SIART/MALD’s pig breeding program advances with hormonal feeding completed and oestrus synchronisation underway in selected animals. The SIART/MALD Pig Breed Improvement Program is progressing as planned with its 15-day hormonal feeding program successfully completed on 11 September 2026.& The program is a collaborative initiative aimed at improving the reproductive performance, productivity and genetic quality of [...]
The post SIART/MALD Pig Breed Improvement Program Makes Progress appeared first on Tavuli News (Solomon Islands) .
BY TONY IROGA
A strong wind warning remains in force for all waters of Solomon Islands, with winds of up to 25 knots expected across most areas.
The Solomon Islands Meteorological Service (SIMS) issued Strong Wind Warning Number 205 at 4pm today, warning sea travellers to take extra care.
SIMS said a trough is lying northeast of Solomon Islands while a general south-easterly trade wind flow continues across the country.
“Southeasterly winds are expected to reach 15 to 25 knots over most waters of Solomon Islands,” SIMS said.
The Meteorological Service said seas will be moderate to rough, with moderate southeasterly swells of between 2.5 and 3 metres.
It also warns of poor visibility in areas affected by showers, while thunderstorms could further worsen conditions.
“People in those areas should take precautionary measures as such strong winds have the potential to impact lives and properties,” SIMS said.
Sea travellers, particularly those using small boats, have been urged to consider safety measures before heading out.
“Such winds can produce dangerous wave conditions which are hazardous to small boats,” SIMS warned.
SIMS said a strong wind warning means winds of 20 to 25 knots, which may gust up to 33 knots, expected to produce hazardous sea conditions for small crafts.
The level of risk will depend on the experience of the boat operator and the size and type of vessel being used.
SIMS also reminds the public that wave forecasts represent average wave heights and that individual waves can be as much as twice the forecasted height.
The Meteorological Service urges people to share the warning with persons with disabilities.
The next strong wind warning will be issued at 7am tomorrow.
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BY LORETTA B MANELE
The Aviation Complex Building at Henderson reaches a major milestone with physical construction works now substantially completed.
The Ministry of Communication and Aviation (MCA), through the Second Solomon Islands Roads and Aviation Project (SIRAP2), with financial and technical support from the World Bank made the announcement in a statement from the SIRAP 2 Project this afternoon.
As stated, remaining architectural finishes, mechanical, electrical and plumbing (MEP) installations, external works, landscaping and approved variation works have reached completion.
“Final inspections and several significant stakeholder visits have also been undertaken as part of the close-out, handover and operational readiness process,” the statement added.
MCA Minister’s room, Photo credit- SIRAP 2 Project
Staff work stations, Photo credit- SIRAP 2 Project
SIRAP 2 said the construction works are being undertaken by China Railway Construction Engineering Group (CRCEG), with Egis Asia providing construction supervision services.
Meanwhile, critical items that remain outstanding are; installation of the transformer by Solomon Power and procurement and integration of the required information technology (IT) hardware by MCA.
SIRAP 2 said these activities must be completed before final testing and commission of the affected building systems can proceed and before the facility can become fully operational and ready for handover.
MCA’s Permanent Secretary, Alwyn Danitofea said they are pleased to see the Aviation Complex Building reach this important stage.
“The completion of the physical works is a significant achievement and reflects the commitment of the Ministry, our project partners and contractors to delivering a modern facility that will strengthen the capacity and efficiency of Solomon Islands’ aviation sector,” he said.
The SIRAP 2 Project, apart from the Aviation Complex Building is also supporting other major aviation and transport infrastructure improvements across Solomon Islands.
“These include the upgrading of Santa Cruz and Suavanao Airfields, air traffic control towers at Honiara and Munda International Airports, air navigation systems in Makira-Ulawa and Temotu Provinces, regional airport maintenance, the rehabilitation of 21 kilometres of East Road between Baratolo and Atori, and the sealing of 12 kilometres of North Road between the Auki-Gwaunaru’u Airfield Junction and Kwaisuliniu Road Junction,” the statement said.
Photo credit: SIRAP 2 Project
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National tournament puts new lessons into action
BY RICHARD MENANOPO
THE Solomon Ports National 7s moves from preparation to competition tomorrow when teams converge at Town Ground Rugby Stadium for the opening of the three-day national tournament.
The competition, which runs from September 16 to 18, is expected to provide a major platform for players to compete at national level while giving officials and coaches an immediate opportunity to apply lessons from last week’s specialised training programme.
SIRUF Chief Executive Officer, Alivereti Mocelutu said the referee and coaches training was specifically organised ahead of the National 7s to improve understanding of the laws and strengthen cooperation between those responsible for managing matches.
