The country’s existing laws put Solomon Islands in a reactive cycle, and leaves the country exposed.
Law Reform Commission (LRC) Senior Legal Officer, Augustine Basia told the Bills and Legislation Committee (BLC) the above when he appeared before the committee during the inquiry into the dangerous amendment Bill 2025 last month.
Mr Basia shared that countries that have faced similar challenges have redesigned their laws and moved away from list-based models towards effect-based models approach that criminalises substance based on what they do, not on what they are.
He adds that it focuses on psychoactive impact; how they affect the mind and the body rather than their chemical name or their chemical makeup and structure.
“By embracing an effect-based approach, our laws can anticipate new threats, close loopholes, and protect communities far more effectively than a list-based system ever could. International best practice shows the value of this approach as it ensures that substances designed to copy the effects of controlled drugs are automatically illegal,” he said.
“Without similar measures, the laws we have passed keep us in a reactive cycle, leaving us exposed until the next round of updates,” he said.
Mr Basia said that modern drug laws often use the idea of psychoactive substances.
“This means any substance that changes how a person thinks, feels, behaves, for example, affecting mental function, perception, mood, or emotions. This approach makes laws stronger because they don’t depend on chemical names. Even if manufacturers change the chemical structure of a drug, as long as it still has the same mind-altering effects, it can be covered by the law,” he said.
He said that the most urgent problem with country’s current system is that it cannot keep up with the new substances designed to avoid the existing list.
“If these substances are left out of the law, it weakens enforcement and public trust. Police and other agencies may come across dangerous drugs that are technically legal until they are officially added to the list to make it illegal,” Basia said.
GROUND work on the proposed cattle farm at Gozoruru in Isabel Province is progressing well as development of the site begins.
Workers have already cleared parts of the land where fencing will be constructed as part of the initial phase of the project.
In a recent Facebook post, Minister of Agriculture and Livestock, Franklyn Derek Wasi said the Gozoruru site will host important facilities for agriculture development.
He said Gozoruru Agriculture development will accommodate a Cattle Breeding farm and Agriculture Research and Training Centre, that aims to strengthen the country’s agricultural sector.
Island Sun understands that the project is the result of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed between the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock and the Isabel Provincial Government on April 1, 2025.
The primary objectives of the agreement are to facilitate the use of land at Gozoruru by the ministry for the establishment of national agricultural research and development facilities, and to enhance collaboration and partnership between the ministry and the provincial government in advancing agricultural development in Isabel Province and the wider Solomon Islands.
The deal formalizes an arrangement for the ministry’s free use of approximately 687 hectares of unallocated land within the Gozoruru property.
Lots 174, 176 and 177 have been identified for the implementation of major national agriculture and livestock development programmes beginning in 2025.
Under the agreement, the Gozoruru site will serve as a national hub for innovation and capacity building in agriculture.
Planned facilities include a state-of-the-art Agriculture Research and Training Centre, the National Cattle Breeding and Distribution Centre, a Rice Research and Demonstration Centre, a Pig Breeding Improvement Centre, and a Cocoa and Coconut Genetic Improvement and Distribution Centre.
During the signing of the agreement, Wasi said the partnership lays the foundation for a new era of cooperation between the Isabel Provincial Government and the national government through the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock.
Fordney calls for strong home support as tough OFC Pro League battles loom in Honiara
BY RICHARD MENANOPO
Solomon Kings FC midfielder Junior Fordney calls on Solomon Islands football fans to turn out in numbers and rally behind the team as they prepare for two crucial and potentially tough matches in the upcoming Round 4 of the OFC Pro League in Honiara.
Fordney made the call yesterday shortly after the team arrived home at Henderson International Airport, where they received a warm welcome from supporters, families, and representatives from sponsors including Solomon Islands Ports Authority (SIPA), Solomon Airlines and Our Telekom.
The return created a celebratory atmosphere at the airport as players reunited with loved ones after spending the past three weeks competing in the opening rounds of the regional competition overseas.
Speaking to reporters upon arrival, Fordney said the team was delighted to finally return home after months of preparation and weeks away from family.
