BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

Solomon Islands Maritime Authority (SIMA) Interim Director Agnes Gaote’e has thanked National Fisheries Development (NFD) and partners for funding the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) centre.

The Solomon Islands Maritime College’s state-of-the-art Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) centre is a beacon of progress for the country’s maritime sector and was commissioned last month.

Speaking at this year’s International Day of Seafarers, Mrs Gaote’e took the opportunity to express her appreciation on behalf of SIMA.

“I would like to seize the opportunity of today’s celebration to thank National Fisheries Developments (NFD) Limited for funding and allowing the construction of the SOLAS Centre at the western end of the campus,” she said.

She said the SOLAS Centre is now where all safety courses for seafarers are delivered, complying with international standards.

She also called on partners to assist in funding the installation of the Solomon Islands Maritime College’s (SIMC) new lifeboat on its platform and launching system at the SOLAS Centre.

“I am also happy to report that SIMA and the Solomon Islands Tertiary Education Scholarships Authority (SITESA) are entering into an agreement that will soon offer scholarships for seafarer training,” said Mrs Gaote’e.

“We believe that Solomon Islands, as a maritime nation, has the potential to offer skilled and well-paid jobs to our youth in Solomon Islands and overseas. There are wonderful careers to embrace for our young boys and girls looking for adventure and to contribute to the development of our beloved nation,” she said.

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BY CHRIS ALEX

A student of Solomon Islands National University (SINU) has raised concerns on increasing logging in Makira-Ulawa province.

Jack Waito, who hails from East Makira, highlights the devastating environmental, cultural, and social costs of unchecked logging in the region.

According to Global Forest Watch, Solomon Islands lost over 688,000 hectares of tree cover between 2001 and 2020, with a significant portion of that deforestation on Makira.

At the current rate, experts warn that the province’s accessible forests could be entirely depleted within the next decade.

“This is not just about trees,” Waito said.

“Logging affects everything — our rivers become polluted, our gardens erode and sacred sites are destroyed. Our children grow up disconnected from the forest and its clean streams.”

Waito also criticised the fleeting benefits logging brings, pointing out that the monetary gains are minimal and short-lived.

“What do we really get in return? A few dollars, roads that break within two years and temporary jobs that vanish once the trees are gone. Meanwhile, the companies leave, abandoning our land in ruin.”

For Waito, the threat extends beyond the environment to the very identity of the Makiran people.

“Makira is rich in culture, language and biodiversity. We are caretakers of something unique. Trading that away for quick cash risks losing who we are.”

He stressed the importance of preserving forests, rivers and soils for future generations.

“Our children deserve to inherit a land full of birds, clean rivers with fish and fertile soil to grow their food.”

Urging unity across communities, Waito calls on chiefs, youth, church leaders, women, students and all Makirans to stand firm against logging expansion.

“Enough is enough. We must stop secretive deals and speak up in our villages to protect the mountains, valleys and rivers that sustain us. Like our grandparents before us, we must defend our land with pride, strength, and unity.”

“Makira is not for sale. We are not weak or voiceless,” Waito said.

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BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

Solomon Islands’ maritime bodies have come together to upgrade the country’s maritime college.

Solomon Islands Maritime Authority (SIMA) established a partnership with the Ministry of Infrastructure Development (MID), Solomon Islands National University (SINU), Solomons Ports Authority (SIPA) and Solomon Islands Maritime Transport Association.

Agnes Gaote’e, SIMA interim director spoke about this during an interview with the media at the International Day of Seafarers event this week at Solomon Islands Maritime College (SIMC), Ranadi campus.

She said the partnership’s main objective is to upgrade the SIMC; fulfilling the government of the day’s policy launched in August 2024.

“This partnership has been established to provide governance, oversight and advisory services to the Solomon Islands Maritime College and secure partnerships and resources for its development,” said Mrs Gaote’e.

She said the launch in August 2024 is about Maritime Labour Mobility and the Shipping Registry National Roadmap.

“We have our implementation plan and have already secured some partnerships,” she said.

She said achieving the objectives of the partnership requires sharing resources between key stakeholders of the maritime industry.

She said one of the first achievements from this partnership was the construction of the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) complex at the SIMC, which was launched in May this year.

“Under our partnership, we are committed to developing maritime training and providing our maritime industry with a competent workforce to work at all levels in the shipping and fisheries industries,” she said.

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BY INDY MAEALASIA

EDUCATION Minister Tozen Leokana says the poor performance of year 9 students in math and science subjects is concerning.  

Speaking to school principals at the opening of the School Principal Conference on Tuesday this week, Leokana highlighted the issue as one of the many challenges currently facing schools across the country.

He stressed that his ministry is currently undertaking a thorough investigation “to determine the underlying reasons for students not performing to the expected standard”.

In addition, the minister expressed deep concern about the growing digital divide between urban and rural schools.

