BY JOHN HOUANIHAU
Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, Disaster Management and Meteorology (MECDM) David Hiriasia has hit back at social media commentators criticising the government over the pace of its response to Tropical Cyclone Maila.
The criticism has questioned why assistance and recovery activities have taken time despite funding being allocated for the disaster response.
But Hiriasia said disaster response does not happen all at once, explaining that authorities work through different phases, with immediate response and longer-term recovery requiring different approaches.
A chart showing the steps of response and recovery during disasters: Photo credit: David Hiriasia .
He said the early response normally focuses on immediate humanitarian needs, while recovery is a much longer process that can take years.
“What normally happens during the early response phase is what we are talking about with food. But recovery can take years,” Hiriasia said.
Hiriasia said the public should therefore not expect all recovery activities to be completed immediately following the allocation of funds.
He said the proposed shelter recovery following Tropical Cyclone Maila was an example of a longer-term recovery activity, adding that such work has not been attempted since Cyclone Namu.
“We have never attempted shelter recovery since Cyclone Namu,” he said.
Hiriasia said the scale and nature of the proposed recovery work meant it was new territory even for some disaster management personnel with decades of experience.
“This will be the first time for most of us, even those of us who have been working in this space for 20 years now,” he said.
He also rejected any suggestion that the Government was simply doing nothing while affected communities waited for assistance.
“The important thing is no one should say we are not doing this. It is slow, but we are coming soon and very soon,” Hiriasia said.
Hiriasia’s response comes amid continuing public discussion on social media about the Government’s handling of the aftermath of Tropical Cyclone Maila, including questions over the timing of assistance and the use of funds allocated for the disaster response.
His comments emphasise that funding allocation is only part of the disaster-management process, with recovery activities requiring additional planning and implementation beyond the initial emergency response.
[PS MECDM David Hiriasia: File Photo.]
BY JOSES SAREN
The Attorney-General’s Conference of Parties (AG-COP) 2026 opened this morning at the National Aquatic Centre, Sports City, bringing together government ministries, provincial governments and state-owned enterprises for two days of talks on law and governance.
The conference runs from September 22 to 23 under the theme “Law at the Centre of Good Governance: Promoting Responsibility, Accountability and Building a GREAT Solomon Islands,” Attorney-General Gabriel Suri said in his welcome address.
Suri opened the conference shortly before 9am.
Minister for Justice and Legal Affairs Alfred Tuasulia delivered the opening keynote address as guest of honour.
A representative of the Australian High Commissioner to Solomon Islands also addressed participants during the keynote session.
The morning’s main session was led by the Chambers’ Litigation and Advice Division, under the topic “When Government Becomes the Litigant — What does litigation tell us about the quality of Governance?”
Participants took part in an interactive case study session analysing real government decision-making scenarios as part of that presentation.
The International Affairs Unit and the Commercial Law Unit also presented during the day, followed by a question and answer session.
The Legislative Drafting Division rounded out the afternoon program, covering the legislative drafting process, the legislative competence of provincial governments and the Honiara City Council, and the journey of a bill from the Attorney-General’s Chambers to the National Parliament of Solomon Islands (NPSI).
Day One sessions were scheduled to close at 4:30pm, with the conference set to continue into its second and final day on tomorrow September 23.
[Photo: Participants from government ministries, provincial governments and state-owned enterprises attend Day One of the Attorney-General’s Conference of Parties 2026 at the National Aquatic Centre, Sports City, Honiara. Photo: Joses Saren]
by Andrew Brown of AAP in New York City A comprehensive treaty between Australia and the Solomon Islands would be transformational for the broader Pacific region, Anthony Albanese has declared. The prime minister met with his Solomon Islands counterpart Matthew Wale on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in...
The post Why Solomon Islands PM Had to Apologise to Albanese appeared first on In-depth Solomons .
Officers from Auki broke up homebrew production houses and stalls at Fiu village and seized cooking equipment, according to a statement on the Solomon Islands Government portal.
Opinion Piece by Ambassador of the European Union to the Pacific, Barbara Plinkert When nearly 80% of the world faces hunger, blocking one of the world’s major breadbaskets is neither an accident nor merely a military tactic; it is a direct assault on global stability. & Russia is systematically strangling...
The post Russia’s War on Ukrainian Trade Is a War on Global Food Security appeared first on In-depth Solomons .
BY RICHARD MENANOPO
Team Solomon has broken through for its first team victory at the 46th FIDE Chess Olympiad in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, defeating Saint Kitts and Nevis 21⁄2–11⁄2 in Round 5.
The result marked a significant turnaround for the Solomon Islands side after four demanding rounds at the world’s biggest team chess competition.
According to the Solomon Islands Chess Federation (SICF), the team produced a determined performance across all four boards, with two wins, one draw and one loss enough to secure the overall victory.
Fred Resture led the charge on Board One, defeating Carl Victor Adams with the Black pieces to collect a full point.
Chris Kaitu’u then followed with another important win on Board Two, beating Nohar Anganoo to give Solomon Islands further momentum.
Junior Lui, playing Black on Board Three, fought hard against Kaeden Fyfield-Jones but eventually went down, leaving the match finely balanced.
The decisive half-point came from Melanie Chottu on Board Four, who held David Jeetlal to a draw to ensure Solomon Islands finished ahead 21⁄2–11⁄2.
The official tournament record confirms the result, with Resture and Kaitu’u both recording victories, Lui losing and Chottu drawing in the Round 5 encounter.
For Team Solomon, the victory comes after a difficult opening to the Olympiad, including 4–0 defeats against Kosovo and Senegal before the team recorded its first individual board win against the Cayman Islands in Round 3.
