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MPG eyes rebuilding Auki old wharf

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BY SAMIE WAIKORI

Malaita’s provincial government is planning to rebuild Auki’s old and now defunct wharf.

Premier of Malaita Elijah Asilaua said this in his original budget speech on Monday.

He said MPG recognises sea, land and communication infrastructure networks play an important role in supporting trade and commence.

Asilaua said consultations are expected with resource owners, communities, Solomon Islands Ports Authority and government.

“This becomes part of creating a greater Auki with safe maritime expansion infrastructure for people to enjoy safe shipping services while entering the domestic port that connects to our sub-regions.

“Consultations are also made with related purchasers of the defunct boat berthing at the old decommissioned wharf to be towed for repair at a safe ship dock to decrease any maritime contaminated pollution and risks,” he said.

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Man accused of house break-in yet to get lawyer

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BY ROMINAH FAKA

The case of a man charged with breaking into another person’s home earlier this month will return to court on April 8 for mention.

Yesterday in court prosecution said investigations have completed, serving disclosures to the defence.

The defendant Jeremy Saemala, 18, informed the court through the duty defence lawyer that he is yet to seek legal representative.

Court made directions for the appearing defence lawyer to assist the defendant by informing their practice manager for allocation of lawyer for the defendant during the course of adjournment.

Saemala is charged with one count of house breaking.

Police alleged on March 9, 2025at around 4am the defendant went to the complainant’s house with the intention to steal. The defendant peeped through a window which only has louvres and no mesh-wire or screen and saw an Oppo phone and Samsung tablet connected to the power point, beside was a JBL speaker (flip 6) and a power bank.

After locating the items, the defendant loosened the louvres and used a stick curved like a hook to pull the items connected to their charges towards him. The defendant removed the items from their charger and left the chargers.

On the same day at noon, the defendant was brought to the white river police post under suspicious. The defendant then admitted to stealing the properties and then let the police to recover the stolen properties. The Oppo phone and JBL speaker were recovered from his room, whilst the Samsung tablet and the Huawei power bank recovered from his two friends whom he had given to them to sell. The defendant was arrested and placed at Central watch house.

Office of Public Prosecution is prosecuting.

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FAIRNESS FOR WORKERS

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Trade union council stands firm against common weapon used by employers to suppress employees’ rights

BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

The Solomon Islands Council of Trade Unions (SICTU) has said it is standing firm in its commitment to advocate for rights and welfare of workers across the nation.

Workers have been singled out as the primary contributors to company expenditures whenever they demand better working conditions for too long, a SICTU statement yesterday said.

“This narrative is not only misleading but also unjust. It is time to shift the focus and acknowledge the broader systemic issues that significantly impact business operations and costs. It’s time to shift the blame and focus on real solutions,” said SICTU.  

“Today, we address a critical issue that has long plagued industrial relations: the unfair burden placed on workers when employers and other stakeholders discuss the rising costs of doing business,’’ the SICTU issued in an official statement. 

“It adds that while workers’ demands for fair wages, safe working environments, and improved conditions are legitimate and necessary, they are not the sole drivers of rising operational costs.

SICTU said other critical factors, often overlooked, contribute substantially to the financial pressures faced by companies, high government service costs and taxation policies that place undue burdens on businesses, exorbitant power and water tariffs, which increase operational overheads, Poor public transport systems, forcing workers to incur high commuting costs and reducing productivity, inadequate road infrastructure, leading to increased logistics and transportation expenses and weak enabling infrastructures, which hinder efficient business operations and increase costs. 

“These systemic challenges must be addressed to create a conducive environment for investment and development. Employers, policymakers, and other stakeholders must share the responsibility for creating sustainable solutions rather than placing the blame solely on workers,” said SICTU. 

SICTU calls for a standard shift in how industrial negotiations are conducted and future discussions to address the root causes of high operational costs must be data statistics-driven and focus on evidence-based solutions.

SICTU said that employers and companies must recognise that workers’ demands for better conditions are not the problem but a reflection of the need for a fair and equitable working environment. 

SICTU urges employers to acknowledge the broader factors contributing to high business costs and work collaboratively with unions and the government to address them through adopting transparent and data-driven approaches in industrial negotiations to ensure fair and informed decision-making, invest in improving workplace conditions as a long-term strategy to boost productivity and employee satisfaction, which ultimately benefits businesses. 

SICTU calls on the government to review and reduce service costs and taxes that excessively affect businesses and workers, invest in critical infrastructure such as roads, public transport, and utilities to create a more enabling environment for businesses and workers alike and engage in meaningful dialogue with unions and employers to develop policies that support sustainable economic growth and fair labour practices. 

