Independence for Solomon Islands - ABC International Development

As Solomon Islands prepares for independence, some communities remain unconvinced the change will be a good one.

Communications between the islands is poor and getting the message out to people in the provinces has been challenging. How the political system will work and what the benefits will be aren't clear to many.

An aid project funded by the Australian government is improving radio infrastructure to help strengthen communications across the new nation, and just in time to broadcast independence celebrations on 7 July 1978.

Several thousand spectators attend the formalities in Honiara, together with Prime Minister Peter Kenilorea and The Duke of Gloucestor, Prince Richard, who delivers his speech in pidgin.