Governance

Hi! following the National General Election in March this year, I had indicated that I would focus some of my blogging on Governance. This would relate to the situation as I see it in Solomon Islands. I somehow lost my Joeblog which covered the national election and I could not continue the blog.

I felt then and still do now, that Governance is among the priority areas that Solomon Islands government and people should address. Aid donors and development partners have been and are continuing at different stages to improve governance in the country.

THE REGIONAL ASSISTANCE MISSION TO SOLOMON ISLANDS - RAMSI
One of the tasks of the RAMSI in re-building Solomon Islands is to improve Public accountability. The 2005/2006 RAMSI report has highlighted that substantial efforts have been made in that area. This was to promote a culture of accountability and to bring to justice public servant, office holders and MPs suspected of corruption.

And example of RAMSI's assistance in improving governance was that all government departments completed their annual reports for 2004 which were tabled in Parliament – for the first time in many years. The Auditor General completed eleven audits, and four audit reports had been tabled in Parliament. They are forestry, fisheries, EXIM Bank loan, and government accounts for 1996.

RAMSI and other donors had also been assisting to improve the various government governance institutions. They include the Ombudsman's Office, Leadership Code Commission and Auditor General Office.

THE COMMONWEALTH AND GOVERNANCE
Following last week's 37th Pacific Islands Forum meeting in Fiji, the Commonwealth announced a Pacific Governance Programme. Commonwealth Secretary-General Don McKinnon said that it will soon launch the programme in support of the Pacific Plan. The programme is aimed at enhancing regional co-operation and integration among South Pacific countries. Mr McKinnon said the plan focuses on good governance, security, sustainable development and economic growth.

EUROPEAN UNION AND GOVERNANCE
In Fiji last week Solomon Islands Minister for Planning and Aid Coordination, Steve Abana, and the European Director General Athanassios Theodorakis signed a grant agreement. The grant will help Civil Society Groups to address issues in environment awareness and conservation, transparency and advocacy for good governance, human rights and women empowerment.
Non state actors in Solomon Islands will benefit from a 14 million dollars grant from the European Union aimed at reinforcing governance and the rule of law in the country.

The focus of support will be in project planning and capacity building. Mr Abana welcomed the support saying it will enhance people's involvement in public affairs. Meanwhile, Mr Theodorakis said an active civil society is essential in the growth and development of the nation.

NGOs AND GOVERNANCE
Various non government organisations such as the Solomon Islands Christian Association, Transparency Solomon Islands and Wind of Change have with outside help have also been advocating good governance.

Solomon Islanders are looking forward to the time these efforts will bear fruit. I believe it may take some time before the people could benefit those efforts and hard work. May be in the next two generations??

Happy surfing.

Joe