BY SAMIE WAIKORI

The Yato Conservation Project in the East Makira region of Makira Ulawa Province is set to be launched in March this year.

This milestone event will mark the official recognition of the project after it was declared a protected area by the Solomon Islands Government under the Protected Areas Act of 2010 in November 2025.

Premier Stanley Siapu of Makira Ulawa Province spoke to this paper about the upcoming launch, expressing heartfelt gratitude to the communities, tribes, national government, and partners who have contributed to this significant achievement.

He said the Yato Conservation Project encompasses the largest protected area in the Solomon Islands, spanning 12,000 hectares of primary, pristine rainforest.

Premier Siapu said this marks the third conservation area to be declared under the Protected Areas Act 2010 in the province, joining two other projects in Ward 10 of Bauro region and Ward 19 of Rawa region.

In a statement that published this achievement, it says Yato is home to a rich array of biodiversity, including numerous species of plants and animals’ endemic to Makira. The area also contains culturally significant sites, such as tabu (sacred) locations and caves.

The primary goal of the Yato Conservation Program is to preserve Makira’s unique natural ecosystems, prevent destructive commercial logging and mining, and provide sustainable benefits to the local Yato communities.

An integral part of the project includes the development of a forest carbon trading program, offering an alternative income source for local communities, which reduces the reliance on logging.

Premier Siapu said the program aligns with his government’s policy to advocate for sustainable management of the province’s natural resources.

His government has consistently opposed logging in the province, and this achievement is a testament to their efforts.

The launch was scheduled to coincide with the MUP provincial assembly meeting, ensuring that all provincial Members of the Provincial Assembly (MPAs) can participate in the historic event.

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By RODRICK DESURI 

Auki 

Malaita’s capital, Auki is seeing a surge of people converging there in search of ships to return to Honiara.

And, with only few ships serving, a lot of people are still waiting in Auki.

Yesterday, Auki wharf was flooded as hundreds descended on the three ships docked there – Pelican 1 and 2, and Auki Express.

But, only less then half could make it onboard these ships.

Witnesses say it was chaotic as passengers rushed in and out of the fast-crafts, causing luggage to go missing and parents to forget their children.

Police also held Pelican 1 for almost three hours because of overloading. 

A stranded passenger, who requested to remain anonymous, said he had been trying to travel to Auki from his village since Saturday last week, hoping to board one of the vessels but was denied because he did not have a ticket.

He said he would have to wait to purchase another ticket before traveling. 

“I came on Saturday and hoped that I would travel today, but I was called out of Pelican 1 because I don’t have a ticket.

“So, tomorrow I will try my best to get a ticket before boarding,” he said.

Malaita Provincial Police Commander, Superintendent Michael Ramosaea, also warned passengers to plan their travel first.

He said that this is to avoid problems and loss of luggage.

“Today at the wharf, we received a report that a man lost his bag. The bag contained three red money notes and $3,000 in cash at the wharf,” he said.

He said that before traveling, passengers need to follow instructions and messages from vessel crews and carefully look out for their belongings.

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By BEN BILUA
Gizo

GIZO Town Council is optimistic about delivering two major projects before the end of this year as part of efforts to strengthen governance and improve essential services in the provincial capital.

In an interview with Island Sun, Clerk of Gizo Town Council, Mr. Charles Kelly, said the two priority projects are the review of the Gizo and Noro Town Council Ordinance, and the proposal for a proper landfill and cemetery for Gizo.

He said the review of the existing Gizo and Noro Council Ordinance is a complex and demanding process that requires extensive paperwork and legal procedures.

“It will take a legal team to review the existing ordinance, compile a new draft, then submit it to the Attorney General’s Office for scrutiny and endorsement.

“If you look at the process itself, it is huge,” Kelly said.

He said the implementation and harmonisation of the revised ordinance to meet the expectations of both Gizo and Noro towns would be another major undertaking.

According to Kelly, the vision behind the ordinance review is to zone both Gizo and Noro, with elected leaders representing each zone.

“He or she will be acting like the mayor of both councils,” Kelly said.

He said such a structure will provide a clear chain of command within the councils and significantly improve service delivery.

Kelly said the long-term goal is to establish a stand-alone town council with clearly defined responsibilities to support the growth and development of both towns.

“At the moment, Gizo Town Council is a division within the Western Provincial Government. What we want is to establish a stand-alone entity,” he said.

On the proposed landfill and cemetery, Kelly said the plan is still in the pipeline and awaits further discussions with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Western Provincial Government.

“Having a proper cemetery and landfill will be a huge bonus for Gizo as a growing town with an increasing population,” he said.

Kelly expressed confidence that with continued support and collaboration from stakeholders, the council will be able to progress both projects within the year.

