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by Ednal Palmer The Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS) has defended proposed amendments to the Dangerous Drugs Act, citing a sharp rise in methamphetamine-related incidents and warning of growing pressure on the country’s health system. Appearing before a hearing into the Dangerous Drugs (Amendment) Bill 2025, MHMS Permanent…
Transparency Solomon Islands (TSI) has expressed serious concern over the continued operational paralysis of the Solomon Islands Independent Commission Against Corruption (SIICAC), despite the formal appointment of its commissioners. Established under the Anti-Corruption Act 2018, SIICAC is the country’s apex independent anti-corruption body, created to strengthen governance, uphold the rule…
Solomon Islands Opposition Leader Matthew Wale says the government’s negligence on the impact of logging activities on women and girls in Solomon Islands is very ‘disturbing’. Mr Wale in a statement said the findings raised through the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) process in the media is ‘worrying’ and needs immediate…
Prime Minister Hon. Jeremiah Manele has met with members of the Solomon Islands diaspora community in Honolulu during an informal gathering on Saturday 21 February, aimed at strengthening ties with Solomon Islanders living abroad. The Solomon Islands diaspora community in Honolulu comprises students, as well as Solomon Islanders working and…
Rexon Ramofafia, Solomon Islands’ Minister of Finance and Member of Parliament for Fataleka Constituency, Malaita Province has handed over livelihood projects worth SBD$3.2 million (approximately USD$380,000) to rural communities in his constituency. The handover ceremony took place on 14 February and marked a significant step in efforts to strengthen livelihoods…
Leader of Opposition Matthew Wale says he is deeply concerned about the growing financial and operational challenges facing our national carrier, Solomon Airlines. The airlines interim CEO made a public statement that Solomon Airlines is facing a serious sustainability crisis. Reports of unsustainable route losses, a weakening revenue base, and…
by Ednal Palmer The Bills and Legislation Committee has begun its inquiry into the Dangerous Drugs (Amendment) Bill 2025, a proposed law that would dramatically increase penalties for drug-related offences and close long-standing legal loopholes in Solomon Islands’ drug laws. Appearing before the committee today were the Chief Magistrate, Ricky…
The Solomon Islands Government has reaffirmed its commitment to advancing the Bina Harbour Tuna Processing Plant Project following a high-level progress briefing in the capital, Honiara. The Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources (MFMR) met this week with the Cabinet Monitoring and Coordination Committee (CMCC), a senior inter-ministerial body chaired…
Australia’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence, Richard Marles, has concluded an official visit to Honiara after holding high-level talks with Solomon Islands Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele and Acting Prime Minister Frederick Kologeto, underscoring the close and expanding bilateral relationship between the two countries. During his meeting with Prime…
by Georgina Maka’a The Government acted lawfully when it terminated former Permanent Secretary Andrew Nihopara for refusing to comply with its mandatory COVID-19 vaccination policy during the State of Public Emergency (SOPE) in 2022, a High Court judge has ruled. Nihopara, who was appointed Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of…
