BY LORETTA B MANELE
While the government is ramping up efforts to continue service delivery in Solomon Islands, parliament is also working to fill in the vacant chairman positions of parliamentary committees.
Island Sun has received reliable information from sources that two Government backbenchers have submitted their letters to the Speaker of Parliament in relation to these chairman positions.
Sources close to the paper said they are Namson Tran, member of Parliament for West Honiara who is to be the chairman of the Bills and Legislation Committee (BLC) and Ben Maenuu, member of Parliament for Lau Mbaelelea Constituency as chairman for the Public Accounts Committee (PAC).
These are two important committees that play a major role of scrutinising bills and budgets before they are debated on and passed in parliament.
Island Sun understands that only members of Parliament who do not have ministerial portfolios can become chairpersons to parliamentary standing committees.
When Island Sun reached out to parliament about the two MPs without naming them in regards to confirmation of the above, Director of Parliamentary Committees Secretariat, Wilson Orisi said that upon advice from the Speaker to Parliament, the Speaker will only make announcement on issues of parliamentary constitution on the floor of parliament.
As when these two MPs can begin executing their roles as parliamentary chairpersons, it remains unclear.
In the midst of the current political scenario, government is doing its best to ensure ministries carry out their duties and delivery of services continue to roll out in the country.
The government through its ministries has carried out a number of tasks.
This week, a government team including officials from the Office of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (OPMC) and Ministry of Police travelled to Vanikoro in Temotu Province to visit and progress critical infrastructure works that aim to enhance border security and national resilience in the eastern region.
The Press Secretariat of OPMC in a statement on Tuesday said these outposts are designed to secure the country’s borders, support safe and orderly movement, facilitate regional trade, and safeguard maritime resources for future generations.
The Ministry of Commerce Industry, Labour and Immigration (MCILI) is also moving forward with the implementation of the Special Economic Zone (SEZ) Act 2025.
A statement from the Government Communication Unit (GCU) on Tuesday this week said key developments include the formal appointment of Board Members of the Solomon Islands Special Economic Zone Authority, with the initial Board Meeting scheduled soon.
“Regulations to support the SEZ Act are being finalised in consultation with the Attorney General’s Chambers, and the recruitment for the CEO is underway.
“In another major move, the Ministry’s Immigration Division has introduced a new Online Visa and Payments system through an E-gate payment bank account with the ANZ Banking Group Limited, part of a broader Border Management system roll out,” the statement said.
The Ministry of Environment Conservation, Climate Change, Disaster Management and Meteorology (MECCDM) is also putting in work.
A statement from GCU this week said the ministry is making strides in reducing the country’s dependence on fossil fuels and enhancing climate resilience.
MECDM Permanent Secretary, David Hiba, outlined the Ministry’s key activities and several reforms undertaken by the Ministry.
“Notable among these activities is the progress made in trialling the Virgin Coconut Oil (VCO)–Diesel Blended Fuel,” the statement said.
There is also the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources (MFMR) that is prioritising the Bina Harbour project on Malaita as a flagship programme to boost the country’s tuna fishery and maximise economic benefits.
Government has allocated SB$120 million in this year’s budget towards the project as a demonstration of its commitment to ensure the project gets underway.
GCU in a statement on Wednesday this week said the project is progressing with planning for early works infrastructure, including the construction of a domestic jetty.
There are also ongoing site studies with hydrological studies to determine water sources for construction and operations.
“The Korea Cooperative Supporting Centre for Overseas Port and Development consultants are conducting a feasibility study, with a draft report expected in April,” the statement said.
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