Photo: Supplied

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By RODRICK DESURI 

Auki 

Vessels serving Malaita Province have been warned to follow marine instructions and regulations for the safety of their passengers.

This is to avoid a tragedy occurring during trips from Auki to Honiara and vice versa. 

Malaita Provincial Police Commander, Superintendent Michael Ramosaea, told Island Sun Auki this in an interview yesterday.

He said a tragedy nearly happened on Monday morning (yesterday) at Auki wharf when passengers overloaded Pelican 1.

He said police had to step in and ask some passengers to leave the vessel for the safety of everyone.

He also said that police escorted the captain of the vessel to the police station for questioning and warned him about marine regulations. 

“Yes, the Pelican 1 vessel nearly sunk. Luckily, my officers were there and got hold of them.

“So, they escorted the vessel’s captain for questioning and reminded him of the marine regulations. We had to tell some passengers to walk out from the vessel before we let go of them,” he said.

He said since the country is experiencing changing weather, all vessels must abide by and follow marine regulations to avoid tragedy.

Of the thousands of people who flooded the Auki wharf yesterday morning, less than half of them traveled by the three fast-running vessels: Pelican 1 and 2, and Auki Express.

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BY SAMIE WAIKORI

The Premier of Temotu Province, Stanley Tehiahua, will lead a delegation to Torba province in Vanuatu this month.

The visit’s purpose is to officially sign a trade agreement between the two provinces—Torba and Temotu—an initiative that has been in the works for the past year.

This agreement covers significant trade links between the two provinces of Solomon Islands and Vanuatu.

Premier Tehiahua said the signing of this agreement will create avenues for meaningful trade and exchange programs between the two provinces.

“We have been working on this agreement for some time, and while I was initially waiting from the national government, I decided to move forward with the deal.

“All the formalities have been completed, and our counterparts have also made the necessary preparations,” he said.

The premier also mentioned that the trip will allow him to explore business opportunities in Torba and evaluate how Temotu can benefit from these ventures.

“For example, small businesses are coming up, as well as many areas with potential for growth and investment in the province,” he said.

According to Premier Tehiahua, the trade agreement aligns with the province’s policy priorities for this year, particularly in the productive sector.

“We are hopeful that this trade deal will yield positive results and bring significant benefits, especially if both the provincial and national governments collaborate effectively.

“I would also like to thank the governments of Solomon Islands and Vanuatu for their continued support of this trade agreement,” he said.

The Premier said soon as everything is in place, they will begin their journey, traveling by Outboard Motor (OBM) from Lata, Temotu, to Torba province.

Photo: VBTC

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BY NED GAGAHE

Solomon Islands National University (SINU) and the Ministry of Police, National Security and Correctional Services (MPNSCS) have signed a three-year Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to strengthen security education and training in the country.

The MOU was signed on Monday, January 12, 2026, and focuses on enhancing SINU’s security programmes through closer collaboration with key law enforcement and national security stakeholders.

The agreement seeks to strengthen the design and delivery of tertiary programmes relevant to the security sector, support training and capacity building, and ensure that all security-related programmes are aligned with national security priorities and local context.

Acting Vice-Chancellor and Pro Vice-Chancellor Academic, Associate Professor Eric Katovai, said the partnership reflects a shared commitment to strengthening Solomon Islands’ national security through education, research and professional development, a statement from SINU said.

“For a small island nation such as ours, security, justice and the rule of law are foundational to stability, sustainable development and social cohesion,” Dr Katovai said.

He said the partnership will enable SINU to expand its academic and research capacity in security-related fields, including the development of postgraduate programmes, short professional courses and applied research aligned with national needs.

Dr Katovai also acknowledged the Faculty of Education and Humanities, which will be responsible for implementing the MOU on behalf of SINU.

He said the collaboration positions SINU to play a stronger national role in evidence-based policy support, leadership development and institutional strengthening across the security sector.

“The shared aspiration to explore the establishment of a Solomon Islands Institute for Law Enforcement and Security Studies is particularly significant, reflecting a long-term vision to build a national centre of excellence,” he said.

MPNSCS Permanent Secretary, Karen Galokale, said the ministry is fully committed to the partnership and welcomes the signing as a milestone for both institutions.

Also present at the signing was Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade Minister-Counsellor (Political), Stephanie Aeuckens, who congratulated SINU and MPNSCS and reaffirmed Australia’s continued support.

Under the MOU, SINU will lead the development, accreditation and delivery of security and law enforcement programmes, provide teaching staff and facilities, integrate practitioner input, and seek external partnerships to ensure sustainability.

MPNSCS will support programme relevance, facilitate secondment of officers from RSIPF, CSSI and other divisions, encourage staff participation, provide access to policy documents and data, and help align training outcomes with the National Security Strategy and other frameworks.

The MOU takes effect immediately and will remain valid for three years.

Photo credit: SINU

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