By Loretta B Manele

Despite many challenges we anticipate in the new year, we remain very optimistic that agriculture development activities will progress successfully because of the strategies we already put in place.

Franklyn Wasi, Minister for the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAL) made the above statement when speaking on the floor of parliament during the Sine Die Motion on Thursday 19^th this month.

He expressed that MAL will aggressively invest the public resources allocated to the ministry on agricultural economic activities by supporting our buyers, service providers, downstream processors, producers and other stakeholders involved in the market value chain.

Wasi also stated that recognizing the importance of food security, safety and nutrition, his ministry will also embark on providing assistance to root crop and vegetable farmers with farm machineries.

“The ministry will do this in close partnership with the private enterprises, through the public private partnership approach or other workable strategies jointly identified with our stakeholders”

Wasi said many of these activities have already started this year and is expected to be further progress or be completed in 2025.

He emphasized that amidst the challenges they anticipate in the new year, they remain very optimistic that their programs will be successful given that strategies are already in place.

“Formulation of new ones and the team effort that we have with all our stakeholders including development partners both bilateral and multilateral and our NGOs”

As new minister with a heart for his people and the nation, he said his optimistic and confident that his ministry will deliver on its development programs for next year and beyond.

Wasi appeals directly to the people especially those in rural areas to work closely with the ministry through their extension and provincial staff to bring about change in the agriculture sector.

“I assure you the good people of Solomon Islands that I will not tolerate the reputation of the past failures in our development programs going forward.

Come the new financial year, the ministry will do all it can to be different from the past and be successful in all its plans”

By Loretta B Manele

Provinces have been making improvements in governance and this is something the Ministry of Provincial Government and Institutional Strengthening (MPGIS) has been working on to strengthen.

Wayne Gemu, minister for MPGIS highlighted this at the Sine Die Motion in parliament on Thursday, 19^th this month.

He stated that one of the important things the ministry is working on is strengthening the governance of our nine provinces as well as governance in terms of their finances and discipline.

Speaking of the improvements made by provinces, Gemu said regarding provincial audit performance, for the past four years, Central province has been securing clean audit reports from the office of the Auditor General.

He added that Isabel province has also secured a clean audit report for 3 years in a row.

Meanwhile, Gemu said Western and Choiseul provinces have been securing qualified audit opinion for almost 10 years now in a row while Temotu province also claims qualified audit opinion for 2 years in a row.

He pointed out that whilst the national government audit is many years behind schedule, provincial government audits are up to date.

Gemu said for the past 10 years, no provincial government has submitted its financial statement late.

“All provincial governments have been submitting their financial statements on or before 31st Dec as required by section 39;1 and sub section 2 of the provincial government act 1997”

Gemu also stated that all statements are being prepared on international public sector accountable accounting standards cash basis.

Moreover, he said the PGSP (Provincial Governance Strengthening Programme) is also providing continuous training to all provincial treasury staff to understand the underlying concepts of the IPSA (initial poverty and social assessment).

Gemu noted that there is also huge improvement in participatory planning, social accountability and performance of ward and provincial forums.

BY NED GAGAHE

Police in Tulagi recovered a stolen generator belonging to the Tulagi Hospital’s incinerator facility on Thursday, December 29th, in Naeli village next to Tulagi township.

The theft occurred between December 24th and December 26th.

The incinerator facility, funded by the World Bank, was officially handed just over a month ago.

Speaking to Island Sun yesterday, Central Provincial Police Commander Superintendent David Soakai stated that, following swift action by his officers, one suspect was arrested and placed in police custody, while the second suspect has yet to be apprehended.

According to PPC Soakai, on the afternoon of December 26th, 2024, while on a festive operation doing mobile patrol around Tulagi township’s western end, they discovered the main gate of the medical incinerator building was open and the generator was missing.

The police reported the matter to the medical authority, and hours later, the Tulagi medical team confirmed that the incinerator genset generator was missing.

The police then attended the scene, collected fingerprints, took photographs, and obtained a statement from the health officials for investigation.

On Thursday, December 29th, 2024, the security of the incinerator facility contacted Tulagi police with information that led to the discovery of the stolen generator.

With this information, the police managed to identify the suspects involved in the break-in and the location of the generator.

