• Gov’t strengthens Road Transport Board to tackle traffic chaos, improve road safety

The Government has officially revived and strengthened the long-dormant Road Transport Board (RTB), signaling a major push to address Honiara’s worsening traffic congestion and improve road safety nationwide.

The RTB originally established in 2009 under the amended Road Transport Act—has been inactive for years due to a lack of dedicated funding, a statement from MID said.

But under the leadership of Minister for Infrastructure Development (MID), Ricky Fuo’o, the board is now being rebuilt, resourced and prepared to enforce long-neglected road transport regulations.

Last week, the RTB unveiled its new official logo, following a nationwide design competition.

Local graphic designer David Kabulanga was awarded $10,000 for creating the winning design, a circular seal featuring a road lined with a yellow dashed marker and five white stars symbolising the Southern Cross, reflecting both national identity and the board’s regulatory mandate.

The logo has already been mounted on six new patrol vehicles, fully fitted with sirens and decals through support from the Australian Government. The fleet is now awaiting operational deployment.

A delighted Director of the Ministry’s Land Transport Management Services Division (LTMSD), who is also the board’s acting secretary, Leslie Nate, said given the renewed support, this board will be up and running to carry forward its mandated duties.

The board’s composition: Permanent Secretary to the Ministry responsible for transport (MID) as the chairperson, Clerk to the Honiara City Council (HCC), Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) Commissioner or a nominee, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Provincial Government and Institutional Strengthening (MPGIS) or a nominee, Permanent Secretary for the Ministry responsible for Commerce or a nominee, Inland Revenue Division representative, Solomon Islands Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and Director of LTMSD.

Mr. Nate explained that two other members are representatives of Honiara’s taxi and bus association.

He called on these two bodies to organize themselves to choose two representatives to be part of the board.

”There will be reforms and reviews going forward; therefore, the need for these two representatives is important, especially since new infringement notices will come into force next year.

The director further outlined that they will be rolling out their awareness activities soon.

“There are ongoing consultations with relative stakeholders for the formation of a task force, which will be comprised of police officers, MID officers, and Honiara City Council law enforcement officers to help conduct patrols and control our daily traffic.

“Uniforms and other supporting equipment will be sourced soon to enable effective implementation of this board,” Mr. Nate said.

MID Minister Fuo’o, on December 2, 2025 parliament sitting on the 2026 Appropriation Bill 2025, also spelled out RTB’s role in addressing some of the challenges facing the main road network, such as traffic congestion, bus stops, road signage, parking, and enforcing other traffic regulations. 

Again, this board is responsible for formulating, implementing, monitoring, and reviewing policies related to road transport, in conjunction with the ministry’s functions of developing national transport policy. This includes overseeing taxi and bus fares, routes, and the management of road signage and markings. It works closely with the ministry’s vehicle inspector, the police traffic department, and the Inland Revenue Division. Furthermore, this board has the authority to initiate and conduct prosecutions for offenses under the Act, its regulations, or the Highway Code, subject to the directives of the Director of Public Prosecutions.