By RODRICK DESURI 

Auki 

The Besi Youth Association in North Malaita sold their first batch of local taro to Goshen Enterprise Limited yesterday.

In an interview with the chairman of the Besi Youth Association yesterday, Abel Wanesuia, he said this first sale is truly a breakthrough for them.

He said that it also demonstrates trust and it is a real market opportunity following their signed memorandum of understanding with Goshen Enterprise. 

“It proves that the project is viable and that the market is real. This builds trust with partners like Goshen Enterprise Ltd and opens doors for long-term business relationships,” he said.

He said that marketing their own products also motivates and shifts the mindset of their young members.

“It surely will motivate our youths after earning their first sale, shifting their mindset from dependency to self-reliance,” he said.

He said financially, it will also begin the flow of income that can support further farming, expansion of production and as means to help sustain the association.

He said that it also strengthens their teamwork, discipline, and accountability among their members.

He thanks the Australian government for their support and the Almighty God for strength throughout their journey.

“We humbly acknowledge God for his guidance and strength throughout this journey. We also extend our sincere gratitude to the Australian government for their support,” he said.

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By RODRICK DESURI 

Auki 

A Family-Life talks session was held this week at Larione, West Kwaio, Malaita Province, and it revealed that cervical and breast cancer in women’s bodies are allegedly caused by medical and traditional treatments used to avoid pregnancy or abortion. 

The Family-Life team is a Catholic group formed under Buma Holy Spirit Parish in West Kwaio. 

The facilitator, Arthur Agwa, during one of their sessions yesterday, said cervical and breast cancer is most likely caused by abortion-related tools and equipment used to prevent unwanted pregnancies. 

He said cancer is becoming a leading cause of death in the country because mothers affected by the consequences of these tools and equipment do not want to report their conditions and seek treatment at hospitals and clinics when it is in its early stages.

He said that according to their family-life teaching, the human body is the temple of God, and it can be affected when people want to use follow and use their own intelligence.

“Our human body is the temple of God and was created by God. God is an intelligent being. He molded us and doesn’t miss anything that each human body has in the world.

“But when we want to follow and use our own intelligence, that is when we face its effects, and cervical and breast cancer are the main effects,” he said.

Christina Bubuleu, a mother of six children who has gone through this said the effects are real.

She explained that when she used material tools and equipment to prevent pregnancy, she felt and encountered many pains in parts of her body.

She said she also experienced abnormal menstruation.

“For surely, I experienced and encountered the effects of using materials like diaphragms, and it really affected my body.

“After I realized that the pains within my body were caused by the diaphragm, I went to a priest and confessed all to him,” she said.

The Family Life Talks is an organized team formed by Catholic christians.

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BY ALICE T CAMPBELL

Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock’s (MAL) Biosecurity Solomon Islands (BSI) team successfully carried out an awareness program at Betikama Adventist College.

This is the first school for BSI to carry out awareness at and it also marks the start of its school outreach activities for 2026, a statement from MAL yesterday said.

The event was officiated by the school’s Agriculture head of department, Mr. Kendrick Tango’eha Tahea and attended by students from forms 1 to 7 in the school’s new hall.

The session was delivered by a team of three officers from different units within Biosecurity Solomon Islands, representing the Surveillance Unit, the Biosecurity Emergency Coordination Centre (BECC), and the Publicity and Information Unit.

MAL said the presentation introduced students to the history and role of biosecurity in Solomon Islands, including the shift from the former Solomon Islands Agriculture Quarantine Service to Biosecurity Solomon Islands.

“It also explained how biosecurity helps protect agriculture, the environment, the economy, and public health, while highlighting the country’s links to key international biosecurity organisations and frameworks such as the WTO, IPPC, WOAH, and WHO,” the statement said.

Deputy Principal Mr Kelly Patovaki praised the initiative and encouraged students to consider agriculture as a promising future career path particularly in specialised areas like biosecurity.

BSI Publicity Officer Leon Boso said that school awareness will remain a priority throughout 2026, and they have plans to reach more major schools throughout the year.

“While communication platforms such as social media, radio, and signboards remain important. But Face-to-face awareness continues to be one of the most effective ways to share information directly with communities.

 “When combined with other communication methods, awareness efforts can help information reach the public more effectively and create lasting understanding through repetition and engagement,” he said.

Boso stressed that students are future leaders and play an important role when it comes to spreading awareness to families and communities.

The officer highlighted that invasive alien species (IAS) including harmful exotic plants, animals, pests, and disease-causing organisms are an increasing national threat and can spread and severely impact biodiversity and livelihoods.

“Key concerns highlighted were rabies, a zoonotic disease that can be transmitted from animals to humans; African swine fever, which threatens the pork industry; Banana Wilt Associated Phytoplasma (BWAP), which poses a significant risk to banana and coconut production; and cocoa pod borer, which continues to threaten the cocoa industry,” said MAL.