“Workers are the backbone of our economy, and their well-being is integral to the nation’s progress. It is time to move beyond the outdated narrative that blames workers for rising costs and instead focus on addressing the systemic issues that hinder our collective growth,” said SICTU. 

“SICTU remains committed to working with all stakeholders to create a fair, equitable, and prosperous future for workers and businesses in the Solomon Islands. Enough is enough. Share the blame. Share the solutions,” said SICTU.

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Wanesuia furthers work of empowering youths in North Malaita rural community

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BY IRWIN ANGIKI

Abel Wanesuia is leading the way with empowering youths in his rural community of Besi in the hinterlands of North Malaita, Malaita province.

Mr Wanesuia is the deputy chairman of the USP student association of the Solomon Islands (USPSASI).

Outside of studies, Wanesuia is heavily involved in youth work in the country and his community.

Wanesuia’s youth work at Besi community advocates for education and other activities that support sustainable livelihoods.

His work was awarded recognition and a boost by the Malaita Provincial Youth Council (MPYC) by way of $10,000 sub-grant to fund youth work in the Besi community on March 17.

Wanesuia, receiving the grant thanked the MPYC saying it will go directly to empowering Besi village.

“I extend my heartfelt thanks to you and the Malaita Province Youth Council for partnering with DFAT to unlock the potential of Besi Village, North Malaita.

“This initiative is a powerful step toward transforming the lives of my people and aligns directly with the vision for sustainable development in rural areas.

“This support is not only appreciated but will leave a lasting impact.”

Wanesuia’s work along with his team of dedicated community workers saw the establishment of a school in his village in 2003 called the Besi Accelerated Christian Education (ACE) Christian School.

This year the school witnessed its first tertiary scholars, a boy and a girl both receiving their admissions to start their degree programme with the University of the South Pacific.

Meanwhile, MPYC president Phillip Subu said in a statement that the funding is from the Australian government’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT).

The fund, totalling SBD$135,250 is aimed at empowering young people in Malaita to lead positive change within their communities.

Wanesuia and his Besi community youth work are among 13 recipients of the fund.

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USPSI student leader lauds partnership between local campus and PRC embassy

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BY IRWIN ANGIKI

The agreement between the Solomon Islands USP campus and the PRC embassy has been lauded by the student association.

Through the partnership, China will sponsor self-sponsored students.

A mark of the partnership was held at the USP campus on March 7 in which the university hosted the PRC Ambassador HE Cai Weiming for an educational film show.

Deputy Chair of the USP student association of Solomon Islands (USPSASI), Abel Wanesuia in his statement to acknowledge the filming event, welcomed the partnership saying it will boost access to quality tertiary education at the institution especially for students struggling with sponsorship.

“I expressed my appreciation for the recent agreement between the Chinese Embassy and USPSI, which will provide funding for USPSI self-sponsored students under the China Ambassador Scholarship initiative.

“This scholarship, which covers tuition fees, is a significant step toward enhancing access to education for students at the University of the South Pacific Solomon Islands campus.

“The agreement follows a courtesy visit from the USPSASI executive to the Chinese Embassy last year and marks a major milestone in the ongoing partnership between USPSASI and the Chinese Embassy,” Mr Wanesuia said.

The filming event was attended by a range of dignitaries including Ambassador Cai and Minister for Women Freda Tuki.

The film screening provided a platform to discuss women’s empowerment, gender equality and the importance of community support.

Ambassador Cai and Minister Tuki’s speeches highlighted the need for continued progress in women’s rights and empowerment across the Pacific region, Wanesuia said.

“The event was especially impactful for students at USPSI, as it provided a platform for engaging and creating opportunities related to women’s rights and empowerment.

“USPSASI acknowledges and deeply appreciates the speeches delivered by both Ambassador Cai and Minister Tuki, whose words resonated with the importance of supporting women’s education, leadership and independence.

In his speech, Ambassador Cai acknowledged USPSI for hosting the inaugural Chinese film festival in Solomon Islands.

Cai explained the film, The Wandering Earth II, as representing the possible future of peace, cooperation and innovation with the help of artificial intelligence.

“China, a civilization spanning over 5,000 years, has always been defined by values that deeply resonate with humanity’s shared aspirations, such as the celebration of life, the love for peace, the virtue of diligence, the spirit of innovation, and the cherishing of unity.

“These values are woven into Chinese cultural heritage, flowing in our veins, shaping our identity, and still guiding us for constant progress in this age of satellites and algorithms,” Cai said.

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TNC committed to SDG14.4

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By Loretta B Manele

The Nature Conservancy (TNC) is committed to SDG14.4 and are working with its partners on this endeavour.

Dr Elizabeth McLeod, TNC global ocean director discussed the above at the Honiara Summit last month which catered to Pacific Island leaders, regional and international representatives for discussions around “Achieving Sustainable Fisheries.”

