Solomon Islands launches UXO Information System

BY JOSES SAREN

The Ministry of Police, National Security and Correctional Services (MPNSCS) officially launched the Information Management System for Mine Action (IMSMA) Core at the Mendana Hotel on Friday 10 July, 2026.

The system is the first of its kind to be introduced in the Pacific and will serve as the country’s only national repository for UXO and ERW data, covering EOD spot task callouts, clearance operations, technical and non-technical surveys, community surveys, accidents and victim assistance records, explosive ordnance risk education, sketch mapping, and WWII historical mapping data.

Field data will be collected using the Survey123 mobile app on smartphones or GPS devices, processed through ArcGIS Pro, and stored on a cloud-based server for real-time reporting through an IMSMA Core dashboard.

Acting Permanent Secretary, Julia Twumasi delivered the welcome remarks and thanked the Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining (GICHD) and EOD/UXO operators for their work ahead of the launch.

The launch was officiated by MPNSCS Minister, John Tuhaika Jnr who delivered the keynote address.

He described unexploded ordnance (UXO) as an enduring legacy of the Second World War that continues to threaten lives and hinder economic opportunities in Solomon Islands.

The minister confirmed that the National UXO Coordination Office will lead national policy on mine action, while the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force’s Explosive Ordnance Disposal Unit remains the statutory authority for all explosive ordnance disposal operations.

Director of the National UXO Coordination Office, Benzily Kasutaba, presented an overview of IMSMA Core, outlining a 12-step Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) call-out workflow before he demonstrated the system live.

According to figures presented, the country has recorded 5,186 UXO call-outs to date, resulting in the clearance of 114,206 explosive devices.

MPNSCS Information Management Officer Frank Konairara gave a further live demonstration of the system’s mapping capability, showing a glimpse of contamination levels across Honiara, Russel Islands and Western Province, specifically Munda.  

He said much of the contamination had previously been reported by civilians directly to EOD teams without being centrally recorded, and that IMSMA Core will now allow this information to be consolidated into a single national dataset.

He commended the support of HALO Trust in reporting UXO sites.

According to the National UXO Coordination Office, IMSMA Core was developed by GICHD to help countries manage Explosive Remnants of War (ERW) and support Ministry of Police, RSIPF, and Explosive Ordnance Disposal Division (EODD) requirements for operational reporting.

Deputy Secretary for National Security, Anthony Kivolyn said the launch was more than the introduction of a new system, describing it as a demonstration of the Ministry’s commitment to modernise its operations, strengthen national security, and improve how data is collected, managed and used.

“With IMSMA Core, we are equipping ourselves with better tools for planning, coordinating, and timely decision-making to keep our community safe,” Kivolyn said.

He thanked Minister Tuhaika Jnr for his leadership and continued support for innovation within the Ministry, saying his commitment had ensured the Ministry had the right systems in place to serve the public effectively.

He also thanked the Permanent Secretary and management team for providing the vision, direction and authorisation needed to make the launch possible.

Kivolyn acknowledged the project’s technical team, including MPNSCS Information Manager Frank Konairara, RSIPF Director for EOD and Ministry Chief Infrastructure Officer, describing their long hours and attention to detail as instrumental in bringing the system to this milestone.

He also thanked GICHD for its training and technical support, and recognised national stakeholders, staff and guests present at the launch for their continued support of the Ministry’s work.

Kivolyn calls on all present at the occasion to embrace the new system, use it responsibly, and to continue working together to uphold the Ministry’s mandate as IMSMA Core rolls out nationwide.

Photo credit: Joses Saren

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Coach calls for greater support after Solomon Games triumph

BY RICHARD MENANOPO

HONIARA claimed the men’s Rugby Sevens gold medal at the 2026 Solomon Games after defeating Renbel 22-12 in the grand final, while Malaita edged Guadalcanal 12-10 to win the women’s title.

The finals capped two days of competitive rugby, highlighting the rising standard of the sport across the country.

Malaita secured the men’s bronze medal with a 10-0 victory over Guadalcanal in the losers’ final, while Renbel claimed third place in the women’s division after defeating their opponents 48-14.

Honiara coach Leslie Puia credited his players’ discipline and commitment for the title-winning performance.

“I’m really proud of the boys.

“What we’ve been training and preparing for this tournament has paid off. The boys committed themselves to our programme, and that’s why we’ve won because of our unity and commitment over the past two weeks,” Puia said.

Despite lifting the title, Puia said the team prepared with little outside assistance.

“I think the team needs more support.

“During the two weeks of preparation, we didn’t receive any support from the authorities responsible for Team Honiara. Everything we did came through our own efforts.

“Next time, we’d like the authorities to take better care of the athletes representing Honiara,” he said.

