The Quest for Good Governance continues

Commonwealth delivers verdict
The Commonwealth has delivered its verdict on Fiji's military government.

At this time of posting the new Fijian government has yet to respond to the action by the Commonwealth. MyBlog was fortunate to interview the Secretary General of the Commonwealth, Don McKinnon from London on Saturday.

Mr McKinnon's interview followed the Commonwealth's suspension of Fiji from the group, following the military take-over of the elected government. He says it's important that the military or the police of any country work under the guidance of the government. He says a country does not want a situation in which the military decide they are going to run the country despite the views of the ordinary people.

Mr McKinnon says the people of the country must always have the full control over the military and the police. He says the police act according to the law and the military act according to the needs of the country's defence. Mr McKinnon says it's not appropriate for the military to decide for themselves, they want to run the country.

MyBlog had previously touched on the turmoil which had been eating into the Pacific. There appears to be a disease that needs to be identified and tackled. The island nations need good leaders. MyBlog agrees with Solomon Islands' motto "To Lead is to Serve."

Government holds talks with Mission
A meeting of government and RAMSI officials has welcomed the outcomes of the October Pacific Islands Forum Leaders’ Meeting.

This include an agreement that the Forum would hold three-way consultations with the Solomon Islands government and RAMSI, as well as conduct a high-level review of RAMSI. The government says the Forum is expected to begin work on these initiatives in early 2007. The review would play an important role in strengthening the SIG/RAMSI partnership.

MyBlog sees these dialogues as a way forward to mending the misunderstandings between the Government and RAMSI. This blog believes these dialogues would lead to the resolving of the stand-off between Solomon Islands and Australia. Does the stand-off affects the preparation of Solomon Islands' 2007 budget? That's the big question that the government must answer.

Transparency Solomon Islands mark World Anti-Corruption Day
Transparency Solomon Islands marked World Anti-Corruption Day Saturday 9th with two events aimed at updating the people of Solomon Islands on the fight against corruption.

The first event is a talk-back program on SIBC and the other is a Special Corruption Update Dinner. During the dinner invited guests and members of TSI, a local anti-corruption body, were be briefed on the progress that is being made in cleaning up the nation. TSI Executive Officer Joses Tuhanuku said the two events were to provide information to as many as possible and provide a chance for feedback. He said if Solomon Islanders are to be effective in fighting corruption they must know what is being done about corruption in the country.

The talk-back show featured a panel including representatives from most of the accountability institutions, a Board of Director of TSI, Anthony Hughes; the Deputy Auditor General, Eric Muir; Chairman of the Leadership Code, Emmanuel Kouhota and Eric Houma of the Wind of Change group. There have been positive responses to the show.

RAMSI Special Coordinator, Tim George and the Director of Public Prosecutions, Roland Bei Talasasa were the speakers at the Corruption Update dinner. Both speakers' presentations were revealing and comprehensive.

MyBlog will features more of both events in future postings. Welcome to this blog.

Guadalcanal & Temotu Elections
Planned Provincial elections tomorrow for five wards on Malaita have been deferred by 48 hours.

Minister for Provincial Government Japhet Waipora announced the deferment this evening. The Minister cites mechanical faults experienced by the delivery vessel since Sunday for the postponement. Malaita Province Returning officer, Harold Leka reveals another reason for the deferment of the elections was that the national government has been slow in giving funds for the election.

The five wards Auki, Aimela, Buma, Fauambu and West Fataleka will now go to the polls Thursday December 14th. Mr Leka says this change will not affect elections for wards six to 33 which is set for the 18th December.

Meanwhile, elections on Guadalcanal and Temotu Wards 1 to 12 will proceed tomorrow as scheduled. Vatukulau Ward on Guadalcanal will go to polls at a later date. This follows the death last week of one of the candidates for the Ward.

People in the provinces are hoping those elected are leaders of integrity and those who have a common vision to develop their communities.

The search for good governance continues.