“We wanted the same thing to be here. That’s why we bring these people here,” Mocelutu said, referring to the international standard of officiating expected in the region.
South African former international referee Rasta Rasivhenge was among the facilitators brought in for the programme, which also involved Fijian referees Tevita Rokovereni and Filimoni Gadolo.
Rasivhenge, who has officiated at international Sevens, said the training was designed to ensure referees and teams could apply the laws correctly while producing a better standard of rugby.
“The most important things they need to take away from all these sessions we’re having are obviously playing the game within the law, refereeing the game within the law, and obviously executing their game plans as much as they can effectively, so that we get a good product out there,” he said.
For long-serving referee Stone Tepeka, the training has also reinforced the importance of managing matches in a way that allows spectators to enjoy the game.
“It’s not only about knowing the law; it’s about managing the game so that it is entertaining and enjoyable to watch,” Tepeka said.
The National 7s also carries a development purpose beyond this week’s competition, with the tournament serving as a pathway towards the Oceania Rugby 7s scheduled for November.
Meanwhile, the High School U18 competition provides another pathway towards the Nadi Junior Rugby Festival in Fiji in December.
With teams now preparing to take the field, attention turns to whether the investment in players, coaches and match officials can translate into a stronger product on the pitch.
Tomorrow’s opening will provide the first answer.
Photo credit: Richard Menanopo
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BY DOUGLAS VAHIA
The National Referral Hospital (NRH) Laboratory has issued an urgent appeal for the return of a vital microscope stolen from its Microbiology section, warning that the theft is affecting the hospital’s ability to provide essential diagnostic services to patients.
The incident occurred in the early hours of Friday, September 11 with the stolen microscope described as a key diagnostic tool used daily to identify illnesses and conduct medical testing for the community.
The matter is yet to be reported to police, with NRH officials telling Island Sun they are giving one week for any positive feedback to their appeal for the microscope’s return.
“We will report the matter to police after one week if the microscope still has not been returned,” the officials told Island Sun under request of anonymity.
This officials say two other microscopes were also stolen some years past from the lab, with each theft leaving the NRH lab struggling to provide adequate service.
The loss of the equipment is a serious concern because it directly affects the laboratory’s ability to diagnose patients who depend on the hospital’s free healthcare services.
A concern has also risen that the stolen microscope could be offered for sale to private clinics or individual microscopists.
Private medical practitioners and individuals approached to purchase the equipment are urged not to buy it and, if they have already acquired it, to return it to the Medical Laboratory.
The laboratory is also asking anyone who may have information about the person responsible for selling the equipment to report the matter to authorities or the hospital.
Public is also encouraged to share the appeal to help increase the chances of recovering the stolen equipment and restoring the laboratory’s normal diagnostic services.
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BY RODRICK DESURI
AUKI
The Bina community in West Kwaio, Malaita Province, has taken another important step towards strengthening village governance with the launch and signing of its village constitution (deed) last week.
The significant milestone was witnessed by the Auki Police and representatives of the Malaita Provincial Government.
The signing ceremony was held at Bina Community as preparations for the development of the Bina Harbour National Project continue to progress.
Malaita Provincial Deputy Permanent Secretary Peter Herehura confirmed that the constitution was signed by five trustees representing the five sub-community groups.
He said the constitution will provide a clear pathway for community members to raise and address issues arising within the community.
“It is the signing of the constitution of Bina village.
“It is signed by the Bina village trustees representing the five sub-groupings and is mainly to safeguard the Bina community itself,” Herehura said.
Secretary of the Bina community, Jackson Maearia, said the community will now look towards registering Bina as a village governance structure following the signing of the constitution.
He explained that village governance is an important component of the Bina Harbour Project, alongside other trust boards established for the project.
“What happened last week was the adoption or launching of the village constitution and the verification of the interim trust board members as trustees.
“The village trust board is one of the components of the Bina Harbour Project, which is the same as the Land Trust Board, Water Trust Board and Harbour Trust Board,” Maearia said.
The community trust board will govern a non-profit organisation responsible for safely managing funds, assets and land for the long-term benefit of the local community.
The establishment of the village trust board is also seen as a way forward for the development of the much-discussed Bina Harbour Project, one of the flagship development projects of the National Government.
The Bina Harbour Project aims to create employment and economic opportunities for people of Malaita Province and other provinces of Solomon Islands.
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Prime Minister Matthew Wale has issued a deeply personal warning about the growing threat climate change poses to the artificial island communities of Langalanga Lagoon and Lau Lagoon in Malaita Province.
