BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Environment Climate Change Disaster Management and Meteorology David Hiba Hiriasia, has acknowledged the ministry’s first meeting for this year.

The MECDM under the Climate Change Division held a roundtable discussion with the other line ministries, private sector representatives, donor partners, NGOs, CSOs and other tertiary institutions at the Heritage Park Hotel last week.

Hiriasia in a statement said the roundtable discussion is an important moment for them as outlined in the Solomon Islands National Climate Change Policy, climate action cannot and must not be carried out by government alone.

He said that the policy calls explicitly for ministries, the private sector, donor partners NGOs and communities to work together.

He said that the gathering is a practical expression of a call for collective action.

Hiriasia also noted that climate change is the defining threat to livelihoods, ecosystem and economy, thus, Pacific leaders, including Solomon Islands, have declared a climate change emergency because climate change is a risk multiplier magnifying every existing social and economic vulnerability.

“We are already observing its impacts like rising temperature, accelerating sea level rise, more extreme rainfall events, increasingly destructive cyclones, these trends directly threaten our low-lying islands, our food security, our infrastructure and indeed our way of life. Urgent, locally informed adaptation and mitigation are no longer optional they are essential for our survival,” he said.

The key outcomes of the roundtable meeting were;

-The establishment of two additional coordination bodies (Private Sector and Loss & Damage)

-The adoption of the development partners Terms of Reference (TOR)

-Participants delivered updates on their climate actions

The meeting concluded with the membership reaffirming their support for data sharing under the CCR coordination structure, the need for the inclusion of academia in the CCR and a call to finalize the National CCR TOR.

The meeting objectives are to recap on the roundtable structure and expectations, review the Climate Change Division’s strategic priorities and upcoming events, hear updates from each other and identify practical opportunities for coordination and to agree on next steps and meeting dates.

Photo: Supplied

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BY BEN BILUA
Gizo

THE Manager of Gizo Market acknowledges the recent leadership training conducted for market vendors, describing it as timely and essential for the future of the market.

Market Manager Moffat Maeta said the training is paramount as Gizo Market continues to provide essential services to both residents of Gizo and visiting customers.

He said participants have gained valuable knowledge and skills that will help strengthen the management and operations of the market.

“I’m planning to resign from being the Market Manager soon. I want to declare to you that this is my final year.

“I trust that you will take up the role,” Maeta said.

He encourages participants to step forward and apply what they have learned for the betterment of the market.

Maeta emphasized that Gizo Market plays a crucial role in the daily lives of people, as many families rely on it to purchase fresh produce and other essential goods.

“People rely on the market to buy fresh produce and it is important that as a market manager, we need to ensure products are fresh, in good quality and fit for human consumption,” he said.

He stressed that human health must remain a top priority in market management.

While vendors operate to earn an income, Maeta reminds vendors that selling quality and safe products is equally important.

“As a market manager, your role is to ensure there is unity between vendors and the products are healthy,” he said.

Maeta also highlighted that managing a market requires dealing with people from different backgrounds and addressing issues responsibly and fairly.

The leadership training is expected to empower vendors with stronger management capabilities and foster unity among sellers, ensuring that Gizo Market continues to serve the community effectively.

It was facilitated by UN-Women through the M4C program.

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BY BEN BILUA
Gizo

LODUMAHO Market has officially opened its doors last week, providing vendors in Ward 15, Western Province, with a more comfortable and secure place to sell their produce.

The new market facility is part of Ward 15’s broader community development plans and is expected to boost small-scale economic activities within the area.

Member of Provincial Assembly for Ward 15, Palin Veo, describes the market house as a milestone achievement for the Lodumaho community.

He said the community had gone without any major development from the Ward Development Committee (WDC), making the completion of the market a significant accomplishment.

“This is a huge achievement for this community and I must commend the Ward Development Committee for their tireless effort.

“Market vendors in this area have been without a proper market facility and this is something that this community wants,” Veo said.