The team then showed further progress in Round 4 against Guinea, collecting 11⁄2 board points through a draw by Resture and a win by Kaitu’u despite eventually losing the match 21⁄2–11⁄2.
SICF said captain and coach Ke “Kiki” Chen has continued working closely with the players, reviewing their games and helping them prepare for each new challenge.
The Solomon Islands team now turns its attention to Round 6 against Brunei Darussalam, with the squad carrying the confidence of having finally converted its individual performances into a team victory.
The 46th Chess Olympiad is being held in Samarkand from September 16 to 27, bringing together teams from around the world in an 11-round team competition.
[Photo: Team Solomon players remain fully focused on their boards during their Day Two encounter against Senegal at the 46th FIDE Chess Olympiad in Samarkand, Uzbekistan. Photo credit: SICF]
A key section of the Tandai Highway will experience temporary overnight closures this week as crews install new street lighting along the corridor, the Ministry of Infrastructure Development (MID) announced. The landside carriageway between the Rifle Range Roundabout and Solomon Motors in White River will be closed to traffic from...
The post Tandai Highway Landside Carriageway Closed Overnight for Street Lighting Installation appeared first on In-depth Solomons .
BY JOSES SAREN
Ocean Exploration Trust has opened paid 2027 internships for students and fellowships for educators aboard research ship Nautilus.
US historian Jeff Ballard promoted the programs at a US Embassy-hosted media roundtable at Heritage Park Hotel in Honiara yesterday, saying applications are open.
Ballard said he told students and educators at The University of the South Pacific and another local institution about the programs.
The trust’s internship packet says students from Japan and the Pacific Islands are strongly encouraged to apply.
It said the encouragement is part of the trust’s commitment to expeditions developed with communities linked to its expedition locations.
The internships are for community college, technical school, undergraduate and graduate students, and graduates of the last two years.
They cover ocean science, video systems engineering, remotely operated vehicle engineering, and seafloor mapping and hydrography.
Interns spend three to five weeks aboard the ship.
They receive a stipend of about SBD 8,000 a week, with travel to the ship’s port paid by the trust, it detailed.
The packet also sets out limits on who can take part in the internships.
It said participation is limited to US citizens, nationals and lawful permanent residents, and citizens of countries where the program is federally authorised.
Those countries presently include Japan and the Federated States of Micronesia, it added.
The trust expects to offer 15 to 20 internship positions, but said funding has not been confirmed.
The Science Communication Fellowship is for formal and informal educators, the trust’s website says.
It said applicants can include school teachers, museum interpreters and traditional storytellers.
Fellows sail for three to five weeks and share the expedition with classrooms and communities through live commentary and ship-to-shore interactions, the website explained.
It said the fellowship includes paid travel, support while at sea, and a stipend for classroom or community outreach.
The trust also encourages educators from under-resourced schools and those who engage communities near its expedition locations, the website added.
Its 2027 expeditions will run from February to August in the Western Pacific, the internship packet said.
Draft operating areas include the Mariana Islands, Hawai’i, Wake Island and Japan.
Applications for both programs close on October 15.
More details and application links are available at nautiluslive.org/join.
[Photo: The Ocean Exploration Trust’s research ship Nautilus, which carries interns on expeditions. Photo Ocean Exploration Trust. Photo supplied]
British High Commissioner says initiative can benefit Government, communities and mining companies
BY DOUGLAS VAHIA
The Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) can deliver a “win-win-win” for the Solomon Islands Government, local communities and mining companies, British High Commissioner Paul Turner says.
Mr Turner made the remarks yesterday during the formal launch of the next phase of United Kingdom support for Solomon Islands’ re-entry into the EITI.
He said EITI could help Solomon Islands strengthen revenue collection and exports while improving transparency across the mining sector.
“It is a win-win-win: for Government, local communities and for mining companies who will have greater export markets,” Mr Turner said.
The EITI Board last week approved Solomon Islands’ application to rejoin the initiative, making it the 56th EITI implementing country.
Solomon Islands left the EITI in 2018 after failing to meet its commitments under the initiative.
Under its renewed EITI membership, the country is required to improve disclosure of information relating to its mining sector to strengthen transparency and public management of the industry.
The United Kingdom, working with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), has supported efforts to help Solomon Islands rejoin the EITI.
The UK will continue providing support to help the country meet its obligations under the initiative.
Mr Turner said EITI membership had the potential to transform the mining sector and ensure the industry delivers greater benefits to Solomon Islands.
“Membership of EITI has the potential to transform the mining sector in Solomon Islands,” he said.
“It will ensure that mining does not go the same way as logging did in this country.”
Solomon Islands is re-engaging with EITI at a time when its mining sector is expanding, particularly in gold and nickel.
The sector is expected to play an increasing role in economic diversification, with growth driven by the Gold Ridge gold mine and the Kolosori nickel project.
The EITI Board also commended the renewed commitment of the Government, mining companies and civil society to a more equitable and environmentally responsible approach to mining decisions.
A new multi-stakeholder group comprising representatives from central and provincial governments, mining companies, local communities and civil society will monitor activities across the sector.
The next phase of UK support will assist Solomon Islands to develop a national plan for the disclosure of mining information across all provinces.
It will also support capacity building for local stakeholders to monitor and report on mining activities and strengthen the Government’s ability to provide regular reports to the EITI Secretariat.
[Photo Caption: British High Commissioner Paul Turner and Permanent Secretary of Finance David Dennis sign the next phase of UK support for Solomon Islands’ re-entry into the EITI.]
BY DOUGLAS VAHIA
Solomon Islands is looking to strengthen its rugby sevens development through a new partnership with the United Kingdom, following the visit of former England international Ben Gollings to Honiara last week.
