BY BEN BILUA
Gizo

The Clerk of Noro Town, Gavin Totu, has expressed gratitude to the national government and donor partners for their continued support in transforming Noro into a fast-growing urban center in Western Province.

Speaking to Island Sun, Totu said Noro has been fortunate to host a number of key infrastructure projects that have significantly boosted the town’s image and potential.

“The road project, the new Finance building and the new Police building have added to the beauty of Noro.

“These developments not only improve the town’s appearance but also position Noro as a more attractive destination for business investment,” he said.

Totu stressed that Noro is a town with huge potential, noting that further development can deliver improved services to surrounding rural communities.

He said his office is committed to better organizing and planning the town to make it a must-visit destination in Western Province.

“Noro is growing and we want to ensure it grows in an orderly and sustainable manner that benefits everyone,” Totu said.

Known locally as the “tuna town,” Noro is home to SolTuna, the country’s only fish cannery.

The factory employs hundreds of Solomon Islanders from across the country, making the town a key contributor to the national economy.

The town becomes particularly vibrant during celebrations, with increased economic activity and cash flow reflecting the community’s dynamic character.

With continued support and investment, Noro has a promising future as a hub for economic activity and regional development.

For feedback, contact:[email protected]

BY BEN BILUA
Gizo

WARD 16 of Western Province is set to host a one-week tourism workshop aimed at strengthening the skills and capacity of local tourism operators in Munda and nearby communities.

In an interview with Island Sun last week, Member of the Provincial Assembly for Ward 16, Jeffrey Wickham, confirmed that the workshop is part of his ward’s broader tourism development plan specifically targeting small to medium-sized tourism operators.

He said the training is designed to equip participants with essential knowledge on how to professionally manage their tourism businesses.

“The workshop will provide practical guidance on interacting with guests, handling complaints and creating memorable experiences for visitors.

“It will equip operators with skills to deliver engaging, informative and culturally appropriate tours and also help them manage the financial and operational side of tourism businesses.

“The workshop will emphasize responsible tourism practices that preserve local environments and cultural heritage,” said Wickham.

He added that the sessions will be delivered by tourism experts.

Wickham said expected participants will include tourism operators from Munda and surrounding areas.

“Munda is one of the main gateways to Western Province because of its international airport. It is important that our tourism operators are well-prepared in both skills and infrastructure to welcome and accommodate visitors,” he said.

The initiative marks another step toward in developing a more professional and sustainable tourism industry in the province.

For feedback, contact:[email protected]

BY BEN BILUA
Gizo

A former Special Secretary to the Prime Minister’s Office has issued a strong warning, saying that poorly designed laws are bound to fail.

Jeffrey Wickham made the statement in relation to the much-anticipated Mineral and Resource Bill, which has been widely criticized by resource owners and local leaders.

Many have labelled the bill a “ghost bill” due to the absence of proper consultations prior to its drafting.

In an interview with Island Sun, Jeffrey Wickham said, the process of making a law in Solomon Islands is meant to be a transparent and inclusive process involving several key stages of approval and consultation.

“First, the ministry must submit a document called a White Paper to the cabinet. Once approved, a team of legal experts will then draft the bill.

“The draft bill is submitted to the cabinet for approval and if endorsed, it must go through nationwide consultation.

“Public’s views gathered during the consultation are then incorporated into the bill before a revised version is sent back to cabinet. If the cabinet is satisfied, the bill will then proceed to the Bills and Legislation Committee for scrutiny and finally, it is debated in Parliament.

“This is the normal process.

However, there are times when urgent legislation may bypass certain stages. Even then, it is crucial that laws reflect the views of the people they are meant to govern,” he said.

Wickham said public participation in lawmaking is essential, as laws are created to guide behaviour and resolve disputes within a legal framework.

According to Wickham, the Mineral and Resource Bill is a classic example of a law that risks failure due to its top-down approach and lack of public involvement.

Island Sun understands that the bill has sparked concern among leaders and communities.

Among those who voiced strong opposition to the bill are Western Province Premier Billy Veo, former Premier Christian Barley Mesepitu and San Jorge Island landowner Wilson Tohidi from Isabel Province.