He said the market’s catchment area includes Helena Goldie Hospital and nearby schools, making it a convenient location for vendors to serve workers, students and surrounding communities.

Veo also acknowledged the support and commitment of Ward 15 WDC in ensuring the project was successfully delivered.

Chairman of Ward 15 WDC also acknowledged Veo for his leadership and support towards the project and encourages the community to take ownership of the new facility.

He urges vendors and residents to look after the market house so it can continue to serve future generations.

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BY SAMIE WAIKORI

Leader of the Official Parliamentary Opposition Group, Matthew Wale, says free education needs focus and reprioritization of priority, should the government want to pursue it.

Speaking on the second episode of Insight recently, Wale emphasized the need to shift government priorities in response to comments made last year by the education minister regarding free education, a policy adopted by CARE – a coalition of political parties headed by Wale. 

Wale warns that in the years ahead, the country’s population is expected to surpass one million, with nearly half a million children projected to be in the school system.

“We don’t have enough classrooms for all those children, and the dropout rate remains high and could worsen. It may increase at a faster rate than we are building classrooms and training teachers,” he said.

He stressed that urgent action is needed to expand infrastructure and increase the supply of qualified teachers to meet current and future demands.

“Something must be done to boost both infrastructure and teacher supply to where we should already be.

“Then we can build annually according to growth rates. At the moment, the government does not have that plan,” he said.

Wale described the Education Minister’s views on free education as outdated and lacking foresight.

He suggested the minister is maintaining the status quo because the challenge appears too difficult, rather than exploring what is possible.

He added that both the minister and the government must ask themselves whether free education can be achieved, and be willing to make tough decisions by reprioritizing government expenditure to deliver on it.

Wale noted that this issue is not limited to the current administration, but also previous governments, which viewed education largely as a consumption sector rather than a strategic investment.

“When you see education only as an expense, that is where such statements come from. Education is certainly a public good, but it is also a strategic resource for the country and the economy.

“Only when we see it in that light will we understand what real investment in education looks like,” he said.

Drawing an analogy, Wale referred to the experience of KFPL in Western province, where more than a decade of tree planting eventually led to harvesting returns. He said free education should be viewed in the same way.

“If you invest in a child’s education over many years, when that person contributes to GDP, that is when the harvest comes.

“When we see it in that light, it makes sense to invest in it, even to borrow money for it because it will repay that borrowing in many ways,” he said.

He reiterated that free education is achievable but requires strong government commitment and public support to become a reality.

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BY BEN BILUA
Gizo

THE World Bank Joint Country Representative for Solomon Islands and Vanuatu acknowledges the strong collaboration among partners that led to the successful completion of the Noro Road project.

Speaking during the official handing over ceremony on Friday last week, Mr. Bernard Harborne said the completion of Noro Road exemplifies the power of collaboration, dedication and shared vision.

He commends the commitment and leadership demonstrated by the Solomon Islands Government through the Ministry of Infrastructure Development and the Western Provincial Government.

Harborne said the project stands as a testament to the strength of partnership and cooperation among all stakeholders, including the Solomon Islands Government, engineers, workers and local communities.

“Your leadership has paved the way for SIRAP 2,” he said.

Harborne said the newly completed road will significantly boost tourism activities, unlock trade potential and improve connectivity within Western Province.

He adds that the road also strengthens the link to Munda International Airport through the Noro/Munda Road.

Harborne said the road represents a pathway to future opportunities and improved economic growth.

“This road is critical for the transportation of fishery and agricultural products, as well as improving access to employment, health, education and other essential social services,” he said.

Harborne said the World Bank has forged a strong working relationship with the Ministry of Infrastructure Development and expressed hope that the partnership will continue in future development initiatives.

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BY SAMIE WAIKORI

Leader of the Official Parliamentary Opposition Group, Matthew Wale, says free education is achievable if it becomes a clear focus and priority of the government.