A statement from the British High Commission in Honiara, said that Gollings was in Honiara at the invitation of the Solomon Islands Rugby Union Federation (SIRUF), where he met and coached teams competing in the Solomon Ports National 7s Rugby Championship.
His visit is aimed at building stronger rugby links between Solomon Islands and the UK, with a particular focus on developing young players in rugby sevens.
British High Commissioner to Solomon Islands, H.E Paul Turner, hosted Gollings at his residence on Thursday to discuss opportunities for expanding rugby cooperation between the two countries.
One of the key areas discussed was creating opportunities for Solomon Islands players to travel to Melrose in Scotland for further exposure and development.
Melrose is recognised as the birthplace of rugby sevens, with the sport originating there about 140 years ago before growing into a global game.
High Commissioner Turner said Rugby Sevens was well suited to Solomon Islands because it is relatively easy to organise and accessible to a wide range of players.
He also expressed hope that the sport could develop strongly in Solomon Islands, similar to its growth and popularity in Fiji.
Gollings brings extensive international experience to the partnership.
He coached Fiji’s national rugby sevens team when they won the Rugby World Cup Sevens in 2022.
As a player, he represented England in both 15-a-side rugby and rugby sevens and became England’s leading points scorer in international sevens, accumulating more than 2,600 points during his international and club career.
He retired from playing in 2011.
His visit to Solomon Islands provides an opportunity to share his experience with local players and coaches while exploring longer-term pathways for the development of rugby sevens in the country.
[Photo: Practise session for H.E Paul Turner with coach Ben Gollings.High Commissioner, Turner hosted Gollings at his Residence on Thursday last week. Photo credit: BHC.]
Jennifer Mark of Solomon Islands is among the participants in the 2026/27 Pacific Women Leaders in Tennis programme, held in Fiji from 13 to 18 September, Tennis Australia said.
Solomon Islands and the Republic of Ghana have formally established diplomatic relations.
This followed the signing of a Joint Communiqué by the respective Foreign Ministers on the margins of the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York.
Solomon Islands Minister for Foreign Affairs and External Trade Hon. Rick Houenipwela and Ghanaian Foreign Minister Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa signed the communiqué, marking a new chapter in relations between the two countries.
Minister Ablakwa said Ghana was pleased to formalise relations and looked forward to identifying areas where the two countries could work together.
He highlighted opportunities for cooperation in economic development, democratic institutions and local government, highlighting Ghana’s current economic recovery could provide areas for shared experience and learning.
The Ghanaian Foreign Minister also pointed to the common historical experiences of the two countries and proposed greater people-to-people links, including mobility and exchange programmes in health and education .
He extended an invitation to Minister Houenipwela to visit Ghana as part of efforts to strengthen the new relationship.
Minister Houenipwela described the signing as a historic occasion .
He said the two countries could draw on their shared experiences while exploring practical areas of cooperation.
“ We welcome the opportunity to learn from Ghana, particularly its experience in cocoa production and agriculture as Solomon Islands looks to broaden economic opportunities and strengthen productive sectors,” the Foreign Minister said.
Minister Houenipwela also acknowledged Ghana’s contribution to international affairs, including through the leadership of former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan , who served as the United Nations’ seventh Secretary-General.
The establishment of diplomatic relations expands Solomon Islands’ diplomatic engagement with Africa and creates a new platform for cooperation between the Pacific and West Africa.
Ends//
– OPMC PRESS SECRETARIAT
The post SI, Ghana Forge New Diplomatic Partnership first appeared on Solomon Islands Broadcasting Corporation (SIBC) .
The Solomon Islands has officially set up diplomatic relations with Kenya and Ghana during the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York, expanding its connections in Africa. & According to the Prime Minister’s Office, these new agreements fit the country’s goal of being “friends to all, enemies to none”...
The post Solomon Islands Builds New Links with Kenya and Ghana appeared first on In-depth Solomons .
My Observations of the Environmental and Social Impacts of Nickel Mining at Havihua Village, West Bugotu Isabel Province
By Allan Seru Mapuru, a Masters Candidate at the University of the South Pacific, Laucala campus, Fiji Islands.
Information provided herein are based on the independent observations of the author
During my assessment through ethnographic observation of the mining activities at Havihua, I became increasingly concerned about the environmental and social impacts of the development. As I examined the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and considered the experiences of the local villagers, I observed several areas where environmental protection, climate change, disaster risk reduction, public consultation, community livelihoods and worker welfare appeared to receive inadequate attention. In my view, the situation at Havihua demonstrates that an EIA should not simply be a document prepared to allow a development to proceed. It should provide a practical framework for protecting the environment, respecting local communities and reducing the risks associated with development.
One of my major concerns was the limited consideration of climate change and disaster risk reduction in the EIA. I believe these two areas are important because mining activities can increase environmental risks, while climate change can make existing hazards such as heavy rainfall, flooding, erosion and storms more severe. Disaster risk reduction is important because it helps identify potential hazards before they cause serious damage and allows appropriate measures to be put in place to protect people, infrastructure and the environment. Climate change is equally important because environmental management needs to consider how changing weather and climatic conditions may affect the mining operation and surrounding ecosystems over both the short and long term.
The importance of climate change and disaster risk reduction became particularly clear to me during periods of heavy rainfall. Heavy rainfall can increase runoff from disturbed mining areas and carry large amounts of sediment into nearby aquatic and marine environments. I observed that the measures used to contain sediment were not always properly maintained. In particular, the canvas or sediment-control material was reportedly left open or rolled up even during periods of heavy rainfall. From my observation, this reduced its effectiveness in preventing sediment from leaving the mining area. This situation concerned me because poorly controlled sediment can enter marine environments and affect coral reefs and other organisms.
