BY NED GAGAHE

Central Islands Province Premier Michael Salini has raised concerns about the limited consultation period for the Special Economic Zone Bill 2024, telling Parliament’s Bills and Legislation Committee that his delegation lacked sufficient time to properly analyze the proposed legislation. 

Speaking during yesterday’s hearing, Salini revealed his team only received a copy of the bill last week and participated in a briefing with the Commerce Ministry task force just one day before the parliamentary session.

“We didn’t have time to really scrutinize and understand the bill in its entirety,” Salini stated, adding that this tight timeline prevented them from fully grasping the technical aspects or potential negative impacts on provinces. 

While expressing these concerns, the premier carefully acknowledged the government’s efforts, stating: “We don’t want to undermine the amount of hard work that has been put into this bill.” He noted his understanding that consultations had occurred in other provinces before his team’s involvement. 

Salini called for more inclusive consultation processes in the future to ensure provincial governments can meaningfully contribute to legislation that directly affects their communities.

Despite the criticism, Premier Salini offered conditional support for the Bill.

 “If the intention is to build our economy for the benefit of our people, my team is willing to support it.” He said. 

The premier also highlighted ongoing challenges in legislative consultation between the national government and provincial administrations.

The Bills and Legislation Committee is expected to consider these concerns as deliberations on the Special Economic Bill throughout the week, with remaining stakeholders and witnesses who are invited to present their views.

Presented before the Committee yesterday were Premiers of Renbel, Malaita, Choiseul, Isabel, Makira, Western, Temotu and Central and provincial government officials.

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BY INDY MAEALASIA

RESEARCH has shown that reliance on herbal remedies, negative attitudes towards prescribed treatments and alcohol consumption are major factors undermining medication adherence among hypertension patients at the National Referral Hospital (NRH).

Researcher Marineth Magi of the Solomon Islands National University (SINU) explained that  patients participating in the study opted for herbal alternatives due to cultural beliefs and perceptions

“They(patients) think that it is safer for them to take it however, there is always no scientific proof at all for those herbal medications that they take,” she said. 

Negative attitudes towards prescribed medications also surfaced as a significant barrier.

“They feel exhausted after taking medications for such a long time. Some miss their doses for a day or two, while others only take their medications when they feel unwell,” she noted.

Additionally, alcohol consumption further complicated the adherence problem. Magi revealed that certain patients avoid taking their medication while socializing, believing that alcohol interferes with the effectiveness of their treatments.

“They think alcohol interferes with how the medication works. Because of this belief, they skip their doses during social events,” she added.

Magi emphasized the need for a coordinated effort to address these challenges. “A multi-sectoral approach involving patients, families, healthcare providers and the government is essential to promote adherence to prescribed treatments,” she said.

She called for the development and implementation of effective intervention programs tailored to address these barriers.

“Effective intervention program should be developed and implemented to address these adherence challenges,” she added.

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BY INDY MAEALASIA

RENOVATION work on Kukum clinic, East Honiara is advancing well and expected to be completed by June this year, according to a public notice from Honiara City Council’s (HCC) Health Division.

The announcement has brought relief to residents who regularly depend on the clinic. Local resident Mirriam Balau, whose family relies on the facility for medical visits, expressed her eagerness for its reopening.

“I am looking forward to the reopening of the clinic,” she said.

Balau shared the difficulties patients have faced since the clinic’s closure, particularly the financial burden of seeking services elsewhere.

“Recently, I visited the clinic and found it was closed. I had to spend extra money traveling to another nearby health center,” she explained.

Contractors working on the clinic reported that renovations have been ongoing for nearly six weeks. They remain confident in finishing the project by the end of this month, which is two months ahead of the originally projected deadline.

However, they noted that additional finishing touches might be needed in coming months if necessary.

In related updates, HCC confirmed that the Rove clinic has reopened, while the Mataniko outpatient clinic remains under renovation.

The notice also announced extended clinic hours at Rove and Vura clinics, which will now remain open until 10 PM every day.

Additionally, for weekends and public holidays, Rove clinic will cater to residents in west Honiara, Mataniko clinic will serve central Honiara and Kukum clinic will handle patients in east Honiara.

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BY NED GAGAHE

Premier of Central Islands Province Michael Salini says Tulagi, former capital of Solomon Islands and once a proud capital, is now starting from scratch.

Salini uttered this statement when contributing to the Special Economic Zone Bill 2024 during Bills and Legislation Committee hearing in Parliament yesterday.

“Mr. Chairman, the story of my province, as you might have been aware, has been a sad one. As a host of the first capital of the country, we started off fairly well in terms of investment and some small but limited infrastructure in place.” He said.

Premier Salini said successive national governments have allowed this investment to either be taken away or allowed to deteriorate to the point where a lot of money is needed to rehabilitate them.

He said as far as CIP government is concerned; the province is basically just going to start from scratch again.

However, the Premier said the people of Central province need to be pulled out from the economic stagnancy and the level of poverty they are in. 

He said if this bill is a way forward, they will be happy to support it.

“If the special economic zone can be an avenue to attract foreign investment, improve trade and perhaps provide economic opportunities for our people in terms of employment, then I think it’s a good idea.” Premier Salini said.

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BY INDY MAEALASIA

Upcoming By-elections for West Guadalcanal Constituency and Paripao Provincial Ward have been confirmed for Wednesday, June 4.

Governor General David Tiva Kapu yesterday formally appointed the date for the National Parliament by-election for West Guadalcanal Constituency in a live coverage broadcasted through SIBC. 

Similarly, the Minister of Provincial Government and Institutional Strengthening (MPGIS) Wayne Ghemu, issued a notice scheduling the Paripao Provincial Ward By-election for the same date.

In a press conference, Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of the Solomon Islands Electoral Commission (SIEC) Jasper Anisi confirmed to local media that nomination opens today (April 9) and will conclude on April 15.

Anisi also announced that 2,741 voters are expected to vote in the Paripao Ward while 8,098 voters for West Guadalcanal constituency.

The Chief Electoral Officer also called on election observers interested to observe the by-elections to visit the SIEC office for accreditation.

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BY SAMIE WAIKORI

Members of RSIPF in Auki have arrested a total of eight males for illegal gambling, especially the pass-pass card game in public places of Auki town.

The men were charged for gambling in public place contrary to section 4(1) of the gaming and lotteries Act and appeared before Auki Magistrate court on 7^th April 2025.

PPC Malaita, chief superintendent Tex Tafoa said in a statement the arrest was made during an operation conducted by police to crackdown on illegal gambling and sales of marijuana and kwaso in Auki.

He explained the operation was a joint effort between Malaita province and RSIPF to curb and prevent drivers of crimes in Auki.

Tafoa also said the operation was in response to concern raised by the public to discourage unlawful gambling in public places in and around Auki town.

“During the operations, several hotspots were raided, resulted in removing several illegal market stalls along Auki main road and within Kilu’ufii hospital compound,” he said.

According to PPC Tafoa, gambling is an offence under the Solomon Islands statute law – the Gaming and Lotteries Act, and police will not tolerate it.

He told the public of Auki that gambling in public places and managing unlawful games, such as card games or whatever game of lucky for money are prohibited.

Tafoa said people must aware of this, while urging them to cooperate with police to crackdown on gambling and other illegal activities in Auki.

He warned the public of Auki that police will continue the operation and arrest whosoever engage in the illegal gambling games.

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