Telebere News

The Ministry of Communication and Aviation (MCA) presented its ambitious plans to the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), underlining the development of Solomon Islands’ aviation infrastructure and the nation’s readiness to take control of its upper airspace. MCA reported utilizing 60 percent of its allocated budget, with 80 percent of its development budget already committed. These funds focus on critical aviation projects, including the rehabilitation of Ramata and other provincial airstrips. The Ministry expects budget implementation to surpass 80 percent upon the Ministry of Finance’s disbursement of remaining funds this year . Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Communication and Aviation, Alwyn Danitofea, revealed that in 2025, MCA plans to streamline its activities by grouping its initiative into three components: The Communication Program, the International Airport Program, and the Provincial Airport Program . Historically, aviation development has focused primarily on ...

Australia has contributed over SBD350,000 to support Solomon Islands Rugby Union Federation (SIRUF) and Oceania Rugby to host the region’s premiere rugby 7s tournament for the first time in Solomon Islands.   Australia’s support for Oceania Rugby Sevens 2024 includes: PacificAus Sports funding to help organisers host the tournament playing kit for the Solomon Islands men’s and women’s national 7s teams equipment including coach kits, rugby union balls, cones, pumps, vests, bags, referee kits, agility sets, recovery sets, hit shields, and game day support stretchers, compressors and first aid kits   As a member of Oceania Rugby, Australia will field men’s and women’s teams in the competition. A handover ceremony for Australia’s contribution to Oceania Rugby Sevens 2024 was attended by Mr Wayne Schuster, Competitions Manager at Oceania Rugby, Secretary of the SIRUF Executive Board Angikinui Francis Tekatoha, and Australian High Commission Political Counselor Mr Camer...

Twenty-five academic staff of the Solomon Islands National University (SINU) have commenced a Graduate Certificate in Higher Education Teaching and Learning at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) in Australia. The program is supported under the Australia Awards program, in partnership with SINU. The pre-departure briefing hosted by Australia Award Solomon Islands at SINU Board Room. The postgraduate qualification for SINU teaching staff will build essential expertise and knowledge about how students learn as well as collaborative teaching models, curriculum design, delivery, and evaluation and the integration of digital learning. Australian acting High Commissioner, Andrew Schloeffel, said the course will strengthen SINU’s capacity to provide high quality teacher training tertiary education to meet the future needs of the Solomon Islands school children, in line with the aims of the Solomon Islands Tertiary Education and Skills Authority (SITESA). “Australia is committed to...

Australia has gifted vital x-ray equipment to Solomon Islands Customs and Excise Division (SICED) operations at the Solomon Islands Post Office. This initiative will not only help to disrupt illicit or prohibited goods, but support Solomon Islands’ budget position by improving revenue collection. Australia’s support forms part of the Solomon Islands Customs and Excise Division (SICED) with its transformational Reform, Modernisation and Capacity Building Strategy. “Both Australia and Solomon Islands are facing many of the same shared risks and challenges on evolving threats to border security,” His Excellency Rod Hilton, Australian High Commission to Solomon Islands, said. “The capability we have gifted to Solomon Islands Customs and Excise Division stands to deliver another layer to the safety of the border and is a strong demonstration of Australia’s commitment to our border security partnership with Solomon Islands.” Mr Peter Hughes, Controller of Customs, said strong screeni...

The Australian Government is partnering with Pacific nations to improve energy security and scale up energy grid transition with a AUD125 million (SBD687.5 million) investment in renewable energy. Australia’s Minister for Climate Change and Energy, the Hon Chris Bowen MP, announced the funding at COP29 at an event attended by Solomon Islands’ Minister for the Environment, Climate Change, Disaster Management and Meteorology, the Hon Trevor Hedley Mahaga. The announcement comprises a AUD75 million (SBD412.5 million) investment through the REnew Pacific program and AUD50 million (SBD275 million) through the Australia-Pacific Partnership for Energy Transition (APPET) program. Solomon Islands Minister of Environment, Climate Change, Disaster Management and Meteorology, the Hon Trevor Hedley Mahaga, attended the announcement at COP29 with Australia’s Minister Climate Change and Energy, the Hon Chris Bowen MP. The event at the Australian Pavilion at COP29 in...

Australia has announced a major new initiative: the Solomon Islands—Australia Media Sector Partnership (SIAMSP), which will provide SBD 11 million over four years to support a free and vibrant media sector in the Solomon Islands. Australia, through ABC International Development, will partner with media outlets across the Solomon Islands, particularly the Media Association of Solomon Islands (MASI). Australian High Commissioner His Excellency Rod Hilton, Media Association of Solomon Islands President Ofani Eremae and Board Member Eddie Osifelo, ABC International Development mobile journalism trainers, and members of the media sector.  The first major activity under the partnership will see each MASI member organisation receive a mobile journalism – or MoJo – kit to support digital transformation in the media sector. Ofani Eremae, President of MASI, said he was pleased to see all its members receive a MoJo kit each under this latest Australian Government support. Eremae said a ...

The Disabled People’s Association of Solomon Islands (DPASI) recently led a workshop, with Australian support, to engage with the government and reduce barriers for people with disabilities accessing social and economic opportunities. Ministry focal points were provided with practical steps to implement the government’s National Disability Policy that aims to increase inclusion and accessibility for people with disabilities. The head of DPASI, Mr Casper Fa’asala, said the Solomon Islands had never considered the rights and needs of people with disabilities . Australia’s Solomon Islands Infrastructure Program’s Senior Gender and Social Inclusion Coordinator Ella Hou (left) with inclusion workshop participants and Disabled People’s Association of Solomon Islands CEO Casper Fa’asala (front centre). “If we can make schools, clinics, markets, and transport accessible for everyone, then people with disabilities have a wealth of skills and ideas to contribute to our community and improv...

