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ZFM 99.5 My Favourite Music Station, Honiara (2026)

13/06/2026

M-SELEN Marks 3 Years of Driving Digital Financial Inclusion

M-SELEN is celebrating three years since its launch in 2023, highlighting steady growth in expanding access to digital financial services across Solomon Islands.

The platform has grown its network of customers, agents, and merchants nationwide, helping bring financial services closer to both urban and rural communities.

In the past year, M-SELEN strengthened its Merchant Payments, institutional payment solutions, school fee payments, and introduced digital ticketing for events such as the OFC Pro League Round 4 in Honiara.

Head of M-SELEN, Majidul Haque, said the growth reflects rising demand for accessible and practical financial services, while supporting greater participation in the digital economy.

Users and agents continue to highlight benefits such as reduced travel time, lower costs, and easier access to money closer to home.
M-SELEN says it remains committed to expanding services and supporting Solomon Islands’ ongoing digital transformation.

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13/06/2026

Governor-General Urges Swift Action on Key Laws to Improve Lives of Solomon Islanders

Governor-General Sir David Tiva Kapu has called on the new coalition government to urgently prioritise legislation and policies that will deliver real and immediate benefits to the people of Solomon Islands.
He made the remarks during the 77th Official Birthday celebration of His Majesty King Charles III, held at the National Stadium in Honiara yesterday.

Sir David said the government cannot afford delays, political division, or “business as usual” if it is to achieve meaningful reforms within its remaining two-year term.
“We cannot afford the luxury of division. We cannot afford the delay of politicisation,” he said.
He urged leaders to focus on policies that directly address the needs of citizens, particularly in areas such as health, water and sanitation, infrastructure development, education, and social welfare—sectors that continue to affect daily life across the country.

The Governor-General also highlighted several key pieces of legislation awaiting Parliament’s attention, including the Indigenous Rights Amendment Bill and the Mining and Resources Bill, describing them as critical to national development and public welfare.
He acknowledged that structural reforms and government processes often take time, noting that legislative procedures, procurement systems, and programme implementation can be lengthy and complex. He also pointed out the challenges posed by the current global economic environment.

“To build infrastructure, reform our public service, strengthen our education system and secure our economic future requires more than cash and legislation. It requires time,” he said.
Sir David further called on Members of Parliament to rise above partisan interests and work together in the national interest, stressing that key issues such as health and safety should not be treated as political matters.
He also appealed for stronger cooperation between the Executive and Legislature to clear the backlog of important legislation affecting citizens’ wellbeing.
In addition, he encouraged development partners, churches, civil society organisations, and the private sector to continue supporting government efforts through investment, expertise, and collaboration.
Despite the challenges ahead, the Governor-General expressed confidence that Solomon Islands can achieve meaningful progress through unity, cooperation, and shared national purpose.

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13/06/2026

𝐇𝐨𝐧𝐢𝐚𝐫𝐚 𝐇𝐨𝐬𝐭𝐬 𝐅𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭-𝐄𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝 𝐂𝐮𝐩 𝐅𝐚𝐧 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐝𝐞

Hundreds of football fans filled the streets of Honiara this afternoon to take part in the city’s first-ever World Cup Fan Parade.

The colourful procession began in the Mataniko area and moved through the capital to the National Stadium. Fans dressed in their favourite team colours and decorated vehicles representing different countries competing in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, creating a lively and festive atmosphere across the city.

Members of the public lined the streets to cheer on participants as the parade passed through, marking strong community interest and support for the event.
At the National Stadium, the gathering continued with entertainment and speeches, celebrating the shared passion for football among Solomon Islanders.
Chairman of the organising committee, Jeremy Bosokuru, said the initiative was designed to unite people through sport.

“We are a football-mad nation, and we hope this event can bring everyone together, despite our differences, to celebrate a shared love for the sport,” he said.
Bosokuru added that the strong turnout was encouraging and acknowledged inspiration from similar events in the region.
He also expressed hope that similar fan celebrations will continue during future FIFA World Cup tournaments.

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13/06/2026

GREAT Coalition Government Aims for January Rollout of Free Education Policy, Plans Education Sector Reform
The GREAT

Coalition Government is aiming to roll out its free education policy in January next year, Prime Minister Matthew Wale has confirmed.
Speaking to the media at the VIP Lounge of Honiara International Airport upon his return from his first official visit to Australia and New Zealand on Wednesday, Prime Minister Wale said preparations for the policy are currently underway across key government ministries.
He said the Ministry of Finance and Treasury is presently analysing data and assessing the fiscal implications of implementing the free education policy, while the Ministry of Education and Human Resources Development is working on the practical arrangements and implementation framework.

According to the Prime Minister, the policy proposals are yet to be formally presented to the Government Caucus and Cabinet for final consideration and approval.
“So, in all, being realistic, we will roll it out in January,” PM Wale said.
He added that Cabinet and Caucus will later this month consider key options on whether the rollout will cover all levels of education at once—including Solomon Islands National University—or begin with primary and secondary education first, depending on available data and planning outcomes.

