The Solomon Islands Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SICCI) in collaboration with the Papua New Guinea Institute of Directors (PNGID) officially launched a three-day directorship training programme yesterday.

This marks a significant milestone for leadership development in the country.

After months of preparation and collaboration, the programme is now ready to contribute to strengthening leadership and governance capacity in the Solomon Islands.

Speaking at the official opening, SICCI Chairlady Namoi Kaluae welcomed partners, including President of the Papua New Guinea Institute of Directors, Clarence Hood, along with team member Neville Beren and facilitator Christine Sambo.

Ms Kaluae also acknowledged the 32 participants in the inaugural cohort, representing government, state-owned enterprises, educational institutions and the private sector.

She said the strong level of participation highlights a growing recognition across both public and private sectors of the need to invest in leadership development and governance.

Kaluae said the programme aims to equip leaders with the skills to navigate complex challenges, including evolving economic and business environments, regulatory reforms, market pressures, technological changes, and global uncertainties.

She said strengthening leadership will help ensure institutions remain resilient while also taking advantage of opportunities for growth, innovation, and partnerships.

“Leadership is the engine of economic progress and national development,” she said.

She added that strong leadership builds resilient organisations, fosters investor confidence, and ensures institutions consistently deliver value to stakeholders.

Kaluae said the directorship training programme is designed to embed these values into leadership structures, enhance board performance, and drive excellence that delivers tangible results.

SICCI said it is proud to partner with the Papua New Guinea Institute of Directors in delivering the programme.

Photo credit: Junelyn Kelly

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By RODRICK DESURI 

Auki 

The West Baegu/Fataleka Ward 5 election counting officials underwent a half-day training on Tuesday, April 7, at the Malaita Assembly conference room. 

The training was basically to teach and provide broader knowledge of the roles and responsibilities of the counting officials during the counting period of votes cast, spoiled, and unused after the polling day on April 15. 

In an interview with the Island Sun, the Election Manager for West Baegu/Fataleka Ward 5, Peter Herehura, said the training will help the counting officials to perform their duties more transparently, accountably, fairly, and accurately. 

He said they also learned how to receive polling sacks, and to record how many forms were used by the presiding officer, as well as the polling sacks.

“We are expecting seven polling sacks, and they come with other envelopes of tender papers, unused ballots, and counter foils for separation before they can go into the ballot box for verification and documentation.

“With that, it will make their work more efficient, accurate, accountable, transparent, and fast,” he said.

He said counting officials must also be careful and need to be accountable and fair in everything they do. 

“There will be the presence of counting agents; every move that the counting officials make is monitored and recorded by each counting agent,” he said. 

In the meantime, he said international and local election observers are expected to be present on polling day and day of counting votes. 

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BY SAMIE WAIKORI

The Central Islands Provincial (CIP) government has unveiled a proposal to further invest in the province’s education sector.

The initiative forms a key part of the achievements made so far by the Sagupari-led Government of Change and Rural Transformation since taking office in mid-2025.

Speaking at the provincial full assembly in Tulagi recently, Premier Kenneth Sagupari highlighted some of the progress made in the education sector.

He revealed that the province is in the final stages of establishing a “Centre of the Islands” campus for the Solomon Islands National University (SINU).

“The executive has already endorsed land for this initiative, paving the way for this vision to host some functions of this tertiary institution here in Tulagi and across the Central Province,” Sagupari said.

He also announced plans to work with the Ministry of Education and Human Resource Development (MEHRD) and the University of the South Pacific (USP) to introduce Form 7 arts programs at Siota Provincial Secondary School in 2027 and McMahon Community High School in 2028.

Premier Sagupari also commended the province for its leadership in the WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) sector, citing the recent handover of UNICEF-supported facilities on Savo Island.

“The Ministry of Education and Human Resource Development, the Australian Government, and UNICEF have provided funding to build sanitation facilities in 30 schools across our islands. We thank them for choosing Central Province.

“By empowering our children with safe and inclusive WASH facilities, we are investing in their future. By building climate-resilient systems, we are protecting their future.

“Together, we are laying the foundation for a generation that is healthier, more educated, and more resilient,” he said.

The premier urges the people of Central province to continue to work closely with the government, communities, schools, and partners to ensure that no child is left behind when it comes to water, sanitation, and hygiene.

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BY SAMIE WAIKORI

The Sagupari-led Government of Change and Rural Transformation (GCRT) in Central Islands Province (CIP) is working to revive several major investments that once played a key role in the province’s economy but closed decades ago.

Among the priority projects are the redevelopment of Anuha Island Resort and renewed development efforts in the Russell Islands, which both aim to boost tourism and economic activity. And these initiatives form part of the current government’s key achievements.

Speaking at a recent provincial full assembly in Tulagi, Premier Kenneth Sagupari revealed that long-standing issues surrounding Anuha Island Resort have now been resolved through active consultation between national and provincial governments, resource owners, and investors.

“We have successfully negotiated and signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between all parties, especially with the landowning tribes and groups. Reconciliation processes have been conducted, and new trustees have been appointed for its redevelopment,” he said.

Sagupari added that his government is also progressing discussions with the Russell Islands House of Chiefs, particularly on development plans for Pavuvu.

He said the Ministry of Lands and Housing in collaboration with the CIP government, is finalising arrangements for the subdivision of government land on Pavuvu. This is expected to be a priority task in the first quarter of the 2026/2027 financial year.

“This is a priority, given the push by the Commodities Marketing Authority Taskforce Committee under the Office of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (OPMC), with funding support from investors to establish a coconut oil refinery at Pavuvu in the Russell Islands by 2028,” Sagupari said.

The premier also highlighted recent growth in tourism within the province. The opening of Double Island Resort and Raiders Hotel signals a new phase for the tourism industry in CIP.

He further acknowledged support from the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, which has allocated SBD $5 million specifically for Tulagi tourism operators. The funds have been disbursed, with historical site developments and museum exhibitions now in their initial stages of implementation.

Sagupari emphasised that these developments are aligned with the province’s long-term goal of becoming the next central tourism hub of Solomon Islands within the next decade.

Supporting this vision, he confirmed that both provincial and national governments are backing the construction of a ring road in Tulagi, with the contract already awarded.

The premier said the project will include full tar sealing and is being delivered as part of the country’s 50th anniversary initiatives, expected to significantly enhance the province’s tourism profile.

Meanwhile, the premier also announced that Central province has been selected as the pilot location for the Yandina Fishery Centre.

“We are prepared to host a new vessel in Tulagi to support local fisheries, research activities, and Fish Aggregating Device (FAD) deployments,” he said.

Sagupari said these initiatives reflect the progress his government is making and he calls on all stakeholders in the province to work together to ensure their successful implementation.

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