BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

Governor of the Central Bank of Solomon Islands (CBSI) Dr Luke Forau said that the Solomon Islands’ growth aspirations must be inclusive.

Dr Forau said when he spoke on empowering the real drivers of growth, particularly producers and entrepreneurs.

Speaking at the Launch of the 2024 CBSI Annual Report on Monday, 28 April at the Heritage Park Hotel, Mr Forau said that inclusivity is not just about raising numbers, but it is about uplifting the people behind those numbers.

“The real drivers of our economy are our farmers, our young people, our women entrepreneurs, and our small business owners,” said Dr Forau.

He said that the Solomon Islands can only achieve this growth through the provision of necessary, accessible and efficient services.

“We can achieve this by upgrading agricultural support services, ensuring our farmers have access to and adopt innovative farming methods to increase their production and trade,” he said.

He stressed that access to affordable rural credit is a vital mechanism to help farmers and small businesses’ endeavours.

“We also need to expand access to affordable rural credit to help farmers and small businesses invest and expand. No one should be left out of this story of growth. Every person, in every province, must have the chance to grow, to succeed, and to contribute,’’ Dr Foarau said.

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BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

Tracking of the country’s economic performance needs to be enhanced.

Central Bank of Solomon Islands (CBSI) Governor, Dr Luke Forau, echoed at the Launch of the 2024 CBSI Annual Report on Monday, 28 April at the Heritage Park Hotel.

“Just as the 2023 Pacific Games Organising Committee successfully used timelines and scorecards, we need to strengthen how we monitor and track our economic performance, to enhance monitoring, encourage feedback, and accountability,” said Dr Forau.

He pointed out that the Solomon Islands must build effective systems that track each target, whether it is agricultural output or infrastructure development, using timely, accurate data to inform decisions at all levels of government.

He further said that collective efforts are required from both data providers and data users to ensure the consistent flow of economic data to track the country’s investments and monitor progress as the country charts its development aspirations forward.

“I must acknowledge the Ministry of National Planning and Development Coordination for the role they play in assessing and monitoring the country’s progress towards achieving the National Development Strategy 2016 – 2035. If practical, these policies and quantifiable targets should be embedded in the National Development Strategy document,” he said.

“We take the agriculture sector as an illustrative example, but the same focused, results-based approach can be applied to tourism, fisheries, manufacturing, and services. Doing so will accelerate growth and open broader opportunities to shape the future we want,’’ said CBSI Governor.

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BY NED GAGAHE

Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele says the resignation of senior ministers and government backbenchers is a “blessing in disguise.”

He stated that it marks the dawn of a new era—one that will usher in fresh, young, and energetic leaders who are ready to take up the challenge of leading the people and the country.

PM Manele made the remarks yesterday during a press conference held to mark the one-year anniversary of the Government for National Unity and Transformation (GNUT) coalition, celebrating its achievements.

“Our leadership is defined by unity, purpose, and service to the people—not by individual demands or disruptions,” he said.

“The resignation of senior ministers is a blessing in disguise. It is the dawn of a new era to usher in fresh, young, and energetic leaders who are willing to take up the challenge to lead our people and country.”

The Prime Minister said the GNUT’s door remains open, extending an invitation to Members of Parliament from the opposition to join the coalition.

“The politics of old must now be discarded. It is divisive and disruptive. We must focus on our people by implementing good policies,” he added.

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BY LORETTA B MANELE

Infrastructure will remain a strategy priority for the Government for National Unity and Transformation (GNUT).

Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele stressed on the above whilst speaking at his press conference yesterday.

He went on to express that roads, bridges, airports, wharves, ICT and healthcare facilities are essential not only to deliver vital services but also in driving economic growth and strengthening connections between our communities.

Manele outlined a number of key achievements of the government to date.

One of these achievements is a US $51.2 million additional funding secured for SIRAP2.