Local business LF & Sons Enterprises has announced it is expanding cocoa supplies and improving market access to support livelihoods in remote areas of Malaita. For the first time, Malaita’s largest cocoa buyer will partner with Australia to increase export volumes and strengthen its supply chain across the remote Northeast and Fouia region. LF & Sons, a locally owned company, established in 1997, has grown from a small cocoa aggregator to the largest cocoa buyer in Malaita, and the sixth-largest exporter in Solomon Islands, with 290,000 kg of exports in 2023 alone. Teams from LF & Sons, Strongim Bisnis and the Australian High Commission celebrate the partnership that aims to provide greater market access and resources for cocoa farmers in isolated areas, empowering them to strengthen their livelihoods. Australian High Commissioner to Solomon Islands, His Excellency Rod Hilton, said the importance of the collaboration in addressing key challenges in Malaita’s cocoa in...

The Bethesda Disability and Support Centre in Guadalcanal has received essential equipment and furniture from Australia enabling them to deliver inclusive training for its students. Items handed over includes a generator (plus drum fuel), ICT equipment, and furniture which will ensure a comfortable learning environment and enable students to continue their studies during power outages. Bethesda students with brand new ICT equipment donated by Australia. Mrs. Thelma Awasi, Principal of Bethesda Disability and Support Centre, said the resources will strengthen the Centre’s mission to empower individuals with disabilities. “This collaboration with Australia comes at the perfect time. These resources will significantly enhance the quality of our programs and services, allowing us to better meet our students’ needs,” Mrs Awasi said. Australian High Commission representatives with APTC Executive Nicki Baird, and Bethesda staff and students during official handover at Bethesda Disability ...

Feedback from the Australian and New Zealand buyers attending Tourism Solomons’ recently staged ‘Mi Save Solo 2024’ Industry Buyer/Seller Meet in Honiara indicates that the event has once again proven a major success. buyers and sellers in action at Mi Save Solo Taking place at the Heritage Park Hotel, the event, which included a Western Province product update, provided the perfect opportunity for international buyers to meet with their Solomon Islands ‘seller counterparts with the creation of new business opportunities and building new partnerships the main focus for all participants., Tourism Solomons CEO (Acting), Dagnal Dereveke said judging by the post-Mi Save Solo comments received from buyers which he described as ‘invaluable feedback’, those participants attending the event had expressed “strong satisfaction” with the overall opportunities Mi Save Solo presented. “We could not have asked for more positive feedback,” Mr Dereveke said. “Overall satisfaction rating received...

The Solomon Islands Ministry of Mines, Energy and Rural Electrification for the Honiara grid has launched a new partnership on renewable energy transition modelling with the Australian Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water. (L-R) Mr Tobias Gunn, Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water; Mr Greg Manehugu, Solomon Power; Mr Jay Prasad, University of New South Wales; Mr Apollos, Solomon Power; Mr Gabriel Aimaea, Ministry of Mines, Energy and Rural Electrification. Permanent Secretary Ministry of Mines, Energy and Rural Electrification, Dr Chris Vehe, welcomed the project. “The development of a dynamic, open-source energy transition modelling tool will greatly benefit Solomon Islands as we implement the National Energy Policy,” Dr Vehe said. “This tool will support evidence-based decision making by the Solomon Islands Government about how to improve renewable energy integration, energy affordability and security in the Honiara electricit...

A joint team from the Solomon Islands, Australia, and Papua New Guinea (PNG) worked closely this week to progress the Border Management System (BMS) project. Australia is proud to be funding the SBD 18 million trilateral BMS project, which will boost the Solomon Islands’ prosperity and security, simplify the visa application process, and facilitate  the movement of people across the border. The project is being implemented trilaterally, with Australia providing funding and technical expertise  and PNG—which already uses the same system—providing in-depth knowledge of the  visa and travel facilitation process. (from L to R): Senior officials Mr Jim Anderson, Regional Director Pacific, Australian Department of Home Affairs, Mr Riley Mesepitu, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Commerce, Industry, Labour and Immigration , Ms Lidnsay Buckingham, Minister-Counsellor, Australian High Commission Honiara, Mr Chris Akosawa, Acting Director Solomon Islands Immigration Division, M...

It was a moment of celebration and recognition of the partnership and commitment between the governments of Australia, New Zealand, and  the Solomon Islands in creating and constructing a new science laboratory at Reginald Chapman Nicholson College  in South Vela La Vela, Western Province. Representatives from the Australian and New Zealand High Commissions in Solomon Islands, the Government for National Unity and Transformation, the Ministry of Education and Human Resources Development (MEHRD), members of the surrounding communities, and schoolteachers and students gathered on Wednesday, November 13, 2024, to celebrate the handover and opening of the new laboratory. (From left to right) Olivia Benton-Guy, First Secretary at the New Zealand High Commission, Dr. Tristan Armstrong, Counsellor of Human Development for the Australian High Commission, Clement Tito, MEHRD Director of Assets Management, Gordon Zebo, Minister of Education Western Provincial Government handing over t...