Premier Stanley Tehiahua brushes aside rumours of his province planning to break away and joining Vanuatu

BY SAMIE WAIKORI

Premier of Temotu province, Stanley Tehiahua says any decision for Temotu province to exit Solomon Islands to join Vanuatu will not happen in a vacuum – processes are there to be taken.

Tehiahua, however, declared the position of his government on the matter saying “we have an obligation under the constitution to maintain national unity”.

In an interview yesterday, the premier made the statement clarifying a recent social media post by premier for Choiseul province, Harrison Pitakaka saying Choiseul and Temotu provinces are together on a plan to break-away from the country.

While, acknowledging the statement made by Premier Pitakaka, he said his colleague had expressed the matter the way he thought.

He said the government of Temotu also have similar feelings, and all come down to the notion that national government doesn’t draw much attention to Temotu province.

“Premier of Choiseul province expressed the matter in the way he thought. What I can say is, I also felt it and have a feeling that national government doesn’t draw close attention to Temotu province.

“In a way, the idea is to draw the attention of the national government to the provinces especially, my province,” Tehiahua noted.

However, he said his government has bear the feeling and should there is need for it, it has to be channelled through appropriate authorities.

The premier also shared a scenario in the history of the country that could be a potential basis for the province to break-away from the country.

“The history of Temotu province was sad. The province wasn’t part of Solomon Islands, when the country declared protectorate in 1983.

“It was five years later in 1898, Temotu province was then included in the declaration as part of Solomon Islands.

“This is a snippet of the history of Temotu province, and though it might be sad for us, my government will uphold national unity as mandatory under the national constitution,” he said.

Tehiahua reiterated that his government is feeling the matter, but will always try to maintain national unity and let their views heard to get the courtesy of national government.  

He mentioned that should there be issues as such, his government will approach it in a peaceful and legal processes through appropriate authority.

“I felt what was expressed by colleague premier for Choiseul, but my government treasured the national obligation to uphold national unity in the country,” Tehiahua said.

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BY LORETTA B MANELE

Tourism Solomons branding for the upcoming Flysolomons Peace Marathon 2025 in August will be “Solomon is Freedom”.

Fiona Teama, head of Sales and Marketing for Tourism Solomons gave a brief explanation of why they chose to go with this theme for the event.

She highlighted that they want to highlight peace and promote peace within us, nationally and globally.

Teama said in Tourism Solomons marketing, they are not so much into the war when it comes to World War 2 as they want to focus more on promoting peace seeing that the marathon will help to unite people.

Speaking on “freedom”, she voiced that during World War 2, people came and fought on our islands and this is part of our history which we sometimes tend to overlook.

“But it is very important for us to know what happened like how our forefathers played their roles during the war.”

She said their branding is “Solomon Islands” but they use it to describe different activities, feelings and emotions.

Thus, Teama said that with the event taking place at Bloody Ridge which is related to the Second World War and given that this year will be the 83rd Anniversary of the Battle of Guadalcanal, their branding is ‘Solomon is Freedom’.

“So, attached to the World War II history, we use the branding as ‘Solomon is Freedom’ because Guadalcanal was the turning point of World War II as it was on Guadalcanal that the war ended.”

“So, we like to say that we gave freedom to the world. If it hadn’t been for our great-great-grandfathers who helped the soldiers, the war would have continued on throughout the Pacific, extending the war. So, remember, Solomon is Freedom.”

Teama mentioned that every year the marathon is held in the western part of Guadalcanal which is home to WW2 attractions but this year they want to highlight the eastern battlefields as well in the eastern part of the island.

“So, we will be supporting Solomon Airlines and Travel Solomons in marketing and promoting, not only domestically, but internationally as well.”

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BY LORETTA B MANELE

West Honiara Constituency has received a significant boost for White River Clinic, thanks to a generous donation of medical equipment and a vehicle from the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China (PRC).

The official handover ceremony took place on Wednesday at the clinic and was attended by distinguished guests and representatives from the PRC embassy office, Honiara City Council (HCC) and West Honiara Constituency representatives.

Among those present were Li Qinghua, Counselor from the PRC Embassy, Counselor for Ward 1, Rex Konofilia, Dr. Lawrence Diau, HCC Provincial Health Director, Adrian Simbe, HCC Director of Nursing and Dr Thomas Oitalo, Head Medical Officer who oversees the White River Clinic.

Dr Oitalo expressed his gratitude for the timely donation, emphasizing its importance for the clinic’s operations.

“We sincerely thank the PRC for their trust and belief in us by donating this equipment. We are humbled and privileged to have received this support, which will enhance our ongoing operations and benefit not only the White River community but also other communities within the capital.”

Counselor Li Qinghua expressed her joy at the handover ceremony, describing the donation as a gift from China to the people of West Honiara.

“This clinic represents a light of solidarity and shared humanity. It is a testament to the profound friendship between the Chinese people and the Solomon Islands and a reflection of our commitment to improving health services in the region.”

Li highlighted PRC’s ongoing efforts to enhance medical services in the Solomon Islands, referencing the recently inaugurated China-AIDED National Referral Hospital Comprehensive Medical Center, which was handed over in January.

The facility is equipped with advanced medical technology and aims to provide high-level medical services, better training opportunities and job creation for the local population.

Brian Taupiri, West Honiara constituency development officer (CDO) revealed that over $400,000 in funding provided in 2023 facilitated the purchase of the vehicle and essential equipment for the clinic.

“On behalf of our Member of Parliament, Namson Tran and the people of the Constituency, I extend our heartfelt gratitude to the PRC for their unwavering support throughout this project.”

Taupiri acknowledged the delay was caused by the national election and the establishment of the new office but expressed pride in the successful delivery of this vital initiative.

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BY NED GAGAHE

The Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA) has wrapped up its 28th Monitoring, Control and Surveillance Working Group meeting (MCSWG28) with major strides toward digital fisheries management.

Over 115 delegates from all 17 FFA member states and international partners gathered in Honiara from March 31 to April 4 to strengthen the fight against illegal fishing in Pacific waters.

In a statement FFA Fisheries Operations Director Allan Rahari said the meeting achieved “solid progress” in implementing the 2024-2029 Regional MCS Strategy, including plans for a new online compliance tracking system.

The key outcomes of the meeting includes;

• Progress on the FFA Regional MCS Strategy 2024-2029, with the first-year review showing solid implementation.

• The development of the online dashboard to monitor regional reporting and compliance efforts under a five-year strategy

• Updates on the FFA regional surveillance operations, aerial surveillance, satellite remote sensing, cooperative operations under the NTSA and Operation NASSE targeting illegal fishing on the high seas.

• Developments on electronic process of vessel registries (FFA EVR and WCPFC RFV) and access to the information;

• Support to prioritise the remaining countries, 25% to formalise maritime boundaries;

• Discussion and next step on compliance matters and MCS priorities for the WCPFC.

• Progress on the priority matters and guide related to electronic monitoring and reporting,

• Cooperative MCS engagements between Members and the Pacific QUADs on needs and solutions for improvement in surveillance.

“The tools we’re developing ensure our tuna stocks remain sustainable for future generations,” Mr Rahari said, noting outcomes will be presented at May’s Forum Fisheries Committee meeting in Niue.

Nauru’s Malgram Dowabobo chaired the discussions, which brought together fisheries officials, conservation groups and technology partners like Global Fishing Watch.

The meeting reaffirmed regional commitment to combating illegal fishing through innovation and cooperation, with digital solutions taking centre stage in this year’s strategy.

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