Puiya also said the tournament showed that rugby in Solomon Islands is improving.

“I think the competition this year was much tougher.

“The standard of rugby has improved, and by the next Solomon Games I believe the level of competition will be even higher,” he said.

Team captain Junior Baiabe described the gold medal as the reward for the team’s hard work despite the challenges they faced during preparations.

“It’s a proud moment for us to win this medal.

“We’ve gone through many challenges during our preparation and training, but we’ve achieved our goal. I’m very happy and proud of the team,” Baiabe said.

Baiabe said winning the gold medal was a dream fulfilled.

“Playing for a gold medal is every player’s dream. I’m very happy to achieve it, and I’d like to thank all the boys for their commitment and all the provincial teams for making it a great tournament,” he said.

He also acknowledged the team’s limited support during training.

“We faced challenges because we didn’t have enough support and financial assistance, but we managed with what we had,” Baiabe said.

The captain encourages young players to remain committed to the sport.

“Just keep working hard and always prepare yourself for whatever challenges come your way,” he said.

The Rugby Sevens competition attracted provincial teams from across the country, with both the men’s and women’s divisions producing closely contested matches from the preliminary rounds through to the medal playoffs, underscoring the continued growth of rugby in Solomon Islands.

Photo credit: Richard Menanopo

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BY JOSES SAREN

The New Zealand Government has committed a further NZD750,000 (approximately SBD3.4 million) to support communities recovering from Tropical Cyclone Maila.

The announcement was made at a Tok Stori event held at the New Zealand High Commission yesterday attended by representatives from the National Disaster Management Office (NDMO).

According to a statement released alongside the event, the funding will be delivered through New Zealand’s Disaster Response Partnership (NZDRP) and will support Save the Children New Zealand, Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand and ADRA New Zealand to work alongside their Solomon Islands partners on early recovery activities in Western and Choiseul Provinces.

Each organisation will receive NZD250,000 to deliver targeted support to communities hardest hit by the cyclone.

The new grants recognise that recovery does not end once the immediate emergency has passed.

Families need support to repair homes, restore food gardens, regain access to clean water, return children to school and rebuild the livelihoods they depend on.

New Zealand High Commissioner to Solomon Islands, Jonathan Curr, said the support reflects New Zealand’s commitment to stand alongside Solomon Islands during difficult times.

“Tropical Cyclone Maila caused widespread damage across communities that rely on their homes, gardens and local infrastructure for everyday life. While the emergency response helped meet immediate needs, recovery takes much longer.

“These grants will help families repair damaged homes, restore food production, improve access to safe drinking water and sanitation, and strengthen communities to better prepare for future disasters. This practical support will help people recover faster and reduce their vulnerability to future shocks,” Mr Curr said.

He said strong partnerships are central to an effective recovery.

“We know the best results come when governments, communities, local organisations and development partners work together,” he said.

Save the Children New Zealand will work through Save the Children Solomon Islands in Simbo, Vella la Vella, Ranongga and southern Choiseul, restoring food production and livelihoods through temporary learning spaces, back-to-school campaigns and repairs to schools and early childhood education centres. The grant is expected to reach 516 households, or around 2,280 people.

Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand will partner with the Solomon Islands Association of Vocational and Rural Training Centres (SIAVRTC) in Western and Choiseul Provinces.

Activities include food assistance, restoration of food gardens, water and sanitation support, shelter repairs and community infrastructure work, reaching approximately 950 households, or around 4,000 people, across 24 communities.

On Kolombangara and Ranongga Islands, ADRA will provide shelter repair kits, hygiene kits and community rainwater harvesting systems to help families regain access to safe shelter and clean water.

The project will also support households to re-establish food gardens and livelihoods through agricultural inputs and training, while strengthening community disaster committees, early warning systems and preparedness training. Around 245 households, representing up to 2,200 people, are expected to benefit.

The three new grants build on New Zealand’s broader support for the Cyclone Maila response, which included the deployment of a New Zealand Defence Force P-8A Poseidon aircraft to conduct aerial damage assessments, and emergency funding provided to strengthen the NDMO’s national emergency response operations.

This earlier support enabled NDMO to deploy the National Emergency Response Team (NERT) and establish a national warehouse and staging area in Munda, helping coordinate rapid assessments and the distribution of emergency supplies and food assistance across the country.

New Zealand also provided early funding for Save the Children to undertake rapid assessments and provide child protection services, and support to restore services at the Solomon Islands Planned Parenthood Association clinic in Gizo.

More than 3.5 tons of pre-positioned humanitarian relief supplies, valued at more than SBD1 million, including shelter materials, hygiene kits and blankets were also distributed.

New Zealand remains committed to support Solomon Islands through both disaster response and long-term resilience, working alongside the Solomon Islands Government — including NDMO — local communities and humanitarian partners to help communities recover stronger and prepare for future natural disasters.

