by Georgina Maka’a
Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele has used Parliament’s final sitting of the year to defend his Government for National Unity and Transformation (GNUT), declaring that his administration has restored stability, strengthened public finances and delivered tangible development across the country in its first 18 months in power.
Moving the adjournment sine die motion, Manele said GNUT entered office in 2024 with a mandate to rebuild confidence in government and accelerate economic growth after years of instability.
He told MPs the government had faced political “undercurrents driven by vested interests,” but insisted GNUT had remained focused on national interest.
“Our people are tired of this nonsense,” he said, calling on leaders to reject actions that fuel instability and instead strengthen unity, peace, and social cohesion.
Manele listed a series of achievements aligned with GNUT’s policy priorities—responsible economic management, productive-sector growth, improved service delivery, and stronger governance.
On the economy, he highlighted fiscal reforms aimed at tightening expenditure controls, improving revenue transparency, and boosting investor confidence.
He said the country’s labour mobility schemes had expanded significantly, with thousands of Solomon Islanders now contributing millions of dollars in remittances.
The Prime Minister said the government had delivered major infrastructure improvements, including upgraded roads in Honiara, Malaita, Guadalcanal, Western and Choiseul provinces, and ongoing rehabilitation of bridges, wharves and airports.
He stressed that many of these projects were financed through concessional loans, describing them as proof that Solomon Islands was “financing its own development.”
Manele also pointed to progress in energy and telecommunications reforms.
He said the government was advancing renewable energy projects such as Tina Hydropower and reviewing electricity tariffs to reduce power costs, while expanding 4G and 5G networks and commissioning a new submarine cable to improve digital connectivity.
Human-capital development was “front and centre”, he said, with the 2026 Budget delivering record allocations for health, education and police.
He cited curriculum reform, school infrastructure upgrades, improved medicine supplies and stronger provincial health systems.
On governance, Manele highlighted strengthened oversight institutions, including SIICAC, now operating under a separate budget head for improved independence.
He also cited appointments to key integrity bodies such as the Leadership Code Commission, Ombudsman and Political Parties Commission.
He acknowledged ongoing challenges including high global fuel prices, climate change, capacity gaps in ministries, urban pressures and emerging threats such as dangerous drugs and cybercrime.
Closing the sitting, Manele urged Solomon Islanders to embrace nation-building as a shared duty.
“With unity, stability and determination, we will continue to build a stronger, peaceful and more prosperous Solomon Islands.”
Debate around the motion by Members of Parliament continues.
