by Georgina Maka’a
Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele has used Parliament’s final sitting of 2025 to deliver a sweeping defence of his Government for National Unity and Transformation (GNUT).
He told the nation that his administration has restored political stability, strengthened the economy, and delivered “meaningful progress” across key sectors in its first 18 months in power.
Moving the motion for adjournment sine die today, Manele said the GNUT government entered office in 2024 with a commitment to rebuild confidence in state institutions, accelerate development in the provinces, and place national interest above political undercurrents.
The Kia-Havulei-Kokota MP insisted the government has remained focused despite “vested interests” attempting to agitate the public.
Unity, Stability, National Interest First
A seasoned diplomat, Manele said the past year and a half had “tested the nation’s resilience” but reaffirmed that GNUT’s mandate is anchored in delivering political stability – an essential foundation, he said, for development.
He warned that instability caused by “a few individuals” undermines national progress and urged leaders to make decisions that serve the country, not personal agendas.
“We are leaders elected by our people to serve them and our country,” he told Parliament, adding that the government would continue working with churches, traditional leaders, women’s groups and youth networks to strengthen social cohesion.
Manele was referring to his former Finance minister Manasseh Sogavare, who led a group of 10 government MPs and ministers in April this year, a walk-out that almost led to the fall of his government.
He however, acted quickly to restore stability after a number of MPs from the Opposition and Independent Group crossed over and joined his Government.
Achievements
Manele outlined a long list of achievements which he said demonstrate his government’s commitment to GNUT’s policy platform: responsible economic management, productivity-driven growth, human capital development, and improved governance.
1. Fiscal Reforms and Economic Stewardship
The Prime Minister said GNUT had introduced public financial-management reforms, tightened expenditure controls and strengthened revenue transparency — measures he argued were restoring confidence in government and supporting investor interest.
He highlighted growth in labour mobility, saying thousands of Solomon Islanders are now earning income abroad and sending home “millions of dollars” in remittances.
2. Infrastructure Delivery Across Provinces
Manele cited road upgrades in Honiara, Malaita, Guadalcanal, Western and Choiseul provinces, along with ongoing rehabilitation of bridges, wharves and airports.
He stressed that while development partners support these investments, “most of these infrastructures are built with concessional loan financing”, demonstrating Solomon Islands’ ability to fund its own development.
3. Energy Reforms and Lower Electricity Costs
The Prime Minister said work was advancing on renewable energy projects such as Tina Hydropower and a review of the Electricity Act.
He warned Solomon Power that it “must follow government policy”, saying electricity tariffs must come down to reduce the cost of doing business.
The government also plans to open the sector to more independent power producers.
4. Improved Connectivity and Digital Expansion
Manele said telecommunications connectivity has “significantly improved”, with more 4G and 5G sites under construction and a new submarine fibre-optic cable signed off to strengthen resilience.
Land disputes were slowing progress, he said, but would not deter the government.
He added that mobile and internet costs must also be reduced to make digital services more affordable.
5. Record Investment in Health, Education and Human Capital
The 2026 Budget, passed this week, allocates unprecedented funding to health, education and police – an investment Manele framed as central to GNUT’s vision for human-capital development.
He cited school-infrastructure upgrades, curriculum reforms, improved supply of essential medicines, and provincial hospital improvements as evidence of progress.
Governance and Anti-Corruption Reforms
The Prime Minister highlighted governance reforms as a major achievement of 2025, including:
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Strengthening of the Solomon Islands Independent Commission Against Corruption (SIICAC), now operating under its own separate budget head. SIICAC has been allocated $6.5 million in the 2026 budget.
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Support for oversight institutions such as the Leadership Code Commission, Ombudsman, Parliamentary Entitlements Commission, Political Parties Commission and Electoral Commission.
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Appointment of members to these commissions to ensure they are fully functional.
Manele said these efforts demonstrated GNUT’s “unwavering commitment” to transparency and accountability.
Regional Leadership and Foreign Policy
Manele emphasised Solomon Islands’ strengthened international profile, including hosting the Honiara Summit and the 54th Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting.
He said the country had taken a stronger leadership role regionally, advancing PACER Plus implementation and championing issues such as climate change, ocean governance and sustainable development.
He also acknowledged continuing pressures from global economic volatility, high fuel prices, climate change impacts, land tensions, urban drift, unemployment, and limited technical capacity within government ministries.
He said reforms – including a forthcoming cybersecurity bill and major amendments to the Dangerous Drugs Act – were underway to tackle emerging threats.
Nation-Building is a Shared Responsibility
Manele closed his speech by urging Solomon Islanders to embrace unity and shared responsibility.
“Nation-building is not a task that belongs only to the Government. It is a responsibility that rests upon every citizen,” he said, calling for renewed commitment as the country heads into 2026.
