BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

The reform of the country’s five legal agencies marks the first major legal reform of legal agencies since 1978.

Minister for Justice and Legal Affairs Clezy Rore stated this during the launch of the Legal Agencies Reforms and Implementation project at the Heritage Park on Monday this week.

He said the reforms will be anchored under a soon-to-be-completed Justice Sector Strategic Framework 2024 – 2034; a framework that will be aligned to the new SIs National Development Strategy. 

“One of the major GNUT policy deliverables for the Ministry of Justice and Legal Affairs is to initiate and pursue policy discussions for the revision of legal mandates, which established our country’s five legal agencies, namely; The Attorney Generals Chamber, Office of the Director of Public Prosecution, Public Solicitor Office, Registrar General’s Office and Law Reform Commission,” said Rore.

“To this end, I am pleased to convey that Cabinet has endorsed their reforms and to convey that this marks the first major legal reforms of our legal agencies since 1978,” Rore said.

He said to accomplish this beginning through the Cabinet for reforms in about a year since the GNUT policy was launched in June 2024 is an achievement in itself. 

“To this end, I would like to thank the leadership of the Heads of Agencies and Staff and those of the Ministry of Justice and Legal Affairs. Let us not get carried away from the huge task before our legal agencies,” he said.

He said the launching event is not the celebration of an outcome, but rather it invokes a responsibility to do what legal agencies and stakeholders must do – hard work.

He said he has confidence in the ability of the country’s highly trained women and men at the legal agencies to achieve these reforms. 

Minister Rore said the pursuit of reforming legal agencies is long-term thinking and hard work.

“It is for this reason why we must address reforming our legal agencies – now.  The mission of our ministry remains to provide a vibrant and robust service to our agencies for effective, efficient and sustainable justice services to the Solomon Islands,” he said.

“Therefore, these legal agencies’ reforms are necessary to ensure that we legally re-fit them to continue providing sustainable justice services for our people,” said Rore.

He said it is fitting to reform and modernise mandated responsibilities against changing realities around what they do and must do to better serve the people. 

“In the 21st Century, the statement ‘We must adapt to be relevant’ highlights the crucial importance of adaptability in a constantly changing world,” he said.

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BY NED GAGAHE

Solomon Islands Maritime College will host this year’s International Day of Seafarers on Wednesday 25th June 2025 at Ranadi Campus, Honiara.

The event will be celebrated with the theme “My Harassment-Free Ship” and will focus on promoting safe, respectful and inclusive environments for all seafarers.

A statement from SINU said the event will feature a formal parade and flag-raising ceremony, followed by an official program featuring keynote speeches, cultural performances and a special student presentation titled “Girls at Sea”. A newly composed seafarers’ song will also be performed.

A special remembrance ceremony will also be held in honour of seafarers who lost their lives at sea or during service.

This will include a moment of silence, prayers and the laying of wreathes at the waterfront jetty.

One of the highlights of the event will be the 2025 Seafarers’ Big Show, a live firefighting and maritime safety demonstration to showcase the practical training and emergency preparedness of SIMC students.

Following the official program, guests will be invited to tour a series of academic and practical booths set up around the campus.

“These will include exhibits on nautical studies, marine engineering, sea survival equipment and STCW SOLAS short courses with live demonstrations conducted by students and instructors.

“Booths hosted by Women in Maritime, SIMTA, SIMA and SIPA will also be featured as part of the wider celebration.” The statement said.

The day will end with informal networking and public tours; offering a chance for visitors to engage with students, trainers and industry professionals.

According to SINU, the event is free for the public and those interested are encouraged to attend and witness the lively activities set for the day.

“SIMC invites the public, industry stakeholders, families and friends to join in celebrating this important day and to support the advancement of a safe and inclusive maritime workforce.” The statement said.

Observed annually on 25 June, the International Day of the Seafarers recognizes the vital role seafarers play in the global trade, safety at sea and maritime sustainability.

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NEOC issues ‘what to do’ information amid current strong wind and associated heavy rains

BY LORETTA B MANELE

The National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC) has issued a number of safety measures the public is advised to take amidst the current strong wind updates.

In a press statement released yesterday morning, NEOC outlines a number of recommended safety actions people in provinces experiencing strong winds must adhere to.

NEOC released this following the Strong Wind Warning No 17 issued by the Solomon Islands Meteorological Services (SIMS) on Monday morning.

The “Strong Wind What to Do Information” bulletin is current for waters of Rennell/Bellona, Makira, Temotu, Guadalcanal, Malaita and Central Provinces.

NEOC said such strong winds can cause rough seas and damage to buildings thus people are advised to take this “Strong Wind What to do Information” seriously.

Safety actions recommended for village leaders and families in the mentioned provinces are as follows;

1. Stay indoor as much as possible.
2. Make sure your neighbours and vulnerable people have received this advice.
3. Strengthen home buildings to withstand against strong winds.
4. Avoid going out to the sea for fishing, as the sea will be rough.
5. If you are outside during the strong wind, take cover next to a building or under a shelter.
6. Watch for flying debris. Tree branches may break and street signs may become loose during strong winds.
7. Beware of large waves, even from the shore as large breaking waves can sweep you off your feet and out to sea.
8. Be cautious overtaking high-sided vehicles.
9. If a line falls on your car, stay inside the vehicle. Take care not to touch any of the metal frame of your vehicle.

Likewise, safety recommendations have also been given for boats and ships and are as follows;

1. Mariners are advised to be extra cautious when planning or traveling out at sea.
2. Avoid traveling at all during bad weather.
3. When going out in the sea, always inform someone of where you are going and your expected time of travel.
4. Take extra fuel, paddles, lifejackets, torch-light, spare batteries, water and some food when traveling.
5. Minimize the number of people if travelling.
6. People are advised to listen to SIBC and other FM radio stations for any latest update on the situation.

The Solomon Islands Meteorological Service (SIMS) has repeatedly issued strong wind warnings in the past days.

This warning is still current for the waters of the mentioned provinces and the situation is that a general southeast trade wind flow persists over the Solomon Islands.

SIMS in it’s recent update “Strong Wind No17” on Monday morning stated that there is the expectation of southeast winds of 20 to 25 knots over waters of Rennell/Bellona, Makira, Temotu, Guadalcanal, Malaita and Central provinces.

Seas are also said to be moderate to rough with moderate swells of 2.5 to 3.0 meters.

Therefore, as SIMS noted, people in these areas should take precautionary measures as such strong winds have the potential to impact lives and properties.

People travelling at sea are also urged to consider safety actions as such winds can produce dangerous wave conditions hazardous to small boats.

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