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‘All welcome to participate in peace marathon’

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BY LORETTA B MANELE

Everyone is welcome to join the Flysolomons Peace Marathon 2025 on August 30th at Bloody Ridge and Tenaru.

Jenny Lobo, Marketing Supervisor, Solomon Airlines Ltd raised this at a recent press conference this week with partners for the event namely; Tourism Solomons, Travel Solomons and Ministry of Culture and Tourism (MCT).

She highlighted that the event is open to everyone; whether you are in the province, in Honiara or overseas.

As for international runners, Lobo said they have special packages for those who wish to come over to join the event from Fiji, Australia, New Zealand or Vanuatu.

She mentioned that they will be happy to give them a good rate that will enable them to be part of the event.

Lobo emphasized that they would love everyone to attend including business houses.

“So, we will also go out to business houses and ask them to be join us and be part of the event and for them to encourage their staff to come in and help promote peace, unity and health.

So, we’ll be knocking on your doors during this weekend and onwards. “

Moreover, Lobo said this event is not just a race but a celebration of who we are and where we come from as one people of Solomon Islands.

She stated that Solomon Airlines has the naming right to the event and are proud to carry this Solomon Islands story with them.

“Solomon Airlines is happy to carry people that come and learn about our history and then go back to tell the story to others to come and visit our islands.”

The event falls in line with this year’s 83rd Anniversary of the Battle of Guadalcanal.

Apart from the marathon, there will also be awareness talks at the event.

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China assures of continued development opportunities for Solomon Islands

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BY SAMIE WAIKORI

The Chinese Embassy office in Solomon Islands assures to open its development opportunities to the world, no matter how the international situation changes.

Charge d’affaires of PRC embassy office in Honiara, Mr Ding Yonghua made the statement in response to the recent announcement by US to increase tariff on all its trading partners.

“In the recent days, we have seen worrying twists and turns in the global economy.

“The US has announced tariff increases on all trading partners, covering over 180 countries and regions of the world, including some vulnerable economies classified by the UN as Least Development Countries, such as Solomon Islands.

“This hegemonic move in the name of “reciprocity” serves the selfish interests of US at the expense of legitimate interests of other countries, deprives countries, especially those in the global south, of their right to development, and seriously harms efforts to realize the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development,” Yonghua said.

He pointed out clear that China opposes this typical move of unilateralism, protectionism and economic bullying, and has taken and will continue to take resolute measures to safeguard its sovereignty, security and development interests.

Yonghua noted that as the second largest economy and the second largest consumer good market, China is committed to opening up to the world more and more. No matter how the international situation changes.

“We will share our development opportunities with the world to achieve mutual benefits, and welcome provinces in Solomon Islands to seize the opportunities of China’s growth.

“Together, we will build an even closer China – SI community with a shared future in the new era,” he said.

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Ministry now has control over Bloody Ridge

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BY LORETTA B MANELE

Ministry of Culture and Tourism (MCT) now has control over Bloody Ridge.

Gregory Auta’a, acting director from MCT made the statement whilst speaking at a press conference this week with Solomon Airlines, Tourism Solomons and Travel Solomons about the Flysolomons Peace Marathon 2025 scheduled for August this year at Bloody Ridge and Tenaru area.

He said as of early this year; they have finally evacuated every illegal settler within the boundary at Bloody Ridge.

Moreover, Auta’a expressed that they are very happy about this event because they have also formalized a contract agreement with the community policy at Bloody Ridge.

Henceforth, he added that there is 24-hour security at the whole park and areas outside.

Auta’a, speaking of the event, said this means that those who will participate in the event including international visitors will be able to attend the event and be safe while they are there as the 24-hour security law is now effective there.

Meanwhile, he mentioned that in regards to whatever preparation is needed there, they will inform their partners including the Bloody Ridge policing community.

Auta’a stated that MCT looks forward to be part of the event in partnership with Solomon Airlines, Travel Solomons and Tourism Solomons.

