POLITICAL instability have significantly hindered Solomon Islands’ development path since gaining independence in 1978.
Minister of Finance and Treasury, Harry Kuma stated this during his contribution on the motion of Speech to the Throne in Parliament on Monday.
Hon Kuma the nation has experienced political changes in seven out of twelve parliaments, resulting in approximately 28 years of frequent government changes during the country’s 47-year history as an independent nation.
“We can see that we have more years of political instability than having a stable government,” said MP Kuma.
Furthermore, Kuma said Solomon Islands’ development challenges have been compounded by additional crises, including natural disasters, ethnic tensions, the Global Financial Crisis, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the November 2021 riots.
“Despite nearly five decades of independence, the nation continues to struggle with persistent development challenges including “low economic growth, weak governance, poor infrastructures, low levels of sanitation, undeveloped private sector, low employment opportunities, high population growth and frequent socio-political instability.”
“In response to these ongoing difficulties, the GNUT has established “Unity and Stability” as one of four strategic pillars in its development framework, aimed at transforming the country’s “economic, social, cultural, spiritual and political landscape,” he said.
Minister Kuma emphasized that responsibility for the nation’s progress lies with individual Members of Parliament, stating that “the success of this vision rests on all of us. It is through our collective unity and active participation that we will advance our nation’s progress.”
The address concluded with the assertion that without collective unity and stability, progress remains “inevitable” for the Pacific nation, which will mark its 47th independence anniversary this July.
By LACHLAN SHYVES EDDIE
Solomon Star, Honiara