She said they have been leading and working in ocean conservation for over five decades, across a hundred countries through their programs and partner networks.

“We work to support the goals of the 30 percent protection of the ocean.

“Our fisheries work focuses on rebuilding wild fisheries, both ending IUU (Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated fishing) and also ensuring sound management of our coastal fisheries and supporting sustainable growth in regenerative aquaculture.

“We’re building on all of the great work by many of you in this room and our partners across the region and globally to bring transparency, accountability and resilience to fisheries.”

Moreover, she spoke about two initiatives that TNC has been involved in.

McLeod said one of them is their recognition that one in five wild-caught marine fish are landed illegally.

She expressed that the majority of this activity is happening on legally licensed but unmonitored vessels so it is easy for illegally caught fish to enter into the supply chain without being detected.

McLeod pointed out that “electronic monitoring” is a proven solution and through the use of onboard cameras, GPS and sensors, electronic monitoring harnesses cutting-edge technology to support human observer programs.

She mentioned that this is not an intention to replace human observers, but to bring additional support and provide independent and verifiable data on fishing activity to improve transparency and ensure compliance with regulations.

“It allows fisheries managers to develop science-based policies. It allows retailers to trace seafood to legal sources.

It provides assurances for consumers so that they have confidence that the fish that they’re purchasing is caught sustainably, but ethically.”

She said TNC is driving global adoption of electronic monitoring by working with Regional Fisheries Management Organisations (RFMOs) to standardize electronic monitoring protocols whilst ensuring there is consistent and comparable data across vessels and jurisdictions.

The other initiative that TNC has been working on is the Tuna Transparency Pledge.

She explained that they launched the pledge last year and it brought together industry and governments to advance 100% on-water monitoring across all industrial tuna vessels within their supply chains by 2027.

“Since the launch of the pledge, we’ve secured major signatories like Walmart, Albertsons, Thai Union, the government of Belize, and FSM.”

She stated that TNC commits to supporting Pacific communities, countries, and organizations in achieving SDG 14.4.

“Our path forward is clear. Strong policies, strong enforcement and strong collaboration will absolutely define the future of our fisheries.

We at the Nature Conservancy are honoured to work in and alongside the Pacific to build a future where fisheries are not just surviving, but thriving for people, for economies and for our ocean.”

She said they are on the march to UNOC (UN Ocean Conference) where together, they will be reinforcing the importance of these robust partnerships, measurable and actionable commitments that strengthen fisheries management, help close data gaps and secure sustainability.

McLeod noted that the Pacific community has been absolutely leading the charge, creating a robust framework for ocean management.

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Police arrest 10 in raid on gambling hotspot in Auki

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Auki police have arrested and charged seven males and three females during a police raid targeting gambling in public places including individuals who allow their premises to be used for illegal gambling activities.

Malaita Provincial Police Commander (PPC), Chief Superintendent Tex Tafoa said the provincial government and communities around Auki have voiced concerns over the increasing presence of gambling, alcohol sales and illicit drug use in public spaces

Tafoa said these activities have caused significant harm to families and created public disturbances, leading to public health and safety concerns, a statement from police media yesterday said.

He confirmed that police raided a known hotspot and discovered individuals gambling inside a makeshift structure.

“Without hesitation, police arrested 10 people, aged between 21 and 31 years old for engaging in unlawful gambling,” Tafoa said.

He said the owner of the premises was also taken into custody for further questioning and legal proceedings.

Tafoa said gambling in public spaces is an offence under the Gaming and Lotteries Act of Solomon Islands, the statement adds.

He said police will not tolerate such illegal activities and will commit to maintaining law and order in Auki Town ensuring that public spaces are safe for all residents.

The suspects arrested will face charges under Section 4 of the Gaming and LotteriesAct for gambling in a public place. Additionally, the owner of the premises will be charged under Section 3(4)(a) for the organisation or management of unlawful gambling. Another charge under Section 3(4)(1) will also be laid for allowing the premises to be used for illegal gaming.

SICCI ready to work with gov’t through proposed MOU

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By Loretta B Manele

Solomon Islands Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SICCI) is ready to work with the government through a proposed MOU.

Namoi Kaluae, SICCI chairlady assured government of this during the recent “PM’s Breakfast” event at the Heritage Park Hotel.

She stressed that SICCI’s strategic plan 2025-2030 aligns with the Solomon Islands government plan framework.

“I would like to reaffirm that as a chamber, we stand ready to support the government in policy dialogue, policy formation and implementation.”

Kaluae emphasized that their strategy to strengthen public private dialogue directly supports the government’s goal for greater collaboration with the private sector thus they look forward for the implementation of the proposed enhanced MOU(Memorandum of Understanding).

