BY RODRICK DESURI
AUKI
The Superfly Limited has completed installation of 6kW off-Grid Solar power systems at schools in Central Islands and Temotu provinces.
The successful installation was done by workers from the Superfly Limited, in partnership with Solomon Islands Knowledge-Action-Sustainability for Resilient Villages (SOLKAS) and Save the Children.
A spokesperson for the company said installation in Guadalcanal is progressing while Malaita will commenced this weekend.
“For Central and Temotu provinces, the solar system installation have been done. For Guadalcanal, it is progressing and for Malaita will started this weekend,” the spokesperson said.
“For Makira and Isabel Provinces, the installation work are yet start, and it depend on our partners SOLKAS and Save the Children,” the spokesperson said.
The 6kW off-grid solar power installation includes electrical wiring the lights and fans, it will provide efficient power for other school energy needs.
It also includes star link internet for the schools to support students learning and teachers works connectivity worldwide.
The project operates across 52 wards in 6 provinces Central, Guadalcanal, Isabel, Makira, Malaita, and Temotu.
263,000 people hopes to benefit from it, directly engaging 185,100 participants across 170 communities and 100 schools.
[Photo Caption: 6kW Off-grid solar power system. Photo – Superfly Limited.]
BY CHARLES STENNETT
Small-scale carbon project representatives from the Pacific are at one of the region’s biggest climate gatherings this week in Fiji in preparation for the UN climate summit, COP31, in Türkiye in November and the attendance of Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea was supported by the recently launched Rights, Integrity, Safeguards and Equity in Carbon Markets (RISE) project.
Solomon Islands was represented by Live and Learn Solomon Islands carbon and conservation leader Bill Apusae while Rosemary Isicar from Live and Learn Papua New Guinea and Robbie Henderson from Nakau, joined around four-thousand participants at the Pre-COP gathering in Fiji, including global leaders and international climate organisations.
A statement from Live and Learn Solomon Islands said that attending an international forum like this is an important opportunity to contribute to global discussions on climate change, environmental protection and sustainable development.”
Bill Apusae described such meetings as spaces where experiences and concerns of the Pacific can be shared.
“COPs are more than international conferences; they are spaces where the experiences and concerns of Pacific communities can be shared with decision-makers and where we can learn from others facing similar challenges. As a Solomon Islander, participating in these discussions gives me an opportunity to bring local and regional perspectives to the global conversation.” Mr Apusae said.
He added that it is important that community-led carbon projects have a place in national and global development policy.
“Carbon policy is a hot topic in the Pacific, and the world, right now. And in Solomon Islands carbon policy is being developed so it is a particularly important time to ensure community-led carbon projects, where the benefits flow to communities and customary rights are upheld, have a place in national and global policy development.
A significant recurring theme of Pre-COP has been how to mobilise more finance for Pacific countries’ adaptation, and particularly to make sure that funding reach communities.
There is a general consensus that this is not happening at nearly the scale and speed it needs to.
“At Pre-COP, I notice there are a diverse range of stakeholders, including governments, civil society organisations, Indigenous Peoples, youth, women, development partners, private-sector representatives, and climate experts. However, the level of representation and influence is not always equal,” Mr Apusae said.
He explained the importance of ensuring experiences in the islands are shared in discussions of the gatherings.
“As someone from an Island nation, I recognise the importance of ensuring the experiences and priorities of island communities are represented in these discussions and meaningful participation requires opportunities for our voices to influence decisions and outcomes.”
The statement said Mr Apusae will form part of a delegation from Live and Learn and Nakau heading to this year’s global climate and biodiversity COPs in Turkiye in November.
It said being part of the initial discussions in Fiji has been an important moment to understand how dialogues unfold and where opportunities for connection and influence lie.
The statement said a key message from this week has been that the Pacific Islands region is not just at the front line of climate impacts but it is also holding the line against climate change with Pacific oceans and forests being critical storage for CO2. Two strong reasons why Pacific needs and contributions need to be acknowledged in global decisions.
“Carbon policies should not only focus on reducing emissions or generating carbon credits. They must also deliver fair and sustainable benefits to the people who protect and depend on these ecosystems. By continuing to speak, listen, connect communities with decision-makers, and advocate for inclusive and rights-based approaches, I can contribute to ensuring that climate action promotes both environmental integrity and social justice,” says Bill.