On December 29th, 2024, the first suspect was arrested and taken to the Tulagi police station, while the other suspect had fled to another village.

That same night, Tulagi police recovered the stolen generator in Naeli village next to Tulagi township, now in Police possession.

One of the suspects is 23 years old.

The Central Islands Provincial government received the project on Friday, November 1st, 2024.

Deputy Secretary for Health Care, Dr. Gregory Jilini, led a delegation to Tulagi for the official handover ceremony, which included World Bank Health Specialist Wayne Irava and other stakeholders.

The Tulagi Incinerator Facility, constructed by R.S.F Construction, is one of four incinerator facilities funded by the World Bank.

The other three are located at Good Samaritan Hospital, Noro Area Health Centre, and Kilufii Hospital.

These facilities are part of the project aimed at preventing, detecting, and responding to the threat of Covid-19, as well as improving and strengthening national systems for public health preparedness in the Solomon Islands.

The Tulagi Hospital incinerator plays a crucial role in strengthening the country’s health system by providing an improved and efficient waste management solution.

When contacted for comments, the Tulagi Hospital Secretary declined to comment.

BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

Member of Parliament for North West Guadalcanal Constituency, Jaimie Vokia, has called on his fellow MPs to establish a vision that embodies the future aspirations of their communities.

MP Vokia made this appeal during his address on the Sine Die motion in Parliament this year.

“As we look forward to the upcoming year, it is essential to develop a vision that aligns with our community’s aspirations,” Vokia stated.

He urged his colleagues to prioritize initiatives that foster sustainable development, environmental conservation, and economic resilience.

“By investing in our people and our land, we are laying the groundwork for a prosperous future,” remarked the Minister of Traditional Governance, Peace, and Ecclesiastical Affairs.

“Furthermore, we must dedicate ourselves to empowering our youth, who are the leaders of tomorrow,” he added.

Quoting Proverbs 22:6, Vokia said, “It is written that we should return home and, within our families and home environments, train a child in the way he should go.”

He emphasized that equipping the nation’s youth with the necessary skills and values to navigate the future will enable them to make meaningful contributions to society.

BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

The Disability People Association Solomon Islands (DPASI) has set an ambitious goal of creating a corporate society by 2025 to combat poverty.

In a recent exclusive interview with Island Sun, DPASI Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Casper Fa’asala elaborated on this initiative, explaining that it will begin with the involvement of workers and volunteers and later expand to include some of DPASI’s self-help groups, which are already participating in small-scale income-generating activities.

Fa’asala highlighted the initiative’s overarching aim of addressing poverty, noting that individuals with disabilities experience poverty at a rate ten times higher than their able-bodied counterparts.

“We are the most impoverished group. Whether in the Solomon Islands or wealthier nations, individuals with disabilities are invariably the most adversely affected,” Fa’asala said.

He explained that the primary focus is to explore ways DPASI can facilitate income generation for individuals with disabilities. A recent survey revealed that many individuals with disabilities possess significant skills, making it crucial to create opportunities for them to earn an income.

“Some individuals are already starting income-generating projects, such as raising chicks and chickens, crafting baskets, and engaging in carving,” he noted.

Fa’asala emphasized that the corporate society will not rely on traditional retail outlets to sell goods already available in the market.

“We will explore alternative materials where individuals with disabilities can be the producers. This may include a variety of products, such as furniture and vegetables, leading to the establishment of specialized stores. For instance, if they engage in agriculture, we will look into providing refrigeration for selling their products,” he said.

“We know that many individuals are involved in dyeing clothes, sewing outfits, and carving. Our goal is to create diverse stores that accommodate these various products, all under one roof through this corporate society. This initiative will benefit everyone,” Fa’asala added.

He further stated that no such DPASI business currently exists in Honiara.

“We envision it as a hub for tourism as well as the general public. We hope that Members of Parliament will be motivated to support this corporate society by purchasing goods once we open the market,” Fa’asala said.

“This is a significant agenda for the upcoming year. We will begin discussions with the Ministry of Commerce to determine the best approach to launch this initiative. The management will be entrusted to individuals with the necessary skills. Many of our members have received training, with some being graduates from SINU and others holding degrees in accounting,” Fa’asala explained. “This initiative will encompass both the production aspect and the management of the corporate society once it becomes operational,” he concluded.

