Honiara and Canberrra mending relations
Mending Australia-Solomon relations
Australia's High Commissioner to Solomon Islands Peter Hooton today presented his credentials to Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare after waiting to be received for almost two months.
The Prime Minister however said today's ceremony was an important milestone in mending the two countries' strained relations. Mr Sogavare says it's only appropriate to have Mr Hooton on the ground to address those issues with both governments. He told Mr Hooton that Australia and Solomon Islands are very close neighbours. Australia plays a very important role in regional security and stability and its development of regional countries.
Meanwhile, Mr Hooton said he was honoured and welcomed the opportunity to present his letter of credentials from Prime Minister John Howard to Mr Sogavare. Mr Hooton said he came to Honiara both as the representative of the Australian government and a friend of Solomon Islands. He acknowledged the complexities of some of the issues that confront both countries, and hoping the issues would be solved soon.
MyBlog says
Prime Minister Sogavare's receiving of Mr Hooton as Australia's High Commissioner to Honiara has certainly paved the way to mending of relations between Honiara and Canberra.
The opportunity must be seized with both hands as it opens up for dialogue between officials of both Australia and Solomons on outstanding issues. These include the secret escape of lawyer Julian Moti from PNG into Solomons and subsequent demand that Moti returns to Australia to face charges there.
MyBlog acknowledges and salutes Mr Sogavare's decision in receiving Mr Hooton and hopes other outstanding matters can be resolved soon.
Media awareness on rural development policy
The government has launched a radio awareness programme on it "Bottom-up Approach" or rural development policy.
The 15 minutes radio program series is broadcast twice a week over the national radio SIBC. Chief of Staff of the Office of the Prime Minister, Dr Judson Leafasia in the first programme last Saturday explained some of the things that the programme will be covering. These include issues such as the national Constitution and other rules and regulations that regulates how the government operations. Dr Leafasia says others are the infrastructures and logistics involved in delivering services. He says the policy is aimed at improving the lives of Solomon Islanders.
The awareness program is being aired on Saturday and Monday evenings over the next three months.
MyBlog says
At least government's rural development policy is being explained to the people.
MyBlog believes that the use of national radio has the advantage of getting to the majority of people in the country than other existing media outlets. But this does not mean the majority of Solomon Islanders access a radio receiver. MyBlog encourages the government to seek other ways to support the radio program, including using other media outlets.
Government could also use existing community or the Development Services Exchange NGO network, often championed by the Secretary to Cabinet, Dr John Roughan to pass on the information on rural development to the people.
My Blog says whatever means are used, the people needed to be informed on the policy to be able to actively participate in developing the country. Whether the people would implement the policy with the help of the government is another matter, but at least it's worth a try.
What's your views on that?
Australia's High Commissioner to Solomon Islands Peter Hooton today presented his credentials to Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare after waiting to be received for almost two months.
The Prime Minister however said today's ceremony was an important milestone in mending the two countries' strained relations. Mr Sogavare says it's only appropriate to have Mr Hooton on the ground to address those issues with both governments. He told Mr Hooton that Australia and Solomon Islands are very close neighbours. Australia plays a very important role in regional security and stability and its development of regional countries.
Meanwhile, Mr Hooton said he was honoured and welcomed the opportunity to present his letter of credentials from Prime Minister John Howard to Mr Sogavare. Mr Hooton said he came to Honiara both as the representative of the Australian government and a friend of Solomon Islands. He acknowledged the complexities of some of the issues that confront both countries, and hoping the issues would be solved soon.
MyBlog says
Prime Minister Sogavare's receiving of Mr Hooton as Australia's High Commissioner to Honiara has certainly paved the way to mending of relations between Honiara and Canberra.
The opportunity must be seized with both hands as it opens up for dialogue between officials of both Australia and Solomons on outstanding issues. These include the secret escape of lawyer Julian Moti from PNG into Solomons and subsequent demand that Moti returns to Australia to face charges there.
MyBlog acknowledges and salutes Mr Sogavare's decision in receiving Mr Hooton and hopes other outstanding matters can be resolved soon.
Media awareness on rural development policy
The government has launched a radio awareness programme on it "Bottom-up Approach" or rural development policy.
The 15 minutes radio program series is broadcast twice a week over the national radio SIBC. Chief of Staff of the Office of the Prime Minister, Dr Judson Leafasia in the first programme last Saturday explained some of the things that the programme will be covering. These include issues such as the national Constitution and other rules and regulations that regulates how the government operations. Dr Leafasia says others are the infrastructures and logistics involved in delivering services. He says the policy is aimed at improving the lives of Solomon Islanders.
The awareness program is being aired on Saturday and Monday evenings over the next three months.
MyBlog says
At least government's rural development policy is being explained to the people.
MyBlog believes that the use of national radio has the advantage of getting to the majority of people in the country than other existing media outlets. But this does not mean the majority of Solomon Islanders access a radio receiver. MyBlog encourages the government to seek other ways to support the radio program, including using other media outlets.
Government could also use existing community or the Development Services Exchange NGO network, often championed by the Secretary to Cabinet, Dr John Roughan to pass on the information on rural development to the people.
My Blog says whatever means are used, the people needed to be informed on the policy to be able to actively participate in developing the country. Whether the people would implement the policy with the help of the government is another matter, but at least it's worth a try.
What's your views on that?
posted by Myblog | 10:11 pm
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