“I think everyone is very happy to come back home. It’s been a while since we started our training back in December last year and the competition lasted about three weeks, so we’re really happy to come back and see our families again
“Every player is really happy to be back home and to see our families welcoming us,” he said.
Fordney, who earlier in the campaign scooped the Player of the Match award in Solomon Kings’ 2–0 victory over Extra Bula FC, said playing in some of Oceania’s major stadiums during the opening rounds had been a valuable learning experience for the team.
“It’s a really good experience for me as well.
“Playing in big stadiums with big crowds is one of the toughest challenges. You have to stay focused when there are many people watching.
“But it was exciting and it helped us gain experience and understand each other better on the field as players,” he said.
Despite suffering a recent loss to South Melbourne United, Solomon Kings remain in third place on the league standings, keeping them well in contention as the competition heads into its next phase.
Fordney admitted the defeat was difficult for the team, particularly after being reduced to ten men following a red card incident during the game.
“The loss was a tough game for us. We also had a red card and that cost us as well. But we are looking forward to regrouping and preparing ourselves again,” he said.
The midfielder said the team is especially eager to face South Melbourne again when they play on home soil in Honiara.
“We are looking forward to meeting South Melbourne again at home turf”, he said.
With Round 4 set to be hosted in the capital, Fordney believes the presence of local supporters could make a significant difference as Solomon Kings prepares to face two strong international opponents.
“Our next two matches will be tough for us boys. I only ask our supporters to come out in numbers and cheer for us,” he said.
Fordney added that the team is already aware of the strong backing they are receiving from fans across the country, particularly through social media.
“You can see on social media how our people are backing us. We know it, we feel it and we can see how supporters are behind us,” he said.
Looking ahead, Fordney said the team will focus on improving consistency and sticking to the tactical plans prepared by their coach.
“When we meet strong teams in the competition, we have to stick together and follow our game plan and whatever the coach has prepared for us”, he said.
He concluded with a direct message to fans, urging them to pack the stands when the competition resumes in Honiara.
“I would like to call on all supporters to come out in numbers to support us and cheer for us. Our upcoming games are very tough, but with all your support we will do our best to win”.
Our Telekom will host a community boost programme for Solomon Kings FC this Sunday, March 8, 2026, at Lawson Tama Field in Honiara.
The event, scheduled for 12:00pm to 5:00pm, aims to bring together football fans, families and the wider public to an afternoon of activities celebrating the growth of football in the Solomon Islands.
In a statement, Our Telekom reaffirmed its ongoing commitment to strengthening community engagement and supporting the development of local football.
“As a company deeply connected to the people and communities it serves, Our Telekom continues to stand alongside Solomon Kings FC and the passionate Kings army supporters,” the statement said.
The company said the event will provide an opportunity for supporters to connect with their favourite players and celebrate the spirit of the game.
A range of activities has been planned for the event including skills and drills sessions with Solomon Kings players, meet-and-greet opportunities, as well as autograph and photo sessions with the team.
Fans will also have the chance to participate in a score goal competition with prizes to be won and a ball dancing (freestyle football) competition.
Other attractions during the event include a Kings Army membership and merchandise booth, food stalls, music, entertainment, a photo booth and media coverage.
Our Telekom said it is proud to sponsor the community event in support of Solomon Kings FC and the Kings Army Fan Club.
The company also confirmed that its M-Selen team will be present at the event to demonstrate how football fans can easily purchase OFC Pro League tickets using the M-Selen mobile payment platform.
“Fans are encouraged to come by, meet the team and learn how they can pay for their tickets quickly and securely using their phones,” the statement said.
The event is also expected to provide a valuable platform for young football enthusiasts to interact directly with Solomon Kings players while strengthening the bond between the club and its supporters.
Through its support, Our Telekom says it remains committed to promoting community-driven initiatives that foster unity, youth engagement and national pride through sport.
Football fans, families and supporters are encouraged to attend and be part of what promises to be a vibrant celebration of football and community spirit at Lawson Tama Field.
On a humid Thursday morning in Gizo, I climbed into a small boat with Joseph Tema, a young man whose family has called Nusabaruku home for decades.