Speaking about the impact of rising sea levels and extreme tides on Pacific communities, Wale said the climate crisis was no longer an abstract global issue for Solomon Islanders but a daily reality affecting his own people.
Wale, who represents Aoke/Langalanga Constituency, said he spoke not only as Prime Minister but as a son the islands and a representative of the saltwater people of Langalanga Lagoon.
“Allow me to speak plainly for a moment, not only as Prime Minister but as a son of these islands,” Wale said when opening the Pacific Climate Conference in Honiara this morning.
He said the people of Langalanga and Lau shared a unique cultural and historical inheritance, having built artificial islands by hand from stones placed over generations on the reef.
“Our peoples live on artificial islands that our ancestors built by hand, stone upon stone, upon the reef,” he said.
Wale said those islands were far more than places to live. They were places where generations of families had been born, married, made shell money and buried their dead.
However, he warned that climate change was now threatening the very foundations on which these communities have built their lives.
“Today, in Langalanga and in Lau alike, the wells are turning salty. King tides wash through kitchens and across the floors of homes,” Wale said.
He said families were increasingly being forced to confront a difficult question: whether they could continue living on the artificial islands or eventually move to the mainland.
“Families now sit in the evening and debate whether to hold on or to move to the mainland their ancestors deliberately left,” he said.
For Wale, the issue carries a personal significance.
“When I speak of climate change, I am not reading from a briefing paper. I am speaking of my own constituents, my own kin, and my own sea,” he said.
The Prime Minister also criticised dismissive attitudes towards communities experiencing the effects of climate change firsthand.
He said sarcasm and dismissiveness towards the concerns of atoll and lagoon communities were an insult to people whose lives were being directly affected.
“Their lived reality, not the comfort of the sceptic, must anchor our policy,” Wale said.
A threat to culture and identity
The situation facing Langalanga and Lau is not simply an environmental problem. The artificial islands are deeply connected to the cultural identity, history and way of life of their communities.
For generations, families have maintained their homes and communities on these man-made islands, surrounded by the sea that has also provided food, transport and livelihoods.
But saltwater intrusion, king tides, coastal erosion and other climate-related impacts are increasing pressure on these communities.
The deterioration of freshwater sources is particularly concerning because many artificial island communities have limited access to alternative sources of drinking water.
Wale’s warning therefore highlights a difficult reality facing Solomon Islands and other low-lying Pacific communities: climate change can threaten not only homes and infrastructure but also the ability of communities to remain on ancestral land.
“1.5°C is a survival threshold”
Wale said the Pacific could not afford to treat global warming as an inevitable or acceptable development.
“For the Pacific, 1.5°C is therefore a survival threshold and must remain a political red line,” he said.
He stressed that every fraction of a degree of warming mattered to vulnerable Pacific communities.
“Every fraction of a degree matters. Every year of delay increases the burden on our communities and our public finances,” Wale said.
He warned against allowing dangerous levels of warming to become normalised.
“We cannot allow dangerous levels of warming to be treated as normal or inevitable,” he said.
The Prime Minister also stressed the injustice at the heart of the Pacific’s climate-change position.
“The Pacific did not create this crisis, and our patience must never be mistaken for acceptance of a future imposed on us by the emissions of others,” Wale said.
Cahn says MSG Cup is first step towards long-term World Cup goal
BY RICHARD MENANOPO
Solomon Islands men’s national team head coach Ben Cahn has set his sights on the 2030 FIFA World Cup, saying the upcoming Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) Prime Minister’s Cup in Fiji is an important first step in building towards that goal.
Speaking at a press conference at the SIFF Academy on Monday, Cahn said the long-term objective is to establish a stronger and deeper national-team programme capable of competing for World Cup qualification.
“The long-term goal and the dream is World Cup 2030.
“We saw how well some of the smaller nations did [at the last World Cup], so we’re very serious, working very hard towards trying to do everything we can to achieve that dream of qualification,”Cahn said.
Cahn said developing a wider pool of players will be an important part of the programme, with the coaching staff aiming to have between 50 and 60 players in national-team contention over the next three to four years.
He said players from the S-League, as well as those coming through the national age-group teams, are being monitored as part of the wider selection process.
“There’s lots of players in S-League that didn’t get to come into the camp that we’re still watching, we’re still taking note of,” he said.
Cahn revealed that almost 40 players were involved during the recent training period before the squad was reduced for the MSG Cup.
While the tournament is part of a longer-term plan, Cahn said Solomon Islands will travel to Fiji with a clear objective — to compete for the title.
“The aim is to win,” he said.
The squad is largely made up of familiar and experienced players, while several new faces have also been included.
