BY BEN BILUA
Gizo

A NEW humanitarian assessment has highlighted the need for continued awareness and stronger community engagement in areas affected by Category 5 Tropical Cyclone Maila, warning that many people remain unaware of the support and complaint mechanisms available to them.

The findings are contained in the July 2026 Accountability to Affected People (AAP) Report by the Pacific Humanitarian Team, which examined humanitarian responses following Tropical Cyclone Maila that affected an estimated 150,000 people across Western and Choiseul provinces.

The report compares information gathered from 14 humanitarian organizations with community-level assessments involving 595 displaced households in Western Province.

It assessed the effectiveness of information sharing, community engagement, and complaint and feedback mechanisms established during the emergency response.

According to the report, humanitarian organizations have put in place basic two-way communication systems and channels for communities to raise complaints or provide feedback.

However, it found that significant gaps remain in community awareness of these systems, with many affected people either unaware of the available mechanisms or uncertain about how their concerns are handled.

The assessment also highlighted weaknesses in ensuring complaints are consistently followed up and resolved, raising concerns about accountability throughout the humanitarian response.

Particular concern was expressed over the inclusion of marginalized groups, including persons with disabilities and people with diverse Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and Expression, and Sex Characteristics (SOGIESC), who continue to face barriers in accessing information and humanitarian services.

The report warns that without stronger community engagement and transparent communication, trust between affected communities and humanitarian agencies could decline, increasing the risk of protection issues such as sexual exploitation, abuse, corruption, and other forms of misconduct.

To address these concerns, the Pacific Humanitarian Team recommends expanding communication through trusted channels, particularly community radio, which remains one of the most accessible and reliable sources of information in remote communities.

It also calls for standardized feedback systems to ensure complaints are acknowledged, tracked, and responded to in a timely and transparent manner.

In addition, the report recommends regular refresher training on Accountability to Affected People and protection principles for humanitarian workers to strengthen community engagement and improve the quality of future emergency responses.

The report concludes that sustained awareness efforts and stronger accountability measures will be essential to maintain community confidence and ensure humanitarian assistance reaches all affected people fairly and safely as recovery from Cyclone Maila continues.

For feedback, contact: [email protected]

Editor: [email protected]

-Opposition leader Sogavare welcomes Government update on missing 33 bauxite shipments investigation

-Sogavare reiterates mining operation granted by Lilo’s government in 2014, and missing shipments occurred under Hou’s government Nov 2017 – Jan 2019

BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

The Official Opposition welcomes the Government’s latest update on the ongoing investigation into 33 unpaid bauxite shipments from West Rennell, following the Opposition’s request for an update on the investigation.

Opposition Leader Manasseh Sogavare described it as a positive step towards accountability while maintaining concerns over the Attorney-General’s role in the process, an Opposition statement yesterday said.

Mr Sogavare said the Government’s confirmation that the investigation remains active with records being examined, and that relevant authorities have been engaged was the type of public update the Opposition has been seeking.

“The people of Solomon Islands deserve to know that this important investigation is progressing,” he said.

The Government, in a statement issued on Tuesday this week said the investigation, first announced on June 10 remains active and is being conducted professionally, impartially and within the law.

The Government confirmed that relevant stakeholders and authorities met for the first time on July 6 to assess records collected so far and to identify additional documents required, following earlier correspondence among the agencies involved.

It adds that the examination of records dating back to 2017 has commenced, but is yet to be completed due to the volume of documentation requiring scrutiny.

According to the statement, the investigation may require others who served in government during the period under review to explain what they did or did not know about the 33 shipments.

The Government also said it could not yet disclose whether it has identified any outstanding royalties, fees or other obligations owed to the State, as the investigation is still ongoing.

It added that no completion date has been set, and the timeframe will depend on the volume of records to be examined and that it would not compromise the quality of the investigation to meet an arbitrary deadline.

Government said that it will not publicly disclose the names of officials, company representatives or specific investigative steps while inquiries continue, but said the public will be informed once all evidence is objectively assessed.

