Prime Minister (PM) Jeremiah Manele MP reiterated the government’s commitment to national unity and transformation, urging public servants to take pride in their work and serve Solomon Islanders with dedication and loyalty.
In a meeting with the Permanent Secretaries and Policy Secretaries on Friday morning, Prime Minister Manele emphasized the importance of leadership as a service, stating that the government’s vision for the future hinges on the patriotism and hard work of those in leadership roles across the public service.
PM Manele reminded the Permanent Secretaries that as lead implementers of government policies and programs, they need to focus on their Ministerial core business and deliver results, highlighting that performance is critical to the government’s success in achieving its goals.
The Prime Minister emphasized the importance of innovative and transformative approaches in implementing both ongoing and new projects under the 2025 budget.
PM Manele encouraged Permanent Secretaries to work closely with their Ministers and ensure that they are regularly briefed on major projects and undertakings.
He also stressed the importance of effective staff management within Ministries, particularly addressing concerns about unprofessional behavior, such as staff arriving late and engaging in distractions like playing games during work hours.
He also highlighted this week’s cabinet decision to implement a 3 percent Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) and reminded all public servants, including police officers and teachers, to demonstrate loyalty and commitment.
Teacher salaries would soon be reviewed, thus the need to have authentic workforce establishment data of teachers on SIG payroll, he added.
On National Security and public safety, Prime Minister Manele called for improved coordination between the Combined Law Enforcement Agencies (ClAG), including the Police, Immigration, Customs, and Quarantine. He emphasized the need for these agencies to work together effectively to ensure national security and public safety.
Permanent Secretaries are further urged to keep Ministers, Caucus, and Cabinet well-informed about donor-funded projects, from the design phase to implementation.
Donor funded projects must be aligned with government policies and priorities, stated PM Manele.
In light of global geopolitics, the Prime Minister also advised PSs to be vigilant, manage external influences, and seize opportunities that can benefit the nation.
Prime Minister Manele underscored the importance of timely legislative action, urging Ministries working on bills to submit them to the Caucus and Cabinet for review before they are presented to Parliament. He accentuated the need for efficient parliamentary processes and called on Permanent Secretaries to support their Ministers during Parliament sessions, particularly with regard to the budget and other ministerial matters.
The Prime Minister reaffirmed his vision for a government that is united, transformative, and dedicated to serving the people of the Solomon Islands. He urged all public servants to be proactive, innovative, and committed to the shared goal of national development.
Permanent Secretaries must serve with pride, dedication, and a collective commitment to shape a better future of our country, the Prime Minister concluded.
- OPMC