Cahn also confirmed that two players from the Solomon Islands U-19 side, who narrowly missed out during the recent OFC U-19 Men’s Championship in Samoa, are expected to join the squad directly in Fiji.
The national coach also challenged players outside the current squad to continue working hard, including those playing in the S-League, futsal and overseas.
“We’re watching,” Cahn said.
“No one gets the shirt because of a name, they have to earn that.”
The Solomon Islands men’s and women’s national teams are expected to depart for Fiji on Wednesday ahead of the MSG Cup, with both sides set to represent the country in the regional tournament.
The MSG Cup kicks off in Fiji on September 17, with Solomon Islands using the tournament as an early test of the national programme as preparations begin towards the longer-term 2030 World Cup ambition.
The Solomon Islands squad for the MSG Cup was officially announced yesterday following the press conference.
Photo credit: Richard Menanopo
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BY RODRICK DESURI
AUKI
The China-aid Auki Road Project is nearing completion, marking another major milestone in the rehabilitation of the road network in Malaita Province.
Following almost two weeks of asphalt application on the Fasitoro feeder roads and nearly three weeks of work on the Auki town main roads, the project is now progressing towards its final section at Kilu’ufi.
A source within the China-Aid Auki Road Project, who requested anonymity, said the project could be completed within the next two to three weeks.
The source also said local workers were expected to be laid off within the next two weeks as the project approaches completion.
“Currently, we are nearing the completion of the project.
“We are now continuing with the asphalt application on the main road towards Kilu’ufi. After this, we are expecting to carry out the final touches, which will include pavement marking,” the source said.
The source confirmed that local workers are expected to finish their work within the next two weeks as the project winds down.
“Yes, local workers should be laid off within the next two weeks,” the source said.
Completion of the Auki Road Project is expected to provide a smoother, safer and higher-standard road network for communities in Malaita Province.
The improved road infrastructure is also expected to strengthen connectivity for rural communities, providing better access to government services, education, markets and other essential services.
The road infrastructure will be officially handed over to Malaita Province on their Second Appointed Day which is planned to be held on November 18, this year.
The China-Aid Auki Road Network Rehabilitation Project is estimated to cost approximately SBD 200 million.
Photo credit: Rodrick Desuri
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BY DOUGLAS VAHIA
Prime Minister Matthew Wale has called for climate finance to be treated as a matter of climate justice rather than charity, saying vulnerable Pacific countries should not be forced to continue borrowing to respond to a crisis they did not create.
According to a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) today, Mr Wale made the call while opening the Fifth Pacific Ocean Pacific Climate Change Conference in Honiara.
“Climate finance must not be treated as charity. It is part of climate justice and international cooperation,” he said.
PM Wale called for climate finance to be adequate, predictable, accessible and, wherever possible, grant-based, stressing that international commitments must translate into resources reaching communities on the ground.
“A fund that exists internationally but cannot be reached by a Pacific community is not delivering justice,” he said.
Wale said Solomon Islands will also strengthen its domestic systems to access to and manage climate finance which is said to include developing a coherent climate-finance architecture, a credible pipeline of investable projects and stronger national capacity to access international funds directly.
He said climate investments must reach beyond Honiara and benefit provinces and communities, including women, young people, persons with disabilities, farmers, fishers and people living furthest from the capital.
The Prime Minister also linked climate finance to the wider Pacific struggle to keep the 1.5°C target within reach and noted that Pacific Leaders have reaffirmed climate change as the single greatest threat to the security, livelihoods and wellbeing of Pacific peoples.
“Through the B.E.L.A.U. Declaration, Pacific Leaders have reaffirmed commitments to stronger climate plans, a just energy transition, greater access to climate finance, and stronger focus on oceans, youth, gender equality and intergenerational justice,” he said.
Wale futher stressed that for the Pacific, climate finance is not simply about funding projects but about ensuring that communities facing the greatest risks have the resources to protect their homes, livelihoods, infrastructure and future.
Photo credit: PMO
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The Official Opposition fully supports the call by Western Province Premier, Hon. Billy Veo, for the National Government to urgently bring forward recovery assistance to communities affected by Cyclone Maila.
Five months after Prime Minister Mathew Wale’s delegation visited the cyclone-devastated communities in Western and Choiseul Provinces, many families are still struggling to rebuild their homes, restore food gardens and livelihoods, and secure basic necessities.
In its 2026 Supplementary Budget, the Government allocated SBD 75 million for Cyclone Maila recovery and rehabilitation.
This is separate from the Government’s initial SBD 10 million emergency response allocation announced immediately after Cyclone Maila struck.
The Opposition Leader, Hon. Manasseh Sogavare, MP, said the longer communities remain without assistance to restore their gardens and livelihoods, the greater the risk of prolonged hardship and food insecurity.
