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.

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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.

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-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.”

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BY CHRIS ALEX

Three tribal groups – Siporae, Sirebe, and Padezaka in Choiseul province have officially entered the verification phase of their forest carbon initiatives.

This marks a major step toward in securing certified carbon credits under the internationally recognised Plan Vivo Standard.

A spokesperson for the Babatana Conservation Project said this is a proud moment for their communities.

“The verification brings us closer to unlocking new, sustainable sources of income while preserving our forests and traditions,” he said.

The milestone follows a successful first-stage carbon audit verification, conducted via Zoom with MUTU International, a certified third-party verification body based in Indonesia.

This critical process is part of the Babatana Conservation Project, which supports community-led efforts to align traditional forest stewardship with global climate action goals.

The audit is a prerequisite for earning carbon credits that can be sold on international markets, providing potential financial benefits to the Siporae, Sirebe and Padezaka tribes while encouraging long-term environmental protection.

Once fully verified and certified under the Plan Vivo Standard, the tribal groups will be among the few Indigenous associations in the region with access to global carbon financing.

The Babatana Conservation Project emphasizes scientific integrity and ethical practice in forest conservation, ensuring that indigenous knowledge systems and environmental values play a central role in combating climate change.

If successful, the initiative could serve as a blueprint for other indigenous communities seeking to engage in nature-based solutions to climate change while maintaining control over their ancestral lands.

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BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

The Regional Project Manager for Live and Learn Fiji’s KIWA Empowerment Project, Subesh Prasad, has acknowledged the support rendered towards the implementation of the KIWA Empowerment Project in Solomon Islands.

The project aims to empower vulnerable communities in Malaita Island and Temotu province to thrive in a changing climate by restoring ecosystems, utilising indigenous knowledge, innovative practices and ensuring inclusive decision-making for a sustainable future.

Speaking during the launch of the project in Honiara on June 24 2025, Mr Prasad said collaborative approaches, local policies, traditional knowledge and nature-based solutions shall lessen the growing impact on our community while climate change is inevitable.

“Minister Trevor Mahaga, your ministry has been very instrumental during the design phase of this project. I do remember back in 2022 when we were putting together relevant documents for this project and your ministry’s support was very promising and I must acknowledge and thank on behalf of Live and Learn Network and Live and Learn Solomon Islands and Live and Learn Fiji as well,” said Mr Prasad.

“The presence of the first secretaries from the New Zealand and the Australian High Commission equals commitment and support in the Solomon Islands, the Live & Learn Solomon Island, together with Live & Learn in the Pacific. The Live & Learn Network acknowledges unwavering support in fighting the impact of climatic elements and for the sustainable development of the Pacific,” he said.

Mr Prasad further stated that under Live & Learn Fiji under the KIWA project, they look forward to working with partners and beneficiaries of the project in the next two and a half years for successful implementation.

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BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

The Solomon Islands Meteorological Services (SIMS) weather forecasting office has issued a strong wind warning for parts of the country.

In a statement released by SIMS, strong wind warning number five was issued at 4:00pm on July 4, 2025 and is current for the waters of Western, Guadalcanal, Malaita, Central, Temotu, Makira and Rennell and Bellona provinces.

According to SIMS, the situation of the wind warning is that a general easterly trade wind flow persists over Solomon Islands.

SIMS furthered that expected southeast winds may reach 20 to 25 knots over waters of Western, Guadalcanal, Malaita, Central, Temotu, Makira and Rennell and Bellona provinces.

Also mentioned is that seas will be moderate to rough with moderate swells (2.5 meters).

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

“Sea travelers are urged to consider safety actions as such winds can produce dangerous wave conditions which are hazardous to small boats,” said SIMS.

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