Photo: Supplied

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BY TONY IROGA

Guadalcanal Premier Willie Atu has paid tribute to the last two surviving members of the Solomon Islands’ 1977 independence delegation, describing them as national heroes whose contributions to the country’s independence must never be forgotten.

Speaking during the Guadalcanal Provincial Government’s celebration of the nation’s 48th Independence Anniversary on Tuesday, Premier Atu said Guadalcanal Province is proud that both remaining delegates who travelled to Lancaster House in London for the independence negotiations are sons of Guadalcanal.

According to a statement from the Guadalcanal Provincial Government, the two surviving founding delegates are Mr Philip Kapini and Chief Waeta Ben Tabusasi.

“Today, as our nation marks 48 years of independence, Guadalcanal Province holds a special place in this story.

“Of all those who travelled to Lancaster House, London, in September 1977 to negotiate and witness the signing of our Independence Order, only two still remain with us today, and both are sons of Guadalcanal,” Mr Atu said.

He said the delegates’ efforts secured the nation’s freedom and laid the foundation for future generations.

“What you helped secure in 1977 gave every generation since, including this one, the freedom to build our own future. Guadalcanal is proud to call you our own, and Solomon Islands owes you a debt that 48 years has not diminished,” he said.

He also honoured the other founding fathers who have passed away, saying their vision, sacrifice and leadership paved the way for an independent Solomon Islands.

“We also honour those founding fathers who walked that same path but are no longer with us. Their names are enshrined in our institutions and in our independence itself. We remain forever grateful for their sacrifice and vision,” he said.

He urges the younger generation, particularly the youth of Guadalcanal, to protect and uphold the legacy left by the nation’s founders.

“This legacy is now yours to carry.

“Mr Kapini, Chief Tabusasi and their fellow founding members did not build a nation for it to be taken for granted. Choose unity over division, hard work over shortcuts, and always carry your Guadalcanal heritage with dignity,” he said.

Premier Atu encourages young Solomon Islanders to honour the sacrifices of the country’s founding leaders by becoming responsible citizens and ambassadors for both Guadalcanal Province and the nation.

Addressing the two surviving delegates directly, he thanked them for their courage and dedication in helping secure Solomon Islands’ independence.

“To these two elder statesmen, we say thank you. You stood in a foreign land, far from home, carrying the hopes of your people and your nation on your shoulders,” he said.

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BY CHARLES STENNETT

The road sealing works on the seaside section of the road corridor between the Point Cruz Hotbread Roundabout and the Honiara Central Market are progressing well and is expected to be completed by the end of this week and will be reopened to traffic while construction activities will be shifted to the landside section as the project continues towards its completion.

A statement from the Land and Maritime Connectivity Project, (LMCP),), yesterday said the landside road improvement works are the last significant activities under the project that will result in the completion of about 4.8 kilometres of road within Honiara City from the MID-HCC roundabout to the White River Bridge.

The statement said the main works are expected to be completed by August after which finishing-off works such as streetlights and road signs and markings will follow.

Acting Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Infrastructure Development (MID), Mike Qaqara, said the ministry is encouraged by the progress being achieved and thanks the public for their patience, understanding, and cooperation throughout the construction period.

“The Ministry is pleased with the progress made so far on this important road improvement project.

“We understand that road works can cause temporary inconvenience to motorists, businesses, and the travelling public, and we sincerely thank everyone for their patience and understanding. Once completed, these improvements will provide a safer, smoother, and more reliable road corridor for all users.

“This section of road is one of the busiest routes in Honiara, and the upgrade will significantly improve traffic flow, road safety, and driving conditions for the thousands of people who use it every day,” he said.

Mr. Qaqara said the ministry is working with the contractor to ensure the project is completed efficiently and meets required standards.

“We are working closely with the contractor and supervising engineers to ensure the project is completed efficiently and meets the required quality standards. We encourage members of the public to continue observing all traffic management measures and to exercise caution when travelling through work zones as construction progresses,” Mr. Qaqara said.

The ministry acknowledges the efforts of all those involved who have been working diligently to deliver the project while managing the challenges associated with carrying out road works in a busy urban environment.

Meanwhile, road users are advised to continue exercising caution when travelling through construction areas and to follow the directions of traffic controllers and project signage at all times to ensure the safety of workers, motorists, and pedestrians.

The road upgrade works is part of the Land and Maritime Connectivity Project jointly funded by the Asian Development Bank, (ADB),) and the Solomon Islands Government (SIG).

The project is designed to improve road connectivity, strengthen transport infrastructure resilience, enhance road safety, and support economic growth in Honiara and across the Solomon Islands.

Photo credit: LMCP

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