BY BEN BILUA
Gizo

SOME landowners in the G24 and G25 mining tenements on San Jorge Island have raised concerns over the distribution of benefit payments from Far East Resources Mining Company, claiming that the funds have not reached the rightful landowners.

A number of land trustees from the two tenements alleged that they did not receive any share of recent payments made by the mining company and questioned the role of the San Jorge Island Landowners Association (SJILA) in administering the funds.

The landowners claimed the association failed to properly recognize the legitimate landowners of the tenements and instead directed benefits to a selected group of individuals.

“We have been waiting for our shares for ages,” one landowner, who requested anonymity, said.

“What we do not understand is how the association is leading an organisation that is supposed to represent all landowners.

“This is insane and some of us are serious about addressing these challenges by taking the matter to court if nothing is done,” he added.

The concerns emerged following announcements that Far East Resources had made a series of payments during the second quarter of 2026 as part of its commitments to landowners and the Isabel Provincial Government.

According to information released by the company, Far East Resources paid SBD100,000 in surface access fees for the quarter, disbursed more than SBD60,000 in compensation, and allocated SBD100,000 for community development assistance.

The company also delivered SBD1.25 million in quarterly payments to the Isabel Provincial Government.

Far East Resources stated that it has maintained its financial obligations and remains one of the few mining operators consistently meeting its commitments.

The San Jorge Island Landowners Association confirmed receiving the payments on behalf of landowners and said it would oversee the disbursement process to ensure the funds are distributed appropriately.

Association representatives welcomed the payments, describing them as a significant benefit for communities on San Jorge.

“These payments are a welcome relief for our people. It shows that when agreements are honoured, both the landowners and the wider province benefit. We will ensure the funds are used responsibly for the good of San Jorge,” an association representative said.

However, dissatisfied landowners insist that transparency and accountability are needed in the distribution process and are calling on the association to explain how beneficiaries are identified and payments allocated.

The dispute highlights ongoing concerns surrounding benefit-sharing arrangements in resource development projects, with affected landowners demanding greater inclusion in decisions that directly affect their rights and entitlements.

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BY CHARLES STENNETT

The Solomon Islands Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SICCI), strongly condemns the latest series of attacks in Belaha, Central Guadalcanal, warning that ongoing security incidents will severely undermine visitor confidence and threaten livelihoods of small business operators across the country.

SICCI in a statement yesterday, also calls on the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF), to act swiftly and decisively to restore law and order in the area adding that the current security situation is directly impacting the tourism sector and Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), particularly those operating outside of Honiara who rely on safe travel corridors and a stable environment for trade and commerce.

“These attacks are not just isolated incidents; they are sending a dangerous signal to both domestic and international visitors.

“When visitor confidence is dampened, the ripple effect is felt immediately by our SMEs, tourism operators, and local vendors. Many of these businesses are already operating on thin margins, and any disruption to tourism flows has a devastating impact on employment and family incomes,” said James Dolarii, SICCI Chief Executive Officer.

SICCI says the security situation in Belaha is closely linked to the Government’s commitment to local content development adding that for the local content to work—and for Solomon Islanders to truly benefit from economic opportunities and resource development—there must first be a safe and stable environment.

“The Government’s local content commitment is a cornerstone of our national economic aspirations. However, you cannot promote local enterprise and skills transfer if businesses cannot operate safely.

“Investment in local capacity is contingent in a secure environment. Without safety, there is no business, and without business, there are no jobs or skills development for our local workforce,” Mr Dolarii added.

The ongoing instability is also casting a long shadow over the broader Solomon Islands business environment and deterring potential investors.

SICCI warns that security concerns are now a primary factor in investment decisions, eroding the confidence that is essential for sustainable economic growth and prosperity.

The Chambers says investor confidence is fragile and is built on predictability and safety, adding that for such local content initiatives to thrive, the safety of visitors and operators must be guaranteed.

“If we cannot guarantee the safety of people and assets, we risk losing the gains we have made in attracting foreign investment. This directly contradicts our national goals of economic diversification and resilience.”

SICCI urges all stakeholders to work collaboratively with the RSIPF to ensure that perpetrators are brought to justice and that long-term security solutions are implemented to protect communities and businesses alike.

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BY CHARLES STENNETT

The New Zealand High Commission has been supporting schools in Guadalcanal Province through its Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) programme since 2016.

Through its ongoing support, the New Zealand High Commission has partnered with UNICEF, the Solomon Islands Government, and the Guadalcanal Provincial Government through the “WASH in Schools” Programme to improve water and sanitation services in schools.

The New Zealand High Commission Office says since the program started in 2016 and it has supported forty-two schools across Guadalcanal Province and is now expanding to an additional twenty schools.

More than thirteen-thousand students and five hundred teachers have benefited from improved Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) infrastructure, services, and training.

