BY RICHARD MENANOPO

Solomon Kings FC captain Philip Mango has credited the overwhelming support from the Solomon Islands community in Melbourne as a driving force behind the team’s determined victory on Sunday.

In a pulsating encounter played under torrential rain, the Kings held firm to secure all three points — a result that has lifted them one place up the standings into third position.

From the moment the players stepped onto the pitch, it was clear they were not alone.

A sea of Solomon Islands flags, loud cheers and the familiar chant of “Go Solo Go” echoed around, creating what Mango described as a feeling of home away from home.

“I would like to thank the supporters who came out in numbers today to support us boys”, Mango said in his post-match interview.

“By looking at the supporters’ turnout today, it really motivated us players to do our best because they spent five hours just to travel and watch us playing here today. So, we would like to give back the victory to them”, he added.

The Kings responded with intensity from kickoff, dominating possession and combining well in attack before finding the back of the net for the opening goal.

Mango admitted the fans’ presence played a major role in that fiery start.

“We were motivated by our fans”.

“There were a lot of combination plays because they were cheering for us, so it’s a positive for us”, Mango said.

Despite the difficult conditions and the setback of having Atkin Kaya sent off, the Kings showed resilience and composure to protect their lead. The downpour did little to dampen their fighting spirit as they defended bravely and denied their opponents any opportunity to draw level.

The victory not only demonstrated the squad’s growing maturity but also highlighted their ability to grind out results under pressure — a quality that could prove vital in the remaining Melbourne fixtures.

Mango said hearing the supporters chant brought back memories of playing at Lawson Tama.

“It feels like we were back in Honiara,” he said. “I really appreciate how they supported us”.

The captain admitted the team was surprised — but deeply grateful — for the large turnout from the Solomon Islands community.

“We never expected the big Solomon Islands community to turn out today, but it’s a good number”, Mango added. “I simply want to thank them for their continued support towards us boys”.

With the Kings now sitting third on the table and building momentum, Mango calls on supporters to continue backing the team in their upcoming matches.

The message from the captain was clear: the Kings will keep fighting — and with the community behind them, they feel right at home, even thousands of kilometers away.

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By RODRICK DESURI 

Auki 

The Falake community in West Kwara’ae, Malaita Province, is gearing up to complete its mini-hydro project at the end of this year. 

The project is funded by the Government of Japan.

The community has faced many challenges along the way during the project’s making. 

Falake community chairman, Constantine Etemani, said they treated the challenges as stepping stones in achieving their goals. 

He believes challenges can lead to effective decisions in planning for successful outcomes. 

“We can’t deny it, in any development aspect, there must be challenges throughout. But we hope and believe that challenges can make great contributions to successful outcomes,” he said.

In the meantime, Etemani said the project represents light, hope and progress for their community.

He said the project will improve their standard of living and other priorities, support households and businesses, enhance quality of education for their children, and strengthen essential services within the community.

He said that the project has demonstrated how sustainable development and environmental protection can be achieved.

“This project needs community commitment and time.

“This project will benefit our entire community, improve our standard of living, support each household and business, and also enhance the quality of education for their children,” he said.

Funded by the Japanese government through its Grassroots and Human Security Project, the project is a SBD $2.5 million micro-hydropower project in the Falake community.

This initiative aims to provide sustainable, reliable energy to the community and support local economic growth through infrastructure development.

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By RODRICK DESURI 

Auki 

The Japanese-funded Sustainable Forest Resource Management (SFRM) project has created many opportunities for Falake community in West Kwara’ae, Malaita Province. 

The SFRM Project is a technical cooperation initiative funded by the Japanese Government through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) in partnership with the Ministry of Forestry and Research (MOFR). 

The project began in 2017 with the goal to improve forest management practices and provide alternatives to conventional and unsustainable logging. 

Falake community Chairman Constantine Etemani, during the Japanese team’s visit to Falake on Thursday, February 19, said the forest is their life, identity and future.

He said the SFRM project has provided his community with tested, implemented, and documented practical approaches to sustainable forest management.

He said that during the project, they contributed to setting national policies and directions for their forest management.

He also said that they developed community bylaws and strengthened the governance system.