Manele added that GNUT also secured an additional US$51.2 million in financing for the Second Solomon Islands Roads and Aviation Project (SIRAP2), bringing total funding to US$140.41 million.

He mentioned that this was approved by the World Bank in February this year and effective as of March 3 and the additional funding will support infrastructure works.

Infrastructure developments under this funding will support construction of four new bridges in Malaita, namely; Kolofe1, Kolofe2, Su’u Harbour and Bira.

Other developments are; road upgrades of 10km in Noro and 33 km in Malaita, provincial airport upgrades in Malaita, Western, Temotu and Makira provinces and air navigation systems in Makira-Ulawa and Temotu to enhance aviation safety and efficiency.

Manel also stated that in 2024, the Australian government funded emergency repairs to 42 km of South Road in Malaita and completed this ahead of schedule in November.

He said the government is focused on restoring the confidence of partners to contribute to the National Transport Fund.

“To this end, Australia has taken the lead in contributing to the National Transport Fund again.”

Manele also noted that in March 2025, the Auki Road Network Rehabilitation Project, funded by the People’s Republic of China, (PRC) was launched to upgrade 5.462 km of roads in Auki, including a vital link to Kilu’ufi Hospital.

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BY LORETTA B MANELE

Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele expressed that government investments have focused on extending services and infrastructure to rural areas.

He spoke about this when giving an update to the media about the Government for National Unity and Transformation’s (GNUT) investments and progress while only being in office for just a year.

Initially, Manele said GNUT recognizes that the majority of Solomon Islanders live in rural communities and much of their national development agenda reflects this reality.

He emphasized that government investments have focused on extending essential services and infrastructure to rural areas through rural roads, wharves, airstrips, agricultural support, and fisheries centres to unlock economic opportunities and improve quality of life.

“For example, the road upgrades connecting the South and North of Malaita are helping communities gain better access to markets in Auki and Honiara. The continued rollout of RCDF-funded projects also supports rural livelihoods and helps bridge the development gap.”

Manele highlighted that their goal is to ensure that development is inclusive and balanced; lifting up our most underserved communities while responding to the needs of our growing urban population.

“This approach is not about choosing one over the other, but about building a more connected, equitable and resilient Solomon Islands for all.”

Manele noted that GNUT is actively formulating urban-specific interventions to address these concerns, ensuring balanced and inclusive national development.

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BY LORETTA B MANELE

Government for National Unity and Transformation (GNUT) has reaffirmed its vision to transform the country’s energy sector.

Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele voiced this at his press conference yesterday.

He said they are doing so through ambitious investments in renewable energy, regulatory reform and sustainable infrastructure.

Manele stated these efforts aim to reduce dependency on fossil fuels, expand energy access, and promote economic resilience. 

He said the Renewable Energy Roadmap targets a full transition of the Honiara electricity grid to 100% renewable energy by 2030, aligning with GNUT’s long-term sustainability goals.

Manele expressed that in partnership with the Asian Development Bank (ADB), the government is accelerating renewable energy generation projects, installing battery storage systems to stabilize supply and expanding renewable infrastructure in both urban and rural areas.

“These measures are critical to building an energy-secure future for Solomon Islands and reducing carbon emissions in line with our global climate commitments.”

In relation, Manele also spoke about the Tina River Hydro project.

He expressed that GNUT remains committed to completing the Tina River Hydro project by 2028. 

Manele said his government has approved the additional financing of US$75 million required for the project and has already secured most of this financing.

“Tina River Hydropower is a cornerstone of our national energy reform.”

Manele furthered that they are implementing programs and activities aligned with goals of; increasing electricity access in both urban and rural areas by 2030, reducing electricity tariffs by 25% by 2028 to alleviate cost burdens on households and businesses, diversifying energy sources to include solar, hydro and other renewables and introducing fiscal policies to lower Solomon Power’s operational costs and incentivize private sector investment in energy infrastructure.

He noted that these measures will boost the energy sector coverage and efficiency, stimulate economic activity and empower local communities.

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