BY ALICE T CAMPBELL

Farmers in Ugi Island, Makira Ulawa Province, are set to benefit from the newly completed Waimasi copra and cocoa storage facility.

The Provincial Governance Strengthening Programme (PGSP) announced this, saying the investment will improve post-harvest handling, protect produce from weather damage, and strengthen market access for local communities.

For years, poor storage affected product quality and reduced income, the statement by PGSP said.

With the new facility, farmers can now safely store copra and cocoa while waiting for buyers and transport to Honiara, PGSP said.

The project, costing $500,000, was funded through the Provincial Capacity Development Fund (PCDF) and implemented by the Makira Ulawa Provincial Government (MUPG), with support from the World Bank under the Integrated Economic Development and Community Resilience Project (IEDCR Project), the statement said.

Since the inception of PGSP, more than 1,600 infrastructure projects have been delivered nationwide, highlighting its growing impact on rural service delivery.

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BY LORETTA B MANELE

Under the Solomon Islands National Broadband Infrastructure Project (SINBIP), four additional sites have recently been commissioned, bringing the total number of operational sites to 104.

A statement from China Harbour Engineering Company SI Ltd yesterday said among the newly activated sites, three are located in Makira Province, namely; B177 (Naramae), M178 (Laloasi), and Mwadopulu while the fourth in Marumbo, is located in Guadalcanal Province.

The company said the new sites will further enhance network coverage and improve connectivity for local communities.

“With the commissioning of these sites, residents in the surrounding areas will benefit from more reliable communication services, enabling improved access to information, digital services and economic opportunities.

“To date, a total of 104 sites have been successfully brought on air, marking another important milestone in the project’s implementation,” the statement said.

The SINBIP project continues to progress in providing nationwide network coverage with ongoing efforts to deliver inclusive and sustainable digital infrastructure throughout the country.

The project team also remains committed in advancing construction and ensuring the timely completion of remaining works.

As noted in the statement, SINBIP comes under the Ministry of Communication and Aviation (MCA) and Solomon Islands Tower Company Ltd (STL) and is supported by the People’s Republic of China (PRC) and implemented by China Harbour Engineering Company Ltd, and Huawei.

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BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

The National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC) has released a “What To Do” advisory urging the public to take immediate safety precautions as heavy rain continues to affect the country.

The advisory follows Tropical Cyclone Warning issued by the Solomon Islands Meteorological Services, warning that persistent rainfall could trigger flooding in rivers, creeks, and coastal areas, as well as landslides and poor visibility.

Communities across all provinces are being urged to remain alert and prepared. Village leaders and families are advised to monitor radio updates, inform neighbours especially vulnerable groups and be ready to move to safer locations if conditions worsen.

Residents living near rivers and shorelines have been told to prepare emergency items including food, clean water, mobile phones, important documents, and medicines.

NEOC also warned parents to keep children away from floodwaters and drainage systems due to the risk of injury or drowning.

Motorists are being cautioned to drive carefully on slippery and flooded roads, reduce speed, and avoid crossing submerged bridges or fast-flowing rivers. At the same time, mariners are strongly advised to avoid sea travel unless necessary and to carry essential safety equipment when venturing out.

The NEOC said the advisory will remain in force until further notice from the Solomon Islands Meteorological Services and is calling on the public to share the information widely, including with people living with disabilities.

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BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

President of Guadalcanal Youth Council, Danny Rasile, has strongly refuted claims published in a recent Solomon Star article that youths from Guadalcanal Province had called for political action against the Opposition coalition.

Mr Rasile said the report written by veteran journalist Alfred Sasako does not reflect the views of Guadalcanal youths or their official representatives.

The article, titled “Relocate from Xiao’s Hotel”, alleged that Guadalcanal youths were demanding the immediate departure of a new political coalition made up of opposition members, the People First Party, and independent Members of Parliament currently based at Xiao’s Hotel in Henderson.

Speaking in an interview, Rasile expressed surprise at the claims.

“It came as a shock to us when we saw the article stating that the call was from Guadalcanal youths. As President of the Guadalcanal Youth Council, I am not aware of any such call. The youth division of Guadalcanal is also unaware of this,” he said.

He said that the statement mentioned in the article does not represent the views of the Guadalcanal Youth Council or the wider youth population of the province.

“We do not know who made that statement. It does not represent Guadalcanal youths,” Rasile added.

Rasile further clarified that youth involvement in political matters must follow proper and respectful channels, noting that political affairs should primarily be handled by elected leaders.

“We respect the political process and allow it to take its course.

“Those who wish to make public statements should not use the name of Guadalcanal youths for personal agendas,” he said.

He echoed that Guadalcanal youths respect national leaders, including all 50 Members of Parliament, as well as provincial authorities and community leaders.

Rasile also affirmed continued youth support for the provincial government and its development initiatives.

“Guadalcanal youths support our provincial government and welcome development within our jurisdiction, as it contributes to revenue and growth for our province,” he said.

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BY ALICE T CAMPBELL

Residents of Zone-two in Kirakira Station, Makira Ulawa province will host a community clean-up programme this Saturday.

The initiative aims to improve hygiene and create a healthier environment for all households in the area.

The event will begin with fundraising Tea and Karaoke Night at the Kirakira Kastom House, bringing families together for an enjoyable evening while supporting the clean-up effort.

Funds raised will go towards the first general clean-up of Zone-two planned for mid this year.

Vice chairperson Lilly Haga said all households have agreed to work together to change the image of Zone-two, which has often been viewed as one of the dirtiest sites in the township.

“It is the responsibility of the zone, as it is a huge crowd, to perform this clean-up program so that all members can enjoy a clean and healthy environment,” she said.

Residents are determined to transform Zone two into one of the cleanest areas in the station.

Families from surrounding zones and villages are encouraged to attend and contribute to this important initiative.

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BY BEN BILUA
Gizo

SEVERAL communities in North Vella, Western Province, are facing severe impacts from Tropical Cyclone Maila, with widespread damage reported to infrastructure and food gardens.

Communities including Iriqila, Leona, Paramatta and JAC have been identified as among the worst affected, according to Member of the Provincial Government for Ward 10, Freedom Tozaka.

Mr Tozaka said the cyclone has brought continuous strong winds, rough seas and high swells since Monday this week, leaving residents stranded and unable to move freely.

“Our communities have been experiencing very strong winds and dangerous sea conditions, making it difficult for people to travel or access basic services,” he said.

Tozaka said the destruction of food gardens has heightened concerns over food security, calling for urgent assistance to support affected families.

“I call for immediate response plans to assist communities, especially in terms of food supply,” he said.

The Western Province Provincial Disaster Operations Committee is actively working to coordinate response efforts.

The committee met yesterday and is making steady progress in planning relief operations.

The Western Provincial Emergency Operations Centre is also operating around the clock, gathering information from affected communities across the province to guide response strategies.

However, deployment of response teams remains on hold due to ongoing bad weather conditions, which authorities say could pose serious risks to personnel.

Efforts are expected to roll out once conditions improve adding that the team continues to monitor the situation closely.

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