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Electronic navigation chart project to foster maritime development

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BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

The Electronic Navigation Chart (ENC) project will foster maritime infrastructure development, blue economy development and coastal development.

Speaking during the launch of the ENC at the Seminar on E-Nevigation on our ocean: the contribution of SIMA-JICA project at the Heritage Park on Tuesday, Mr Malesi Mani said the ENC project aims to improve Maritime Navigational Safety.

The project is funded by Japan, coordinated and implemented by JICA in partnership with Aero Asahi Corporation (AAC) for expert support and the Australian Hydrographic Office (AHO) as the Primary Charting Authority (PCA) for collaborating and supporting the project.

Mr Mani, SIMA senior officer for safety of navigation, said that the ENC is made purposely for Maritime Navigation and is developed based on conducting a Hydrographic Survey in the country, first for Honiara and Noro Port.

He said that the Hydrographic data from the project can be used for Port and Harbour planning and infrastructure development.

“And other Coastal Developers and Government agencies can also develop and build wharfs, bridges and waterfront facilities by the Hydrographic data, especially for planning and engineering design.

“With all due respect, such economic activities will help develop our local economy,” he said.

The project directly helps prevent maritime accidents, promoting maritime safety.

He said that due to the quality of the data and the production of the ENCs, Vessels using such navigation systems will have the chance to avoid Collision and prevent Grounding by the Automated alerts from the ENC system.

“With the increase of Population and Maritime activities, SI needs to advance its capability in hydrographic data collection for more ENCs and maritime navigational needs and to avail navigational digital platforms to aid local and international navigators.

“And through massive hydrographic data collection, we can sustainably manage our ocean by protecting it, managing fisheries to safeguard our marine resources,” he said.

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Motions should be debated in parliament: Tagini

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BY LORETTA B MANELE

Makario Tagini, Minister of Forestry and Research voiced that motions should be debated in parliament.

He raised this whilst speaking in parliament yesterday on the Motion to thank His Excellency, Governor General David Tiva Kapu for his speech to the throne on April 24, 2025.

Tagini said the Government for National Unity and Transformation (GNUT) has only been in office for a year yet has already faced two Motions of No Confidence indicating no confidence in the Prime Minister.

He added that sadly, these two motions were not debated.

Tagini stressed on the parliament floor that even if the other party does not have the number, the motion should be debated because the public has the right to know the reasons for the motion.

“Even if you do not have the numbers to move the motion the public has the right to know so we need to debate it.”

The Member of Parliament for Baegu/Asifola constituency reiterated that the nation needs to know the reasons behind the motions.

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GNUT must put focus on tourism: Wale

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BY SAMIE WAIKORI

The Government for National Unity and Transformation (GNUT) has been urged to strengthen the tourism sector of the country.

The call cited tourism policies announced by GNUT as part of its 100 days plan being without any tangible progress.

Speaking in parliament this week, Opposition Leader Matthew Wale said in the tourism sector, policies were announced but with little tangible progress.

“The 100-day policy promises of strengthening community-based tourism, empowering youth entrepreneurs, and advancing cultural preservation remain largely unfulfilled.

“The Solomon Holiday campaign was launched, but visitor numbers have not improved.

“Key policy and legislative reforms are delayed, and the promised 5-Year Tourism Roadmap remains incomplete.

“Critical infrastructure investments, including new hotels, resorts and upgraded transport links, were announced,” he said.

Wale said although, nobody expects these to materialize in 100 days, there is an expectation that there is significant progress made towards commencing them.

He mentioned that despite increased international marketing efforts, the real growth in the sector remains elusive.

“The rebranding exercise and marketing of Solomon Islands as a tourist destination has been a terrible failure.

“The mark of success is tourist arrival numbers and that tells an undeniable story.

“When something hasn’t worked for many years, and we keep repeating it, it makes a mockery of us.

“Without serious targeted investment and focused delivery, tourism will remain an untapped promise, not the pillar of national growth we want it to be,” Wale said.

