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Case of overcharging bus fare adjourned

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BY MELVILE TITIULU

The Magistrate Court yesterday adjourned the matter involving a bus owner who was charged with overcharging bus fare.

The defendant Mr John Ratu of Tasiboko village, North-East Guadalcanal, Guadalcanal Province, was charged with one count of failure to comply with licence condition contrary to sections 4 (d) as read with section 6 and section (8) (1) (a) of the Honiara City Council (Regulation of business license) ordinance 2011.

Allegations said on August 18, 2025 at about 11.30am, the defendant breached the business licence condition by collecting $5 bus fare from central market bus stop to King George bus stop.

The public bus registration number was B-1515.

The matter was listed to be heard for mention yesterday before Magistrate Michael Fagani but was adjourned to Wednesday, February 26 as Magistrate Fagani is currently on leave, and expected to resume duties next week.

Magistrate Ben Alasia in court also gave a seven-day adjournment for other six Honiara City Council cases enlisted for mention yesterday as per instruction from Magistrate Michael Fagani.

Ellington Matangani represented the defendant while Honiara City Council was represented by their HCC Prosecutors.

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Man fined $3k for domestic violence

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BY MELVILLE TITIULU

A man has been ordered to pay $3000 fine after he was found guilty of domestic violence.

The man, 41, who cannot be named for the protection of the victim, was ordered by the magistrate court yesterday to pay the fine by Friday, February 27 before 4pm.

He was charged with one count of domestic violence contrary to section 58(1) of the Family Protection Act, 2014.

Failure to pay by the given date, the man faces a six-month prison time.

The complainant is 39 years old. She is a market vendor at the central market in Honiara.

The man and the victim are husband and wife who have five children.

Case facts said on November 22, 2025, the complainant was selling her products at the central market when the man who was drunk came and sat by her side.

The man had been drinking since the day before.

As they were sitting together, the man told the victim that he was going to the hospital because his nephew had died.

The victim told him that in her culture it was forbidden to show up to a death when one was drunk.

The man replied by swearing at the victim.

The behaviour of the man at the time left the victim feeling embarrassed.

A police officer and a city council law enforcement officer came and apprehended the man.

He was charged and bailed to appear in court on December 15, 2025.

The man failed to appear in court on two occasions, so prosecution applied for a warrant of arrest.

The man was remanded in custody on January 27, 2026.

He was arraigned on February 17, 2026 and pleaded guilty.

Magistrate Ben Alasia heard the aggravating and mitigating factors in court yesterday.

In his ruling he said that since the man had two prior convictions for domestic violence and psychological abuse on June 6, 2023 apart from other convictions, this was a serious aggravating factor.

The defendant is a persistent offender and failed to deter by previous orders and sentencing imposed by this court, Alasia said.

Court noted that the defendant had been remanded in custody since January 27. He spent 23 days in custody. The days the defendant spent in custody are served as part of his sentencing and he already served it.

Thus, was ordered by magistrate court to pay $3000 as fine by Friday, February 27 before 4pm.

PC Auna J acted for prosecutions and Luahiti H appeared for the defendant.

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‘BETTER THAN EXPECTED’

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Solomons’ economy strengthened in 2nd half of 2025 due to solid mineral exports, active key sectors: Central Bank

BY NED GAGAHE

Economic activity strengthened in the second half of 2025, exceeding earlier expectations, according to the Central Bank of Solomon Islands (CBSI).

Speaking during the announcement of the Bank’s accommodative monetary policy stance for the next six months alongside the introduction of a new 1.5 percent policy rate, CBSI Governor Dr Luke Forau said stronger growth was driven by solid mineral exports and improved performance across key sectors.

Dr Forau said agriculture, fishing, communications, wholesale and retail trade, and tourism all recorded better-than-expected outcomes, while labour market conditions remained broadly supportive.

“Against this backdrop, CBSI has revised up its growth outlook to 3.6 percent for 2025 and 3.8 percent for 2026, underpinned by mining expansion and broad-based growth in services, more than offsetting the decline in logging,” he said.

