Mr. Speaker Sir, I rise to move that at the adjournment of Parliament on Friday the 23rd April 2010, the present meeting shall be concluded and Parliament shall then stand adjourned sine die. This sine die motion however is special. It marks the dissolution of the present house. For some of us, this might be our last time to represent our people in this house. For others you may still be given a renewed mandate after the forthcoming national elections.

Mr. Speaker Sir; we have come to the end of probably one of the most eventful four-year terms of Parliament since Independence 33 years ago. Despite the difficulties we went through, this Honourable House has managed to keep our country moving forward.  We have avoided the reefs that have got in the way of our progress in past years and we continue to patch the holes in our systems and seek new and better ways to work for our people.

Today, Mr. Speaker, we are a much wiser group of MPS and I think we have not only learned a lot but also produced a lot. The Government could not have achieved most of its legislative programme without the support of the majority in Parliament, and I wish to acknowledge and applaud all members of Parliament for their support and cooperation.

Mr. Speaker, I also wish to take this opportunity to pay tribute to the Late Honourable Edward Huniehu for his leadership and contribution to nation building. He was indeed a remarkable leader who has a passion and vigor to promote and protect our countries national interests. We will all miss him.

Legislative Programme

Mr. Speaker, this Government as you know has been pushing forward an ambitious legislative and policy programme since we came into office two and half years ago. This sitting of Parliament like the previous ones during the last two and half years has been very productive. Again we have deliberated on and passed a number of important pieces of legislation including the Tobacco Control, and the Protected Areas Bills. We have also been able to consider a couple of important reports, namely the report of the Foreign Relations Committee Report on RAMSI, and the Constituency Boundaries Commission 2009 Report. There are a couple more bills that we will deliberate on before we adjourned sine die on the 23rd of April 2010.

All in all, Mr. Speaker, this Government has brought to Parliament about forty bills including amendment bills as well as appropriation and supplementary appropriation bills during its two and half years in office. Some of the major bills include the following:

1. The Mines and Minerals (Amendment) Bill 2008
2. The Secured Transaction Bill 2008
3. The Truth and Reconciliation Bill 2008
4. The Civil Aviation Bill 2008
5. The Companies Bill 2009
6. The Companies (Insolvency and Receivership) Bill 2009
7. The Fisheries (Amendment Bill) 2009
8. The Valuers Bill 2009
9. The Evidence Bill 2009
10. The Counter-Terrorism Bill 2009
11. The Customs Valuation Bill 2009
12. The Maritime Safety Administration Bill 2009
13. The Telecommunications Bill 2009
14. The National Transport Bill 2009.
15. The Extradition Bill 2010
16. The Tobacco Control Bill 2010
17. The Protected Areas Bill 2010
18. And various constitutional amendment bills, as well as Appropriations Bills and Supplementary appropriation bills. 

Sir, while we may have set the record as the Government that brings the most bills to Parliament in a short period of time in office, what is important is the rationale behind our ambitious legislative programme. And that is to quickly attend to neglected aspects of old legislation and introduce new ones or make amendments to existing laws to suit our changing circumstances, as well as, fulfill various international obligations. There are still a lot of areas that we need to either legislate for or amend existing legislations to cater for our current socio-economic development needs and as part of our commitment to various international conventions. 

I trust, Mr. Speaker that future governments will embark on a similar legislative programme as we continue to develop our country. What is required now Mr. Speaker is the development of the necessary capacity and provision of adequate resources to implement the pieces of legislation that have gone through this House. At this juncture, I wish to thank the Ministers who have brought Bills to this house for our deliberations and also to their hardworking Permanent Secretaries and staff for their input as well.   

Mr. Speaker Sir, when the CNURA Government assumed leadership on 20th December 2007, it was a mere realignment of leadership. The realignment came about because, as Leaders we thought we were not progressing forward. The rest is now part of our history.

Sir, with twenty eight months (28) in office, CNURA has blended together well as a strong team, a team of quality leaders and we have had a healthy working environment.

Sir, the team pulled together neatly a broad reform agenda. This broad reform agenda touched on all sectors such as social, economic as well as in the areas of governance, political stability, and peace and reconciliation.

Sir, as I reflect on the outcomes and delivery, it is my humble view that CNURA team has had a lot of success. Given the challenges, I think we managed well.  On the other hand there are other areas that we could have done better at. Still in other areas we had not progressed at all. Like I said we have had to go through unforeseen challenges – the financial crisis has been the biggest challenge to the implementation of government programmes and projects in the development budget. 