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TOVOSIA EYES SEAWEED

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New fisheries minister announces plan to rally private sector to establish processing facilities

BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

Fisheries Minister Bradley Tovosia has announced his commitment to making seaweed processing a reality in the country.

Tovosia uttered this in parliament yesterday.

“Mr Speaker, I would like to talk more about the seaweed industry. Our second strategic investment concerns the seaweed industry. As you know, the GINUT government allocated $18 million to increase seaweed production, $7 million in 2024 and $11 million in 2025,” said the MP for East Guadalcanal.

“Speaker, my vision is that not too far in the distant future, we will process seaweed in the country before exporting. To that end, I will ensure the work of the private sector to make seaweed processing a reality in the country,” he said.

He said that this speaks of GINUT’s commitment to economic growth and the socio-economic development of the people by the end of April 2025.

He said that the Ministry has established 1,050 new farms, bringing the total number of seaweed farms to 2,050, and new applications are still being received.

He said that $5 million worth of robs was purchased and sent to farmers in the provinces, predominantly Wagina in the Choiseul province and Rarumana in the Western province, which hosts the greatest number of farms.

“Total seaweed production reached 30,500 metric tonnes by the end of 2024, and $19 million was paid to farmers. We aim to reach the 10,000 metric tonne mark by the end of 2025, with an estimated value of $50 million,” said Tovosia.

He said that his Ministry have worked with the Central Bank of Solomon Islands (CBSI) to ensure a specific authority for the export of seaweed to boost the return of seaweed export value.

“This has been done, and it will ensure that the total export earnings are remitted back to the country,” he said.

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Electronic Navigation Chart launched

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BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

Electronic Navigational Charts (ENC) are new standards for a ship’s safety navigation, as the globe is moving away from paper charts, as in the past.

The project for the Development support of ENC for Honiara and Noro Port in the Solomon Islands is funded under the SIMA-JICA project.

The primary purpose of this project is to improve Maritime Navigational Safety, where a Hydrographic Survey is being conducted and an ENC is produced purposely for Maritime Navigation.

Speaking at the launch of the ENC at the Seminar on E-Nevigation on our ocean: the contribution of the SIMA-JICA project at the Heritage Park on Tuesday, SIMA senior officer for safety of navigation, Mr Malesi Mani, said the transition from paper charts to digital ENC systems is not just a technological shift.

“It is a revolution in maritime safety and economic efficiency,” he said.

He said that Maritime safety is not just about protecting vessels and seafarers, but it directly influences trade, economic growth and the prosperity of a nation.

“As such, when we strive for sustainable development, this type of project plays a crucial role in strengthening infrastructure, modernising navigation systems and fostering international cooperation,” said Mani.

He said that the current maritime status in the Solomon Islands is 240 Domestic Vessels, thousands of small boats, 3 international Ports, 258 berth wharves, 744,407 population on 300 + Islands and 1.6 million km2 of area, and 98% of it is just the Ocean.

“We are dependent on the ocean for our livelihood and survival. With that, in 20 to 50 years’ time, this number will double, resulting in an increase in the volume of maritime traffic in and around our islands,” he said.

“Therefore, to control and manage the volume of our maritime traffic, we need to map all areas of our water to improve the maritime safety of our mariners,” said Mani.

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When will teachers’ salary restructure be implemented: Wale

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BY SAMIE WAIKORI

Teachers and nurses are the only faces of government can be seeing right in the rural areas across the country, though there are presence of other reach of government services.

And despite the immense contribution of these sectors to the development of the country, they continue to face significant challenges that to some extent, brought setback to the services provided.

In the education sector, the restructure of teachers’ salary is at the core of important issues teachers have been faced for decades.

The national government, however, recognised the matter by coming up with a new teachers’ salary structure, but teachers are still waiting for its implementation.

This week, Opposition Leader, Matthew Wale questioned the GNUT on the undertaking and other proposed government policies to strengthen and improve education services in the country.