Boso pointed out that biosecurity cannot address these challenges alone and that every citizen has a role to play by reporting any unusual insect, pest, disease, or damage affecting crops or animals to the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock.

MAL said Biosecurity Solomon Islands extends its sincere appreciation to Betikama Adventist College for inviting the team to deliver the awareness session.

“Through programs like this, Biosecurity Solomon Islands aims to strengthen public understanding and encourage shared responsibility in protecting Solomon Islands from harmful pests and diseases,” the statement said.

Photo credit: MAL

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BY ALICE T CAMPBELL

Honiara City Councillor (HCC) for Panatina Ward 12, Lydia Yeo, officially opened the first-ever borehole at Kings Valley Community, Panatina Ridge, in East Honiara, on Wednesday this week.

This marked a significant milestone for the community and residents gathered to celebrate a now improved access to clean and reliable water supply, a statement from Honiara City Council (HCC) yesterday said.

Ms Yeo speaking at the ceremony, expressed sincere gratitude for the collective efforts that brought the project to fruition.

She also acknowledged the strong cooperation between the community and her office, highlighting the importance of collaboration to achieve meaningful development outcomes.

“This may be a very small project, but it will bring a great impact to the lives of women, children, and men in this community. Water is life, and having access to it will improve daily living conditions for everyone,” she said.

The statement said the borehole is expected to ease the burden on families, who before faced challenges in accessing water, especially women and children who would often travel far to fetch water.

Having a borehole will also contribute to improved hygiene, sanitation and overall community well-being.

“Community members expressed their appreciation and happiness, thanking Councillor Yeo for her unwavering support and dedication to addressing the needs of communities within Panatina Ward 12.

“The Honiara City Council continues to support initiatives that enhance essential services and improve the quality of life for all residents,” the statement said.

Photo credit: HCC Communications Bureau

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BY BEN BILUA

A Chief of North Guadalcanal, Benedict Garimae, calls on national leaders to place the country’s interests above personal and political agendas amid ongoing political tensions.

Garimae made the statement as the nation continues to grapple with political uncertainty that has dominated headlines since last week.

He said a motion of no confidence should not be viewed as the primary solution to political disagreements.

“Motion of no confidence is the last alternative when something is seriously wrong within the government,” Garimae said.

He said there are existing platforms such as caucus meetings and cabinet discussions where leaders can address differences and resolve leadership concerns.

“It is disappointing to see leaders use the parliamentary process such as motion of no confidence to solve issues.

“Matters involving political parties should be resolved at party level, not by disrupting the business of government and the interests of the people,” Garimae said.

He questioned the motives behind the push for a motion of no confidence, asking whether such actions are genuinely in the country’s best interest or driven by personal ambitions.

“My question is how sure are we that the motion of no confidence is fuelled by political issues in the best interest of the country or mere personal interests,” Garimae said.

Garimae also raised concern that the disruption of government services, noting that with less than a year remaining for the current parliament, key ministries have been left without ministers following the resignation of 10 office holders.

“This is not serving the country at all. This is bad judgement,” he said.

He urged the Governor General and the Clerk of Parliament to respect parliamentary procedures and avoid any actions that could be seen as abusing their authority, particularly in relation to calls for parliament to resume while it is on sine die adjournment.

“Leaders agreed to the motion of sine die when it was presented on the floor of parliament. Why force the Governor General and Clerk to resume parliament?” Garimae said.

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BY ALICE T CAMPBELL

The Ministry of Infrastructure Development (MID) announced that relief works are underway this week at Kohi, Northwest Guadalcanal, to restore a multi-cell culvert system following the severe weather events of late January this year.

In a statement yesterday, MID said its Transport Infrastructure Management Services Division has engaged a local contractor to carry out gabion reinstatement activities to stabilise the riverbank and protect the bridges’ approach road.

MID said heavy rainfall during January’s peak wet season led to the collapse of the Kohi (Tanaeba) approach road and its associated cell culverts.

Hence, for durability to withstand future river torrents, the contractor is utilising gabion baskets which the ministry said acts as a flexible, heavy-duty barrier and can allow water to flow through them, reducing the build-up of hydrostatic pressure during floods.

MID said the priority is to make sure that the cell culverts are fully protected as the watercourse cuts towards Kohi Bridge, and that this asset remains safe and accessible for road users of Northwest and West Guadalcanal.

“These ongoing rollouts of minor works are part of the government’s response to ensure the safety and resilience of infrastructure critical to the Guadalcanal Provinces’ development and disaster response mechanism,” said MID.

The statement said the ministry will continue to strengthen its collaboration with the Guadalcanal Provincial Disaster Operations Committee (P-DOC) to ensure that relief works are undertaken to ensure connectivity when disaster strikes and to design climate-resilient road infrastructures.

Photo credit: MID

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