BY JOHN HOUANIHAU
The Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) says it always upholds its core values when making decisions on allegations against its officers.
RSIPF was responding to allegations that police officers providing security at the Gold Ridge mining site were alleged to be involved in stealing gold ore.
A few officers are accused of collecting high-grade mineral soil in bags of rice and later panning the soil for gold and selling it for personal gain after their shifts.
In a response issued to Island Sun on Tuesday this week, the RSIPF Media Unit said that the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) is a neutral, transparent, and disciplined organisation that always upholds its core values to keep its integrity when making decisions on such allegations.
“This commitment to integrity ensures that the RSIPF maintains community trust and confidence. By prioritising accountability and fairness, the organisation aims to foster a safer environment for our people through its services,” the RSIPF Media Unit said.
The RSIPF Media also called on landowners who come across the unlawful action from its officers to reach out to the Police and report such behaviour to the Police.
“To address the concerns of Land Owners (LOs), the RSIPF is urging these individuals to come forward and report the issue to the Professional Standards Internal Investigation (PSII) Department of the RSIPF.”
The RSIPF Media further said that this proactive approach not only empowers landowners but also reinforces the RSIPF’s dedication to transparency and fairness in dealing with such allegations.
Following the allegation few of the officers were suspended following a collaborative investigation involving NCID officers and personnel on the ground, adding that the matter was treated with urgency due to its seriousness.
A senior source within the RSIPF National Criminal Investigation Department (NCID) confirmed this to this paper on Tuesday this week.

BY JUNELYN KELLY
A greater diversity of voices is needed in Solomons politics, British High Commissioner HE Paul Turner has said.
Mr Turner uttered this in his keynote at an event organised by the Westminster Foundation for Democracy (WFD).
The WFD workshop debated the barriers to women participating in politics in Solomons.
Minister for Gender & Youth, Kathy Nori and Leader of the Opposition, Matthew Wale joined Turner on a high-level panel to discuss the financial and cultural barriers to women’s participation in politics.
Also on the panel were Chief Election Officer, Jasper Highwood and Dr Alice Pollard who gave a very personal account of her struggles standing as an electoral candidate and the disappointments that followed in losing elections.
Turner said that across the world, diverse voices strengthened democracies and in the case of Solomons this meant a far greater number of women needed to be elected in national and provincial assemblies.
He said that since independence in 1978, only eight women in total had ever been elected to the national parliament in Solomons, one of the lowest anywhere in the world.
Turner highlighted recent research by WFD which showed how financial constraints limit women candidates.
Campaigning required significant resources and women were less likely to have access to personal income, land and financial assets.
He said more targeted financial support needed to be provided to women candidates and called for greater transparency of campaign financing and more equitable allocation of resources to level the playing field.
Minister Nori outlined the challenges she had experienced in securing a Parliamentary seat.
She said that women needed to overcome local expectation that they should be family based and focused on being the providers rather than the leaders of their communities.
This shift in mindset had to happen across the Solomons for women to have a chance of reaching their political aspirations but many were put off by the struggle.
Opposition Leader Wale underlined the importance of woman using their local Kastom and cultural networks to garner support and build up local recognition.
He accepted this was more difficult for women and urged potential women candidates to join political parties so they could draw on the experience and resources that parties can offer.
He said the problem with parties having reserved quotas for women candidates is that many women did not want to join political parties and opted instead to be independent candidates.
The panel agreed that a greater number of women in national and provincial assemblies would mean greater focus on important sectors such as health, education as well as community stability.
Turner underlined his personal experience from working in Northern Ireland and the Balkans in the 1990s and 2000s.
He said it had been locally organised women’s groups that had been instrumental in reaching out across divided communities in Sarajevo and Belfast, organising political groupings to work for long term peace.

BY SAMIE WAIKORI
Opposition Leader Matthew Wale wishes the Government for National Unity and Transformation (GNUT) well in the implementation the 2026 National Budget.
Wale made the remarks in a recent interview with Insight, reflecting on statements made by Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele last year, in which the Prime Minister said 2026 would be a more disciplined year in terms of budget implementation.
Prime Minister Manele also assured Solomon Islanders of a new direction, saying the government will work to better align the budget with its priorities.
Wale welcomed the Prime Minister’s sentiments, saying that regardless of political differences, all Solomon Islanders want to see the government succeed.
“These are good sentiments. There is a desire for a clear direction in implementing the budget to meet the priorities that have been set,” he said.
The Opposition Leader said what he expects from the government is to maximise revenue collection and ensure spending is confined to what has been legally appropriated and prioritised.
However, Wale pointed out that the 2026 budget remains a deficit budget, only slightly reduced compared to two years ago.
“We’ve had four or five years of deficit budgets going back, and that’s the first problem,” he said.
“If revenue does not perform and the government fails to collect enough, the budget is made on the assumption that the government will borrow.”
Wale noted that borrowing is not guaranteed and depends on lenders agreeing to provide funds.
He said delays or failure in borrowing would directly affect budget implementation.
“In those situations, ministries could end up sitting idle or cutting back on what they originally planned, meaning development services cannot be delivered,” he said.
Instead, ministries are forced to focus on recurrent expenditure such as salaries and office expenses.
“I think the credibility of the budget hangs on whether funds will actually be available to implement it. Revenue is one, and borrowing is the other,” Wale said.
He wished the government well, expressing hope that it will secure sufficient revenue and spend it wisely.

