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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BY INDY MAEALASIA

WHEN Evalyn Suimae boarded a plane for China in April 2025, she never imagined that a two-week seminar would completely change how she sees the world—especially when it comes to waste.

Evalyn, an environmental officer with the Waste Management and Control Division of the Honiara City Council, attended a training program titled “Design of Waste Recycling Schemes for Developing Countries.” The program combined classroom learning with visits.

She soon discovered that in China, waste management was more than just systems and technologies—it was a whole new way of thinking.

“ I learned a lot of things,” Evalyn said. “During these trips, we went to see a lot of recycling sites. At these sites, starting from pavement to the ceiling they do recycling and everything they use are recycling materials,”

Coming from a developing country, Evalyn was fascinated by the integration of technology and sustainable practices.

“…. they have advanced materials to do recycling and waste managing,” she recalled.

A highlight of her trip was a visit to Suzhou City.

“ The people there used recycled materials to improve some of the places in Suzhou and this was a brilliant idea. They said they are happy to see that Suzhou has improved throughout the past and is also a tourism site because of waste recycling and management.”

Another visit to a landfill site in Beijing left an even bigger impression.

“When we reached the landfill, it didn’t look like a landfill but looked like an office and you can’t see any rubbish there,” she said.

Evalyn learned that China’s system is based on a circular economy system of waste recycling.

“In the households, people put their trash in the bins where it is supposed to be put in. So, rubbish like paper, plastic and cans are thrown out into separate trash bins and there are also different garbage trucks to pick up these bins.”

“The trucks will load these bins and pack the rubbish and then go to the landfill site and will go through a process of recycling waste so you will not see any trash. Material like old copper will be disintegrated and recycled and then be used again as a building material. General household waste is also recycled and used in gardens,” Evalyn added.

Reflecting on her experience, Evalyn believes this system could be a game-changer for the Solomon Islands.

“In Solomon Islands, we are using a linear economy system where we buy products, use them and then throw it away… this circular economy system is a good system for us to apply.”

Given that the city only has one landfill, Eylan said ongoing partnership with Australia involves looking for another landfill.

“Hence if this new landfill area is open it would be great if we apply the circular economy system because it will reduce waste,” she said.

Evalyn also emphasized the importance of starting waste education at home and in schools.

“In our households we must teach our children how to manage waste at home and at schools. So that when kids go out they know where to throw rubbish.

In a message to the Solomon Islands government, Evalyn issued a heartfelt call to action:

“I urge the government to kindly look at waste management or green energy for our country. If we have this starting from our leaders, it will be great because if leaders don’t talk about this it won’t be helpful for us to carry out work in this area.”

“Your assistance is crucial for us to work together for waste management and recycling in the country and towards establishing a circular economy system,” she added.

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BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

Forests provide clean air, regulate the climate, support biodiversity and sustain livelihoods of millions of people.

Miss Elisca Damayianti, a form five student of Sasamuqqa High School, highlighted that during the school’s recently concluded Seminar Presentation organised in South Choiseul.

The successfully concluded Seminar Presentation 2025 was part of the Sasamuqa High School Form 5 student English Task 3 School-Based Assessment (SBA).

“Students, judges, timekeepers and visitors here today, we welcome you all. As you can see in this chart, our topic is forest conservation,” she said.

“As a group, we have this great pleasure to stand in front of you all, to represent our topic, which is mainly based on the importance of forest conservation,” said Miss Damayianti.

Speaking on behalf of her group of four members, Miss Damayianti said forests cover nearly one-tenth of the Earth’s land and are essential to life.

“Forests provide us with clean air, regulate our climate, support biodiversity and sustain the livelihood of millions of people. However, human activities continue to distract the forest at an alarming rate,” she said.

“Let us explore how it can contribute to saving this green land of our planet. I will begin with a very important question, and that is: What is forest conservation? A very common definition, I will deliberate on this,” she told participants.

“Forest conservation is the practice of planting and maintaining forest areas for the benefit and sustainability of future generations,” she said.

She highlighted that forest conservation prevents soil erosion, regulates the water cycle and reduces the risk of natural disasters.

“For example, floods and landslides and so on. Millions of people, especially indigenous communities, rely on the forest for food, medicine, shelter and employment. Forests also supply raw materials like timber, paper and medical plants and support living organisms to survive,” she said.

She said people must organise to reinforce environmental laws and penalties to conserve the forest from destruction.

“We must do our part to keep our forest clean, not increase greenhouse gases and global warming, to maintain biodiversity and wildlife habitats and to support livelihoods. Do not allow activities such as mining, logging that will destroy our forest,” said Miss Damayianti.

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BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

President of the Malaita Youth Council (MYC), Mr. Philip Subu, has finally concluded a two-week visit in West Are’Are constituency in the southern region of Malaita province.

The purpose of his fruitful visit was to facilitate a Youth Training with the youth group within the two wards of West Are’are constituency, Mareho Ward 24 and Tai Ward 25.