My assignment for the week was simple in description but heavy in reality: visit the community and hear firsthand how climate change is shaping their lives.
Finding someone willing to share their story took days. But once contact was made, Tema guided me to Nusabaruku, where the stories of struggle, adaptation and uncertainty began to unfold.
As we approached the settlement, the first impression was striking.
A house built near mangrovesWater supply in the community
Houses stood close to the shoreline, some perched precariously above the water. Others stretched into the mangroves. The sea seemed uncomfortably close to daily life.
Mrs Teniko Mitema
For 65-year-old Teniko Mitema, the changes have been gradual but relentless.
“I came to Nusabaruku in 1980,” she said recalling the early days of the settlement.
“Back then there were only a few houses. Three houses were on the nearby island and four houses on the mainland. Many of these places had no houses at all.
“Today, the picture is very different.
“Houses now stretch from the shoreline right up to the bottom of the hill. The tide has also changed. Sometimes it reaches our doorstep,” Mitema said.
She said population growth has also transformed the small community.
What was once open land is now filled with homes, leaving little space for expansion. As a result, some families have built their houses directly in mangroves.
Mitema said life in Nusabaruku now moves between two worlds.
“When the weather is bad, we move to shelters up in the hills. But when the weather is fine, we come back down to the coast so our children can be close to the school,” she said.
For the community, daily survival depends on small incomes.
Mitema said women sell betel nut and cooked food along the roadside while men dive for fish and sell their catch at the Gizo market.
Food habits have also changed over the years.
“We still make gardens, but not often. Rice is our main food now. Even the children prefer rice more than potato and cassava,” she said.
According to Mitema, Nusabaruku residents are no strangers to natural disasters. During the 2007 tsunami, many villagers fled to higher ground. Former Prime Minister Gordon Darcy Lilo later advised the community to settle permanently on the hills.
But for many families, the pull of the coastline proved too strong.
Chairman of Nusabaruku, Mr. David Tema
Community chairman Mr. David Tema says the consequences are now becoming more visible.
“Today we are experiencing extreme sea level rise. Most of the places where we built our houses before are now gone. Even areas where we used to play volleyball are under the sea,” he said.
Tema said the rising water has also brought new dangers, especially for children.
“In the past years we have seen children drown,” Tema said quietly. “Recently a child was found floating in the sea after slipping from a house built above the water while the parents were asleep.”
The incident happened during high tide.
“If it had been low tide, the child might have survived,” he said.
Another challenge comes with the tides themselves. When the sea rises, it carries rubbish into the community. When it recedes, the debris is left behind.
“At high tide the sea brings in lots of trash. When the tide goes down, the rubbish becomes a nuisance and it can also be dangerous for our children,” Tema said.
Despite these risks, the community’s connection to the ocean remains strong.
“As Gilbertese people, we love the sea. It gives us food and a place to relax. But today we hardly see fish near our village like before,” he said.
Tema said the geography of Nusabaruku is changing so quickly that even movement within the community has become difficult.
“We used to walk around freely. Now many places are underwater. To visit friends, sometimes we use canoes,” he said.
Tema said residents have attempted their own solutions.
A house built with coral rocks beneath it to help stop waves and erosion
Some have constructed small seawalls using coral rocks in an effort to slow the waves and erosion.
“It helps a little, but not 100 percent,” he said.
Meanwhile the coastline continues to shrink, forcing some families to build their homes deeper into the mangrove areas.
Over the years, experts and authorities have suggested relocation to higher ground, but for many residents the idea feels impossible.
“We have already built permanent homes. It would cost too much to pull them down and rebuild somewhere else. We built these houses over many years. It would take a miracle to move us,” Tema said.
For now, the community hopes for support rather than relocation.
“One option is for the government to help us build a seawall and backfill some areas. At the moment there is no support to help our community adapt to sea level rise,” he said.
Mr. Joseph Mitema
For Mr. Joseph Mitema, who was born and raised in Nusabaruku, the changes feel deeply personal.
“Some of the places where we used to play are now underwater. The small island that was once part of the village is now separated by the sea,” he said.
One of the areas that Mitema still remembers is the passage between the small island and the main village.
