THE Solomon Islands Government and Lavukal Leaders of Russell Islands have formalised an “Engagement Framework” during a two-day Russell Islands Investment Forum (RIIF) in Honiara last week.
The Forum has drawn together leaders from various groups in the Russell Islands and Officials from the Cabinet Sub-Committee on RIPEL over a period of two days to discuss and chart a way forward for investment opportunities in the Russell Islands.
The consultation process has significantly set out the core roles, functions and responsibilities of the Russell Islands Investment Forum and its secretariat and advisory board and further sets out its engagement with the Central Islands Province and the National Government.
This process will be formalised by way of an ‘agency agreement’ to be finalised by the Attorney Generals Chambers, Central Islands Province and the Office of Prime Minister and Cabinet.
Besides the “Engagement Framework”, the Forum which was concluded last Friday also looks at the 99 Rocks Strategy 1 and 2 and confirms to endorse its guiding principles.
Parties to the consultation meeting have agreed on a number of significant steps including the establishment of the Russell Islands Investment Forum (RIIF), with a Chairperson to be nominated by the Forum, a Co-Chairperson to be the Provincial Secretary for the Central Islands Province and a Secretary who is also the CEO of the RIIF Secretariat to be appointed by the Forum.
Parties also agreed to establish an Advisory body which will consist of Technical Experts and Consultants and further agreed that the Office of the Prime Minister and Cabinet and the Central Islands Provincial Government provide technical support with assistance from other members of the Lavukal Community as nominated by parties.
The framework also outlined the RIIF Secretariat’s immediate task which has mandated the Secretariat to prepare the institution including its investment platform, objectives and terms of reference to cover broad areas relating to Agriculture or Fisheries and other Multi Sectoral Investment areas such as the Coconut and Cattle sectors.
In terms of Programme Support, the Parties have envisaged that any financial support to be rendered by the Solomon Islands Government or any other entity for administrative purposes, is to be deposited into a trust account to be held by the Central Islands province and any other nominated entities
Overall, the RIIF is a platform for dialogue and representation on investment plans for the Russell Islands which aims to prepare stakeholders for future investment dialogues.
Officials from the Cabinet Sub-Committee on RIPEL from the Prime Minister’s Office successfully facilitated the consultation meeting which concluded Friday last week.
–GCU