He reminded the GREAT Coalition that one of its core policies is a ‘Social Welfare System’ aimed at uplifting vulnerable groups across the country.
The Leader of the Opposition calls on the National Government to urgently bring forward immediate recovery assistance for Cyclone Maila-affected communities, clearly communicate to affected communities when assistance will arrive and what support will be provided, strengthen coordination between the National Government, Provincial Governments, donor partners, churches, communities, and other stakeholders; and ensure disaster preparedness measures are strengthened in anticipation of further climate- and weather-related emergencies.
Hon. Sogavare also welcomes Premier Veo’s willingness to work constructively with the National Government and other stakeholders. The Opposition believes that disaster response should rise above political differences, particularly when the wellbeing and survival of ordinary citizens are at stake.
Hon. Sogavare calls on the National Government to treat the concerns raised by Premier Veo with the urgency they deserve and to engage directly with the Western and Choiseul Provincial Governments and affected communities.
“The Government has a responsibility to act, and the Opposition stands ready to support practical measures that put affected families first.”
[end]
Opposition statement
The post Official Opposition supports Premier Veo’s call for immediate Cyclone Maila recovery assistance first appeared on Solomon Islands Broadcasting Corporation (SIBC) .
by Indy Maealasia Opposition Leader Manasseh Sogavare has challenged Solomon Islanders to look beyond elections and take greater responsibility for protecting the country’s democracy. In a statement marking International Day...
The post Sogavare: Democracy Must Mean More Than Elections appeared first on In-depth Solomons .
How a dedicated cohort of local rangers, equipped with high-precision GIS mapping and satellite navigation, bridged custom and national law to permanently shield 2,897 hectares of primary cloud forest from...
The post Guardians of Varanitu: Indigenous Rangers Secure Landmark Statutory Protection for Sasari Rainforests appeared first on In-depth Solomons .
Thirteen houses, including a fuel depot and kitchens, were burnt down at Naharahau village, Wainoni, in East Makira over the weekend.
The incident happened on 13 September 2026, where a group of people allegedly burnt down dwelling houses and kitchens and destroyed food gardens.
Provincial Police Commander (PPC) Makira-Ulawa Province, Superintendent Gordon Horomae said Kirakira Police have attended to the report and engaged with both parties involved in the burning incident.
P PC Horomae said it was alleged that the incident may have been carried out in retaliation for the death of a relative of the arson group.
Superintendent Horomae said the group believes it was caused by a person alleged to have sorcery from Naharahau village.
PPC Horomae said the situation is under control, and more officers will deploy to investigate the detailed circumstances around the burning incident.
Police have appealed to both parties to immediately stay out from criminal activities and cooperate with police to allow the matter to be properly investigated.
[end]
Police media
The post Police investigate burning of thirteen houses in East Makira first appeared on Solomon Islands Broadcasting Corporation (SIBC) .
Prime Minister Hon. Mathew Wale has declared climate change as a national security and economic priority, unveiling the GREAT Coalition Government’s concrete legislative and investment agenda to build a climate-resilient Solomon Islands by 2050.
Opening the Pacific Climate Conference in Honiara this morning, the Prime Minister said the Government for Reform, Empowerment, Accountability and Transformation (GREAT) has embedded climate responsibility into its core policies — centred on people, responsible resource governance, environmental standards, and long-term national resilience.
“Our task is to translate these commitments into visible improvements in villages, provinces, public services and livelihoods,” PM Wale said. “We will legislate. We will budget. We will enforce it. And we will report to our people on delivery, not on intentions.”
The Prime Minister was specific, saying commitments that cannot be named cannot be measured.
Under GREAT’s policy for Environment, Climate Change, Disaster Management and Meteorology, Government will:
Advance legislative and institutional reforms, including a dedicated Enforcement Unit
Integrate climate adaptation and disaster risk into national and local planning, with proactive relocation planning for vulnerable communities
Mobilise climate finance and green growth
Protect ecosystems and manage natural resources sustainably
Advance a circular economy and environmental health
Strengthen weather, ocean and climate services
Invest in environmental education and knowledge systems
As part of its six flagship development programs, the Government has elevated Renewable Energy Transition as a flagship priority — expanding solar, hydro, geothermal and biomass to cut fuel imports, improve rural services, and create green jobs.
He announced a concrete legislative agenda including:
Climate Change Bill
National Disaster Council Bill
Meteorological Services Bill
Independent Energy Regulator Bill
Carbon Trading Regulations
Deforestation Compliance Regulations
And reviews of the Environment Act and Electricity Act
Conference participants
PM Wale said climate finance must not be treated as charity but as climate justice. He called for finance that is adequate, predictable, accessible and grant-based.
