BY NED GAGAHE

Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele says the Government is accelerating major infrastructure and development projects as Solomon Islands moves toward its 50th Independence Anniversary in 2028.

Speaking during a press conference on Sunday, March 8, Manele said the government’s focus is on improving connectivity, economic infrastructure and essential services across the country.

He highlighted several ongoing projects which he said reflect the commitment of the Government for National Unity and Transformation (GNUT) to deliver development in all provinces.

Last month, the Government opened the Noro Township Road Improvement Project in Noro, providing 10 kilometres of climate-resilient road to support trade in Western Province.

Bridge replacement works are also underway in Malaita Province, including Kolofe and Su’u Harbour bridges, while airfields in Santa Cruz and Suavanao are being upgraded.

Mr Manele said in agriculture, the government is implementing the Solomon Islands Agriculture and Rural Transformation project through the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development.

The $125 million initiative, supported by the World Bank and government funding, aims to transition farmers from subsistence to agribusiness and has engaged nearly 100 Agribusiness Producer Organisations in Guadalcanal, Malaita and Makira-Ulawa Provinces.

Manele said digital connectivity is also expanding, with 80 towers already commissioned under the Solomon Islands National Broadband Infrastructure Project and all 141 towers expected to be completed by August.

In health, the Government recently held the groundbreaking for the $22.6 million rehabilitation of Taro Hospital and launched the Nila Isolation Unit.

The Prime Minister also confirmed government funding for early works at Bina Harbour, which is planned to become a regional hub for the country’s blue economy.

“These projects show our commitment to ensure no community is left behind as we approach our 50th Independence anniversary,” Manele said.

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By RODRICK DESURI 

Auki 

A new fisheries complex has been proposed for Malaita Province, and the tender for construction should be out this month.

The two-story building is worth around $30 million and will come under the IDA World Bank loan for SIG.

Malaita Provincial Deputy Secretary, Peter Herehura said plans for the building were finalised last week after a successful meeting between the fisheries officers from the Ministry of Fisheries and the Malaita Provincial Government.

He said the building will accommodate 35 fisheries officers, including the provincial fisheries officers and the office of the Bina Harbour project.

He said the building can host events and conferences, catering up to about 55 people.

“We had a successful meeting with the fisheries officers Friday last week. The meeting was mainly to allow an extension area in front of the plot for a car park.

“Also, the Malaita Provincial Government has agreed, and the provincial planning development board has acknowledged that the area should be added to the main plot for the building,” he said.

Meanwhile, he said the tender for the construction of the building will be out on March 20.

He said that the building plan, survey, and geotechnical studies have already been completed.

“So far, the plan has already been set, and the survey and geotechnical studies for the building have been conducted,” he said.

He said that the FMC construction company will supervise and monitor any contractor that will construct the complex building.

He also added that the actual construction of the complex building should begin in June this year.

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BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

The Solomon Islands Law Reform Commission (LRC) believes it is a time the country moves from reaction to proactive laws.

Augustine Basia, Law Reform Senior Legal Officer told Bills and Legislation Committee (BLC) during the inquiry into the dangerous amendment Bill 2025.

He said that current approach in the dangerous drugs legislation is largely reactive, responding to incidents after they happen rather than anticipating and preventing them.

“Looking back at previous amendments to the Act’s schedule, there have been a few occasions where new rules were introduced to include substances that were not previously listed. For example, the methamphetamine was added to the Act’s schedule through legal notice in 1988. This inclusion was purely about updating the list of controlled substances rather than addressing an actual drug problem, because none existed at that time,” Mr Basia said.

He said they believe the time has come for our laws to move forward, move beyond reaction, and be proactive at how we legislate, or what we termed as future-proofing our drugs legislation.

“Right now, our legal framework only criminalises substances if they are on a list,” he said.

“How it works is that list may be hundreds of pages long, but if one new emerging harmful substance happens to be left of it, we then find ourselves back here again, debating, amending clauses, and gazetting new rules. This cycle continues. For our current issues, if we address the meth problem with severe penalties today, but then a new drug or harmful substance emerges in the year 2028, we will have to repeat this entire process again,” Basia added.

He said that the drug trade is highly lucrative, and the people involved are constantly innovating and are getting smarter.

“Through chemical changes, or what they termed as chemical tweaking, they create new substances that mimic the effects of existing drugs, but fall outside the legal list. This is exactly what happened recently when methamphetamine was seized.

“The authorities confiscated everything and made arrests, but yet the law was silent and unclear, resulting in confusion and release of the alleged offenders. These gaps are the inevitable result of a list-based system,” Basia said.

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BY SAMIE WAIKORI

North Malaita Constituency (NMC) has provided livelihood support to 15 households in Ward seven (7), as part of its ongoing community development initiatives.

According to Mr William Abuinao, the assistance demonstrates NMC’s commitment to empower rural households through projects that aim to improve income and living standards.

The 15 households received livelihood packages to support piggery, fisheries, poultry farming, and water supply initiatives.

These projects are designed to strengthen household income, enhance food security, and promote sustainable economic activities within the community.

“The support reflects the constituency’s ongoing efforts to invest directly in families and encourage self-reliance through practical and productive ventures,” the report stated.

By focusing on small-scale, community-based projects, the program aims to create lasting economic opportunities at the household level.

During the distribution, MP Daniel Waneoroa and members of the constituency office urged recipients to use the support responsibly.

They emphasized that the success of these projects depends on proper management, commitment, and dedication from each household.

“Use this support wisely to improve your livelihoods and create better opportunities for your families,” MP Waneoroa encouraged.

North Malaita Constituency remains committed to promoting livelihood activities that contribute to sustainable development and improve the quality of life for its residents.

