BY BEN BILUA
GIZO

THE signing of Surface Access Right Agreement to kick start mining operation at San Jorge Island in Isabel Province has been done in a flash.

Most landowners were kept in the dark making the signing questionable.

Report reaching this paper states that the agreement was signed on 18th September, at the Far East Mining Camp in Bugusile.

Reports indicate that the San Jorge Landowners Association hand-picked certain individuals they labelled as “landowners,” transported them to Bugusile Camp, and instructed them to sign the agreement.

In an interview, chief Paul Fota of Talise village said he was not aware of the signing.

He said a meeting was held prior to the signing but not all the people so as resource owners attended the meeting.

Fota said the signing comes as a surprise to people of Talise as the community was busy with the consecration of Anglican Priests and deacons on the day that the signing took place.

“As chiefs and also resource owners, we should be properly informed about this development. I think this process has been executed by those who are in favour of mining not the majority,” he said.

Island Sun understands that such a process undermines the spirit of genuine consultation and meaningful participation, which are the very foundations of landowner consent.

Excluding rightful stakeholders not only violates traditional land governance systems but also plants seeds of division among the landowning communities.

The land belongs to clans and tribes, and decisions that will affect generations must be made collectively, not dictated by a select few. It is still unclear how much money the landowners received.

It is obvious that the signing of the SARA was driven by a faction of individuals within the San Jorge Landowners Association, rather than being a product of consensus.

The future of the land and its resources should not be gambled away in closed-door dealings.

Genuine development requires honest dialogue, fair consultation, and respect for the voices of all rightful landowners.

When agreements are rushed or manipulated in this way, they rarely bring about sustainable development; instead, they create conflict and mistrust.

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Vaidam Health-Solomon Islands’ first patient recovering well after successful neck surgery in India

BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

A new channel to access quality medical treatment in India has seen its first patient recovering well after a successful neck surgery.

Vaidam Health – Solomon Islands is an organisation which helps facilitate medical treatment in India, covering transport to and from India, accommodation and engagements with hospitals in India.

The first Solomon Islander patient, who travelled to India under the Vaidam Health – SI, is recovering well after a successful neck surgery performed on Thursday this week at Artemis Hospital in India.

Dr Pedical Togamae, an experienced Emergency Doctor from the Togamae Private Emergency Clinic is the Vaidam Health agent in Honiara, Solomon Islands.

Mr Togamae said it took only six days from arrival to surgery, which is good for the patient, and relatives are overwhelmed with the news.

“Speaking with him yesterday brought great joy to the Vaidam Health Solomon team,” Togamae said.

According to the timeline of the patient’s journey, on August 27, he was examined by a private doctor in Guadalcanal Province in Honiara, Solomon Islands.

Togamae said that the patient then underwent an ultrasound and CT scan at the National Referral Hospital (NRH) and contacted Dr Togamaeto to discuss his health issue.

“During our conversation, we discussed the likely diagnosis, the additional tests needed to be performed, and how soon those tests could be conducted at NRH. After our discussion, he decided to seek medical investigation and treatment in India,” Dr Togamae said.

The patient arrived in India on September 12 and met with the head and neck surgeon later that same afternoon.

“All necessary blood tests were conducted on his arrival day, while an MRI and Fine Needle Aspiration (FNA) were performed the following day,” Togamae said.

He was reviewed on Tuesday, September 16 and surgery was scheduled for Thursday, September 18.

He was admitted early Thursday morning, and the surgery proceeded without any complications.

Preparing the required travel documents took 14 days, and these documents included:

1. Passports

2. Indian medical e-visa (took 48-72 hours from the time we submitted to the time it was available)

3. Airlines Medical Fitness Report (for Air Niugini and Singapore) – it took 24-48 hours from the time submitted to be ready.

Dr Togamaeto, the patient, is expected to be discharged on Saturday or Sunday, 21st September 2025.

“We are excited to announce that Dr Pedical Togamae, an experienced Emergency Doctor from the Togamae Private Emergency Clinic, is now our agent in Honiara, Solomon Islands!

“Togamae is enthusiastic about enhancing healthcare options for fellow islanders seeking treatment in India. He recently toured hospitals that have successfully treated Vaidam Health patients.

“During a recent trip to India, he served as an escort doctor for a patient at Max Hospital through Medivisor, another similar scheme, gaining valuable insights into the care available for Solomon Islands patients,” said Vaidam Health – Solomon Islands.

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BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

The 1.5 degrees Celsius threshold is an international objective, set forth by the Paris Agreement, with the aim to prevent the most severe impacts of climate change by capping the average global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels.

Achieving this target greatly mitigates the risks associated with heightened extreme heat, endangered ecosystems, diminished agricultural output, and accelerated sea-level rise, particularly for at-risk populations such as low-lying island nations.

“In Paris, we had a Paris agreement. Since then, the science and other decisions have made it very clear that 1.5 is the limit that is safe for all of us. And the advisory opinion said it’s 1.5. We’re not talking about 2 anymore, it’s 1.5,” Tina Stege, the climate envoy for the Republic of the Marshall Islands, said.

Speaking during a side event at this year’s 54th PIF in Honiara, she said that while leaders are anticipating the COP 31 to continue to deliver on decisions and commitments that have already been made, considering COP30 is also vital.

Stege stressed that before we get to COP 31, we need to make sure we have a good foundation at COP 30 to do some of the things that have just been discussed.

“For example, a roadmap for transitioning away from fossil fuels,” she said.

Stege voiced that they want this to happen first in the Pacific but also want the world to be going in that same direction and to follow the Pacific’s lead once again.

