With the introduction of solar energy in villages, schools and clinics in West Makira, Makira Ulawa province, diesel power still remains very important here.

People spoken to in interviews said most homes, schools and clinics now have solar power to provide them light at night. 

Before the introduction of solar energy in villages in Solomon Islands, people used kerosene lamps as lights at night. 

Some villagers lamented” the years of kerosene lamps are long gone as we now use solar lights”. 

But others said that while it is good to have solar power to provide light to their homes at night, there are other things solar light cannot meet.

The needs include charging mobile batteries as it always rains in West Makira.

The people therefore believe the need for diesel power to use on generators is still there not only to charge mobile batteries but also for schools to use at prep classes at night.

Meanwhile, the same people also commented about how the uses of mobiles have replaced mail deliveries to villages by Solomon Post which has established Post offices in Honiara, the national capital and all the provincial capitals. 

Before in Makira, government ships and Mail Men distributed letters to villages.

The Mail Men either used push bikes with mail bags over their shoulders or walked with the mail bags hanging on their backs to distribute letters in villages along the West Makira coast.

But the people spoken to are happy the Makira Ulawa province still has the Kirakira Post office from which people can buy stamps and have their letters posted.

 “There are confidential documents, reports and letters that cannot be sent on mobiles but can be safely sent through the postal services,” they told me. 

By George Atkin 

West Makira journalist