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First ever Noni observation plot at Mile six, Gizo

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Extension officer marking seedlings before transplanting.

THE Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAL) through its Research Department, has established the country’s first ever Noni observation plot at Mile six in Gizo, Western Province.

The noni observation plot will support MAL research officers to generate vital information for the development of the crop through research with regard to data collection and other research related activities.


Noni nursery at Mile six, Gizo Western Province.

MAL Research Officer, Raymond Vava said a total of 150 noni seedlings were transplanted into the field (observation plot) with five plants per phenotypes.

“It took us two days to do transplanting,” Vava said.

In August last year, MAL Research Officers conducted a one-week preliminary survey to assess Noni (Morinda Citrifolia) in certain parts of Western province particularly in areas around Munda in West New Georgia, Saerangi in Gizo and Vonunu in Vella La Vella.


SINU agriculture practical students assist in the transplanting exercise.

“The objective of the survey was to identify the number of varieties present in those locations and study their morphological characteristics as well as their geographical distribution.

“The field survey was important in order to identify potential varieties that can be cultivated for commercial production.

“From the three main locations surveyed, a total of 30 noni plants phenotypes were assessed and evaluated for their morphological characteristics and will be subjected to further field observation to collect data on yield performance.

“The establishment of the noni observation plot at Mile 6 station in Western Province has been carried out successfully with the transplanting of 30 noni phenotypes that were collected from sites surveyed last year.


A practical student from SINU planted a noni seedling.

“This noni observation plot was the first to be established by MAL Research in an effort to generate vital information for the development of this crop through research.

“Data collection and other research related activities pertaining to this work will be carried out progressively in the future,” Vava explained.


A practical student from the Solomon Islands National University (SINU) during the transplanting exercise.

He thanked MAL Chief Field Extension officer for Western Province Rove Sipuru, agriculture extension officers and the Solomon Islands National University (SINU) agriculture practical students who have helped in the raising of the noni seedlings and assisted in field transplanting exercise.

Developing the Noni industry and others like kava and cassava is one of the key policy priority of the Democratic Coalition Government for Advancement (DCGA) therefore the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAL) remains committed to it.

SINU opens $120m complex

Written by
Mavis Podokolo
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Prime Minister Sogavare hand over the keys to Chairman of SINU Dr Culwick Togamana and Acting Vice Chancellor Dr Maebuta

BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO

Solomon Islands national university (SINU) has opened its $120million complex.

The new complex belongs to SINU’s Faculty of Education and Humanities, and was fully funded by the national government.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare said, “we all value this occasion and cherish the new FEH complex because each one of us contribute to the achievements of this complex.

Dr Maebuta and Prime Minister Sogavare during a visit inside the new complex

“The Solomon Island National University is now in a position to use and enjoy. What we witnessed today (yesterday) is the outcome of the vision and hard work contributed by initiators and implementers of this project.”

Sogavare acknowledged the continuing support of development partners and development stakeholders for their contribution to the SIG and SINU initiatives to advance the social and economic development that would improve livelihood of all Solomon Islanders.     

MP for East Are Are right during a tour inside the new complex

Dr Jack Maebuta, acting vice chancellor of SINU, said the newly opened complex is a gift from the Government to the people of Solomon Islands.

“Prime Minister Sir, we all are proud Solomon Islanders to be gifted this complex by our very own Government. As a Solomon Islander, and the Acting Vice Chancellor I’m very proud of our National Government for such a magnificent multimillion dollars investment.

Part of the guests witnessing the official handover of the SINU complex

“This is a testament to the fact that we as Solomon Islands Government, we as Solomon Islands leaders, we as Solomon National University and we as Solomon Islanders, we all can do it. We all together can build our National University to that of international standing.  Yes we all can if we are all together in it,” Maebuta said.

“Prime Minister Sir, through you I want to also render my sincere gratitude and appreciation to your other colleague Members of Parliament for your strong for the university,” Maebuta said.

