BY ALICE T CAMPBELL

The Solomon Islands Planned Parenthood Association (SIPPA) has signed a tripartite agreement with Tavuli News and the Ministry of Health and Medical Services to strengthen public awareness of HIV and AIDS.

The partnership highlights the role of media, especially digital platforms, in sharing accurate and culturally relevant health information, a statement from the SIPPA on Sunday said.

Through television and social media, the initiative aims to reduce stigma, encourage regular HIV testing, promote safe practices, and support communities living with HIV.

As part of the agreement, short television advertisements will be produced with guidance from SIPPA and the Ministry of Health, the statement said.

These messages will air on TTV 1 and be shared across Tavuli News’ social media channels to reach audiences nationwide.

The project is funded by the Australian Government’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, through the Pacific Women Lead Program at the Pacific-Community-SPC.

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BY NED GAGAHE

Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele has highlighted growing regional concerns over fuel security and global instability, following high-level discussions with Pacific leaders earlier this month.

Speaking to local media yesterday during a press conference, Manele said that in his capacity as Chair of the Pacific Islands Forum, he presided over the Forum Troika meeting held on April 16 in Nadi, Fiji.

The Troika, which comprises past, current and incoming Forum Chairs, plays a key role in guiding regional leadership and consulting on emerging issues affecting the Pacific.

Manele was joined by Palau President Surangel S. Whipps Jr. and the Prime Minister of Tonga during the meeting.

At the outset, the Troika considered the ongoing review of the regional architecture, a key priority for Forum leaders. This includes advancing the Pacific Islands Forum partnership policy and refining engagement with development partners at both strategic and sectoral levels.

Manele said the work will continue in the lead-up to the Forum Leaders’ Meeting in Palau, with full operationalisation expected by 2027.

A major focus of the discussions was the evolving situation in the Middle East and its implications for fuel and energy security across the Pacific.

“I can confirm that Troika leaders have agreed to trigger the Biketawa Declaration, elevating this issue to leaders and calling for a coordinated regional response,” Manele said.

He said Pacific economies remain highly vulnerable to global fuel supply disruptions, warning that prolonged instability could significantly affect shipping, tourism and broader economic activity across the region.

As Chair, Manele said he has formally written to Forum leaders and directed the Secretary-General to undertake consultations on the matter.

The Troika also agreed on a phased regional approach, including the establishment of a regional taskforce to assess the implications of the energy crisis and guide coordinated action.

Manele said he also advanced the Regional Petroleum and Fuel Security Initiative, which aims to strengthen collective arrangements for fuel supply, storage and distribution across Pacific countries.

“This initiative is about ensuring continuity of essential services and safeguarding our economies,” he said.

The meeting also discussed progress on regional architecture reforms and preparations for COP31, including Fiji’s hosting of a pre-COP31 meeting later this year.

Meanwhile, Manele acknowledged that recent challenges, including Tropical Cyclone Maila and the global fuel crisis, are beyond the government’s control but continue to have real impacts on the country.

In response, he announced that the government will convene a donor roundtable meeting set for today, Wednesday, April 29.

The meeting will brief development partners on the impacts of Tropical Cyclone Maila and the ongoing energy crisis, while outlining national priorities and areas requiring urgent support.

“It is our expectation that this engagement will strengthen coordination and ensure that support is aligned with national priorities moving forward,” Manele said.

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BY NED GAGAHE

Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele has assured Solomon Islanders that fuel supply in the country remains secure despite rising global prices driven by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.

Speaking to local media on the national fuel situation and government response yesterday, Manele said the global fuel crisis has led to supply disruptions and sharp price increases since late February.

“As of now, global fuel prices remain elevated, with petrol trading above US$100 per barrel and diesel around US$115 per barrel,” he said.

He said that Solomon Islands, like most Pacific nations, relies heavily on imported fuel, with nearly all supplies sourced through Singapore, which depends on crude oil from the Middle East.

Based on information from the country’s two fuel importers, the Price Advisory Committee, and a working group comprising key government ministries and the Central Bank, Manele reassured the public that supply commitments are secure for at least the next six months.

Shipping routes also remain stable, with fuel tankers arriving every three to four weeks. Domestic storage capacity is sufficient to provide more than 40 days of supply after each delivery.

He added that the supply of LPG cooking gas remains adequate, both in-country and in transit.

While supply remains stable, Manele acknowledged that rising global prices are now being felt locally.

Fuel pricing in Solomon Islands is determined by the Price Advisory Committee in consultation with importers. Under normal conditions, a two-month pricing lag was sufficient, but recent volatility has prompted the introduction of a price-smoothing mechanism.

“This ensures that increases are introduced gradually rather than in sudden spikes,” he said.

