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TRUE SPIRIT OF SPORTSMANSHIP

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SINU Knights opens doors of floorball facility to other clubs to access and train in freely

BY RICHARD MENANOPO

The SINU Knights Floorball Club has opened its facilities for other clubs and players to have weekly training sessions in.

This offer sees free access for clubs and individual players without proper facilities to the Solomon Islands National University (SINU) Kukum Campus.

This initiative was announced in an update shared on the club’s official Facebook page on Tuesday, where the Knights management outlined plans to support wider participation and development of the sport.

“The management of the club wish to support other clubs as well for a common goal and that is to promote floorball and give opportunities to clubs for training or individuals who wish to come and improve their skills”, a statement from the SINU Knights club said.

According to the club, training sessions will run every Tuesday from 5pm to 7pm at the New China Hall building, Kukum Campus, starting February 10 and continuing through to the end of the 2026 floorball season.

The training facility will be made available free of charge, with players only required to bring their own water bottles, sportswear, shoes and floorball sticks.

“The invitation is open to both new and experienced players from all clubs, a move that will also contribute to the broader efforts of the Floorball Federation Solomon Islands to expand opportunities for training and improve playing standards across the country,” the statement from the Knights said.

SINU Knights is the university’s-based team comprising students from various academic faculties and is the first floorball side formed under the Solomon Islands National University banner to compete in the national Floorball Super League.

Photo: SINU Knights floorball club

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‘Project validation for West Kwaio to take a month’

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BY RODERICK DESURI

AUKI

Project validation for West Kwaio Constituency, Malaita Province, will take a month as constituency sub-committee members will need time to work, decide and make final arrangements.

MP Claudius Tei’ifi’s advisor, Walter Maesugea raised this during the sub-committee meeting on Monday, February 9, at Buma, West Kwaio.

He said it is good that they have taken up work on the validation of the projects and selection because they are the ones who live in the communities.

Maesugea told those at the meeting that the list of project applicants will be handed in to the sub-committees next week.

He said following this, sub-committees will then do a final cut-off of who will receive funding and who will not, or re-level before resubmitting the paper work to the constituency office for final analysis by the Constituency Development Committee members.

“As you have discussed and agreed that the validation of the projects will be done by you, we will give you ample time to assign yourselves depending on your zones.

“The lists of the project proposals for each zone will be sent to you by next week. This means that as soon as you receive yours, try to work on it as early as possible and resubmit it to the constituency office by mid-March for final screening and analysis,” he said.

Member of Parliament for West Kwaio, Claudius Teiifi, apologised for the delay in implementation.

“I want to thank you and apologise for delaying our material shipment, as the issue is beyond the control of our office bearers.

“However, since I respect you, our shipment will depend on when you complete the validation process,” he said. 

In the meantime, constituency development officer, Bobby Siarani, expressed that through collective ideas and by working together, good things can be achieved.

He said the constituency office is looking forward to a close collaboration with everyone to deliver the needed projects.

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People of Kolofe happy with two new bridges 

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By RODRICK DESURI 

Auki 

The people of Kolofe One and Two, North Malaita, are happy and take pride in two top-class new bridges that reached completion last week.

These bridges will provide enhanced safety and transportation as well as access for business transactions between Auki and the villages along the Fouia–Auki main road; supporting trade, services, and economic growth in Malaita Province. 

On behalf of the people of Kolofe One and Two, Alfred Malakai who uses the road to and from Auki/Fouia said the completion of the two bridges marks a major infrastructure achievement for their region.

He said the bridges form a critical link connecting Fouia Head Road to Auki and will improve access between the provincial capital and the villages located along the main road.

“This bridge will make life easier, safer, and more connected for everyone who depends on it, especially during emergencies and bad weather.

“I am thankful to all those who contributed to and supported this important project for us,” he said.

He also extends his appreciation to everyone: the contractor, provincial and national government, and especially the aid donors.

“We extend our sincere appreciation to the Solomon Islands Government (SIG), World Bank, Egis/Azimuth Surveys, CCECC, and the Kolofe Community for their strong partnership and shared commitment to the success of these bridges,” he said.

In the meantime, Malakai said it is the community’s responsibility to now own, care for and protect the assets.

“It is now our collective responsibility to care for and protect these valuable assets and to take pride in the infrastructure that reflects quality, cooperation, and progress for Malaita Province,” he said.

