BY SAMIE WAIKORI

Opposition Leader, Matthew Wale says professionalism is the key cornerstone in the public service bureaucracy.

He said among areas a healthy public service must have policy execution and bureaucracy is responsible for the doing—taking the laws and policies enacted by the legislative and executive branches and turning them into actionable programs.

“Examples include running schools, managing hospitals, maintaining infrastructure, and collecting taxes and so on,” Wale said.

He pointed out that public servants should also be career professionals and experts in their field as specialisation ensures that complex policy details are handled with technical competence and professional knowledge.

The Member of Parliament for Aoke/Langalanga said this is to ensure tasks are clearly broken down and assigned to specialized expert officials, leading to greater competence and efficiency.

On the same note, he highlighted that a clear hierarchical structure and division of labor streamline operations define who is responsible for which decisions and tasks.

“This structure, maximizes efficiency and allows for better coordination and control. There is a clear, fixed chain of command and control, ensuring accountability and coordination.

“The buck has to stop somewhere. Someone must bear responsibility for decisions and actions taken within the structure of the public service,” Wale said.

He also stressed the need for organizational memory, through which extensive record-keeping, where the bureaucracy maintains continuity and organizational memory.

“This allows government operations to follow precedent, learn from past experience, and function seamlessly, even as elected political leaders change.

“This also ensures precedence is respected and provides certainty and predictability of decision making,” Wale said.

He stressed that well-functioning bureaucracy uses a merit-based system for hiring and promotion, where civil servants are selected based on qualifications and job performance rather than political patronage or wantok relationships.

“This commitment to professionalism is key to effective and non-partisan public service,” he said.

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BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

Mining companies have an obligation to rehabilitate the environment from damages under the mining agreement.

Minister for Mines, Energy, and Rural Electrification, Derrick Manuari highlighted this when responding to Opposition Leader, Matthew Wale about the non-payment of the environmental bond in Rennbell Bauxite mining issue.

Wale described the Rennbell issue as a terrible state of affairs and negligence of the worst kind given the fact that both companies and the contractor are no longer registered and in the country.

“In the case of the Renbel, where the environmental degradation and destruction is very large and obvious, who picks up that liability? Who will meet that? I’m not sure what the legal status is of that company,” Wale questioned.

In response, Manuari said that despite the non-payment of the environmental bond under the mining agreement, there is an obligation for the company to rehabilitate the environment from damages.

“That obligation is a legal requirement for the companies to do. Under Part 3, Section 2 of the financial assurances, under the current reforms, under the new Minerals Act it require companies to make a bond payment to the government when incur environmental damages. That money will be there for environmental rehabilitation,” he said.

He also noted that with the establishment of the Commission of Inquiry, a lot of these issues about the Renbel issue will be answered.

“Their liquidation only added up to the challenges that are supposed to us, as a government, people, and as a country on what the gaps are within the sector where, as we go along, we must find ways to ensure that that doesn’t happen again. The legislative framework, the legal framework that we are working on, have a lot of gaps.

“If we don’t patch them up, we’ll continue to face challenges like this. We all learn from the experiences that we meet as a country, a government, as people through these various operations. The best we can do is to identify, through the establishment of a Commission of Inquiry, but also ongoing legislative reforms to fill out those gaps,” Manuari said.

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Government and HALO Trust renew partnership to continue addressing UXO threat

BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

The government, through the Ministry of Police, National Security & Correctional Services (MPNSCS), has renewed a vital Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with The HALO Trust to continue nationwide efforts to address the legacy threat of unexploded ordnance (UXO) from World War II.

The renewed agreement, signed on Tuesday, extends collaboration through June 2026, reinforcing commitments to public safety, national security, and sustainable community development, a statement by MPNSCS yesterday said.

MPNSCS said this MoU renewal builds on the original partnership established in June 2023, which facilitated a comprehensive Non-Technical Survey (NTS) identifying contaminated areas and established a national UXO coordination mechanism.

The ongoing collaboration enables further surveying, enhanced capacity building for the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force’s Explosive Ordnance Disposal Team, and strengthened national oversight with transparency and respect for Solomon Islands laws and cultural protocols.

MPNSCS Permanent Secretary Karen Galokale expressed deep appreciation for The HALO Trust’s professionalism and technical expertise, and the generous financial backing from the United States Government, supporting HALO’s work with a USD 3.6 million grant.

“This renewed MoU is not just about clearing remnants of conflict but about protecting lives and enabling national progress,” Galokale said.

Emily Davis, Programme Manager of The HALO Trust Solomon Islands, voiced enthusiasm for continuing the partnership.

“We are proud to support Solomon Islands communities through non-technical surveys and risk education to reduce the threat of unexploded ordnance.

“We thank the Ministry of Police, National Security & Correctional Services for their ongoing collaboration,” Davies said.

The MPNSCS statement said UXO contamination remains a serious hazard to life and development, particularly in former World War II operational zones.

The statement said that the partnership supports the National Security Strategy 2025–2028, prioritizing the safety and security of all Solomon Islanders and enabling safer land use for agriculture, infrastructure, tourism, and economic investment.

The MPNSCS said that the Solomon Islands Government and its partners reaffirm their shared commitment toward a UXO-free Solomon Islands, fostering safer communities and a resilient future for generations to come.

