A new era begins?

29 January

On Tuesday, 30 January, Solomon Islands and Australian relations take a major step towards the normality that were their hallmark of recent by gone years. Our newly appointed High Commissioner, Victor Ngele, former MP for southern Guadalcanal, presents his credentials to his host in Canberra. On the very same day, probably at the very same hour, Australia's newly appointed High Commissioner, Mr Peter Hooton, will do the same here in Honiara.

However, in a step out of the ordinary, the whole of Solomons' Cabinet will be present when Mr. Hooton presents his papers to the Prime Minister. This unprecedented step, small in its own way, sends a distinct message that the Solomons is looking for a more normal and productive relationship with our close neighbor to once again root, one far different from the strained one that dominated both countries over the past few months.

But as important as this fence mending exercise is for both countries, it may well pale into insignificance to the milestone that should occur at the end of the same week. The whole of Parliament will have its first peek at the Government's 2007 budget. This long-awaited village/villager accented budget of the Grand Coalition for Change Government (GCCG) kicks into high gear once Parliament sets its seal of approval and gives its permission to begin the national rural revolution.

So many of last year's distractions--the motion of no confidence, the Moti Affair, the departures of Patrick Cole and Shane Castles, etc.--which ate up so much time, energy and resources should be put behind us. The next three years, 2007-2009, belong to our rural people, their lives and their dreams. It is hoped that these and other distractions will be worked through, creative solutions found and a genuine partnership be re-awakened on all sides.

The newly minted budget puts 'diesel' into the Ship Of State's engine. Rural people's dreams, visions and aspirations must now become the goal, objective and end of government work. Ministries and state agencies can no longer claim that they don't have the proper authority or that funds are not available to make things happen for village people. That's why the Budget process is so important. In black and white, clear for all to see, the budget allows government to move ahead.

Some changes, however, may not seem like much to an average villager. A bridge there, a newly repaired road over here or an up graded water supply for some village deep in the bush may not, in their eyes, seem like a big deal. But from the GCCG's point of view, it is these basic investments in ordinary people's lives that are the first step for the majority of our people to be able to leave The Poor Life and enter into The Basic Life. It will take more than three years, however, for the bulk of our people to dream of living The Good Life!

Of course the first three years--2007-2009--is about fundamentals. After all the Solomons since 1893, over a 113 years of colonial and local misrule, have concentrated government efforts either in Tulagi (pre-war period) or in Honiara and centered economic life basically in the nation's one city. The fundamental building block in creating the current new direction, however, is less about money, plans and personnel but more about a strengthening partnership with the village and the villager.

Around the development table, then, the villager brings a formidable presence. Not only do they have the numbers--84% of the population--, not only do they literally, through their clans, lines and tribes, own the country--92% of the trees, ground, rivers, reefs, etc--but it is they who proved themselves the indispensable glue that kept this nation ticking over during its five years--1998-2003--of Social Unrest. Government officers, donor groups and professional planners are naked in comparison. That's why a creative partnership of the rural majority, government officer, RAMSI personnel and overseas donor is essential for the national future.

Good and strong relations with our southern neighbor remain essential. A budget focused on the well being of the majority of our people is critical. RAMSI's continued work in major areas of concern is needed. But all these elements are only conditions where 'miracles' could happen. In a sense, if these elements come about, then that's the easy part. Villager hard work, official dedication, RAMSI sensitivity and a mighty dose of God's blessing on our whole enterprise is now the order of the day to bring about the new era.

J. Roughan
29 January 2007
Honiara