Peace and Reconciliation

Sir in the area of Peace, Reconciliation, Rehabilitation and National healing, the Government’s number one priority – the establishment of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, with the passage of its enabling law, was a milestone achievement. Solomon Islands was honoured in deed to have Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu who came all the way from South Africa to launch the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.  It is not easy to get a person of Archbishop Tutu’s standing to visit our shores given his busy schedule and engagements. I trust that the Commission’s work as well as that of the Ministry of National Unity, Peace and Reconciliation will contribute to our search for forgiveness, sustainable peace, and genuine reconciliation. The Minister responsible could elaborate on specific activities undertaken so far in this regard.

However, Sir, I think no one can disagree that peace and unity are important prerequisites for progressive and prosperous nation building. It should also be noted that real peace though comes from the heart of individuals. All of us must engage in the search for peace. We must cultivate and nurture a culture of peace and tolerance in our country.

Furthermore, Sir, we must see ourselves first and foremost as Solomon Islanders. We must strive to uphold nationhood. We must not allow our ethnicity instincts to foreshadow our minds to the extent that we forget our solemn responsibility to building Solomon Islands and remain united, as one country whatever the challenge is before us.

Sir, in all our post conflict reconstruction efforts, it is our collective responsibility to rebuild this beloved country SI.  Each one of us is therefore duty bound to discover his or her role and play that role in our efforts to rebuild this nation.

Bona fide Demands of Guadalcanal People

Mr. Speaker, my Government has often been accused of not addressing the bona fide demands of the Guadalcanal people. Mr. Speaker, our people should not overlook the fact the Commission of Enquiry into land dealings on Guadalcanal and the work on the Federal Constitution are initiatives  aimed at addressing the bona fide demand of the people of Guadalcanal. We must also understand that issues in the bona fide demands from the people of Guadalcanal do have implications on the rest of the country, thus thay cannot be addressed in isolation of the whole of Solomon Islands interest.

Mr. Speaker, some of these will take years to turn the tide around. The Commission is now carrying out its work. The draft framework for a new federal constitution is now undergoing extensive provincial consultations.

However, Mr. Speaker, I have just been advised that due to ongoing resource constraints, as well as the bad weather we experienced early this year, the Constitutional Reform Unit will not be able to complete their work by the end of this year as scheduled. Hence, this work will have to continue next year as well. In this regard, while the issue of cost is of concern, this is an important undertaking that we as a nation has to approach with care and caution as there are sensitive issues involved.    

Infrastructure Development and Telecommunications 

Sir, as for infrastructure development, we have finally liberalized the telecommunication sector. As a result, we now have two licensed operators in the country namely: new entrant Be Mobile and Solomon Telekom. With this reform we hope to see improvements in quality service at affordable prices. In the transport sector we have introduced the National Transport Fund Act 2009. This reform will ensure we implement a rural shipping policy to subsidize uneconomical shipping routes to have greater access to markets by farmers and to encourage inter island trade. The Ministers responsible for these sectors could elaborate on the specific achievements and the constraints faced in these sectors.

Education Sector and Health

Mr. Speaker as a small island nation our greatest resource is our people - our human resources. The development of our human resources will continue to be a priority I believe of any Government and it is important that we pay attention to early child hood education and primary and early secondary   education. In this regard, this Government with the support of donor partners has been able to implement our basic fee free education up to Form 3 level. Although we have some practical difficulties in its implementation, many parents have received this policy with great relief.

Mr. Speaker, in the health sector progress has been achieved certain areas including increases in water and sanitation projects as well as reductions in maternal mortality and infant mortality rates. The passage of the Tobacco Control Bill itself after many years of consultations is an achievement itself and I congratulate the Minister responsible for this. Awareness and advocacy will be the next steps before a regulation is put in place to implement the Bill. A lot more remains to be done in other areas in health to which the Minister responsible will elaborate on.

