Speech by the Honourable Prime Minister, Hon. Manasseh Damukana Sogavare, MP* Sunday 7th July 2019, Given on Monday 8th July 2019
41st INDEPENDENCE CELEBRATIONS
“Moving
Forward in Unity to Build a Stronger Nation”
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Salutations (see end -- ACW).
Greetings
Good
morning Solomon Islands and Happy 41st
Independence Anniversary celebrations. Today Solomon Islanders across
this beloved nation of ours are celebrating this momentous occasion.
I acknowledge Solomon Islanders living in other countries who are
also celebrating our 41st
Independence Anniversary.
I
also acknowledge some of our people who are not able to join us today
in our celebrations for various reasons including those in our
hospitals and those who are incarcerated, our thoughts and prayer are
with you.
As
we celebrate our independence let us not forget those who have come
before us. We are here today because of their vision, commitment,
sacrifice and service to our country. I pay my respect and homage to
you.
41
years ago, this day, we gained our independence. Our theme for this
year’s independence is “Moving
Forward in Unity to build a stronger Nation”.
Self-Reflection
since independence
When
we gained ‘political independence’, our country was largely
undeveloped. It pains me to say 41 years on, not much had changed.
Past governments have struggled for positive change with limited
success. I
believe we failed because we neglected the importance of ‘waking
the national consciousness’ of our people to build this nation. We
drove the development agenda – but left our people behind.
I suppose this was what our first Chief Minister, the late Solomon
Mamaloni implied when he said that, “Solomon
Islands is a nation conceived but never born”.
This
aphorism provides good food for thought in reflecting on our journey
so far and envisioning a way forward. However, if indeed our nation
was conceived but never yet born, then I bid us all ‘our
national consciousness and pride, to uphold our collective moral duty
to give birth to our country in unity to make it a stronger nation’.
I strongly believe that we cannot progress far if we do not have
this nationalistic pride in us as Solomon Islanders.
We
have endured a lot since our independence especially the challenging
times over the past two decades. I need not remind us of what we came
through. However, not all of us remember our darkest days during the
civil unrest which happened 20 years ago.
For
more than 50% of our population who are under 20 years of age today,
you would have only heard stories about the pain, the challenges and
tragedies the country went through at the time. For some of us the
experiences were real, and it seemed like it was only yesterday.
Fellow citizens we must never allow ourselves to go through such
experiences again. We are better than that. There is more that unites
us than divides us.
Fellow
citizens, this country was not built by elected leaders alone. This
country was and will continue to be built by all of us - fathers and
mothers, brothers and sisters, sons and daughters, people from all
walks of life – our fore-bearers, the current generations and
future generations. We all have and will continue to be the building
blocks for our beloved nation. Nation building is our individual and
collective responsibility to this country and the responsibility of
the generations that will come after us.
However,
this understanding of nation building still eludes our national
consciousness even to this day. For example, the election of the
Prime Ministers had often been peaceful in the first two and half
decades after independence. However, since the 2006 April Riots, this
has changed. Most recently the election of the Prime Minister was met
with some public disorder. People took to the streets to demonstrate
their opinions.
Whilst
I respect their right to freedom of expression, it must be
unequivocally stated that these rights are not absolute. Our
individual and collective responsibility under the Constitution
should guide our actions and due processes and the rule of law must
be respected. We all know what happened in the past when we take the
law into our own hands.
Our
young generation who constitute our future, need God’s wisdom and
our guidance. Our young generation must learn to be responsible
citizens. Parents, helping to mould our children to be responsible
citizens is our first and foremost responsibility. The state too has
a responsibility in putting systems in place to assist in guiding our
young generation.
I
humbly call on all who are responsible for providing guidance,
mentoring and leadership to our young generation to do so with the
greatest of urgency. This includes the current government and its
various institutions. We must leave behind a legacy we can all be
proud of – a
country with a strong economy, good infrastructure and a robust
service delivery system that will infuse our young generation with
national consciousness and good citizenship that will promote,
uphold and respect others for the greater good of all.