In Malaita Province, four top-class bridges have been constructed under the Second Solomon Islands Rural and Aviation Project (SIRAP2) funded by the World Bank.

Photo: Leon Labuga

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Electoral commission concludes training for by –election

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BY JUNELYN KELLY

The Solomon Islands Electoral Commission (SIEC) has successfully completed a crucial three-day training programme for senior election officers.

The training prepares them for the upcoming by-elections in Ward 5 Malaita Province and Koviloko Ward 7 Isabel Province.

The training was held from February 3-5, a statement from SIEC on its Facebook page on Monday said.

The training is focused on equipping election officers to execute their duties professionally and transparently.

Chief Electoral Officer Jasper Highwood Anisi assured the public that despite challenges, including a recent fire, the SIEC remains fully capable of delivering elections.

He highlighted that vital resources, particularly election data and the voters list were secured and are being utilised for the upcoming by-elections, the statement said.

Anisi affirms SIEC’s readiness to conduct by-election until 2028, reinforcing its commitment to its constitutional mandates.

The training covered essential areas such as election ethics, duties of election officials, nomination processes, polling and counting procedures, post-election processes, and administration and financial requirements, the statement said.

Voters in the affected wards are strongly encouraged to participate in the by-elections to elect their provincial leaders.

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‘Communities need to be organised before eyeing development’

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By RODRICK DESURI 

Auki 

A senior figure from Auki, Malaita Province, has said that before a community in Malaita Province wishes and applies for any development projects, the community and ward levels must be well organised.

Alfred Malakai said this in an interview with Island Sun yesterday. 

Malakai said community and ward levels are important and need to be well organised and work together before development can occur.

He said the community must also have land access consents, willingness to cooperate, and commitment to development projects once they are completed. 

He said that when there is strong cooperation and effort in working together among the community and wards, it will create a clear and correct direction for development.

“Strong community support is very important. Communities must show land access consent, must be willing to cooperate, and must show commitment to protect the infrastructure.

“A simple and quality example of a partnering path happened at Kolofe one and two, where a lasting infrastructure took place. Local leaders, provincial authorities, the national government, and development partners have partnered to work together, “he said. 

He appreciates the Solomon Islands Government (SIG), World Bank, Egis/Azimuth Surveys, and China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) for partnering with the local communities in Malaita to construct two bridges at Kolofe. 

He said the completion of the bridges marks a major infrastructure achievement for the people in the region.

“I was very happy, proud, and encouraged. Seeing such a much-needed bridge finally completed is a big relief for our people. It shows that when there is commitment and cooperation, important development can happen in reality,” he said.

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Cabinet reshuffle reflects fair and balanced representation: Manele

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BY NED GAGAHE

Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele says the recent Cabinet reshuffle aims to ensure fair and balanced representation in the distribution of ministerial portfolios within the Government for National Unity and Transformation (GNUT).

“Basically to reflect a fair and balanced representation in the distribution of Cabinet portfolios within the coalition government, between the parties,” Prime Minister Manele said.

The Prime Minister made the comments in a recorded doorstop interview with local media outside Government House yesterday, following the swearing-in of three government ministers.

Manele was responding to questions on the necessity of the reshuffle amid reports of instability within the GNUT-led coalition.

He dismissed claims of outside influence, saying the changes were purely an internal Cabinet realignment to reflect GNUT’s commitment to implementing the government’s budget and policy priorities.

“Absolutely nothing. There are no external forces. It is basically a Cabinet realignment to reflect our commitment, including the full implementation of the government budget,” he said.

“And as I’ve said, to ensure that there is a fair and balanced representation in Cabinet among the two main parties.”

Government stability reaffirmed

When questioned on the stability of the GNUT coalition following the reshuffle, Prime Minister Manele said the government remains stable.

“The government is very stable. Stability is demonstrated every day in Parliament, on the floor of Parliament,” he said.

He also took the opportunity to sincerely thank the two ministers who were relieved of their portfolios—Polycarp Paea, MP for Malaita Outer Islands, and John Tuhaika Jnr, MP for Rennell and Bellona.

“They continue to be members of the caucus. They will continue to contribute in policy making,” Mr Manele said.

“I even intend, and I’ve been talking with them already, to appoint them as chair of a number of Cabinet sub-committees.”

