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King’s Commonwealth Fellowship opens

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BY INDY MAEALASIA

SOLOMON Islanders aspiring to pursue a PhD are invited to apply for the King’s Commonwealth Fellowship Programme (KCFP).

Inspired by His Majesty King Charles III, the fellowship offers a unique opportunity for individuals from Small Island Developing States to undertake a PhD in their home country while continuing to work.

According to a statement from the UK High Commission, “The KCFP PhD Fellowships offer a unique and exciting opportunity for fellows from Small Island Developing States to undertake a PhD in their home country alongside working.”

The programme will support PhD research in areas such as climate and the environment, education, engineering, and health. These focus areas aim to address the pressing economic, social, and environmental challenges faced by Small Island Developing States.

Applications for the fellowship are open until April 25.

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Women, youths engaged in conservation efforts in Marovo

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BY INDY MAEALASIA

A research carried out in Marovo Lagoon, Western province has revealed that women and youths are significantly more involved in mangrove conservation efforts compared to men.

The findings, led by Dr Mary Tahu, a researcher and lecturer at the Solomon Islands National University (SINU), has underscored the critical role that these groups play in mangrove restoration initiatives.

 “According to our research, more women including youths respond higher to existing mangrove restoration and replanting initiatives compared to men,” she said.

Tahu said that this commitment aligns with the roles women often hold within their families and communities, stressing their involvement in safeguarding vital marine resources.

“We see that more women and youths support the idea of protecting and managing mangroves, which also comes back to the role of women in the family, in the community, and especially in trying to protect and manage mangroves,” she said.

The findings also revealed that women have also called for greater protection and sustainable management of mangroves,

“This call can be effective when there are existing laws or policies on managing mangrove ecosystem and also reserving certain mangrove zones for conservation,” she said.

Acknowledging this, Tahu emphasized the need for gender-inclusive climate action that integrates indigenous knowledge and supports equitable participation across all levels—local, national, and regional.

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SI lacks policy framework for mangrove conservation

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BY INDY MAEALASIA

DESPITE the critical role mangroves play in supporting livelihoods, the Solomon Islands still lack a formal policy framework for their conservation and sustainable management.

This gap was highlighted by Dr Mary Tahu, a lecturer at the Solomon Islands National University (SINU), during a presentation of her research last week at the FALAH research seminar.

“Currently, with the conclusion of my research on mangroves, there are no policies at the community or national level to guide conservation efforts,” Dr Tahu explained.

Her research, titled “Gender, Climate Change, and Indigenous Ecological Knowledge in the Solomon Islands Mangroves,” revealed the urgent need to protect mangroves to tackle the threats of climate change.  

However, strides are being made to address this issue. Tahu revealed that SINU, in collaboration with the government and other stakeholders last year, have worked on a proposed policy framework. Titled the “Integrated Coastal Zone Management and Mangrove Policy Framework,” this policy’s goal is to protect mangroves and support the social well-being of local communities.

“We are working to push this policy forward for it to be accepted by the cabinet,” Tahu added

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MEHRD responds to rental expense comment by Opposition MP

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BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

The Ministry of Education and Human Resources Development is not the only government ministry that hires office space in Honiara; several ministries and agencies do so due to a persistent shortage of government-owned office infrastructure.

MEHRD has stated that the ministry has been actively pursuing opportunities to construct its office building but has faced challenges in securing suitable land.

MEHRD made the statements in response to Member of Parliament for Temotu Nende, Stephen Kumi, over the significant amount of money spent on rent for the Education Ministry Headquarters in Honiara for nearly two decades instead of investing in a permanent building.

Speaking during a recent Parliamentary Expenditure Committee hearing, MP Kumi questioned why the ministry continues to rent office space when if the rental being paid for $300,000 per month since 2008 the total would have been around $56 million.

In response, the MERHD clarified that only a few ministries currently occupy purpose-built Government offices and Ministry lands, and despite multiple attempts, approval was not granted by the relevant authorities.

The MERHD said that efforts to acquire land were unsuccessful despite the Ministry identifying the land at the former Parliament Rest House site as a potential location, and efforts to acquire land occupied by the Institute of Public Administration and Management (IPAM) office building near the Ministry of Finance and Treasury.