Duties
as a citizen
Fellow
citizens, we do not have to go far to be reminded of our duties as
Citizens of our beloved country. On that note I would like us to
reflect on the preamble of our Constitution (and I quote) …
“We
the people of Solomon Islands, proud of the wisdom and the worthy
customs of our ancestors, mindful of our common and diverse heritage
and conscious of our common destiny, do now, under the guiding hand
of God, establish the sovereign democratic State of Solomon Islands;
As
a basis of our united nation
DECLARE
that
-
(a)
all power in Solomon Islands belongs to its people and is exercised
on their behalf by the legislature, the executive and the judiciary
established by this Constitution;
(b)
the natural resources of our country are vested in the people and the
government of Solomon Islands;
AGREE
AND PLEDGE
that -
(a)
our government shall be based on democratic principles of universal
suffrage and the responsibility of executive authorities to elected
assemblies;
(b)
we shall uphold the principles of equality, social justice and the
equitable distribution of incomes;
(c)
we shall respect and enhance human dignity and strengthen and build
on our communal solidarity;
(d)
we shall cherish and promote the different cultural traditions within
Solomon Islands;
(e)
we shall ensure that participation of our people in the governance of
their affairs and provide within the framework of our national unity
for the decentralisation of power;
AND
for
these purposes we now give ourselves this Constitution.” (End
of quote)
People
of Solomon Islands we all have a solemn duty to uphold and protect
our country, our people and our natural resources. As your Prime
Minister
and Servant,
I too have a duty to this country, and this is reflected in our
national motto “TO
LEAD IS TO SERVE.”
As
a Christian country, our first duty is to God. Following that, our
next duty is to uphold and abide by our National Constitution and
respect its ideals, values and institutions. We must respect and
honour our National Flag and the National Anthem.
Our
National Constitution, National Flag and National Anthem are the
embodiment of national unity. They are the bedrock upon which this
country is built, and it will continue to motivate and inspire us as
we move forward in unity to build a stronger nation. In this regard,
from this moment forward, my office will commence the practice to
raise our National
Flag
and sing our National
Anthem
on the first working day of every month. I hope every ministry,
schools and provincial government to follow suit.
We
also all have a duty to uphold and protect the sovereignty, our unity
and the integrity of Solomon Islands from forces both foreign and
domestic. This is an individual and collective duty of all citizens
of our beloved country. 20 years ago, our sovereignty, unity and
integrity were seriously tested through the civil unrest of our own
making. Our nation was brought to its knees. Some even referred to us
as a failed state. Those were some of the darkest days out country
had seen.
By
the grace of God and through the timely assistance of others in the
region in the form of RAMSI we managed to pull through. During those
darkest days very few of our donors and development partners stood
with us as true friends and supported our country financially.
The
preamble to our Constitution also remind those in leadership
positions to uphold the principles of good governance in the exercise
of our leadership responsibilities.
Servitude
– in line with our national Motto … ‘To Lead is To Serve’ in
upholding and protecting our country and our sovereignty is what is
called for in the exercise of our leadership responsibilities, at all
levels of leadership. We must endeavour not be the generation that in
anyway compromise our sovereignty, the future of our nation, and the
future of the generations that will follow our footsteps.
Fellow
citizens, it is our duty to promote and protect harmony, unity and
nationhood amongst all citizens of Solomon Islands regardless of
race, colour, ethnicity, religious beliefs, language, political and
other ideologies. This duty and its associated values and principles
are enshrined in our National Constitution which requires us to be …
“mindful
of our common and diverse heritage and conscious of our common
destiny.”
These
values are further expounded in the Book of Philippians Chapter 2,
versus 3-6 and I quote … “Do
not do anything from selfish ambition or from a cheap desire to
boast, but be humble towards one another, always considering others
better than yourselves. And
look out for one another's interests, not just for your own. The
attitude you should have is the one that Christ Jesus had. He always
had the nature of God, but
he did not think that by force he should try to remain equal with God
…”.
Ladies
and gentlemen, these are our yardsticks as Christians and as Citizens
in our God-given country. If these are the values and qualities our
National Constitution and our Lord Jesus Christ expects of us, then
we must do any less. They will provide the platform for us to be
united as we go
forward to build a stronger nation. We must respect each other’s
way of life, and in doing so learn to appreciate our diverse
heritage. We only have one life to live, let us live it right.
Our
Christian faith, value and diversity in culture, heritage and
tradition define who we are as individuals and collectively as a
nation. They define our character and underpin our integrity as
people and as a nation.
Our
diverse heritage must be celebrated because it tells us that we are a
country of islands separated by sea but connected by history,
tradition, blood ties, inter marriage, the church and the government.
Our common heritage and our faith in our creator are the glue that
bind us together culturally and spiritually.
Duties
as Custodians of our country’s Natural Resources.
Fellow
citizens, God entrusted us with the Custodianship of our natural
resources – our land and forests, our seas and rivers, our
terrestrial and undersea minerals, and the air around us. Therefore,
we must not only exploit but also protect our natural environment
including forests, lakes, rivers and seas for future generations.