They all criticized the lack of transparency and called for greater involvement of resource owners in the legislative process.

For feedback, contact:[email protected]

BY BEN BILUA
Gizo

NORO, one of the fastest-growing towns in the Western Province, is preparing to sign a significant waste management project in partnership with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) aimed at improving the town’s landfill system.

Speaking to Island Sun last week, Noro Town Clerk Gavin Totu confirmed that preliminary arrangements for the project are already underway, with on-the-ground work expected to begin next month.

“According to information that I obtained, a team from ADB will hold a consultation here in August,” Totu said.

He explained that the consultation will provide a platform for both ADB and the host province to engage in meaningful dialogue regarding the project’s scope, objectives and implementation plan.

Totu further revealed that his office has already identified and secured a suitable site for the landfill upgrade.

“The landfill project is one of our top priorities.

“Noro’s population is growing rapidly and with that comes an increase in waste.

We need a sustainable solution to manage our waste and maintain a clean environment,” he said.

Totu assured that his office is committed to pushing the project forward and ensuring its successful implementation, highlighting its importance in supporting the town’s future development.

The landfill project, once signed and operational, is expected to significantly improve waste management in Noro, boosting public health and environmental outcomes for the growing town.

For feedback, contact:[email protected]

BY NED GAGAHE

The United States (U.S) has extended congratulations to the Solomon Islands as it marks its 47th Independence Anniversary.

In a statement, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio conveyed best wishes on behalf of the people and Government of the United States.

“On behalf of the people and Government of the United States of America, I offer my best wishes as you celebrate your National Day on July 7,” Secretary Rubio stated.

He reaffirmed the enduring partnership between the two nations, rooted in their historic ties dating back to the Guadalcanal Campaign over 80 years ago.

“The United States and Solomon Islands continue to enjoy a meaningful partnership borne out of the Guadalcanal Campaign,” Rubio said.

Looking ahead, he said that both countries would continue to collaborate in key areas such as unexploded ordnance removal and the fight against illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing.

“In the coming year, we will continue our engagement on issues like unexploded ordnance removal and addressing illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing,” he said.

Rubio also expressed the U.S. government’s commitment to strengthening its relationship with Solomon Islands through a shared focus on prosperity and regional security.

“We look forward to elevating our bilateral relationship on the bedrock of a shared commitment to prosperity and regional security,” he said.

“Please accept our warmest congratulations on another year of independence as you commemorate this important day,” Secretary Rubio concluded.

The message comes as Solomon Islands prepares to celebrate 47 years since gaining independence from British colonial rule in 1978.

For feedback, contact:[email protected]

-Faced with huge profit loss, local business forced to lay off workers in response to BSP’s new 1 percent fee

-Leader of Opposition calls on Central Bank to ‘defend ordinary Solomon Islanders from unjustifiable and excessive bank fee increases’

BY IRWIN ANGIKI

The Central Bank has been called on to step in and ‘defend ordinary Solomon Islanders from unjustifiable and excessive bank fee increases’.

Opposition Leader Matthew Wale’s call follows BSP Bank’s recent decision to impose a 1 percent fee on all cash deposits and withdrawals of $20,000 or more per day, per account, effective June 28, 2025.

A major local business in Honiara has also called out BSP after losing more than $4,000 per day to this new fee last week, not having received prior notification from the bank and not receiving responses from BSP when contacted.

“That’s basically our profits gone,” the owner of the business told Island Sun over the weekend.

The business owner, requesting anonymity, said in their line of business if they mark-up their prices to cover this loss it would have a devastating impact on the country.

“We will start looking at laying off workers.”

The company is seeking legal action against BSP.

Opposition Leader Matthew Wale described the increase as an unreasonable charge that will penalise legitimate economic activity of everyday Solomon Islanders, in a statement last week.

“This is an unjustifiable fee on people simply trying to access or manage their own money. Many Solomon Islanders, particularly those in the villages, those running small businesses, schools, or churches, are forced to operate in cash. This fee punishes them for circumstances they did not choose,” Wale said.

Wale said that such a fee will further affect Solomon Islanders through institutions such as DBSI.

