PRIME MINISTER, Hon Manasseh Sogavare and Minister for Development Planning and Aid Co-ordination, Hon Danny Philip officially launched the National Development Strategy (NDS) 2016 -2035 yesterday at the Heritage Park Hotel.
The launch was attended by Ministers and Members of Parliament, Heads of Diplomatic Missions, representatives from the private sector and civil society, and Permanent Secretaries and staff from government ministries.
In his keynote address, the Prime Minister Sogavare said when the Democratic Coalition for Change Government took office, it recognised the need to develop a new visionary pathway to guide socio-economic development in the country due to the lack of growth in the economy and difficulties in providing basic and essential services to our people.
The Prime Minister then requested MDPAC to prepare a longer term national development strategy (NDS).
He emphasised that “the NDS is a vision and plan for the betterment of all Solomon Islanders”.
“The NDS maps out a strategic direction for the future development of Solomon Islands for the next twenty years with a long term vision, mission and objectives reflecting the aspirations of all Solomon Islanders.
“The national vision behind this strategic plan is to improve the social and economic livelihoods of all Solomon Islanders. The national mission is to create a peaceful, harmonious and progressive Solomon Islands led by ethical, accountable, respected and credible leadership that enhances and protects people’s culture, social, economic and spiritual well-being.”
Prime Minister Sogavare explained that the NDS was developed from a comprehensive consultation process carried out from June 2015 to March of this year that included Government Ministries, Provinces, Development Partners, Private Sector, NGOs, Church Groups and Communities including chiefs, elders, women and youths in all provinces.
These Provincial consultations were an important aspect of the process.
“The NDS sets out a framework for development policies, priorities, and programmes, providing a single reference point and common strategic direction over the next twenty years that all stakeholders can follow.
“It recognises that the key to growth and progress for Solomon Islands lies with sustainable economic development, promoting economic growth and improved service delivery for all,” the Prime Minister elaborated.
The NDS presents five broad objectives that will contribute towards achieving the overall vision and long term objective.
The five objectives represent the five main challenging areas that the country needs to focus on in the medium to long term timeframe.
These are:
- Sustained and inclusive economic growth
- Poverty alleviated across the whole of the Solomon Islands, basic needs addressed and food security improved, and benefits of development more equitably distributed
- All Solomon Islanders have access to quality health and education
- Resilient and environmentally sustainable development with effective disaster risk management, response and recovery
- Unified nation with stable and effective governance and public order
The NDS includes medium term strategies that will guide the Government’s development expenditure programme to achieve these longer term objectives, he said.
These medium term strategies are translated into implementable policies, programmes and projects through the Medium Term Development Plan (MTDP).
This is a rolling five-year plan comprising development programmes and projects and is the means by which the Government implements the NDS.
In turn, these programmes and projects are included in annual development budgets.
The Prime Minister explained that improved economic management and reforms are needed that will ensure broad- based economic development and increase investment opportunities for all Solomon Islanders.
“Private sector-led economic growth needs to be encouraged and facilitated. Rural and customary land need to be made available for commercial and agricultural development.
“Good fiscal governance and credible and stable policies are fundamental conditions for private sector growth. The NDS also encompasses a public sector reform programme that will impart a clear sense of direction for our public service, improve accountability and enhance efficiency of service delivery.
“The NDS includes a performance monitoring and evaluation framework for monitoring progress on programmes and projects in the annual development budget, the MTDP and the NDS. It also shows the alignment of programmes with the new sustainable development goals (SDGs) and will facilitate reporting on progress in achieving of these.”
Prime Minister Sogavare then urged the national and provincial governments, development partners, private sector, civil organisations and all Solomon Islands alike to embrace the NDS 2016-2035 in order to achieve its objectives.
“To implement the NDS and achieve its objectives, we will need commitment and action from us all. True and strategic partnerships with our key stakeholders including development partners, provincial governments, private sector, NGOs, faith based organisations and other stakeholders will be vital for its successful implementation.”
— OPMC PRESS
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