The
recent oil spill in Rennell was an issue that affected our
environment. It even attracted international attention. The ongoing
water crisis that is currently affecting our city has been attributed
to logging upstream. The public had been criticising the government
for all of this. I do acknowledge those criticisms. However, I do
want to reiterate it here that protecting our environment is an
individual and collective duty. We have laws in place that gives
statutory powers to senior government officials.
Those
who are vested with statutory powers must be cautious they do not
abuse those powers vested on them when exercising their powers in
granting of the relevant permits and licences. I am also conscious
that there are instances when political influence can be used to
expedite the process. We must all operate within the boundaries of
the law and have regard to due process.
I
do note that our people in rural areas are pressed for money –
however I encourage caution because once our forest resources are
gone, we have condemned our children and their children to an
existence devoid of some natural resources they should have a right
to enjoy but would no longer do.
The
DCGA is committed to find ways to lift the livelihood of people
living in our rural setting to ensure it is more conducive through
increased access to services and innovative revenue generating
activities for people in our villages throughout the country.
I
know it is quite expensive for our people in the rural areas to make
a living on fishing, copra, cocoa and subsistence farming.
The
geographical set up of our country makes it a challenge for those in
the rural areas to bring their produce to sell. This is an area that
past governments have struggled with.
Moving
forward
At
this juncture I would like to touch on some of the plans that DCGA
has in place without pre-empting DCGA’s policy statement that I
hope will be launched later this month. As I have already indicated,
the geographical distribution of our Islands ‘calls
for innovative approaches to infrastructure planning and development
that not only address social and economic constraints but one that
demonstrates inclusivity and a whole of country focus so that no
single province is left behind’.
We
need to invest in infrastructure that can link our people in remote
areas to urban centres in provinces, and to Honiara. We need to
invest in a network of roads, bridges, wharves and airports to link
all provinces to markets and drive our economy as stated in the
Townsville Peace Agreement that was signed almost 20 years ago but as
yet unfulfilled.
Putting
in place a policy platform aimed at addressing the unmet development
aspirations of our provinces over a defined period is a top priority
for the DCGA. As part of its comprehensive policy agenda over the
next four years, the DCGA is working on an innovative initiative that
will to link up to 74 % of the country’s population and 37
constituencies in its first phase and all 50 constituencies and 100
percent of our population at the completion of its second phase.
This
initiative is currently known as the Solomon Islands Sea and Road
Initiative or the National Transport Core.
Phase
1 of this initiative will focus on extending roads and bridges in
Guadalcanal, Malaita and the Noro-Seghe road, and includes the
development of the Bina Harbour International Seaport and Fish
Processing Facility.
Seghe
and Bina Harbour will be connected to Honiara via dedicated daily
‘roll-on-roll-off ferries’ that will have capacity to transport
vehicles including trucks loaded with cargo to be delivered to
Honiara and Vice-versa. Phase two will extend this infrastructure
development in particular the development of proper wharfs in all
provinces to accommodate the expansion of this service.
So,
the question is … “is
this another veiled promise? Will it happen this time? what is so
different now that this will actually be delivered? How can we be
sure it is not just another lip service?”
Let
me answer these questions by informing the nation that this is not
another empty promise. My
government has already secured commitment to conduct an economic and
feasibility study of the concept within the 100-day programme of the
government.
Following the study, we will develop a strategy to mobilise the
resources needed to realise this innovative and transformational
initiative for our country.
Our
growing population is putting a lot of pressure on this country’s
service delivery. If we do not decentralise development to our
provinces, we will have a repeat of what happened in 1998 except it
will be much larger, and the scale of what might occur will make what
occurred in 1998 appear insignificant.
Just
last Friday I launched the 2019 Population census and the current
population statistics were frightening – I must share these with
you.
Current
statistics show the dependency ratio is about 85, which means that
for every 100 people of working-age, 85 of them are dependent, or we
can simply say only 1 out of every 5 people is gainfully employed or
4 in 5 people is dependent (inclusive of people with disability).
This dependency ratio is extremely high. It needs to reduce if our
country is going to prosper.
Current
population projections indicate we will surpass the 1 million people
mark by 2031, making Solomon Islands the second most populated
country in the Pacific at that point. We would overtake Fiji and be
second to Papua New Guinea in population terms. It is also projected
that at current population growth rate, our population will reach
1.37 million people by 2050, roughly double our current estimated
population.
