BY NED GAGAHE

The government, through the Ministry of Aviation and Communication, is progressing plans to upgrade Henderson International Airport to accommodate long-haul international flights.

Permanent Secretary Alwyn Danitofea revealed during a press conference yesterday that the proposed upgrade will include extending the current 2,200-metre runway to 3,000 metres, along with major improvements to the airport terminal.

“By extending to 3,000 metres, we can cater for long-haul flights from destinations such as the Philippines and Indonesia,” Mr Danitofea said.

He added that the Ministry is working closely with the Ministry of Finance and the Prime Minister’s Office to identify potential financing options for the project.

The terminal upgrade will feature the installation of two aerobridges and two baggage carousels, with the aim to improve passenger experience and meet international standards.

Mr Danitofea said the government hopes to complete the project in time for the country’s 50th anniversary in 2028.

“Our dream is that by 2028, we will see larger aircraft than the Airbus A320 landing at Henderson, including direct flights from Asia,” he said.

The Henderson upgrade forms part of the Government’s broader aviation infrastructure program, which covers both international and provincial airports. Munda Airport is also included under international airport development plans.

Mr Danitofea said the investment will strengthen Solomon Islands’ global connectivity and support economic growth.

“This enhancement will position Solomon Islands to receive long-haul international flights and strengthen our global connectivity,” he said.

He added that the developments are expected to boost investor confidence, particularly in the tourism sector, as the country continues to position itself as an attractive destination.

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BY NED GAGAHE

The national telecommunications rollout is progressing well, with the Government targeting the completion of 161 towers by August this year.

Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Communication and Aviation, Alwyn Danitofea, revealed this during a press conference with local media yesterday.

Mr Danitofea said 115 telecommunications towers have already been completed across the country, with remaining works ongoing in parts of Makira and Temotu.

“As of now, we have completed 115 towers, and construction is continuing in the eastern part of the country. Our target is to reach 161 towers by August,” he said.

He said that while physical construction is largely complete in some areas, teams are still working on installing and configuring telecommunications equipment to bring the towers fully online.

The project is being managed by Solomon Tower Limited, which is overseeing implementation to ensure efficiency and timely delivery.

Mr Danitofea said the expansion of telecommunications infrastructure is critical to improve connectivity, particularly in remote and underserved areas.

“This project will significantly improve communication services across the country and ensure more people have access to reliable connectivity,” he said.

He added that once completed, the rollout will support economic activities, improve access to information, and enhance service delivery in rural communities.

The Ministry is optimistic that the project will be completed on schedule, with final checks to be carried out to ensure all infrastructure meets required standards before official handover.

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BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

The Ministry of Women, Youth, Children and Family Affairs (MWYCF) is concerned over the country’s shortage of midwives, with only 179 are currently serving nationwide; far below the estimated need.

Speaking during a commemorative event yesterday with the global “One Million More Midwives” theme, Director of Women Development Division Vaela Devesi described the situation as alarming and called for urgent action to strengthen the workforce.

She said that midwives play an essential role in safeguarding maternal and newborn health, particularly in rural and underserved communities.

“Midwives are among the closest to the miracle of life. Highlighting their role not only in clinical care but also in providing emotional support, guidance, and dignity to mothers and families during childbirth,” Mrs Devesi said.

She also pointed to the need for greater gender inclusion in the profession, encouraging more men to join and advocate for maternal health services.

“Beyond healthcare, my address drew attention to the high rates of violence against women in the Solomon Islands, describing the situation as deeply concerning. Many pregnant women experience abuse, placing midwives in a critical position as first responders who can identify and support victims.

“Midwives are not only caregivers but also key support figures for women facing violence, underscoring the importance of awareness and sensitivity in their work,” she said.

Mrs Devesi reaffirms the ministry’s commitment to improve support systems for midwives through better training, resources, and remuneration.

She said that strengthening the workforce is vital to improve health outcomes and build stronger families and communities.

Mrs Devesi calls for collective efforts to ensure that every woman has access to quality care during pregnancy and childbirth as the country reflects on the importance of midwifery.

Photo credit: John Houanihau

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BY NED GAGAHE

The Government is progressing key legislative reforms that aim to strengthen digital security and governance in the country.

Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Communication and Aviation (MCA), Alwyn Danitofea, confirmed this during a press conference with local media yesterday.

Mr Danitofea said the Ministry is currently reviewing both the Civil Aviation Act and the Telecommunications Act to address gaps in governance and improve regulatory oversight.

“We have identified a number of gaps, particularly in the telecommunications sector, and we are working to strengthen governance and ensure national security is properly addressed,” he said.

He revealed that a new Cybercrime Bill is also being developed following Cabinet approval, although drafting is still pending with the Attorney General’s Chambers.

“The instructions have already been prepared. It’s now a matter of translating those into a formal bill,” Mr Danitofea said.

He said that one of the key challenges will be raising public awareness about cybercrime, noting that many everyday actions could be considered offences under the proposed law.

“Things that people may see as minor, like accessing someone else’s phone without permission or taking photos without consent, could become offences under cybercrime laws,” he said.

Mr Danitofea said the reforms are intended to ensure the country keeps pace with the growing use of digital technology while safeguarding users and national systems.

He added that the Ministry is also considering improvements to the regulatory structure, including strengthening oversight mechanisms to prevent misuse of authority and enhance accountability.

“These reforms are important to make sure we have a secure and well-regulated digital environment,” he said.

Mr Danitofea said the Ministry aims to finalise the legislative review this year, with the new bill expected to be submitted to Parliament next year.