I was particularly concerned about the effects of sedimentation on marine life. The surrounding marine environment is important to local communities because it provides food, supports livelihoods and forms part of the natural environment on which villagers depend. Heavy sedimentation can reduce water clarity and place stress on coral reefs and other marine organisms. I was therefore concerned that the impacts of mining were not limited to the immediate mining area but could extend into the wider marine environment. Despite these concerns, I found no clear evidence of adequate compensation or meaningful marine rehabilitation for the impacts experienced by the affected environment and communities.
Another issue that concerned me was the apparent lack of marine rehabilitation. I found little evidence of meaningful measures such as coral planting or coral rehabilitation to address damage to marine ecosystems. For me, this raises an important question about what happens to the marine environment after mining activities have affected it. Simply stopping an activity does not necessarily restore an ecosystem. Where marine ecosystems have been damaged, rehabilitation should be properly planned, implemented and monitored.
I was also concerned about the damage to mangrove areas. Mangroves are important because they provide habitat for wildlife, support food chains, protect coastal areas and contribute to the livelihoods and food security of coastal communities. From what I observed, mangroves affected by the mining activities did not appear to receive adequate rehabilitation. I believe that damage to mangroves should have been properly assessed and followed by a clear restoration programme. The importance of mangroves should not be overlooked simply because they may not be located directly within the main mining area.
Waste management was another issue that caught my attention. I observed rubbish being disposed of carelessly around the mining site and concerns about the absence of a properly managed disposal area. Poor waste management can create environmental and public health risks, especially when waste is located near drainage systems, soil, surface water or marine environments. I believe the mining operation should have had clear procedures for waste collection, storage, treatment and final disposal. These procedures should also have been monitored to ensure that they were actually being followed.
I was also concerned about the potential risk of heavy metals and other contaminants entering the surrounding aquatic and marine environment. From my assessment, there appeared to be insufficient evidence of regular testing to determine whether potentially harmful substances were entering nearby water bodies. Without appropriate water-quality and contamination monitoring, it becomes difficult to determine whether the surrounding water remains safe or whether contamination is occurring. This is particularly important because local people depend on their surrounding marine and coastal environment for food and other daily needs. In my view, regular environmental testing should have been part of the mining operation, with the results communicated transparently to the affected communities.
Another major concern for me was the lack of meaningful consultation with local villagers before certain activities proceeded. I believe consultation is an important part of the EIA process because local communities possess knowledge about their environment, fishing areas, natural resources and culturally important places that may not be fully identified through technical assessments alone. Before decisions are made that affect people’s livelihoods and access to resources, villagers should have a genuine opportunity to understand what is proposed, raise concerns and participate in decisions that affect them.
The change in fishing grounds particularly affected me. As mining activities changed access to or conditions around some fishing areas, villagers were reportedly forced to move toward more isolated and difficult locations to continue fishing. Some of these areas are perceived by villagers as places where crocodile attacks may occur and where there are also traditional beliefs about mystical or spiritually significant presences. Whether these beliefs are interpreted culturally, traditionally or otherwise, they form part of how some villagers understand and experience their environment. What concerned me most was that people felt they had little choice because fishing remained necessary for putting food on the table. This shows how an environmental impact can also become a livelihood and safety issue. When people’s traditional fishing grounds are affected, alternative access and livelihood arrangements should be considered rather than leaving villagers to bear the consequences themselves.
I was also concerned about the removal of trees and timber from the current mining site. From what I observed and was informed, trees and timber were cut down as part of the mining activities, yet the villagers had concerns that they had not been adequately compensated for the timber that was removed. This issue is important because trees and timber can have both economic and practical value to local communities. If resources belonging to or traditionally used by villagers are removed through development activities, there should be a clear and transparent process for determining ownership, valuation and compensation. The absence of clear information about these matters can create mistrust between the company and the community.
The issue of transparency appeared to extend beyond environmental matters. I became concerned that some dealings between the mining company and affected people were vague, making it difficult for villagers and workers to understand how decisions were being made and how certain payments or compensation were determined. I also understood that payments associated with shipments of ore were sometimes delayed, while there were concerns about transparency regarding workers’ payments. For me, transparency is important because workers and communities should be able to understand the arrangements that directly affect their livelihoods. Clear records, communication and accountability can help reduce uncertainty and conflict.
My concerns were not limited to the surrounding environment and community. I also became concerned about conditions within the mining camp. Poor sanitation can create risks to worker health and wellbeing, particularly when hygiene facilities, food preparation and waste management are inadequate. I was also concerned about the quality and healthiness of food provided to workers. These conditions are relevant to the wider social impacts of mining because environmental management should also consider the people who work within the project and the conditions in which they live.
The terrestrial rehabilitation measures also raised concerns for me. Although rehabilitation appeared to form part of the mining process, I found the proposed measures to be vague and difficult to assess in terms of their actual effectiveness. In my view, rehabilitation should not simply involve covering disturbed areas or planting trees without clear objectives and monitoring. A proper rehabilitation programme should identify what the land is expected to look like after mining, what ecological functions should be restored, who is responsible for the rehabilitation and how its success will be measured. Without these elements, rehabilitation can become a promise on paper rather than an effective environmental management measure.
Overall, my assessment of the Havihua mining activities left me concerned about the gap between environmental assessment and actual environmental management. The issues I identified include inadequate consideration of climate change and disaster risk reduction, heavy sedimentation, impacts on coral reefs and marine life, damage to mangroves, poor waste management, inadequate environmental monitoring, weak terrestrial rehabilitation, limited marine rehabilitation, insufficient consultation with local communities, changes to fishing grounds, concerns about safety, removal of timber without clear compensation, and a lack of transparency in some dealings with workers and villagers.
