By RODRICK DESURI 

Auki 

The Forestry office in Malaita Province has acknowledged World Vision Solomon Islands for partnering with them and facilitating the World Forest Day celebration this year. 

This year’s World Forest Day is a reminder that forests are not only important for the environment but are also closely connected to livelihoods and economic development in the country. 

Chief Forestry Officer of Malaita Province, James Usi said that through the partnership with World Vision Solomon, they have facilitated the celebration under their Regreening Project to bring together communities, government representatives and partners to reflect on the importance of the forest.

He said that since a large portion of accessible forest has already been harvested by human and commercial activities, it is encouraging to see that communities in Malaita are contributing to the effort in the Regreening Project initiated by World Vision Solomon and funded by the Australian Government (DFAT).

“To date, Malaita is the second highest province after the Western Province in terms of out-grower plantation development, with approximately 7,500 out-growers planting over 3,500 hectares of plantation forests.

“This is an example of how communities can participate in sustainable forestry while creating future economic opportunities,” he said.

Through this partnership between World Vision, the Solomon Islands Ministry of Forestry and Research, the Provincial Government, and communities are promoting tree planting, restoration of degraded land, and are encouraging communities to take an active role in managing the forest resource.

Usi also encourages government agencies, development partners, and communities to ensure that forests in Malaita Province continue to support both the environment and the economy for future generations.

“I encourage all communities to continue in planting trees, protecting our remaining forests, and supporting sustainable forest management practices,” he said.

The theme of this year’s World Forest Day is ‘Forest and Economy’.

Photo: Rodrick Desuri

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By RODRICK DESURI 

Auki 

The Forest International Day was marked yesterday at the Maeana and Faifatala communities in Malaita Province.

With the theme ‘Forest and Economic’ the event was celebrated with a meaningful short drama from the Maeana community showing how human activities have destroyed the forest.

Government officials and community elders who attended the celebration were touched by the drama when they reflected on how human carelessness has led to destruction. 

During the celebration at Maeana community, on behalf of Malaita Province’s Premier, Permanent Secretary George Eric thanked the World Vision Area Manager for the passionate and visionary work done to support and bring the communities together to mark this meaningful celebration.

He said mangroves are more than just trees growing along coastlines; they are life-giving ecosystems that protect, sustain, and empower people.

“For generations, our communities have relied on mangroves for food, shelter, and protection. They serve as natural barriers against strong waves, coastal erosion, and rising sea levels.

“In times of storms and extreme weather, mangroves stand as our first line of defence,” he said.

Chief Forestry Officer of Malaita Province, James Usi, said the theme of International Forest Day reminds us of how forests are important for the environment and how it is connected to livelihoods and economic development. 

He said forests are a main pillar of the national economy and contribute significantly to government revenue and exports. 

“In fact, forestry has contributed around 17 percent of the country’s GDP and about 20 percent of government revenue, while log exports account for approximately 70 percent of the nation’s export earnings,” he said.

In Malaita Province, Forest Resource has a total land area of approximately 422,000 hectares. Out of this area, about 41,000 hectares are considered suitable for commercial logging.

To date, it is estimated that only around 10,000 hectares of unlogged forest remain in the province.

Photo: Rodrick Desuri

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BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) said that further delays in the Value Added Tax Bill 2025 (VAT) bill should be avoided.

Mission Chief of Solomon Islands for (IMF), Masafumi Yabara raised this during a press conference with the media last week when his team presented a preliminary report on 2026 Article IV consultation following a wider consultation after a visit to the country from March 9-20.

“Given the current situation of heightened uncertainty and risks, regarding the fiscal policies we see that reducing fiscal deficits and rebuilding liquidity buffers, I mean the cash buffers at the government, remain critical. And on the revenue front, we believe that further delays in the VAT bill should be avoided. And we see the need for accelerating efforts to strengthen tax enforcement and rationalize exemptions,” Yabara said.

He added that he understands that there are some concerns of the public about the VAT.

“We also see the merits of introducing VAT by improving the efficiency and transparency of taxation to the private sector. Because now you have different tax rates for different items. That makes taxation really complicated. Not only for the revenue authorities, but also for the people doing business in the field,” he said.

He further said that he also understands the concern and IMF believes that it is important to elaborate preparation for the introduction.

“Before the actual introduction of the VAT would be very important. Including to raise awareness of people on the VAT. But we see the merits of introducing the VAT like in other countries,” he said.

The Bills and Legislation Committee (BLC) commenced its inquiry into the Value Added Tax Bill 2025 on March 11 this year.

The Value Added Tax Bill 2025 is a key piece of legislation that aims to reform and modernise the country’s tax system.