By Loretta B Manele

The first land recording office will be built in Auki in 2025 to keep records of all customary land on Malaita.

Polycarp Paea, the Minister for Lands, Housing and Survey stated this at the recent Sine Die Motion in parliament.

He expressed that cabinet has already endorsed the customary land recording program and it has secured a funding of SBD 5.5 million in the 2025 budget.

Paea said under this project, his ministry will focus on the recording of land around urban centres within constituencies including constituency development centres.

He stated that through the project, the first land recording office will be built in Auki in 2025 to keep records of all customary land on Malaita.

Paea added that Guadalcanal and Western provinces land recording office buildings are next in line for 2026.

He said another achievement this year is the endorsement of the review of the greater Honiara Urban development strategy policy which was approved by cabinet within the 100 days’ timeframe.

Paea stated that in terms of funding, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) has already approved funding of technical support and consultations are progressing.

He stressed that GNUT (Government for National Unity and Transformation) recognizes the importance of rolling out similar programs to other provinces and has selected Auki to be the next urban area to benefit from this program.

Paea said the greater Auki development program is progressing well and cabinet is expected to formally endorse this initiative early next year.

“This commitment from GNUT signifies the onset of a new chapter characterized by mutual respect, a shared vision and unified purpose between the Malaita provincial government and the national government”

Paea said the government has allocated 1 million for the greater Honiara and greater Auki program and ADB’s co-funding of technical support for the greater Auki project is valued at USD 500,000.

“I want to thank ADB for co-funding technical support for greater Auki valued at USD 500,000”

He noted that ADB’s engagement in funding technical support and consultations reflect their commitment to help improve urban governance and planning.

BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

Minister of Agriculture and Livestock Franklyn Wasi has emphasized that minimal research fieldwork has been conducted at the Dodo Creek Research Station.

Addressing the contentious discussions about the potential sale of the research station—which has garnered significant attention in Parliament and various media outlets—Wasi clarified the station’s historical use.

He pointed out that the Dodo Creek Research Station primarily served as the site for research headquarters, offices, laboratories, and staff accommodations, with very little fieldwork conducted on its grounds.

“I would like to reiterate that even during the height of operations at the Dodo Creek Research Station, there was scarcely any research fieldwork performed at that location. The majority of research activities were carried out at the Tenaru Field Experiment Station,” Wasi stated.

He further clarified: “The land at Dodo Creek, which has been the subject of public commentary and concern, was not utilized for research purposes. It solely accommodated the laboratories, headquarters, offices, and residences for a considerable number of staff at that time.”

Wasi said that contrary to public perceptions, the Dodo Creek Research Station has primarily functioned as an administrative office for the research department.

The Minister also noted that the Ministry has no plans to further utilize the Dodo Creek land due to challenges associated with land disputes that have affected other field experiment stations and agricultural training centers across the provinces.

He cited examples of such disputes, including the Hauratata Station in Makira Province, the Newi, ATC, and FES centers in Temotu Province, the Liwe Agricultural Training Centre in Small Malaita, the Fote Centre in Malaita Province, and the Haimarau Avu’Avu site in Guadalcanal. Wasi explained that dissatisfied customary landowners had forcibly reclaimed these properties from the Ministry, leaving many of them unoccupied to this day.

By Loretta B Manele

The Ministry of Provincial Government and Institutional Strengthening (MPGIS) is taking strides in capacitating its committees and provincial officers.

Wayne Gemu, minister for MPGIS talked about this when he contributed to the Sine Die Motion in parliament.

He highlighted that from January to December 2024, his ministry through World Bank’s (IDA) International Development Association project, released about 2.1 million to provincial governments.

Gemu said the money from this project was geared towards training for members of ward development committees.

He mentioned that of the 1500 members that have been trained this year, 320 of them are females.

Gemu said these trainings were carried out by province-based officers.

The member of parliament for Simbo/Ranongga constituency expressed that the training catered to all provincial levels.

Gemu said the officers were trained in areas namely; climate change, adaptation, risk, disaster risk management, procurement, participatory planning, public finance, development planning and computerized accounting.