[Bill Apusae- Live and Learn Solomon Islands leader at the Pre-COP31 meeting in Fiji. Photo Credit: LLSI]
作者:CHARLES STENNETT
来自太平洋的小规模碳项目代表本周在斐济参加该地区最大的气候会议之一,为即将在土耳其举行的联合国气候峰会 COP31 做准备,所罗门群岛和巴布亚新几内亚的参与得到了最近启动的碳市场权利、诚信、保障和公平(RISE)项目的支持。
所罗门群岛由 Live and Learn Solomon Islands 的碳和保护领导者 Bill Apusae 代表,而来自 Live and Learn Papua New Guinea 的 Rosemary Isicar 和 Nakau 的 Robbie Henderson 则与约四千名参与者一起参加了斐济的预COP会议,包括全球领导人和国际气候组织。
Live and Learn Solomon Islands 的一份声明表示,参加这样的国际论坛是为全球气候变化、环境保护和可持续发展贡献意见的重要机会。
Bill Apusae 将此类会议描述为分享太平洋经验和关切的空间。
“COP 不仅仅是国际会议;它们是分享太平洋社区经验和关切的空间,我们可以向决策者传达这些信息,并向面临类似挑战的其他人学习。作为一名所罗门岛人,参与这些讨论让我有机会将地方和区域的观点带入全球对话。” Apusae 先生说。
他补充说,社区主导的碳项目在国家和全球发展政策中占有一席之地是非常重要的。
“碳政策现在是太平洋和全球的热门话题。在所罗门群岛,碳政策正在制定中,因此确保社区主导的碳项目能够让利益流向社区并维护习惯权利,在国家和全球政策发展中占有一席之地是特别重要的。
预COP 的一个重要主题是如何为太平洋国家的适应行动动员更多资金,特别是确保资金能够到达社区。
普遍共识是,这一过程并没有以所需的规模和速度进行。
“在预COP上,我注意到有各种各样的利益相关者,包括政府、民间社会组织、土著人民、青年、女性、发展伙伴、私营部门代表和气候专家。然而,代表性和影响力的水平并不总是平等的,” Apusae 先生说。
他解释了确保岛屿经验在会议讨论中得到分享的重要性。
“作为一个岛屿国家的人,我认识到确保岛屿社区的经验和优先事项在这些讨论中得到代表的重要性,有意义的参与需要我们的声音能够影响决策和结果的机会。”
声明中提到,Apusae 先生将成为 Live and Learn 和 Nakau 代表团的一部分,前往今年 11 月在土耳其举行的全球气候和生物多样性 COP。
声明表示,参与斐济的初步讨论是理解对话如何展开以及连接和影响机会所在的重要时刻。
声明指出,本周的一个关键信息是,太平洋岛屿地区不仅处于气候影响的前线,而且在应对气候变化方面也发挥着重要作用,太平洋的海洋和森林是 CO2 的重要储存。两个强有力的理由说明太平洋的需求和贡献需要在全球决策中得到认可。
“碳政策不应仅关注减少排放或产生碳信用。它们还必须为保护和依赖这些生态系统的人们提供公平和可持续的利益。通过继续发声、倾听、将社区与决策者联系起来,并倡导包容性和基于权利的方法,我可以为确保气候行动促进环境完整性和社会公正做出贡献,” Bill 说。
[Bill Apusae - Live and Learn Solomon Islands 领导者在斐济的预COP31 会议上发言。照片来源:LLSI]
Island SunEnvironment & Climate环境气候·2026-10-09Original ↗原文 ↗
BY DOUGLAS VAHIA
Prime Minister, Matthew Wale, has underscored the immediate human cost of the climate crisis on Pacific Island nations, stating that a recent visit to Tuvalu serves as a stark reminder of the challenges facing saltwater communities across the region.
In a statement Prime Minister Wale said his visit to the low-lying nation mirrored the environmental threats directly affecting coastal populations in the Solomon Islands, particularly those in the Langalanga and Lau Lagoons, Fanalei, and Ontong Java.
He said the climate crisis cannot be treated as an abstract diplomatic negotiation because the physical impacts are already fundamentally altering the shorelines and livelihoods of Pacific islanders.