According to Mitema, the area was a popular playing ground for kids but now it’s a huge passage where boats can take a shortcut to the other side.
He said spaces that once seemed safely distant from the shoreline are even now threatened.
“Our volleyball court is also affected. Sometimes during high tide, the sea even comes into our meeting house,” Mitema said.
Despite the growing challenges, the young man still holds hope for his community.
“We want the government to build a seawall and backfill some areas,” he said. “We just want a safe place where our children can grow and where we can still play the games we love.”
As the boat pulled away from Nusabaruku later that afternoon, the tide slowly crept back towards homes along the shore.
For the families who live there, the rising sea is no longer a distant warning about climate change. It is an everyday reality pressing steadily against their doorsteps.
Small Malaita Road Project Camp Manager, Joe Sanau, has expressed appreciation to the Small Malaita Constituency for the successful delivery of much needed materials and machinery for the road project.
Mr. Sanau said the delivery of the machineries is a significant boost in supporting the road construction upgrade currently underway in the constituency.
He said that with the arrival of machineries, there will be improvement in transportation, access to services, and overall living standards for communities across Small Malaita will improve.
“On behalf of the people of Small Malaita, we would like to thank both the People’s Republic of China (PRC) and Solomon Islands Government for your continued support towards improving our infrastructure and community development in the constituency,” he said.
Constituency Development Officer (CDO), Mr. Brown Honimae assured the Solomon Islands government and PRC that Small Malaita Constituency remains committed to ensuring that all machinery and equipment are properly managed and effectively utilized to deliver sustainable and benefits for the people and communities of Small Malaita.
The constituency office launched its Phase II Road Infrastructure Program on July 9, 2025, at Ou’oumatawa, Small Malaita.
The primary goal of the Constituency development plan is to improve the socio-economic well-being of rural communities by providing access to government services and creating an enabling environment for economic opportunities.
The road project was headed by a team directly employed by the Constituency Development Office, in accordance with Section 17 of the CDF Act 2023.
The Bill and Legislation committee (BLC) have raised concerns about weaknesses in existing laws, including sentencing practices, parole eligibility, and the possibility of capital punishment.
During BLC hearing into the Dangerous Drug amendment Bill with Public Solicitor, BLC members questioned whether current legal frameworks are strong enough to address serious crimes and whether some provisions should be revisited as part of broader legislative reforms.
One issue raised by Leader of Opposition Mathew Wale, was the debate around the death penalty and whether it could ever be considered in the Solomon Islands legal system.
However Public Solicitor George Gray questioned whether authorities, including the Governor-General, would be prepared to authorise such a sentence if the law allowed it.
Mr Gray said that international human rights conventions which Solomon Islands is a party to, largely discourage or abolish capital punishment, emphasising that many countries have moved away from practices such as hanging.
The discussion also focused on how life imprisonment is applied in practice within the country’s justice system.
Gray said that life sentences often include a non-parole period set by the court, meaning offenders can apply for parole after serving a specified minimum term.
“For example, someone convicted of murder may receive life imprisonment with a non-parole period of 15 years. After those 15 years, the person becomes eligible to apply for parole, subject to good behaviour and other conditions,” he said.
The BLC also questioned the rationale behind remission provisions under correctional service regulations, which allow prisoners to be released earlier than their full sentence if they demonstrate good behaviour.
The BLC committee encouraged the Public Solicitor’s Office to review relevant legislation and identify areas where amendments may be needed.
The BLC is considering recommending consequential amendments to several laws to strengthen the overall legal framework when it comes to illegal drugs.
The Bills and Legislation Committee (BLC) have questioned whether the proposed $15 million fine and life imprisonment penalty in the Dangerous Drugs Amendment Bill 2025 will effectively deter international drug traffickers operating in the region.
During the committee’s inquiry, before Public Solicitor Office, BLC raised concerns regarding sophisticated drug trafficking networks often operating across oceans may not be discouraged by the proposed penalties.
Public solicitor George Gray said that trafficking operations have become increasingly advanced, pointing to reports of narcotics being transported across oceans from South America using specialised vessels.
“If traffickers can travel from South America to this part of the world using narco-submarines, they are clearly organised and sophisticated,” he told BLC.