As part of broader education sector reforms linked to the policy, the Government also plans to split the Ministry of Education and Human Resources Development into two separate ministries.
Prime Minister Wale said the proposed new ministry will focus on higher education, skills development, and research, while the existing structure will continue to manage other core education responsibilities.
He noted that both Government Caucus and stakeholders within the education sector have already agreed to the restructuring plan.

The change is expected to take effect in 2027 and will be incorporated into the Government’s end-of-year budget planning process.
PM Wale said the separation is intended to strengthen the implementation of the free education policy and improve overall management of the education sector, particularly as demand for tertiary education and workforce development continues to grow.
The Government believes the restructuring will help create a more focused and efficient system that supports education reform and national development priorities.

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13/06/2026

Concerns Raised Over Poor Toilet Conditions at Nusatupe Airport, Gizo

Concerns have been raised over the poor state of toilet facilities at Nusatupe Airport in Western Province, following reports from passengers and visitors describing the facility as unhygienic and, at times, not functional.
The issue came to public attention after a local passenger recounted an incident involving an overseas visitor who requested to use the airport restroom last week. According to the passenger, the toilet was not working at the time and was in an unclean condition, creating an embarrassing situation at the country’s key tourism gateway.

The passenger questioned the state of basic services at the airport, noting that such conditions risk damaging Western Province’s image as a tourism destination under the slogan “Come West, See West, Go West.”
Other travellers and visitors have also raised similar concerns, saying the airport’s restroom facilities are outdated, unhygienic, and in some cases completely non-functional, affecting the overall travel experience for both locals and tourists.

Speaking to Solomon Star, Solomon Airlines Gizo branch supervisor Greg Hotton said the issue has been ongoing and remains unresolved despite repeated attempts to raise it with authorities in Honiara. He said responsibility for maintenance has often shifted between agencies, including the Solomon Islands Airports Corporation Limited (SIACL).
Mr Hotton also noted that while Solomon Airlines manages ground handling operations at the airport, it has limited authority over infrastructure maintenance. He added that previous repair attempts were made, including engaging a local plumber, but water supply issues continue to affect the system.

Meanwhile, SIACL is understood to be responsible for airport infrastructure nationwide. The Western Provincial Government has also indicated that plans are underway to upgrade Nusatupe Airport into a standard terminal facility, with land legal processes currently being finalised between the provincial government and SIACL.
Once completed, authorities say upgrading works on the terminal are expected to commence.
The situation has renewed calls for urgent attention to basic facilities at the airport, especially given its importance as a gateway to one of Solomon Islands’ key tourism regions.

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13/06/2026

PM Wale: China–Solomon Islands Security Agreement Bound by Non-Disclosure Clause

Prime Minister Matthew Wale says the China–Solomon Islands security agreement cannot be released to the public because it contains a legally binding non-disclosure clause. Speaking to media upon his arrival at Honiara International Airport following his official visit to Australia and New Zealand, Prime Minister Matthew Wale clarified that although he had previously indicated an intention to publish the agreement, he is now unable to do so due to its legal restrictions.

“Because of what the previous government did with the security agreement with China, it has a non-disclosure clause in it, so we can’t disclose it,” he said.
He added that responsible governance requires adherence to the terms of signed international agreements, even where there is public interest in greater transparency.
Despite this limitation, the Prime Minister said his government is committed to strengthening parliamentary oversight of future international agreements. He announced plans to amend Parliament’s Standing Orders so that all treaties and agreements signed by the Executive would be subject to parliamentary scrutiny.

“We will amend the Standing Orders to require that when the Government signs an agreement with another party, it must come to Parliament for scrutiny,” he said.
“It is not good that the Executive Government feels it can do something without scrutiny. This is not good.”
The China–Solomon Islands security agreement, signed in April 2022, has remained a subject of regional and international attention. The agreement—part of broader discussions on security cooperation in the Pacific—has raised concerns among some external partners regarding its potential implications for regional security dynamics.

While a draft leaked in 2022 suggested possible provisions for the deployment of Chinese security personnel, both governments have maintained that the agreement does not establish a military base or automatically permit foreign military presence.
Prime Minister Wale reiterated that his government remains committed to transparency and ensuring that future decisions on international partnerships are subject to proper democratic processes and public accountability.

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13/06/2026

RSIPF Participates in Colourful Commemoration of His Majesty King Charles III’s 77th Birthday

Officers of the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF), the Correctional Service of Solomon Islands (CSSI), and the Police Band proudly took part in a colourful parade during the official commemoration of His Majesty King Charles III’s 77th birthday, held at the National Stadium on 12 June 2026.

The event marked the third King’s Birthday celebration held in Solomon Islands, bringing together uniformed services, youth organisations, and members of the public in a display of national unity and respect for the Crown.
Six parade groups participated in the ceremony alongside RSIPF and CSSI. These included the Scouts, Girl Guides, Brownies, Pathfinders, Girls’ Brigade, and Boys’ Brigade, all contributing to a vibrant and disciplined parade.