Addressing the Pacific Pre-COP31 Leaders’ Plenary, the Prime Minister said that after 31 years of global climate negotiations, current scientific projections indicate the world remains on track to overshoot the critical 1.5°C warming threshold.
He confirmed that this deficit in global climate action manifests locally through devastating visible consequences, including seawater intrusion into food gardens, damaged educational infrastructure from extreme weather, and the degradation of coral reefs that sustain local villages.
PM Wale highlighted the severe economic toll of these climate events, noting that Tropical Cyclone Malia alone resulted in damages exceeding US$30 million for the Solomon Islands.
He acknowledged that regional leaders are actively responding to these challenges through the framework of the Belau Pacific Leaders’ Declaration, which demands urgent global intervention to curb emissions and manage temperature overshoots.
Mr Wale committed that the Solomon Islands will advance the core principles of the Taku Pakasoa Declaration at the upcoming COP31 negotiations, while continuing to support the Pacific Resilience Facility, an initiative currently funding community-level mitigation projects across nine Pacific countries.
[Prime Minister Matthew Wale addresses the Pacific Pre-COP31 Leaders’ Plenary in Nadi, Fiji. Photo credit: PMO]
Explore China's political history, from Marxism and Mao to economic reform, and what Solomon Islanders can learn from understanding China's system.
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BY DOUGLAS VAHIA
The Makira-Ulawa Provincial Government is progressing well with its Ward Development Committee (WDC) training program, with five out of 20 wards now successfully completed.
A statement from the Provincial Governance Strengthening Programme (PGSP) said, the Wards 11, 12, 14, 15, and 16 are the first to complete the four-day intensive training aimed at building the capacity of local committees to manage inclusive, transparent, and accountable development.
The program equips participants with modern skills, including geo-tagging to map out local infrastructure and managing ward forums where communities can openly debate development priorities.
During the training deployment, provincial officers are also taking the opportunity to inspect ongoing community projects on the ground.
Teams are conducting site visits to check the progress of infrastructure funded by the Ward Development Grant and the Provincial Capacity Development Fund (PCDF), while directly engaging with rural communities.
The provincial training team will continue to roll out the program across the remaining 15 wards to ensure all 20 districts in Makira-Ulawa Province are fully trained.
[Participants map out a community sanitation work plan during the Ward Development Committee (WDC) training in Makira. Photo by PGSP]
BY RICHARD MENANOPO
School Physical Education teachers in Isabel Province have become part of a new push to strengthen the connection between school sport and community sporting activities.
The move follows a five-day Oceania Sports Education Program (OSEP) and Physical Education programme conducted in Buala from September 30 to October 4, involving 60 participants from 10 schools and institutions.
According to the National Sports Council (NSC), the programme marked the first time school PE teachers in Isabel were specifically included in an OSEP delivery in the province.
Participants and facilitators during a session of the five-day OSEP training program held in Buala. Photo – NSC.
The development provides a broader platform for teachers, coaches, sports masters and provincial sports representatives to share knowledge and develop practical skills that can be applied beyond the classroom.
Rather than limiting sports development to organised competitions, the programme focused on equipping participants to plan and deliver sporting activities that are safe, inclusive and enjoyable for young people and wider communities.
The training was delivered through two components, beginning with a two-day Community Coach and Official course from September 30 to October 1 before moving into a three-day Sport in Community course from October 2 to 4.
Participants collaborate on drafting sports event plans and agendas during a group work activity in Buala. Photo – NSC.
The Sport in Community component covered areas including coaching fundamentals, athlete development, child safety, inclusive coaching, event planning, risk management and the establishment of small sports clubs.
Participants also took part in practical exercises, including mock training sessions and planning for community sporting events.
NSC Provincial Sports and Recreational Supervisor for Isabel and OSEP Educator Carlson Hagemana said the emphasis was on giving participants skills they could use directly in their own environments.
“Our aim is to give teachers, coaches and sports personnel practical skills they can use in their own schools and communities,” Hagemana said.
He added that the next important step would be for participants to put the knowledge gained from the programme into practice and create more opportunities for young people to participate in sport.
Physical education teachers, coaches, and sports representatives attending a theory session during the OSEP training. Photo NSC.
The programme also brought together expertise from NSC, the Ministry of Education and Human Resources Development (MEHRD) and Solomon Islands National University (SINU).
