BY NED GAGAHE

120 students from Betikama Adventist College visited National Parliament on Wednesday as part of their school’s governance studies program.

The visit aims to provide students with a practical understanding of the national legislative institution and its functions.

A statement from Parliament said the program included a tour guide of key areas within the Parliament precincts, where students received informative briefings aligned with their curriculum.

“During the tour, students were introduced to the constitutional roles of the Governor-General, the Prime Minister, the Speaker of Parliament and the Clerk of the National Parliament.

“In addition, they were given an overview of the various departments and administrative units that support the operations of Parliament and ensure the delivery of parliamentary services” the statement said.

A key highlight of the visit was the opportunity for students to meet and engage directly with the Honourable Speaker of the National Parliament, Mr. Patteson J. Oti.

The Speaker addressed the students and shared insights into the role of Parliament in national development and democratic governance.

The visit concluded with a formal presentation on the structure, mandate and functions of the National Parliament, followed by a question-and-answer session. Students and teachers actively participated, posing thoughtful questions and reflecting on their experiences.

“The National Parliament, through its Civic Education Unit, remains committed to promoting civic awareness and parliamentary education among young Solomon Islanders.” The statement said.

Schools across Honiara and the provinces are encouraged to arrange similar visits to Parliament, which serve as valuable learning experiences and foster a deeper understanding of the country’s democratic processes.

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BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

Women and girls of Tolosi Hokutenikeni Women’s Association and women’s groups from Ward 21 at Eliote Village in small Malaita have successfully concluded an Agriculture workshop.

Hokutenikeni Women’s Association President Anna Grace Aitorea said the agriculture workshop was facilitated by the Matavale Women’s Association from 26th to 28th May, 2025.

Mrs Aitorea said that the workshop is immensely important and its focus is on “How to improve the soil for growing food”.

She said agriculture is often the primary source of food and income for rural communities like Eliote Village and so, learning how to improve soil fertility will result in better crop yields, ensuring more food for families and potentially surplus for sale.

“Thereby enhancing food security and economic stability,” she said.

She told the participants that healthier soil means more productive gardens, reducing the need to purchase expensive, often less nutritious, imported foods.

She said that this is crucial for remote areas where access to markets can be challenging and costly.

She said that one of the areas the workshop intends to address and equip the women on is the high vulnerability of climate change that usually affects food security.

“The Solomon Islands are highly vulnerable to climate change, with impacts like increased rainfall, droughts and sea-level rise affecting agricultural productivity. Sustainable soil management practices, such as increasing organic matter improve the soil’s water retention capacity and resilience to extreme weather; making farming systems more robust in the face of climate change,” said Mrs Aitorea.

“By focusing on the first part of soil health, it provides practical tools for building a more resilient and food-secure future,” Mrs Aitorea told the women’s group associations.

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BY NED GAGAHE

Isabel Province will celebrate its 41st Second Appointed Day on Monday 2nd June 2025.

This important occasion marks 41 years since Isabel attained its provincial status on 2nd June 1984.

Minister for Provincial Government and Institutional Strengthening, Wayne Ghemu, has congratulated the people and leaders of Isabel Province ahead of the celebration.

“The Ministry would like to join you in commemorating the historic occasion of the attainment of your Second Appointed Day on 2nd June 1984,” the Minister said in a statement.

He also extended greetings to Premier Lawrence Hayward Kile, the Provincial Executive, Members of the Isabel Provincial Assembly, Speaker Eddie Kopala, the Provincial Administration, and the good people of Isabel Province.

“On behalf of the Government for National Unity and Transformation (GNUT), I wish to acknowledge and thank the Isabel Provincial Government, Chiefs, Church Leaders, Community Leaders, and your good people for your ongoing partnership and collaboration with the National Government towards the development of your province and our country,” he said.

Last year’s 40th Second Appointed Day was a historic celebration, as it was graced by Prime Minister Hon. Jeremiah Manele, the first son of Isabel Province to hold the highest office in the country.

The Prime Minister received a traditional welcome on arrival at Buala, including a special chair-lifting ceremony by traditional warriors—a proud and emotional moment for the people of Isabel.

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BY SAMIE WAIKORI

Leader of Independent group in Parliament and MP for East Are’Are constituency, Peter Kenilorea Junior acknowledges the government for efforts to proposed reforms on important sectors in the country.

Speaking in parliament recently, he said Solomon Islands is blessed with wonderful resources, but management has always been the issue.   

“That is why I’m very happy to hear that reforms are coming. Mining has come, Forestry has come. I think we have now gotten to the age level where there needs to be a reset in all our resources and how we deal with our resources.

“The protection of those resources will determine the best outcome for our people. How, we as a nation can really manage them and then move forward with the blessings we have in the nation, if we do it properly,” he noted.

Kenilorea also mentioned for some people, they have very limited resources and management is key to sustain and benefit from the resources.

He emphasized by doing that framework is needed to guide them by ensuring right protection toward better management and sustainability.

In the meantime, the MP highlighted the importance of seeking right markets so that people fully benefit from their resources.

This area can be spearheaded by Ministry of Commerce, Industry, Labor and Immigration together with country’s ambassadors overseas.

“Government can help negotiate good deals with those that are looking to purchase direct from our people. So that the pricing is world class and we can see the best benefit that comes to our people.