The statement said that whilst suggestions to invest in permanent office infrastructure may appear straightforward, the reality is far more complex; however, MEHRD remains committed to achieving this long term through proper and transparent means.

The MERH adds that these difficulties are not unique to MEHRD, as many ministries encounter similar obstacles when attempting to acquire through clean and transparent processes in Honiara, as all government-owned land in the Capital Business District (CDB) in Honiara is limited.

The MERHD said that the decision to rent office space at the Tongs Building, Point Cruz, was made to ensure a central, safe, accessible, and functional working environment for MEHRD staff, students, teachers, and the public who rely on MEHRD services.

The statement further said that MEHRD’s rental payments to Tongs Ltd are a legitimate business transaction that secures a suitable office space while also benefiting the national economy.

According to MERHD, as a tax-paying entity, Tongs Ltd contributes to government revenue, which funds essential public services, including salaries for Members of Parliament, public servants, and teachers. Additionally, Tongs Ltd employs hundreds of Solomon Islanders.

It adds that the rental payments help sustain these jobs by enabling the company to pay wages, provide benefits, and support local economic activities.

The MERHD statement said that it is, therefore, misleading and unnecessary for the MP for Temotu Nende to question MEHRD’s rental arrangement with Tongs Ltd.

The issues statement adds that the media release is necessary to respond to unfounded accusations made against the MEHRD Executive Management by commentators through social media.

MERHD said that the Ministry remains committed to ensuring that its operational expenses align with financial regulations while contributing to the broader economic stability of the country.

It said that MEHRD remains open to constructive dialogue and collaboration with relevant stakeholders to address the need for a permanent office rather than making unsubstantiated criticisms and allegations that do not contribute to cost-effective solutions to support MEHRD’s critical work in shaping the nation’s education sector.

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$5M MYSTERY

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-KFPL queries fund government promised under ESP in 2020

-KFPL mentioned by the-PM Sogavare in his 2020 speech to launch ESP

-KFPL missing in recipients listed in Auditor General’s ESP Report 2024

BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

The Kolombangara Forest Products Ltd (KFPL) has said it is still waiting for the $5 million government had promised under the economic stimulus package (ESP) in 2020.

This was revealed to the Opposition group when it visited KFPL last week under the office’s civic awareness programme to the Western province.

Former Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare had named KFPL as being earmarked to receive support under the ESP in his speech to launch the fund on May 4, 2020. Sogavare did not state any particular amount to be allocated to KFPL.

However, in the Auditor General’s ESP Report 2024, KFPL was missing.

KFPL pleaded with the Opposition Group to probe government over the missing $5 million (ESP) when the group visited the company’s site on Thursday last week, a statement from the Opposition last week said.

“KFPL was announced as a recipient, but we never received that promise,” KFPL told Opposition.

“We would like to raise this so that you (Opposition) can ask on our behalf what happened to the promise or whether someone has already received it on our behalf.”

KFPL also informed Opposition that despite operations being very tough lately, KFPL has continued to provide revenue to the government and meet community obligations.

In his speech to launch the ESP on May 4, 2020, then-PM Sogavare said that KFPL would be supported under a segment of the ESP called the Immediate Recovery Measures 2 (IRM 2).

$75 million was allocated for the IRM 2. And, KFPL was listed as one of companies to be supported, although no figure was given in Sogavare’s speech to say how much KFPL would receive.

“This component [IRM 2] of the package proposes equity injection into government owned or partly owned companies to enable them keep afloat and keep supporting the economy,” Sogavare said in his speech.

“Other privately owned large companies will also be assisted by way of export credit or other liquidity support through the banking system to maintain production and employment.

“These enterprises are important players and taxpayers in the economy.  This measure is a combination of direct grant and concessional finance and a total of SBD75 million is allocated towards this initiative. The breakdown of the proposed measure are: Solomon Airlines – $20 million (Grant and Concessional loan); Soltuna – $5 million; Support will also be provided to KFPL; Solomon Water – $5 million (Grant); DBSI – $20 million (Capital); CEMA – $2 million (Grant).”

In the ESP Report published by the Auditor General’s office on October 3, 2024, the same companies were listed as receiving funding, but KFPL was missing.