These
population figures mean that in the next 31 years to 2050, Solomon
Islands will produce another 600,000 to 700,000 people. We currently
produce 50 births every day, equivalent to 2 classrooms every day, or
1 new primary school every week (350 births) or one new primary and
secondary school every 2 weeks (700 births). Our current annual
births of 18,000 is more than the total population of Cook Islands
and Niue put together.
These are
frightening statistics. The serious question that needs to be asked
is … if we are struggling with the current population of below
700,000 people today? How will the country support a population that
is double our current population in 30 years’ time? How can we
prepare a development platform that will support this future
population?
Never
before has the need to act is greater or more urgent. Hard decisions
will have to be made - decisions premised on what is best for the
people of Solomon Islands today and long into the future. Decisions
that will not compromise our sovereignty as an independent country.
Decisions that are representative of the will of the people in
Solomon Islands and made on Solomon Islands’ own terms and
conditions.
Fellow
citizens, decisions such as those I have described require a
participatory and collective approach involving all sectors of our
communities including our customary landowners, provincial
governments, government ministries, and importantly our bilateral and
multilateral partners.
I
would like to take this opportunity to appeal to our customary
landowners to be part of the solution going forward. Please do not
let land disputes stand in the way of major national and provincial
projects that will benefit all, especially you the land and resource
owners. Please help us help you.
To
our development partners - bilateral and multilateral let me say
this. Solomon Islands will not be where it is now without your
commitment and your help. As we move forward, I invite you all to be
partners in the solutions proposed in the DCGA policy platform that
we hope to launch later this month.
I
want to say thank you for your assistance over the years. I also ask
you to be genuine in your partnership with us going forward,
assisting and helping us achieve our development aspirations as
articulated by our people.
I
invite you all to work with us over the coming months to explore and
agree a modus operandi that provides win-win outcomes for you and
Solomon Islands and a partnership that is underpinned by the
principle of ‘sustainable and durable partnership’ that will
accommodate our development aspirations within the next four years.
Fellow
citizens, the sustainable development of our country needs more than
just a focus on Infrastructure . Our people must have access to
finance so that they can engage in money generating activities. In
this regard I am pleased to say that DCGA is on track with the
re-establishment and operationalisation of the Development Bank of
Solomon Islands which will open its doors for business soon.
We
are about to appoint the interim Board. Establishment of DBSI will
enable our people in the rural areas to have access to loans at low
interest rates. We will also invest in a support structure to support
our local entrepreneurs have access to financial loans from DBSI as
well as supporting successful applicants in managing and reporting on
their loans.
We
will invest in financial literacy and management skills through
partnership with relevant institutions to assist entrepreneurs master
skills needed to run and manage a business effectively. DCGA will
make sure that our local entrepreneurs are provided with the
necessary training and support.
Fellow
citizens let me now dwell a little on the progress in our fight
against corruption. I am happy to inform the nation that the DCGA is
in the process of appointing Commissioners to the Solomon Islands
Independent Commission Against Corruption. We have appointed the
Nominations Committee as required by the Act.
We
are confident the Committee will make its recommendations to the
Governor General within the 100 days programme of the government. We
are confident of the Commission being appointed have an office
established before the end of this year. We have also commenced the
process of reviewing the National Anti-corruption strategy which will
form the basis for the new National Anticorruption Strategy.
I
would like to acknowledge the support that has been rendered to us by
our bilateral and multilateral partners in this fight against
corruption. Let me renew the call for your continued support as we
seek to further consolidate our capacity to fight corruption in
Solomon Islands.
Tribute
As
I draw to a close, let me pay my deepest respect and tribute to all
our public servants for your service to our people and country. In
particular I thank our people who are at the front lines of our
nation’s services provision – our police and correctional
services officers, teachers, doctors, nurses, officers of the court,
officers from our border agencies and foreign affairs. I applaud your
commitment and sacrifice in the service of our country.
I
also extend my appreciation to your families – without whom your
ability to serve can be compromised – so I thank the wives,
husbands, children and extended families for contributions to our
nation’s development through your loved ones. Political government
come and go every four years. The public service is the permanent
architecture for continuity of government. You are the vanguards of
this country, the tip of the spear in implementing government policy.
I
also wish to pay my deepest respect and tribute to our churches. You
are the moral compass of this country. Your continuous prayers and
spiritual guidance are testament of our faith in God. Your role in
nation building is invaluable.
