BY MORRIS NAFU

The Orange Alert warning continues for Solomon Islands as bad weather takes its toll in communities around the country.
Strong wind and heavy rain warning was issued by the Solomon Islands Meteorological Service (SIMS) is active for all waters across the Solomon Islands yesterday [Jan 28].
SIMS says the current bad weather condition remains unchanged across the country, with intermittent breaks.
Statement confirmed an active trough lies just south of the Solomon Islands, linking to a tropical low located east of Vanuatu.
Westerly winds are expected to reach 20 to 25 knots, with gusts up to 30 knots over all waters.
Seas will be moderate to rough, accompanied by moderate south to southwest swells measuring 2.5 to 3.5 metres.
Poor visibility is anticipated in showers and thunderstorm areas.
Residents and travellers are urged to take precautionary measures, as these strong winds could impact lives and properties.
Sea travellers are urge to consider safety actions, as the winds may produce dangerous wave conditions hazardous to small boats.
The warning also highlights associated clouds and heavy rain with thunderstorms expected to affect all provinces.
Such heavy rain may lead to possible landslides and flash flooding in communities near hill slopes, large rivers, streams, and low-lying areas.
People are strongly advised to take safety measures to avoid danger and loss of lives.
The service emphasises sharing this information with people with disabilities to ensure everyone is informed and prepared.

BY SAMIE WAIKORI
Leader of the parliamentary opposition group, Matthew Wale, says political instability is unfair to the people of Solomon Islands, as it affects government from delivering on the expectations of the people.
Wale blamed the government itself for the instability, urging them to take responsibility to address the issue, ensuring it doesn’t affect the nation in 2026.
Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele also raised similar concerns last year, noting that political instability has also contributed to low productivity in 2025.
In a recent interview with Insight, Wale responded to public perceptions that the no-confidence motions last year, which caused political instability, were instigated by the opposition.
He clarified that the no-confidence motions were instigated by government and must be dealt with by themselves, so it doesn’t affect the country this year.
“As everyone knows, we had two motions of no-confidence that were withdrawn, and these motions belonged to the government itself,” Wale said.
He said they were instigated within the government, and under some pressure, they were withdrawn.
Wale emphasized that the opposition was not behind the motions, and it is crucial for the public to understand that the responsibility lies with the government.
He stressed that the country cannot continue down this path, as political instability has already had a significant negative impact.
“My point is, we cannot continue like this because it is unfair to the people of Solomon Islands,” Wale said, because the government has not been able to deliver due to political instability
Wale called on Prime Minister Manele to make decisive actions to resolve the situation, rather than waiting for it to resolve itself.
He appealed to the government to fix the situation, because its unfair for the Solomon Islands if this kind of behaviour continues in 2026.

BY SAMIE WAIKORI
Leader of Opposition Matthew Wale has raised concern about the credibility of the 2026 budget, saying if revenue falls short, borrowing becomes the next option.
However, Wale stressed that any borrowing must be directed towards productive investments that can generate income to repay the loans.
Speaking recently on Insight, Wale said he has repeatedly urged the government in parliament not to fear borrowing.
“You would have heard that I have made the point repeatedly in Parliament, urging the government not to fear borrowing,” he said.
Wale emphasised that the productivity of government borrowing is critical, noting that while he supports borrowing, it must be tied to productive investments.
He said investments in agriculture, tourism, and fisheries would significantly benefit the economy, both by increasing gross domestic product and generating government revenue to service the debt.
However, Wale warned that clear implementation plans must be in place before any funds are borrowed.
He added that it is crucial to pre-plan the capacity of ministries and other stakeholders to implement projects and absorb the level of investment in a productive way.
“These are the areas that must be considered before borrowing. If done properly, it will have a positive impact on the economy,” he said.
Wale stressed that economic planning must look ahead 10 to 15 years and remain the focus of government policy.
He said it would be disappointing if the country continues repeating the same approaches of the past decade.
Wale warned that in 15 years’ time, the country’s population could reach close to 1.5 million, and life would become much harder if the government does not change the way it does things now.

BY JUNELYN KELLY
Police have called off a search and rescue operation along the Lungga river delta after the body of the missing person was found yesterday evening [Jan 28].
The body was located at the Henderson seaside and police were called in to retrieve it to the morgue, a police statement last night said.
Later family members were called in and identified the body as that of the late Ishmael Fiusilia, the police statement said.
Police had launched a search operation following a report of a missing person believed to have been washed away while attempting to cross the Lungga River near the Crusher Area, the statement said.
Initial attempts by family members to locate the individual were unsuccessful. As a result, police were alerted, and a coordinated response was initiated.
Police requested assistance to conduct surveillance and search operations along the Lungga River, including the river mouth area. Relevant police units were informed and took part in the search efforts, police said.
Police extends its deepest condolences to the family and relatives for the loss of their loved one.