As I reflect on what I observed, I believe the Havihua experience demonstrates why environmental management must consider the whole community and ecosystem rather than focusing only on the extraction of mineral resources. A development can create economic opportunities, but those opportunities should not come at the expense of the environment, community livelihoods, cultural values or people’s safety. Meaningful consultation should take place before activities that significantly affect local resources are undertaken. Environmental monitoring should be continuous, mitigation measures should actually work in practice, and rehabilitation should be measurable and properly implemented.
For me, the most important lesson from Havihua is that an EIA should continue to have value after the report has been approved. It should guide what happens during mining operations and provide accountability when mitigation measures fail. Climate change and disaster risk reduction should be integrated into planning because they can increase existing environmental risks. Marine ecosystems and mangroves should be protected because they support biodiversity, food chains and community livelihoods. Local villagers should be meaningfully consulted because they are directly affected and possess valuable knowledge of their environment. Finally, compensation, worker payments and other dealings should be transparent so that affected people understand how decisions are made and how their interests are being addressed. In my view, these elements are essential for ensuring that environmental management at Havihua is practical, accountable and responsive to the people and environment affected by mining.
Disclaimer: The views expressed in the article are of the author and in no way represent SBM.
My Observations of the Environmental and Social Impacts of Nickel Mining at Havihua Village, West Bugotu Isabel Province
By Allan Seru Mapuru, a Masters Candidate at the University of the South Pacific, Laucala campus, Fiji Islands.
Information provided herein are based on the independent observations of the author
During my assessment through ethnographic observation of the mining activities at Havihua, I became increasingly concerned about the environmental and social impacts of the development. As I examined the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and considered the experiences of the local villagers, I observed several areas where environmental protection, climate change, disaster risk reduction, public consultation, community livelihoods and worker welfare appeared to receive inadequate attention. In my view, the situation at Havihua demonstrates that an EIA should not simply be a document prepared to allow a development to proceed. It should provide a practical framework for protecting the environment, respecting local communities and reducing the risks associated with development.
One of my major concerns was the limited consideration of climate change and disaster risk reduction in the EIA. I believe these two areas are important because mining activities can increase environmental risks, while climate change can make existing hazards such as heavy rainfall, flooding, erosion and storms more severe. Disaster risk reduction is important because it helps identify potential hazards before they cause serious damage and allows appropriate measures to be put in place to protect people, infrastructure and the environment. Climate change is equally important because environmental management needs to consider how changing weather and climatic conditions may affect the mining operation and surrounding ecosystems over both the short and long term.
气候变化和灾害风险减少的重要性在我经历强降雨的时期变得尤为明显。强降雨会增加受扰动采矿区域的径流,并将大量沉积物带入附近的水生和海洋环境。我观察到用于控制沉积物的措施并不总是得到妥善维护。特别是,据报道,帆布或沉积物控制材料在强降雨期间常常被敞开或卷起。从我的观察来看,这降低了其防止沉积物离开采矿区的有效性。这种情况让我感到担忧,因为控制不当的沉积物可能进入海洋环境,影响珊瑚礁和其他生物。
