BY BEN BILUA
Gizo

THE Solomon Islands Fujian Association has donated food supplies to communities affected by Tropical Cyclone Maila.

The association handed over bags of rice, cartons of noodles, taiyo and biscuits to Deputy Premier of Western Province, Brian Lotikena yesterday.

Lotikena said the donation comes in at the right time as most communities in Western Province are still without food after the cyclone.

He said Western Province has sister relationship with Fujian Province in China and that the donation is show of friendship between Fujian Province and Western Province.

“Solomon Fujian Association are happy to help affected people of Western Province.

“As a deputy Premier of Western Province, I am very happy and say thank you for this assistance for my people of Western Province.

“Really appreciate such help during our times of need,” Lotikena said.

He said the donation will be sent to the Western Provincial Disaster Operation Committee for distributions.

Lotikena said Western Province looks forward to working closely with the Fujian Association in Solomon Islands.

Photo: Supplied

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BY RODRICK DESURI

The Assembly of God Church in Malaita Province through a donation has supported the Malaita Provincial Government to help communities affected by Tropical Cyclone Maila.

The donation was officially handed over yesterday morning at the Premier’s Office in Auki, following an appeal by the Malaita Provincial Government to churches, communities, and groups to assist affected sister provinces.

Speaking during the handover, Assembly of God Pastor Joash Maefasia said that although the donation may appear small, it reflects the church’s commitment and compassion for affected communities.

He said other provinces share the same concern and are ready to support one another during times of disaster.

“As brothers and sisters, we are here to support one another,” Pastor Maefasia said, encouraging affected communities to remain strong and seek God’s grace during the difficult period.

He also shared a message of encouragement, urging people not to dwell on what has happened.

Meanwhile, Malaita Provincial Premier Elijah Asilau’a acknowledged and thanked the church for its contribution and support towards the humanitarian appeal.

He said the church’s willingness to assist and help coordinate relief efforts demonstrates strong leadership, compassion, and Christian service during a time of national need.

“Their dedication reflects the spirit of unity and solidarity that is essential in responding to disasters that have deeply affected many families and communities,” the Premier said.

The humanitarian appeal for communities affected by TC Maila in the Western, Shortland, and Isabel provinces remains open, with the deadline set for 15 May 2026.

Individuals, churches, businesses, and organisations are encouraged to support and continue making donations before the deadline.

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BY IRWIN ANGIKI

OPPOSITION Leader Matthew Wale has criticised government over exposed ‘favouritism, incompetence and backroom dealing’ in its tax exemption.

This follows Island Sun’s report yesterday exposing a 100 percent tax exemption of 4.5 million litres of fuel granted to a business with known ties to GNUT by Finance Minister Rexon Ramofafia.

Mr Ramofafia had told Island Sun that he had revoked that tax exemption the next day. However, there is no official revocation instrument to support Ramofafia’s claim.

The tax exemption is estimated to deny government more than $6 million in tax revenue.

In response Mr Wale said, “Let’s be clear, you don’t ‘accidentally’ sign away millions in tax revenue. This was not a mistake. This was a political decision.”

He said Finance Minister Ramofafia’s claim that the exemption was “revoked the next day” only proves that “they acted first and reversed the decision after being exposed. It will not be a surprise a revocation letter will be back dated to cover their tracks”.

In a statement yesterday the Opposition Leader said the fact that this was done in secrecy to a lone fuel retailer who is a financier of GNUT as reported in the media is no surprise.

“There is no transparency, no justification and no benefit to the public. While Solomon Islanders are struggling to afford fuel, this Government was busy cutting deals for the well politically connected,” he said.

“When a politically connected player is handed massive concessions in the middle of a fuel crisis, the public is not stupid, they know exactly what this looks like.”

Wale also slammed the fact that the exemption was granted to a business name, not even a proper company structure describing it as outrageous and indefensible.

“Millions in public money handed to a business name? That is either gross negligence or deliberate manipulation. There is no middle ground,” he said.

Wale said the Government’s actions have distorted the market, unfairly disadvantaging other legitimate fuel suppliers.

“Do away with the favouritism towards political cronies. Honest businesses are paying full taxes while one ‘preferred’ player is given a free ride. That is not policy that is patronage,” he said.

The Opposition Leader warned that the biggest issue is not the cancellation but the intent.

“If this was not exposed, it would have gone through. That is the truth,” he said.

Wale said GNUT has shown it is willing to sacrifice fairness, transparency, and public revenue to benefit the few.

The Opposition Leader said the exemptions are not new traits by the current GNUT.

The last time the exemptions by the former finance minister Manasseh Sogavare were leaked by the current finance minister, it was a ploy to get him the top job.

“The public also deserves to know what other questionable exemptions was issued by the Finance Minister Ramofafia in secrecy,” Wale said.

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By RODRICK DESURI 

Auki 

While the BSP station in Auki, Malaita province, has dropped its fuel prices has been welcomed, some transport providers are concerned this has set an unfair playing fuel for fuel retailers.

Yesterday morning, they were surprised to see BSP Refill Station drop its fuel prices from $15 per litre of petrol to $12.40, while diesel prices fell from $14 per litre to $13. 

However, transport service provider Chrissanto Kaeni said it would be fair if they dropped their fuel prices to the normal prices from last month. 

“For petrol, it should drop back to $10 per litre, and $11 per litre for diesel,” he said. 

Another service provider appreciated the new fuel prices but said it will cause problems for other fuel depots that do not have tax exemption from GNUT government.

He said it will affect them and force them to close their fuel depots because of fewer customers.

“Honestly, we appreciate the drop in fuel prices at BSP Refill Station, but one thing that will arise here is that other fuel depots will be affected. This is because they will have fewer customers,” he said.

Sea transport service provider John Giti said government should give exemptions to all fuel stations and depots.

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BY BEN BILUA
Gizo

DISTRIBUTION of food supplies to communities identified as red-zones following Tropical Cyclone Maila has been completed, according to the Western Province Disaster Committee.

Chairperson Collin Potakana confirmed the update in an interview with Island Sun yesterday, stating that relief efforts are now shifting to areas classified under orange-zones.

“During our preparation for food distributions, we categorised islands and communities into red [severely affected], orange [affected], yellow [not really affected], and green [not affected],” Potakana explained.

He said food distributions have been successfully delivered to all red-zone areas, including Simbo, Rendova, Shortland Islands, Vella, and Ranongga.

“Some of the communities also received non-food items [NFIs],” Potakana added.

He said the livelihood team has started distributing food supplies to orange-zone communities, including parts of Rendova, Ranongga, Vella, Gizo, and Kolombangara.

Potakana said the teams were deployed over the weekend and will continue operations throughout this week.

Potakana said the Western Provincial Emergency Operation Committee is working closely with stakeholders on the ground to ensure that food distributions are completed before the end of the week.

He calls on community leaders to cooperate closely with both the Western Provincial Emergency Operation Committee and the Provincial Disaster Operation Committee to ensure that relief distribution efforts run smoothly.

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