Asked whether further Cabinet changes are expected in the coming days, the Prime Minister said no additional reshuffles are anticipated at this stage.

“As I’ve said, the changes that we have made were done after consultations with party wing leaders and a number of MPs within government,” he said.

“Again, it shows our commitment in terms of implementing government policy and priorities. In my interest, it’s a national interest, that the government continues to deliver goods and services for our people and for our country.”

Three MPs sworn in

Three Members of Parliament were sworn in yesterday at Government House as part of the ministerial portfolio realignment.

South Guadalcanal MP Rollen Seleso was sworn in as Minister for Provincial Government and Institutional Strengthening, Temotu Nendo MP Stephen Kumi was sworn in as Minister for Traditional Governance, Peace and Ecclesiastical Affairs, while Ranongga–Simbo MP Wayne Ghemu was reshuffled to serve as Minister for Environment, Climate Change and Disaster Management.

Mr Paea and Mr Tuhaika Jnr were relieved of their ministerial portfolios following the reshuffle but remain with the government.

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‘Federal system ambitions are national shared responsibility’

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BY BEN BILUA
Gizo

FORMER Western Province leader and member of the Eminent Persons Advisory Council on the Federal Constitution (CC-EPAC), Thornley Hite, says the ambition to establish a federal system in Solomon Islands is a national shared responsibility and not a devolved provincial function.

He said the pathway to harmonising federal system ambitions is clearly outlined in the Draft Federal Constitution of Solomon Islands (DFCSI), which was presented to the then government in July 2019.

Hite said the transition from the current unitary governance system to a federal system could be fast-tracked if the Office of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (OPMC) established resourced focal points in the provinces.

“What needs to be done, perhaps, is for each province to set up transitional offices under provincial government-approved budgets, with funding channelled through OPMC via the Constitutional Reform Unit or a Federal Transitional Unit under OPMC,” he said.

Hite said the transitional unit offices in each province should be administered by qualified lawyers and administrative staff, with a clear mandate to pave the way for a peaceful transition from unitary governance to a federation of states under a home-grown federal model.

He said such undertaking is paramount so that ambition towards the federal system remain active.

“It is disappointing to see more than a hundred million dollars spent in coining the desired home-grown federal system without any success,” Hite said.

He said that the time has come for Solomon Islands to embrace cooperative federalism based on self-rule and shared powers.

“It’s time to share the burden of governance through cooperative federalism of self-rule and shared powers,” Hite said.

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Assembly meeting on schedule: Ramrakha

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BY BEN BILUA
Gizo

THE Speaker of the Western Provincial Assembly, Ramrakha Talasasa Jr, has confirmed that preparations for the upcoming Western Provincial Assembly meeting are in progress as planned, with the meeting scheduled to take place from March 16 to 20.

Speaking in an interview with Island Sun, he said the provincial administration has begun its preparations last week and will continue until all necessary processes are completed ahead of the meeting.

“Currently, the Provincial Administration is busy aligning and compiling documents for the next process, which is the Provincial Public Committee hearing.

“All Ward Development Committee leaders will participate in the consultations, with outcomes from the meeting forming part of the proposed budget allocations for each division and ward across the province,” Talasasa said.

He said the document will be submitted to the provincial executive before proceeding to the Provincial Public Accounts Committee for final scrutiny ahead of deliberations by the full Assembly.

“At the moment, our administrative officers are drawing up the skeleton of the whole process, from identification of services and development priorities to allocating funds for implementation.

“So, we are dealing with documentation at the moment. The next step is the money side of it,” Talasasa said.

He said the Western Provincial Administration and Members of the Provincial Assembly are looking forward to the important sitting, which is expected to determine key operational priorities for the province during the first quarter of 2026.

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‘Polynesian minority voices removed from Cabinet with ministerial change: “Wale”

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BY IRWIN ANGIKI

Leader of Opposition Matthew Wale is concerned that yesterday’s ministerial changes has removed the voices of Solomon Islands’ Polynesian minority from Cabinet.

Three new ministers were sworn in yesterday.

Members of Parliament for the country’s two Polynesian constituencies were removed from their ministerial portfolios.

Polycarp Paea, MP for Malaita Outer Islands (MOI) was replaced in the Environment ministry (MECDM) by Wayne Ghemu, MP for Ranongga Simbo.