“A fund that exists internationally but cannot be reached by a Pacific community is not delivering justice,” he said.
Solomon Islands will strengthen its own climate-finance architecture, develop a pipeline of investable projects, pursue national accreditation to access funds directly, and establish a Solomon Islands Renewable Energy Fund.
He confirmed the Government is developing Solomon Islands’ first National Loss and Damage Policy and Investment Roadmap, which will recognise both economic and non-economic loss.
“A healthy reef and mangrove are coastal protection. A healthy forest supports water security. These ecosystems are climate infrastructure,” PM Wale said.
He outlined reforms towards sustainable forestry, community forestry, high-integrity carbon markets with fair benefits for landowners, sustainable fisheries, marine spatial planning, and circular economy waste management.
In a powerful closing, PM Wale said Solomon Islanders must not allow vulnerability to become their identity.
“We are descendants of voyagers who crossed the world’s largest ocean without satellites. They did not deny risk. They understood it, prepared for it and navigated through it together. Traditional knowledge is a living source of observation and innovation. It belongs in our research, curricula and climate investments.”
The Pacific Climate Conference continues in Honiara this week.
[end]
GCU statement
The post PM Wale unveils GREAT’s climate action plan at regional climate conference in Honiara first appeared on Solomon Islands Broadcasting Corporation (SIBC) .
PM Wale opens the Fifth Pacific Climate Change Conference in Honiara, calling for Pacific climate knowledge to drive action. Prime Minister& Matthew Cooper Wale today opened the Fifth Pacific Ocean Pacific Climate Change Conference in Honiara, calling on the region to turn climate knowledge into practical action. The Pacific-owned and Pacific-led conference is being hosted [...]
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BY LORETTA B MANELE
Water is the essence of daily living and sometimes where it is supplied unconditionally, it can be taken for granted.
Meanwhile, in other places, it is a need.
This is the case for people of Vaovao community, in Fox Bay in West Guadalcanal.
The community has about 10 households and only two standpipes.
Chief Ignausius Pukini said the existing water supply needs maintenance or even, the community might need a new water source.
Chief Ignasius Pukini of Vaovao community in Fox Bay. Photo credit- Loretta B Manele
The weather also plays a role in determing how often water is supplied to the community.
Pukini said they are only supplied with water when it rains and this doesn’t mean the water is clean.
“Our water supply at the moment, comes from ontop of the hill, so when it rains, water floats to the dam, fills it up before it is supplied to us through the standpipes.
“The water that comes through these standpipes does not mean its good because it comes from rain,” he said.
The chief said the community only has one tank, which was given to them by their member of parliament (MP).
It is understood that the community has also already submitted a proposal to their MP for a water supply project.
The only tank in the community. Photo credit- Loretta B Manele
Camila Pukini, the chief’s wife also shared the hardship they face when the water supply runs dry.
She said their water supply is not that good because water only flows through the two standpipes when it rains while on a sunny day, it runs dry.
Pukini said no water supply means a stop to daily household activities.
“Sometimes when we need to carry out tasks, but available water supply is a major challenge for us and this has costs us.
“So, at times, when we want to do our washing or make sure our kids have showered, we cannot do so because of lack of water supply.
“This has also affected us daily. Like on Sundays, if the water supply is not providing water through our stand pipes we often delay in preparing to go to church,” she said.
Pukini then points towards a tank, saying it is the only tank in the community and because there are many of them in the community, the tank is restricted to use for cooking and drinking only.
“This one tank is not enough for our whole community. We need one or two more tanks to cater to us all.
The lack of water being pumped into the two standpipes to Vaovao community is one issue, the other part of the issue is how clean this water actually is.
Cathy Galasa from Vaovao community said the two standpipes are not enough to provide water for the whole community.
The road that leads inwards to the stream women and girls travel to carry water back to their villages. Photo credit- Loretta B Manele
She said when rain pours own, the water supplied to them is sometimes dirty because pigs move around near the dam and their wastes run through the water supply along with plastics.
Galasa said they have experienced diarrhoea because of this.
“A proper water system would be good to ensure that we receive clean water supply from the water source,” she said.
Galasa said because women and girls use water the most for cooking, cleaning, washing the dishes and clothes, it is a huge issue for them when the standpipes don’t supply water at any given day.
When this situation hits, she said they have to make a 30 minute walk or travel by boat to collect water from a stream that runs near cocoa trees in a nearby community.
The stream that women and girls travel to fetch water from. Photo credit- Loretta B Manele
She said they also do this when they host big events in the community and it is very frustrating because they have to get water to cook, prepare food and for other uses because they have guests during such times.