Productive Sector - Agriculture, Mines and Energy, Forestry, Fisheries, and Tourism

Mr. Speaker, on productive sector, though slow but surely, there has been some progress on a number of fronts. For example, in the Agriculture sector we have made good progress with Aluta Palm Oil. About 6,000 hectares of customary land is now acquired and registered. Perpetual estate will be transferred to Land owners. Waisisi Oil palm project also came under Government assistance. I congratulate those landowners who have been courageous and steadfast in rising to the challenges. Mr. Speaker,   GPOL in the Guadalcanal Plains has also grown from strength to strength with a growing number in its out-growers scheme from surrounding communities. It has already become a feature in our foreign exchange earnings in recent times.

Mr. Speaker, moreover, programs of support for rehabilitation and development of the cocoa industry is being implemented in partnership with one of our donor partners. Progress on reviving the cattle industry has advanced to the stage where government is now finalizing an MOU, protocols and finance arrangements. We should start to see cattle arriving soon in the coming months. Our good Minister for Agriculture could elaborate on these developments.

In the Mines and energy sector, the recent reopening ceremony for the Gold Ridge Mining Project is a welcome development and we look forward to this project coming into full operation next year.   Meanwhile, the international tender process is underway for the nickel mining project on Isabel and Choiseul. The Tina Hydro Project is also moving along. The Tina hydro that will replace significant costs of imported fossil fuel is nearing its starting point.

In commerce and industry - the Bina harbor project is also progressing. In fact Sir, we are working on signing a consent order for parties to withdraw the land dispute claim in Court and allow land to be registered, so that work can start on the project immediately.

Fisheries Sector

Mr. Speaker, the fisheries sector is another important sector where we should have obtained fair and better returns over the years but unfortunately we have not. Since my Government came into office, we have strived to ensure that we maximize the returns and benefits we can derive from this sector by negotiating for better fishing access fees and licenses. Furthermore, as a Party to the Nauru Agreement, my government has been working very closely with other PNA members to collectively find the way forward in ensuring that PNA countries do get a better and fair share from their tuna and fisheries resources.  I trust that the newly established PNA Secretariat in Majuro, Marshall Islands will assist our countries in this regard.    

Mr. Speaker, various initiatives have also been undertaken in the other Ministries and sectors such as Home Affairs, Women, Youth, and children, Forestry, Tourism, and Environment. I am sure the ministers responsible will take the opportunity during the debate on this motion to inform us on the progress achieved and constraints faced in the implementation of their various programmes and initiatives. 

Financial Situation

Mr. Speaker, the impact of the crisis and the subsequent decline in government revenues has been the major obstacle to the implementation of government funded development projects and programmes during the last two years. You would recall that the Government had to impose budget reservations and urged Ministries to reprioritize their projects. Hence, it is not a lack of political will that the Government was not able to effectively implement programmes in its six major priority areas. While we have made some progress in some of these areas, much remains to be done. I must admit that a good number of infrastructure projects such as roads and airports are either slowly progressing or yet to begin. The delays or the non fulfillment of those programs were not by design but due to the financial situation we found ourselves into as a result of the global economic and financial crisis.  Sir, a good number of Livelihood development projects belonging to Members of Parliament were not funded last year due to lack of funds.

Mr. Speaker Sir, despite the tight financial situation, the government has managed to pull through with the measures we put in place. These measures have proved positive in that we were able to provide or maintain the much needed services even with our decline in our revenue collection.

Trade Policy  and National Development

Mr. Speaker, the impacts of the global financial crisis on our development endeavours calls for a strategic approach to our national development plan. In this connection, I believe it is critical that we mainstream trade into national development policy, and to utilize it as a tool for sustainable growth and human development. Solomon Islands currently does not have a comprehensive trade or productive sector development policy. The integrated framework initiative is the country’s first proactive step to mainstream trade into national development strategy. The recently launched Diagnostic Trade Integration Study 2009 Report can be used as a building block for future development of trade policy. I wish to call on all government ministries to better coordinate your selves and work towards developing a trade policy in close consultation with the private sector.

Corruption

Mr. Speaker Sir, one issue that continues to haunt this nation and undermines development is Corruption. My government has put in place an ambitious and challenging Anti-corruption agenda. In our effort to ensure there is wide public acceptance, legitimacy and ownership of these initiatives by the whole of society and our major stakeholders, we have engaged in four major workshops. The outcomes of these workshops, Mr.  Speaker, indicate that there is wide public support for these initiatives. Every one seem to agree that this is a national issue which calls for collective action from all of us to try and create an environment that is hostile to corruption. It is our sincere hope that these well intentioned initiatives will be sustain beyond the life of this parliament to the next. The next step should be to get the Independent Commission Against Corruption up and running to reduce corruption to what it should be - nuisance value.

