BY INDY MAEALASIA

THE Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS) has strengthened its workforce with the recent recruitment of health professionals posted to duty stations across the country.

“I am happy to announce that the Ministry has progressed the recruitment of 180 nurses and 35 doctors, with the majority receiving their postings to the duty stations in the provinces,” Minister Paul Bosawai told parliament on Monday.

The move comes as the country continues to face shortages of health professionals, particularly in rural and provincial areas. Minister Bosawai attributed the progress to a significant increase in the Ministry’s staffing and training budget — from $2.5 million in 2024 to $5 million in 2025.

“This has enabled the Ministry to accommodate and process more applicants from provincial health divisions, national programs and medical departments, and health support services. The training budget is focused on long-term training through in-service and short-term training, both local and international, on technical areas.

Minister Bosawai also highlighted employment reforms at the National Referral Hospital (NRH), where staff previously on casual arrangements have now been transitioned to fixed-term contracts, following recommendations made during a previous parliamentary debate.

“These health professionals will add value to the current health care services in the provinces, hence improving the quality of care “he added.

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BY SAMIE WAIKORI

Leader of Opposition Matthew Wale has called on the Government for National Unity and Transformation (GNUT) to come-up with an effective policy to address youth unemployment in the country.

The call came following what Wale described as “no serious plan” by GNUT to tackle youth unemployment, even other pressing issues face by youths.

The Opposition Leader highlighted the above this week in his official response to the 2025 speech from the throne by Governor General, Sir David Tiva Kapu.

Recalling the speech Kapu had spoken of empowerment for youths that make up 70 percent of the country’s population.

“His Excellency acknowledged in his 2025 speech from the throne that youth make up 70% of our population and spoke of empowerment.

“Yet, government has not presented a serious plan to tackle youth unemployment,” Wale said.

He added that no targeted job creation strategy, no clear investment in youth enterprises and no practical pathways from education to employment have been delivered.

“Promises of inclusion mean little if an entire generation is left without opportunity,” Wale said.

The government’s failure to empower youths has resulted in number of setbacks the country continues to face.

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BY LORETTA B MANELE

David Gina, Member of Parliament for South New Georgia Rendova-Tetepare constituency has called on the Government for National Unity and Transformation (GNUT) to have greater emphasis on national security.

Speaking in parliament yesterday, he initially stated that the nation demands leaders who are willing to sacrifice themselves for their people.

“We must be dedicated to build a better tomorrow.”

In relation, he said security has become a greater concern to us today.

Gina mentioned that in the last ten years, security has spiralled to a different level and it demands them to address it heads on.

He referred to “climate change, diseases, riots, social instability, food security and international crime as some examples of security issues.

Gina called on the government to pursue national security acts to address such issues.

“Matters of national security must not be compromised.”

Moreover, he said in terms of our border security, it looks like the government has no commitment for this.

Gina added that Western province has security border management but the country needs one for provinces like Temotu and Malaita and have in place provincial border offices.

“I want the PM to look at this very carefully.”

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BY SAMIE WAIKORI

Leader of the Official Opposition Group in Parliament, Matthew Wale has raised the seriousness of cash flow, leakages and unfulfilled finance policies the country continues to endure.

Speaking in parliament this week in response to the speech from the throne by His Excellency, Governor General, Sir David Tiva Kapu, on the priority policies of GNUT, Wale pointed out that most of the policies under the government’s 100 days plan, especially on Finance remained unfulfilled.

He revealed that at the heart of government’s public financial management, persistent cash flow problems and leakages continue to undermine stability and the credibility of government’s budget implementation.

This is despite clear commitments under the 100-Day Policy to strengthen public finance management, these issues worsened throughout 2024.

Wale said the measures currently employed, such as stricter monitoring of payroll and procurement, while useful, do not address the root causes, they simply delay or deny expenditure.

“Consequently, ministries have been starved of operational funds affecting the delivery of services, and critical projects have been delayed or abandoned.

“The inability to control leakages and stabilize cash flow fundamentally undermines any claim to economic transformation,” he said.

Wale also noted that although, it is typical government policy cannot be implemented if it is not in the budget.

“In our situation, even if policy has been included in the budget, there is no guarantee that it will be implemented.

“The tail the wags the dog is the persistent precarious cash flows problem that has rendered treasury a hub for the rationing of scarce cash resources.

“The credibility of government promises of economic transformation stand or fall on Treasury’s ability to ration cash.

“In other words, there is a disconnect – a government that cannot manage its own finances cannot credibly promise economic transformation,” he said.

Wale stressed there is an argument to be made for seeking greater efficiencies in the machinery of government, and in the delivery of services.

“However, it seems to me the two most critical leakages that must be addressed are corruption and excessive procurement contracts, and the two may be linked,” he mentioned.

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BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

Minister of Environment Trevor Mahaga has said the Ministry is yet to receive the full Environmental Damage Assessment Phase 2 report on the Kangava Bay oil spill in East Rennell.

Mahaga informed Parliament when he responded to a question raised by the Leader of Opposition Mathew Wale on the floor of Parliament on Monday this week.

He said that the report will enable the Ministry to assist with the ongoing legal proceedings of the compensation claims.

Mahaga stated that the phase 2 EDA was funded by the Australian Government and was conducted last month by an international consultancy group in collaboration with the Ministry of Environment and the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources.

“The co-work completed from this assessment is as follows. Over 100 underwater transects of fish, invertebrates, and benzoic carbon. 290 samples of marine sediments, fish, and invertebrates for hydrocarbon and TBT analysis. Detailed underwater and UAV surveys of the extent of grounding area impacts. And fourth, community meetings.”

He said that oil is still present on the reef and the beach at several locations within Kangava Bay, based on some initial observations.

He said that the main grounding area has not been recovered as much as would be naturally expected, and identification of several new areas of the reef that the ship impacted and caused significant damage.

He adds that the rubble the ship blasted into the lagoon from the propeller was spread over a large area of the lagoon, with limited recovery and a significant reduction in clam populations across many of the lagoon areas around the Bay.

“The recovery of the reef within the grounding area needs some active rehabilitation efforts. On the positive side, the oil on the shoreline has largely weathered and only parts of it are still present,” said Mahaga.

The oil spill disaster, involving the MV Solomon Trader in 2019, is one of the most severe environmental disasters in the country, resulting in the discharge of 3,000 tonnes of heavy oil, fuel into Kangava Bay and causing quite extensive damage to the marine ecosystem and the communities surrounding Kangava Bay.

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BY LORETTA B MANELE

Government for National Unity and Transformation (GNUT) has been urged to come up with a bill that will cater to our mentally challenged people in Honiara and the provinces.

The call was made by David Gina, Member of Parliament for South New Georgia Rendova-Tetepare constituency in parliament yesterday.

He expressed that they should have a bill that will be for people with mental illness who are roaming the streets.

Gina added that today there are more of them and not just in the capital but also in the provinces as well.

He said they are also a threat to lives, public and private properties.

“Young men and mature people are in this situation. Urge government bring a bill to safeguard this issue.”

He expressed that through this bill, they can look after them and find them a place in the community.

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