Among the facilitators were OSEP Master Educator Zinnia Leamana, Hagemana, NSC Sports and Recreational Development Coordinator for Isabel Diana Mafuara, SINU PE Lecturer David Houpere and MEHRD Principal Education Officers Dexter Nebolo and Wilson Domi.
The programme was officially opened by Isabel Education Provider Chief Education Officer James Evo Tugumana and Principal Administration Officer William Leguvaka.
The training is part of the continuing NSC, MEHRD and SINU partnership aimed at strengthening sports education and local capacity.
For Isabel, the inclusion of PE teachers gives the province another avenue to connect school-based physical activity with wider community sport and create stronger opportunities for young people to remain active.
[Participants and facilitators during the Oceania Sports Education Program (OSEP) and Physical Education programme held in Buala, Isabel Province, from 30 September to 4 October 2026. Photo credit: NSC]
– Passengers raise welfare concerns over Gizo overnight stops , operator defends generator shutdown
BY JOSES SAREN
Passengers travelling aboard MV Pelican 1 have raised concerns over conditions during the vessel’s overnight stops at Gizo, saying the shutdown of the generator leaves passengers without normal lighting, air-conditioning and adequate fresh-air circulation.
A passenger, who asked not to be named, told Island Sun that the generator is routinely switched off at around 10pm while Pelican 1 remains berthed overnight.
The passenger said the shutdown creates uncomfortable conditions inside the vessel, with concerns also raised about bad odours and limited ventilation.
The situation, the passenger said, could be particularly difficult for children, elderly passengers and people who are unwell.
Passengers travelling to Choiseul who have relatives in Gizo can go ashore for the night.
But those without relatives or accommodation may have little choice but to remain onboard until the vessel departs the following morning.
The passenger also questioned why the main entrance could not be left open to improve air circulation.
With a fare of around $1,150 to Taro, the passenger said travellers should receive reasonable service throughout the journey.
However, the passenger stressed that Pelican 1 remains an important lifeline for Choiseul.
The passenger said the overall journey had been good and that the concern was specifically about the overnight conditions at Gizo.
In response, Pelican Shipping Limited said the overnight stop at Gizo is part of the vessel’s normal operating schedule and the generator shutdown is an operational decision.
The company said there is no requirement to keep the generator running continuously overnight when the vessel is not operating.
Pelican said the decision is largely linked to the vessel’s limited freshwater capacity.
Keeping the generator and toilets operating throughout the night would increase water consumption, while freshwater is also needed for engine cooling and normal vessel operations.
The company said excessive overnight consumption could affect the amount of water available for the following voyage.
Pelican also defended restricting toilet access overnight, saying management had previously experienced inappropriate use of the facilities, including incidents involving sexual activity.
The main entrance, it said, cannot be left permanently open because Gizo can experience wind and rain, creating potential safety, security and damage risks.
Passengers are permitted to remain onboard overnight, Pelican said.
Jonah Mitau, Manager at the Solomon Islands Maritime Authority (SIMA), said the 2025 Maritime Order provides for passenger safety and welfare on passenger vessels.
He said Order 13 requires owners and masters to provide adequate accommodation for passengers who remain onboard while berthed.
Mitau also said that when a vessel’s main power is switched off, emergency lighting should remain available.
Passengers, however, said they did not observe emergency lighting during the overnight stop.
Mitau said cooling conditions could improve naturally during the night as sea air moves around the vessel’s aluminium hull.
He also said bad odours could sometimes be associated with cargo and perishable goods carried onboard.
Mitau acknowledged the difficulties faced by Choiseul travellers because of limited and irregular transport services.
He encouraged passengers with concerns to raise them directly with Pelican Shipping, saying the operator is best placed to address operational issues.
He said Pelican’s service to remote communities should be supported, but safety, service quality and passenger welfare must also be maintained.
For passengers, the issue remains whether the overnight arrangements at Gizo provide an acceptable level of comfort and welfare while Pelican 1 continues to serve as a vital transport link to Choiseul.
[Photo: MV Pelican 1 berthed at the Point Cruz Jetty in Honiara. Photo credit: Pelican Shipping.]
The Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) Scheme is Australia’s program designed to plug the holes in its labour shortages by bringing in workers from the Solomon Islands and other Pacific Island countries to work mainly in the agricultural and meat sectors. And mainly in regional and rural areas of Australia. And those in the scheme can only work in industries that the government deems are facing a labour shortage.
