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by Charley Piringi Pacific Island Ministers for Disaster Risk Management have reaffirmed their collective commitment to stronger political leadership, coordinated regional action, and inclusive, community-driven resilience across the Blue Pacific Continent. Meeting in Koror, Palau, last week, the Ministers adopted the Koror Declaration, a renewed pledge to strengthen disaster preparedness…
by Georgina Maka’a Alan McNeil has vowed to defend his reputation, dismissing the land fraud claims the Ministry of Public Service used as the basis for his dramatic suspension yesterday. Speaking exclusively to In-Depth Solomons, the suspended Commissioner of Lands described the allegations as baseless and said he was confident he…
Leader of Opposition Matthew Wale says Solomon Islands is losing out on the mining sector. Speaking during the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) hearing, Wale said Solomon Islands is losing out because we are totally dependent on the miners. “It is a total disappointment that we do not have the capacity…
by Ednal Palmer Central Bank of Solomon Islands (CBSI) Governor Dr. Luke Forau has raised concerns about the country’s emerging mining sector, warning that many operators entering the industry are former logging companies with limited financial capacity and a track record that offers little reassurance. Speaking before the Public Accounts…
by Ednal Palmer The Governor of the Central Bank of Solomon Islands (CBSI), Dr. Luke Forau, has cautioned that the country is unlikely to graduate from its Least Developed Country (LDC) status as scheduled, citing weak development progress and ongoing economic challenges. Appearing before the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) in…
𝘣𝘺 𝘌𝘥𝘯𝘢𝘭 𝘗𝘢𝘭𝘮𝘦𝘳 The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has begun its inquiry into the 2026 Appropriation Bill 2025, and national budget estimates, kicking off a series of hearings aimed at ensuring fiscal responsibility and government transparency. In his opening remarks, the Committee chairman and Member of Parliament for Central Honiara…
by Georgina Maka’a The Government has suspended the Commissioner of Lands, Alan McNeil, In-Depth Solomons has learned. The decision was conveyed to McNeil today in a letter signed by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Public Service, Luke Cheka. In-Depth Solomons has seen a copy of the letter. Cheka…
by Ronald Toito’ona A century-long journey of struggle for land rights and equitable participation in resource development reached a triumphant climax this week when Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele officially handed over the Kolombangara Forestry Plantation Limited (KFPL) 20 percent share certificate to the five tribes of Kolobangara Island. On Tuesday…
by Charley Piringi COP30 CCMP Reporting Fellow Solomon Islands has renewed its call for global partners to fully support and capitalize the Pacific Resilience Facility (PRF), a landmark Pacific-led, owned, and managed funding mechanism to strengthen regional resilience to climate change and disasters. Delivering remarks in Belem, Brazil this morning,…
by Georgina Maka’a The Solomon Islands Government is expected to bring before the next parliament sitting a $5.6 billion budget for the 2026 financial year. This was an increase of more than $1.4 billion from the $4.2 billion budget the Manele Government tabled for the 2024-2025 financial year. Parliament is…