School of Nursing students during a visit inside the new SINU complex

He adds, CCECC in course of this project issued stop work notices to SINU when SINU did not pay them due to cash flow problems.

“However, in our tok stori with Mr Huang we were able to come to common understanding and keep the work going,” Maebuta said.

He said when the pandemic hit last year SINU was unable to practise the social distancing here in Panatina campus due to big student numbers and limited classroom spaces.

SINU student and staff providing entertainment

Maebuta said Huang, the Project Manager for CCECC, in good faith gave SINU the permission to use the classrooms when the building was not yet fully complete.

He also thanked the Kramer Ausenco for the architectural design and the management of the project. The contractor CCECC for their tireless effort in constructing the complex.   

CHURCH MEETS DRAGON

Written by
Charles Kadamana
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Church Leaders pose for photo with Ambassador Li Ming

Talks of cooperation, understanding and freedom of religion

BY CHARLES KADAMANA

Church leaders of Solomon Islands have come to the table with China to talk of cooperation, understanding and freedom of religion.

About 14 local church leaders met with the Chinese Ambassador at the Embassy yesterday.

These include representatives of the Solomon Islands Christian Association (SICA) and the Solomon Islands Full Gospel Association.

They were invited by the Embassy to an Open House Day.

Addressing the Christian leaders, Chinese Ambassador Li Ming said his Embassy is honoured to host and to educate them about China, on relations between China and Solomon Islands and promote further understanding between the two countries.

He said China is one of the oldest civilisations in the world – over five thousand years old.

PRC Ambassador to Solomon Islands Li Ming delivers his speech

He said religion has always been an indispensable part of Chinese history, civilisation and people.

He said the Chinese government attaches great importance to safeguarding freedom of religious beliefs of the Chinese people, and advocates law, independence and socialism.

He said the total number of religious believers in China is around 200 million including 45 million Catholics and Protestants.

They have made important contributions to economic growth, social harmony, cultural prosperity, ethnic solidarity and national unification, he added.

He said the Embassy supports dialogue and cooperation between religious groups of the two countries.

“We had planned for a visit by church leaders to China in 2019, but disrupted by the Covid-19 pandemic.”

Vice Chair of SICA Rev Bishop Eric Maefonea praised the Chinese Embassy for providing the opportunity for church leaders understand more about China.

Rev Bishop Eric Maefonea delivers his speech

He said the Chinese Embassy is the first development partner to have invited church leaders to engage in discussions on how churches can work together with the Peoples Republic of China (PRC) to drive Solomon Islands forward.

He said before the switch from Taiwan in 2019, Chinese people had been here for many years, contributing significantly to the economy of Solomon Islands.

“So, after two years into formal diplomatic relationship, Solomon Islands has been familiar with China through individuals who have been here to trade over the many years.

“On behalf of the church leaders here it is our first ever for any diplomatic establishment in the country that could ever invited head of churches in Solomon Islands.

“I wish all of development partners we have in the past did the same so as church leaders could share our hearts and engage to develop our nation,” he said.

He said the establishment of diplomatic relations between PRC and Solomon Islands have gone through stormy seas, but through that, both countries sail together with better understanding.

“We got to know each other more and your invitation to us helps us to begin to know little bit about China,” he said.

He said certain people convey there is no freedom of religion in China but with just two years diplomatic relationship in the country, PRC brings different aspect of development from medical, infrastructures, religion and investment in the country.

Wale confirms petition by Honiara-based Malaitans

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Press Release
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Leader of Opposition, Matthew Wale

OPPOSITION leader Matthew Wale has confirmed he received a copy of a petition addressed to the Prime Minister, by Honiara-based Malaitans, containing 8,210 signatures.

The petition makes eight requests.

Wale stressed in a statement that it is important our people are allowed to freely and openly express their views, adding that the government must not stifle this free expression of views.

Further, Wale calls on the RSIPF and the Honiara City Council to facilitate the petitioners’ application for a permit to stage a peaceful protest.

“It is important that our people’s right to peaceful protest is not unjustifiably and unreasonably suppressed,” Wale said.