The objective of the Bill is to simplify and modernise the arrangements for the imposition and collection of tax on the consumption of goods and services in Solomon Islands.

The proposed legislation seeks to repeal the current tax framework and introduce a Value Added Tax (VAT) system that aligns with tax regimes used across the Pacific region and internationally.

If enacted, the Bill will repeal the Goods Tax Act (Cap.122), Sales Tax Act (Cap.125), and Stamp Duties Act (Cap.126), replacing them with the proposed VAT system.

Photo credit: Loretta B Manele

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BY BEN BILUA

Gizo

FOUR communities in Western Province have taken a significant step to address sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) with the establishment of CARE Committees that aim to strengthen community-level prevention and response mechanisms.

The communities of Buni, Mandou, Kinamara and Noro Backway are now equipped with these committees, formed under the Solomon Islands Planned Parenthood Association’s (SIPPA) Empower HER Project.

The initiative is part of SIPPA’s ongoing efforts to establish community-based SGBV protection networks in selected communities across Temotu and Western Provinces.

CARE Committees will serve as focal points within communities to raise awareness on SGBV, promote safe and supportive responses to survivors, and facilitate referrals to appropriate services through existing SAFENET mechanisms.

Each committee is made up of trusted and respected members of the community, including chiefs and traditional leaders, women leaders, youth representatives, faith leaders, community volunteers, representatives of persons with disabilities, and local service providers where available.

Speaking on behalf of the Kinamara CARE Committee, Margaret Galo acknowledged the importance of the initiative, highlighting the challenges faced by victims of gender-based violence in rural areas.

She said many victims often struggle to access support services due to limited knowledge and available resources.

“The establishment of this committee will help victims to access needed services and at the same time bring perpetrators to face the law,” Galo said.

She said domestic violence remains a common issue in many communities, with women often suffering in silence due to a lack of awareness on how to seek help.

“Most times we always see women subjected to domestic violence but do not have the knowledge to help and we see our fellow women suffer,” Galo said.

She acknowledged SIPPA for its support in equipping the Kinamara community with vital knowledge on SGBV and the processes involved in assisting survivors.

The establishment of CARE Committees marks a positive step towards empowering communities to take collective responsibility in protecting vulnerable individuals and ensuring that survivors of violence receive the support they need.

Photo: Ben Bilua

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-PFP says the no-confidence debate will reveal the truth behind exodus from GNUT

-Today is third day since motion matured, PM yet to call parliament

BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

THE Solomon Islands People’s First Party (PFP) has said the reasons behind their mass exodus from GNUT will be formally presented on the floor of Parliament during the Motion of No Confidence.

This statement comes as Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele refuses to call parliament for the motion of no-confidence against him, and public intensifying calls wanting to know why PFP had left the Government for National Unity and Transformation (GNUT) coalition.

PFP’s statement is the latest development in the ongoing political impasse after the mass resignation from GNUT on March 15-17 which saw 19 MPs leave including the whole PFP party, 12 government ministers and seven back-benchers, some OUR party, Kandere and U4C members.

As a result, the GNUT now governs with a minority of just 22 MPs, while the new coalition holds a majority of 28 MPs to date.

In a statement issued yesterday the PFP said while the reasons behind their decision are substantial and compelling, they encourage the Prime Minister to convene Parliament so that citizens of the country are informed.

The Party said that Parliament is the appropriate and constitutional platform for such issues to be debated and not the media.

“There is no point trying to score political points in the media. The rightful place for this issue is on the floor of Parliament, where it can be properly debated in the interest of our nation and its citizens,” the statement said.

PFP however, further clarified that the mass resignation of ministers and backbenchers is a clear and undeniable vote of no confidence in the leadership of the GNUT Government.

The Party in their statement also reaffirmed its crucial role in the formation of the GNUT Government, noting that it had consistently stood by the coalition during previous challenges in the interest of national stability, despite ongoing internal disagreements.

“We have always stood by GNUT for the sake of national stability. But we could no longer, in good conscience, continue under the current leadership. Our decision to withdraw was a united and principled stand by all our MPs to protect the integrity of our Party,” the statement added.

The Party said that the mass exodus cut across multiple coalition partners.

“The 12 ministers and 7 backbenchers that resigned were not only from PFP alone. Four were from Our Party, two from Kandere and one from U4C. The fact that members from different parties within GNUT resigned is evident that this is not a single-party issue but a clear indication of a fractured and failing coalition,” the statement said.

“There are disgruntled GNUT members who are still sitting on the other side but lack the courage to stand up. The current situation reflects a government that has lost unity, direction, and the confidence of its own members,” PFP said.

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