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Premier Tehiahua holds fruitful discussion with PM Manele

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BY SAMIE WAIKORI

Premier of Temotu province Stanley Tahiahua has described an official visit to Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele yesterday as fruitful and insightful.

Mr Tehiahua, who is in Honiara for the consultation of the Special Economic Zone bill that concluded yesterday, made the visit to bring to the attention of PM Manele the province’s development plans.

The premier discussed with Manele key development plans and challenges the province has been facing.

Like other provinces, Tehiahua said Temotu continues to face deficiency in areas that would boost economic development.

He added that his government like previous provincial governments has put in place policies to stimulate development in the province, but require support from the national government and donor partners.

Key areas of development premier Tehiahua discussed with PM Manele include;

  • Shipping issue face by the province – shipping is one of the challenges continued to face by Temotu province, especially in terms of connectivity, given its remoteness and geographical status.
  • Temotu Heritage Mission – Tehiahua’s government proposes a heritage park for the province. Aim is to preserve culture, history and promote tourism in the eastern end of the country.
  • Plan to preserve Temotu province territorial sea – Temotu province came up with a broader concept to preserve its territorial sea, as a bank or reserve stock of marine resources for the benefit of the country.
  • Border set-up – Since Temotu province host the eastern border of the country with Vanuatu, SIG must look at necessities to enhance safety and security of the country.

Premier Tehiahua added that there are other areas of developments brought before the prime minister, but the above-mentioned ones are key among them.

He said his government also channelled the issues through rightful government agencies, but it worth bringing them to the attention of the prime minister.

According to Tehiahua, Prime Minister Manele expressed delight for the productive dialogue with Premier Tehiahua.

He also acknowledged Premier Tehiahua for briefing his office about the plan of his government and assured to liaise with responsible ministries to pursue them.

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Police and Correctional officers attend China seminar

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BY NED GAGAHE

Four officers – three from the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) and one from Correctional Services Solomon Islands (CSSI) – recently completed a two-week professional development seminar in Beijing, China.

The delegation split into two groups, with media officers attending a Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) journalism seminar while crime prevention specialists participated in a poverty reduction workshop.

In a statement RSIPF National Crime Prevention Director Inspector Steve Sunaone said the poverty seminar provided crucial insights.

“We can’t effectively fight crime without addressing poverty,” he said.

“This training helps us better support communities through stakeholder collaboration.”

Sunaone emphasised that poverty reduction requires a united approach involving government, NGOs, churches, businesses and international partners.

“When we eliminate poverty, we’ll see crime rates drop significantly.”

Meanwhile, CSSI Media Officer Staff Sergeant Davidson Ledi described the media seminar as “extremely valuable” for improving his reporting skills.

The participants visited major Chinese media outlets including China Daily newspaper and a Beijing television station during their study tour.

“I’m grateful to the China Police Liaison Team and Chinese Embassy for organising this opportunity,” Ledi said.

The training forms part of ongoing cooperation between Solomon Islands and China in security and media development sectors.

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Landmark election study launched in Honiara

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BY NED GAGAHE

In a major step for electoral research, the Solomon Islands National University (SINU) on Thursday launched the comprehensive 2024 Solomon Islands Elections Research Report, produced in partnership with the Australian National University (ANU).

The landmark study – the most detailed of its kind ever done in our country – combines data from 5,300 voter surveys and 570 observer reports covering 15 constituencies nationwide.

It provides unprecedented insights into what shaped last year’s national elections.

SINU Vice Chancellor Professor Transform Aqorau told attendees the research partnership went beyond paperwork to create real “people-to-people” connections between Solomon Islands and Australian academics.

“True democracy doesn’t end when votes are counted,” Mr Aqorau said.

“When ordinary people get sidelined after elections, we risk creating a system where only the powerful have a voice.”