Responding to the Government’s statement yesterday, Mr Sogavare reaffirmed his willingness to cooperate with investigators if requested.

“If investigators believe I can assist in establishing the facts, I will cooperate fully. Accountability must apply equally to everyone,” he said.

However, he cautions against creating the impression that responsibility rested with any one individual because they held office during part of the period under investigation.

Sogavare said the mining lease enabling the operation was granted in September 2014 under the Gordon Darcy Lilo Government, while the 33 unpaid bauxite shipments under investigation occurred between November 2017 and January 2019 during the Rick Houenipwela Government.

He adds that the mining lease was cancelled in 2021 under his administration after findings of serious and longstanding breaches.

He said those facts demonstrate that the investigation must examine the conduct of all relevant individuals and institutions throughout the life of the project rather than unfairly attributing responsibility to any one former prime minister.

Sogavare, however, said the Opposition’s position on the Attorney-General’s previous legal representation of APID before taking public office remains unchanged.

He said appropriate measures should be put in place to address any actual or perceived conflict of interest to protect public confidence in the independence and integrity of the investigation.

The Government rejected suggestions that the investigation lacks independence or integrity, saying the Attorney-General, as the Government’s model litigant, has upheld the rule of law and ensured that no person, regardless of status, is above the law.

It also reiterated its commitment to accountability, transparency and the rule of law, saying the investigation will proceed free from political interference and public pressure.

Mr Sogavare encourages the Government to continue providing periodic public updates while safeguarding the integrity of the investigative process and said the Opposition looks forward to the completion of the investigation.

Photo: Supplied

For feedback, contact: [email protected]

Editor: [email protected]

BY RICHARD MENANOPO

The Embassy of Japan, in partnership with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), hosted its first large-scale Japan Festival “Matsuri” in Honiara on Saturday, bringing hundreds of Solomon Islanders together for a day of cultural exchange that aims to strengthen friendship beyond traditional development cooperation.

Speaking at the opening of the festival at the multi-Purpose Hall outdoor futsal court, Japanese Ambassador to Solomon Islands His Excellency Higuchi Keiichi said the event was designed to give Solomon Islanders a firsthand experience of Japan’s rich culture and traditions.

“This is the first time we’ve organised something like this on a big scale. We wanted Solomon Islands people to know what Japanese culture has to offer,” Ambassador Higuchi said.

He said while the Embassy had previously held similar activities at the Solomon Islands National University (SINU), this year’s festival was significantly larger, with support from more than 20 Japanese nationals, including JICA volunteers serving across the country.

The Ambassador said the festival reflected Japan’s desire to build stronger people-to-people connections with Solomon Islanders.

“People often talk of Japan as just a development partner, but we have a lot more presence here.

“We are not just helping Solomon Islands with donations and money. We have many Japanese people staying in Solomon Islands, including teachers, nurses, physiotherapists and other professional volunteers working together with Solomon Islanders,” he said.

Held under the theme “Discover Japan in Solomon Islands,” the festival featured Japanese calligraphy, Yukata photo experiences, traditional games, anime and manga activities, Japanese food, cultural crafts and stage performances.

Visitors were also treated to demonstrations by the Karate Federation of Honiara, performances by students from the SINU Japanese language programme and traditional Japanese dances, culminating in the Bon Odori community dance.

Ambassador Higuchi said experiencing Japanese culture in person offered far greater value than simply learning about it online.

“It’s one thing to read about Japan on the internet, but it’s quite different when you actually experience karate, dancing or Japanese food. There is a big difference between what you can see on your smartphone screen and what you can actually see, hear, smell and taste,” he said.

Embassy of Japan representative Shoko Sugiyama said the activities were carefully selected because they represent some of Japan’s best-known traditions while being easy for Solomon Islanders to experience.

She said the Embassy hopes future festivals will include Japanese artists visiting Honiara to further strengthen cultural exchanges between the two countries.

Festival visitor Lynrose Herokana from Shortland Islands, Western Province, described the event as an enjoyable opportunity to learn more about Japanese culture.

