BY INDY MAEALASIA

THE winner of the senior category in the Honiara High School speech competition has issued a heartfelt appeal to young people, urging them to embrace and preserve their cultural identity in the face of rapid technological advancement.

Summerrose Campbell, a Form Seven Arts student, claimed first place in the competition, outperforming five other contestants.

 Her speech centered on the influential roles that both culture and technology play in shaping societal values.

In an interview with the Island Sun, the 19-year-old emphasized that culture deeply influences people’s thoughts, behaviors, and attitudes.

While she acknowledged the many advantages technology brings, she also cautioned that it can distance individuals from their traditional roots.

“We are so influenced by Western styles that we tend to neglect our own cultural traditions and values. Many of us no longer hold them in high regard,” Miss Campbell explained.

Her core message encouraged fellow youths to make conscious decisions that support the protection and preservation of their cultural heritage.

“I want others like myself to make good choices—to stand up for and safeguard our culture in this modern age,” she said.

Reflecting on her achievement, Miss Campbell expressed gratitude, saying, “I was surprised and happy.”

Despite joining the competition at the last minute while managing a heavy school workload, Miss Campbell said she was grateful for both the experience and the result.

She also encouraged other students not to shy away from opportunities like public speaking.

“Public speaking isn’t something to fear or avoid. It’s a chance to stand up and speak your mind—to say, ‘This is what I think; this is what we should do.’ You get to have your own say.”

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BY INDY MAEALASIA

HONIARA Senior High School Principal, Allen Ketei has welcomed the return of the school’s long-standing speech competition, saying it provides a valuable platform for young people to express their voices.

This year’s competition marked the revival of the event, initiated by the English Department after a three-year hiatus.

Held under the theme “Empowering Today’s Voices for a Better Future,” the event featured 13 student speakers from Forms 4 to 7, competing in both junior and senior categories.

The speakers addressed a wide range of pressing issues including environment, media influence, culture, technology and youth participation in politics.

“The purpose of Speech Day is to give students the opportunity to voice their views on important issues,” Principal Ketei said.

He emphasized that the event helps students to strengthen their public speaking skills and build confidence.

“Through public speaking, students learn to express themselves clearly and share their perspectives on both national and global challenges,” he added.

Principal Ketei also expressed his gratitude to the English Department, teachers and students for their hard work in organizing and successfully hosting the event.

“Encouraging students to engage in public speaking, especially in speaking English, is always challenging, but I’ve seen great improvement,” he said. “Our school is large and events like this are important in helping students to develop critical skills.”

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BY INDY MAEALASIA

DEPUTY Director of the Inshore Fisheries Division from the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources (MFMR) Faye Siota says the biggest challenge for the ministry is reaching thousands of remote coastal communities to provide support for sustainable resource management.

“Our role is to support communities by empowering them to manage and look after their own marine resources,” Siota explained. “We share information and raise awareness to help people understand the importance of protecting and managing these resources responsibly.”

However, geographical isolation remains a significant obstacle. “Every community wants the ministry and its partners to visit and provide assistance, but with over four thousand communities, we simply do not have the capacity to reach them all,” she said while speaking at a recent talkback show on SIBC.

To tackle this, the ministry partners with stakeholders to support work on the ground. “Our partners help extend our reach by providing support and resources where the ministry cannot physically be present,” Siota said.

Through these collaborations, the ministry aims to promote sustainable fishing practices and resource management from the regional level down to individual communities. “With continued support from our partners, we can achieve better coverage and stronger conservation efforts throughout the provinces,” she added.

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BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

Former Prime Minister and Finance Minister, Manasseh Sogavare said that the country’s strength lies in how a leader addresses issues.

Sogavare expressed this during the recent Motion of Special Adjournment in parliament, when reflecting on forthcoming Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele’s international engagements.

“I can share some of the comments that the Leader of the Opposition made on the decision to attend the overseas engagement. I may rest squarely on the Prime Minister when he is personally invited to attend, of course, the country’s voice needs to be heard during those meetings,” said Sogavare.

He said that some of the issues that will be discussed are issues that the small island states feel very strongly about.

“When it comes to oceans and climate change, they take it very lightly, a little bit. But this is a serious issue when it comes to small island states like Kiribati, Tuvalu and other island states,” he said.

He said that half of Tuvalu will not be seen or disappear in the next five years or ten years.

“We will not see it. So that’s how serious some of these issues are. And our strength, Mr. Speaker, lies in our voice. We as price takers, all we can do, Mr. Speaker, is to join our voices together and continue to talk and talk and talk,” he said.

“And whether at the end of the day, what big countries heard of our voice, of course, it is important that we continue. So, this is just to underscore the importance of attending some of these meetings,” he said.

“But it’s important that the country’s voice continues to be heard about these very important issues,” said Sogavare.

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BY SAMIE WAIKORI

The Special Economic Zone (SEZ) Act 2024, recently passed by parliament will play a crucial role in ensuring the country achieves the objectives of the National Development Strategy (NDS) 2016-2035.

Minister for National Planning and Development Coordination, Rex Ramofafia made the statement when he spoke during the debate of the SEZ Bill in parliament last week.

He emphasized the need for strategic intervention to accomplish the NDS and to enhance the country’s economy.

Ramofafia stated that the “country’s mid-term review of NDS 2016 – 2035, revealed that we are off track of our key economic targets. For example, we should grow our economy by 5% by 2025 or 7% by 2030.

The MP said objectives of the NDS calls for sustained and inclusive growth through diversification.

