BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele said his government welcomes the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between Papua New Guinea-Solomon Islands Business Council and the Solomon Islands Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SICCI).

He made the statement as guest speaker at the Papua New Guinea-Solomon Islands Business Council meet and greet event held at the Honiara Golf Club Friday last week.

The MoU establishes a framework for cooperation between PNGSIBC and SICCI to strengthen business linkages, facilitate trade, and promote investment.

It reflects a shared commitment to advancing private sector partnerships, charitable collaborations and fostering regional economic growth.

It was officially signed at the Solomon Breweries Head Office last week.

Speaking at the event on Friday, PM Manele said that the MoU is an important milestone to strengthen Solomon Islands’ business and economic ties with Papua New Guinea.

He said that the MoU is a platform for dialogue between the Papua New Guinea-Solomon Islands Business Council as well as SICCI for networking and innovation and collaborations on multiple avenues for trade and investment.

“But it is also an avenue that we can explore labour mobility arrangements in the private sector between our two countries as we heard from PNGSIBC President. We believe that exchange of skilled training between our countries and our people is critical to driving the economy forward,” PM Manele said.

“Greater private sector engagement between our two countries will not only expand trade and investment, but will also deepen the bonds of cooperation, cultural exchange and understanding between our two governments and peoples,” he said.

The PM said that the government looks forward to that partnership to provide an enabling policy environment that will help to enhance the growth of the private sector through this platform between the PNG Chamber of Commerce and the SICCI.

“I had a very good meeting with PNGSIBC President and his team. We discussed a number of issues, in terms of continuing to enhance business collaboration, but also exploring investment opportunities in the productive sector, which is the priority focus of my government, investments in fisheries, agriculture, in commerce, in tourism, ensuring that we have our people having that opportunity to go and train and work in Papua New Guinea and vice versa, in building on those skills to develop both our countries,” PM Manele said.

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BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

The Papua New Guinea Solomon Islands Business Council (PNGSIBC) donated SBD 30,000 to both the National Referral Hospital Cancer Unit and the Honiara Golf Club.

The donation was made during the PNGSIBC meet and greet cocktail event, which took place at the Honiara Golf Club last Friday.

John Milkare, PNGSIBC Vice President, presented a cheque of SBD 10,000 to the Honiara Golf Club and SBD 20,000 to the National Referral Hospital Cancer Unit.

These funds were generated from the inaugural WANSOL Prime Ministers Charity Golf Challenge held during the golf tournament on August 22nd.

“From the funds we collected from the entire Prime Minister’s Cup, we are donating $10,000 to the owner of the golf club, as well as to assist the force and the repairers of the golf club.

“The PNGSIBC is pleased to announce a donation of 20,000 Solomon Dollars to the National Referral Hospital’s cancer unit. This amount, 20,000 Solomon Dollars, is intended to assist in the various programs at the hospital,” said Milkare while presenting the cheques.

The WANSOL Prime Ministers Charity Golf Challenge, an initiative spearheaded by Prime Minister Marape, is scheduled to occur biennially, alternating between Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands.

This initiative underscores the role of sports as means to enhance regional collaboration and foster community welfare.

The event unites leaders, businesses, and stakeholders from both nations to generate funds for essential community development projects while reinforcing bilateral relationships.

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BY SAMIE WAIKORI

Member of Parliament for Temotu Vatu constituency, Freda Tuki Rangirei is content with provisions under the Public Service Bill 2025, which defines sexual harassment as an offense.

Speaking in parliament and contributing to the second reading of the Public Service Bill 2025 on Thursday, she voiced that sexual harassment is a serious human rights violence in the public service, according to a recent study from the Ministry of Public Service.

“And what is of great concern is the lack of protection mechanisms that ensure employees’ safety and confidence to report such cases.

“I further welcome the provision that defines sexual harassment as an offence,” she said.

She stressed that the Human Rights Management Principle ensures fair, safe, and inclusive workplace, and participatory decision-making is notable.   

She added that within a public service, there are also employees who experience challenges related to vision, hearing, mobility, and cognition.

In relation, she said currently, there is no support service framework in place to provide mechanisms that would enable persons with disabilities and those with impairments to engage meaningfully and perform their duties effectively.

Tuki highlighted the significance of these provisions in the bill for women, those with disabilities, and those most vulnerable in the public service in terms of their empowerment, safety, and protection, which cannot be overemphasized.

She also expressed her support for the passage of the Public Service Bill 2025, and for the bill to try and address some of these important areas in the public service.