CBSI said that global growth is projected to remain steady in 2026, with inflation in many economies easing towards central bank targets. International food and fuel prices are expected to remain subdued amid ample supply, supporting lower imported inflation.

On the external front, the country’s foreign reserves are projected to remain adequate at around 12 months of import cover in 2026. This will be supported by robust export earnings and continued donor inflows.

Fiscal policy is expected to shift towards consolidation this year as Government works to manage the fiscal deficit and rebuild cash buffers.

Monetary aggregates are projected to grow moderately, while credit growth is expected to remain modest, mainly driven by personal lending.

Headline inflation eased sharply to 1.6 percent in December 2025, down from 3.7 percent in June. The decline reflects lower domestic price pressures and subdued imported inflation.

Core inflation also moderated to 0.9 percent over the same period, indicating contained underlying demand.

Looking ahead, headline inflation is expected to rise temporarily in the first quarter of 2026 due to heavy rainfall affecting local food prices. However, it is projected to ease to around 3.5 percent by June and 3.4 percent by December 2026. Core inflation is forecasted to remain low at about one percent this year.

CBSI cautions that risks to the outlook remain, including heightened geopolitical tensions that could lift global oil prices, more extreme weather events that may disrupt food supply, and ongoing domestic market inefficiencies.

The Bank says it will continue to closely monitor both domestic and global developments and stands ready to adjust its policy stance if inflationary pressures intensify or significant macroeconomic shocks arise.

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DRAWS DONE, GAME ON!

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Solomon Islands set for historic double hosting and tough OFC U-16 draws

BY RICHARD MENANOPO

The Solomon Islands is preparing for a landmark year in youth football after official draws confirmed challenging group assignments for both the national men’s and women’s under-16 teams ahead of the 2026 OFC championships.

According to the Oceania Football Confederation, the draws were finalized on 18 February at the OFC Home of Football – Te Kahu o Kiwa in Auckland, confirming match pathways and host arrangements for the region’s premier youth competitions.

The biggest spotlight will fall on Solomon Islands as hosts of the OFC U-16 Women’s Championship from 6–19 September, a milestone moment for the growth of women’s football in the country.

Drawn in Group A, the hosts will face defending champions New Zealand, Fiji and the yet-to-be-decided qualifying winner.

Solomon Islands will open their campaign against New Zealand on Sunday 6 September at Lawson Tama Stadium (3pm), before meeting the qualifying winner on Wednesday 9 September (12pm) and Fiji on Saturday 12 September (3pm), with all host-nation fixtures scheduled for Lawson Tama.

“Hosts Solomon Islands have been drawn alongside defending champions New Zealand, Fiji and the qualifying winner in Group A,” OFC said.

The qualifying tournament, to be played in Papua New Guinea from 18–24 April, will feature American Samoa, Papua New Guinea and Cook Islands in a round-robin format, with the winner advancing to Honiara.

The 2026 event will be the eighth edition of the OFC U-16 Women’s Championship, which OFC describes as providing a vital pathway for emerging female footballers across Oceania to gain international experience.

Meanwhile, the Solomon Islands U-16 men’s side faces a difficult Group B assignment at the OFC U-16 Men’s Championship in Papua New Guinea from July 12-25.

They will meet defending champions New Zealand, Tahiti and the qualifying winner, while Group A contains hosts Papua New Guinea, New Caledonia, Fiji and Samoa.

Solomon Islands will begin their campaign against New Zealand on Monday 13 July, followed by Tahiti on Thursday 16 July, before closing group play against the qualifier on Sunday 19 July.

“Defending champions New Zealand headline Solomon Islands’ pool, with Tahiti and the qualifying winner completing Group B”, OFC said.

A top-two finish would secure a semi-final berth on 22 July, with the tournament final scheduled for 25 July.

The men’s championship represents the 23rd edition of Oceania’s premier youth competition, dating back to 1983 when it was contested at under-17 level.