Galasa said it is even worse for women and girls because they also travel this far to access water especially when it gets to that time of the month, saying it affects their health and well-being that they have to go far to get water just so they can be able to bathe.
The two women voiced that if the community had clean water supplied through more standpipes with more tanks available, only would it put an end to them having to travel just to get water so they could cook a meal, wash their clothes or bathe their children.
*Reporting for this story was supported by Pacific Media Assistance Scheme (PACMAS).
BY DOUGLAS VAHIA
Success of local small and medium businesses (SMEs) will directly boost job opportunities, household incomes and economic growth for the country.
Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Commerce, Industry, Labour and Immigration (MCILI) Riley Mesepitu voiced this when opening the National Business Forum 2026 at the SINU lecture theatre yesterday.
Business leaders, development partners, women and youth entrepreneurs, government agencies and academia participated in the forum, which Mr Mesepitu has described as an ‘important national dialogue on business and enterprise’.
“These are not simply Government issues or private-sector issues. They are national development issues,” Mesepitu said.
This year’s programme focuses on four critical pillars: strengthening local enterprises, improving access to finance and capital, promoting youth and women entrepreneurship, and connecting businesses to markets, standards, compliance, and trade opportunities, a statement by the Government Communication Unit (GCU) this morning said.
Mesepitu made a strong call for open and practical dialogue:
“I encourage all participants to use today’s forum not only to listen, but also to speak openly, share ideas, challenge existing approaches and identify solutions that can be taken forward beyond this gathering.”
He highlighted that the inclusion of young entrepreneurs and women in business is essential to building a more inclusive and dynamic private sector.
Reaffirming Government’s position, Mesepitu said creating a stronger business environment requires genuine partnership, GCU statement said.
“Government cannot do it alone. We need the commitment and participation of businesses, financial institutions, educational institutions, development partners, civil society and our international partners.”
BY DOUGLAS VAHIA
Prime Minister Matthew Wale has called for the Pacific to take a united stand on the negotiation table as the world heads towards COP31.
Mr Wale made the call during his keynote opening the 5th Pacific Ocean Pacific Climate Change Conference in Honiara today.
The Pacific-led conference is being hosted in the Solomon Islands for the first time, a statement by the Prime Ministers Press Secretariat this morning said.
The theme for the conference is ‘Amplifying One Pacific Voice for Action on 1.5 degrees Celsius to Stay Alive’.
As the Pacific prepares for Pre-COP31 and COP31, Wale called for sustained regional coordination and a united negotiating position.
He said Pacific countries may have different national circumstances, but must stand together on issues fundamental to the survival and wellbeing of their peoples and ocean.
“One Pacific voice must mean sustained coordination before, during and after international negotiations,” Wale said.
Wale said the conference should strengthen connections between Pacific researchers, governments, institutions and communities and help turn evidence into policy, investment and action.
“Let this gathering be remembered not only for what we discussed, but for what it helped to deliver,” he said.
Pre-COP31 will be held in Nadi, Fiji from October 5-8. The COP31 will be held in Antayla, Turkiye from November 9-20 this year.
The Pacific Community (SPC) has said Pacific countries are expected to voice out a united agenda at COP31 focusing on keeping the 1.5°C global warming limit within reach, improving direct access to climate finance, and recognising the critical role of the ocean in climate action.
BY DOUGLAS VAHIA
Prime Minister Matthew Wale has called for the Pacific to turn climate knowledge into practical action.
Mr Wale made the call when opening the 5th Pacific Ocean Pacific Climate Change Conference in Honiara today.
The Pacific-led conference is being hosted in the Solomon Islands for the first time, a statement by the Prime Ministers Press Secretariat this morning said.
The theme for the conference is ‘Amplifying One Pacific Voice for Action on 1.5 degrees Celsius to Stay Alive’.
Wale said the Pacific must move beyond documenting climate impacts and strengthen its role as a source of knowledge, leadership, innovation and solutions the statement said.
“The Pacific is not merely a place where climate impacts are observed. It is a source of knowledge, leadership, law, innovation and solutions,” he said.
Impacts are already being felt across Pacific communities, with rising seas affecting freshwater and food gardens, warming oceans threatening reefs and fisheries and extreme weather placing communities, infrastructure and livelihoods at greater risk, Wale said.
“My central message to this conference is simple: turn Pacific knowledge into Pacific action,” he said.
Wale urged participants to focus on outcomes that can be implemented from stronger policies and early-warning systems to finance-ready projects, practical research and community-based solutions.
He said implementation rather than the number of meetings held must define the success of Pacific regionalism.