“These are the boundaries that stand and will continue to stand in the way of Solomon Islands’ determination to increase its numbers to 5,000 every year. A target my Prime Minister has set and pronounced on during his first State Visit to Australia in June,” Mr. Robert Sisilo, Solomon Islands High Commissioner to Australia, told the incoming Executive Officer of the Approved Employers of Australia, Ms Cath Cave, when they met last week at the High Commission.
“To meet our target PALM should now include and open up the building and construction industry, education, hospitality and age-care in the urban and metropolitan areas like Sydney, Melbourne, Perth and Brisbane where the demand for semi-skilled and skilled labour in these sectors is huge”, Mr. Sisilo, in no uncertain terms, told Ms Cave when they were discussing the SI-Australia Employers Expo to be held in Honiara on 20 – 22 October 2026.
The 3-day long event will bring together approximately 30 approved employers under the PALM scheme, the Labour Mobility Unit and local stakeholders to strengthen partnerships and expand employment opportunities for Solomon Islanders. It would give employers an opportunity to better understand Solomon Islands and its workforce.
“The Expo will give employers the opportunity to see what we have and an appreciation of what we offer as a country, not only in our existing processes, but also our diversity and the challenges we face. And more importantly how together we can address these challenges so that the PALM scheme is a shared win for all of us”, Mr. Sisilo stressed.
Since joining the PALM Scheme in 2018, Solomon Islands has recorded about 15,000 placements and currently about 5,000 are in Australia. The Expo later this month will reinforce Solomon Islands and the GREAT Government’s commitment to workforce development, job creation and strengthening its labour mobility partnership with Australia.
BY TONY IROGA
All vendors selling cooked and ready-to-eat food at the Honiara Central Market must complete mandatory food safety training and obtain a valid permit by Monday, 12 October 2026, or risk having their food confiscated and destroyed.
The Honiara City Council (HCC) issued the directive in an official public notice today, warning that strict enforcement will begin immediately following the deadline.
According to the statement from HCC, the new requirements apply to all local market vendors as well as traders traveling from other provinces to sell food in the capital. The mandate covers cooked meals, rice, noodles, meat, fish, vegetables, fresh-cut fruits, prepared juices, cakes, pies, and pancakes.
To obtain a Ready-to-Eat Food Permit, vendors must complete prescribed food safety training before undergoing a health inspection. HCC Health Inspectors will assess personal hygiene, food storage, clean water access, waste disposal, and general cleanliness.
“No valid food safety training, no permit,” HCC stated in its official warning. “No valid food permit, no sale of cooked or ready-to-eat food.”
The council emphasized that unauthorized food will be removed or destroyed by authorized Environmental Health Officers starting October 12 to prevent food-borne illnesses across the community.
Members of the public are also urged to buy food only from certified vendors who maintain proper hygiene standards.
[Vendors and buyers at the Honiara Central market. Photo- HCC]
BY JOHN HOUANIHAU
Regional exchange programs are the key to helping women vendors upgrade their skills, strengthen their businesses, and unlock fresh market opportunities across the Pacific.
Honiara Market Vendors Association (HMVA) chairlady Moreen Sariki made these remarks to Solomon Women’s Newspaper following her return from a major expo in Fiji, where she led a 10-member delegation of Solomon Islands market vendors to build regional networks and explore cross-border cooperation.
Reflecting on the lessons from the Fiji expo, Ms. Sariki highlighted how women from neighbouring Pacific nations creatively use local, natural materials to manufacture high-value handicrafts.
She noted that items such as seeds, shells, and tree bark which are frequently overlooked or discarded in the Solomon Islands can be transformed into lucrative, income-generating products.
The expo also served as a masterclass in cultural preservation, showcasing diverse weaving techniques and demonstrating how Pacific women safeguard traditional knowledge.
Ms. Sariki emphasized the vital importance of reviving and honoring traditional skills passed down through generations, rather than focusing solely on fast, low-quality production for quick cash.
Beyond technical skills, the trip succeeded in establishing deep personal and professional connections with vendors across the region.
Ms. Sariki envisions these newly formed relationships eventually bridging the gap between local sellers and international buyers, paving the way for direct product and knowledge exchanges between Pacific nations.
While in Fiji, the Solomon Islands delegation proactively gathered direct customer feedback to pinpoint exactly which crafts were in highest demand.