我特别担心沉积对海洋生物的影响。周围的海洋环境对当地社区至关重要,因为它提供食物,支持生计,并构成村民依赖的自然环境。强沉积会降低水的清澈度,并给珊瑚礁和其他海洋生物带来压力。因此,我担心采矿的影响不仅限于直接的采矿区域,还可能扩展到更广泛的海洋环境。尽管有这些担忧,我没有发现对受影响环境和社区的影响进行充分补偿或有意义的海洋修复的明确证据。
另一个让我担忧的问题是显然缺乏海洋修复。我发现几乎没有有意义的措施,例如珊瑚种植或珊瑚修复,以应对海洋生态系统的损害。对我来说,这提出了一个重要的问题,即在采矿活动影响海洋环境后会发生什么。仅仅停止一项活动并不一定能恢复生态系统。在海洋生态系统受到损害的情况下,修复应当得到妥善规划、实施和监测。
我还对红树林区域的破坏感到担忧。红树林非常重要,因为它们为野生动物提供栖息地,支持食物链,保护沿海地区,并为沿海社区的生计和粮食安全做出贡献。从我观察到的情况来看,受采矿活动影响的红树林似乎没有得到充分的恢复。我认为,红树林的损害应该得到适当评估,并随后制定明确的恢复计划。红树林的重要性不应仅仅因为它们可能不位于主要采矿区内而被忽视。
废物管理是另一个引起我注意的问题。我观察到在采矿现场周围随意处置垃圾,并且对缺乏适当管理的处置区域表示担忧。糟糕的废物管理可能会造成环境和公共健康风险,特别是当废物位于排水系统、土壤、地表水或海洋环境附近时。我认为,采矿作业应该有明确的废物收集、储存、处理和最终处置程序。这些程序也应该得到监测,以确保它们确实得到了遵循。
我还对重金属和其他污染物进入周围水域和海洋环境的潜在风险感到担忧。从我的评估来看,似乎缺乏定期检测的证据,以确定潜在有害物质是否进入附近水体。如果没有适当的水质和污染监测,就很难确定周围水域是否仍然安全,或者是否发生了污染。这一点尤其重要,因为当地人依赖周围的海洋和沿海环境来获取食物和其他日常需求。在我看来,定期的环境检测应该是采矿作业的一部分,并且结果应透明地传达给受影响的社区。
我另一个主要关切是,在某些活动进行之前,缺乏与当地村民的有意义的咨询。我认为咨询是环境影响评估(EIA)过程中的重要部分,因为当地社区对其环境、渔区、自然资源和文化重要地点拥有知识,这些可能无法仅通过技术评估充分识别。在影响人们生计和资源获取的决策做出之前,村民应该有一个真正的机会去理解所提议的内容,提出关切,并参与影响他们的决策。
渔场的变化特别让我感到担忧。随着采矿活动改变了某些渔区的进入方式或条件,村民们被迫向更偏僻和困难的地方迁移以继续捕鱼。据报道,这些地区被村民视为可能发生鳄鱼袭击的地方,并且也存在关于神秘或精神重要存在的传统信仰。无论这些信仰是如何被文化、传统或其他方式解读的,它们都是一些村民理解和体验其环境的一部分。我最关心的是,人们感到他们几乎没有选择,因为捕鱼仍然是维持生计的必要手段。这表明,环境影响也可能成为生计和安全问题。当人们的传统渔场受到影响时,应考虑替代的进入和生计安排,而不是让村民自行承担后果。
我还对当前采矿地点的树木和木材的移除表示关切。根据我观察到的和被告知的情况,树木和木材作为采矿活动的一部分被砍伐,但村民们担心他们没有得到足够的补偿。这一问题很重要,因为树木和木材对当地社区具有经济和实际价值。如果属于或传统上由村民使用的资源通过开发活动被移除,应该有一个明确和透明的程序来确定所有权、估值和补偿。这些问题缺乏明确的信息可能会在公司和社区之间造成不信任。
透明度问题似乎超出了环境问题的范围。我开始担心采矿公司与受影响人之间的一些交易模糊不清,使得村民和工人难以理解决策是如何做出的,以及某些付款或赔偿是如何确定的。我还了解到,与矿石运输相关的付款有时会延迟,同时对工人付款的透明度也存在担忧。对我来说,透明度很重要,因为工人和社区应该能够理解直接影响他们生计的安排。清晰的记录、沟通和问责可以帮助减少不确定性和冲突。
我的担忧不仅限于周围的环境和社区。我还开始关注采矿营地内的条件。糟糕的卫生条件可能会对工人的健康和福祉造成风险,特别是在卫生设施、食品准备和废物管理不足的情况下。我还担心提供给工人的食物的质量和健康性。这些条件与采矿的更广泛社会影响相关,因为环境管理也应考虑在项目中工作的人员及其生活条件。
陆地恢复措施也让我感到担忧。尽管恢复似乎是采矿过程的一部分,但我发现拟议的措施模糊不清,难以评估其实际效果。在我看来,恢复不应仅仅涉及覆盖受扰动的区域或植树,而没有明确的目标和监测。一个适当的恢复计划应明确采矿后土地应呈现的样貌、应恢复的生态功能、谁负责恢复以及如何衡量其成功。没有这些要素,恢复可能只是一纸空文,而不是有效的环境管理措施。
总体而言,我对哈维华(Havihua)采矿活动的评估让我对环境评估与实际环境管理之间的差距感到担忧。我识别出的问题包括对气候变化和灾害风险减少考虑不足、沉积物过多、对珊瑚礁和海洋生物的影响、对红树林的破坏、废物管理不善、环境监测不足、陆地恢复能力弱、海洋恢复有限、与当地社区的咨询不足、渔场变化、安全隐患、无明确补偿的木材采伐,以及与工人和村民某些交易缺乏透明度。
在反思我所观察到的情况时,我认为哈维华的经验表明,环境管理必须考虑整个社区和生态系统,而不仅仅是关注矿产资源的开采。发展可以创造经济机会,但这些机会不应以环境、社区生计、文化价值或人们安全为代价。在进行可能显著影响当地资源的活动之前,应进行有意义的咨询。环境监测应持续进行,减缓措施应在实践中有效,恢复工作应可衡量并得到妥善实施。
对我而言,哈维华最重要的教训是,环境影响评估(EIA)在报告获得批准后仍应具有价值。它应指导采矿操作期间的活动,并在减缓措施失败时提供问责。气候变化和灾害风险减少应纳入规划,因为它们可能增加现有的环境风险。海洋生态系统和红树林应受到保护,因为它们支持生物多样性、食物链和社区生计。当地村民应进行有意义的咨询,因为他们直接受到影响,并对其环境拥有宝贵的知识。最后,补偿、工人支付和其他交易应透明,以便受影响的人了解决策是如何做出的,以及他们的利益如何得到关注。在我看来,这些要素对于确保哈维华的环境管理切实可行、负责任并对受采矿影响的人民和环境作出反应至关重要。
免责声明:本文所表达的观点仅代表作者个人,与SBM无关。
In an address to Asian Evaluation Week in Manila, Australian Assistant Minister Andrew Leigh said rigorous evaluation should decide which programmes are scrapped and which are scaled up.
The Ministry of Forestry and Research and JICA have signed a Record of Discussions for a new technical cooperation project on community-based forest management, according to a Solomon Islands Government statement.
根据所罗门群岛政府的声明,林业与研究部(Ministry of Forestry and Research)与日本国际协力机构(JICA)签署了一项关于社区基础森林管理的新技术合作项目的讨论记录。
...Le’ai, Wae head Solomon Islands to victory
BY ELTON LONARATHA JNR
In Hamilton, NZ
Raphael Le’ai’s diving header and Javin Wae’s towering stoppage-time finish powered Solomon Islands to a hard-fought 2-0 victory over New Caledonia in the 2026 MSG Cup in Suva, Fiji.
The Solomon Islands held their nerve in a physical contest at HFC Bank Stadium today, finally breaking New Caledonia’s resistance in the 76th minute before sealing all three points deep into stoppage time.
The victory handed the 2023 Pacific Games gold medallists their first defeat of the men’s competition and lifted Solomon Islands to four points from two matches, with two round-robin games remaining.
Cahn said the result was important after the opening-day draw, knowing anything less than three points would have made their path forward more difficult.