BY BEN BILUA
Gizo
THE Isabel Provincial Education Provider Office (IPEPO) has urged teachers, students and education staff to remain in their villages and safe locations until the current spell of bad weather subsides.
In a statement released yesterday [Jan 28], IPEPO said no teacher, student or staff member should undertake any travel that could put their own lives or the lives of others at risk.
The office said delays in travelling to schools due to safety concerns are fully supported and will be respected, adding that school administrations must exercise flexibility and understanding regarding attendance during this period.
“If you are in a safe location, remain there. Individuals currently at home or in a secure place are strongly advised to stay where they are until there is a confirmed and sustained improvement in local weather and travel conditions,” the statement said.
IPEPO said no one should begin their journey until it is safe to do so, urging individuals to personally assess the safety of their travel routes and to check official weather updates before departing.
“We urge everyone to heed warnings from our Meteorological Service, avoid floodwaters and do not attempt to cross unsafe bridges or roads,” the statement added.
IPEPO calls on all schools, teachers, students and parents to cooperate and remain cautious, emphasising that the safety and wellbeing of staff and students must remain a top priority during adverse weather conditions.

BY JOHN HOUANIHAU
Authorities are urging people to take weather warnings and advice seriously during this bad weather.
So far, two people are dead reportedly in relation to the ongoing bad weather, police said.
Police are investigating one death in Noro.
And, police announced last night [Jan 28] the body of a man earlier reported missing in the Lungga river has been found.
The Solomon Islands Meteorological Service (SIMS) yesterday at 4pm issued strong warning number-seven and heavy rain warning number-five at 7pm.
The SIMS said the strong wind warning and heavy rain warning are current for the country.
The SIMS said that the strong wind is due to an active trough lying just south of Solomon Islands and linked to a tropical low located east of Vanuatu and
The heavy rain warning is due to an active trough that lies just south of Solomon Islands and links to a tropical low located near the northern parts of Vanuatu.
Westerly winds are expected to reach 20 to 25 knots gust up to 30 knots, over all waters of Solomon Islands, and seas will be moderate to rough with moderate south to southwest swells 2.5-3.5 metres.
The SIMS urged sea travellers to consider safety actions, as such winds can produce dangerous wave conditions, which are hazardous to small boats
They further add that associated clouds and heavy rain with thunderstorms are expected to affect all provinces and may lead to possible landslides and flash flooding over communities living near hill slopes, close to large rivers, streams and low-lying areas.
The SIMS therefore strongly advised people to take safety measures to avoid danger and loss of life during this wet and windy season.

By RODRICK DESURI
Auki
Food gardens have been washed away and leaf-houses have had their roofs blown off in Bira and surrounding communities in West Kwaio, Malaita province.
This follows the ongoing bad weather experienced across the country.
Bira community elder, Abraham Taloinao confirmed to the paper yesterday [Jan 28] afternoon that people living along the Bira River reported their food gardens washed away yesterday afternoon.
“Yes, from the information I received, a few food gardens of community members have been washed away by the Bira River,” he said.
“As for the damage to houses, there is no actual damage to any house, except for the roofs of the leaf-houses that were blown off by the strong wind.”
He said villagers are staying indoors and listening for weather updates from social media and media outlets in the country.
“Here at Bira, we just stay indoors, have less movement, and have survived on what we have prepared.
“We just listen for the weather updates from our media outlets and social media, like the meteorological service’s Facebook page, for related information,” he said.

Council of trade unions challenges legality of ‘No jab, no job’ policy from covid-19 used by Attorney General to block new appointment for SICAC’s director general position