The report highlights five key areas:

  • How voters learn about elections
  • Problems with voter lists and polling security
  • Why few women enter politics
  • How MP funds influence voting
  • Public trust in the system after elections

ANU’s Dr Sonia Palmieri praised the “historic cooperation” between the universities, while Australian High Commission Minister Counsellor Lindsay Buckingham said the findings would help strengthen Solomon Islands democracy.

Electoral Commission CEO Jasper Anisi welcomed the research, saying: “These findings will help us improve future elections.”

The SINU-ANU research team, including Dr Colin Wiltshire, Dr Lincy Pende, Dr Leonora Houma, Ms Vhairi Devi, and Dr John Fasi also presented on the key findings of the report during the event.

Aqorau closed his remarks with words from former US President Kennedy: “When voters don’t understand the system, everyone’s future is at risk.”

The full report is now available at SINU for students, policymakers and the public.

Aqorau said this is just the beginning of more local research partnerships to come.

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MID continues interlocking block pavement production

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The Ministry of Infrastructure Development (MID) has announced the continued production and successful implementation of interlocking block pavement (IBP) at its construction material laboratory.

Recently, the lab reinstated IBP on the in-yards of the Friendship Hall access path, showcasing the durability and quality of these locally made concrete blocks, a MID statement this week said.

Other pilot sites that showcase the IBP technology are the Point Cruz back-road stretch from Advance Building to the Melanesian Church Headquarter, the Auki High School footpath, and the vehicle inspection approaching road, the statement said.

The lab for the past months supplied these innovative interlocking blocks to local contractors and private residences, ensuring that quality materials are accessible for various construction projects.

This initiative is part of the broader IBP Project, which is supported by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) aims to introduce IBP as a new pavement standard throughout the country, the MID statement said.

The IBP technology, which has been designed to improve pavement conditions, will have a significant impact on transportation infrastructure across all provinces as materials are readily available and easier to maintain, the statement said.

The lab has established a partnership with students from the Solomon Islands National University technical field, who are engaged in practical training at the lab as part of their studies.

This collaboration not only provides students with hands-on experience in concrete production and pavement technology but also allows them to receive small allowances for their contributions to the concrete works, the MID statement said.

“The ongoing IBP initiative symbolises our commitment to fostering local talent and improving infrastructure standards through innovative solutions,” said Ishamel Alulu, acting director of Transport Infrastructure Service Division (TIMSD), who is also the deputy director of Quality Assurance.

“We are excited about the benefits this technology brings to our communities and the opportunities it provides for our future professionals.”

High court dismisses APID appeal against Mines minister Tovosia

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The High Court has dismissed an appeal lodged by Asia Pacific Investment Development (APID) Limited against Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Mines, Energy and Rural Electrification, Bradley Tovosia over the cancellation of APID’s mining licence.

The Mining Lease was originally granted in September 2014 for a 25-year term under the Gordon Darcy Lilo administration, a statement by Government Communications Unit (GCU) yesterday said.

However, the lease was cancelled on June 3, 2021 by Minister Tovosia following APID’s failure to adequately respond to a “show cause” notice issued on April 21, 2021, the GCU statement said.

Tovosia issued the show-cause notice when he became aware of fundamental breaches to the Mining Lease.

During the hearing, the High Court also held that APID, as the holder of the Mining Lease, remained solely responsible for these breaches—despite having subcontracted Bintan Mining Solomon Islands (BMSI).

The Court said under law, all legal and regulatory obligations under the Mines and Minerals Act rested with APID, not its subcontractor, the statement said.

One of the major breaches involved APID’s failure to pay royalties for 15 bauxite shipments from Rennell, GCU said.

Additional violations included operating without fully adhering to the terms and conditions of the Mining Lease, the Mining Agreement, and the Mines and Minerals Act and its accompanying regulations.

The company also breached the Surface Rights Agreement with landowners and the Community Development Agreement with affected local communities, the statement said.

These cumulative breaches prompted Tovosia to cancel the lease, a decision APID contested in court.