The first adjustment under this mechanism took effect on April 20, with another expected in early May.

In response to the rising costs, the government has introduced several fiscal measures to ease the burden on households and businesses. These include full exemptions on import duties and sales tax, as well as a 50 percent exemption on goods tax.

Manele acknowledged that while these measures will significantly reduce government revenue, they are necessary to protect citizens during the current challenges.

Efforts are also underway to extend fuel pricing mechanisms beyond Honiara to better reflect conditions in rural and provincial areas.

Additional measures under consideration include temporary waivers of fuel levies and ongoing discussions with Solomon Power regarding electricity tariffs.

The Prime Minister said the government is pursuing long-term solutions to reduce reliance on imported fuel. These include progressing the Electricity Bill and promoting renewable energy options such as solar power for households and small businesses.

Manele also calls on the business community, particularly retailers, to act responsibly when adjusting prices of essential goods.

“This is a time for national solidarity, and we must all act in the best interests of our people,” he said.

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BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

National Disaster Operations Committee (NDOC), under the Ministry of Education and Human Resources Development (MEHRD), has activated its 28-day immediate response plan to respond to schools impacted by Tropical Cyclone Maila.

NDOC is a body established by the MEHRD in association with the National Disaster Management Office (NDMO) of the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, Disaster Management and Meteorology (MECCDM).

Speaking during the MEHRD’s Podcast programme, Judith Pule of MEHRD said that the education sector’s 28-day immediate response plan was endorsed and approved by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry.

She said that updated information from Western Province assessment teams have already been received, and further updates are expected from Choiseul and other provinces as field assessments are completed.

Ms Pule said that schools in Isabel are reported to be generally well, while Guadalcanal and Central Province continues with assessments in affected locations.

She said that information shows that several schools in the Western and Choiseul provinces were critically affected.

She adds that the report identifies 13 critically affected schools with a total of 1,332 students.

Damage includes destroyed classrooms, damaged dormitories, staff houses, ruined ablution blocks, and some schools are being used as evacuation centres.

Ms Pule said that the schools identified include Nusa Simbo Primary, Rengana Community High School, Tuku Primary, Buri Community High School, Sindoko Community High School, Keara Primary, Saevuke Primary, Gundu Primary, Kolomali Primary, Leona ECE, Sasamunga ECE, Sangigai ECE, and Sangigai Primary.

She said that immediate support required include tents, tarpaulins, learning resources, psychosocial support, and technical assessments for damaged infrastructure.

She said that progress has already been made since the first batch of teaching and learning materials were dispatched to Western Province on Tuesday, 21 April.

She said that MEHRD is working with Australia’s Department of Foreign Affair and Trade (DFAT) to engage civil engineers under the SET program to conduct detailed assessments to inform decisions on the next phase of recovery or rehabilitation planning.

She said that the Ministry acknowledges the support from development partners such as DFAT, MFAT, and UNICEF.

She said that UNICEF is supporting wash-related needs and emergency supplies, and Save the Children Australia is supporting psychosocial support, student well-being, temporary learning spaces, and child-friendly spaces.

“We ask schools, education providers, and provincial teams to provide accurate information so that no affected schools are overlooked,” Ms Pule said.

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By RODRICK DESURI 

Auki 

Fuel stations in Auki, Malaita Province, that did not receive any tax exemption from government have raised concerns and are unhappy.

They said government’s fuel tax exemption to one fuel business is causing an unfair competition for them.

BSP Gas Fuel Refill Station in Auki, which had received 100 percent tax exemption from the government, sells fuel at lower prices compared to other fuel stations. 

It is however, understood that yesterday, government announced that this tax exemption had been revoked.

As of yesterday, BSP Gas Fuel Refill Station fuel prices were $12.40 per litre of pure petrol and $13 per litre of diesel. Other fuel refill stations have fuel prices ranging from $14 to $14.40 per litre of petrol and $14 to $14.60 per litre of diesel. 

The assistant sales manager of RKR Fuel Station, William Fera, said they were unhappy that the government prioritised only one particular business by giving them the tax exemption.

He said that their businesses are significantly affected as they now have fewer customers, which would impact their employees’ salaries.

“We don’t agree with the way the government has selected only one foreign business among us here in Auki. The government should have selected us, the struggling local businesses.

“This is unfair, and our business will be most affected by this. From now on, we will experience fewer customers, unlike before when we had the same fuel prices,” he said.

The manager of the EK Fuel Station, Ezra Kiri, also expressed the same sentiment, saying their businesses will be badly affected by the decision. 

He added that there should be only one selling price for customers. 

The BSP Gas Fuel Refill Station’s fuel prices dropped this week from the normal prices last week.

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