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…
Nagotano, Central Province – The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), as the lead national executing agency for the Global Environment Fund’s Coral Reef Rescue: Resilient Reefs, Resilient Communities project (GEF CRR) in Solomon Islands, recently hosted a pivotal regional exchange. This event, a field session for Coral Triangle Initiative on Coral Reefs, Fisheries and Food Security (CTI-CFF)…
Tickets for the 2025 FIBA Melanesian Cup have been set at $20 SBD per seat as the Solomon Islands prepares to host the prestigious tournament for the first time next week. The basketball showdown will run from Monday October 13 to Saturday 18 October at the Friendship Hall, East Honiara. Competition chairlady Gloria Hong said, the…
After finishing last in both the 2017 and 2022 editions of the FIBA Melanesian Cup, the Solomon Islands National Men’s Basketball team is aiming for a much-improved performance as the country prepares to host the regional tournament for the very first time. This year’s competition will see the top two finishers in both the men’s…
The Western Provincial Government (WPG) has begun reviewing its business licensing ordinance, with a particular focus on tourism operators, in an effort to streamline fees and make it easier for businesses to operate within the province. Western Province Deputy Premier Brian Lotikena, revealed this development during the official opening of Fatboys Resort’s new Dive Shop…
Fatboys Resort off Gizo Island in Western Province has expanded its tourism services following the official opening of a new dive shop. This latest service enhances its reputation as one of the leading holiday destinations in the Solomons. The new dive shop, located within the resort premises, aims to provide guests with a full diving experience—offering scuba gear rentals, guided dives,…
A landmark shareholding agreement was signed on Friday between Kolombangara Forestry Plantation Limited (KFPL), the Kolombangara Landowners Trust Foundation (KLTF), and new investor ‘New Forest’. Prime Minister (PM) Jeremiah Manele MP who officially witnessed the signing praised the collaboration, saying it follows his government’s efforts through a Cabinet Sub-committee to transfer plantation estate land titles owned by KFPL to the KLTF,…
Prime Minister Hon. Jeremiah Manele MP, took time out on Saturday night to attend the much-anticipated friendly match between the Solomon Islands National Football Team and Australia’s Brisbane Roar Football Club at the National Stadium. Undeterred by the wet weather, the Prime Minister joined enthusiastic fans to witness the spirit of international friendship unfold on the pitch. …
The community of Jericho 2 of West Kola has successfully hosted a historical activity for the children by hosting an Environmental and Waste Management Speech Contest at Banana Valley (Zone 1) over the weekend. A total of twenty-two students participated in the one-day activity on Saturday 4th October. Of the total participants 16 are primary students and six secondary students. The activity was summarized by…