Wale said the Solomon Islands Democratic Party (SIDP) and its coalition partners, known as CARE, have adopted free education as one of their flagship policies and remain committed to delivering it.

Speaking on the second episode of Insight, Wale said the coalition is confident it can implement the policy if given the opportunity.

“I think free education is achievable, and the coalition of SIDP and CARE is committed to it. We remain committed to free education. We believe we can deliver it,” he said.

Wale explained that free education is fundamentally about ensuring access to education for all children. He said this requires removing the obstacles that prevent children from attending school.

“Part of those obstacles are school fees, uniforms, and other associated costs,” he said.

He added that the key question is how to rationalize and address these barriers by identifying all factors that prevent children from attending classes.

Wale said one approach would be for the government to borrow funds to invest in education infrastructure, including classrooms, science laboratories, technical facilities, and school equipment.

He said government borrowing for infrastructure development could help reduce the financial burden on parents.

While parents can still contribute to school development, Wale stressed that such contributions must not become barriers to children’s access to education.

He said a deeper understanding of the free education policy adopted by SIDP and CARE will highlight its importance and its potential to move the country beyond the current education status quo.

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BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

The Solomon Islands Maritime Authority (SIMA) conducted a Maritime Safety & Pollution Response programme in Central Islands Province.

A statement from SIMA said they conducted the activity in partnership with Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (CEFAS).

SIMA successfully delivered the week-long community engagement program with two days in Tulagi from February 2-3 and three days in Savo Islands from February 4-6. 

SIMA said the program began with a courtesy visit by the SIMA team leader to the Central Islands Premier.

During the visit Central Islands Premier Mr Kenneth Sagupari raised serious concerns about World War II relics located within the province that continue to pose significant oil spill and marine pollution risks to local communities. 

Delivered by SIMA’s Environment Protection and Safety (EPS) team, the workshop integrated Search and Rescue (SAR), Marine Pollution Prevention (SARPOL), and Small Craft Registration into a practical, hands-on program tailored to community needs. 

According to SIMA, with technical support from CEFAS and financial support from SIMA and the UK Government, this initiative equips communities to reduce pollution risks, improve safety at sea, and respond effectively to incidents before national authorities arrive, contributing to national and regional efforts to protect marine ecosystems and ocean-dependent livelihoods. 

Photo: SIMA

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BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

The Ministry of Environment Climate Change & Disaster Management (MECDM) through its meteorological division is rolling out an awareness initiative about the country’s new advanced weather radar project.

Solomon Islands will take a huge step forward towards to enhance its early warning services as work to install its new high-tech weather radar system progresses, MECDM said in a statement.

The awareness initiative is designed to educate the community on the importance of the equipment and to address any potential concerns regarding radiation.

The total cost of the project is SBD$20 million, according to MECDM.

The ministry said this project has been a long-term goal for the Solomon Islands, but it could not afford it due to the high costs associated with such sophisticated equipment.

The statement said the radar will become central to the country’s early warning system when commissioned and will allow forecasters to accurately predict rainfall intensity and frequency with a scanning range of 300 kilometres.

The radar will also provide important data that will greatly improve aviation forecasts for the airline industry in Solomon Islands.

MECDM said that work on the project became possible following successful negotiations led by former Director of the Solomon Islands Meteorological Services, now Permanent Secretary for MECDM Mr. David Hiriasia, who secured funding from the WMO through the “Weather Ready Pacific” Program, which is supported by the New Zealand government.

The New Zealand Met Service is the registered entity responsible to implement the project.

The project is currently being implemented in two phases, including initial site work towards the radar installation and public awareness.

Apart from that other important technical milestones have already been achieved, which include Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) clearance, Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA), and geotechnical surveys.

The statement said that installation is set to pick up momentum in March this year when two engineers from New Zealand will come over to begin on-site work as some of the equipment have already arrived in Honiara.

However, given that the project is situated within the Guadalcanal Province Jurisdiction, proper construction will commence when a construction permit from the Guadalcanal Province is issued.

Photo: MECDM

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