Photo: Supplied

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BY BEN BILUA
Gizo

The Network for the Indigenous Peoples Solomons (NIPS) extended its support to three communities in Isabel province through the delivery of solar systems to promote clean and sustainable energy.

Over the weekend, NIPS handed over the solar systems to community leaders of Koisisi, Lelegia, and Talise villages under the initiative “Empowering Isabel: Harnessing Solar Energy for a Sustainable Future.”

According to NIPS, the support forms part of the 2025 Inter-generational Climate Microgrant – Illuminates Solomon Islands’ Future project, which seeks to transition rural communities from conventional energy sources to renewable solar power.

“The initiative stands as a beacon of hope and progress, aiming to replace conventional energy reliance with clean, solar-powered solutions,” the statement from NIPS said.

The project focuses on equipping community halls that play crucial roles during gatherings and important events. NIPS said the move promotes both environmental awareness and cost-saving measures while advancing community energy independence.

Chief Wilson Doedoke of Talise Village, speaking on behalf of the three communities, expressed gratitude for the timely support.

“We are thankful that NIPS reached out to us. Our communities will have many activities this Christmas, and these solar systems will help us lighten up the community halls,” he said.

NIPS Coordinator and project recipient, Aydah Gwaen Akao, said the initiative marks the start of a long-term partnership.

“This is not just an immediate solution; it’s a commitment to a sustainable future, underscoring the enduring collaboration between local communities and international partners,” she stated.

Through this initiative, the communities of Koisisi, Lelegia, and Talise are poised to lead by example, demonstrating how clean energy can drive resilience, empowerment, and self-sufficiency across rural Solomon Islands.

Photos: NIPS

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BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

The signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Papua New Guinea Solomon Islands Business Council (PNGSIBC) and Solomon Islands Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SICCI) comes with five strategic objectives.

SICCI Vice Chair Gordon Denty highlighted this during the PNGSIBC and SICCI, meet & greet event held at the Honiara Golf Club following the signing in Honiara last week.

“The number one is to facilitate the expansion of bilateral trade by reducing trade barriers and enhance the flow of Solomon Islands traditional exports such as cocoa, coconut and tuna into PNG markets while also expanding access for PNG goods and services here in the Solomon Islands.

“Number two is to promote cross-border investment by developing a transparent pipeline of opportunities connecting Papua New Guinea investors with high potential sectors such as agriculture, tourism, infrastructure and renewable energy,” Mr Denty said.

According to the SICCI Vice Chair the number three is enabling knowledge exchange by strengthening reciprocal learning and shared expertise, particularly in financial services.

He further said that number four objective is to advocate for shared interests through both country’s united voice to champion policies and regulations that foster a more favourable and seamless cross-border business environment between the two nations.

He said that fifth objective is the policy and framework collaboration which enables continual dialogue on policy frameworks and joint programmes that support priority sectors, particularly SME sector.

“Now to our SICCI members, this MoU is your gateway,” he said.

He said that the MoU opens new doors to partnership, reduces costs of doing business and provides reliable and trusted regional partners.

“I encourage all our members to remain engaged with SICCI, to explore and access the range of opportunities that will emerge through this collaboration.

“Together we can turn this agreement into tangible results for your enterprises.

“To our government, we deeply appreciate your continued support and vision and we look forward to working closely with you to ensure this private sector led initiative receives the enabling environment that it deserves to flourish.

“This partnership has long been a call for SICCI and we are delighted that it has finally come to fruition,” Mr Denty concluded.

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BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between Papua New Guinea Solomon Islands Business Council (PNGSIBC) and Solomon Islands Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SICCI) aims for a stronger partnership between two nations.

SICCI Vice Chair Gordon Denty said during the PNGSIBC and SICCI meet & greet event held at the Honiara Golf Club following the MoU signing in Honiara last week.

“Today, we are not only witnessing a fruition of shared vision and aspirations, but we are actively laying the foundation for a stronger partnership between our two nations. A partnership that will drive growth, prosperity, opportunity for both SI and PNG,” Mr Denty said.

He acknowledges the enduring government to government relationships, guided by the leadership of the two Prime Ministers, whose commitment has cemented the shared vision, which the two private sector institutions, the PNGSIBC and SICCI, formalised through the signing of a MoU.

“On behalf of the SICCI, I register our sincere appreciation to the Prime Ministers James Marape of PNG and the Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele of SI for their leadership and foresight in advancing this partnership,” he said.

He said that for far too long, the immense potential for trade and investment between the two economies remained underexplored while both nations family and political ties have been strong, thus commercial bridges needs reinforcement.

“MoU signing is indeed the architectural blueprint for building that bridge. This MoU lays the foundation for growing and strengthening our two economies. It represents a shared commitment to drive economic growth, build and expand trade, unlock investment opportunities and foster a more conducive environment for our enterprises to thrive,” Denty said.

He said that the MoU provides a strategic framework for deeper engagement between the private sectors of both countries, serving as a platform for dialogue, networking and collaboration and will translate into practical opportunities for trade, investment and innovation.

“Ultimately, it strengthens economic cooperation between PNG and SI to stimulate private sector growth and resilience,’’ Denty said.

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