Similar assistance has also been delivered to communities in Wards eight (8) and nine (9).

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BY NED GAGAHE

Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele says preparations for Solomon Islands’ 50th Independence Anniversary in 2028 are now a top priority for the Government.

Speaking to local media during a press conference on Sunday, March 8, the Prime Minister confirmed that Cabinet has approved the establishment of a National Taskforce to coordinate preparations for the country’s Golden Jubilee.

Manele said he has directed that work begin immediately, acknowledging that planning for such a major national milestone must start without delay.

The taskforce has been mandated to plan and coordinate the roadmap for nationwide celebrations leading up to the anniversary in July 2028.

According to the Prime Minister, one of the first priorities for the taskforce will be to establish a national theme for the 50th anniversary.

He said identifying a theme early is essential as it will guide planning, branding and national messaging for all activities and projects leading up to the celebrations.

“A well-defined theme will ensure that every project and event between now and July 2028 is aligned with a single, unified vision for the future of our country,” Manele said.

The Prime Minister also calls on citizens to reflect on the nation’s journey since independence in 1978.

“As we approach fifty years of independence, I encourage all Solomon Islanders to reflect on how far our nation has come since 1978,” he said.

Manele said from its early days as a newly independent state, the Solomon Islands has grown into a sovereign nation actively contributing to regional and global affairs while continuing to strengthen democracy, development and national unity.

He added that under the Government for National Unity and Transformation (GNUT), the administration remains focused on stability, reform, economic recovery and long-term development.

The Prime Minister also urges citizens to embrace patriotism and work together in nation-building as the country approaches the historic milestone.

“Nation-building requires patriotism, pride in our country, respect for our institutions and a shared commitment by every citizen to contribute positively to our national future,” he said.

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BY NED GAGAHE

Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele says the government continues to maintain close engagement with the private sector, describing it as the primary driver of Solomon Islands’ economic growth.

Speaking to journalists during a media conference on Sunday, March 8, the Prime Minister said his office remains committed to supporting the key programs of the Solomon Islands Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SICCI) this year.

He said the Government looks forward to participating in upcoming events such as the Prime Minister’s Breakfast and the Business Excellence Awards, which serve as important platforms for dialogue between government and businesses.

“These events remain vital platforms for dialogue and for recognising the innovation and achievements of our local enterprises,” Manele said.

The Prime Minister added that economic opportunities for Solomon Islands are also expanding through strengthened regional partnerships.

According to Manele, plans are currently underway for Solomon Islands to host the inaugural Papua New Guinea–Solomon Islands Business Forum, tentatively scheduled for the end of April.

The forum is expected to bring together investors and entrepreneurs from both countries to strengthen trade and infrastructure linkages.

The event is also expected to include a bilateral meeting and the WANSOL Prime Ministers’ Golf Challenge between Prime Minister Manele and James Marape, Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea.

Manele said the gathering will highlight the strong bonds of friendship and Melanesian solidarity shared between the two neighbouring nations.

“At the policy level, we are fast-tracking reforms to empower our local entrepreneurs,” the Prime Minister said.

He said that one of the Government’s key priorities is the Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) Bill, which is currently being finalized in collaboration with the Ministry of Commerce, Industry, Labour and Immigration before being tabled in Parliament.

Manele said the proposed legislation, along with the Mineral Resources Bill, the VAT Bill, and the Electricity Amendment Bill, forms part of the Government’s broader efforts to reduce the cost of doing business and create a more supportive environment for businesses in Solomon Islands.

“These reforms are central to our efforts to create a more conducive business environment for all Solomon Islanders,” he said.

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BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

Law reform Senior Legal Officer Augustine Basia said reforming the existing dangerous drugs legislation to effect-based model can address the issue of copen.

The increasing use of copen amongst youths and students was raised by Opposition Leader, Matthew Wale when the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF), including the Drug Enforcement Unit, China Police Liaison Team appeared before the Bills and Legislation committee (BLC) last month.

However, in a response police said that copen does not meet the element when it comes to laying of judgement under the existing dangerous drugs legislation.

Meanwhile speaking before the BLC Law reform Senior Legal Officer Augustine Basia said that reforming the existing dangerous drugs legislation to effect-based system can address the issue of copen.

He said that countries that have faced similar challenges have redesigned their laws and moved away from list-based models towards effect-based models.

“An effect-based approach criminalizes substance based on what they do, not on what they are. Given the proven harm caused by copen, this effect-based reform could rightly extend to criminalizing any variant or compounded use of tobacco and nicotine that produces psychoactive effects beyond accepted forms,” he said.

He told the BLC that this approach would also capture unregulated and dangerous practices that uses household items and other items that can be found domestically.

“When we talk about an effect-based approach, the first question people ask is, what about substances we already use legally, like alcohol, cigarettes, or coffee, caffeine? That’s why exemptions are important in modern legislation.

“Not all psychoactive substances should be banned. Other countries already use exemption clauses to protect medical, scientific, cultural, and everyday uses. For medicines, laboratory use, traditional and cultural practices, everyday substances like caffeine, nicotine, alcohol, which are regulated under their own laws, and substances with legitimate medical and scientific value,” he said.

He said that by clearing these exemptions, an effect-based law can strike the right balance.

He said that the Commission welcomes the ongoing work of the Ministry of Health and the Police to reform the dangerous drugs law.

“What we present here is one possible pathway, an effect-based approach that can help the government to build a future-proof legal framework. By banning substances based on their psychoactive effects rather than just their chemical names, we can close loopholes, make enforcement stronger, and better protect our communities from the changing threat of illicit drugs,” he said.

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