John Tuhaika Jnr, MP for Rennell and Bellona constituency, which is also a province of its own, was replaced in the Traditional Governance ministry (MTGPEA) by Stephen Kumi, MP for Temotu Nende.

The third new minister was Rollen Seleso, MP for South Guadalcanal, who replaced Mr Ghemu in the Ministry of Provincial Government (MPGIS). Mr Seleso had held the portfolio during the previous government, DCGA, until May 2024 under the current GNUT government.

Opposition Leader Matthew Wale in a statement yesterday to congratulate the new ministers, wished them success in their new responsibilities and urged them to ‘work collaboratively for the benefit of all citizens’.

At the same time, Mr Wale raised concern that ‘members of Parliament from the Polynesian community, a significant minority grouping within our country, are no longer represented in Cabinet’.

He said while Cabinet appointments remain the prerogative of the Prime Minister, it must be based on sound judgement; inclusivity and balanced representation.

Wale said these are important principles that strengthen national unity and public confidence in government.

“This will be a deep dark stain on the record of the Prime Minister,” the Opposition Leader said.

Wale said Solomon Islands is built on diversity and Cabinet should reflect the rich cultural and regional make up of our people.

“Our nation’s diversity is one of its greatest strengths, and ensuring that different communities feel represented at the highest levels of decision-making contributes to cohesion, mutual respect, and shared ownership of national development,” Wale said.

Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele has defended the changes saying they brought stability and aimed at ensuring fair and balanced representation in the distribution of ministerial portfolios within the Government for National Unity and Transformation (GNUT).

Mr Manele after the swearing-in ceremony yesterday said Tuhaika Jnr and Paea ‘remain as members of the GNUT and will continue to play a pivotal role to contribute in GNUT broader policy direction and the implementation of the 2026 programme’.

Paea has been with the GNUT government from the beginning, serving in two ministerial portfolios – Ministry of lands from May 7, 2024 to July 5, 2025, and MECDM from July 5, 2025 to February 10, 2026.

Paea stood unwaveringly with PM Manele and GNUT through two motions of no-confidence – Dec 2024 and May 2025.

Tuhaika Jnr started off with GNUT as Minister for Public Service until his resignation on December 14, 2024 to cross over to the Opposition ahead of the first motion of no-confidence against PM Manele. Manele survived it.

However, four months later, PM Manele faced his biggest challenge when his finance minister, Manasseh Sogavare, MP for East Choiseul, led a mass walk-out from GNUT with 10 MPs on April 28, 2025, igniting the second motion of no-confidence on Manele.

Tuhaika Jnr was one of the three Opposition MPs who saved PM Manele and GNUT when they joined government in the eleventh hour. Just days before, Opposition was slated to win since they commanded the majority.

Tuhaika Jnr held the MTGPEA portfolio from May 7, 2025 until yesterday’s replacement.

Photos: Supplied

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‘Review of provincial governance not a path to federal system’

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 BY BEN BILUA
 Gizo

A former senior public servant has argued that reviewing the provincial governance system will not pave the way for the establishment of a federal system in Solomon Islands.

Thornley Hite said the ongoing discussion on reviewing the governance structure is closely tied to the Draft Federal Constitution and should not be mistaken as a genuine step towards federalism.

He said current political moves to review the provincial governance framework could instead be a tactic aimed to strengthen external influence over Solomon Islands through collaboration with existing political leadership.

Hite said influential groups fear that a true federal system would significantly benefit citizens through greater decentralisation of powers and resources.

“I have seen better days under the Provincial Government Act 1981 than under the Provincial Government Act 1997 because I served as a Deputy Provincial Secretary and Provincial Secretary in Guadalcanal and Western provinces under these Acts,” he said.

Hite said the Provincial Government Act (PGA) 1981 provided a form of quasi-decentralisation within the country’s unitary system, where provinces functioned as agents of the national government exercising devolved powers defined under the Act.

He said many government functions were later recentralised under the PGA 1997 which he described as a legal framework that contributed to provincial underdevelopment and rising national unemployment.

Hite said political leaders are now beginning to recognise that the 1997 Act has limited the capacity of provinces to drive development, stressing that meaningful decentralisation remains essential for improving governance and economic opportunities across the country.

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