BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

The Ministry of Commerce, Industry, Labour and Immigration (MCILI) is currently reviewing the National Employment Policy (NEP) 2023-2027 and the apprenticeship policy.

MICILI Permanent Secretary, (PS) Riley Mesepitu speaking at the National Trade Fair in Honiara, said the NEP looks at how best they can create more employment for the country.

He said that there are no job opportunities because there are no industries established in the country.

“We always complain about no job opportunities in this country, but we have huge potential,” he said Mesepitu.

He added that in regards to questions like “What can we do?”, the ministry cannot answer alone but as a country, we are answerable to that question.

The ministry is also reviewing the apprenticeship and traineeship policy.

Mesepitu said this is an important policy that will help address the issue of school dropouts in the country and unemployment.

“We have just reviewed our traineeship programmes with Solomon Islands National University (SINU) under this apprenticeship and traineeship policy.

“We opened a programme at SINU last year. This is very important for our young people. It was developed many years ago but stopped due to not realignment with some SINU programmes,” he said.

Mesepitu explained that after the partnership was reviewed in 2024, the ministry is now collaborating with SINU in areas of carpentry and joinery, plumbing, electrical and automotive, marine engineering, refrigeration and air conditioning.

He said through the partnership, SINU has enrolled 100 students in 2024 and 185 students this year, 2025, now totaling up to 185 students.

“Another 120 students are earmarked for next year, 2026, under the programme. Scholarship will be available. Fully funded scholarship. This is targeting forms 3, 5, 6 and form 7 dropouts,” said PS Mesepitu.

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BY BEN BILUA
Gizo

Australia’s Department of Defence (ADD) has installed 40 solar-powered streetlights in Gizo, the capital of Western Province under its Community Solar Lighting Program.

The solar lights, officially handed over to the Gizo Police Station earlier this week, are part of a broader initiative aimed at improving public safety and supporting community infrastructure through sustainable energy solutions.

Speaking during the handover ceremony, Laura Darlington, Strategy, Policy, and Industry Officer of the Australian Department of Defense, said the solar lighting project reflects the strong and long-standing partnership between Australia and the Solomon Islands, particularly with the Ministry of Police, National Security, and Correctional Services.

“Australia is proud to support the development of the Gizo Police Station and surrounding community infrastructure,” she said.

Darlington said the streetlights complement other recent improvements to Gizo’s policing infrastructure, including the refurbishment of the police barracks and the installation of a small boat facility.

She emphasized that the lighting project is more than just about visibility at night.

“It’s about fostering a sense of safety, promoting economic activity, and laying the foundation for long-term growth.

“Safe and secure communities attract investment, encourage business growth, create jobs, and enable brighter futures for children,” Darlington said.

She said strengthening provincial policing capability will ensure Western Province remains as an international tourism destination and a key economic hub in Solomon Islands.

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BY LORETTA B MANELE

A “Strong Wind Warning Number 14 and Impact based forecast was issued on Wednesday morning, July 9, 2025 by the Solomon Islands Meteorology Service (SIMS) according to the National Emergency Operation Centre (NEOC).

SIMS stated that a strong wind warning is current for waters of Temotu, Makira and Rennell/Bellona provinces.

The situation is that a general easterly trade wind flow persists over Solomon Islands.

There is also the expectancy of southeast winds of 20 to 25 knots over waters over the mentioned provinces and seas will be moderate to rough with moderate swells of 2.5 to 3.0 meters.

SIMS urges people in these provinces to take precautionary measures as such strong winds have the potential to impact lives and properties.

Sea travellers likewise, are also urged to consider taking safety actions as such winds can produce dangerous wave conditions which are hazardous to small boats.

In relation, SIMS also issued an “Impact Based Warning Number 14”.

The warning states that an orange alert is expected for waters of Temotu, Makira and Rennell/Bellona provinces.

From the map, which depicts green and orange colours, a strong easterly wind flow is expected over the orange area.

As for likely impacts, SIMS said seas will be moderate to rough and moderate swells and small boats are likely to capsize.

In response to this warning, SIMS advises that sea travellers consider safety actions as such winds can produce dangerous wave conditions which are hazardous to small boats.

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BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

Dr Chester Kuma, one of the country’s top surgeons, has raised concerns over the increasing number of betel nut chewers in the country.

Speaking at the National Trade Fair in Honiara, Mr Kuma said the rate of betel nut chewers in Solomon Islands today is very high.

“I would like to mention one issue here that makes me worry too much, every day. I would suggest, maybe 70 percent of our population in this country are chewing betelnut”, he said.

Dr Kuma added that even little children are chewing betel-nut and whether you are aware or not, the habit can cause non-communicable diseases.

He also refutes claims that betel nut chewing can cure diabetes.

In this regard, Dr Kuma said this is a total lie.

He highlighted that the truth of the matter now and from very clear scientific evidence, chewing betel-but on a daily basis can rather cause diabetes big time.

Dr Kuma added that the habit of chewing betel-but can cause high blood pressure, stroke, heart attack and cancer.

“70, 80% of the population in our nation chew betel nut and I want to tell you, we have a major issue, or if you like, a crisis, in our hands today, with non-communicable disease (NCD),” he said.