BY MORRIS NAFU

The illegal drug Methamphetamine (Meth) has been reported in Kirakira, with rising concerns over its spread to the provinces.
Makira-Ulawa Provincial Secretary Christopher Waiwori issued a strong call yesterday [Jan 28] for Government and Border Security authorities in Honiara to implement enhanced measures for detecting illegal drugs in all personal items and belongings of traveling passengers, whether at wharves or airports.
This appeal comes in the wake of recent reports highlighting illegal drug activities in the province, particularly in Kirakira town.
Waiwori described the situation as a “wake-up call” for the Provincial Government, law-enforcement agencies, and the general public across Kirakira and the broader Makira Ulawa Province.
Waiwori in a statement yesterday confirmed credible reports and growing concerns that illegal drugs, including methamphetamine commonly known as Meth or “Ice” are now circulating within Kirakira.
Claims suggest that some of these substances are being mixed or concealed in everyday consumer products, such as Colgate toothpaste and other items.
“This situation poses a grave threat to public safety, health, and social order, particularly to our youth, students, and vulnerable members of our communities,” Waiwori warned.
He emphasized that possession of illegal drugs is a criminal offense, reminding the public that anyone found possessing, supplying, distributing, manufacturing or preparing to manufacture methamphetamine without a lawful license will face prosecution under the Dangerous Drugs Act (Cap. 98) and the Pharmacy and Poisons Act (Cap. 105).
Waiwori noted that Kirakira Police intensified operations last week, leading to the arrest of several suspected youths.
Investigations have revealed that the illegal drugs are being transported from Honiara to Kirakira, raising fears that the substances may have already spread to other communities within Makira Ulawa.
In response, the Makira Ulawa Provincial Government in collaboration with the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) in Kirakira, plans to introduce strict measures to address, manage, and control the further spread of these illegal drugs in the province.
Waiwori also highlighted that marijuana usage remains an ongoing issue, with the RSIPF Makira set to conduct surprise spot checks in and around Kirakira to curb this activity.
“Addressing this illegal drug issue requires not only strengthening coordination with the Kirakira Police and law enforcement agencies, but also the cooperation of everyone from households to communities through awareness and prevention measures and most importantly, support for enforcement and intelligence gathering initiatives,” Waiwori said.
The provincial authorities are urging the public to report any suspicious activities to help combat this growing threat.

By RODRICK DESURI
Auki
Heavy rains and strong winds have left sick patients and their carers scrambling for shelter at the Kiluufi hospital yesterday [Jan 28].
Patients and guardians were queueing at the outpatient department to submit their cards and wait for their medical treatment when nature unleashed torrential rains and strong winds, reports reaching Island Sun said.
Herlison Aubongi, who was at the scene yesterday, described the incident as ‘quite chaotic’ as the sick patients, their carers and members of public frantically searched for any place within the hospital to take shelter.
He said when the heavy rain and strong winds struck, the people were moved all over the wards searching for a space to hide in the hospital.
“Here, the patients are worrying and suffering. To make it worse, strong winds with the rain struck them when they were queuing at the outpatient,” he said.
Solomon Islands has been placed under Orange Alert by the weather authorities as heavy rains and strong winds continue to be updated every day.
An active trough lies just south of the Solomon Islands and is linked to a tropical low located east of Vanuatu, the Meteorological Service (SIMS) said.
SIMS said westerly winds are expected to reach 20 to 25 knots, with gusts up to 30 knots over all waters of the Solomon Islands.
Warnings are also announced for potential floods and rough seas.

BY SYLVANA TEKUMAHA

Solomon Airlines Chairman Frank Wickham has announced the appointment of Matthew Findlay as the airline’s new Chief Executive Officer (CEO).

A Solomon Airlines statement yesterday [Jan 28] said Mr Findlay will commence duty on February 16, prior to that Solomon Airlines and Findlay will attend to all final regulatory requirements of The Civil Aviation Authority of Solomon Islands (CAASI).

