By Eliza Kukutu
CIP DAY
By Andreana Kole
The Central Islands Province celebrated its 45th Second Appointed Day on 29 June 2026 under the theme, “Empowering Transformations, Resourcing our Future.”
The historic event was held in the provincial capital, Tulagi and brought together national and provincial leaders, government officials and residents to commemorate the occasion.
Among those in attendance were the Minister for Provincial Government and Institutional Strengthening, Hon. Lazarus Rina who attended as the Guest of Honour, Premier of Central Province, Hon. Kenneth Sagupari, and Australian High Commissioner, His Excellency Jeff Roach.
Minister Rina acknowledged Central Province’s unique place in the nation’s history, describing it as the birthplace of sovereignty, early trade and Christianity in the Solomon Islands.
“Your history is not only Central Province’s story; it is the nation’s story,” he said.
The Minister also announced that the National Government has taken steps to clear the outstanding SBD30 million Provincial Capacity Development Fund (PCDF) arrears from 2023.
Parliament has allocated the first SBD15 million in the 2026 National Budget, with SBD12 million earmarked for Central Province.
He commended the province’s strong implementation of development projects, noting that through the PCDF, Central Province has completed 322 projects worth SBD38 million, with another 19 projects currently underway.
According to Minister Rina, the projects have delivered essential services, including schools, health clinics, water systems, roads, bridges and community facilities, while also creating employment opportunities for more than 833 young people in the province’s construction sector.
Meanwhile, Premier Sagupari also reflected on the town’s significance as the former capital of the British Solomon Islands Protectorate, where the country’s system of governance first began.
Despite its rich history, the Premier expressed concern over Tulagi’s current state of decline.
“Look around you today, Honourable Minister and colleague leaders. What do you see? A town that was once a vibrant, flourishing industrial capital—hosting the largest cannery and fishing fleet in the Pacific—now stands before us like a ghost town,” he said.
He added that successive national leaders had made similar promises over the years, but many had failed to deliver meaningful progress for the province.
“Today, I once again make this desperate call on behalf of my government and the people of Central Province. I plead with you, Honourable Ministers: fulfil your words. Break the cycle of political myths and delusion. Let us champion the theme of this day.
Let us work together to empower the transformations our province desperately needs and structurally resource our future,” Premier Sagupari said.
The Premier described the successful allocation of SBD12 million in PCDF funding as a significant achievement for the province and said the Government of Change and Rural Transformation (GCRT) had already approved 42 new capital projects in this year’s budget to improve service delivery across Central Province.
Australian High Commissioner Jeff Roach said it was a pleasure to join the people of Central Province in celebrating the province’s progress and discussing future development opportunities.
“It is an absolute pleasure to come to Tulagi and be part of the celebration. It is really an occasion to celebrate development and progress, and to hear the ideas and proposals from the provincial government, as well as from ministers, on ways to promote the province through tourism, support local tourism operators, and facilitate WASH programs for 26 schools across Central Province,” Mr. Roach said.
He reaffirmed Australia’s commitment to supporting development initiatives in Central Province, particularly in improving water, sanitation and hygiene services, while also promoting tourism and strengthening partnerships with local communities.
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