BY NED GAGAHE

Building a productive economy that creates jobs, supports local businesses and lowers the cost of living is a key pillar of the GREAT Coalition Government Policy launched by Prime Minister Matthew Wale yesterday.

Speaking at the launch at Heritage Park Hotel in Honiara, Wale said Solomon Islands must move beyond exporting raw materials and instead create more value from its own resources.

“Our objective is not merely to expand the economy. Our objective is to broaden participation in the economy,” he said.

As part of that goal, the government will introduce a Local Content Protection Policy, reserving government contracts valued below SBD50 million for indigenous Solomon Islands businesses.

Wale said the policy is designed to empower local enterprises, create jobs, build technical expertise and retain more wealth within the country.

“This is not a policy of exclusion. It is a policy of empowerment,” he said.

The government also aims to reduce the cost of doing business by progressively lowering electricity tariffs to about 15 US cents per kilowatt-hour, while improving the efficiency of essential services, including water, ports, telecommunications and financial services.

Wale said affordable electricity and lower operating costs will boost investment, improve business competitiveness and ease the burden on households.

The policy also prioritises agriculture, fisheries, tourism, manufacturing and the digital economy as key drivers of growth.

In agriculture, the government plans to strengthen research, improve market access and encourage downstream processing of crops such as cocoa, coconut and kava.

In the fisheries sector, it aims to progressively achieve 100 per cent onshore tuna processing through the development of the Bina Harbour Industrial and Fisheries Project to ensure more value from the country’s tuna industry remains in Solomon Islands.

Wale said the government’s ambition is to build a competitive and inclusive economy where indigenous Solomon Islanders increasingly become business owners, investors, producers and exporters, creating greater opportunities across the country.

Photo credit: Ned Gagahe

For feedback, contact: [email protected]

Editor: [email protected]

BY NED GAGAHE

Prime Minister Matthew Wale has declared that strengthening national institutions will be the foundation of his government’s efforts to build a stronger, fairer and more prosperous Solomon Islands.

Launching the GREAT Coalition Government Policy in Honiara yesterday, Wale said lasting national progress begins with institutions that are transparent, accountable and capable of earning and sustaining public trust.

He said strong institutions are essential to democracy and effective governance, stressing that leadership is a public trust and government decisions must always be guided by integrity, accountability and the long-term national interest.

“Our vision is for a Solomon Islands where government earns the trust of its people through accountability, where justice is upheld through an independent judiciary, and where every province participates fully in national development,” Wale said.

He said government exists not merely to administer public affairs but to create the conditions in which people can flourish by removing barriers to opportunity, upholding justice, protecting the vulnerable and strengthening national unity.

According to the Prime Minister, the policy places a strong emphasis on improving the performance of public institutions so they can deliver better services and respond more effectively to the needs of citizens.

He said strengthening institutions also means reinforcing the rule of law, ensuring the independence of the judiciary, improving coordination across government agencies and promoting transparency in public administration.

Wale said integrity must once again become the defining characteristic of public leadership, adding that public confidence can only be maintained when leaders exercise honesty, impartiality and accountability in carrying out their responsibilities.

He said the government will continue to strengthen governance systems to ensure public resources are managed responsibly and that institutions have the capacity to deliver on national priorities.

The Prime Minister said the four pillars of the GREAT Coalition Government Policy are interconnected, with strong institutions providing the foundation for economic growth, responsible management of natural resources and investment in the country’s people.

“Strong institutions are not an end in themselves. Their purpose is to create the conditions in which opportunity can flourish, enterprise can grow, and every citizen has the opportunity to build a better future,” he said.

Photo credit: Ned Gagahe

For feedback, contact: [email protected]

Editor: [email protected]

BY CHARLES STENNETT

Three police entities have successfully conducted a youth-focused community outreach programme at the Tina Community in Central Guadalcanal. 

They are the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force, (RSIPF), China Police Liaison Team, (CPLT) and the New Zealand Police, (NZP).

The outreach focused on drug prevention and the fight against domestic violence with the theme “To uphold belief and virtues”, a statement by RSIPF yesterday said.

During the session, officers from the Crime Prevention committees engaged directly with community representatives to provide professional guidance and respond to various concerns raised by the local youth and leaders, the statement said.

Superintendent Lin Qifeng talked on traditional Chinese values based on the theme.

Superintendent Lin encouraged the participants to foster strong moral character and integrity as a foundation to reject illicit drugs and maintain peaceful, violence-free homes.

He donated schoolbags, pencil cases, and torches to students and Crime Prevention Committee members as a gesture of support for their educational pursuits and community safety efforts after the formal sessions.

Representing the community, a local youth representative expressed sincere appreciation to the RSIPF and the CPLT for their generous support and for prioritising the wellbeing of Tina community.

The RSIPF, alongside its partners from the CPLT and NZP, pledged their commitment to work closely with communities across the Solomon Islands to strengthen local policing partnerships and promote a safer, more secure environment for all.

Photo credit: RSIPF

For feedback, contact: [email protected]

Editor: [email protected]

BY JOSES SAREN

The Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development (MALD) received a donation of farming tools from the New Zealand High Commission to support agricultural recovery efforts in communities affected by Tropical Cyclone Maila.

The donation was received by Minister for MALD Franklyn Derek Wasi, on behalf of the Ministry and the people of Solomon Islands, a MAL statement on July 3 said.

MALD said the tools will support the work of the MAL Livelihood Committee, which is coordinating recovery and rehabilitation efforts in the Western and Choiseul Provinces following the impacts of Tropical Cyclone Maila on farming households and rural livelihoods.