“I think we can do that by negotiating with those that are willing and looking forward to purchase our products,” he said.

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BY NED GAGAHE

Malaita Outer Islands (MOI) Constituency has expressed sincere appreciation to the Australian Government for its continued support through the Solomon Islands–Australia Community Partnerships Program, which recently awarded funding to two key development projects in the constituency.

The two projects are: Pelau Staff House Project and Liuaniua Student Classroom Project.

In a statement the MOI Constituency Office said the projects will have a lasting impact on education in the remote islands, helping to strengthen human resource development and support the long-term growth of local communities.

“These projects will make a significant impact on education in MOI, contributing directly to human resource development and long-term growth of our communities,” the statement said.

“As highlighted by our Honourable MP, these investments will help shape a brighter future for our youth and support stronger, more resilient islands.”

The Constituency also extended its gratitude to the Australian High Commission and all stakeholders involved for their continued commitment to uplifting the people of MOI and making these initiatives a reality.

The Pelau and Liuaniua projects are among 50 new projects recently announced under the Solomon Islands–Australia Community Partnerships Program, representing more than SBD 11 million in direct funding support to Solomon Islands businesses and communities.

The Australian High Commission emphasized that local businesses are being engaged to supply materials and services for these projects, a move that helps generate local employment and ensures that more benefits stay within Solomon Islands families.

The 50 projects span communities across the country and include a variety of initiatives such as; installation of solar-powered streetlights, construction of new classrooms, upgrades to rural health clinics and provision of community water tanks.

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BY SAMIE WAIKORI

The Special Economic Zone act 2024, recently passed in parliament will boost the development of the fisheries sector in the country.

Minister for Fisheries and Marine Resources, Bradley Smoky Tovosia highlighted this when spoke in parliament when the bill was in the stage of the Committee of the Whole House.

Tovosia said the act introduces mechanisms such as development zones, licences to build necessary infrastructure, operational licences for managing zones and basic parameters that allow processing and support services to function efficiently.

He expressed that the act has an ability to develop fully integrated fisheries SEZ with tuna processing, cool storage, export logistics and auxiliary services like boat repair and ice production – all under one economic ecosystem.

Tovosia added that the SEZ act offers solid foundation and wants it to fully support fisheries based economic zones like Noro and Bina.

“I look forward to seeing these schedules – one that is carefully assigned to fisheries to guide SEZ development around marine infrastructure and industry,” he said.

Tovusia emphasized that while the act provides an investment threshold of SBD $5 million for foreign investment incentives, it should be lower to local investors so that locally own enterprise prices can flourish.

In the meantime, the Minister also requested if fisheries can be formally represented in the SEZ Authority Board for Zone Designated Fisheries.

“This will ensure proper governance, compliance and sector alignment, which will help safeguard our access to prime markets for processed products, particularly the European market. This will bolster investment in fisheries.

“Also, the SEZ fund should prioritise investment in the management systems necessary for fish processing. The operation of SEZ in Noro and Bina will ensure better life for people,” he said.

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BY LORETTA B MANELE

Minor methods of corruption can often lead to institutional collapse says Nestor Ghiro, Member of Parliament for Central Makira.

He raised this whilst speaking on the debate of the Special Economic Zone (SEZ) Bill 2024 in parliament last week.

Initially, Ghiro said the spectre of corruption continues to cast a long shadow over our national development.

“It is no longer acceptable to treat minor methods of corruption as negligible. In a system of governance, small issues often lead to institutional collapse.”

On this note, Ghiro strongly recommended for harsher penalties and rigorous enforcement mechanisms to be enshrined within the Bill.

He added that the administration of this law must be guided by transparency, public oversight and stringent consequence management.

Ghiro said it is very timely thus the bill must reflect the aspirations of our people.

He stated that the realities of our custodial institutions and the ambitions of a sovereign nation determine its development path.

Ghiro told parliament that they must not legislate only for dignity figures and investment talents, but for the dignity, integrity and prosperity of our nation.

He stressed that they must ensure that Special Economic Zones are not just zones for economic activity, but zones of inclusive empowerment.

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BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

Solomon Islands Ambassador to China, Barrett Salato said China does not see the Solomon Islands as a small country, but as equal and important country.

Ambassador Salato said that in a recent interview with Xu Yawen of CGTN Radio Reporter yesterday, Friday, 30 May.

He responded to Xu Yawen of CGTN’s question on how Solomon Islands strengthens its relationship with China, what partnership is set for development in the region and what lessons or experiences he would share with other Pacific countries that are looking to work more closely with China.

“I can point to one aspect that I see with the relationship with China. China don’t see us as, you know, as small, you know. They see us as an important, equal, important country, even though we are small. That gives us a sense of dignity in ourselves, that yes, we can be proud of ourselves as well as that we can achieve something,” said Salato.

He also called for stronger China-Pacific Islands cooperation to empower small nations on their path to development.

 “Equality, respect and partnership, that’s the foundation of China-Pacific friendship,” said Ambassador Salato.

He said that China treated the Solomon Islands with respect and dignity to have the right to develop the country and its people and enjoy the fruits of development.

He said that China is demonstrating these values and principles in the Pacific region.

 “I would like to see more of China’s involvement in the region, in all areas of development, to assist the small countries like Solomon Islands, because we need, we need China to be there to share its experience with us and help us in our development pathway,” said Salato.

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