National Security and Foreign Relations

Sir in the area of National Security and Foreign relations, we are grateful for the continuing efforts to reinvigorate efficiency and effectiveness into the Police Force with the aim to strengthen law and order, implement capability plans and programs and community policing that Government is pursuing in partnership with RAMSI. It is important that future governments continue to work closely with RAMSI on the basis of the recommendations of the report of the Foreign Relations Committee as well as within the SIG & RAMSI Partnership framework. The framework provides a work plan for both partners to cooperate and collaborate in identified areas of mutual concern and consensus.

Mr. Speaker Sir, you would also recall that in its first hundred days in office, the Government moved quickly to mend and restore strained relations and thereby bring back confidence with its regional neighbors and international donor agencies & governments. There is now a lot of good will, trust and confidence to the extent that international donor friends like European Union are ready and willing to give budgetary support to the government. Simply our reform initiatives become attractive and encouraging to donors.

Mr. Speaker, it is critical that we continue to work closely with the international community including our development partners to address the many challenges facing us including that of climate change and sea level rise. This is a challenge that we on our own cannot tackle.

It is equally important, Mr. Speaker, that we capitalize on the opportunities that our diplomatic friends and international and regional organizations can offer for the benefit of our country and people. We must be proactive in searching for and in utilizing such opportunities. The dynamics of such engagement requires us to maintain and enhance our credibility and   image as a stable and responsible member of the international community. 

Conclusion

In conclusion, Mr. Speaker, While the CNURA government may have achieved a lot in terms of its legislative and policy programmes, much more remains to be done in implementing these legislations and polices in order for our people and country to realize the tangible benefits. Resource constraints certainly have been a major obstacle to our efforts in the last two and half years. Two and half years is too short a time for any government to effectively implement and accomplish its policy objectives. But we have tried our best. It is important that the next government build on whatever progress we may achieved in further progressing our various national projects in particular those on Malaita.

Above all, Mr. Speaker, peace and reconciliation efforts should continue to be sustained and pursued, so as our efforts to develop our social and economic infrastructures including transport and telecommunication services. Equally important is the need to focus on employment opportunities for our youth. A holistic and strategic approach to national development is critical and this is a matter for us to address in partnership with all stakeholders. I trust current work on developing a national development plan will take cognizance of this approach.

Finally, Mr. Speaker, our people, especially our young people, needs to understand that our country, Solomon Islands was not always a crippled country! We were a proud country and we can be proud again if we do the right things and show our young people good leadership. Some of our overseas friends have referred to us as a ‘failed state’. The systems and institutions of governance might have failed, but as a country, Solomon Islands remains standing, as a country. It has never failed - because our community leaders have held it together naturally and organically. Let us continue to be proud of our country and work towards making it a stable, peaceful, and secure home for all of us - both citizens and our guests and visitors. 

Appreciations

Mr. Speaker Sir; before I resume my seat, I would like to take this opportunity to express my appreciations and gratitude to the following: Firstly, I wish to congratulate His Excellency, the Governor General, Sir Frank Kabui on his appointment as our Governor General representing the Head of State and for his remarkable leadership so far in discharging the duties of that Office. On the same note, I also wish to thank his predecessor, Sir Nathaniel Waena for his leadership and contributions during his tenure as Governor General.

Secondly, Mr. Speaker, I wish to convey my appreciation to the Chief Justice and members of the Judiciary for their relentless efforts in upholding our laws and ensuring that justice prevails.

Thirdly, Mr. Speaker, I am also grateful to all Members of Parliament, especially my hardworking Cabinet Ministers, the Chairman of Government Caucus and all my very loyal, faithful and hardworking Backbenchers for their staying power and sticking to the course, and for their staunch support and cooperation during our brief tenure in office.

Mr. Speaker Sir, I am also very grateful to the Hon. Leader of Opposition and all Members of the Opposition, and the Hon. Leader of the Independent Group and his Members, for their constructive, active participation, and valuable contributions to debates on the various Bills and reports that have been deliberated upon in parliament during the last twenty eight months including during this meeting, as well as, for the Parliamentary Questions that they have submitted and asked in Parliament during our meetings. Their questions and the very comprehensive responses from my hardworking Ministers  helped to inform and illuminate the minds of our people of what the Government is doing to address the issues and concerns our country is facing.

