RAMSI and Gov't Brief Rennell, Bellona Province
Friday 6 November 2009
RAMSI’s Special
Coordinator, Graeme Wilson, and the Permanent Secretary with
responsibility for RAMSI, Paul Tovua, visited both islands
in Rennell & Bellona Province this week.
They were
accompanied by RAMSI Development Coordinator, Paul
Kelly.
Mr Wilson and Mr Tovua briefed the Premier,
Timothy Johnson and his Executive on the Partnership
Framework between RAMSI and the Solomon Islands Government.
The Framework is aimed at developing the capacity of the
institutions of government, building a sustainable economy
and maintaining a safe environment for Solomon Islanders
into the future.
“Improvements in these areas will
directly benefit the provinces by creating an enabling
environment for security and economic growth”, Mr Wilson
said.
Premier Johnson thanked the Special Coordinator
and his delegation for visiting his province and conveyed
his appreciation for RAMSI’s work.
“Without
RAMSI, who knows where Solomon Islands would be”, he said.
Mr Johnson and his Deputy, Brian Ngibutai joined the
Special Coordinator and delegation at two Community Outreach
meetings in both Rennell and Bellona.
Community
members asked questions about various aspects of the RAMSI-
Solomon Islands partnership including policing and efforts
to combat corruption.
The community was pleased to
learn about the strengthening of the Auditor-General’s
Office, Ombudsman’s Office and Leadership Code Commission
and how these agencies can contribute to increasing the
accountability of governments.
Mr Wilson said that
anti-corruption was a key focus across all of the
RAMSI-SIG’s programs as was capacity development and the
need to promote opportunities for women and gender
equality.
ENDS