The High Commission says these investments have helped schools to become healthier, safer, and more supportive for children while strengthening access to essential services for communities across the province.

Just last week, the New Zealand High Commission handed over thirty-nine water tanks to thirty villages in the Tasimboko ward of Guadalcanal province addressing one of the communities’ health issues.

The handing over of the water tanks by the New Zealand’s High Commissioner, Jonathan Curr was witnessed by officials from the New Zealand High Commission, the Guadalcanal Provincial Assembly Member and hundreds of villagers.

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BY BEN BILUA
Gizo

A disaster officer based in Gizo said some recovery programmes have already started reaching affected communities, despite concerns raised over the pace of recovery operations in recent months.

The officer explained that delays in the recovery process were largely caused by the time required to compile and verify the Initial Damage Assessment (IDA) report, which serves as the foundation to plan and coordinate recovery activities.

He said persistent bad weather and the geographical challenges of Western Province are two major factors to the slow progress.

The officer said Western Province consists of scattered islands spread across a vast area, making transportation and access to affected communities difficult, particularly during rough sea conditions.

He said the completion of the IDA report marks an important milestone and allows authorities to move forward with the development of a comprehensive recovery plan.

“With the IDA report now completed, the next stage is to develop the recovery plan that will guide all recovery activities,” the officer said.

He said the Ministry of Rural Development (MRD) is expecting to lead the preparation of the recovery plan, while other government ministries and agencies are expected to provide technical support in their respective areas of expertise.

The officer said the recovery plan will outline priority interventions and identify resources required to restore damaged infrastructure, livelihoods and essential services affected by the cyclone.

“Once the plan is finalised, provincial sectors and relevant stakeholders will be expected to implement recovery programmes according to the priorities and strategies identified in the document,” he said.

The officer said government agencies at the provincial level must be prepared to carry out recovery activities efficiently once the plan is endorsed.

“Different sectors within the province must be ready to implement the recovery efforts based on the recovery plan once it is completed,” he said.

Tropical Cyclone Maila caused widespread damage across parts of Western Province earlier this year, affecting homes, food gardens, community infrastructure and livelihoods.

Authorities hope the completion of the recovery plan will accelerate rehabilitation efforts and help affected communities rebuild and restore normalcy in the months ahead.

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BY TONY IROGA

The Solomon Islands Meteorological Service (SIMS) has renewed its strong wind warning for all Solomon Islands waters, urging the public and sea travellers to remain cautious as hazardous marine conditions persist.

In Strong Wind Warning Number 89 statement issued at 4:00pm yesterday, SIMS said a trough north of the country, combined with a prevailing southeasterly wind flow, continues to generate strong winds across the nation’s waters.

SIMS said southeasterly winds of 15 to 25 knots are expected, with moderate to rough seas and southeasterly swells ranging between 2.3 and 3.5 metres.

“People in those areas should take precautionary measures as such strong winds have the potential to impact lives and properties,” SIMS said.

SIMS also warns that poor visibility is expected in showers and thunderstorm areas, increasing the risks for those travelling at sea.

“Sea travellers are urged to consider safety actions as such winds can produce dangerous wave conditions which are hazardous to small boats,” SIMS said.

The latest advisory follows SIMS’ earlier appeal for the public to remain vigilant and prioritise safety while the adverse weather conditions continue.

SIMS also reminds the public to share the warning with people living with disabilities to ensure everyone has access to the latest weather information.

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PNG, SI to host first joint investment conference

BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

The first Papua New Guinea–Solomon Islands Investment Conference will be held in Honiara next month.

The conference is set to bring together government leaders, investors, business executives and development partners to strengthen economic cooperation between the two neighbouring Melanesian countries, according to Solomon Islands Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SICCI).

The two-day conference is scheduled for 19–20 August 2026 at the Heritage Park Hotel under the theme, “From Opportunity to Investment: Building the PNG–Solomon Islands Growth Corridor”.

The event is jointly organised by the Papua New Guinea Solomon Islands Business Council Inc. and SICCI.

According to promotional information released by the organisers, the conference will provide a platform for participants to discuss investment opportunities and strengthen trade and commercial partnerships between the two countries.

Key sectors to be highlighted include trade, infrastructure, mining, tourism, agriculture and finance, with discussions expected to focus on unlocking new business opportunities and encouraging cross-border investment.

The conference will also provide opportunities for investors and businesses to engage directly with government leaders, chief executive officers and development partners on projects that can drive economic growth in both countries.

Organisers are encouraging interested participants to register before the 11 August 2026 deadline. Registration can be completed through the Solomon Islands Chamber of Commerce and Industry website.

The inaugural conference is expected to mark a significant step towards expanding economic cooperation and private sector partnerships between Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands.

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