PM Manele admits Solomon Islands lags behind in development goals
BY NED GAGAHE
Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele has admitted that Solomon Islands is “off track” in achieving many of its national development goals, despite nearly a decade of implementing the National Development Strategy (NDS) 2016–2035.
Speaking during the official launch of the NDS Medium Term Review Report and four related strategic documents at the Mendana Hotel in Honiara yesterday, Prime Minister Manele delivered a frank and sobering assessment of the nation’s progress.
“The past nine years have tested us in ways we could never have imagined.
“The COVID-19 pandemic brought our economy to its knees. Civil unrest shook our confidence. Climate change continues to batter our shores. Global economic turbulence has made every step forward feel like two steps back,” he said.
The NDS Medium Term Review, compiled by the Ministry of National Planning and Development Coordination (MNPDC) with support from development partners, found mixed results across the five key NDS objectives — with notable progress in some areas but significant shortfalls in others.
“Our economy remains dangerously dependent on logging, mining, and fishing.
“The targeted GDP growth rate was to reach 5 percent by 2025, but we only achieved 3 percent in 2023. We are clearly off track,” Prime Minister Manele said.
He revealed that 23 percent of Solomon Islanders — nearly one in four — are unable to meet their basic needs, while 17 percent of the population suffers from malnutrition.
“The Human Development Index improved slightly from 0.507 in 2010 to 0.565 in 2020, but it still falls short of our target range of 0.625 to 0.675,” he said.
On the health front, the Prime Minister painted a concerning picture.
“Non-communicable diseases now account for 70 percent of deaths in Solomon Islands. One doctor serves about 4,000 people. These are not just numbers — they are a call to action,” he said.
While acknowledging some achievements — such as improvements in maternal and child health, and stronger disaster preparedness — Prime Minister Manele said the review highlights the need for urgent reform and renewed commitment.
“Our Environmental Performance Index fell from 51.1 to 26.7. Walk through our forests and you’ll see the scars of unsustainable logging. Dive into our reefs and you’ll see coral bleaching and depleted fish stocks. This is not just an environmental crisis; it is a cultural and moral one,” he said.
Despite the grim statistics, the Prime Minister urged optimism, saying the review provides a clear roadmap for the way forward.
“We must learn from our successes and failures and act decisively. We must diversify our economy, strengthen food and water systems, invest in health and education, empower communities to protect the environment, and deliver services with integrity,” he said.
The review also revealed that between 2016 and 2021, Solomon Islands committed SBD 13.6 billion towards development priorities — with 65 percent funded by donors and 35 percent from government resources.
However, the Prime Minister said the impact of this investment has been uneven.
“We’ve prioritised economic infrastructure — roads, ports, and buildings — but the translation to broad-based growth has been very thin. Have we invested enough in our people? That is the question we must ask ourselves,” he said.
Prime Minister Manele closed by urging unity and accountability across all sectors of society.
“We cannot blame others. We must take responsibility and act now. The recommendations in the NDS review show us what to do — what we need now is the courage to act.”
Photo: Supplied
For feedback, contact: [email protected]