She went on to talk about how SICCI’s strategic plan aligns with the SIG plan framework.

Kaluae said firstly, their plan focuses on enhancing the enabling environment and this directly supports the government’s commitment to fostering economic growth and job creation.

Second to that, she stated that by facilitating business competitiveness and trade, they contribute to the government’s goals of increasing exports and attracting foreign investment.

Lastly, Kaluae said their emphasis on public private partnerships ensures that they are working hand in hand with the government to implement key projects and initiatives that benefit Solomon Islands.

She also expressed that SICCI’s commitment to building the capacity of the private sector aligns with the government’s focus on skills development and training.

“SICCI will coordinate Solomon Islands in-country training programs for the private sector.”

She said an example is that some of the current trainings that they gain from is the annual national procurement training which is jointly facilitated with the Ministry of Finance and Treasury and they have just recently revived the SICCI CEMA (Commodities Export Marketing Authority) trade training with the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAL).

Kalua mentioned that it is trainings like this that can lead to enhanced SMEs (Small Medium-sized Enterprises) and farmers to better understand trade processes.

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UK-supported peacebuilding and security dialogue starts today

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BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

A UK-supported peacebuilding and security dialogue aimed at community leaders, non-government organisations (NGOs) and the government starts today at the King Solomon Hotel.

The two-day peacebuilding and security dialogue is a joint initiative of Transcend Oceania and Conciliation Resources, two partner Peacebuilding Organizations working around Peace and Conflict Issues in the Pacific.

Supported by the UK Integrated Security Fund the dialogue is a follow-up peacebuilding activity following the successful implementation of a Peacebuilding and Climate Change workshop conducted in the Solomon Islands June last year.

The key areas of focus in peacebuilding include conflict prevention, conflict resolution, conflict transformation, post conflict reconstruction, and human security.

The key objectives of this Peacebuilding and Security Dialogue include:

•Identifying key conflict and security issues in the Solomon Islands

•Using Root Cause Analysis and Stakeholder Mapping to analyse key conflict and security issues in the Solomon Islands

•Identifying Key Conflict and Security Drivers and Entry Points for Peacebuilding and Security Interventions

•Exploring contextualised non-violent approaches to resolving conflict and security issues in the Solomon Islands.

•Exploring the development of a Peacebuilding Community of Practice in the Solomon Islands

A policy brief on peacebuilding and security in the Solomon Islands will be produced at the completion of the Dialogue as one of its outcomes.

The Dialogue also hopes to generate interest and motivate peacebuilding practitioners in developing a Community of Peacebuilding Practice in the Solomon Islands.

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Wale calls on Mines Minister to halt proposed mining on San Jorge

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LEADER of Opposition Matthew Wale has called on the Minister of Mines & Energy to halt the proposed granting of a mining license to Far East Resources Company Ltd for nickel mining on San Jorge.

Wale made the call following serious concerns raised by tribal leaders and landowners, who reported that the company had failed to meet minimum operational standards and had blatantly disregarded labour laws during its prospecting activities, a statement from the Opposition Monday this week said.


“Far East Resources Company Limited reportedly failed to submit a satisfactory commercial discovery report or an EIA, resulting in no development consent being granted. These are serious breaches.

“No company should be granted a licence if it cannot even meet the bare minimum legal and international standards,” Wale said. 

The Opposition Leader said reports reaching his office are that the minerals board rejected both documents when considering the company’s application for a mining licence.

However, according to information received, the Minister ignored the minerals board decision, the statement said. 

“The Minister clearly has no power to overturn decisions made by the Board, and more so, when the failures are integral to the due diligence checks prescribed by law,” Wale adds.

The Leader of Opposition also expressed concern over reports that the company has been operating in breach of labour laws that protect and safeguard the health and safety of employees since it began its prospecting activities.

“The Opposition Office is also aware of reports alleging that the Far East Company Limited is engaging in overtly discriminatory practices against local workers in respect of food and safety equipment,” Wale said.  

Wale said that if these allegations are true, such breaches of domestic law further justify halting the proposed granting of a mining licence.

“The government must take note and clear these concerns. It cannot entertain such entities in our mining industry, which should prioritize sustainable development, environmental protection, and the rights of our people,” he said.

The Opposition Leader urged the Minister and his Ministry to prioritise the concerns raised by tribal leaders, landowners, and local communities on this matter, the statement said. 

Wale said it is imperative that any mining operation in our country adhere to international standards and best practices, and comply with domestic laws on environment, labour, and processes to safeguard the resource and the people. 


“Given the Minister’s consistent record in ignoring the Mines Board’s decision in the granting of licences, the Prime Minister needs to take disciplinary action.

“Non-renewable resources are at stake, and must not be allowed to be mismanaged in this reckless manner,” he said.

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