“I learned a lot about their food, their clothes, their dances and even a bit of their language. I hope there will be more cultural events like this in the future,” she said.

Meanwhile, SINU student volunteer Watson Suiomea, who assisted at the Yukata booth, said the public response had been overwhelmingly positive, with many visitors eager to try on the traditional Japanese garments and learn more about Japanese customs.

As part of the day’s programme, Ambassador Higuchi also encouraged visitors to embrace one of Japan’s well-known cultural values by separating recyclable waste and leaving the venue cleaner than they found it.

The inaugural Japan Festival “Matsuri” was jointly organised by the Embassy of Japan and JICA Solomon Islands and ran from 11am to 2pm.

The free public event showcased traditional and modern aspects of Japanese culture and promoted friendship, mutual understanding and stronger people-to-people ties between Japan and Solomon Islands.

For feedback, contact: Richard Menanopo

For feedback, contact: [email protected]

Editor: [email protected]

BY NED GAGAHE

The Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS), in partnership with the Solomon Islands–Australia Health Partnership, has concluded the first Guadalcanal Provincial Health Summit, bringing together health leaders and stakeholders to chart practical solutions to improve healthcare services across the province.

Held at CAM conference room at Mataniko Plaza from June 29 to July 3, 2026, the five-day summit attracted around 30 participants from the health sector, Guadalcanal Provincial Government, development partners and community representatives.

The summit, themed “A Healthy Future for All: Tok Stori, Local Voices, Local Solutions,” forms part of the Ministry’s national health sector reform agenda, which will see similar summits conducted across all nine provinces and Honiara City Council.

Opening the summit, Director of Planning and Policy at MHMS, Brian Idufanoa, said the National Health Strategic Plan 2022–2031 remains the ministry’s roadmap to improve health services, with primary healthcare at the centre of its priorities.

He said strengthening primary healthcare is essential to achieve Universal Health Coverage, ensuring all Solomon Islanders have access to quality health services without financial hardship.

Mr Idufanoa said the introduction of Provincial Health Performance Scorecards will improve monitoring, accountability and evidence-based decision-making, while supporting ongoing reforms such as decentralisation and the devolution of authority to provincial governments.

“It is important that participants are fully engaged, reflecting on your experiences and technical capacity to provide the best inputs into the summit. More so, having our rural people, who are the most disadvantaged, at the centre of the discussions is paramount for addressing many of the health challenges,” he said.

Also addressing the opening ceremony, Guadalcanal Provincial Secretary Maesac Suia acknowledged the long-standing challenges facing healthcare delivery in the province.

He said rundown clinics and staff houses, shortages of medicines, inadequate water and sanitation, limited emergency patient transfers, staff shortages, high malaria cases, and high maternal and infant mortality continue to affect communities.

Mr Suia said the summit provides an important opportunity to strengthen partnerships, promote informed decision-making and develop community-led solutions.

“The Guadalcanal Provincial Government recognises that investing in health is investing in the future of our province,” he said.

He reaffirmed the provincial government’s commitment to strengthen primary healthcare, improve rural health infrastructure, develop the health workforce and ensure quality health services are accessible to all communities.

Mr Suia welcomed the planned development of a Provincial Health Performance Scorecard and practical improvement plans, saying these will strengthen planning, resource allocation and progress monitoring in line with both the National Health Strategic Plan and Guadalcanal Provincial Government policies.

He also acknowledged MHMS for leading the initiative and thanked the Solomon Islands–Australia Health Partnership, supported by Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), for its continued technical and financial assistance.

The summit also featured remarks from Dr Tristan Armstrong, Counsellor for Human Development at the Australian High Commission in Honiara, representing the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), and an overview of provincial health services from Guadalcanal Provincial Health Director Dr Ray Seleso.

During the five-day programme, participants reviewed provincial health indicators, assessed the province’s 2025 health financial performance, discussed primary healthcare system assessments, and received training on Gender Equality, Disability and Social Inclusion (GEDSI), climate change, Root Cause Analysis and the Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) planning model.