“RSIPF must not intimidate our people, and talk of arrests are intimidating,” he added.

The Opposition leader said he is however, distressed by recent media reports of an armed group with political grievances, and further stressed that if government, RSIPF and the City Council continue to suppress the people’s right to peaceful protest, it can force them to consider options that are neither legal nor peaceful.

“In our recent history, we have seen that when our people perceive that all legal and democratic processes are used against them, they have opted to taking matters in their own hands.

“We do not want to see a repeat of those.”

Furthermore, Wale calls on the organisers of the petition, in the event that they are issued a permit to stage a protest march, to ensure that such a march is peaceful, orderly and respectful.

PM urged to honour his obligation to West Papua

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THE Solomon Islands in Solidarity for West Papua group has reminded the Prime Minister of his obligations as the leader of one of the Melanesian nations, to ensure he supports any bid for the full membership of the United Liberation Movement for West Papua, in the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG).

This call comes ahead of the MSG Summit and the Pacific Island Forum which are expected to be held later this year.

The group says it sees it important that the plight of the Melanesian people of West Papua is not watered down because of economic and political pressure from Indonesia.

“The PM is ought to be reminded that while we continue to enjoy these benefits from Indonesia, the human rights of the people whom Jakarta is obligated to respect, protect and fulfil to this day are yet to be adequately met,” the group said in a statement.

“Solomon Islands has a moral responsibility to stand together with fellow Melanesian brothers and sisters in upholding Melanesian integrity and to remind Indonesia of its obligations to the Spearhead Group and its commitments to the six major international human rights treaties it has ratified,” it added.

“Although the group recognizes the numerous challenges our region is facing, notably the pandemic, the group is appealing to the leaders of the region and its inhabitants to not lose focus of the mission to support the plight of the of the people of West Papua.”

The group further stressed that both the Melanesian Spearhead Group and Pacific Islands Forum, have adopted very important humanitarian agenda, so must the nation of Solomon Islands.  

Melanesian leaders are also ought to be reminded on the fundaments in which the Melanesian Spearhead Group was established, and the Prime Minister must remind his counterparts when MSG meets.

The group also expressed strong support behind the PIF decision in 2019, for Indonesia to welcome the invitation of UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, and their strong encouragement towards finalizing the timing of the visit and for an evidence-based, informed report on the situation in West Papua.

The group also stated that as an associate member of MSG, Indonesia must respect the call by the body and uphold all its principles, which of course entreats for all parties to protect and uphold the human rights of all residents and to work to address the root causes of the conflict by peaceful means.

“We are confident that the PM will act on this call because it was through his leadership during the 2015 MSG summit in Honiara, when he was also PM that the West Papuan representative body, was awarded its observer status in MSG,” said the Solomon Islands in Solidarity group for West Papua.

OPMC: no plans to arrest Suidani

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Premier of Malaita province Daniel Suidani

OFFICE of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (OPMC) says claims of the imminent arrest of the Malaitian Premier and his advisor is a fabricated rumour manufactured by a person who is of interest to the law enforcement authorities.

“We are aware that the rumour of the imminent arrest was intentionally made to skew public interest from the real issue: a call for investigation of Malaita for Democracy group (M4D) on possible breaches of our laws,” OPMC said in a statement issued yesterday.

“We were informed in early July that the M4D has been conducting a callous COVID-19 vaccination mis-information campaign in Gwauntafu and Sisifiu villages in West Fataleka, Malaita that could put at great risk the lives of our unsuspecting village people.

“It was the M4D group that was outed for investigation in the Solomon Star article titled ‘M4D covid-19 vaccine misinformation’.

“There was however, never a single mention of Celsus or Suidani in the entire article, let alone calls for their arrest.

“The arrest rumours originated from the person of interest in an Island Sun article, wrongly citing the said Solomon Star article as a second source.”

