FOUR former Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS) officers have been acquitted of defrauding the government of $1,594,935.12 in payments to a shipping company that did not provide services. The ruling was delivered Principal Magistrate Ishmael Kekou on 23 October 2025. The accused, former Finance Controller Stephen Dalipanda, former Senior Accountant Randy Hatigeva, former Health Procurement Officer Robert Manu and…
SOLOMON Islands continues to face major challenges in developing a strong and sustainable industrial sector, despite its abundant natural resources and hardworking population, and this warrants redirection of the economy towards industrialization, local economist Martin Hou highlighted. Hou said over the past decade, the nation’s economy has remained heavily reliant on raw exports, subsistence agriculture,…
On Tuesday, October 28, 2025, at 12:00 noon in Rome (9:00 PM Solomon Islands time), His Holiness Pope Leo XIV appointed Rev. Fr. Jacob Aba, S.M., currently Pastor of Holy Name of Mary Parish in Tanagai (Honiara), as the Bishop of Auki. The appointment was first communicated to the Archbishop of Honiara by the Apostolic Nunciature in Papua New…
The Makira Ulawa Provincial Government (MUP) has reaffirmed its connection to a 6.8-hectare piece of land in Okea, North Guadalcanal, through a cultural exchange ceremony. The land was acquired by Makira Ulawa Province many years ago but was left unattended during the 1998-2001 ethnic tensions. The ceremony, which involved the exchange of chupu, symbolized renewed ties and…
Solomon Ports on Wednesday officially commissioned and handed over 14 double-type solar street lights to the Afio Station community in South Malaita, under our ongoing Green Port Initiative and Community Support initiative. Despite the bad weather, hundreds turned up in numbers to witness the ceremony. The handover ceremony reflects our continued commitment to sustainability, environmental…
Government had reengaged two permanent secretaries for another term. They Mr Riley Mesepitu and Ms Karen Galokale. In a statement issued by the Government Communication Unit (GCU) on Wednesday 29th October, the Governor General, His Excellency Sir David Tiva Kapu has sworn in Mr. Riley Mesepitu and Mrs. Karen Galokale as Permanent Secretaries, formalizing their reappointments. “Mesepitu…
A validation workshop is currently underway in Taro to gather information to reflect the real needs, aspiration and priorities of the people at the ward level. The workshop is also important for the province’s planning into the future. Choisel Premier Harison Pitakaka opened the workshop on Monday 27th October and will concluded this Friday 31st October 2025. In his opening remarks he emphasized that the validation workshop…
The people of Anofiu Community in East Malaita, Malaita Province, can now walk safely to their homes following the official handover of a newly constructed 400-meter Jacob’s Ladder held last Thursday – 23rd October 2025. The project marks a significant milestone for the community, providing safer and easier access for children, women, and the elderly who previously…
Three additional towers under the Solomon Islands National Broadband Infrastructure Project (SINBIP) were successfully launched in Marovo Constituency, Western Province over the weekend. The new sites M55, M58, and R53 are now fully operational, providing vital network coverage to the surrounding communities. Ongoing support from the Government of the People’s Republic of China, together with…
AT just 21 years old, Michael Keni, a young man from Choiseul Province with family roots in Guadalcanal and Malaita, has shown remarkable courage and perseverance in his education journey, one marked by hardship, family tragedy, and unshakable determination. Keni, who was recently named Form 7 Dux of Goldie College in Western Province, shared his…