Under the Report’s ‘Part 9 – ESP distributions, 9.1 Payments to SOEs and DBSI’: Solomon Water – $5 million (Grant), CEMA -$2 million (Grant), Soltuna – $5 million, Solomon Airlines – $20 million (Grant and Concessional loan), and DBSI – $20 million (Capital).

Another area KFPL could have been paid under but missed was the grant for productive and resources sector.

This allocation saw a total of $135 million paid out, either through the Treasury corporate services imprest account, to constituency offices or directly to businesses.

Meanwhile, Opposition said during its visit to KFPL, the company appealed for government to be fair.

“The company’s tax exemptions have been removed, and we are also concerned with the unreasonable increase in license fees. The Government should be fair to everyone. KFPL has always supported schools, police, teachers and Churches when the Government cannot do so,” KFPL told the opposition group.

KFPL also informed the Opposition of the incidents of Malaysian loggers trying to enter KFPL land and attempting to carry out illegal activities, the statement said.

“The government must respect KFPL’s FTE,” KFPL told the Opposition.

The statement said Leader of Opposition, Matthew Wale acknowledged KFPL’s concerns and said he would bring these issues to the responsible stakeholders in Government.

KFPL is the country’s largest sustainable managed Forestry Company. It had been in operation since 1989 and has approximately 200 full-time staff and 1,800 contractors, one of the biggest private sector employers in the country, the opposition statement said.

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‘Climate change burdens women and youths in Marovo’

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BY INDY MAEALASIA

IN Marovo Lagoon, Western province climate change is placing a heavier burden on women and youths compared to men.

According to Dr Mary Tahu of the Solomon Islands National University (SINU), rising sea levels and prolonged tidal patterns- caused by climate change are negatively impacting resource gathering and harvesting

In her research titled ‘Gender, Climate Change, and Indigenous Ecological Knowledge in the Solomon Islands Mangroves’, that was carried out in communities surrounding Seghe, Marovo highlighted how women and youths travel greater distances to gather essential food resources for survival.

Tahu highlighted that historically sea level rise and low tides followed predictable patterns, which enable women and youth to harvest sea resources at the right time

However, recent observations indicated prolonged and irregular tidal cycles, disrupting the normal harvesting process.

“Now, when there’s high tide, it goes for three months. When there’s low tide, it goes for certain months. So, it’s not normal,” Tahu explained.

“… therefore it is making it difficult for them(women) to harvest most of these shells and food.”  

While these challenges persist, the effects of climate change have also led to unexpected ecological benefits.

“Over the past years, women have reported a positive impact of climate change…. They noted that mangroves are now growing in areas where they were presently absent,” Tahu said.

She stressed that rising sea levels have facilitated the dispersal of mangrove seedlings, enabling them to establish in location that were not know previously to host mangroves.

Tahu stressed that these findings demonstrate the resilience of mangrove ecosystems, which continue to adapt even as climate change poses new obstacles for communities.

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Choiseul Premier defends April-1 breakaway comments as ‘personal views’

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BY IRWIN ANGIKI

Premier of Choiseul province Harrison Pitakaka has defended his social media comments suggesting the province breaking away and joining Bougainville.

In a media statement Friday last week, Mr Pitakaka said “My statement rests on my own personal views as a citizen of this country rather than involving Choiseul Province.”

It is unclear whether the Ministry of Provincial Government (MPGIS) has a protocol allowing a sitting premier to comment on social media under his/her capacity as a citizen per se, oblivious of the civil position he/she holds.

SBM Online reported on Wednesday last week Pitakaka’s views in its post ‘Choiseul Looking To Bougainville’.

The article said Pitakaka had “made his feelings known—sounding the alarm of his province’s intention to join the Autonomous Region of Bougainville by 2027”.

“His pro Bougainville switch comments was made when he commented on a news thread on the Opposition MPs’ visit to the Western Province on Tuesday,” SBM Online said.

Pitakaka’s contentious comment, screen shot by SBM Online, said ‘Temotu and Choiseul provinces will fast track a unified quest for national cessation and seek a possible annexation with Vanuatu and ARB (Bougainville)’.

In response, Pitakaka said ‘the comments were personal views on a private social account and not of his province’.

