Nation’s Destiny is in the Hands of its People

OFFICE OF THE SPECIAL COORDINATOR

REGIONAL ASSISTANCE MISSION TO SOLOMON ISLANDS

MEDIA RELEASE Sunday 24 September 2006

Nation’s Destiny is in the Hands of its People

It is Solomon Islanders not RAMSI who will determine the destiny of this nation, RAMSI’s most senior Pacific Islands representative, the Assistant Special Coordinator, Masi Lomaloma said recently.

Speaking to the crowds gathered at Town Ground for last week’s Trade and Culture Show, Mr Lomaloma, reminded the public of their own responsibilities in the current efforts to rebuild the nation.

“To all the people of Solomon Islands, I want to remind you that this is your nation. Only you will determine its destiny. RAMSI is only here to assist you.

“You must have faith; faith in yourself, faith in your family, and faith in your communities so that you can enjoy peace, prosperity and unity.”

Mr Lomaloma, a senior public servant from Fiji, who has been in Solomons for just over a year, said Solomon Islanders had the power, the resources and the strength required to rebuild the nation.

“You can rebuild this nation so that you can again take your rightful place amongst other nations in the region and the world at large.”

Mr Lomaloma, who is also the Director of RAMSI’s new Community Outreach Program, said that he had really been heartened by the response of the general public to RAMSI’s Outreach Stall at the Trade and Cultural Show over the past week.

“We’ve had great feedback from ordinary Solomon Islands who clearly appreciate the work RAMSI is doing here and want us to stay.”

Speaking about RAMSI’s new Community Outreach Program, Mr Lomaloma said it is a recent initiative designed to provide the grass roots community with regular opportunities to meet and talk with all three arms of RAMSI.

These arms are the PPF, the military and the civilian reform and assistance work done by RAMSI in partnership with the government.

This civilian assistance is focused on the law and justice sector, the machinery or good operations of the government and building back the economy.

Mr Lomaloma said the new Outreach Program was designed as a two way communication.

“We want to provide information directly to the community about RAMSI and also to give the community a chance to give their feedback direct to us.”

This was designed to promote a better understanding in the community of RAMSI’s work in Solomon Islands but also to assist RAMSI in better understanding the community.

“It is only through understanding each other that we can build the partnership between Solomon Islands and its friends and neighbours in the region that have come to assist.”

Mr Lomaloma also told the crowd that he wanted to discount recent rumours that RAMSI was backing any particular community in any way.

“I want to reassure you that these rumours are not true and have been spread only by those who can benefit from destablising the nation.

“RAMSI is committed to working with you and your government to rebuild this nation into a peaceful, well-governed and prosperous one. This commitment has not changed and will not change,” he said.

ENDS

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