“The strength of our Blue Pacific Continent will never be found in the number of meetings we hold but in the difference we make together for the generations that follow,” Wale said.
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BY BEN BILUA
Gizo
THE Western Provincial Government (WPG) is planning to redirect available provincial resources towards urgent assistance and recovery efforts for communities affected by Cyclone Maila.
The plan comes as the provincial government continues to raise concerns over delays in the national recovery response to communities severely affected by the cyclone.
Premier Billy Veo said his government remains committed to supporting its people during the difficult period.
He said disasters are emergency situations that require immediate responses, particularly when communities continue to struggle with their basic needs.
“While we recognize that proper recovery planning, assessment and implementation takes time, this must not become a reason for delaying assistance to people who are already suffering.
“Five months after Cyclone Maila, our people are still facing the consequences of the disaster. Their houses have been damaged or destroyed, their food gardens and livelihoods have been wiped out and many families continue to struggle to meet their most basic needs,” Veo said.
He said immediate humanitarian assistance cannot wait while long-term recovery planning must continue.
Veo said the National Government must explain the proposed recovery timeline and provide clear information on what immediate measures will be taken to support the most affected communities.
“We cannot accept a situation where affected communities are expected to wait until 2027 before meaningful recovery assistance reaches them.
“This is a matter of urgency. My people are suffering from the effects of a disaster; assistance must reach them when they need it and not years after the disaster has occurred,” he said.
Veo said the provincial government will continue to assess what resources are available and consider how they can be redirected to support urgent needs while awaiting broader recovery assistance.
He said the provincial government’s position is focused on ensuring affected communities receive timely assistance and are not left to bear the impacts of Cyclone Maila without adequate support.
By RODRICK DESURI
AUKI
Communities in Wairaha, West Are’are, Malaita Province, are still waiting for police to come through with their promise to cull the huge crocodile population there.
The Wairaha communities submitted a formal letter of request to police in May this year following two crocodile attacks in the area.
However, Malaita Provincial Police Commander Superintendent Michael Ramosaea said police have yet to deploy officers to Wairaha to address the issue.
He said a formal letter was sent to Police Headquarters in Honiara after the community submitted its request to Auki Police.
“Regarding the crocodile issue at Wairaha, we haven’t deployed any officers yet to address the issue because we haven’t received formal confirmation from our police headquarters,” he said.
“We see the issue as very important, but we can’t take any action when we are not allowed to do so,” he said.
Ramosaea expressed hope that, under the leadership of the current Acting Police Commissioner, James Aitorea, positive steps would be taken to address issues affecting rural communities in the provinces and across the country.
“Under the former police commissioner, who has been terminated, I submitted our formal letter to him. Because of the changes, this might have caused a delay.
“But I hope that under the current acting police chief, he will respond to us soon.”
Members of the Wairaha communities have shared to the paper that they continue to live in fear as the crocodile population continues to increase in the area.
Defending champions turn focus to grand final after strong semi-final win
BY RICHARD MENANOPO
SUNRISE One has booked its place in another HNA Games Super Division grand final after brushing aside SOSA Faywright 73–44 at the Multi-purpose Hall outdoor netball courts on Saturday.
The defending champions produced a convincing performance in the semi-final, but captain Rebbie Basia says the job is not finished as the team now turns its attention to the final.
“We come back this year, come back defend the title for us,” Basia said shortly after the semi-final victory.
Basia said the team had worked to regroup following its earlier defeat to Suvania and entered Saturday’s semi-final with a clear focus on reaching the grand final.
“Mood, very focused. Everyone come together, everyone focused,” she said.
The Sunrise captain said reaching the final carried added significance for a side that has dominated the Super Division in recent seasons.
“Everyone 100 per cent confident. We come back to defend the title, so everyone 100 per cent focused on giving their best for the grand final,” Basia said.
Sunrise player and goalkeeper Miriam also described another grand final appearance as important for the club, particularly after its success over the past seasons.
“Being the champion for the past seasons, this time is very important for us,” Miriam said.
She credited the players for their commitment throughout the competition, particularly those who have continued turning up for training and developing their skills.
“It’s always our ask for the girls to put 100 per cent into the game and turn up for training to ensure we continue to build our skills,” she said.
Miriam said the team will carry that commitment into the final while acknowledging that sport can produce both victories and defeats.
“If we happen to win the season, then that’s a win for us, and it shows that all the girls put in 100 per cent,” she said.
The 73–44 semi-final victory has now put Sunrise One one step away from another Super Division championship, with the defending champions expected to use the remaining preparation period to sharpen their game before the decider.
Photo credit: HNA
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