The statement said since the rumor of the imminent arrest is fabricated and intentionally trumpeted all over the media by the person of interest, the OPMC wishes to state that:

  • RSIPF are well within their powers to investigate and arrest any individual, including the Premier if they have broken any laws;
  • (2) the OPMC has no mandate to determine if Celsus and the Premier have broken any laws. That is for the RSIPF, Director of Public Prosecution, and other enforcement authorities to decide. Meanwhile, the RSIPF have recently announced no investigation orders has been received; and
  •  the Premier and his advisor should take great comfort in the national government’s soft approach in exercising great restraint, choosing cooperation and dialogue instead of aggression.

“OPMC wishes to reiterate that the Premier and his advisor are not subjects of interest for the OPMC.

“As the coordinating Ministry OPMC is focused on supporting the DCGA Government extract the best outcomes while balancing the competing interests of regional and global superpowers (US and China) under the friend to all enemy to none policy.

“The OPMC thus advocates for cooperation between the national government and all parties, including bilateral and multilateral partners, all provincial governments and peoples so ‘iumi tugeda’ can bring services and tangible development to the people of Solomon Islands, including Malaita.

“Finally, the OPMC is aware that political and rent-seeking opportunists including leaders of the M4D are currently in Honiara conspiring against the government, partly based on the lies they have manufactured.

“The public is therefore sternly advised to avoid associating with these characters as any activity that threatens peace, law, order and national security will be emphatically and decisively dealt with by the relevant government authorities.”

No vax no entry: AG

Written by
Mavis Podokolo
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BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO

ATTORNEY-General John Muria Junior says travelling passengers wishing to come into the country must be fully vaccinated before entering.

Muria Jnr said this is a requirement for mandatory vaccine.

“You must be fully vaccinated before entering Solomon Islands,” he said.

Muria stressed if this matter is not obeyed it is an offence with penalties. The penalties for this offence are 100 thousand dollar fine or 10 years imprisonment.

He said another offence is if a person entering the country without being fully vaccinated and happened to infect others with the virus brought with him/her.

“That offence is 150 thousand dollar fine with 15 years’ imprisonment,” he said.

Muria uttered the above offence and penalties as notifying the general public and incoming passengers that these matters are of serious concern and have huge fines.

Furthermore, measures for quarantines are still effective. People flying into the country have to serve his/her quarantine period. 

80 candidates did not comply with Electoral Act: NAMES WITH POLICE

Written by
Brian Lezutuni
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SIEC, CEO Jane Waetara

BY JARED KOLI

Names of 80 candidates who contested the past national elections have been submitted to the Royal Solomon Islands Police (RSIPF) – National Criminal Investigation Department (NCID) for failure to comply with provisions of the Solomon Islands Electoral Act 2018.

This is according to Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) and Commissioner, Mrs Jane Waetara in an exclusive interview with Island Sun yesterday.

Waetara said from the 330 candidates who contested the 2019 National General Election, 250 filed their financial statement of account to the Solomon Islands Electoral Commission (SIEC), 75 failed to submit their financial statements and five submitted after the deadline of 90 days.

Waetara said 13 of the 14 candidates who contested the November 2020 By-election for Central Honiara and Northeast Guadalcanal constituency complied with the provision while one failed.

Section 69 of the Solomon Islands Electoral Act 2018 states that candidates contesting a National General Election must provide their campaign expenses to the Commission.

Subsection (1) states: “Within 90 days after the publication of an election result under section 107, a candidate in the election must submit to the CEO a statement of account specifying:

“(a) all expenses incurred by the candidate in relation to the candidate’s campaign for election; and

“(b) the source of all funds (including the amount received from each source) used to meet those expenses.

Subsection (2) states: “The regulations may make provision for the preparation and content of the statement of account.”

Waetara said the failure of candidates to submit their campaign expenses reflects a non-compliance of the particular provision of the Act.

“The penalty of the non-submission is $20,000 and two-years’ imprisonment or both, for those late submission after the 90 days has lapsed, a $100 will be charged per each day the offence continues.

“My office administers the provisions of the Electoral Act, and it is the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force that deal with the Electoral offences. It is them that will investigate and lay charges on candidates that commit the electoral offence.