Ms. Sariki confirmed that these insights will be systematically shared with craft producers back home to refine product quality, design, and competitive market pricing.
Now back in Honiara, the HMVA chairlady is shifting her focus toward widespread knowledge-sharing to benefit the many local vendors who were unable to travel.
“We will share the skill,” Ms. Sariki stated, pledging to teach local women the advanced sales techniques, unique styling methods, and creative concepts observed abroad.
By blending strengthened traditional craftsmanship with fresh ideas from across the Pacific, she aims to empower women in the informal sector to create unique, durable, and fairly priced products that can compete on a regional stage.
[Honiara Market Vendors Association chairlady Moreen Sarikiand her team at the Fiji expo showcasing their local products. Photo credit Moreen Sariki]
BY JOHN HOUANIHAU
Prime Minister (PM) Matthew Wale has clarified that Solomon Islands’ proposal for a new regional security architecture is a complex, long-term initiative that will undergo a strict review process rather than an immediate agreement to be rushed into.
PM Wale said this when he spoke to local media upon his return from the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York last week.
He said that the systematic steps of the proposal must goes through the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) framework.
PM Wale explained that any formal proposal submitted to the PIF must first go through the Troika, before advancing directly to regional leaders.
He said that this initial step is merely the starting point of an extensive process that requires thorough dialogue among all member states.
According to Wale, member states must engage in critical consultations to determine if the architecture is truly necessary, what specific elements should be included, what gaps need to be filled, and whether existing regional instruments can already meet those security needs.
“Because of this necessary technical work and intense negotiation between member states, the development will inevitably take a significant amount of time,” PM Wale said.
He firmly dismissed any ideas that the goal was to simply go to the leaders’ meeting in Palau to discuss and sign it immediately.
He said that a regional security treaty is a highly significant initiative that cannot be treated lightly or played around with.
He adds that substantive and deeper discussions on the proposal are expected to take place next year when the PIF leaders meet in Wellington, New Zealand, under New Zealand’s upcoming chairmanship.
PM Wale said that it is during the New Zealand meeting that leaders will collectively decide whether the framework is worth exploring further or if it is an idea whose time has not yet come.
The Prime Minister maintained that Solomon Islands put the proposal on the table with clear eyes regarding the intense challenges the region is facing, despite the lengthy timeline.
He concludes that there is absolutely no doubting the true need for it.
[PM Wale speaks to media in his press conference last week.]
Australian Army Private Jerome Leong, who spent much of his childhood in Honiara's Chinatown, has returned to Solomon Islands as a volleyball coach with the Australian Defence Force's International Sports Program.
By RODRICK DESURI
AUKI
Seventeen rural schools in Malaita Province will benefit from an initiative led and implemented by Superfly Limited, in partnership with Solomon Islands Knowledge-Action-Sustainability for Resilient Villages (SOLKAS) and Save the Children.
The initiative is part of the $31.8 million locally led climate adaptation project launched in August 2024 to help protect vulnerable rural communities.
The 17 schools in Malaita Province are: Dorio School, Maoa School, Foubaba School, Buma School, Gwaunaoa School, Aokwai School, Fote School, Kakara School, Rufoki School, Fa’alau School, Gwaiau School, Faurere School, Manaoba School, Takwa School, Binaulu School, Garota School and Sulufoloa School.
[Photo caption: Solar equipment and materials from the second shipment delivered to Malaita ahead of installation. Photo: Superfly Limited]
A spokesperson for Superfly Limited said the project is being implemented across six provinces: Central Islands, Guadalcanal, Isabel, Makira-Ulawa, Malaita and Temotu.
The spokesperson said two shipments of solar equipment and materials had already been delivered to Malaita ahead of the installation of the systems at the schools.
Installation work is scheduled to begin this weekend and will include electrical wiring, lights, fans and Starlink connectivity.
“For each school, we install 6kW off-grid solar power, installed electrical wiring that will power lights and fans and provide efficient power for other school energy needs,” the spokesperson said.
“We will also provide and install Starlink internet for all the schools to support the students’ learning and connection worldwide,” the spokesperson added.
[Photo caption: Solar equipment and materials from the second shipment delivered to Malaita ahead of installation. Photo: Superfly Limited]
The spokesperson added solar installation for Guadalcanal, Central, Isabel, Makira and Temotu provinces already commence, some already completed and some near completion.
