The Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) Solomon Islands Threshold Program is currently on hold following a review of all U.S. foreign aid programs initiated during the Trump administration.
Minister for National Planning and Development Coordination, Rexson Ramofafia, told the media on Monday that the Solomon Islands Government is awaiting the outcome of the review, expected within the next three weeks.
The Threshold Program is designed to reduce poverty in Solomon Islands by targeting two major constraints to economic growth: ineffective management of natural resources in the forestry sector and lack of secure land access, which hinders tourism investment.
Minister Ramofafia also provided an update on the SCALE program—Strengthening Competitiveness, Agriculture, Livelihoods, and Environment – Natural Resource Management (SCALE-NRM)—a USAID-funded project implemented in Malaita Province through Winrock International.
He noted that many components of the SCALE program were completed as of September last year. One ongoing component of the program is also currently paused, pending the results of the same review expected in three weeks.
By EDDIE OSIFELO
Solomon Star, Honiara
