THE Western Provincial Government (WPG) has voiced its deep concern over its declining financial autonomy and heavy dependence on conditional grants from the National Government, warning that the situation is undermining service delivery and local development. Speaking during the Provincial Public Accounts Committee (PPAC) session during the second day of the Assembly Meeting in Gizo, Committee Chair Hon.…
Western Provincial Premier Hon. Billy Veo faced a round of tough questions from Members of the Western Provincial Assembly (WPA) during its second sitting on Tuesday, October 7, 2025, as key issues surrounding sports development and land redistribution took center stage. The Assembly, guided by Order Paper 30/25, focused on critical infrastructure and land management…
SOLOMON Islands has not granted any recognition to the State of Palestine, despite 150 of the United Nations’ 193 member states having done so. The State of Palestine currently holds the status of a Permanent Observer State at the UN. According to BBC reports, some countries—including the United States—do not recognise a Palestinian state, saying they will…
Minister for Agriculture and Livestock is appealing on STODAS project recipient countries to prioritise people’s needs by collectively identifying best strategies to enhance implementation, ensuring that our rural populations and all stakeholders benefit holistically through the project activities. Hon. Franklyn Derek Wasi made the call when addressing the 2nd Annual Review and Planning Meeting of the Sustainable…
Minister of Infrastructure Development (MID) Ricky Fuo’o says he’s delighted with the rapid roll-out of road upgrades led by local contractors under the Australian-supported National Transport Fund Road Improvement Project. Speaking during a site visit to ongoing roadworks in Honiara alongside Australian High Commissioner, His Excellency Rod Hilton, Minister Fuo’o highlighted the progress made. “These high-quality works are delivering for…
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA — The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has appointed Jyotsana Varma as the new Regional Director of its Pacific Liaison and Coordination Office (PLCO) in Sydney, where she will lead operations for Nauru, Solomon Islands, and Vanuatu. Ms. Varma, who begins Tuesday, will also oversee the implementation of the forthcoming Pacific Approach 2026–2030, which will…
Prime Minister (PM) Jeremiah Manele says Solomon Islands will continue to advocate for climate action despite comments by United States (US) President Donald Trump dismissing climate change as “the greatest con job in the world.” Trump made the remarks during his address to the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on Tuesday, 23 September 2025, reiterating his skepticism toward global…
TAX-PAYERS through the West Kwaio Constituency Office has enabled Gwaidingale Community High School (CHS) to take ownership of a new three-ton pick up truck. Member of Parliament (MP) for West Kwaio Constituency, Hon. Claudius Tei’ifi officially handed over the school truck on Tuesday at a brief ceremony in Honiara. In his brief remarks, MP Tei’ifi expressed his appreciation to the GNUT Government through the Ministry of Infrastructure and Development (MID) for funding…
Western Provincial Premier Hon. Billy Veo has reaffirmed his government’s determination to resolve Gizo’s long-standing water crisis, assuring the Western Provincial Assembly that concrete actions are being taken to secure a lasting solution. In his address to the Assembly on Monday, Premier Veo admitted that progress has been slower than anticipated due to bureaucratic delays,…
A signing event on Friday 3 October marked the next phase of Solomon Islands’ sustainable forestry industry, celebrating New Forests’ agreement to acquire a majority stake in Kolombangara Forest Products Ltd (KFPL). New Forests is an Australian-headquartered company that is an experienced manager of nature-based assets. It will expand into Solomon Islands through its Tropical Asia Forest…