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Tuna offers hope during covid-19

Written by
Mavis Podokolo
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BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO

TUNA as a national asset for Solomon Islands offers more hope for the country in the current covid-19 pandemic.

Minister for Ministry f Fisheries and Marine Resources Frederick Kologeto echoed this yesterday.

“Today in the current COVID-19 pandemic we are experiencing, this national asset offers more hope in this time of uncertainty. It serves as our everyday food and it serves as a revenue earner for our economy and this is why tuna is a true national asset for our country and people.

“And today (yesterday) I am proud as the Minister responsible for Fisheries to say the theme again “Tuna-our proceed national asset” an enduring asset for both good and bad times,” said Kologeto.

He lauded all who participated on yesterday’s event despite the challenges faced due to the covid-19 pandemic.

Allan Rahari Director Fisheries Operations, Forum Fisheries Agency says tuna supports regional food security, employment and economic development and promoted national GDP indeed economic resilience the Pacific Tuna fisheries in particular is important during the challenges during this uncertain time.

Marijuana receiver arrested with bag

Written by
Jennifer Kusapa
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BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

A 36-YEAR-OLD man from Kirakira was arrested on April 24, 2021 for receiving a packed farmer bag of marijuana drug inside LC Lokoiola.

Police Commissioner Mostyn Mangau said Kirakira police upon receiving a tip off that a farmer bag of Marijuana was sent onboard LC Lokoiola on its April-23trip, monitored who would be receiver of the farmer bag.

Mangau said when the LC Lokoiola berthed at Kirakira they monitored who the receiver would be and as a result, they halted the 36-year-old man and confiscated the farmer bag inside the ship.

The suspect was arrested and released pending proper charges to be laid on him.

Mangau said that bag was sent by someone in Honiara and police are calling on the communities or individual who might aware or knew of that person who sent that bag.

He said police investigation is continuing and in relation to the charge police will be waiting on the Director of Public Prosecution on what charges are to be laid as according to dangerous drugs Act, police only lay charge on suspects of drug related upon receiving authorization from the office of the DPP.

Mangau also warn young people as well the adults to refrain from engaging in drugs, as there are have been issues and problems happening inside the communities are caused by marijuana.

Therefore, communities must work together in addressing such issues and support police in their investigating such issues involving marijuana.

Meanwhile Provincial Police Commander PC Peter Sitai also said that Marijuana become an issue to many youths in Makira-Ulawa Province and therefore, everyone needs to work together in order to put such issue under control.

“You might not know your son or your daughter involved in such practices and as we can see many lives have already been affected from marijuana. Communities must step up to assist police to put a stop to this issue to protect our children,” PPC Sitai emphasizes.

Handover of patrol boat today

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
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RSIPF Patrol boat Gizo. Photo by Austal.

By EDDIE OSIFELO

SOLOMON Islands High Commissioner in Canberra, Australia, Robert Sisilo will witness the handover ceremony of the second Guardian-class Patrol boat in Perth today.

In 2019, the country has received her first Guardian class patrol boat called Gizo.

The second one will be called Taro.

Both have replaced Patrol boat Lata and Gizo, which have served the country for many years.

The Pacific Patrol boat replacement project is part of the Australian Government’s Pacific Maritime Security Program that aims to enhance practical maritime security cooperation across the South Pacific.

The Pacific Patrol Boat Replacement Project broadens and further strengthens the region’s capability to responds to issues such as fisheries protection, trans-national crime, and search and rescue through the provision of patrol boats to Pacific Island nations.

The Pacific Patrol Boat Replacement program comprises 21 vessels for delivery to 12 Pacific Island nations and Timor Leste from late 2018 to 2023.

His Deputy High Commissioner Trevor Ramoni has accompanied him on the trip to Western Australia yesterday.

They were invited by the Australia Defence to officiate in the ceremony.

According to the Defence, the COVID-Safe ceremony is scheduled for Friday 7 May 2021 at Austal Shipyards in Henderson, Western Australia.

“Although we are unable to facilitate international attendance at the ceremony at this time, we are still very keen for the handover ceremony to be a celebration of the Australia-Solomon Islands relationship and would greatly appreciate the High Commissioner’s and your attendance,” Defence said.

Sisilo is expected to give a short five-minute speech, sign the formal certificates, christen the ship with champagne and take a tour of the new vessel.

Rear Admiral Katherine Richards, Head Navy Engineering, and Mat Kimberley, Assistant Secretary DFAT as our other key Australian representatives were also invited to attend the ceremony.

They are expected back in Canberra tomorrow.

