BY SAMIE WAIKORI

Opposition leader, Matthew Wale, says the primary expectation of all Solomon Islanders is to ensure very basic services are available, accessible and affordable for them.

And while these become the expectation of people, it must also become priority for the government.

Speaking in a recent interview on the first episode of Insight for 2026, the leader said what the citizens of the country want is to get on with their life.

He said a young Solomon Islander wants to complete studies, work and put the food on the table, or becomes father and mother and feed their family.

In this regard, Wale emphasised that government must elevate education to become right of every citizen to be educated.

He also said when citizens go to clinic, nurses and medicines are available. Also, when refer to hospitals in Honiara, transport is available and affordable.

Wale said the quality of infrastructure is very important – roads must be passable as well as other basic infrastructure.

He said the government may talk about bigger things, but it’s important to start with these basic services  

Wale said they must make sure health services are accessible and available, education services too and infrastructure to support mobility of goods and people.

He stressed that these are among some of the basic expectation of people that government is there to provide.

Moreover, Wale acknowledged government on various political reforms such as state government, and encouraged to continue pursue them.

He said it’s important to engage Solomon Islanders in conservations about political systems and reforms the government wants to deliver for the country.

In the meantime, Wale said he feels positive about 2026 budget, especially on the basis where both government and opposition can work together on the political level.

He assured his willingness and openness to work with government in his role as opposition MP to question government’s policies and decisions.

Wale also said if government can free themselves from capture of business interests and make decisions guided only by interests of Solomon Islanders, he thinks 2026 would be a good year.

He said this is despite his disagreement with the size of allocations with certain sectors in the 2026 budget, the government can make some impacts.