APID’s legal representative, Gabriel Suri, filed the appeal which was heard on August 4, 2021.

Suri argued that the “show cause” notice was invalid and that the Minister’s reasons for cancelling the lease were insufficient.

In his ruling, delivered on April 1, 2025, Justice Howard Lawry rejected the appeal, saying that the Minister was justified in his decision.

“Having reviewed the matter de novo and based on the material presented, the decision to cancel the license was the correct one,” Justice Lawry said.

Tovosia welcomed the ruling, emphasising the importance of upholding the law and protecting national interests, the statement said.

The High Court also held that APID despite subcontracting BMSI, was solely responsible for the breaches of Mines and Minerals Act.

As a Mining Lease holder, those obligations were by law APID’s obligations and not BMSI, the statement said.

The High Court held that material before both the Board and the Minister demonstrate that the APID was in serious breach of its licence and agreement.

The High Court also found that APID had knowledge of the breach for two years about the breaches but continued to blame BMSI, the statement said.

“As the responsible Minister, I must ensure compliance with the Mines and Minerals Act, Mining Lease, and other relevant regulations and agreements. Allowing APID Ltd to continue operations for another 18 years would not serve the best interests of the country or the people of Rennell,” Tovosia said.

Media plays a vital role in judiciary and democracy

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BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

George Hoa’au, the Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Justice and Legal Affairs, said the media plays an important role in judiciary and democracy.

PS Hoa’au said this when speaking at the Australia Solomon Islands Partnership for Justice (ASIPJ) Transformational Leadership Dinner program at the Heritage Park Hotel on Wednesday this week.

The ASIPJ dinner program was attended by the Minister counsellor from Australian High Commission Lindsay Buckingham, the Ombudsman, heads of legal agencies, the Attorney General’s Office, PPP, PSO and Law Reform Commission.

“Media is an important part of judiciary and our democracy. The way they ask questions, the way they report things rightly. So, I’m always pleased that we have the media with us,’’ said PS Hoa’au.

“A lot of times when we have the media with us, people think that they are just here to take pictures of events. But the media plays an important role in the way our democracy works, and I’d like to acknowledge that,’’ he said.

He said that the judiciary system must ensure that the media is always part of what they would like to do.

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Rennell-Bellona province to tie the knot soon with Hainan province of China

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BY SAMIE WAIKORI

Rennell-Bellona province, the national government and the Chinese embassy are working together to officially establish relations between Rennell-Bellona and China’s Hainan province.

Charge d’affaires of PRC embassy office in Honiara, Ding Yonghua said yesterday preparation is underway for the establishment of the milestone relationship.

Yonghua said, “I understand that premier Pongi will lead a delegation to visit Hainan to formally sign the MOU to establish friendly provincial relations with Hainan.

“This trip will be a milestone in the relationship between the two provinces, not only in enhancing the friendship and understanding between the two sides.

“But, also in laying a solid foundation for future cooperation in areas such as trade, agriculture, fisheries, education and people to people exchanges.

“As two island provinces, we believe that Hainan and Renbel have the potential to set a good example for sub-national relations between China and Solomon Islands.

“Let us continue to work together to make this happen,” he said.

Deputy Provincial Secretary of Rennell Bellona province, Mr Aubrey Saueha acknowledged the national government and the Chinese Embassy for efforts behind the undertaking.

He said the idea to forge subnational relationship with foreign province was passed by the previous governments. It was a long-time pursuit of the province.

Saueha noted, the people and government of Rennell Bellona province are looking forward to this historic achievement.

He added that premier Pongi will lead a delegation to Hainan soon to officially sign the MOU for the establishment of the sister-relationship.

Saueha said like other provinces that have similar sub-national relationships, the sister relation will support Rennell Bellona in its economic development.

According to the Deputy PS, key areas under the MOU are yet to be known, but will focus mainly on areas like fisheries, education, agriculture and other exchange programmes.

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