For Malaita Province, four teams have been in Malaita to start the solar system installation this weekend.
The project was primarily funder by the Green Climate Fund, with co-financing from the Solomon Islands, Australian, and New Zealand governments.
The project is expected to run until 2030.
[Photo caption: Solar equipment and materials from the second shipment delivered to Malaita ahead of installation. Photo: Superfly Limited]
BY RICHARD MENANOPO
A newly established women’s financial initiative is seeking to address what it identifies as a major barrier to women’s economic participation in Solomon Islands — limited access to finance.
Our Family Investment (OFI) outlined its vision during an equipment handover ceremony on Tuesday October 6, supported by the Ministry of Commerce, Industries, Labour and Immigration (MCILI), with the initiative aiming to bring women together through savings, lending and other financial services.
Equipment Presentation: OFI Board Member Carlos Saliga (left) accepts equipment from MCILI Director Donnalyn Vozoto and a ministry official (right) during the event.Photo supplied.
Speaking during the programme, OFI founder Ellen Maruarofa said the initiative was developed from research, including her Master’s research, which identified women as one of the country’s underutilised resources and highlighted access to finance as a major challenge.
“In that research, we come to find out that one big thing that we women lack is having access to finance,” Maruarofa said.
She said OFI would be different from a conventional savings arrangement because its aim was not simply for women to save money and withdraw it at the end of the year.
Commemorative Group Photo: OFI members, board representatives, and MCILI officials gather for a group photo following the completion of the handover ceremony at the OFI office space. Photo supplied.
Instead, OFI intends to establish a platform where women can save and access lending opportunities while gradually developing the organisation into a broader financial institution.
Maruarofa said OFI’s long-term plan includes establishing Our Family Microfinance after about two years and working towards establishing a bank for women within five years.
She said the initiative also intends to create a physical access point where women can obtain services and support that add value to their businesses, families and communities.
The initiative’s vision is for Solomon Islands women and girls to attain financial independence and lead transformative economic change, while its mission is to unite women through an inclusive financial system that harnesses their untapped resources, skills and potential.
Resource Support Pr. Garry Manele (right) presents a laptop to Our Family Investment (OFI) member during the handover ceremony. Photo supplied.
The equipment support from MCILI is expected to help OFI establish and expand its operations.
Jacob Gala of MCILI’s Industrial Development Division (IDD) said the ministry’s support was aimed at helping the initiative get off the ground.
Gala said access to finance remained a significant challenge for micro, small and medium enterprises, particularly women-owned businesses, not only in Solomon Islands but also across developing countries.
OFI Founder Hellen Maruarofa speaks during the official handover of the official equipments at the OFI Office. Photo supplied.
He also encouraged OFI to look at opportunities to use technology as it develops its services.
Meanwhile, MCILI’s Marketing and Export Promotion Director Donnalee Vozoto said her division was supporting OFI after recognising the potential of promoting the initiative and increasing awareness of the services it intends to provide to women.
Maruarofa said the equipment provided through the ministry’s support included desktop computers, laptops, tablets, card-printing equipment, printers, speakers, tables, chairs and digital screens.
The display of the OFI equipment with Computers, laptops, Tablets, mobile phones, tables and chairs in the OFI Office where the hand over was conducted. Photo supplied.
She said the equipment would support registration, internet services, savings and lending activities and community awareness.
OFI is currently being developed by a team of volunteers who believe in the initiative and its potential to support women.
OFI is guided by the values of stewardship, inclusivity, security, accessibility and financial freedom for women and their families. Its stated vision is to see Solomon Islands women and girls achieve financial independence and contribute to transformative economic change.
Keynote Address: Jacob Gala of MCILI’s Industrial Development Division speaks during the equipment handover ceremony, highlighting the ministry’s support for women-led financial access initiatives.
[Photo caption: Official Transfer OFI board members formally accept donated IT equipment and office assets presented by MCILI representatives. Photo supplied]
The Australian Defence Force has presented new working uniforms to members of the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force Maritime Department and Explosive Ordnance Department, the Australian High Commission said.
The Solomon Islands Immigration Division says it has briefed the Diplomatic Corps in Honiara on the Government's new Border Management System, e-Visa regime and online payment gateway.
