Province and three in Isabel Province.

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Ghemu showcases yellow page digital directory

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BY CHRIS ALEX

Afred Ghemu, founder of the Yellow Page Solomon Digital Directory, showcased his innovative digital platform at the National Trade Fair, marking a significant milestone in the country’s journey toward digital transformation.

Speaking with Island Sun, Ghemu described the fair as “a great opportunity for us to come out and tell people about our service,” highlighting the increasing importance of digital solutions in today’s modern era.

“In the Solomon Islands, we’ve only had manual directories. What we’ve introduced here is digital. Yellow Page provides digital assistance for finding businesses, services, and contacts right at your fingertips,” he said.

Ghemu began developing the digital directory in 2017, and after years of dedication and perseverance, the platform was officially launched just two years ago. The directory aims to make it easier for people in the Solomon Islands and abroad to connect with local businesses and services.

“One of our main goals is to put the Solomon Islands on the map not only nationally, but internationally especially to expose our businesses to overseas markets,” Ghemu explained.

The introduction of the Yellow Page Solomon Digital Directory marks a pivotal shift towards embracing digital innovation in the country, offering new opportunities for local businesses to thrive in an increasingly connected world.

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Govt urged to support AMA students’ innovations

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BY CHRIS ALEX

Students from AMA University in Philippines are calling on government authorities to support their innovative ideas aimed at addressing local challenges and contributing to national transformation.

Speaking to Island Sun News, Joe Dominic, winner of the National Trade Fair Innovation Competition emphasised the potential of their projects to help modernise and improve life across the Solomon Islands.

“These innovation ideas are part of transforming this country to the next level. We showcased only a few during the Trade Show, like our prototype auto trash opener and a noise detector system. But we have many more ideas. What matters now is turning them into action and for that, we need help,” he said.

Dominic stressed that one of their key focus areas is waste management, which remains a pressing issue in many communities.

“Rubbish is a big issue we need to solve. Our innovations can help ease this problem in and around our city and communities,” he said.

Dominic also expressed gratitude to the government for organising the National Trade Fair, which gave young innovators like himself a platform to present their ideas.

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