Welcome 2007....Good bye 2006

Welcome 2007.......Good bye 2006
The world welcomes 2007 and says farewells to 2006.

But is that so? Despite all the celebrations, the moments go by as normal. No big deal really. My suggestion to you is to live every monent of the day and night as a New Year.

PM's Christmas/New Year Message
Below, is another portion of Prime Minister's Christmas/New Year Message, which highlights the need for a change of attitude by Solomon Islands.

Future/Attitude
The pertinent question for all Solomon Islanders during this festive season is what kind of future do we want for our children? This is a serious question. It is also a personal question. We cannot continue to cry over our past and expect the country to move forward. We will only be dragging the country backward.

In fact we do not need experts to tell us how to go about addressing our problems. We know it all. Our problem has more to do with attitude and the fact that we would rather stick to the way we were and afraid to face the challenges of tomorrow.

Solomon Islanders must learn to appreciate that we are living in the 21st Century and must move forward with the changes that are taking place. Our strategies must now go beyond relying solely in the extraction of our natural resources, which has been the traditional strength of the country to attracting investment that will develop our resources and maximize the benefit of down stream processing in Solomon Islands."

MyBlog comments
MyBlog agrees with the Prime Minister that Solomon Islands problem has more to do with attitude. Mr Sogavare says that the change of attitude is based on taking on challenges and moving forward. While that is true, MyBlog believes that the change of attitude has more to do with respect for others.

Governor General - New Year Message
The Governor General spoke on various topics in his New Year Message to the nation.

One of the subjects is the Government's Constitutional that donor partners need to be mindful of.

This is how he explains it.
"The Government has the Constitutional authority to set the national priorities within the respective portfolios of the executive government. Please avoid the temptation of being unduly inclined to imposed whatever you may consider to be good, for our nation and people, but which our own government does not approve of.

I appeal earnestly to each aid donor to be consciences of the Constitutional mandate of Her Majesty's government in Solomon Islands. The government must set the development priorities, and determine what our people should be provided with, as the best economic and social projects for necessary funding by aid donors.

May I respectfully call on all Solomon Islands and our good friends from overseas, who live and work in this nation, to leave behind us, the rather unpleasant memories of the sad events, which took place in 2006. We now need to positively look forward, towards an eventful future with new hope. Our people desire such sound political success and prosperous economic progress in 2007 and beyond."

MyBlog's view
Let's hope that those who form the Government - the Executive, Caucus and advisers and other close associates are honest in what they are doing.

This would enable the efficient delivery of the services expected of them. This calls for Good Governance, Transparency and Accountability by the Government on its programmes to the people.

The Government must therefore acknowledge Solomon Islands' Motto "To Lead is to Serve".

Commonwealth Secretary-General's New Year Message
The Secretary-General, Don McKinnon's message focus on the Commonwealth's two foundation pillars: Democracy and Development.

He says although all Commonwealth citizens will experience the New Year in different ways, this is a time when all Commonwealth citizens share in a common commitment. The Commonwealth renews efforts in 2007 to fight against the scandalous wrongs and injustices of our time, including lack of education, poor health, and economic deprivation.

Mr McKinnon says Democracy takes many forms. He says while it is still a ‘work-in-progress’ in each and every Commonwealth member country, it also remains the best way to give individuals freedom and control over their own lives and destinies. Mr McKinnon says the Commonwealth will continue to promote improvements in the forms of democracy, like free and fair elections. It will also continue to promote the institutions of democracy – like parliaments, judiciaries, executives, the media and civil society.

Above all else, Mr McKinnon says the Commonwealth will continue to promote the culture of democracy; of citizens having freedom and a say in how they are governed.

MyBlog wishes you an exciting and prosperous 2007. Live every moment of the year to the full.