The Royal Solomon Islands Police Force Maritime will utilise our new patrol boat for:

  1. Maritime surveillance and Law enforcement
  2. The protection of Natural resources and Surveillance of the Solomon Islands/Papua New Guineas common border
  3. Response to National Disasters and Humanitarian Response
  4. Maritime Search and Rescue
  5. Support to General Policing / Crime Response and Regional Maritime security e.g., maritime operations coordinated by FFA for regional Island nations.

2 logging firms ordered to stop work

Written by
Alfred Pagepitu
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Premier of Central Islands Province, Stanley Manetiva

BY ALFRED PAGEPITU

TWO logging companies have been issued stop-work orders by the Central Islands Provincial government for non-payment of previous business licences and a current ones, as well as non-settlement of trespass claims by the Central Province into the Maleali Registered Land.

A statement from the Provincial Premier Stanley Manetiva yesterday said Tropical Resources Company Limited (TRDCL) applied for a milling license to conduct milling operations on Bolilau Customary land in breach of provincial business license ordinance 2020 as gazetted.

Manetiva said TRDCL was presented with documents purporting George Maru as owner of TRDCL as applicant.

He said the TRDCL purportedly contracted Trijam as operator and TRDCL and Trijam are under John Parsad as same owners ( and not George Maru).

He said that the TRDCL has owed the Central Province outstanding Business License for logging operations with Sunhill Sun as sub-contractor previously.

Manetiva said they are yet to settle trespass claims, illegal felling of logs and Environmental Damages claim on Maleali Government Registered Land.

“Regarding the Provincial Milling of Timber Application Form- the Provincial Premier and Executive declined the milling of timber license application form on the following grounds.

  1. Documents submitted were not true on the directorship of TRDCL
  2. 4000m3 per month is above the milling quota stated in the Forestry Act of Solomon Islands s.34 (1)(c)
  3. There is no agreement by the clans on blocks of land within Bolilau Customary land Submitted as required by form
  4. There is no beneficiary agreement signed by the 1000 people
  5. TRDCI, TRIJAM and Sun owed Provincial outstanding business license fees in the past.

Therefore, Manetiva said the current landing and operation of machines at Supare Landing Area does not have the Provincial approval for timber milling and felling of trees (round logs) and the operation is without a valid provincial business license.

“As such the provincial executive has blacklisted TRDCL, TRIJAM and SUNHILL SUN for future operation in Central province.

He said the Provincial Police Commander and ranks are asked to enforce the breach of the Provincial Business license provisions in that the province decline to grant the timber milling license to the applicant TRDCL and therefore TRIJAM is an unlawful contractor on the Provincial Jurisdiction.

Manetiva said the letter have been issued to the two companies to immediately stop operations and vacate the Central province jurisdiction with immediate effect.

Six arrested for alleged rape of student, 13

Written by
Press Release
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TARO Police have arrested six suspects for the alleged rape of a 13-year-old female student at Pangoe Village, Choiseul Province.

The incident took place Thursday last week.

Provincial Police Commander (PPC) Choiseul Province, Superintendent Vincent Eria said five suspects are in their 20s, and a further suspect a 16-year-old boy.

Commander Eria said they received the report, attended to and arrested the suspects.

The victim in this case was a grade five student at the Pangoe Primary School in north east Choiseul.

He said the Incident occurred on the evening of 29April 2021 at around 9pm at the beach area in Pangoe Village.

Superintendent Eria said the suspects have been arrested and charged for the offense of rape contrary to section 136 of the penal code.

“I would like to remind our good people in Choiseul Province that we must look after our women and young girls from such incidents.

“Good parents please make sure you know where about your children. Assign trusted people in the family to accompany them where they want to go to avoid such incident in our communities,” PPC Eria said.

He thanked those who helped in the investigation and like to thank the police officers involved and their response to the report.

–POLICE MEDIA

Tuna needs to be sustainably managed due to high demand

Written by
Mavis Podokolo
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Soltuna cannery at Noro in Western province. Photo courtesy: Tri Marine

BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO

WITH the high demand for tuna globally, the resource need sto be sustainably managed, says Supervising Minister to Fisheries and Marine Resources, Frederick Kologeto.

“Today, with the high demand for tuna globally, the resources need to be sustainably managed. This is important as our country makes a lot of revenue front his resources and because of this resource, many of our people can be employed and this is evident to the fishing and processing sector.

“Many of our people can be fed and many of our people can earn a living. Tuna indeed is a source of food and livelihood to our many coastal communities,” Kologeto said.

He said the responsibility to manage this resource in a sustainable manner is entirely on everybody.

“We are all in this together. As stakeholders to this important resource, let us align our commitments towards ensuring sustainability of our tuna stocks. Let us all work together to achieve this.