Together, the two tournaments signal a defining chapter for youth football in Solomon Islands — with the girls competing before home supporters and the boys testing themselves against the region’s strongest nations overseas.

“These championships remain central to talent development in Oceania, offering young players a clear pathway toward higher-level international football”, OFC said.

For Solomon Islands, attention now turns to preparation, squad selection and building momentum as the nation prepares to host a major women’s tournament while chasing regional success on both fronts in 2026.

Photo: OFC Media

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MP Quan Wing Chun welcomes participants for training

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BY TONY IROGA

As the days draw close to the end of this month, MP Quan Wing Chun school is looking forward to welcome all the participants for training this year.

This was following the announcement statement issued by the Club, a couple of days ago.

A recent statement by MP Quan Wing Chun said that old and new participants who wish to join the Club are urged to register before they begin the training sessions.

MP Quan Wing Chun is a traditional Chinese martial art school specializing in wing Chun kung fu.

“The training aims to promote self- discipline, character building, health fitness and self- defence against larger forces,” the statement said.

The statement said the training is also to maintain a calm mind, protect the centre, simultaneous attack and defence and not meet forces with force.

The wing Chun focuses on emphasizes close- range combat, efficiency, directness and self- defence.

The statement said the training session for 2026 has started on the 3rd of this month and will continue for the month.

It said that training days and times for this year 2026 are set for Tuesday from 5pm to 7pm and on Saturdays from 10am to 12 mid-day.

The training venue will be at Mbua Valley Community High School Hall in East Honiara.

“The new intakes who are interested are welcome to join with membership fees of one hundred and fifty dollars, as old members are urge to renew the membership fees with one hundred dollars, training fee is $3 for per training session for each participant,” the statement said.

The club urges old and new individual trainee to wear long black track suits and white T-shirts.

“Trainees are therefore urged to register to the club registration by phone 7981014 or MP Quan Wing Chun Facebook page register at the training hall when walk in for training as advice,” the statement said.

The statement said the school has established branches in Auki, Malaita province, and plans to reach out to other provinces in the future.

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Energy regulator will make electricity cleaner and cheaper: HE Turner

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BY ALICE CAMPBELL

British High Commissioner, HE Paul Turner, addressed a National Stakeholder Workshop on Energy Reform this week, highlighting the need for a new Independent Energy Regulator in Solomon Islands.  

In a keynote speech, Turner welcomes the Government’s vision for a more accessible and affordable electricity sector, saying the establishment of a new Regulator will enable more Independent Power Providers (IPPs) to provide electricity in Solomons. 

Turner underlined that solar was a source of power that should be utilised more, and the new Regulator would encourage more solar IPPs. 

He said that the current grid system which was 90 percent diesel generated was untenable both economically and environmentally. 

Solomons must look beyond diesel for cleaner, cheaper power on and off grid.

The UK has deployed British experts to help the Ministry of Mines and Energy with the drafting of new legislation for an Independent Regulator.

The workshop on Wednesday canvassed views on the new legislative framework with participants from across Government and other public agencies, including Solomon Power. 

Members of the donor-diplomatic community were also present, including the World Bank and ADB who are working with the UK. 

The Ministry of Energy and Mines welcomes UK’s contribution and stressed the need to keep up the momentum on reforms in the energy sector.  

Turner said the process is taking time but progress is also being made.

Photo: Supplied

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Malaitan MPs called to support Bina Harbour Project

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By RODRICK DESURI

Auki

A Malaita rural grass-root leader, Sam Suili is calling on other thirteen Members of Parliament of Malaita Province to support MP Claudius Tei’ifi to bring the Bina Harbour Project to reality.

Mr Suili, from West Kwara’ae, said each MP should support in other physical works of the Bina project where the government falls short.

He said this is to show the national government that as the host province of the project, our leaders and people are serious about realising this project.

“This is the idea that I want to put across. We are the host province of this national project, and seeing Claudius Tei’ifi behind this project isn’t reflecting working together as one and finding developments and employment for your people.

“So, I agree that each of the 14 MPs in Malaita Province to support the project one million each. This money will go for other works that the national government fall short to do,” he said.