“I regret that fact that it was published causing a lot public misunderstanding and confusion,” Pitakaka’s statement said.

Pitakaka however stood by his idea to secede describing it as “a suitable option for some of us”.

“On the cessation alternative, as a political position for Choiseul Province or Temotu or any province for that matter, this can only be possible through proper sanction by the national government.

“The development of a cessation framework for other provinces can be a suitable option for some of us. It can be further explored and considered part and parcel of the parallel ongoing reforms (ie. Statehood/ PGA Act 1997 reviews) pushed by other Provinces as an alternative.

“Not at any time shall it be constituted as a break away effort or seeking independence as misinterpreted. It is a political alternative secondary to the transitional provision spelt out in our draft constitution and I’m open to discuss it with my other colleague Premiers about it before submitting a memo to the national government,” Pitakaka said.

He adds that his government has not passed any resolution pertaining to the idea of cessation.

“The Choiseul Unity, Change, Progress and Empowerment did not pass any resolutions nor write anything about it in our Provincial agenda. Choiseul remains a peaceful and resourceful Province in Solomon Island.”

Pitakaka closed off his statement by apologising to the Opposition group for labelling their visit the Western province as ‘unfair’.

“The comments on ‘unfair’ were made against the background that such a vital programme from our national government will be meaningful if they were extended to other less frequently visited provinces by the opposition group,” he said.

The Autonomous Region of Bougainville (ARB) is a province of Papua New Guinea which sits on the border with Solomon Islands.

With its close proximity to Choiseul province and Shortland islands of the Western province, people from these three island groups share histories and also blood ties.

ARB is pushing for its independence, which the Era Kone Covenant in April 2022 demands that PNG and ARB’s governments must settle on a decision before 2027.

A referendum in 2019 saw the ARB voting overwhelmingly for independence from PNG.

The idea of the western region of Solomon Islands seceding and combining with Bougainville is not a new sentiment. It was popular in the 1970s before Solomon Islands gained independence in 1978.

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Man gets 12 years for rape and sexual offence, sentence reduced from 17 yrs

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BY ROMINAH FAKA

The High Court has given a cumulative sentence of 12 years imprisonment to a man over the rape of his daughter and repeated sexual offence of his nephew.

For the rape of his daughter, the man got nine years. For the repeated sexual abuse case, the man received eight years.

However, instead of 17 years, the man will serve 12 years for both cases.

The sentence was delivered on March 22 in the Lata Circuit by Justice John A Keniapisia.

The defendant who cannot be named to protect the identity of the victim was charged with one count of rape, and he pleaded guilty on March 14 this year.

Court’s starting point was a sentence of eight years imprisonment because the victim was under-aged, 15 years old at the time of offence in 2019.

Court considered the aggravating factors which included – psychological harm and trauma on the victim, the victim having left her family following the incident, the scars the incident has left on the victim, the shame she has endured and will do so for the rest of her life, the 31-yer age difference, the breach of trust as the defendant is the victim’s father, pre-planning by the defendant to commit the act, the defendant exploit the vulnerability of the victim.

Court also considered the mitigating factors – guilty plea, time spent in custody, rehabilitation and delay.

Court imposed a nine-year head sentence after considering the aggravating and mitigating factors.

The defendant was also serving an eight-year prison term for a conviction in 2024 over a persistent sexual abuse case from 2021.

Court ordered that the nine years be run separately from the eight years. This meant that the man would serve 17 years in prison as cumulative sentence.

Court said that a lengthy imprisonment is justified to reflect the total seriousness, gravity and criminal offending which the defendant must be held separately accountable for his two crimes.

However, court said the sentence is harsher on the defendant in terms of the crushing effect and the totality principle.

Court said the 17 years cumulative sentence was over oppressive and excessive.

Court therefore reduced this to a 12-year sentence.

Court said the main purpose of the punishment is to condemn the defendant’s action and to protect public from the commission of such crimes by making it clear to the defendant and others, to protect the public from commission of such crime by making it clear to the defendant and anyone who yields to this kind of crime will be met with severe punishment.

Monica Rehomora and Ms Cleven acted for the crown and Waroka for the defendant.

