BY NED GAGAHE

The National Parliament of Solomon Islands is set to host a one-day course on Parliamentary Roles and Processes to assist journalists in covering parliamentary proceedings and to help them better understand the fundamental processes of Parliament.

The training will be held at the Mendana Hotel on Monday, 16th June 2025.

Philemon Loe, Principal Media and Communications Officer, said the one-day course is a brief overview designed to support journalists in reporting on parliamentary activities more effectively.

“We see this as a very important component of our ongoing efforts to create and develop a well-versed and professional Press Gallery for 2026 and beyond,” Mr. Loe stated.

Topics to be covered Include:

• Roles and Functions of Standing Select Committees
• Roles and Functions of Special Select Committees
• The Lawmaking Process (General Overview)
• From National Policy to a Bill
• Structure of a Bill
• Debating Bills in Parliament – Rules of Debate
• Motions vs Bills – Key Differences
• Understanding the Enactment Formula
• Application and Implementation of Legislation

Those nominated (media organizations) to attend will be considered designated Parliamentary Political Reporters.

The program is supported by the Westminster Foundation for Democracy.

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BY INDY MAEALASIA

THE Chinese embassy recently handed over a batch of medical supplies, valued at an estimated SBD 168,000, to support the newly opened Comprehensive Medical Center at the National Referral Hospital (NRH).

Ambassador Cai Weiming described the donation as a gesture of goodwill and friendship from the Chinese people to the people of the Solomon Islands.

“We hope they could help the newly opened NRH CMC play a greater role in providing high quality medical services to the local population,” he said during the opening of the facility on Wednesday.

The ambassador also highlighted China’s ongoing support in strengthening the Solomon Islands’ health sector, stating that over 50 medical professionals, including doctors and nurses have participated in bilateral and multilateral training programs since early 2025.

Ambassador Weiming emphasized that the new center stands as a “monument to healing and hope,” demonstrating the strength of close cooperation between China and the Solomon Islands in advancing health priorities.

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BY INDY MAEALASIA

HEALTH Minister Dr Paul Popora Bosawai has announced that the newly opened Comprehensive Medical Centre will soon begin offering advanced treatment for kidney stones, including laser procedure. 

Speaking at the official opening of the specialized facility on Wednesday, Minister Bosawai said the center will be equipped to manage kidney stone cases with modern technology.

“I was told by the urologist that we will have laser treatment available for kidney stones,” Minister Bosawai said.

 “This is a major step forward for our healthcare system, especially for those suffering from complications such as urinary obstruction and hydronephrosis.”

He added that the urologist has confirmed that the necessary equipment will arrive within the next two months. “With this capability, we will be able to treat patients more effectively,” the minister added.

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Tandai House of Chiefs claim their rights have been deprived by government, want dialogue

BY LORETTA B MANELE

The Tandai House of Chiefs are calling on the national government to have a roundtable discussion with them.

Father Patteson Tako, one of the chiefs spoke about this to the paper recently.

He stressed that the people of Tandai have been deprived of their rights by the national government through colonialism.

Tako highlighted that there is no proper acquisition of the lands of Tandai, people have become very poor in their own land and this is a sad story.

He explained that the Tandai House of Chiefs which include 5 tribes have met recently and request the present government to have a roundtable discussion with them in regards to partnering with HCC to create a native land trust account of which all business houses should be a part of for the benefit of the 5 tribes of Tandai.

Tako said from their meeting they have agreed to work with the government so that proper acquisition of Tandai is carried out, recognized and respected for the five tribes of Tandai namely; Haubata tribe, Kakau tribe, Simbo tribe, Lakuili tribe and Kindipale tribe.

He added that their other resolution is that the Seafront area must be well explained to the people of Tandai in regards to ownership according to the customs of their five tribes.

“We don’t dispute the current developers but we want some courtesy of respect and recognition in terms of benefits.”

Moreover, Tako said should we reflect on the past, there was an ethnic tension regarding land issues but we don’t want to repeat that.

“Time to fight is over.

All guns, knives and axes must be thrown in the sea. It is time for us to have dialogue to create a common understanding for the present and the future.”

Tako added that they also call on all MPAs of Guadalcanal province to work together with the Tandai House of Chiefs to address these issues.

“Without land, there is no development.”

Tako noted that the present government called on Tandai House of Chiefs to meet with the Ministry of Lands for the purpose of Greater Honiara and land recordings which they respect and accept.

However, he said the Tandai House of Chiefs also call on government to quickly address the Tandai land issue.

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BY INDY MAEALASIA

EIGHT local journalists have successfully completed a weeklong International Media Visit to Australia, gaining valuable insights into media professionalism and the Australian media landscape.

The group, which returned over the weekend, began their visit in the Australian Capital Territory—Canberra—and concluded it in Sydney.

The visit provided first-hand experience and exposure to various aspects of the Australian media industry, including visits to some of the country’s media outlets and participations in roundtable discussions.