Mr. Speaker Sir, it would be remiss of me not to thank your good self, the Deputy Speaker, the Clerk and her Deputy and the entire Parliament Office Staff for your tireless efforts in ensuring that Parliament Business runs smoothly during all parliament meetings.  The dedication and professional manner displayed by you and your support staff in the conduct of your work  have contributed to the success of this parliament. 

Mr. Speaker Sir, contributing to the success of our work here in Parliament are people who are working away quietly but diligently in their various fields of expertise, and over countless hours behind the scenes.  I am referring to our Permanent Secretaries, under Secretaries, Directors, Heads of Divisions and Departments, and all staff at various levels in all our Government Ministries and Departments, as well as Board of Directors, Members, Managers, Management and Staff of SOEs.  In particular Sir, I wish to also thank the Learned Attorney General, senior Officials and all Staff of the AGs Chambers for all their effort and hard work in preparing the Bills brought before this House.  

Sir, regardless of whatever manner some MPs view or label them sometimes during our debates in this House, I wish to thank them most sincerely for their support and dedication for without them we will be nothing but chatter boxes or a mere debating club.  I call for your ongoing support and dedication in the service of our People and Country.

Sir, to all our teachers, thank you for your dedication to the noblest of professions and one that is very close and dear to my heart.  May you continue to impart knowledge to our children and may human life be enriched to ensure the survival of our future generations and our Country as a whole.

Sir, the Commissioners of Police, Correctional Service and members of their Senior Management Team, and the Rank and File of the RSIP and Correctional Service, deserve our utmost praise and thanks for their splendid work in maintaining the rule of law and order in Honiara and throughout Solomon Islands.  I salute you and keep up the good work, be alert, be on guard and be prepared always for the forces of evil, criminal elements in our society and those who want to make use of unstable situations for their own ends are simply waiting for any such opportunity to strike.  Our People and Country does not need and cannot tolerate such opportunists anymore.

Mr. Speaker Sir, I also wish to thank all our development partners both bilateral and multilateral donors, as well as RAMSI for the support and assistance they have rendered to the government and people of Solomon Islands. 

Mr. Speaker, I wish to thank the Private Sector also for keeping the wheels of our national economy ticking in these difficult and trying economic times. 

To our provincial premiers and church leaders, your support and cooperation is most appreciated and you have done well in looking after our people and communities within your respective jurisdictions.

Mr. Speaker Sir, last but not least, I would like to sincerely thank all our good People in all four corners of our beloved Nation – Solomon Islands - those living in villages up in the mountains, along the rivers or by the sea – to our good and hardworking Chiefs; village elders; Church, Women, and Youth Leaders. To our ordinary Men; Women; Young Boys; Young Girls, and Children including those living in boarding tertiary institutions of Learning, in RTCs, Schools and other Educational Institutions.  To our farmers, fishermen and women, tradesmen and artisans who have contributed enormously on a daily basis to keep this Country going.  To you all, I wish to reiterate the theme of our 30th and 31st Independence Anniversary Celebrations – “Together Iumi Bildim Country Belong Iumi”.

Sir, to any of our guests and visitors who may be visiting Solomon Islands at this time, thank you for choosing our Country as your holiday destination.  Please enjoy your stay and safe journey home, but if you have had a good and pleasant time here, please spread the good word around, and please do come back again with more friends.

To the Ladies and Gentlemen of both the print and electronic Media, thank you for your extensive coverage of this meeting.  We look forward to the same coverage in the future.      

Finally, to my good People of North East Guadalcanal Constituency, I wish to thank you most sincerely for your support and cooperation during the last four years, my first term in Parliament. I trust that we will continue to work together as we strive to address the development challenges facing our constituency. The future is bright and I wish to commend you all for putting into good use the assistance you have received through me as your member of parliament to improve your livelihoods and communities. Please join me in thanking the various Aid donors, NGOs, and the Government fort their generous assistance to us in the last four years. I look forward to working closely with you in the next four years, if given that privilege again.    

It is my earnest prayer God will bless all our plans to advance and prosper this nation. Let us pray for peace, for progress and for prosperity for all our peoples wherever they live. We pray that we remain one united Solomon Islands.

I thank you Mr. Speaker Sir and I beg to move.