He said in education, the new teachers’ salary structure, though finalized, remains unimplemented.

Wale added the reviewed of School Education Grant Policy has not translated into tangible support for schools.

He echoed that the much-needed School Infrastructure Development Plan sits idle, with no improvements yet felt on the ground.

Wale furthered the Tertiary Student Loan Scheme, announced by His Excellency again in 2025, to widen access to higher education, remains non-operational.

Moreover, the leader said the critical reforms such as the review of the SITESA Act and the TVET legislative framework are still incomplete.

He said during the inquiry into the 2024 actual expenditure, the PEC discovered that the scholarships budget alone was underspent by about 70m, when many students were eligible for awards.

“In fact, the total underspend in education could more than fund SINU and make all its programmes free to all students, subject to academic entry requirements.

“It seems government is uninterested in these things. Yet these are the initiatives that are more likely to produce strategic change and gain across society and in the economy,” Wale said.

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Fuo’o responds to public complaints on severe traffic congestion in city’s CBD

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The Minister of the Ministry of Infrastructure Development (MID), Ricky Fuo’o, has acknowledged recent public concerns regarding the deteriorating road conditions within Honiara’s central business district and its impact on daily commutes and business activities.

Having assumed this portfolio just two weeks ago, Minister Fuo’o sincerely apologises to the public, private sector, and all road users for the recent traffic congestion and disruptions, a statement by MID yesterday said.

He emphasized that the ministry is actively working to improve the situation and provide clarity on ongoing maintenance efforts, especially along Mendana Avenue.

“This road section has far exceeded its design lifespan. The foundation is no longer reliable, which is why potholes and crocodile cracks were appearing all over the road pavement. 

“Our civil engineering team and the engaged contractors will continue to undertake pothole patching work while waiting for a comprehensive upgrade under the Land and Maritime Connectivity Project (LMCP),” Minister Fuo’o said.

He said remedial work will ease the congestion for the time being.

“Currently, there will be no full reconstruction of this 1.7-kilometer section. Instead, the contractors are undertaking remedial works to keep it safe and trafficable for road users. “This temporary measure is intended to maintain functionality while we prepare for full rehabilitation under the LMCP once asphalt laying on the Tandai Highway (Townground to White River) is completed,” the minister explained.

Minister Fuo’o also clarified that investing hefty funding of approximately SBD25 million into full rehabilitation at this stage would be unwise, as the section is slated for complete overhaul under LMCP.

“A full rehabilitation would involve removing the failed road foundation entirely and installing new approved materials along with an improved drainage system designed to withstand heavy rainfall and stormwater,” he said.

Deputy Secretary Technical, Mike Qaqara, provided additional insights, citing the previous contractor work under the JICA phase 1 (2016-2018) only carried out surface repairs along the Mendana Avenue, including median fencing and kerbing works, without a comprehensive rehabilitation of the pavement.

Recently, local contractors have been engaged to perform maintenance work, initially using chip sealing methods.

However, to address the current situation, they instructed the contractors to use a concrete-stabilized base material, a combination of base material and cement.

“This is an approach that enhances durability against the heavy downpours and poor drainage issues we face,” Qaqara explained.

He added that due to adverse weather conditions this week, contractors have temporarily paused pothole patching work but will continue with the temporary patching work using stabilized materials.

“At the moment the focus will be on critical sections from Solomon Motors to the HCC,” Qaqara said, adding that construction crews will work during night hours when traffic is low.

The LMCP, funded collaboratively by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Solomon Islands Government, project spans from White River to HCC Roundabout and from Henderson to Mberande-East Guadalcanal Highway.

Contractor China Civil Engineering Construction Cooperation (CCECC) is expected to commence asphalt laying for Tandai Highway in June if weather permits. After completing this section, the team will proceed eastward from Heritage Park Roundabout to the HCC Roundabout.

Qaqara reiterates that local contractors are also working on specific and routine maintenance for Honiara feeder roads—both sealed and unsealed—in the East, Central, and West constituencies.