After leaving Honiara as a young boy for greater opportunities in Australia, Private Jerome Leong returned determined to create those same opportunities for the next generation of Solomon Islanders. Returning as part of the Australian Defence Force’s International Sports Program was more than just a deployment for the Army dental...
The post Giving Back Where it Began appeared first on In-depth Solomons .
BY JOHN HOUANIHAU
Guadalcanal Province is facing a critical healthcare shortfall, operating without a provincial hospital despite a massive population surge.
Guadalcanal Provincial Premier Willie Atu issued a fierce demand for immediate infrastructure development, revealing that a formal plan is now underway following positive breakthrough discussions with the national Government for Regional Advancement and Transformation (GREAT).
Speaking during a handover of the Ruavatu parish community hall last month, Premier Atu sounded the alarm on the province’s stark demographic reality.
Mr Atu said Guadalcanal’s population skyrocketed to 154,022, growing at an aggressive annual rate of 3.2 percent, significantly higher than the national growth rate of 2.6 percent according to the 2019 census,
He adds that despite the province has a high population compared to other provinces that already possess their own operational provincial hospitals, Guadalcanal continues to lack a hospital for its people.
“My challenge as the premier of Guadalcanal Province is how I can serve the people... in vital services such as education and health,” Premier Atu said.
He said that the healthcare crisis reached a deadly tipping point during the global pandemic, COVID-19 where Guadalcanal residents paid the ultimate price for this infrastructural gap.
“Even during the COVID-19 period, where you met death just in front of your face, the people of Guadalcanal were rejected when trying to go to the National Referral Hospital (NRH),” Premier Atu recalled.
The premier condemned the exclusion, calling the rejection of dying citizens a profound and lasting concern for the entire province.
He said the systemic neglect prompted him to confront the national government during this year’s Guadalcanal Second Appointed Day celebrations.
“Following my pledge on that day, the GREAT government sent their delegation to discuss the matter with us and we told them that the province already have a plan for the hospital to serve the people of Guadalcanal,” Premier Atu confirmed.
While expressing gratitude to the national government for coming to the table to finalize the strategies, Premier Atu maintained that execution remains paramount to solving the province’s ongoing humanitarian and healthcare emergency.
[Guadalcanal Provincial Premier Willie Atu expressing the significance of having a provincial hospital. Photo – John Houanihau.]
BY JOHN HOUANIHAU
Guadalcanal Province Premier Willie Atu has confirmed that his government has held successful talks with communities in East Central Guadalcanal to open a new road network.
This major infrastructure development will connect Longu to Marau in East Guadalcanal, creating a critical link for the province.
Speaking during the handover of the Ruavatu Parish community hall last month, Premier Atu revealed that an initial assessment has already been completed, putting the project cost at $19 million.
The Premier explained that the provincial government wants the road to start from East Central Guadalcanal and reach all the way to Marau to make local travel much safer.
He noted that this route will give the traveling public from Makira or Malaita a reliable land alternative, allowing them to travel by vehicle once they reach Marau when the sea is too rough.
Premier Atu pointed out that there have been a number of dangerous sea incidents, and this road will also allow people to cross over to Marau and easily travel by vehicle straight to Honiara.
In addition to the eastern road project, Premier Atu highlighted other key transport updates that are vital for the development of Guadalcanal Province.
He announced that the rehabilitation of the AvuAvu has been completed and the airport will open to flights very soon.
He further adds that, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) will fund another major road infrastructure project in West Guadalcanal, running from White River to Lambi.
The Premier said that bringing roads into Central East Guadalcanal is a top priority because the area hosts highly important economic projects, such as the Gold Ridge mine and GIPPOL, which is also the case of road infrastructure project in West Guadalcanal.
Premier Atu made a strong appeal to local youth to stop unlawful activities that disrupt the province’s progress while pushing for these future developments.
He specifically called for an immediate end to illegal roadblocks where young people stop vehicles to demand money.
The Premier urged chiefs, women, men, and youths to make this a shared agenda, warning that these actions reflect poorly on the entire community and the province.
He concluded by calling on all community members to work together with authorities for the betterment of the province, stating that the Solomon Islands can only move forward with the assistance and help of everyone.
[Premier Willie Atu highlighting the importance of road infrastructure development in Guadalcanal. Photo- John Houanihau.]