The Minister for Home Affairs says civil registration and public services are beginning to reach more citizens, but vowed that the government must do more to extend access to the country’s most remote communities.
Addressing the Motion of Sine‑Die, Isikeli Vave reflected on his one year of progress within the Ministry of Home Affairs.
He said, birth and death registration, citizenship processes and the lawful administration of public holidays and civil ceremonies were not mere bureaucratic functions but “fundamental to identity, rights, planning and inclusion.”
“Civil registration is not just paperwork,” he told MPs. “It is about ensuring that every citizen has access to identity and rights, and that our communities are included in national planning.”
The minister acknowledged that challenges remain, particularly in provinces where families struggle to obtain documentation.
He pledged that outreach would be strengthened in 2026, with renewed focus on rural and island communities.
Minister also drew attention to the ministry’s role in regulating gaming, lotteries and public administration, insisting that compliance and accountability were being enforced to protect the public interest.
Parliament’s legislative achievements in 2025 – including reforms in public service and building standards – were described as part of a wider effort to modernise governance and ensure safer infrastructure.
Looking ahead, Minister Vave said, the ministry would consolidate reforms and strengthen service delivery, with strategic planning and oversight of national institutions at the heart of its work.
“Our responsibility is to ensure that services reach every citizen, whether in urban centres or the most remote villages,” he concluded.
“Inclusion is the measure of good governance.”
By ANDRIANAH DELASALET KOLE
Solomon Star, Honiara