The youth training was funded and supported by the West Are’Are Rokotanikeni Association (WARA).

“The Youth training was conducted last week and this week, where both wards elect Ward Youth Committees which connect with the Malaita Youth Council. It is the first ever,” said Subu.

Mr. Subu extended his gratitude to the West Are’Are Rokotanikeni Association (WARA) for their vital logistical support and coordination in making the training a success.

“I acknowledged West Are’Are Rokotanikeni Association (WARA) to organise, Fund and support the important training,” he said.

Mr Subu said that it is a great feeling to connect with young people in the rural areas when reflecting on his two-week visit.

“It’s a great feeling to connect with young people in the rural areas who are happy to meet and hear from you. It is also emotional to listen first hand their struggles and stories,” he said.

The West Are’Are Youth Training was concluded with the handing over of sports equipment to each of the zones within the two wards in the constituency.

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BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

Member of Parliament for East Choiseul Constituency, Manasseh Sogavare, said the preparations for the 2026 budget need to be urgently rolled out now.

Mr Sogavare said that during the motion of special adjournment on Tuesday this week.

Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele, on Tuesday, 27 May, adjourned parliament to Monday, 14 July 2025.

“I think among the three reasons that the Prime Minister mentioned regarding his forthcoming engagement, very important ones have not come out and that is the preparations for the 2026 budget,” said Sogavare.

“It needs to roll out now, this time to achieve some of the redirections that we are trying to do, to emphasise growth and addressing where the strength of the country lies,” said Sogavare.

Mr Sogavare also asked that the Permanent Secretaries look seriously into their budget to emphasise the areas the government should be directly involved in.

“If you go to a hospital right now, you may need to seriously look at that. The government need to be involved directly in health, education and national security. Other areas that the government has statutory responsibility for within the portfolio arrangements with ministers must be delivered. They are essential,” said Sogavare.

He said that the preparation of the 2026 budget will allow the Government to redirect the emphasis of the budget to the essential services that the government must deliver.

“If we cannot deliver a hospital, for example, it means life and death. The security of the nation is important. The education of our future generation is important. So, I hope the Ministry of Finance will seriously look at it, if not start work on the 2026 budget, Mr. Speaker,” said Sogavare.

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BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

Opposition Leader Mathew Wale has called on the Government to establish an internal legislative affairs committee that does similar work to the Bills Committee.

Speaking during the motion of special adjournment on Tuesday this week, Wale said the aim is to enable the Bills Committee to process a little bit more efficiently.

“My advice to the government would be perhaps to make the Bills Committee process a little bit more efficient. It is probably good to have an internal legislative affairs committee that does similar work to what the Bills Committee does, which brings together stakeholders. But it’s an internal government process. So that policy issues are fine-tuned within government,” said Wale.

He said that this will also allow any drafting issues to be fine-tuned in the government.

Wale said that having the internal process in place will refine the policy choices that are made.

“Perhaps some additional issues that weren’t identified could be identified. By the time it comes to caucus and cabinet, it comes for blessing, true blessing. I think it will fine-tune the policy legislative interface for internal processes for the government. That would make the Bills Committee process a whole lot more efficient,” said Wale.

He further said that the Bills Committee is going to be quite busy as two bills, the National Building Standard Bill and the Mineral Resources Bill are on notice on parliament’s business paper.

“The Bills Committee will start immediately on those and we’re looking forward to the other bills that various ministries are working on,” concluded Wale.

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BY INDY MAEALASIA

HEALTH Minister Paulson Popora Bosawai, has reaffirmed Solomon Islands’ commitment to meaningful engagement following the country’s appointment to the WHO Executive Board.

“I am honored and humbled to be part of the executive board of this magnificent institution and I thank you for welcoming Solomon Islands to the Executive Board,” Minister Bosawai said in a recent plenary session in Geneva, Switzerland.

He expressed his eagerness to actively contribute to the Board’s upcoming deliberations.

“I further look forward to work alongside all of you and learn from your great experience,” he said, acknowledging fellow board members.

Following the conclusion of the 78th World Health Assembly on 20^th May, Bosawai welcomed the adoption of the world’s first ever Pandemic Agreement.

The agreement sets out the principles, approaches and tools for better international coordination across a range of areas, including equitable and timely access to vaccines, therapeutics and diagnostic.

“On behalf of the Pacific Island countries, I support the outcome of the 78th World Health Assembly and honor the role of WHO within the region, especially focusing on the universal health coverage that reflect our genuine belief as one world for health, “Minister Bosawai said.

“On behalf of the Pacific Island countries, I support the outcomes of the 78th World Health Assembly and recognize the vital role of WHO in our region, especially in advancing universal health coverage. This reflects our shared belief in the concept of ‘one world for health,’” said Minister Bosawai.

Representing WHO’s Western Pacific Region, he extended his gratitude to the outgoing Chair for his dedication and reaffirmed the region’s continued support for WHO’s leadership.

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