By RODRICK DESURI 

Auki 

The Malaita Provincial Assembly has started its debate on town subdivision, agricultural hubs, and infrastructure to create better connections among the people of the province yesterday.

This debate follows the Premier and Finance minister’s speeches on Monday.

The assembly meeting is focusing on the province’s plans, issues, challenges, and achievements. 

Provincial Permanent Secretary of Malaita Province, George Eric said the house based its debate on town subdivision, agricultural hubs, and infrastructure to create better connections among the people of the province.

He said that since Auki town has limited space, they are looking to develop of the Afio substation. 

“Since we have limited space to accommodate our economic activities in town, we are looking at the development of sub-stations like Afio in Small Malaita.

“This will support our rural communities in bringing their produce to markets, create opportunities, and connect our people to access better infrastructure,” he said.

He said this is a plan and they are looking closely at it to shift their focus to it, as it will help tackle the challenges faced in the province.

According to the statement of government business for this week, today (Wednesday 18), the assembly’s meeting today included the following;

1) First reading of the 2026/2027 original budget,

2) Second reading of the 2026/2027 original budget,

3) Committee of the Whole Assembly on the 2026/2027 original budget to commence and conclude,

4) Third reading of the 2026/2027 original budget, and

5) Motion of Adjournment.

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BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

The Member of Parliament (MP) for East Honiara, Morris To’iraena, urges constituents to follow the proper channels when raising concerns related to development issues.

He made the call while addressing chairmen and chairwomen during the East Honiara Constituency chairpersons’ zone workshop held in Honiara.

He said that matters relating to development projects must be communicated through respective constituency chairpersons.

“Chairs, you are the bridge for our constituents. Any issues relating to development must be channelled through you to the constituency office,” he said.

Mr To’iraena also encouraged chairpersons and constituency office staff to work collaboratively to effectively address the needs of the people.

“Constituents must understand the process. They should go through you rather than approaching the office directly to discuss their issues,” he added.

Meanwhile, Constituency Development Officer (CDO) Standley Araha echoed similar sentiments during the workshop.

Mr Araha said chairpersons representing the 150 zones in East Honiara must be familiar with the office’s consultation schedule to better inform constituents.

“This is very important as it helps avoid misunderstandings between the office and our people,” he said.

He explained that consultation times are scheduled to allow the office to manage other responsibilities during official working hours.

“We also need time to deal with other matters concerning the constituency. That is why consultation days are allocated for our constituents,” Mr Araha said.

Mr Araha calls on chairpersons to work closely with the constituency office to serve the best interests and address the pressing needs of the people.

Photo credit: John Houanihau

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BY MELVILLE TITIULU

The trial involving a man accused of sedition and unlawful assembly charges in connection to the November 2021 Honiara riot resumed at the Central Magistrate Court yesterday.

At the close of the prosecution’s case last week, Principal Magistrate Tearo Beneteti reminded the defence counsel of four options the defendant has to make out of the defence’s case, as provided under the criminal procedure code.

Defence yesterday opted for the defendant to make a dock statement (a statement made by defendant without being sworn) that will weigh on their evidence to trial.

The defendant was called to the witness stand and was asked by Principal Magistrate Beneteti to testify without taking oath as chosen.

The defence lawyer posed several open-ended questions for the defendant to make statements  relevant to disproving the elements of the two charges to which the defendant was charged with.

The defendant then testified in his own defence. Mr Konofilia presented to court his version of the sequence of events during the time in question, being November 21, 2021 between 9am to 12pm – the day the riot broke out.

The defendant at the witness stand, also took time to highlight his own credibility as a witness with view to potentially create doubt in the prosecution’s case.

Apart from the defendant testifying, three records of interviews between the police with the defendant will be added as evidence disclosures, where the defendants dock statements will weigh in on those evidences as a defence case.

In the meantime, the court directed that prosecution file its closing submissions on Monday, March 23, and that defence file their closing submissions before close of business on March, 30, and to serve a copy of the same to prosecution.

The matter was adjourned for Wednesday, April 1, at 1pm for closing submissions hearing, where the court will hear both the prosecution and defence closing submissions.

Bail was extended for Konofilia to April 1.

Konofilia, 49, faces two counts of charges.

Count 1, sedition contrary to section 3(1)(i) of the Sedition Act, and Count 2, taking part in unlawful assembly contrary to section 74 of the Penal Code.

The defendant pleaded not guilty to the two charges of sedition and taking part in unlawful assembly when he was rearraigned on Thursday, March 12.