He said that if works are carried out and implemented by national government and aid donors, it will take longer before the actual implementation of the project.

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Acting PM Kologeto meets Aus DPM Marles

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BY ALICE CAMPBELL

Acting Prime Minister and Minister of Communication and Aviation, Frederick Kologeto, met with the visiting Australian Deputy Prime Minister, Richard Marles, in Honiara yesterday at the Prime Minister’s Office.

A statement from the Government Communication Unit (GCU) said the two leaders discussed areas of mutual interest, including telecommunication, aviation infrastructure, renewable energy and others,

At the meeting, Mr Kologeto praised the longstanding cordial relations between the two countries, highlighting Solomon Islands’ appreciation of Australia’s ongoing support in many areas.

Australia’s Deputy PM reaffirms Australia’s commitment to support Solomon Islands, saying Australia is pleased and stands ready to assist.

Photo: GCU

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Japanese Embassy hands over ambulance to Fouabu RHC 

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BY RODRICK DESURI 

AUKI 

Japanese Ambassador His Excellency Higuchi Keiichi yesterday handed over an ambulance vehicle to the Fouabu Rural Health Clinic in West Kwaraae, Malaita Province. 

The handover marks a milestone achievement for the people of Fouabu and will help solve their long-standing need of almost 10 years. 

During the handover ceremony at Kiluufi Hospital yesterday, Mr Keiichi said he was very happy that the ceremony was graced and witnessed by many people.

He said the project was funded by Japan’s Grassroots and Human Security project, which cost thirty-one thousand three hundred and forty-six US dollars, approximately around SDB$250,000.

“I am honoured to attend today’s ceremony for handing over the ambulance for Fouabu Rural Health Clinic. I understand that this project was signed on October 18, 2024, between the Embassy of Japan and the Fouabu Rural Health Clinic while my Ambassador Miva was serving as Ambassador.

“One of the priorities of the grassroots and human security scheme is to help meet human needs. We recognise that health is the foundation of human security. Without access to medical care, a community cannot thrive,” he said. 

He also thanked the people who spent their efforts to complete the project.

“I would like to salute and commend the effort each one of these dedicated people made, who paved the way from the start to the completion of this project,” he said. 

Meanwhile, Fouabu Chief, David Uma, acknowledges the government of Japan for seeing their needs and supporting them.

He said this is a huge achievement for them, as their needs will now be solved.

The Japanese team also visited the construction site of the new hospital building yesterday.

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SAFER-SI workshop underway in Auki 

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By RODRICK DESURI 

Auki 

A Strengthening Rural Agricultural Food Security and Economic Resilience – Solomon Islands (SAFER-SI) workshop is underway at the Women’s Centre in Auki, Malaita Province.

The mission of the workshop is to carry out inceptions and conduct community consultations to gather data and information for the development of project proposals.

According to Frank Samo Sari, one of the participants representing the youth, he said the workshop prepares them to develop their annual budget for their fiscal year.

He said that before the provincial accounts committee conducts scrutiny, they have to prepare their budget plans and annual work plans.

“This is a normal process that the government usually follows. Before the provincial accounts committee conducts the scrutiny and presents it to the public for questioning and answering, we must develop and submit our budget plans and annual work plans.

“After that, once it is passed and the provincial accounts committee is satisfied, the budget will move to executive scrutiny for a final review, be forwarded for approval, and gazetted by the ministry,” he said.

However, he said it could best once each Head of the departments take it very seriously.

About fifteen participants representing the government, non-government organizations, community-based officers, and agriculture officers attended the workshop.

The objectives include:

-Presenting the project’s goals, components, scope, and implementation plans.

-Ensuring that stakeholders complement existing provincial development strategies and policies.

-Defining the roles of departments.

-Setting up structures for collaboration, information sharing, and progress monitoring.

-Gather inputs on contextual factors that could affect implementation and plan for mitigation. 

-Secure political and administrative support from provincial leaders for a successful project rollout.

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