By EDDIE OSIFELO
MINISTER of National Planning and Development Coordination, Rexon Ramofafia has congratulated the European Union for its $78 million funding assistance to Solomon Islands.
The funding aims at strengthening the governance system for service delivery within the provinces, notably by improving the coordination between Provincial Governments and the provincial sector offices for education and health.
Speaking at the launching of the EU projects in Honiara yesterday, Ramofafia said the projects long term objective is to build sound, inclusive, transparent, and accountable governance systems within the provinces, for sub-national service delivery.
He said this response to the National Development Strategy’s call for ensuring effective governance at the local provincial level, which is a necessary element in creating an enabling environment for effective service delivery.
Further to that, Ramofafia said health and education remains critical to the empowerment of our people.
“Having a healthy and literate population is fundamental to sustainable development as it supports all other aspects of development.
“The provincial spread with a focus on Honiara and all nine provinces is also pleasing, as this ensures that there is equity amongst both the urban and rural population in all the nine provinces of Honiara,” he added.
In addition, Ambassador and Head of the Delegation of the European Union for the Pacific, Sujiro Seam said this project is consistent with the global priorities of the European Union as reflected in their global gateways when they intend to strengthen networks particular in health and education.
He said it is also consistent with their regional priorities which are embodied in the European Union strategic cooperation in the Indo Pacific, which comprises the priority on human development which covers health and education.
“It is also consistent in good alliance with European Union and the Pacific which provides for the financial framework for our commitment to the region for the years 2021-2027 which we have an emphasis on as a third priority of human development,” he said.
Ambassador Seam said they are also contributing in strengthening Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
This includes:
GOAL 3: Good Health and Well-being
GOAL 4: Quality Education
GOAL 5: Gender Equality
GOAL 6: Clean Water and Sanitation
GOAL 16: Peace and Justice Strong Institutions