All base materials used are subjected to laboratory testing to ensure quality before re-graveling and chip sealing.

“Our engineers are also providing monitoring and site inspection for these lots and are supported by the safeguards team.”

MID remains committed to improving our city’s road infrastructure and appreciates the community’s patience and understanding during this process.

MHMS nears completion of health centres nationwide

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BY INDY MAEALASIA

THE Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS) is nearing the completion of eight Rural and Area Health Center projects across the provinces, with most expected to be officially launched this year.

Health Minister Paul Bosawai informed Parliament on Monday that the majority of these centers are now between 90% and 100% completed, with only minor finishing work and equipment installations remaining.

The health centers expected to open this year include:

Konide AHC (Level 1) – Isabel Province

Tukutaunga AHC (Level 1) – Tikopia, Temotu Province

Manuopo AHC (Level 1) – Reef Islands, Temotu Province

Wagina AHC (Level 1) – Choiseul Province

Dedeu Rural Health Centre – Isabel Province

Gounata’ea Rural Health Centre – Malaita Province

Leona Rural Health Centre – Vella Lavella, Western Province

Renovation of Sulufoloa Rural Health Centre – Malaita Province

Minister Bosawai highlighted that these developments are part of the government’s continued efforts to strengthen rural health infrastructure.

Over the past two years, the Ministry has prioritized major health infrastructure projects in selected provincial centers, supported through its Development Budget.

“We remain committed to improving access to quality health services by upgrading and constructing Area Health Centers and Rural Health Centers across the country,” Minister Bosawai said.

These facilities are expected to significantly enhance healthcare delivery particularly in rural areas.

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Urgent investment needed in tourism infrastructure: Douglas

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BY INDY MAEALASIA

Minister for Culture and Tourism (MCT), Choylin Douglas has called for greater investment in tourism infrastructure, citing current accommodation shortages and the need to meet international standards for upcoming events.

Speaking in parliament yesterday in response to the Governor General’s Speech from the throne on April 24th 2025, Minister Douglas lauded the government and private sectors for successfully hosting several high-profile events and forums.

However, she stressed the need to develop new tourism products and to expand accommodation capacity to meet the growing demand.

“Currently, the country has just over 2,000 hotel rooms and more than 3,500 beds, but less than half of these meet international standards — this is not enough,” Minister Douglas

According to the Minister, the upcoming 54th Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) leaders’ meeting, scheduled for September has already fully booked all available hotels in Honiara.

“This should be awake up call for all of us” she said.

“If we want to host more meetings, incentives and events, we must invest in expanding our accommodation capacity.”

Douglas pointed out that hosting such events presents a significant opportunity to raise the country’s profile on the regional stage, potentially positioning the Solomon Islands as a top destination in the Pacific.

“I call on the government, corporate bodies, private sectors, partners and sporting institutions to collaborate and bid for more similar events,” she added.

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MHMS strengthens workforce across country

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BY INDY MAEALASIA

THE Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS) has strengthened its workforce with the recent recruitment of health professionals posted to duty stations across the country.

“I am happy to announce that the Ministry has progressed the recruitment of 180 nurses and 35 doctors, with the majority receiving their postings to the duty stations in the provinces,” Minister Paul Bosawai told parliament on Monday.

The move comes as the country continues to face shortages of health professionals, particularly in rural and provincial areas. Minister Bosawai attributed the progress to a significant increase in the Ministry’s staffing and training budget — from $2.5 million in 2024 to $5 million in 2025.

“This has enabled the Ministry to accommodate and process more applicants from provincial health divisions, national programs and medical departments, and health support services. The training budget is focused on long-term training through in-service and short-term training, both local and international, on technical areas.

Minister Bosawai also highlighted employment reforms at the National Referral Hospital (NRH), where staff previously on casual arrangements have now been transitioned to fixed-term contracts, following recommendations made during a previous parliamentary debate.

“These health professionals will add value to the current health care services in the provinces, hence improving the quality of care “he added.

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