To
the private sector, your role in building and driving our country
forward must be acknowledged. This country is indebted to your
leadership and contribution.
To
all fellow citizens, I can only say thank you to for your support and
your contributions to this beloved country of ours.
In
the words of Walter Reuther, “There is no greater calling than to
serve your fellow men. There is no greater contribution than to help
the weak. There is no greater satisfaction than to have done it well”
Conclusion
In
closing, let me once again wish you all a Happy 41st
Anniversary celebrations on behalf of the Democratic Coalition
Government for Advancement.
Let
me close with a quote from Paul’s letter to the Philippians chapter
4, verses 6 and 7, and I quote … “Don't
worry about anything, but in all your prayers ask God for what you
need, always asking him with a thankful heart. And
God's peace, which is far beyond human understanding, will keep your
hearts and minds safe in union with Christ Jesus”.
Fellow
citizens, it is customary to recognise the contribution of
individuals who unselfishly contributed to the good of society during
Independence Day Celebrations through the Award of Independence
Honours.
I
now have the honour of announcing the recipients of the 2019, 41st
Independence Honours and Awards as follows:
|
|||
No.
|
Nominee
|
Award
|
Citation
|
1
|
Fredrick
Leve Fakarii
|
CSI
|
For
services to the Public Service
|
2
|
Joyce
Marian Boykin
|
CSI
|
For
Services to education and community development
|
3
|
David
Rankin-Hunt
|
CSI
|
For
services to community development for re-designing the Orders for
the Star and Cross of Solomon Islands
|
|
|||
No.
|
Nominee
|
Award
|
Citation
|
1
|
Lyn
Maena Rade
|
SIM
(Silver)
|
For
services to Community Development
|
2
|
Jay
Rukumana Makana
|
SIM
(Silver)
|
For
services in sport in the field of Boxing
|
3
|
Hudson
Wakio
|
SIM
(Silver)
|
For
services in Commerce and Community Development
|
4
|
Peter
Irobina Kinita
|
SIM
(Silver)
|
For
services in community Development
|
Fellow
citizens, representatives of Foreign governments and companies
celebrating this day with us, I thank you all for your forbearance
and attention.
May
God Bless us all. May God bless our Beloved Solomon Islands, from
shore to shore.
Salutations
Governor General of Solomon Islands His Excellency, Rt. Rev. David Vunagi and Lady Vunagi; Hon. Speaker of Parliament – Hon. Patterson Oti; Hon. Chief Justice – Sir Albert Rocky Palmer; Outgoing Governor General of Solomon Islands, His Excellency Sir Frank Ofagioro Kabui and Lady Kabui; Deputy Prime Minister – Hon. John Maneniaru, MP; Ministers of the Crown; Leader of the Official Opposition – Hon. Mathew Wale, MP; Leader of the Independents – Hon. Robertson Qalokale, MP; Members of Parliament; Constitutional Post Holders; Commissioner of Police; Provincial Premiers and Members of Provincial Assemblies; Mayor of Honiara City – Councilor Wilson Mamae;
Heads and Members of the Diplomatic Corps; Representatives of our Development Partners;
* Manasseh Damukana Sogavere https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manasseh_Sogavare
Salutations
Governor General of Solomon Islands His Excellency, Rt. Rev. David Vunagi and Lady Vunagi; Hon. Speaker of Parliament – Hon. Patterson Oti; Hon. Chief Justice – Sir Albert Rocky Palmer; Outgoing Governor General of Solomon Islands, His Excellency Sir Frank Ofagioro Kabui and Lady Kabui; Deputy Prime Minister – Hon. John Maneniaru, MP; Ministers of the Crown; Leader of the Official Opposition – Hon. Mathew Wale, MP; Leader of the Independents – Hon. Robertson Qalokale, MP; Members of Parliament; Constitutional Post Holders; Commissioner of Police; Provincial Premiers and Members of Provincial Assemblies; Mayor of Honiara City – Councilor Wilson Mamae;
Heads and Members of the Diplomatic Corps; Representatives of our Development Partners;
Heads
of Statutory Organizations; Representative of Solomon Islands
Christian Association; Church Leaders and Clergies; Chairman,
Executive, and Members of the Solomon Islands Chamber of Commerce; Representatives
of Civil Society and Community-based Organizations; Senior
Government Officials; Traditional Chiefs and Community
Leaders; Fellow Solomon Islanders and Friends of Solomon Islands; Invited
Guests Ladies and Gentlemen.
* Manasseh Damukana Sogavere https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manasseh_Sogavare
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