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MP Tuki looks forward to Public Service Bill 2025 ensuring more females employed for government

BY SAMIE WAIKORI

Member of Parliament for Temotu Vatu constituency, Freda Tuki Rangirei hopes the Public Service Bill 2025 can address gender equality in the public workforce of the country.

Contributing to the bill, which is now in its second reading in parliament, she is grateful to be one of the few women currently in parliament and in the history of the Solomon Islands.

At the outset, the MP sincerely commends the intention of the bill which is to ensure a public service that has integrity, is transparent and accountable, and is high-performing.

She highlighted the importance of the reform, given the ongoing gender inequalities and disadvantages that certain groups, particularly women, continue to experience in the country.

“Current public service workforce data indicates that approximately 68 percent are men and only 32 percent are women employed by the government.

“It revealed that leadership and decision-making roles in the public service do not reflect the broader demographics of the Solomon Islands.

“Men hold over 80 percent of positions, such as Permanent Secretaries, Deputy Secretaries, Directors and Financial Controllers, as well as 58 percent of human resources managers’ roles,” she said.  

Furthermore, MP Tuki highlighted that most women Deputy Secretaries are in corporate or administrative areas, while men dominate technical roles.

Similarly, she added that men continue to occupy the majority of direct positions with legislative authority.

In light of this, MP Tuki said a legal framework that ensures a diverse and inclusive workforce can better serve a diverse public.

She emphasised that this could lead to improved decision-making, increased efficiency, and greater public trust aligned with government commitments to all of its citizens, especially those most vulnerable.

“The bill’s clear principles; transparency, accountability, fairness, equality and employee rights are commendable.

“I particularly acknowledge the Equality of Employment Opportunity Principle, which promotes fair competition, eliminates discrimination and encourages diversity reflective of our nation,” the MP said.

She reiterates her confidence in the Public Service Bill 2025 to address challenges in gender equality in the public workforce.  

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BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

A conservation group in South Malaita is helping communities build their own tilapia ponds.

The construction of the tilapia ponds is seen as a pivotal initiative undertaken by the dedicated members of the Apunepara Ha’amwaora Natural Resources Association (AHNRA).

AHNRA, a dynamic community-based organisation composed of committed individuals from the remote villages of Sarawasi, Kelinge, and Waitoto, is situated within the Maramasike Mangrove of South Malaita.

The tilapia pond initiative is an integral aspect of AHNRA’s strategic development plan for the years 2022 through 2035.

It aims to provide sustainable alternatives that alleviate pressure on the marine source of the region’s dwindling natural resources.

AHNRA believes that by embracing aquaculture, specifically the farming of Tilapia, the initiative not only fosters economic development but also prioritizes environmental stewardship, ensuring that local ecosystems are preserved for future generations.

Recently, this forward-thinking fish farming initiative received a significant boost through official recognition from the Malaita fisheries office.

In response, the office dispatched two knowledgeable staff members to conduct specialised training sessions on Tilapia farming techniques for the association’s members.

This training session sparked a passionate interest among participants, equipping them with essential skills and teaching a renewed sense of purpose and interest as they work towards their aquacultural goals.

With their newly acquired expertise, members of AHNRA are actively engaged in the hands-on construction of fish ponds. Their optimism about the recently introduced Nile tilapia, known for its fast growth and adaptability underscores the community’s hopes for sustainable aquaculture practices.

To date, the members have successfully constructed three new fish ponds, with plans to continue until members have a dedicated pond for tilapia farming.

Fish farming offers a multitude of benefits that extend beyond just food security. It serves as a vital source of protein for local families while also providing a potential source of income for the community.

By promoting aquaculture, this venture helps to lessen the pressure on the marine resources effectively conserving local fish populations.

In light of these promising developments, AHNRA encourage all community members who are eager for positive change to take advantage of this unique opportunity.

By participating in this initiative, they can gain invaluable insights into sustainable practices and contribute to the collective efforts of AHNRA, ensuring a prosperous and resilient future for all.

Photos: Supplied

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BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

People mandate their representatives to provide policy leadership, decision-making and law-making says Opposition Leader, Matthew Wale.

Speaking during the second reading of the Public Service Bill 2025 on the floor of parliament, Wale said that this ties policy decisions and law-making directly to the people’s mandate.

Wale said the public service is unelected and must not usurp the role of elected representatives in determining policy directions.

He went on to state that this is why it is important for ministers to take their roles seriously.

“It is why a cabinet is very, very important to our system of government. And once the policy decisions are made, it is the public service that implements the decisions. It is not the place of politicians to be directly implementing policy decisions,” Wale stressed.