“As the Minister responsible for fisheries, I am delighted to see the current development and sustainability management of our tuna resources. My ministry is always working in collaboration with our other stakeholders to ensure all Solomon Islanders receives maximum economic and social benefits from our tuna resources. This is through a cordial partnership with Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA) and Parties to the Nauru Agreement (PNA) countries.”

The above statement was echoed yesterday at the World Tuna Day celebration in Honiara.

MFMR ensures SI benefits from tuna

Written by
Mavis Podokolo
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BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO

MINISTRY of Fisheries and Marine Resources is working closely with its stakeholders to ensure all Solomon Islanders receives economic and social benefits from tuna resources.

According to Minister for responsible for MFMR Frederick Kologeto said this will work out through a cordial partnership with Forum Fisheries Agency and Parties to the Nauru Agreement (PNA) countries to enable the county to achieve the following.

“Creation of job opportunities for our people. In this regard, we will continue to progress the development of Bina Harbour Onshore Processing project, support infrastructure developments-through new investments for onshore facilities. Again, Bina project is the one we are pursuing,” Kologeto said.

He said also to support the PNA Vessel Day scheme for both Purse seine and longline fisheries.

“To review of our legislations and legal framework to accommodate the recent changes within the tuna fisheries are promoted towards Sustainable Tuna Fisheries and promote Tuna as our proceed national Asset and this is where we want to drive our Tuna in the future.”

Isabel benefits from Gender Responsive Peacebuilding in Extractive Industries programme

Written by
Jennifer Kusapa
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BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

WITH the launching of the Gender Responsive Peacebuilding in Extractive Industries programme on Wednesday, Isabel province will be directly benefiting.

International Organization Migration IOM Chief of Mission Australia, New Zealand and Coordinator for Pacific Islands Countries Par Liljert, speaking via zoom during the launch, said the programme has been conceptualised and developed utilising the results and lessons learned from previous UN programming in the Solomon Islands and across the Pacific region.

This is regarding the Solomon Islands Community Health and Mobility in the Pacific Report (or CHAMP Report) has provided extensive analysis on these particular dynamics, providing data and evidence on the issue. The report included key recommendations for communities, service provision, government bodies and protective services. Specifically, this programme will work at addressing recommendations on community mobilisation and service provision.

He said currently, in the Isabel province, only one civil society organisation is able to provide gender-based violence and justice support and with the launching of the programme will directly increase the availability of these services.

IOM Chief of Mission explained that the community mobilisation programme will work directly with local communities to identify leaders in each community, in particular women who will be upskilled to contribute to responding to increased rates of gender-based violence. Similarly, the programme will address the CHAMP recommendation to create channels for community-based reporting to formal justice representatives.

Liljert also said that Service provision, the programme will address needs to increase services that are provided on issues of gender-based violence (GBV), Sexual and Reproductive Health (SHR), safety, PSS and Justice Services to remote and isolated areas.

“We are proud to respond to the Solomon Islands Government’s request for help in implementing these key recommendations. Recognising the importance and value of this programme IOM has mobilised its own additional resourcing through the IOM Development Fund to make this programme a reality”, Mr Liljert said.

The programme will operate under three broad outcome areas. One: It will strive to create an enabling environment to support women’s human rights and participation of women in community-based peacebuilding processes. This will include both women and young women. Such activities will include building capacity of organisations and community leaders to engage in meaningful dialogue with women, and also boosting women’s awareness of their rights in peacebuilding and leadership skills. This action is important due to the prevalence of current social and gender norms throughout the Solomon Islands and institutionalized values which generally disempower women and girls.  

 Secondly, the programme will focus on ensuring women and young women are able to drive change within their communities through peacebuilding dialogues. For example, eco-peacebuilding groups will be formed in targeted communities and led by women alongside young women to represent women’s rights in dialogues with the private sector and government officials. Environmental peacebuilding is based on the principle that our common dependency on natural resources and a healthy environment facilitates cooperation between societies and can therefore foster the process of peacebuilding in conflict regions. Furthermore, formal and informal dispute resolution mechanisms will be readily accessible to women and young women. Women are currently often excluded from peacebuilding activities so this action will directly address this.  

The third part of the programming will focus on coordinating between civil society organisations and governments to improve the quality-of-service provision to women who face violates due to conflict dynamics between community and extractive industries and workers.  

Meanwhile, Dr Jennifer Butler Director for UNFPA Pacific Sub Regional Office also highlighted that the programme will contribute to gender mainstreaming and women’s empowerment in a number of fundamental ways.