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Man gets 11 years prison time for rape and assault of daughter

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BY ROMINAH FAKA

A man has been sentenced to 11 years’ imprisonment for the rape and assault of his daughter in Temotu province.

The sentence was delivered on March 26 at a High Court Lata Circuit by Justice John A Keniapisia.

The man, who cannot be named to protect the identity of the victim, was charged with two counts of rape and one count of assault causing actual bodily harm and he pleaded guilty to all three counts on March 20.

Court heard that the first rape incident occurred between January 1 and December 31, 2020 at their home. The incident occurred when the mother was out, attending to a gathering to mourn a death.

After the incident, the defendant warned the victim not to tell anyone, otherwise he would kill her.

However, the next day the victim reported the incident to her mother but she did not do anything about it.

The victim was 14 years old.

The second rape incident occurred between April 1 – 30, 2023, at their home. The victim was 17 years old. The mother was out of the home when the incident occurred.

When the victim’s mother arrived, the defendant told her that he had seen the victim having sex with another boy.

That night the defendant took all the victim’s clothes and burnt them. The victim was naked and stayed in her room the whole time.

She later found a bag to wrap around her to cover her nakedness.

On April 30, 2023, the defendant whipped the victim’s backside with a stick continuously leaving her bleeding and in pain from back injuries which became swollen.

Next day the complainant went to the police station and reported the matter.

Aggravating factors included – breach of position of trust, abuse happened in the comfort of the home at night, pre-planning, psychological harm and trauma the complainant faced, physical harm and injury, young age of the victim, weak and vulnerable, disparity of age, repetition and used of weapon, force and threat and lastly the defendant pretended, lied, faked discipline and destroyed the victim’s clothes.

Mitigating factors included – guilty plea, first time offender, delay, time spent in custody and personal circumstances of the defendant and rehabilitation and cooperation with the police.

Court said that the 11-year sentence should give out a powerful deterrent factor to prevent the commission of such offences.

“Offenders must receive harsher punishment to make society outrage and denunciation against sexual abuse of women and girls.

“The main purpose for this punishment court deliver to condemn defendant actions and to protect the public from the commission of such crimes by making it clear to defendant and others with similar impulses, that anyone who yield to this kind of crime will meet with severe punishment,” Court said.

Monica Rehomora and Myrella Cleven prosecuted the case and Waroka acted for defence.

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Labour mobility to Federated States of Micronesia discussed in ambassador’s visit to PM Manele

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Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele yesterday received a courtesy call from visiting Federated States of Micronesia’s (FSM) non-resident ambassador to Solomon Islands, His Excellency (HE) Carson Sigrah.

HE Sigrah, who is based in Suva, Fiji, oversees FSM’s diplomatic relations with all South Pacific countries including Solomon Islands, a statement from the Prime Minister’s office yesterday said.

During their discussions, Manele and Sigrah explored the possibility of establishing a labour mobility cooperation agreement between FSM and Solomon Islands.

Manele expressed Solomon Islands’ willingness to share its human resources, particularly in the health sector, to serve in FSM.

He noted that a similar pilot arrangement is currently in place with Niue, the statement said.

Manele suggested that once all formalities are completed the agreement could be officially signed on the sidelines of the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) Leaders’ Meeting in Honiara in September 2025.

On trade, Manele highlighted the potential for expanding economic partnerships between the two countries. He stated that Solomon Islands has an abundance of agricultural products such as taro and cassava, which could be exported to FSM, the statement said.

The Prime Minister also acknowledged FSM’s contribution to the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands (RAMSI), which played a crucial role in restoring peace and security in the country.

Manele expressed Solomon Islands’ anticipation of hosting the 54th Pacific Islands Forum Leaders’ Meeting in September and looked forward to FSM’s participation, the statement said.

In response, Sigrah reiterated FSM’s need for support in the health sector, particularly in securing more nurses, the statement said.

He assured PM Manele that he would consult with his government to pursue the proposed labour mobility arrangement.

Sigrah also welcomed the prospect of strengthening trade relations with Solomon Islands and looked forward to formalizing this endeavour, the statement said.

Additionally, he expressed gratitude for the warm hospitality he has received since his arrival, describing his visit as an enjoyable experience.

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