The trial issues before court is whether or not the defendant was part of the group of men called the Malaita for Democracy (M4D) who travelled from Malaita on a ship and converged at Point Cruz, calling on the resignation of the then Prime Minister, Manasseh Sogavare, on November, 24, 2021.

And if so, whether or not that amounts to unlawful assembly.

Special Prosecuting Counsel, Ms Mary -Ann Zurenuoc from the Director of Public Prosecutions, appeared for the Crown, while Mrs Lilly Ramo from Just Lawyers represented Konofilia.

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-New coalition submits notice for motion of no-confidence against Prime Minister

-New coalition still claims 28 members

BY IRWIN ANGIKI

A motion of no-confidence has been initiated against Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele.

The notice for the motion was lodged with parliament yesterday signed by MP for South Vella la Vella, Frederick Kologeto. The Motion’s notice matures on March 23.

The motion can be debated any day after March 23, parliament clerk told SIBC yesterday.

A mass walkout of government ministers and back-benchers on Monday saw PM Manele leading with a minority government.

The breakaway MPs were joined by MPs from the Opposition group, and together they boast 28 members.

The group yesterday published an all-male 27-member group-photo to showcase their solidarity – a 28th said to be ‘overseas’.

A statement from the group yesterday said they had signed a new coalition agreement along with filing the notice for motion.

“When such a significant number of sitting members, including ministers, abandon their own coalition, it signals a government in serious crisis,” the statement said.

The statement said these decisions are not made lightly.

“They reflect deep frustrations over internal divisions, lack of trust, and growing concerns that the government has lost its sense of direction and purpose.

“This mass exodus raises urgent constitutional and governance questions.”

The statement adds that what is unfolding is not just a reshuffling of numbers; it is a rejection of leadership that has failed to unite, failed to listen, and failed to deliver.

Only East Choiseul MP Manasseh Sogavare of the opposition bench has not joined the new coalition, and is reportedly pitched to join government.

As of yesterday, there are 10 government ministries without ministers, something which government is looking to rectify with new ministers reported to be sworn in today, a government source told Island Sun yesterday.

Following the resignation of 12 ministers on Monday this week, government has filled in two ministerial portfolios with the swearing in of its backbenchers – Freda Tuki (MP for Temotu Vatud) as new minister of Justice and Legal Affairs, and Mary Garu (MP for West Guadalcanal) as minister for Traditional Governance, Peace and Ecclesiastical Affairs.

Meanwhile, PM Manele has survived two motions of no-confidence.

The first was in December 2024 which was instigated by PFP, and moved in parliament by Central Honiara MP Gordon Darcy Lilo.

PFP back-tracked in the last eleventh hour and Mr Lilo was forced to withdraw the motion on December 16, 2024, on the floor of parliament.

The second motion of no-confidence was scheduled for May 6, 2025 also moved by MP Lilo after former finance minister Manasseh Sogavare defected to the Opposition with 10 government MPS.

This motion was withdrawn on the floor of parliament the same day it was due for debate.

Talks of a third one was reportedly brewing in October 2025, which also reportedly involved PFP, but was abandoned.

Photo: Supplied

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BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

A television journalism training is currently underway in Honiara to equip new staff of the Solomon Islands Broadcasting Corporation (SIBC) with essential broadcasting skills.

Speaking in an interview with Island Sun yesterday, BBC Media Action coordinator Sina Adrina said that the intensive programme will run for about 10 days, commencing yesterday Monday 16, and scheduled to conclude on Friday 27th, next week.

He said that the training was initiated following concerns that experienced television staff at SIBC were leaving the organisation, creating a need to train new recruits to strengthen the broadcaster’s TV operations.

He said that Johnson Honimae, Chief Executive Officer of SIBC requested support from the BBC to assist with the training programme for new staff.

“In response, the BBC agreed to support the initiative and has facilitated the training, which is being led by a BBC trainer, Mr Apenisia Waqairadovu,” Sina said.

He said that the training focuses on foundational television journalism skills and introduces participants to the various aspects of television production and reporting.

“It is designed as an introductory course to help new trainees better understand how television news operates.

“The programme has also been opened to other media organisations and freelance journalists. In total, 19 participants are attending the training, including 10 from SIBC and nine from other media organisations,” he said.

Sina said that the participants will explore the full spectrum of television journalism, including editorial values, news reporting, camera work, interviewing techniques and multimedia storytelling during the training,

“By the end of the programme, participants are expected to produce their own broadcast content through practical, hands-on exercises.

“The training aims to help participants learn the fundamentals of television journalism while also strengthening the skills of those already working in the media industry,” he said.

Photo credit: John Houanihau

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