“It’s good to build from the first game. We just take it game by game and make sure we’re ready for the next one against Vanuatu,” Cahn said.
But the Solomon Islands coach admitted his side had to work hard for the result against a determined New Caledonia outfit.
“It was a difficult game. They were very physical and defended very well.
“They made it hard for us, especially on a very difficult pitch.”
Solomon Islands were forced to remain patient after a goalless first half, with New Caledonia frustrating their attacking play and threatening on the counter.
But, as they did against Fiji, the Solomon Islands players showed character when it mattered most.
Striker Raphael Le’ai finally broke the deadlock in the 76th minute with a diving header and give Solomon Islands a crucial lead.
Captain Javin Wae then put the result beyond doubt in the third minute of stoppage time, heading home from a corner delivered by midfielder William Komasi to seal all three points.
Cahn praised his players for their resilience, particularly the discipline required to deal with New Caledonia’s counter-attacking threat.
“In the end, we probably got what we deserved on the possession and the chances we had.
“The boys kept working. Even though we had a lot of the ball, we had to be brave and defend a lot of the counterattacks.
“The boys kept running and playing with courage. It’s two games in a row the boys have shown great character,” Cahn said.
Solomon Islands will now turn their attention to Vanuatu, with the two sides meeting on Thursday at 4pm.
[Photo: Solomon Islands midfielder, Rovu Boyers dragging in with the ball while chasing by a New Caledonia player-PHOTO Mai TV]
BY NED GAGAHE
The Solomon Islands National University (SINU) Council has approved the establishment of a new Centre for Teaching and Learning to strengthen teaching quality and academic support across the university.
The decision was made at the Council’s meeting on September 8, 2026.
A statement from SINU said, the Centre for Teaching and Learning (CTL) will provide institution-wide support for teaching quality, academic staff development, student learning support, digital learning and academic quality assurance.
Its establishment forms part of SINU’s ongoing transformation and is aligned with the university’s Strategic Plan 2026–2030.
The centre will focus on improving teaching and curriculum quality, professional development for academic staff, learning technologies and blended learning, student academic support, higher education and TVET programmes, and continuous quality improvement.
SINU said the move comes as the university continues to expand its programmes, increase its academic workforce and introduce more flexible approaches to teaching and learning.
The new centre will also become the institutional home of the Graduate Certificate in Higher Education Teaching and Learning (GCHETL) programme.
The programme is currently delivered by the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) with funding support from the Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT).
The migration of the programme to SINU is expected to provide continued opportunities for academic staff to gain professional development and formal teaching qualifications.
The Council also supported the integration of existing expertise and resources into the new centre.
This includes the transition of the Distance and Flexible Learning Centre into the CTL and the proposed redeployment of the existing Moodle Support Team from ICT, subject to the university’s organisational review and approval processes.
The proposed staffing structure will include a Director of Teaching and Learning, Academic Developers, Instructional Designers, Learning Technology Support Officers and Learning Advisors.
SINU said implementation will proceed through the university’s planning and approval processes, including consideration of staffing, finances, organisational structure and operational responsibilities.
The new centre is expected to strengthen SINU’s capacity to support academic staff and students and promote more consistent and quality learning experiences across its faculties, institutes, centres and different modes of learning.
BY JOSES SAREN
Solomon Islands is not fully tapping into the tourism potential of its World War II history, according to US naval historian Jeff Ballard.
Speaking at a media roundtable at Heritage Park Hotel in Honiara today, Mr Ballard said Solomon Islands’ WWII history was poorly marketed in the United States despite the strong interest among military history groups.
“The opportunity is tremendous but not being targeted,” he said.
The session was hosted by the US Embassy under the US State Department Speaker Program.
Mr Ballard, who is making his fourth visit to Guadalcanal, said tourism operators should target veterans’ organisations and military history groups, including the 1st Marine Division and Americal Division, rather than relying mainly on magazines and online advertising.
He recalled attending a US travel show in 2024 while representing Military Historical Tours.
“We were the loneliest people in the entire show,” he said.
Mr Ballard said Solomon Islands should also promote lesser-known WWII sites and trails, rather than focusing only on established sites such as Bloody Ridge and Alligator Creek.
He identified the Maruyama Trail and Barana Village as areas with potential for military history tourism.
“Barana looks closer to how it did in 1942 than anywhere else,” he said.
Mr Ballard also highlighted the Galloping Horse ridge near Mount Austen, where US and Japanese forces fought in January 1943.
He described the site as “not a hike for the faint of heart” but said it offered an exceptional experience for visitors interested in battlefield history.
He pointed to Papua New Guinea’s Kapa Kapa Trail, associated with the US 32nd Infantry Division, as an example of how niche military tourism could be developed.
Mr Ballard said Stephen Ambrose Historical Tours, one of the major US historical tour operators, was planning to operate tours in Solomon Islands in the future.
He also plans to return next year for a walk along the Maruyama Trail led by David Holland, host of the Walk Among the Battlefields podcast.
Mr Ballard said Holland’s tours focus on experiencing battlefields directly, without relying on monuments, museums or memorials.
He also highlighted the potential economic benefits of specialised tourism.
Mr Ballard said he had spent about SBD151,000 in Solomon Islands over the past four years, excluding international airfare.
He said divers and fishermen could spend significantly more, while the Ocean Exploration Trust’s NA-173 expedition spent about SBD2 million in Solomon Islands last year on food, fuel, vehicles, generators and security.
Mr Ballard stressed that he was not involved in the tourism industry and that his views were his own.
He also encouraged greater attention to eco-tourism, pointing to Solomon Islands’ unique plants and bird species.
He said educators he had met were also seeking more source materials about their own history, noting the limited access to historical resources.
Mr Ballard is scheduled to speak to secondary school teachers at the National Library tomorrow.