“Component one consists of livelihood management, which focuses on improving the well-being of people through sustainable income activities, food security, and responsible use of natural resources.

“Secondly, there is forest resources management, which focuses on protecting, conserving, and sustainably managing our forest resources for present and future generations,” he said.

Piggery and poultry, sustainable forest resources management, and mini-hydro are the three top projects funded by the Japanese government through its Grassroots and Human Security Project.

Under this project, the community has completed piggery and sustainable forest resources management and is now making progress with a mini-hydro initiative.

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BY SAMIE WAIKORI

The Community Access and Urban Services Enhancement II (CAUSE II) project is making significant strides in improving infrastructure in various urban centres across the country.

As part of its second component, the project is currently focused on road maintenance in Honiara and Guadalcanal province.

Recently, Project Manager for CAUSE II in the Solomon Islands, Mr Chris Afable, provided an update on some of their ongoing road works, despite temporary delays caused by recent heavy rain.

He emphasized that these road maintenances are on track and are expected to be completed within the next few months.

Afable outlined the three main road maintenance projects being carried out under CAUSE II, two in Honiara and one in Guadalcanal.

For Guadalcanal, the project is focused on a 1.7-kilometre stretch of road leading to Titinge one community.

In Honiara, the CAUSE project is restoring and maintaining unsealed feeder roads in Vura and Kola, both of which have been identified as having significant maintenance needs.

He said additional road work in Honiara includes a 850-metre stretch of Green Valley Road and maintenance on Dao to Mudland and Feraladoa Roads, as well as Naha 4.

Afeble added that under the third package of CAUSE II, maintenance work is also scheduled for roads leading to Vara Creek Community, Matariu, and Jericho.

He said another key project is the 500-metre road maintenance in the Kolale area. These roads are particularly vulnerable to flooding, which impairs littering from plastic debris during heavy rains.

Afable highlighted that improving these roads will support Honiara City Council’s ongoing efforts to manage waste and maintain clean streets.

While these roads are currently gravel-based, he noted that the project has a long-term benefit, once the contract work is completed, the community will be actively involved in maintaining the infrastructure.

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BY NED GAGAHE

The government has secured 1,000 rapid drug testing kits as part of efforts to strengthen enforcement and close long-standing gaps in prosecuting drug-related offences.

Ministry of Health Permanent Secretary Pauline McNeil revealed during the Bills and Legislation Committee hearing last Friday, February 20, 2026, that the Pharmacy Division under the National Regulatory Authority (NRA) now has the rapid test kits in hand.

She said the new kits will allow authorities to conduct immediate screening of suspected illicit substances, including cocaine, methamphetamine and other prohibited drugs.

“Under the Primary Act, Section 40, one of the issues why most cases have been acquitted is because of the non-existence of capacity and capabilities for testing,” McNeil told the Committee.

She said that the lack of testing facilities has been a major gap, often affecting the ability of authorities to provide evidence within the three-month timeframe required under the law.

“With these rapid tests now available, we are slowly putting those capabilities in place,” she said.

McNeil also disclosed that Government is exploring plans to establish a mini laboratory to conduct more specific and confirmatory testing locally, reducing reliance on external facilities and speeding up prosecutions.

McNeil said the move comes amid broader reforms to strengthen the country’s legal framework on drugs. A comprehensive review of the Dangerous Drug Act (DDA) has been completed in partnership with the Ministry of Police, with technical assistance re-engaged to draft a modern policy document to replace and repeal the current legislation.

Meanwhile, Chief Executive Officer of the National Referral Hospital, Dr George Malefoasi, said improved testing will also support the health sector.

He said that while drug-related mental health admissions are recorded, confirmation of specific substances has been a challenge.

“With the tests now available, suspected cases can be confirmed. Sometimes meth can be confused with other drugs, but proper screening will help us identify what substances are involved,” Malefoasi said.

According to figures presented during the hearing, 54 drug-related cases were recorded in 2024, though monitoring and surveillance remain a challenge.

PS McNeil said the introduction of the rapid test kits is a significant step towards improving enforcement, strengthening prosecutions and enhancing public health responses to illicit drug use in the country.

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