“Matthew’s extensive experience and exposure to the challenges of Pacific aviation will enable Solomon Airlines under his leadership, to further solidify our operational aspirations and to realise enhanced growth opportunities,” Wickham said.

Solomon Airlines Interim CEO Paul Abbot welcomed Mr Findlay, describing his appointment as ideal to support the national carrier to release its potential and continue its strategy to connect the Solomon Islands to countries throughout the Pacific region and beyond.

There will be a transition in the executive leadership in 2025 with the appointment of Abbot as Interim CEO for a 6-month period during which time Solomon Airlines conducted an executive search for a permanent candidate for CEO.

Wickham thanked Abbot for his support and commitment to Solomon Airlines as Interim CEO for the past 7 months, during a particularly difficult era for the national airline, and wished him well in the future.

Findlay said, “It’s an exciting time for Solomon Airlines and for Solomon Islands as the company navigates current challenges in some markets, and explores vast potential in others, to support the nation in diversifying its economy.”

“The Solomon Islands and the broader Pacific region offer much untapped potential for tourism, trade and air connectivity between nations and larger global markets,” he said.

As he steps into the role of Chief Executive Officer at Solomon Airlines, Findlay leaves behind a successful aviation consulting business, highly regarded by national, state and territory tourism, airport and airline stakeholders.

He served clients across Australia, New Zealand, and the Pacific, Findlay brings a wealth of industry respect and a proven track record of fostering strong professional relationships throughout the Pacific region.

Outside of the aviation industry, he will resign his role as Club Secretary for Nelson Bay Junior Rugby Union Club, but remains a keen rugby follower and hopes to make a contribution to the sport in the Solomons.

Findlay’s wife Shelley and three teenage children will often join him upon his relocation to Honiara.

The appointment comes after a rigorous shortlisting and selection process including consultation with the Ministry of Finance and Treasury. Findlay has an extensive career in the aviation industry in Oceania, Europe and North America.

Abbot will assist through a transition period to the new CEO.

BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

Government, through the Ministry of Public Service (MPS), has described the report concerning Solomon Kalu and the position of Director-General of the Solomon Islands Independent Commission Against Corruption (SIICAC) as inaccurate and misleading.
The Ministry said that no appointment was ever made, saying Mr Kalu was never appointed to the position of Director-General of SIICAC and that there was no rejection of an appointment, as has been ‘widely and incorrectly reported’.
MPS said that while Kalu was recommended by an interview panel, the Judicial and Legal Service Commission (JLSC) ultimately determined that he should not have been shortlisted or considered for appointment.
MPS said that the process, therefore, concluded before any appointment arose.
MPS adds that the JLSC is an independent constitutional commission established under section 117 of the Constitution of Solomon Islands and exercises its powers under section 118 of the Constitution.
Following its deliberations, the Commission formed the view that, in light of relevant considerations, Kalu was unsuitable for appointment as a public officer, and that the post should be re-advertised.
MPS said that this was a collective decision of the JLSC, made independently and based on its own assessment.
The public commentary has incorrectly suggested that the Attorney-General rejected or directed the outcome of the JLSC process, which is factually and constitutionally incorrect, the MPS statement said.
The MPS said that the Attorney-General did not make, direct, or influence that decision, nor did he advise that Kalu be removed from the shortlisting.
The statement said that AG’s role was limited to providing legal advice on whether past conduct was a relevant consideration, advice originally sought during a separate Leadership Code Commission selection process and later treated as relevant by the JLSC in its own deliberations.
MPS said that the advice was advisory only, formed part of the material available to decision-makers, and did not bind the Commission or determine the outcome, as the final decision rested solely with the JLSC.
The Ministry emphasises that constitutional commissions operate free from political or ministerial control and that their decisions are made on merit, in accordance with the law, and are not directed by any individual member, including the Attorney-General.
Mischaracterising lawful advisory processes as personal or political decisions risks undermining public confidence in constitutional governance, the Ministry said.
The Ministry is concerned that inaccurate and incomplete reporting has led to unwarranted personal attacks against the Attorney-General, as such commentary risks undermining public confidence in constitutional governance and the independence of national institutions.
The Ministry urges media organisations and commentators to report responsibly and accurately on matters involving constitutional bodies and public office holders.
On Monday this week Solomon Star reported that the Attorney General had advised the Judicial and Legal Service Commission (JLSC) to reject a recommendation by an independent panel for Mr Kalu to be appointed Director General of SIICAC.
The report said the Attorney General had used the reason that Kalu had not complied with the previous government’s (DCGA) ‘No jab, no job’ policy which was activated during the covid-19 era to force public servants to be vaccinated.
This policy was cancelled by DCGA on December 31, 2023.
The independent panel had interviewed applicants for the SIICAC Director General position.
Three people were interviewed – Kalu, former Director General John Kouni and former Law Reform Commission Chairman Frank Paulsen.
The panel comprised of the Ombudsman Fred Fakarii, Judicial and Legal Service Commission (JLSC) member Dr Patricia Rodie, and Law Reform Commission Chairman Philip Kanairara.
Transparency Solomon Islands and the Council of Trade Unions have criticised government over this matter, questioning the legality and rationale behind the usage of a defunct government policy to block Kalu’s appointment for the job.
SIICAC has remained without a Director General since the expiry of John Kouni’s contract in April last year.