He said that this is the boundary between political leaders and the public service.

“Ministers must not let PSs make policy. It is an important boundary that must be respected by both for our system of government to work effectively,” he said.

Wale said the government have encountered too many instances when this boundary has been deliberately breached.

“And in almost all those cases, some abuse of powers occurred,” he said.

Wale said that when the boundary is blurred or breached, the result is almost always corruption, abuse of public powers or such other biases.

“Both elected representatives and unelected public servants are trustees of the people of Solomon Islands over the powers and resources vested in them through the public offices they occupy and possess,” he said.

The Opposition Leader said that this principle of trusteeship is the critical foundation to all public service and it is important that this principle of trusteeship is taught as a core subject in its offerings on ethics.

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BY NED GAGAHE

Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele calls on all Solomon Islanders to unite and take collective responsibility for the nation’s future.

He made the statement at the launch of the National Development Strategy (NDS) 2016–2035 Medium Term Review Report and four key strategic documents in Honiara yesterday.

The event, held at the Mendana Hotel, brought together government officials, development partners, private sector representatives, and civil society organisations — all urged by the Prime Minister to work together to transform the findings of the review into real, measurable change.

“This is not just a government document. It is a national call to action.

“We must all take ownership — government, private sector, churches, communities, and individuals — because the future of Solomon Islands belongs to all of us,” Prime Minister Manele said.

The Prime Minister said the Medium-Term Review paints a mixed picture of progress under the NDS, revealing that while certain goals have been achieved, others remain far behind target due to economic shocks, social instability, and global challenges.

He said the lessons from the review must guide the next phase of development.

“We must diversify our economy, strengthen our institutions, and empower our people.

“We cannot afford to work in isolation. Development must be everyone’s business,” he said.

The review identifies five strategic objectives for the next decade — inclusive economic growth, poverty reduction and equitable development, quality health and education, environmental sustainability, and good governance.

To complement the review, four new strategic documents were also launched:

• The Solomon Islands Smooth Transition Strategy to Support Graduation from Least Developed Country Status
• Unlocking Potential for Productive Sectors in Solomon Islands: Challenges, Opportunities and Policy Considerations
• The Solomon Islands National Monitoring and Evaluation Systems Strengthening Strategy 2024–2028
• The Ministry of National Planning and Development Coordination Corporate Plan 2025–2027

Prime Minister Manele said these documents represent a “joined-up national roadmap” to guide development efforts in the years ahead.

“With these strategies, we now have a compass to navigate our journey. But a compass is only useful when we decide to move — and we must move forward together,” he said.

He also acknowledged the critical role of development partners such as Australia, New Zealand, Japan, the United Nations, and the European Union in supporting Solomon Islands’ national priorities.

“Partnerships have been central to our progress,” he said. “But true progress will come when every Solomon Islander, in every village and every province, takes part in building our shared future.”

As the country looks ahead to its 50th Independence Anniversary in 2028, the Prime Minister said the coming years will be crucial for shaping the nation’s destiny.

“Fifty years of independence will mean little if our people continue to live in poverty, if our forests are gone, if our children do not have access to quality education and health care,” he said. “We must act now — with courage, unity, and purpose — to make the next 50 years brighter than the last.”

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BY SAMIE WAIKORI

Opposition Leader and Member of Parliament for Aoke/Langalanga, Matthew Wale says the Public Service Bill 2025, now before Parliament, will support growth in the Public Service.

Speaking in support of the bill introduced by the Minister of Public Service and Member of Parliament for West Guadalcanal constituency, Francis Sade, in Parliament this week, Wale said for many years, the country has been struggling with the effectiveness of the public service.

He said productivity has been an ongoing challenge for many years and performance measurement and reviews are essential tools to ensure accountability for any lack of effectiveness and low productivity.

“Some progress is being made on this matter, perhaps too slowly, but I see progress.

“It gives me hope that the potential for growth in public service is good, and this bill provides a good legislative framework to facilitate such growth,” he said.

Wale highlighted that as in all organizations, ethical and competent leadership is essential to ensuring the public service fulfills its potential and delivers services.

He pointed out that it is therefore important that such leadership is identified, cultivated, nurtured, and mentored within the public service.

Wale added that IPAM is obviously an important tool in this matter, although not the only one.

He stressed that there is a need to consider making IPAM more arms-length from the Ministry of Public Service, so that it can attract and maintain the talent and resources it needs, and be able to conduct research that may be useful to the public service.

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