BY SAMIE WAIKORI

The Siapu-led PACRA government of Makira Ulawa province (MUP) will launch a series of transformative initiatives designed to reshape the province’s landscape and drive sustainable development in the province.

Premier Stanley Siapu emphasised the initiatives will include social, economic and infrastructure development that will contribute largely to accomplish the development aspirations of the province.

He said the PACRA government planned to pursue the initiatives this current fiscal year (2025/2026), which included;

• Preparing Huro Land for development:
  Transforming Huro Land into a vibrant economic and social hub through sustainable, inclusive, and innovative development projects.
• Revitalizing the Old Market Site:
  Redeveloping the old market site into a modern, dynamic marketplace that will stimulate local commerce and foster community engagement.
• Redevelopment through Lease Retrieval:
  Systematically retrieving all expired leases to unlock redevelopment opportunities, ensuring optimal land use and enhanced revenue generation.
• Comprehensive Survey of all FT Lands:
  Conducting detailed surveys, valuations, and reporting on all FT Lands to guarantee transparency and promote equitable development across the province.
• Strategic Development of Okea Land and Kolaridge House:
  Spearheading the development of these pivotal sites to create landmark projects that set new standards for urban renewal and economic growth.
• Rectifying the Kira Kira Township Western Boundary:
  Implementing corrective measures to accurately redefine the western boundary of Kira Kira Township, ensuring fair governance and strategic urban planning.
• Establishment of the Kira Kira Township Committee:
  Forming a dedicated committee to oversee and drive the progressive development of Kira Kira Township, ensuring that community voices lead the way.
• Ordinance Review and Reform:
  Undertaking a comprehensive review of all existing Provincial Ordinances and introducing forward-thinking regulations that respond to our evolving needs and aspirations.
• Review and Reinstatement of the MUPIC Ordinance:
  Conducting an in-depth review of the MUPIC Ordinance with a commitment to reinstating it as a robust legal framework. This initiative will ensure that our governance practices are aligned with contemporary standards and that the spirit of MUPIC is reinvigorated to support our developmental agenda.
• Developing Waimamura Land into a Special Economic Zone:
  Launching an ambitious project to transform Waimamura Land into a Special Economic Zone, fostering an environment that attracts investment, promotes innovation, and accelerates economic growth.
• Forging Sister Relationships with Guadalcanal and Guizhou Provinces:
  Establishing dynamic sister province relationships with Guadalcanal Province and Guizhou Province of the PRC, aimed at promoting international cooperation, cultural exchange, and shared economic development.
• Overhauling the Provincial Workforce and MUP Scheme of Services:
  Conducting a thorough review and transformative overhaul of the provincial workforce alongside the MUP Scheme of Services. This initiative is designed to modernize our human resource practices, streamline administrative processes, and foster a merit-based, highly efficient civil service ready to meet the evolving challenges of governance.
• Strengthening the Province’s Internal Revenue Base:
  Enhancing our internal revenue mechanisms through systematic reforms, efficient tax collection, and innovative revenue generation strategies that solidify the financial foundation of Makira Ulawa Province.

Siapu said his government is “rigorous behind the proposal and will ensure it eventuate to benefit both the people and government of MUP”. 

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By Loretta B Manele

Ensuring security in Solomon Islands is a shared duty of every citizen.

Jimson Tanangada, minister for the Ministry of Police, National Security, and Correctional Services (MPNSCS) raised this at the launch of the National Security Strategy 2025-2028 at the Mendana Hotel Friday (March 28).

He said the strategy underscores a fundamental truth and that is that national security is a shared responsibility.

Tanangada stated that this means it demands the active participation and cooperation of every sector in the country.

“The National Security Strategy 2025 embodies a unified and proactive vision. Security is not solely a government responsibility. It is a shared duty of every citizen, community, institution and partner.”

Tanangada emphasized that our security and resilience are interconnected with the well-being of our citizens, the integrity of our institutions and the unity of our communities.

Henceforth, he said together we will confront challenges such as climate change, transnational crime and cyber threats, while safeguarding economic and political stability.