Ramofafia mentioned that to ignite economic growth, we also need bold intervention and the SEZ act is one of such interventions.

He voiced that the act will boost exports by focussing on areas that can help grow the economy like; agriculture, fisheries, tourism and other areas that hold potential.

Meanwhile Ramofafia stressed that it is also vital for the country to put in place key enabling infrastructures to accommodate SEZ activities.

He said the country can achieve success by learning from countries that have been operating SEZs or initiatives similar to SEZs.

“We see our neighbouring countries like Fiji that used tax-free zones on areas of manufacturing, ICT services and other sectors in their countries,” he said.

Moreover, the MP highlighted the country’s pursuit to graduate from it’s Least Developed Country (LDC) status, set for 2027.

“This transition brings challenge particularly in areas of trade competition and the transition strategy identified SEZ as key to that.

“This will help by strengthening our productive capacity, streamlined processing, especially on potential areas like agriculture and fishery,” he said.

Ramofafia noted that the SEZ act will support the country to diversify especially by growing its exports. Currently, the country’s balance of trade shows more import than export.

The minister said the SEZ act is a milestone for the country and one to help realise development potentials to grow our economy.

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BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele will not be able to attend a few provincial seconded appointed day events next month.

Speaking on the Motion of Special Adjournment this week, Manele said this is due to international engagements.

He said that there a several provinces and provincial governments that will also celebrate their second anniversaries during June.

Manele said the provinces include Isabel, Temotu and Central Islands provinces.

“I have also been invited to attend some of those. In the event that I am unable to make it due to these international commitments, the Minister of Provincial Government and Institutional Strengthening, the Deputy Prime Minister and other Ministers will attend those important second appointed day celebrations and activities during the month of June,” said Prime Minister Manele.

He said that he believes this special adjournment will also allow members of Parliament to attend to their constituencies in terms of opening programs and projects in their constituencies during that time before Parliament resumes on July 14.

In terms of his international engagements, PM Manele will attend the following.

• The Blue Economy and Finance Forum, June 7-8 in Monaco, is a special event of the 2025 UN Third Conference on Oceans
• United Nations Third Oceans Conference, June 9-13 in Nice, France.
• OPEC Fund for International Development Forum. That’s on June 17 in Vienna, Austria

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BY SAMIE WAIKORI

Special Economic Zones (SEZs) will encourage economic development and address some of the pressing social issues the country is facing.

Parliament recently passed the SEZ Bill 2024 which is described as the hallmark of progress and geared towards transforming the economic landscape of the country.

Speaking on the recent debate of the bill, MP for Fataleka constituency and Minister for National Planning and Development Coordination, Rex Ramofafia highlighted that the operation of SEZ will create job opportunities, foster entrepreneurship and improve infrastructure – ensuring benefits of economic development are felt by all Solomon Islanders.

He stated that the initiative will help reduce rural-urban divide, urban drift and promote social harmony.

“One of the most pressing issues faced is youth unemployment. A report stated large percentage of our youth people are either underemployed or unemployed, leading to frustrations and lack of opportunity and hope.

“The act provides us with a powerful tool to address this challenge. The creation of jobs within these zones, ranging from manufacturing to administrative roles will offer our young people the chance to gain meaningful employment,” Ramofafia said.

He furthered the act also considers the importance of skill development and national government will partner with educational institution on targeted training programs.

This will ensure the country’s workforce is equipped with the skills needed to strive in a rapidly changing global economy.

Moreover, Ramofafia highlighted that the establishment of Special Economic Zones (SEZs) will have far-reaching impact on the country’s infrastructure.

“Roads, utilities, ports and digital connectivity are the backbone of any successful economy and the act provides a framework for making these vital investments.

“The government has also committed to investing in infrastructure under the Solomon Islands Infrastructure Programme (SIIP) and the establishment of SEZs will be a natural extension of this effort,” he said.

According to MP Ramofafia, with the right infrastructure in place, businesses will be able to operate more efficiently and the entire country will benefit from enhanced connectivity and improved services.

He highlighted that a key goal of the act is to attract investment for both domestic and international markets.

“And by offering attractive incentives, such as tax breaks, customs exemptions and simplified regulatory processes, we can create a business-friendly environment that encourages investment in areas that have long been neglected.

“This will not only create jobs and boost local businesses, but also increase our foreign exchange receipts and contribute to a more diversified and resilient economy,” he said.

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BY LORETTA B MANELE

Special Economic Zone (SEZ) negotiations must include locals.

The call was made by Nestor Ghiro, Member of Parliament for Central Makira during his contribution to the recent SEZ Bill 2024 debate in parliament.

He said a matter that may require immediate attention is the provision under Section 50 A of the bill which empowers the SEZ Authority to negotiate with foreign investors.

Ghiro stressed that if negotiations do not involve locals, then it will be a waste.

“If the line upon which negotiations are not perpetrated by locals, then we render them waste in the most consequential economic dialogues of our time.”

Ghiro pointed out that partnerships with foreign investors must not be transactional, but transformational built on mutual benefit with our citizens and as co-owners and not just as landlords or tenants.

He said if there is lack of transparent oversight mechanism, party participation framework will make it difficult for ordinary citizens and local businesses to effectively engage with or benefit from the Special Economic Zones.

“This lacking of accountability allows for in-link capture and policy manipulation by vested interests.”

Ghiro furthered that it is essential that government not only enforces the provisions of Section 27, Deal Changes and Integrity, but also embeds strong governance protocols that reflect democratic values, ensure equitable access and provide a clear and inclusive roadmap for economic development.

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