Nationwide UXO Consultations Inform Development of National UXO Bill

Honiara — The Ministry of Police, National Security and Correctional Services, through its National UXO Division, recently conducted a successful series of consultations across Central Province, Guadalcanal Province, and Malaita Province. These consultations gathered critical community, provincial government, and stakeholder input to inform the development of a National Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) Bill and dedicated policy framework to manage the legacy of UXO contamination in the Solomon Islands.

Over the past months, consultation meetings and courtesy visits engaged provincial leaders, community representatives including youth and women’s groups, government officials, and UXO experts. The sessions focused on raising awareness of UXO dangers, assessing priority clearance and operational responses, and discussing the institutional and legal gaps in current UXO management. Consultation participants across all provinces expressed strong support for a comprehensive legal framework to govern UXO clearance, victim assistance, and community risk education.

Key concerns raised included the need to clarify financial responsibility for clearance and victim support, with many urging accountabilities from countries involved in WWII conflicts, notably the US and Japan. Participants called for transparent and accredited clearance procedures, the establishment of provincial UXO offices for better coordination, and ongoing community education to prevent accidents. The consultations also highlighted the urgent need to address marine UXO contamination impacting coral reefs and livelihoods.

The National UXO Division emphasized that the input received will be vital in shaping the UXO Bill to provide a robust legal foundation to ensure the safety and wellbeing of Solomon Islands communities. Nationwide consultations will continue, expanding coverage to other affected provinces to ensure inclusive participation and informed decision-making.

Marau participants engaging in their group discussion.

Malaita participants during their group presentation.

-MPNSCS Press