By Peter Forau Honiara SOLOMON Islands, with a debt-to-GDP ratio of approximately 20%, has one of the lowest debt burdens in the Pacific region, as highlighted by the World Bank. This fiscal prudence offers a unique opportunity for the country to leverage its debt capacity to spur economic growth through strategic deficit financing. In this…
The progress of any nation can only be as swift as its progress in education. In the words of President John F. Kennedy, “Our progress as a nation can be no swifter than our progress in education. The human mind is our fundamental resource.” This profound truth has never been more relevant for the Solomon…
SOLOMON Islands is considering a significant reform to its State-Owned Enterprises (SOE) Act, proposing to consolidate control of SOEs under the Minister of Finance and Treasury. This shift would replace the current system where multiple ministers oversee various SOEs. The proposal has sparked debate, with organizations such as Transparency International voicing concerns. However, this reform…
IN Solomon Islands, I have noticed a concerning trend: many Members of Parliament (MPs) focus heavily on the Constituency Development Fund (CDF), while neglecting their broader responsibilities, especially those related to creating real opportunities for economic empowerment and development. The CDF, designed as a financial tool to support grassroots development, has unfortunately become a magnet for…
THERE is something deeply unsettling about the recent appointments to the Solomon Islands Water Authority (SIWA) Board. While Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Mines, Energy, and Rural Electrification, Honorable Bradley Tovosia may have exercised his legal powers under the Solomon Islands Water Authority Act, I can’t help but feel that this process reeks of…
HONIARA’S public transportation system is a lifeline for thousands of residents who depend on buses to commute daily. However, the ongoing issue of short bus routes has become a major source of frustration for the public, damaging the city’s reputation and highlighting the need for urgent action from the Honiara City Council. For years, bus…
Alfred Sasako’s narrative of the Christian Fellowship Church (CFC), which appeared on Solomon Star No. 8879, dated 7 September, 2024, was a rephrasing/rewriting of an earlier narratives from the Tavuli News titled “Survivors Courages Account Exposes Severe Abuse and Coercion by CFC Group A Leader,” and a much earlier one in “the Burning of houses…
By Dr. Raluca Eddon UNDP Today, as we commemorate the International Day of Democracy, Solomon Islands has elected to dedicate the celebration of its 46 years of democracy to the theme ‘Democracy for the people, by the people.’ As the current Resident Representative of UNDP in Solomon Islands, I am honored to reflect on the…
HAVE you ever swum against a current? What about taking academic risks or making a decision that might lead to your being fired by your boss? How many of you have ever skinned a cat alive? Taking risks can be very dangerous and regrettable. However, there are times when we need to make those difficult…
By Rafayil Abbasov, ADB Senior Energy Specialist The Pacific region confronts significant challenges in energy regulation that require a unified approach to capacity building, information sharing, and policy harmonization. These efforts are vital to enabling the transition to sustainable energy and ensuring energy security. The Pacific region is acutely vulnerable to the impacts of climate…