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BY NED GAGAHE

Land ownership issues and compensation claims are continuing to slow down aviation infrastructure projects across the country, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Communication and Aviation, Alwyn Danitofea, said.

Speaking to local media during a press conference yesterday, Mr Danitofea acknowledged that while significant progress is being made on airport upgrades, challenges relating to customary land remain a major hurdle.

“One of the biggest challenges we are facing is compensation for land and trees,” he said.

Mr Danitofea explained that the Government is required to follow strict policies, including those of development partners such as the World Bank, which mandate compensation for any assets affected by infrastructure projects.

“These include trees and other resources owned by landowners. In some cases, we are also dealing with land ownership disputes, which can delay the implementation of projects,” he said.

The Permanent Secretary said such issues are common across provincial airport developments, where customary land ownership is often complex and not formally documented.

He said that while the Government is committed to meeting its obligations to landowners, the process can be time-consuming and challenging, particularly in areas where ownership is unclear or contested.

Despite the setbacks, Mr Danitofea said the Ministry continues to work closely with stakeholders to resolve disputes and ensure projects move forward.

He said that upgrading aviation infrastructure remains a priority for the government, with projects underway at both Henderson International Airport and Munda Airport, as well as several provincial airports.

“These developments are important for improving connectivity and supporting economic growth, but we must also ensure that landowners are treated fairly in the process,” he said.

Mr Danitofea added that the Ministry remains confident that, despite the challenges, progress will continue as efforts are made to address land and compensation issues nationwide.

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BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

The Government has revoked two key regulations relating to coconut and cocoa management under the Commodities Export Marketing Authority framework.

The repeals were announced in the latest Extra-Ordinary Gazette issued on April 30, 2026.

Minister for Commerce, Industry, Labour and Immigration, Manasseh Damukana Sogavare, revoked the regulations under Section 34 of the Commodities Export Marketing Authority Act, following recommendations from the Authority.

The first regulation repeals the Coconut and Coconut Product Management Fees Regulations 2026, which was previously issued as Legal Notice No. 162 of 2026.

The second regulation revokes the Cocoa (Amendment) Regulations 2026, previously issued as Legal Notice No. 163 of 2026.

Both repeal regulations took effect on the date of their publication in the Gazette.

The changes were formalised on April 28, 2026, and published as Legal Notice Nos. 175 and 176 in Supplement No. 25 of the Gazette.

The repeals are expected to impact regulatory arrangements governing coconut and cocoa products, though further details on implementation and industry implications have not been outlined in the notice.

Photo: Supplied

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BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

Midwives across the country gathered yesterday to celebrate International Midwives Day.

The event was organised by the Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent Health Department under the Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS).

This year’s theme was “One Million More Midwives”. The celebration was held at the Honiara City Council Multipurpose Youth Hub Hall futsal court.

President of the Solomon Islands Midwives Society, Jessie Larui, said the event was to recognise the important role midwives play in caring for mothers, newborns and families.

She said the day is also a time to reflect on the hard work, dedication and compassion midwives show in their daily duties.

Mrs Larui explained that the theme highlights a global need for one million more midwives to meet growing demand.

“In the Solomon Islands, we need about 300 more midwives to properly serve our population,” she said.

She added that the theme is a call for action to address the shortage of midwives and improve maternal and newborn health services.

“The total number of midwives trained in Solomon Islands was 272. Forty of them resigned to migrate overseas, 40 of them retired, 13 are deceased, leaving only 179 midwives currently practicing in the country,” she said.

She said that midwives make only 10.5 percent of the nursing workforce.

“The ratio is 2.09/ 10,000 population. Today we gather to celebrate and honor the work, dedication and expertise of midwives and their immeasurable contribution in providing crucial care to mother’s newborn to health system worldwide, raise awareness, advocate for increased investment and call on government and decision makers to take action to support and sustain midwifery workforce in the country,” Mrs Larui said.

Mrs Larui said investing in midwives today will lead to healthier mothers, safer births and stronger communities in the future.

She also thanks government officials, development partners, NGOs, Solomon Islands National University, UN partners, and church and community leaders for their continued support.

Photo credit: John Houanihau

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BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

The Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS) acknowledges the critical shortage of midwives, with only 179 currently serving across the country, far below the projected need outlined in its national health workforce strategy.

Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health and Medical Service (MHMS) Pauline McNeil said the country requires at least 401 doctors, nurses, and midwives by 2031, but progress towards this target remains slow due to multiple challenges.

She highlighted that the current health workforce stands at nearly 3,000, which is insufficient to meet the demands of a rapidly growing population.

“At the same time, financial and economic constraints are limiting the government’s ability to expand services, infrastructure, and the supply of essential medicines,” she said.

McNeil said the government is taking steps to address the gap, including expanding midwifery training programs through Solomon Islands National University, particularly its School of Nursing, Medicine and Health Sciences.

“Funding for in-service training has also increased significantly, rising from $2 million annually to $5 million last year, and $4.5 million this year. The move aims to ensure health workers are better trained and equipped to deliver quality care,” she said.

“Infrastructure development is also underway, with the Naha Birthing Centre expected to open by mid-year to ease pressure on the National Referral Hospital. The project is supported by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), alongside ongoing expansion at Kilu’ufi Hospital in Malaita province,” she added.

McNeil said that the ministry is working on a retention policy in collaboration with the Ministry of Public Service to improve working conditions and remuneration for health workers.

She said the government remains committed to strengthen midwifery services as a national priority and to ensure sustainable investment in maternal and newborn health.

Photo credit: John Houanihau

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