She said it will increase women’s participation in peacebuilding processes which will serve to mitigate the impact of extractive industries on women and young women through representation and resolution of key issues, including sexual exploitation. It will also challenge the gendered norms which discriminate and to date, have prevented women’s participation. Mobilisation of the community around shifting attitudes, practices and beliefs around gendered norms will transform the space provided to women which will serve to support a shift in gender equality and women’s empowerment more broadly.

The launching was done yesterday at the Heritage Park Hotel in Honiara.

Aust delivers additional $37M COVID-19 support

Written by
Press Release
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Australian High Commissioner, Dr Lachlan Strahan, and the Minister for Finance, Harry Kuma, signing a funding agreement

Australia has provided an additional AUD6 million (SBD$37 Million) to keep Solomon Airlines in the air and to help Solomon Water deliver water to vulnerable communities.

Australian High Commissioner, Dr Lachlan Strahan, and the Minister for Finance, Harry Kuma, signed a funding agreement on Tuesday 4 May to assist these two enterprises to continue vital operations and stimulate economic activity.

Dr Strahan said that Australia was working in line with the Solomon Islands Government’s priorities.

“Australia and Solomon Islands are strong security, development and economic partners,” Strahan said.

“We share similar COVID-19 response goals – to save lives and livelihoods and emerge stronger post-pandemic,” he added.

“Solomon Airlines provides the country’s all important domestic network and its international air bridge.”

Finance minister Kuma said:

“This is timely support that will boost the two state-owned enterprises’ efforts to deliver and maintain efficient services to the people of this country.

“Australia is such a true and loyal friend through thick and thin times, even though you are also affected by the global pandemic.”


Solomon Water will receive AUD5 million (SBD 31 million) to improve water supply, water quality, and to provide basic facilities for vulnerable communities in Honiara and some provincial towns.

Approximately 28,000 people are expected to benefit from improved water supply and sanitation facilities in Honiara, Auki, Tulagi, Noro, and Gizo.

Clean and safe water is vital to meeting the basic daily needs of the population.


Last Friday (30 April), Strahan and the CEO of Solomon Water, Ian Gooden, visited some of the communities around Honiara where Australia’s funding will improve water supply.

This included a community where new pipes will deliver fresh water directly to households, and a dam that will be rehabilitated to improve water quality and a fence erected to protect the water source.


AUD$1 million (SBD$6 million) will be delivered to Solomon Airlines to enable the airline to meet essential training requirements for engineers and crew, purchase aircraft maintenance equipment, and undergo a remote International Air Transport Association Operational Safety Audit.

Solo on top 3 in Australia

Written by
Press Release
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Seasonal workers in Australia

SOLOMON Islands is now one of the top 3 countries, after Vanuatu and Tonga, on the number of workers arriving in Australia since the restart of the Seasonal Workers Programme (SWP) and the Pacific Labour Scheme (PLS) late last year.

Four Solomon Airline chartered flights, carrying 500 workers, have landed in Australia since November 2020.   

The last two flights landed in Sydney early April and 184 workers disembarked and were quarantined for 14 days and then deployed to farms, packaging houses and meat-work places in New South Wales.

220 more are expected later this month.

“At the rate we are going we should hit 2000 before the end of the year.  That would exceed our numbers in New Zealand, if that has not yet been the case.  I look forward to meeting them after they have settled down in their places of work,” an excited and happy Robert Sisilo, Solomon Islands High Commissioner to Australia, said.

Since he was posted to Canberra in January 2020, Mr Sisilo has put labour mobility and trade with Australia as his number one priority. 

With the COVID-19 restrictions on movement across states now easing, Mr Sisilo is on the road driving thousands of kilometres to Sydney and Brisbane and the vast countryside of New South Wales and Queensland meeting our workers and their employers.

Recently Mr Sisilo was in Victoria and met workers and their employers in Mildura, Robinvale, Red Cliffs, Ararat, Warragul and Moe. 

He also met the SI community (diaspora) in Mildura and Melbourne.

Together with the officials in the Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade and the Department of Education, Skills and Employment in Canberra, they will visit SI workers and their employers in Tasmania this month.

This Australian Labour Mobility program remains one of the great initiatives that provides employment to Solomon Island workers, generate income and empowers them to participate meaningfully in both economic and development activities.    

“It’s a clear demonstration of how strong our relations with Australia have become, either because of COVID-19 or it’s just the way it should be as very close neighbours.  Or both.  It creates a 4-win situation – you the worker, the farmer, Solomon Islands and Australia. 

“So let’s just get on with the work and all the best in your new homes away from homes,” Mr Sisilo told a group of workers he met in Mildura, Victoria recently.

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