Tanangada went on to say that the strategy enhances existing efforts, fostering greater coordination and collaboration across all sectors to strengthen our nation’s resilience.

He also stated that they acknowledge the pressing need to strengthen the capacity and capability of our law enforcement agencies which are the National Security Division, Royal Solomon Island Police Force and the Correctional Services of Solomon Islands.

Tanangada stressed that the above institutions are the backbone of our national security framework and their empowerment is essential for effective management and coordination in addressing the complex challenges we face.

“My ministry is resolutely committed to prioritizing national security initiatives.”

Tanangada voiced that the NSS 2025-2028 serves as a transformative blueprint to ensure these key institutions are well-structured, adequately resourced and equipped to confront emerging threats.

He mentioned that the strategy reflects their unwavering dedication to safeguarding the sovereignty of Solomon Islands and the safety of our people.

Tanangada said through collaboration with stakeholders both domestic and international, we will foster a culture of trust, unity and cooperation.

“Together, united for security, we will build a stronger, safer and more resilient Solomon Islands, securing a prosperous future for generations to come.

Let us move forward, united for security, as we build a more resilient and prosperous Solomon Islands.”

Tanangada noted that the successful launch of the National Security Strategy 2025-2028 is a testament to the collective effort by many individuals and organizations.

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By Loretta B Manele

Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele launched the National Security Strategy 2025-2028 at the Mendana Hotel on Friday (March 28).

In his remarks, he referred to the event as a significant milestone in Solomon Islands’ journey towards a safer, more secure and prosperous future.

“With immense pride and responsibility, I stand before you to launch the Solomon Islands National Security Strategy 2025 (NSS 2025-2028).”

He expressed that the theme of the launching program “United for Security: A Collective Vision for a Resilient & Prosperous Solomon Islands” is one that unites us today whilst highlighting that our security is not the responsibility of one institution or sector but a shared duty of all Solomon Islanders.

“This strategy is not just a document; it is a collective vision, a roadmap and a call to action designed to safeguard our sovereignty, protect our citizens and promote sustainable development in an increasingly complex global landscape.”

Manele stressed that the security of our nation is intrinsically linked to the well-being of our people, the resilience and accountability of our institutions and the protection of our natural environment.

He explained that the mission of the strategy is protect our citizens, uphold the rule of law, and strengthen our institutional resilience.

Manele said this will be achieved through effective governance, regional and international cooperation with Solomon Islands leadership and the active engagement of all communities and national security stakeholders.

In relation, he stated that the NSS 2025-2028 supports efforts towards the achievement of Goal Five of our National Development Strategy 2016-2035.

Manele added that it reinforces the rationale of the four pillars of the GNUT Policy Statement which are; economic transformation, unity and stability, infrastructure development and human capital development.

“In short, the implementation of the NSS-2025-2028 will also implement the NDS and GNUT Policy.”

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BY IRWIN ANGIKI

Australia will this year fund 100 projects to improve schools, health services and community infrastructure to create opportunities for people in the communities.

Lindsay Buckingham, the Australian High Commission minister-counsellor announced this when handing over the new classroom for GS Faisi TVET school last week.

“This year, 2025, we will fund 100 more projects,” she said.

“Projects like this help to improve schools, health services and community infrastructure to create opportunities for people in the communities.

“This classroom can be just one example of how we work together to make a life better for everyone,” said Buckingham.

Australia rolled out 100 similar projects last year worth $23 million.

These projects add on to the already more than $5 billion worth of project and support Australia has given Solomon Islands since 2019.

Last week’s handover was for a two-storey classroom project funded by Australia for the GS Faisi school in one of the communities of East Honiara, Jackson Ridge, one with thousands of residents.

The project costed $1.2 million and was made possible through AusAID under the Solomon Islands-Australia Community Partnership.

Acknowledging parents, teachers, students and community representatives at the handover, Buckingham said that it was a pleasure for her to attend the official handover of the upgraded classrooms.

“This project is an example of the strong partnership between Solomon Island and Australia. We recognised that there’s a solution when we empower local communities.