“We have already provided the list and documentation of the candidates to them,” the electoral chief said.

Waetara said the list of candidates was submitted to the Police around 90 days after the 2019 National General election as well as the November 2020 By-elections, but have since then did not hear any feedback from the police.

“So far, we did not receive any feedback of the list of candidates that were not comply with the Act that was submitted to the police.

“As such, we did not aware as to how many candidates that have been charged and those that did not charged,” she said when asked.

Waetara said as soon as the winner in the election is declared, candidates are obliged under the Act to submit their financial expenses during the election.

“Whether the candidates win or loses, they must comply because the obligation is stated under the Act and they must send in their statement to the SIEC.”

She said SIEC always remind candidates through the media and even go to the extent to call the candidates in the period of 90 days after an election.

She strongly reminded candidates that contest the South Choiseul By-election this year to adhere to the provision of this Act and submit their campaign expenses in time.

The final date for the filing of these expense account is September 15, 2021.

South Choi By-election candidates reminded

Written by
Brian Lezutuni
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BY JARED KOLI

Six candidates who contested the South Choiseul in the May 2021 national By-election have been reminded to submit their Election Campaign expenditures accounts before September 15 this year.

Chief Electoral Officer and Commissioner, Mrs Jane Waetara said this is to comply with Section 125 of the Electoral Act 2018.

“We still have until September 15 so I want to remind these candidates to submit their election campaign expenditure within the timeline as required by law.”

Waetara said whether the candidates win or lose, they must comply because the obligation is stated under the Act and they must send in their statement to the SIEC before 15 September to prevent possible prosecution.

She explained the law requires all candidates contesting in any national parliamentary election in this case, recent national by-election for South Choiseul Constituency, must file their election related campaign expenditures to the Chief Electoral Officer within a 90 days period beginning a day after the date the election result for that particular election is published in the gazette.

The Electoral Chief said none of the six candidates has submit their expense account as yet.

But she said as soon after the winner in an election is declared, candidates are obliged under the Act to submit their financial expenses during the election.

Each candidate should be able to report all their election campaign related expenses on a special approved form to disclose all funding sources in which they have obtained money from for the purpose of election campaigning and detail proof on what and how they have used the money.

Island understands that there were one female and five male candidates that have contested the South Choiseul national By-election 2021.

The six candidates’ political affiliation are as follows: –

Jackson Kiloe – People First Party

Sammy Qalo – Independent

Luxton Bauro Koraua – Independent

Tozen Leokana – Independent

Naneeth  Tutua – Independent

Amos Papaqui Qurusu – Independent

Contact tracing for all negatives

Written by
Mavis Podokolo
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Minister for Health and Medical Services Dr Culwick Togamana

BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO

CONTACT tracing for secondary contacts of all negative cases will be conducted to further ensure there is no positive case in the communities, says Dr Culwick Togamana.

Togamana, minister for Health and Medical Services, echoed this in his special COVID-19 address on Monday night regarding the MV Papamau crew members.

“We will also be expanding the contact and tracing of the extended contacts to all secondary contacts to further make sure there is no positive in the community,” he said.

Togamana stressed it would have been a totally different scenario if any of the tests returns positive.

“It would mean lock down and will cause great catastrophe in the country. 

“We will never know if we will lucky the next time, if such case happens again,” Togamana said.

He adds the threat of COVID-19 entering the country’s borders and slipping into communities remains very serious and real.

“We should not give it a chance to do so and we can only do this by getting COVID-19 vaccine doses to protect our country against COVID-19 virus,” Togamana said.

He said while the current policies and standard operating procedures in place to prevent entry and spread of COVID-19 will continue to evolve and strengthen with such experiences, the public are strongly urged go and get vaccinated at vaccination centres.

“We are also strengthening our procedures related to proper scrutiny and infection control packages as part of our into the risk situation,” Togamana said.

Meanwhile, first test results for all boarding parties which included Customs, Health, Immigration, Biosecurity, Ship agents and the SI ports boat Captain have come back negative.

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