[Photo Caption: Military historian and Editor-in-Chief of Military History Chronicles, Jeffrey Jeff Ballard, at the United States Embassy in Honiara. Photo Joses Saren]
On Monday, British High Commissioner, Paul Turner, and Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Finance and Treasury, David Dennis, did a formal launch of the next phase of UK support to Solomon Island’s successful re-entry to the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI).
EITI is the international governing body with responsibility for overseeing good governance in the mining sector across the world. The EITI secretariat is based in Oslo, Norway.
Last week, the EITI Board welcomed Solomon Islands back as an EITI implementing country; Solomon Islands had left EITI in 2018 after failing to satisfy its commitments.
In accordance with the EITI, Solomon Islands is now required to publish all information related to its mining sector to improve public management and transparency after years of uncertainty and secrecy.
The UK, working with UNDP, has been at the forefront of efforts to re-enter Solomon Islands into the EITI. The UK will now continue its support to help the country fulfil its obligations under the EITI.
Solomon Islands is re-engaging with the EITI at a time of renewed growth in its mining sector, particularly in gold and nickel. Mining is becoming increasingly important to the country’s economic diversification efforts and is projected to continue growing, driven by the ramp-up of the Gold Ridge gold mine and the Kolosori nickel project.
High Commissioner Paul Turner said:
“EITI can support Solomon Islands in strengthening its revenue collection and exports. It is a win – win – win: for Government; local communities; and for mining companies who will have greater export markets.”
Last week, the EITI Board welcomed the Government of Solomon Islands’ renewed commitment to EITI implementation and commended the efforts of government, industry, and civil society to adopt a more equitable and environmentally responsible approach to decisions on mining activities.
A new Multi-Stakeholder Group – consisting of central and local government, mining companies, local communities and civil society – will monitor activities across the sector.
The next phase of UK support will see Solomon Islands develop a national plan setting out arrangements for disclosure of mining information in all provinces as well as continuing to build capability of local stakeholder monitoring and reporting and ensuring the Government is able to provide regular reporting to the EITI Secretariat.
“Membership of EITI has the potential to transform the mining sector in Solomon Islands, said High Commissioner Turner. It will ensure that mining does not go the same way as logging did in this country.”
ENDS//
– BHC Honiara
The post ‘EITI: A Win; Win; Win – for Government, People and Mining’ – British High Commissioner first appeared on Solomon Islands Broadcasting Corporation (SIBC) .
BY NED GAGAHE
The Central Bank of Solomon Islands (CBSI) will release an updated $100 banknote in October 2026 with enhanced security features to help the public identify genuine notes.
CBSI said the updated banknote will retain the familiar design but will include an enhanced security thread as an additional feature.
The new security thread provides a quick way for users to check the authenticity of the note.
When the banknote is tilted, the security thread changes colour from green to red and displays a pulsing movement effect.
CBSI has advised the public to use the check, feel and look method when handling the updated banknote.
The raised ink used on parts of the banknote can be felt with a finger, while holding the note up to the light reveals a watermark portrait of an eagle.
Under ultraviolet (UV) light, hidden design elements on the banknote will also glow in two distinct colours.
CBSI said the updated $100 banknote will circulate alongside the existing $100 banknote.
The new notes will be made available through commercial banks once they are released into circulation.
BY CHARLES STENNETT
The Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources (MFMR) and the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, Disaster and Meteorology, (MECDM), with support from New Zealand through the Climate and Biodiversity-Smart Marine Spatial Planning (CaB-Smart MSP) Programme, are working with communities and provincial governments in Temotu and Makira-Ulawa Provinces to identify priorities for protecting marine resources, strengthening livelihoods, and adapting to climate change.
A post from the MFMR social media said that through community workshops, interviews, mapping, traditional knowledge, and scientific information, communities are sharing their knowledge, identifying local challenges, and helping shape plans for the future of their marine and coastal areas.
It said the process ensures that the voices of women and men who depend on marine resources, as well as elders and youth, are reflected in decision-making.
It also includes Solomon Islands Integrated Vulnerability Assessment (SIIVA) assessments.
It said these activities will help communities map important coastal habitats and fishing grounds, identify environmental threats, and discuss their aspirations for the future.
The statement said information gathered will support communities and government to develop practical marine management options and identify suitable marine zones that help protect important habitats, support sustainable fisheries, and build resilience to climate change.
The lessons and experiences from this work will help MFMR and MECDM further develop and test community Marine Spatial Planning guidelines, supporting the wider rollout of this approach across Solomon Islands.
[Photo: Climate and Biodiversity-Smart Marine Spatial Planning Programme members in one of the communities in West Makira. Photo credit: MFMR]
BY BEN BILUA
Gizo
THE Community Access and Urban Services Enhancement II (CAUSE) Project will handover 19 completed community infrastructure projects in Gizo and Noro.
The projects will be formally handed over to the Western Provincial Government, town authorities and community representatives.
According to the CAUSE Project, nine projects have been completed in Gizo, while another 10 projects have been completed in Noro.
An official handover ceremony will be held in Gizo tomorrow, Tuesday 22 September, followed by a second program in Noro on Wednesday.
The ceremonies will include the unveiling of sub-project billboards and the blessing of the completed facilities.
Western Province Premier Billy Veo, along with other provincial government representatives, has been invited to attend the handover ceremonies.
Officials from the CAUSE Project in Honiara and representatives of donor partners are also expected to participate in the programs.
The completion of the projects marks another contribution by CAUSE towards improving community infrastructure and access to essential services.
The project has continued to support communities through infrastructure development aimed at addressing local needs and improving living conditions.
The handover will formally place the completed facilities under the ownership and responsibility of the respective provincial, town and community authorities.