BY BEN BILUA
Gizo
ONGOING bad weather conditions have forced schools in Gizo to postpone the official opening of the 2026 academic year.
Gizo primary and secondary schools were scheduled to begin classes this week; however, persistent bad weather has disrupted preparations and delayed the start of lessons.
Principal of Gizo Secondary School, Richard Hiva said school registration was supposed to be completed last week, but only a few parents were able to turn up due to the unfavourable weather.
He said late registration will continue throughout this week to allow other parents the opportunity to register their children.
“Like many schools in Western Province, the ongoing bad weather continues to disturb our academic year.
“We hope the weather will get better in the coming days,” Hiva said.
He said classes are now expected to begin next week and urged students to make every effort to attend school from Monday.
Hiva also called on teachers to report to their schools as soon as possible to ensure a smooth start to the academic year once weather conditions improve.

BY SYLVANA TEKUMAHA

Kohi Bridge in Sahalu Ward in North-West Guadalcanal was destroyed on Tuesday [Jan 27] following heavy rainfall and flooding.

The damage has cut off a vital transport route that connects the Northwest and West Guadalcanal constituencies to Honiara.

The heavy rain and flooding is due to the ongoing bad weather experienced across the country.

Since schools have commenced for the year, students from Visale and Selwyn College will be affected since the bridge connects these institutions to Honiara.

The disruption has affected daily traveling, making it difficult for farmers and fishermen from West Guadalcanal and Savo to transport their products to the market places.

Moreover, since West Guadalcanal has various schools and several religious centres, it can also affect church activities, visitation to these centres and they may seek costly alternative routes.

According to a Guadalcanal Provincial Government press statement, they said that they will work alongside the Ministry of Infrastructure Development this week to assess the damage.

The Kohi Bridge is prone to flooding, this is the 3rd time for the bridge to be partially destroyed.

Kohi is situated 38 kilometres from Honiara and 10 kilometres from Selwyn College.

According to the Solomon Islands Meteorology Service (SIMS) strong wind and heavy rain warning for all provinces still continues.

BY BEN BILUA
Gizo
FORMER Education Officer of Western Province has called on both the provincial and national governments to urgently provide alternative pathways for students who have dropped out of the formal education system.
Western Provincial Member of the Provincial Assembly (MPA) for Ward 10, Freedom Tozaka, said the Government, through the Ministry of Education and Human Resources Development (MEHRD), must establish more Rural Training Centres (RTCs) across the country to provide second-chance opportunities for school dropouts.
He said education challenges facing the country require a collective approach involving the Ministry of Education, provincial governments, development partners, non-government organisations (NGOs) and local communities.
Tozaka said these stakeholders must work together to create supportive learning environments for students, starting from school readiness programmes through to retention incentives that encourage students to complete their education.
He said there is a great need to increase the number of senior secondary schools and vocational education placements, particularly in rural provinces, to ensure more students can continue their education instead of being forced out due to limited spaces.
“Reducing school dropouts is not just an education issue but a national development priority.
“High dropout rates are linked to broader social challenges including unemployment, youth disenfranchisement and slowed economic growth.
“Without urgent and sustained action, our country risks leaving a large segment of its young population without the skills and opportunities needed to contribute meaningfully to society,” Tozaka said.
He said it is time for the government to rewrite and strengthen education policies that promote student retention and completion, encourage gender equality in education, and lay a strong foundation for a prosperous future.
Island Sun understands that Solomon Islands is facing a serious education challenge, with a high number of students leaving school each year due to a severe shortage of available spaces at key education levels.
This year alone, an estimated 1,592 Year Nine students were unable to progress to Year 10, while 3,703 Form Six students failed to secure places in Form Seven.
In 2025, a staggering 4,126 Form-Three students, 3,486 Form Five students and 4,400 students were forced out of the education system highlighting the widening gap between available school placements and the growing number of students seeking education.