The official parade was commanded by Assistant Commissioner (National Operations) Lionel Kapisa. During the ceremony, His Excellency the Governor-General, Sir David Tiva Kapu, accompanied by the Parade Commander and the Commissioner of Police, Ian Vaevaso, conducted an inspection of the participating platoons.
The ceremony was attended by several hundred people, including the Prime Minister Hon. Matthew Cooper Wale, the Speaker of Parliament Sir Patteson Oti, the Acting Chief Justice Rex Foukona, the Mayor of Honiara City Edward Siapu, along with other dignitaries and members of the public.

In his address, the Governor-General led three cheers in honour of His Majesty King Charles III, highlighting the significance of the occasion and the continued relationship between Solomon Islands and the Crown.
The commemoration concluded with strong displays of discipline, unity, and national pride from all participating groups.

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13/06/2026

Gov’t Clarifies Seasonal Worker Policy, Seeks More Opportunities Abroad While Building Local Jobs

The Government has clarified that its position on the seasonal workers scheme in Australia and New Zealand has been widely misunderstood, saying recent reports have misrepresented the intent of its policy. In a statement, the Office of the Prime Minister & Cabinet (OPMC) said the issue has been sensationalised and stressed that Prime Minister Matthew Wale has requested both Australia and New Zealand to increase the number of Solomon Islanders participating in existing seasonal labour programs.

According to the Government, its long-term vision is to gradually reduce reliance on overseas seasonal employment only after sufficient jobs and business opportunities are created within Solomon Islands.
“This is a transitional policy. For now, we continue to support increased participation abroad while we build a stronger economy at home,” the statement said.

The Government noted that many Solomon Islanders have been forced to seek employment overseas due to a lack of local job opportunities in the past. It said the current administration is working to reverse that trend by creating more employment and business opportunities within the country. While those efforts continue, the Government reaffirmed that seasonal work remains an important source of income and livelihood for many Solomon Islands families.

“The ultimate goal is to ensure our people can work, apply their skills, and prosper here in Solomon Islands. Until then, seasonal work remains a critical pathway for income and livelihoods,” the statement added.

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13/06/2026

𝗖𝗶𝘃𝗶𝗹 𝗦𝗼𝗰𝗶𝗲𝘁𝘆 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗴𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗻𝘀 𝗥𝗼𝗹𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝗘𝘅𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗜𝗻𝗱𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘆 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗰𝘆

HONIARA – The UN Development Programme (UNDP) and the British High Commission in Honiara have successfully conducted a Training-of-Trainers Programme for Civil Society Umbrella Groups on the implementation, monitoring and reporting of the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) in Solomon Islands.

The programme, held on 5 June, brought together representatives from civil society organisations and key stakeholders to strengthen transparency, accountability and public participation in the governance of the country’s extractive sector.
EITI is a global standard that promotes open and accountable management of oil, gas and mineral resources. It requires the disclosure of revenues governments receive from extractive companies, the payments made by those companies, and how those revenues are managed through public finances.

Deputy British High Commissioner Melissa Williams said the training was a timely opportunity to strengthen the role of civil society in promoting transparency, accountability and informed public dialogue within the extractive sector.
She noted that transparency becomes meaningful when citizens can understand information, ask informed questions, identify concerns and engage constructively in discussions about natural resource governance.

UNDP Pacific Office Project Lead for EITI in Solomon Islands, Florica Dragomir, highlighted the importance of ensuring civil society is actively involved in scrutinising data and demanding accountability.
She said UNDP’s role is to help build the institutional framework needed for transparency while ensuring communities affected by extractive activities have the capacity and access to participate effectively.
Support for EITI implementation in Solomon Islands is funded by the Government and people of the United Kingdom.

13/06/2026

Aviation Complex Building Nears Completion at Honiara International Airport

Construction of the Aviation Complex Building (ACB) at Honiara International Airport is progressing well and is now approaching completion under the Second Solomon Islands Roads and Aviation Project (SIRAP2).
Funded by the World Bank and implemented by the Ministry of Communication and Aviation (MCA), the project is being constructed by China Railway Construction Engineering Group (CRCEG), with Egis Asia providing construction supervision to ensure international standards are met.

Major milestones have already been achieved, including the completion of the building’s external façade system. Construction of the access road leading to the facility is also advancing steadily and is now about 80 percent complete.

Current works include the installation of internal wall partition frames and stormwater drainage systems, which are important for completing the building’s interior layout and ensuring effective water management.
MCA Permanent Secretary Alwyn Danitofea welcomed the progress, describing the Aviation Complex Building as a significant investment in the future of Solomon Islands’ aviation sector. He said the facility will provide a modern and efficient working environment that will strengthen the Ministry’s capacity to support the growth and development of aviation services.

Once completed, the new facility will provide modern office and operational spaces, helping to improve aviation services and support the continued development of the country's aviation infrastructure.

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13/06/2026

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