Ruthina Koroa, station manager of ZFM radio station and participant in the programme, described the tour of Triple J—a youth-focused radio station owned by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, as a highlight of her visit.

 “The visit to triple J was the highlight, I learned how they maintain journalistic integrity while still being creative and relatable to younger audience. It was inspiring to see how they balance fun with serious reporting,” she said.

Koroa also extended her appreciation to the Australian Government stating “Many thanks to the Australian Government for the opportunity, it has helped us to grow as journalists and build strong connection with the media professionals.”

The eight participants include: Ronald Toito’ona (In-depth Solomons), Bradford Noda (Tavuli News), Christopher Adifaka, (Barava FM), Lachlan Eddie (SIBC), Ruthina Koroa (ZFM), Indy Mae’alasia (The Island Sun newspaper), Georgina Maka’a (In-depth Solomons) and Loretta Manele (The Island Sun newspaper).

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BY SAMIE WAIKORI

Kenneth Sagupari, Member of Provincial Assembly (MPA) for Ward 2 – Central West Ngella has been elected new Premier for Central Islands province.

Sagupari, who led the non-executive members of CIP in a no confidence vote last week that ousted former premier Michael Salini, has won the premier’s election yesterday.

Sagupari won the election against David Manetiva – who was the candidate for the former executive, with an overwhelming 8-4 votes, whilst one vote was spoilt.

Speaker to CIP assembly, Francis Moah confirmed the election result after the election was held yesterday afternoon at CIP’s capital, Tulagi.

“The election was held successfully, he said. “The result is; Mr Sagupari won with 8-4 votes and is now the new Premier of CIP, Moah added.

He also said after the election, Mr Sagupari was sworn-in to officially take up the premier’s post for the province.

The newly elected Premier and team will settle down and expect to work on the line-up of the new executive or government of CIP soon.

An immediate task ahead of them is to compile a policy to guide the leadership of the newly formed government, as they will lead CIP into the future.

The former premier, Mr Salini was reported to have spent just a year as premier for CIP before he was removed during the no confidence vote last week.

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BY INDY MAEALASIA

THE National Referral Hospital’s (NRH) Comprehensive Medical Center has officially opened its doors yesterday, marking a milestone in delivering specialized healthcare services to tackle Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs).

Handed over in January, the facility is now set to offer a wide range of specialized services including urology, cardiology and nephrology which have been lacking in the national health system.

In his remarks, the Minister of Health and Medical Services (MHMS) Dr. Paul Bosawai described the facility as a “beacon of hope and progress” representing shared commitment to improving healthcare standards and accessibility across the country.

To support the center’s operations, the Minister stated that approximately 167 specialized staff are expected to be engaged.

“Incremental planning will guide the implementation of the draft service plan for this facility. At present, skeletal staffing for these specialist units is in place, forming an extension of the current workforce at the National Referral Hospital,” Minister Bosawai stated.

“This careful and strategic approach will ensure the smooth integration and operation of the new facility,” he added.

Meanwhile the Chinese ambassador Cai Weiming reaffirmed willingness to “stand with SIG” in advancing the country’s health priorities, ensuring the development aspiration and well-being of its people.

An additional batch of medical supplies worth over SBD 168,000 was also handed over to the Ministry.

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BY ROMINAH FAKA

The trial of two men accused of killing an off-duty officer at Dragon Pub last year has been adjourned for June 23 for continuation of the prosecution case.

Paul Daoburi, 35 and his co-accused James Solomon Kai, 21, are jointly charged with one count of murder contrary to section 200 of the Penal Code.

Both men have pleaded not guilty to the charge.

So far, the prosecution has called three witnesses, with three more remaining to give evidence when the trial resumes on June 23.

The reason for the adjournment was because the defence counsel for defendant James Solomon Kai is currency involved in another trial at High Court and the Public Solicitor Office (PSO) was also engaged in a meeting.

The allegation is that the deceased and his colleague along with the colleague’s wife went to Dragon Pub on the night of May 16, 2024 for drinks.

Some time between 12 am and 1 am in the morning an argument broke out between the deceased and a group of men, following an assault on his colleague’s wife in which a bottle was allegedly smashed against her head causing her to fell to the ground unconsciously.

It was alleged that during the course of the argument the deceased took out and applied a pepper spray on the group of men he was arguing with at that time.

The deceased was later dragged out of the pub by an off-duty security defendant Daoburi.

The prosecution alleged that at the time of the incident, the defendant Paul Daoburi was in possession of a snooker stick, which he used to strike the deceased on the head.

His co-accused defendant James Solomon Kai was also at the Dragon Pub area. He was in possession of a bottle which he used to hit the head of the deceased with it.

Following the assaults, the deceased was rushed to the National Referral Hospital (NRH) but was pronounced dead on arrival.

The prosecution case aims to prove that the actions of the defendants directly led to the death of the deceased.

Patricia Tabepuda Waisanau together with Martha Mutukera are prosecuting and Hubert Fugui of HOF Law Chambers act for Kai and Oxley Limeniala act for Daoburi.

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