BY JOHN HOUANIHAU
The trades union council has called on the national government to act and clarify whether the ‘No jab, no job’ covid-19 policy is still being implemented.
Tony Kagovai, president of the Solomon Islands Council of Trade Unions (SICTU), in a statement yesterday [Jan 26] questioned the continued validity, legality and moral justification of the government’s “No Jab, No Job” policy and called for government’s urgent action.
The SICTU statement comes in light of the Attorney General’s rejection of Solomon Kalu for the Director General position at the Solomon Islands Independent Commission Against Corruption (SIICAC).
Mr Kalu, a former chairman of the Leadership Code Commission, a lawyer, and the current Team Leader for Governance at the United Nations Development Programme country office, was recommended for the role by an independent interview panel.
SIICAC has remained without a substantive Director General since the expiry of John Kouni’s contract in April last year.
Despite the panel’s recommendation, Attorney General John Muria Junior advised the Judicial and Legal Service Commission (JLSC) to reject Mr Kalu’s appointment, citing his alleged non-compliance with the former government’s “No Jab, No Job” COVID-19 policy.
Kalu was one of three candidates interviewed for the position, alongside former Director General John Kouni and former Law Reform Commission Chairman Frank Paulsen.
Mr Kagovai, in the SICTU statement, said the policy, enacted during the height of the global health crisis, is now an outdated policy that continues to unfairly victimise hardworking citizens across our nation.
He said the disciplinary employment conditions attached to vaccine mandates are no longer defensible, as the public health landscape has evolved significantly.
He said that the policy’s enforcement constitutes a severe violation of workers’ rights, including the right to fair treatment, the right to work, and the right to freedom from discrimination, causing immense personal and financial hardship for many Solomon Islanders and their families, who were unjustly separated from their livelihoods in both the public service and the private sector.
President Kagovai calls on the Government to immediately invalidate and officially rescind the outdated “No Jab, No Job” policy across all sectors, and for the Recall and Reinstatement of all workers in the public service and private sector who were unfairly targeted, suspended, or terminated as a result of this policy.
These citizens must be restored to their positions with their full rights, benefits, and seniority recognised according to Kagovai.
He calls on the government and all Employers across Solomon Islands to immediately cease using this policy as grounds for any employment decision.
He said continued enforcement against workers is unacceptable and will be viewed as an act of bad faith and victimisation.
He said that SICTU stand in solidarity with any worker further targeted by this defunct policy.
He further said that SICTU is actively studying the legal foundations of this policy at the time of its enactment and its current validity under the nation’s laws and constitutional protections.
He said that the SICTU preliminary assessment raises serious legal questions regarding its proportionality and its infringement on fundamental rights.
He said SICTU will consider options, including seeking legal redress through the courts to challenge the policy’s legality and to secure justice for the victims if the government fails to act promptly and justly to rectify this injustice.
“Our nation must move forward with unity and compassion, not with policies that divide and punish. We urge the Government to do the right thing, restore dignity to our people, and repeal this unjust policy without delay,” he said.
The Solomon Star newspaper broke the news on Monday this week.
Kalu confirmed receiving the ‘written decision of the JLSC’ but declined to comment further, the SolStar report said.

BY JUNELYN KELLY

Aaron Bara Pitaqae has been appointed as the new Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Women, Youth, Children and Family Affairs (MWYCFA).
Mr Pitaqae is no stranger to the Ministry, having served in several senior leadership roles, including Deputy Secretary and Director of Research, Policy Planning and Information, a statement by the Government Communications Unit (GCU) yesterday said.
His appointment reflects continuity, institutional knowledge, and a strong commitment to advancing the Ministry’s mandate to promote gender equality, protect children and families, and empower women and youth across the country, the GCU statement said.
Pitaqae has held senior positions within the Solomon Islands Government, including Chief Planning Officer in the Social Sector Division at the Ministry of Development Planning and Aid Coordination.
His career also spans the education sector, where he served as a senior secondary school teacher, head of department, and local tutor with the University of the South Pacific, contributing to human capital development at both secondary and tertiary levels, GCU said.
Pitaqae holds a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership from the University of Wollongong in Australia, along with Bachelor’s Degrees in Arts, Management and Public Administration, Sociology, and a Graduate Certificate in Education from the University of the South Pacific, GCU said.
His academic background is complemented by professional training in project management, monitoring and evaluation, humanitarian assistance, disaster response, and gender statistics.
Pitaqae has been actively involved in community and civic leadership, serving in various capacities within tribal development committees, alumni associations, and civil society groups, reflecting his long-standing advocacy for education, social responsibility, and community development, GCU said.
As Permanent Secretary, Pitaqae is expected to provide strategic leadership to strengthen policy implementation, service delivery, and coordination across government and development partners, in line with national priorities and the Government’s commitment to inclusive and sustainable development.

BY BEN BILUA
Gizo
MEMBER of Provincial Assembly (MPA) for Ward 7 (Vonunu, Vella La Vella) in Western Province, Rence Sore, has condemned the recent stabbing incidents and called for collective intervention to address the growing problem.
In an interview with Island Sun, he said the recent incident in Vella is a wake-up call for both the National and Provincial Governments to support and strengthen traditional governance systems, churches and community policing across the country.
Sore said such stabbings would not have occurred if traditional governance, ecclesia (church) and community policing were properly strengthened and supported at the community level.
He said traditional governance must be recognised and empowered so that chiefs can work closely with tribal members to maintain peace and harmony within their communities.
Sore also called on church leaders to strengthen pastoral visits in communities and encourage youths to actively participate in church-based activities as a way of guiding positive behaviour.
He said community policing remains one of the best strategies to curb community disturbances, harmful lifestyles and criminal activities.
“Government, both National and Provincial, must support community policing. There must be budgetary and personnel support.
“In the absence of these interventions, stabbing incidents, substance abuse and other criminal activities will continue in our rural communities,” Sore said.
He said such incidents are not isolated issues that communities can address on their own.
“These issues are happening everywhere in our country, and solving them requires collective efforts from government, churches, traditional leaders and communities working together,” Sore said.