The Provincial Health Summit aims to produce Provincial Health Performance Scorecards and prioritise improvement plans to strengthen primary healthcare and support implementation of the National Health Strategic Plan 2022–2031.

Photo credit: GP

For feedback, contact: [email protected]

Editor: [email protected]

BY NED GAGAHE

As Solomon Islands prepares to celebrate its 50th anniversary of Independence in 2028, prominent academic and SINU Vice Chancellor Professor Transform Aqorau calls for a nationwide conversation on the country’s future, urging leaders and citizens to seize what he describes a rare opportunity to reshape the nation’s next 50 years.

In an article published recently on his Facebook page, Professor Aqorau said the two years leading up to the Golden Jubilee should be more than a period of celebration, but a time for reflection, renewal and bold national thinking.

Quoting William Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar — “There is a tide in the affairs of men, which, taken at the flood, leads on to fortune” — Professor Aqorau said Solomon Islands is at a critical point in its history where decisive action could determine the country’s long-term future.

“Anniversaries are not merely occasions for celebration; they are opportunities for reflection, renewal, and bold thinking about the future,” he wrote.

Professor Aqorau outlined several key areas that he believes deserve national attention before the country reaches its 50th Independence anniversary.

Among them is the reform of the country’s public financial management system, including the establishment of a Sovereign Wealth Fund to protect and grow national wealth for future generations.

He also calls for major reforms in the natural resources sector to ensure Solomon Islanders play a much greater role in owning, managing and benefiting from the country’s resources.

According to Professor Aqorau, the long-term goal should be the “Solomonisation” of the sector, with the aim to strengthen local capacity, enterprise and shared prosperity.

On education, he said the system should be redesigned to prepare young people not only for employment but also for innovation, entrepreneurship, leadership and responsible citizenship.

He further advocated for genuine decentralisation by devolving more government functions, decision-making powers and resources to provincial governments, arguing that development is more effective when decisions are made closer to local communities.

Professor Aqorau said that these issues should not be viewed through political lens but as national priorities that extend beyond governments, political parties and election cycles.

“These are not political questions. They are national questions,” he said.

He concluded by urging Solomon Islanders to recognise the significance of the current moment, saying the country’s approach over the next two years could shape its development for decades to come.

“If we recognise it and act wisely, it could lead us towards a stronger, more resilient, and more prosperous nation over the next fifty years. If we let it pass, such an opportunity may not return for another generation,” he wrote.

Photo: Supplied

For feedback, contact: [email protected]

Editor: [email protected]

BY BEN BILUA
Gizo

THE long-awaited Mile 6 Cattle Project has taken a significant step forward, with fencing work now underway at the proposed cattle farm site in Western Province.

Chief Field Officer for the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development (MALD) in Western Province, Sipuru Rove, confirmed that a local construction company has been awarded the contract and has already commenced work on the first phase of the project.

Speaking to the media, Mr Rove said Jogos Construction won the tender and has signed an agreement to fence the initial 32 hectares of land, representing about one-third of the total proposed cattle farm.

“Jogos Construction won the tender and has signed the agreement for the first 32 hectares of fencing.

“Once this project is completed, we are expecting one-third of the farm to be fully fenced,” he said.

Rove said the Agriculture Division has also appointed an officer from its Agriculture Division to oversee the construction and fencing works to ensure the project is delivered according to plan.

He explained that the first phase of the fencing is being funded by the Western Provincial Government through the Provincial Capacity Development Fund (PCDF).

The Mile 6 Cattle Project is expected to play a key role in revitalising the livestock industry in Western Province and across Solomon Islands.

Once operational, the farm will serve as a breeding centre for healthy calves, which will later be distributed to smaller cattle farms throughout the province to boost local beef production and strengthen rural livelihoods.

The project forms part of broader efforts by the Ministry of Agriculture and the Western Provincial Government to revive cattle farming in Solomon Islands, reduce dependence on imported beef, and create new economic opportunities for farmers.

For feedback, contact: [email protected]

Editor: [email protected]