“Many customers of DBSI are ordinary Solomon Islanders who repay their loans in cash. DBSI, who banks with BSP, will then be charged 1% for its deposits. If DBSI deposits 300,000 per day, it will be charged 3,000 per day. It is not hard to imagine how this will then affect DBSI interest rates. CBSI must clamp down on this,” Wale said.

Handling cash is main form of transaction in the Solomon Islands.

Wale explained that the fee ultimately penalises those excluded from digital finance, rather than encouraging digital migration.

“If BSP’s rationale is promoting digital banking, it should be investing in access, education, and incentives, not punishing the very people who are not yet equipped for it,” Wale said.

Wale highlighted that such a fee is unjustifiable when compared to the other financial institutions in the country.

“As a comparison, ANZ charges a flat fee of SBD20 per staff assisted cash transaction, regardless of the amount,” Wale said.

Wale said the decision is made worse by the broader financial context of BSP’s excess liquidity and high lending interest rates.

“We have a banking model that favours the institution, not the people. It is a model of extraction, not service. That is not how a responsible financial system should operate. BSP, as a financial institution, held an excess liquidity of over SBD 1.8 billion across 2023 and 2024, liquidity it could not productively lend. It is already in a strong financial position. And yet, instead of easing the burden on its customers, it has chosen to increase it,” Wale emphasised.

Wale urged CBSI to use its regulatory powers Act to review, and where appropriate, prohibit such unjustified fee structures.

“It is the role of the Central Bank to safeguard the financial integrity of our economy, not only in relation to monetary policy or banking soundness, but in ensuring that the banking system serves the people,” Wale said.

“We need a banking culture that is rooted in fairness. One that facilitates economic participation and contributes to national development. Our people deserve financial institutions that act as partners, not predators. CBSI must ensure this is reflected in its financial regulation,” Wale said.

Meanwhile, the local business owner told Island Sun this is not the first issue of concern they have had with BSP.

“Our board only found out today through our cashier through staff through junior staff at BSP. We’ve had no form of contact from senior management of BSP in writing or by phone, which is a total disgrace.

“We will apply for an injunction to have this overturned.

“The Central Bank needs to get involved.

“We will also make a formal complaint to the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force. Just the way that this is being done is just totally unacceptable.

“This is on the background of recent incidents that we had with BSP, with our personal funds not being transferred correctly, and staff there forgetting and not doing their job, about a formal complaint on their retail manager – no response, and this is on top of those two other issues we had where we had more than $170,000 taken out of our account incorrectly, and my partner also had $20,000 not deposited into her account. They were only rectified it when we raised our complaints.

“This bank is completely out of control. This one percent will severely affect large turnover businesses. People assume you got large turnover you got large profit, but in our business large turnover is a very small margin and it’s price controlled.

“So BSP’s 1 percent fee will have a massive impact on our business, the fee alone that we’ll be paying is in excess of $120,000 per month.”

The Central Bank has not responded to Opposition Leader Wale’s call.

Meanwhile, BSP had issued a one-month notice on the new fee and other changes.

On BSP’s website, a notice published on May 28, 2025, said:

“Effective 28th June 2025, BSP will make changes to various service fees and offerings.

“These changes are to promote digital channels and supports efficient cash management.

“The Fee changes are as follows:

“Special Answer fee from $100 to $400.

“Cheque book (25 leaves) from $27.50 to $30.

“Cheque book (50 leaves) from $55.00 to $60.

“Cheque book (200 leaves) from $180 to $200.

“Manual Transfer Fee from $7.50 to $10.

“Salary Listing Per Item (BSP) from $2 to $3.

“Salary Listing Per Item (Other Bank) from $5 to $7.

“Diskpay from $3 to $2.

“Cash Handling fee – 1% for deposits and withdrawals of SBD$20,000 or more.”

On BSP’s website, a pinned notice also reads:

“Dear Customers, we remain committed to improving your banking experience. From 1st July, an email notification will be sent to selected customers, through our survey partners Klein Research to understand how we can better serve your needs. Please take a few minutes to provide your feedback.”

For feedback, contact:[email protected]