“An example of how these partnerships between communities offer to make a tangible difference inside lives for all people is what we are here for today,” Buckingham said.

She said GS Faisi TVET school was among the 35 schools that applied for funding support in 2023.

She said Australia funded 100 community projects across every province of the Solomon Islands in 2024, representing more than $23 million of direct investment in local businesses and community development initiatives.

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By Loretta B Manele

The two-day “Peacebuilding and Security Dialogue” ended on a high note at the King Solomon Hotel yesterday.

On Tuesday, the first day of the programme, Lottie Vaisekavea, permanent secretary for Ministry of Traditional Governance, Peace and Ecclesiastical Affairs opened the dialogue with a speech.

Afterwards, two sessions held were focused on classifying peacebuilding and security and finding out current conflict and security issues in Solomon Islands.

The third session was the “Introduction to Conflict Analysis Tools” of which participants were given presentations on analysis tools like “Root Cause Analysis and Stakeholder Mapping”.

Afterwards, participants went into session 4 in which they practised using the above tools before delivering their presentations about it.

Meanwhile, on the second and final day of the dialogue, sessions provided by the facilitators were; Identifying Key Conflict and Security Drivers and Entry Points for Peacebuilding and Security Interventions.

This was followed by four intense group activities which allowed participants representing the government, schools, local communities, churches and other organizations to actively contribute to discussions among themselves and with facilitators and learn from each other whilst forming new relationships among themselves.

The dialogue aims to generate interest in the development of a Community of Peacebuilding Practice (COPP) in Solomon Islands.

This programme was facilitated by Transcend Oceania and Conciliation Resources with funding support from UK-Integrated Security Fund.

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-Premier Asilaua questioned why Malaita provincial government will be paying for security guards for Chinese company CCECC working in Auki road project

-Asilaua says it is ‘normal’

BY SAMIE WAIKORI

Malaita provincial government (MPG) is being questioned why it will be paying for security guards for CCECC, the Chinese company contracted for the major Auki road project.

Premier Elijah Asilaua has said it is ‘normal’.

Malaita non-executive MPAs raised the concern after the provincial government advertised vacancies for security guards to look after CCECC properties and sites.

The non-executives questioned why Asilaua’s government was giving this special treatment to CCECC when it had never done the same for other companies from other development partners.

“A lot of projects in Malaita funded by other development partners such as Australia and Japan, involving companies from other countries which Premier Asilaua’s government has not even spent a dollar to cooperate and pay for their security.

“But, Premier Asilaua suddenly finds it normal to pay for the security guards of Chinese company CCECC,” the non-executives say.

“If MPG wants the same with contractors implementing donor funded projects in the province, similar privilege should be offered to them all,” the MPAs argued.

“We acknowledge if the privilege is impeded in the agreements between MPG and the contractor on the project. But that doesn’t reflect fairness to all development partners especially contractors implementing projects in the province.

“After all, our donor partners are here to develop us and we should accord similar treatment to them all,” they argued.

“If other contractors pay for their own security guards, why is CCECC not paying for theirs?” the MPAs said.

In response Premier Asilaua said in his assembly speech on Monday said Malaita needs to reciprocate in some form to the CCECC over the Auki road project.

He said for Malaita provincial government to provide security officers “it is normal under its budget allocation”.

“It is a good investment through a win-win cooperation for a good course with high returns on tangible, visible and decent road infrastructure to benefit many people in Malaita province.

“It is the government’s responsibility to make sure the contractor’s foreign staff and even our local employees, machinery, and equipment are in a safe working environment for smooth operations to successfully complete the project time frame in 22 months.

“Safety and security of the machinery, equipment, and staff are important. Providing security officers and police officers to patrol is just normal as well,” Asilaua explained.

Meanwhile, the non-executives clarified that they support the Auki road project.

“We are in full support of Auki Road upgrade project and other donor funded projects in the province,” they said. 

China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) is a state-owned enterprise of the People’s Republic of China.

It has been awarded the contract to build the major Auki road project.

It is unclear how much the project is worth. However, the Auki road project is part of the $170 million infrastructure funding from China which government directed to Malaita last year.

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