“The difference in access to ICT between urban and rural school is wide and deeply concerning,” Leokana said.

“Many schools in rural settings are still without internet connectivity or the technological tools that is required to prepare students for a future that is increasingly driven by information and technology.”

He further noted that the absence of digital infrastructure not only hinders students’ learning experiences but also restricts school principals and teachers from accessing up-to-date information, professional development resources and opportunities for virtual collaboration.

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BY BEN BILUA
Gizo

Chief Agriculture Field Officer of Western Province, Sipuru Rove, has urged the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAL) to rethink its approach to supporting farmers.

He stressed that the repetitive provision of basic tools is no longer enough to improve productivity in the agriculture sector.

Speaking to Island Sun, Rove said tools currently being distributed—such as brush knives, copra knives, drums, nets and bags have remained unchanged for decades and offer little impact on large-scale agricultural development.

“I started my career as an Agriculture Officer in 1991 and I see no difference in the types of assistance we give to our farmers. These tools alone cannot make any difference,” he said.

Rove emphasized the need to shift focus toward mechanization and infrastructure development, particularly for coconut plantations, which he says are significantly underutilized due to poor access and outdated farming methods.

“If we want to see the potential of our coconut industry, we must start thinking beyond just brush knives.

“We must start thinking about rehabilitation or construction of roads on huge coconut plantations and provide plantation owners with tractors, trailer motorbikes and ploughing equipment,” he said.

Rove said many coconut plantations across the country remain unmanaged or inaccessible due to a lack of essential infrastructure, making it difficult for farmers to maximize their land’s potential or move products to markets efficiently.

“I strongly believe that making such machineries available to farmers will help boost the country’s agriculture sector,” he said.

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BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

Traffic congestion in West Honiara is on another level since yesterday.

Bad traffic has been the theme of West Honiara highway, which is currently under upgrade since 2023.

This week, drivers say the traffic got worse.

Reports reaching Island Sun yesterday from drivers who were stuck in the queue said the traffic tail is at Rifle Range Junction and the head, at Telekom roundabout in Point Cruz.

Over the past weeks, public transport such as taxis and buses have ignored travelling on western end of the city all because of the troubling traffic congestion.

“We are willing to provide service to West Honiara- White River, but if we are stuck in that queue, that is a problem. We do not work for ourselves, we work for someone, a boss, so when we lose, we are also fired at the end of the day,” said one bus driver.

Earlier this year, Ministry of Infrastructure Development (MID) identified the ongoing road construction as the main issue contributing to the traffic congestion in West Honiara.

MID released a statement in response to the Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s (SICCI) concerns regarding road congestion and the impact it’s having on businesses, particularly those within Honiara.

MID mentioned that ongoing infrastructure projects are the Solomon Water Sewer Line Installation Project and the Land and Maritime Connectivity Project (LMCP).

Meanwhile, the Police Kukum traffic have confirmed to Island Sun yesterday that they received calls from vehicles that were stuck in the traffic, however couldn’t respond due to having other commitments.

“We received calls from vehicles in the queue,” said an on-duty officer.

“Our traffic officers usually go out to control the traffic, but we do not focus on one particular area since we have schedules. However, we understand the issue faced by commuters and drivers,” the police officer said.

The officer said police traffic officers understand the matter and will take into consideration acting upon it in the coming days.

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BY BEN BILUA
Gizo

Agriculture Field Officer of Western Province, Sipuru Rove, has called on the national government to allow provincial governments to administer agriculture development funds allocated to the province.

Rove explained that such arrangements can be legally facilitated through an Agency Agreement – a provision under the Provincial Government Act between the Ministry of Agriculture and the Western Provincial Government.

“So, here is how Agency Agreement works. As per the agreement, any funds for agriculture development allocated for Western Province must be deposited into the province’s account and administered by the province.

“Upon approval, funds will be released in tranches, with progress and financial reports submitted regularly for accountability and acquittal purposes.

“Note that such funds are tagged with workplans and detailed activities endorsed by the ministry. Our job is to get funds that are available at the provincial level and carry out our duties,” he explained.

Rove stressed that decentralizing the administration of agriculture funds to provincial governments will address persistent delays in funding disbursement and allow more efficient and locally responsive implementation of agricultural activities.

He said provincial governments are the only institutions that live closer to farmers and also understand farmers’ needs.

Rove suggested that this arrangement should be piloted in the upcoming Cocoa and Coconut Development Programme, which all provinces are expected to benefit from this year.

He said Western Province’s Agriculture Division has already submitted a budget proposal of $2.6 million based on its annual workplan.

Rove said his division was disappointed when similar budget and workplan were submitted to the national government in the previous years with no response.

“We are very hopeful that this year, the government will give us the fund,” he said.

Rove strongly believes that Western Provincial Government is capable of managing the funds, stating that the province already has the financial systems and oversight structures in place to ensure transparency and effective delivery.

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