“So, the expectations are high for COP 31, and we look to working with the entire region, including Australia, to make sure we’re getting those good outcomes this year.

“With the ICJ-AO (International Court of Justice Advisory Opinion) now, make it clear what we need to do so that we can have a COP 31 that really delivers on the promises that have been made in the past and the ones that we’re looking forward to being made in the future,” Stege stressed.

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By RODRICK DESURI

AUKI

People in the rural communities of the Kwaio region, Malaita Province are calling for income generating projects.

Income generating projects include seaweed farming, piggery, poultry, fuel depot, and farming tools and equipment and building equipment.

A community elder in West Kwaio, Andrew Safita said these projects are regarded as ‘active projects’ and all constituency offices should prioritise them for the rural communities in their constituencies using the Rural Constituency Development Fund.

He said when people receive active projects, they will get engaged, earn income from it, and can afford anything that they want rather than running after MPs for free cash.

“They can afford important things like school fees, church and community contributions, and family essential basic needs.

“Also, we will engage our young school dropouts, women, and children who have nothing to do in our communities,” he said.

He stated that giving out projects like housing schemes and solar initiatives is making people lazy and causes them to wait for free cash giveaways every time.

Meanwhile, Security Officer Stewart Kaimauri also echoed the same sentiment, saying leaders need to work together with the rural communities.

He mentioned that in the Baegu Asifola constituency, the Member of Parliament should work together and make careful observations.

“In Asifola, most rural people live along the coastal areas. They should be given projects like seaweed farming,” he stressed.

He emphasized that training is what needs to be facilitated to broaden their skills and knowledge about such projects.

“We have line ministries and aid donors, and this is where our leaders seek funding for such projects and training,” he said.

He added that through these projects, rural communities can be supported in many different ways to improve their livelihoods.

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By RODRICK DESURI 

AUKI 

A dental team from Kilu’ufi Hospital will visit rural communities in East Kwaio and southern part Malaita Province next week.

Acting Chief Dental Officer of Kilu’ufi Hospital, Stewart Kaimauri said as part of their outreach programme, their visit will start from September 22 till the 4^th of October.

He stated that the main outreach activities which will be open for everyone include; dental consultations, tooth extractions, dental awareness in a few schools, and dental referrals.

“Our outreach program has been set for East Kwaio and Southern Malaita, but I think other communities or villages will miss out.

“For communities that want us to come to your areas, we will come if your community has more patients,” he said.

Meanwhile, Kaimauri mentioned that in Malaita Province, Kilu’ufi Hospital, Malu’u, and the newly opened Atoifi clinic offer dental services.

He said they plan to visit communities and areas that reach out to their dental clinic for a visit to their communities.

“Many other communities and areas want us to visit them, but for the start, we will begin in Southern Malaita,” he said.

The Kilu’ufi Dental Clinic outreach program is supported and funded by the Australian government.

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By RODRICK DESURI 

AUKI 

The people of Baegu-Asifolu constituency in Malaita province are interested in seaweed farming and coastal communities are leading the call for their Member of Parliament to help introduce the initiative there.

A security officer, Ben Abana Oketa, said seaweed farming is one of the initiatives that he is calling on leaders, especially their Member of Parliament for Baegu Asifola constituency, to initiate in their coastal communities. 

He said projects like seaweed farming is very easy for people to do, and it can support rural communities to generate income and in turn, people involved can be able afford basic essential needs.

“Seaweed farming is an easy project that the coastal communities of Asifola can focus on, and it can support them in generating income.

“When they generate income from seaweed farming, they can afford their children’s tuition fees, basic essential needs of the family, and their livelihoods,” he said.

In the meantime, Oketa mentioned that the only thing they will need for that project is training and project materials.

He added that it can be easier once the Members of Parliament seeks funding through line ministries to facilitate the projects.

“Yes, line government ministries like the Ministry of Fisheries and aid donors can support such initiatives. The only thing is our Members of Parliament need to seek it,” he said.

He also said that most of the constituencies in the country have done this for coastal communities.

“If other MPs have done it for their coastal communities, why not we, Asifola?” he said.

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BY MORRIS NAFU

The Correctional Service of Solomon Islands (CSSI) is currently facing a significant challenge with overcrowding in its prison facilities across the country.

This issue was brought to light during the recent Public Service Bill 2025 hearing held on Wednesday, where CSSI Commissioner Mactus Forau appeared before the Bills and Legislative Committee (BLC).

Mr Forau revealed that all prison facilities in the country can only cater to 645 inmates.

However, the current inmate population has reached 545, pushing the limits of available space. The overcrowding situation has become so severe that some inmates are forced to sleep on the floor due to a shortage of beds, which are fully occupied.                                                                                         

The problem is particularly acute in smaller provincial prisons, with Rove and Tetere prisons being among the few facilities that are still operational yet struggle to manage the increasing numbers.

Forau highlighted that these smaller institutions are under immense pressure as they try to accommodate more inmates than their intended capacity.

In response to this pressing issue, the CSSI is planning to introduce a new policy that aims to address minor crimes through community sentencing under the Justice (CSJ) framework.

This innovative approach seeks to reduce the burden on prison facilities by allowing convicts to serve their sentences within the community, under the supervision of designated officers.

Commissioner Forau emphasized that community sentencing not only helps alleviate overcrowding but also supports the rehabilitation of offenders by keeping them integrated within their communities.

This strategy represents a progressive step towards managing the correctional system more effectively while ensuring justice is served in a humane and sustainable manner.

The CSSI’s move towards community-based sentencing marks a hopeful development in tackling the overcrowding crisis, promising a more balanced and compassionate approach to corrections in the Solomon Islands.

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