Speaking during the handover, Mr Wasi thanked the Government and the people of New Zealand for their continued support, partnership and generous donation.

“These farming tools arrive at a critical time as we continue supporting families and communities affected by Tropical Cyclone Maila,” Wasi said.

He added that the assistance will help farmers restore food production, rebuild their livelihoods, and strengthen food security and resilience in the Western and Choiseul Provinces.

“New Zealand is a valued development partner, and this donation reflects the strong friendship and cooperation between our two countries,” Wasi said.

Prior to handing over the tools, New Zealand High Commissioner to Solomon Islands Jonathan Andrew Curr reaffirmed New Zealand’s commitment to support disaster recovery and agricultural development in Solomon Islands.

“New Zealand is pleased to support the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development though this donation of farming tools to assist communities affected by Tropical Cyclone Maila,” Curr said.

He noted that agriculture is central to the livelihoods, food security, and economic wellbeing of Solomon Islanders, and that New Zealand hope the tools will help affected communities restore production and recovery more quickly.

“New Zealand values its longstanding partnership with Solomon Islands and remains committed to supporting sustainable development and resilient communities,” Curr said.

The Ministry conveyed its appreciation to the New Zealand High Commission for the contribution and looks forward to continued collaboration to advance food security, climate resilience, and sustainable agricultural development in Solomon Islands.

Photo credit: MALD

For feedback, contact: [email protected]

Editor: [email protected]

BY DOUGLAS VAHIA

A cocoa farmer from Isabel Province calls on the Government for Reform, Empowerment, Accountability and Transparency (GREAT) coalition to seriously consider subsidising freight costs for cocoa and copra farmers.

Ben Vihi from Susubona Village in West Hograno District, who brought his 31 bags of cocoa to Commodities Export Marketing Authority (CEMA) and is in the process of attaining his certificate as a CEMA agent, said Prime Minister Matthew Wale’s government must help farmers with transportation challenges.

“I wish that the new government can assist us farmers in subsidising the freight cost which often consume more than half of our earnings,” Mr Vihi said.

Vihi also encourages the Ministry of Agriculture and livestock Development (MALD) and CEMA to work together and coordinate efforts to avoid duplicating roles.

The cocoa farmer acknowledged CEMA for its effective support and assistance in providing bags of cement, nets and drums which enabled him to build his air drier.

With CEMA’s support Vihi is also planning to extend his cocoa plantation by 100 metres in length and width.

With the expansion of his cocoa plantation in the pipeline, Vihi anticipates his certification status to be known soon.

Vihi said last year he bought 27 bags of cocoa from farmers and transported them to CEMA and was paid well by the authority.

He said at his village he is competing with other buyers, most of whom are well established.

Photo: Supplied

For feedback, contact: [email protected]

Editor: [email protected]

BY NED GAGAHE

Investing in people through education, healthcare and social wellbeing is the fourth pillar of the GREAT Coalition Government Policy launched by Prime Minister Matthew Wale yesterday.

Speaking at the policy launch in Honiara, Wale said the country’s greatest resource is its people and that lasting national progress depends on creating opportunities for every Solomon Islander.

At the centre of the government’s agenda is the introduction of Free Education, which Wale described as one of the most important investments the nation can make.

“Education is the great equaliser. It enables ability to triumph over circumstance and gives every child the opportunity to fulfil their potential,” he said.

Beyond free education, the government will improve the quality of schools, invest in teachers, expand technical and vocational education, and strengthen science, technology, engineering and mathematics programmes.

The policy also commits to improve healthcare by expanding primary and rural health services, strengthening mental health care and investing in hospitals and frontline health workers.

Wale said the government will intensify efforts to combat malaria, tuberculosis, cervical cancer and the growing burden of non-communicable diseases through stronger prevention, early detection and improved treatment.

The policy also pledges greater support for women, young people, families, churches and vulnerable groups, while strengthening social protection programmes and promoting healthier communities.

Wale said the government’s goal is to ensure every Solomon Islander has the opportunity to live a healthy, productive and dignified life.

Photo credit: Ned Gagahe

For feedback, contact: [email protected]

Editor: [email protected]

BY NED GAGAHE

The GREAT Coalition Government has pledged to strengthen the management of Solomon Islands’ natural resources to ensure they deliver lasting benefits for both present and future generations.

Speaking at the launch of the GREAT Coalition Government Policy in Honiara yesterday, Prime Minister Matthew Wale said the responsible stewardship of the country’s forests, fisheries and mineral resources is the third pillar of his government’s national agenda.

He said Solomon Islands must avoid repeating the mistakes experienced in the logging industry as it develops its mining sector.

“The failures experienced within the logging industry must never, and will never, be repeated in the mining sector,” Wale said.

He said the government will reform the mining industry by strengthening legislation, improving environmental oversight, increasing transparency and ensuring customary landowners, provincial governments and the State are meaningfully involved in decisions on mineral development.

To ensure resource wealth benefits future generations, Wale announced the establishment of a Sovereign Wealth Fund that will preserve a portion of revenue generated from the country’s strategic resources.

The policy also promotes downstream processing, sustainable forestry and marine resource management to create more value within Solomon Islands while protecting the environment.

Wale said the government’s vision is to ensure the nation’s natural wealth creates long-term prosperity rather than short-term gains, while safeguarding the country’s resources for future generations.

Photo credit: Ned Gagahe

For feedback, contact: [email protected]

Editor: [email protected]