Meanwhile, the BLC committee also questioned how the proposed $15 million penalty was determined, asking public solicitor whether the amount would truly deter organised international traffickers rather than only local offenders.
The BLC committee suggested that Solomon Islands consider a zero-tolerance approach, particularly toward high-value drugs such as methamphetamine and other highly addictive substances from a policy perspective.
Another major concern raised by the BLC during the inquiry was the legal definition of drugs under existing laws.
The issue emerged following a case last year involving a foreign national who could not be charged because the specific substance was not clearly defined under existing legislation.
The BLC said that the law should adopt a broader and more flexible definition of controlled substances so authorities would not need to return to Parliament each time a new drug appears.
The inquiry also revealed that key agencies including police, customs, health authorities, ports, and aviation regulators have limited data on the scale of drug trafficking entering the country.
Committee members said the lack of reliable data makes it difficult to determine whether Solomon Islands is facing an emerging drug crisis or is already experiencing widespread trafficking.
George Gray from the Public Solicitor’s Office warns that weakness in Solomon Islands’ maritime legislation could undermine efforts to combat drug trafficking, particularly through the country’s vast ocean territory.
Appearing before the Bills and Legislation Committee during its inquiry into the Dangerous Drugs Amendment Bill 2025 last month, Gray said the current legal framework does not adequately support enforcement against drug trafficking at sea.
“The submission focused on maritime enforcement under the Delimitation of Marine Waters Act, which defines the country’s maritime zones. However, the Act does not provide for a “contiguous zone,” a maritime area recognised under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) that allows coastal states to enforce certain laws beyond their territorial sea,” he said.
He said this absence limits Solomon Islands’ ability to intercept vessels suspected of drug trafficking before they enter territorial waters.
He said that under the current law, Solomon Islands exercises full sovereignty only within 12 nautical miles of its territorial sea.
“Beyond that, the country’s powers in the 200-nautical-mile Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) are restricted mainly to the management and conservation of natural resources. This creates a gap in enforcement. Without a contiguous zone, authorities may not have the legal authority to intercept suspected drug traffickers before they reach our shores.
“The submission also raised concerns about the increasing use of so-called “narco-submarines” by international drug traffickers. Such vessels have been detected in parts of the Pacific, including reports of suspected sightings in Solomon Islands waters near Lord Howe, Dai and Ramos Island,” he said.
He said that drug traffickers are unlikely to transport large quantities of narcotics through airports and are more likely to use maritime routes across the Pacific.
“To strengthen enforcement, the office recommended amending the Delimitation of Marine Waters Act to formally establish a contiguous zone extending up to 24 nautical miles from the baseline. This would allow authorities to exercise limited enforcement powers relating to customs, immigration, fiscal and sanitary laws,” he said.
He said that this will help close this legal gap and improve Solomon Islands’ ability to combat illicit drug trafficking through its maritime boundaries.
The Minister for Agriculture and Livestock Development (MALD), Franklyn Derek Wasi is set to attend Asia and the Pacific Food Systems (AFS) Forum 2026 in Philippines this month.
MALD confirmed this in a statement following a courtesy visit yesterday by Asian Development Bank (ADB) Solomon Islands Resident Mission Country Director, Anthony R. Gill, ahead of the forum.
The forum, hosted by the ADB, will take place from 16–19 March 2026 at its headquarters in Manila, Philippines, under the theme “Feeding the Future, Sustaining the Planet.”
The statement said Minister Wasi will attend the forum as the head of the Solomon Islands Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development and Representative of the Solomon Islands Government following an invitation from ADB.
The upcoming Asia and the Pacific Food System forum 2026 hosted by the Asian Development Bank is set to gather over 500 participants from across the region.
The statement said the forum aims to foster discussions on critical strategies to transform food systems, strengthen climate resilience and enhance food and water security.
ADB’s commitment to agricultural development in the Solomon Islands remains strong with ongoing support for various initiatives which include agribusiness value addition, livestock development, farmer capacity building and improving access to farming equipment.
These efforts are designed to boost productivity and improve rural livelihoods across the islands, the statement said.