Dr Kuma furthered that people need to take note of the important information and think about it.

“NCD is killing us big time. They are preventable. Dying from NCD is unnecessary. Health is by choice, not by chance,” said Kuma.

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BY INDY MAEALASIA

A new cohort of seasonal workers set to depart for Australia under the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme have been urged to stay focused on their employment and represent Solomon Islands with pride.

Minister of Foreign Affairs and External Trade (MFAET), Peter Shanel Agovaka made the timely call during a pre-departure briefing at the Labour Mobility Unit Office at the National Stadium yesterday.

Addressing the group of 48 Solomon Islanders, who will soon take up employment across various states in Australia, Minister Agovaka reminded them to stay committed to the purpose of their journey.

“Focus on your work, on what you will gain out of your employment and in turn, you will benefit greatly from it.

 “It will only be a short-term employment but it will bring much benefit for your family and perhaps your community to earn money and run smaller businesses,” he said.

The Minister also stressed on the importance of workers to uphold their reputation as Solomon Islands citizens abroad.

“Be good ambassadors. You are representing not only yourselves but your families, your communities and your country. Don’t allow social distractions to impact your work or your goals,” the minister stressed.

Minister Agovaka acknowledged that while the PALM scheme offers valuable opportunities, it also comes with responsibilities.

He warned that some workers have been blacklisted due to misconduct, which has affected their chances.

“There are many challenges some of our seasonal workers have faced, including personal and social issues that have distracted them from their purpose. Stay focused and disciplined,” he said. The 48 workers will be travelling over the coming weeks to begin their employment placements.

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BY INDY MAEALASIA

SOLOMON Islands government sponsored students studying at various universities in the Philippines have finally received their long-overdue allowances, following a two-month delay that left many struggling to make ends meet.

According to one student, who requested to remain anonymous, the situation had been difficult for the past two months since arriving.

However, the student said they have finally received their allowances towards the end of last month.

The students resumed their studies in the Philippines this year after a long disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

In a previous Public Expenditure Committee hearing in April, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education and Human Resources Development (MEHRD), Dr. Franco Rodie said the students were not able to resume their studies last year due to budget limitations.

According to Rodie around 50-70 students are studying in the Philippines.

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Leading local surgeon Dr Kuma gives grave statistics on killer non-communicable diseases in the country

BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

Eight people die every day and 56 people in one week from non-communicable diseases (NCD) in Solomon Islands.

One of the country’s top surgeons Dr Chester Kuma revealed this when he spoke at the National Trade Fair at SINU Panatina cultural village.

He stressed that this is the reality and if not taken seriously it will cause death for more people than any other disease.

“You can just appreciate the escalation of the statistics on the number of people in Solomon Islands who died from NCD”, Dr Kuma said.

He referred to the scenario as a “crisis” and a huge health problem.

“NCDs kill 50 million people every 12 months globally. It is more than any war. COVID-19 kills only 15 million people. In the Solomon Islands, NCD kills 56 people in a week and eight people every day,” he added.

Moreover, Dr Kuma said the government finds it difficult to control NCD due to the lack of money to address the problem.

He mentioned that nearly half of the Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS) budget goes towards treating NCD.

Dr Kuma pointed out that today, we eat too much food from the store which contribute mainly to the problem of non-communicable diseases in our nation.

Henceforth, he said we must address this by abiding by information regarding NCDs.

“So that we can help our government address NCD so that we do not waste money on sickness that we created by ourselves inside our body from wrong choices,” said Dr Kuma.

The country’s top surgeon also warned that habits like smoking, consuming alcohol and chewing betel-nut are three drugs that contribute significantly to the development of non-communicable diseases.

Earlier this year, Kuma had warned the public on the dangers of consuming ‘white rice’ a staple food in the Solomons nowadays, saying that an average plate of white rice contains an equivalent of 20 spoons of sugar.

On another note, MHMS is working hard on its initiatives along with the help of partners to combat NCDs.

Such efforts include the recently launched national food security, food safety and nutrition policy 2024-2029.

According to a MHMS statement on June 24, 2025, the policy aims to achieve food and nutrition security in Solomon Island through long term sustainable collaboration and engagement by all key stakeholders.

Health minister, Dr Paul Popora Bosawai during his keynote address at the launch said the burden of non-communicable diseases, often linked to poor nutrition and unsafe food practices, continues to rise at an unprecedented rate and accounts for 70 percent of adult deaths in Solomon Islands.

Island Sun understands that the recently opened NCD clinic at Kukum area is crowded daily with patients seeking medical attention.

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By Rodrick Desuri

Working together is a very important aspect of the development and implementation of projects in Malaita province. 

Premier Elijah Asilaua emphasised that working together and forming partnerships among people, stakeholders and other provinces with the national government are vital signs that will provide positive feedback for the government and aid donors. 

Asilaua said that before the national government and aid donors can implement projects in the province, there must be cooperation, patience and collaboration. 

He appealed to the people in Malaita province to be patient with his government as it implements its plans. 

“I appeal and call for the people to be patient with the government. There are projects ready for implementation. 

“All I need is your cooperation and assistance because when people assist the government, we will have more benefits,” he said. 

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