BY SAMIE WAIKORI

Premier of Makira Ulawa Province, Stanley Siapu, says infrastructure is the key to unlocking development potential in the province.

He highlighted the richness of the province’s untouched natural resources and the need to harness them for the country’s development.

In an interview, Siapu emphasized his government’s strong determination to pursue and seek cooperation with partners to develop the province. However, he pointed out that this cannot happen without proper infrastructure in place, such as roads, bridges, wharves, and other essential developments.

To achieve this, Siapu said his government will work closely with the national government and development partners to boost infrastructure in the province.

“Our focus this year is to work closely with the national government through the Ministry of Infrastructure Development (MID) on major infrastructure projects in the province.

“We have already consulted with the national government through the relevant ministries, especially regarding the Special Economic Zone (SEZ), a development initiative my government will be pursuing.

“As soon as the SOE bill is passed and formally established, we will continue discussions based on our initial dialogue to set up a Special Economic Zone.

“This initiative will undoubtedly stimulate other developments in the province. It may lead to the establishment of a seaport, a cannery, or a dry dock.

“If we receive support from the national government and our key donor partners, my government is optimistic and determined to explore these opportunities,” he said.

Moreover, the premier emphasized the need to develop and rehabilitate existing roads in the province, particularly the east and west roads of Kirakira.

“My government will push the national government to rehabilitate the west road from Kirakira to Arosi, Marou Bay, and Rumahui.

“The same applies to the east road. Additionally, we are exploring the possibility of developing a cross-island road across mainland Makira,” he said.

Siapu noted that the other side of Makira Island holds vast potential, which can only be unlocked through proper infrastructure.

“If roads connect the province, my government will work towards exploring the province’s development potential,” he said.

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BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

The upgrade project of Commonwealth Street Road was completed and officially commemorated over the week.

The brief commemoration occurred Thursday at Commonwealth Street, Point Cruz.

Attendees of the event include the Chinese Ambassador to the Solomon Islands, the senior diplomatic members from the Embassy of Japan, the Embassy of China, the New Zealand High Commission, the U.S. Embassy, the new Shashti Affairs to U.S. Embassy of Konyara, the Most Reverend Christopher Cardone, SIPA Deputy Chair, Mr. Moses Virivolomo, the Chairman of the Board, and also the Acting Chairman of the Board.

The China Railway Construction Engineering Group constructed the upgrade.

The key and guest speaker at the event was the Minister for the Ministry of Infrastructure and Development, Manasseh Maelanga.

The other two speakers at the event are the former SIPA Chief Executive Officer, Mr () and the Chinese Ambassador to the Solomon Islands, His Excellency Tai Wei Ming.

The highlight of the event includes the cutting of the ribbon and a tour around the completed road from Guests, and SIPA employees.

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BY INDY MAEALASIA

IN a major boost to digital education, 121 schools across the Solomon Islands have been gifted laptops, a move aimed at improving digital connectivity and online educational resources for students and teachers.

The Australian and New Zealand Governments provided the laptops through the Education Sector Support Program (ESSP) at an estimated cost of SBD$750,000.

During a simple handover ceremony organized at the Kukum SDA hall on Friday, February 14th, representatives of Education Providers (EP) took ownership of the laptops on behalf of the recipient schools.

New Zealand (NZ) Deputy High Commissioner Rebecca Williams highlighted the importance of this initiative, stating:

“These laptops represent the increase connectivity in schools across the country and provide opportunities for teachers and students to improve their digital literacy,” she said.

She also expressed hope that the laptops would be used effectively to provide lasting access to essential teaching and learning resources.

As the ESSP nears its conclusion in less than six weeks, Williams assured that New Zealand’s support would not end there.

“We will continue work hard in the new phase of the education sector support with the MEHRD to implement key reforms and improve education service delivery across the country,” she added.

Recently, the Australian government has renewed its commitment with the signing of its new eight-year SBD230 million (AUD 44 million) Stronger Education Together (SET) program.

According to the Australian High Commission office, this new program aims to improve equitable school access and enhance the quality of education across Solomon Islands.

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BY SAMIE WAIKORI

The People’s Alliance for Change, Reform and Advancement (PACRA) government of Makira Ulawa province has set-up a secretariat office within the premier’s office to strengthen the administration of the province.

The establishment of the secretariat office is to support divisional heads for the effective implementation of the provincial policy.

Premier of Makira Ulawa province, Stanley Siapu said since his government has taken office, the management and administration of the province were not connected, which contributed to poor attitude of staffs toward their duty.

“Lateness and attendance performance of staffs were very poor. These are some of the areas have been contributing to failures faced by province in the past.

“These setbacks prompted my government to carry out reform and fortify the administration and work performance of the province,” he noted.

Siapu explained this is the basis for the establishment of the secretariat office.

He noted the office will work in collaboration with management and HOD to effectively implement the policy of the province.

Siapu said the first area to look at on the reform is the administration. This is to restrengthen, recapacitate and resourcing the administration.

“Like, when we came in there was no reception. No telephone at the office. When there is no communication, it is next to none.

“Virtually, there was no telephone at the office. We are working closely with Our Telekom to reestablish and reconnect our telephone system,” he said.

The premier said his government is also looking at the organizational structure of the provincial government.

“This is so that we can determine as to the effectiveness of the divisional heads, offices and positions within the province.

“Review will be done to determine the performance, essence and necessity of offices and posts, if they are functioning or not.

“This is so we can see to the alternatives and effectively perform to the best of our ability and maximise the resources at hand,” he said.

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By Loretta B Manele

Closely monitoring the treatment of migrant workers at their destination of work along with employer adherence to contract terms and conditions is one of the recommendations from a recent IOM report.

Emmanuel Pitakaka, national project officer from the International Organization for Migration (IOM) spoke about this when IOM launched its “Returned Migrant Workers in Solomon Islands” 2025 report last month.

He outlined factors from the report that supported the above recommendation.

Pitakaka said of all migrant workers from their survey, only 55% of the respondents stated that the terms of their employment agreement were fully upheld by their employers.

On the other hand, the rest reported not receiving the salary contraction due to them, experiencing deductions that exceed contract terms, were provided with accommodation that didn’t meet the description in their contract and were assigned work that didn’t align with their contracts.

Pitakaka said another reason for this recommendation is that almost a third of respondents experienced a change to the terms and conditions of their employment while at the destination.

He mentioned that 42% of workers were not consulted by their employer prior to when these contracts or changes being made.

Pitakaka also stated that when workers were consulted, close to half of them felt they could not refuse to receive any incentive by their employers.

He stressed that there are more justifications for this recommendation.

Pitakaka said almost a third of respondents experienced a change.

This change is that 41% of them reported being treated unfairly at work, 50% of all workers reported overpriced accommodation, 13% reported overcrowded accommodation and nearly 1 in 10 workers reported unpaid hours as well as discrimination based on ethnicity, racism and unexpected wage deductions.

Pitakaka noted that only 15% of workers were offered private accommodation in their contract destination and only half of all respondents did not feel that the accommodation arrangements ensured their privacy.

The above were reasons why it is recommended that there is close monitoring of how migrant workers are being treated at their destination of work and of their employers adherence to the contract terms and conditions.

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