THE Permanent Secretary of Ministry of Forestry and Research (MFR) Dr Vaeno Vigulu has reportedly resigned to contest the Gizo-Kolombangara Constituency seat in the National General Election (NGE) in April.
Reports reaching Solomon Star revealed that the former PS has relinquished his top job to allow him prepare for the April 17 poll.
Under the Public Service General Orders, public servants wanting to contest in any election must resign from their work in order to contest.
In satisfying this regulation, Dr Vigulu, who is from Kolombangara, has stepped down from his job and will be amongst other candidates vying to get a seat in Parliament.
Dr Vigulu acquired a doctorate in the field of forestry.
Lanelle Tanangada has been the Member of Parliament (MP) for Gizo-Kolombangara for the past two terms.
Dr Vigulu has already visited the constituency to prepare for the political showdown.
Due to the resignation of Dr Vigulu, a new PS was appointed for MFR a week ago.
The new PS is Richardson Raomae, who was sworn-in by the Acting Governor General, Patterson John Oti at the Government House.
Mr Raomae, who hails from Dairana village in Central Kwara’ae, Malaita Province, has a long career in MFR’s Forestry Division dating back to 1993 when he first served as Forest Ranger at the Honiara National Herbarium & Botanical Gardens which was then under the Ministry of Natural Resources.
As a Public Servant, Mr Raomae made his way up through the various positions he held.
Mr Raomae holds a Bachelor in Applied Science (Forestry) from the Southern Cross University in New South Wales, Australia. He also obtained a Graduate Diploma in Community Forestry from the Kasetsart University in Thailand and a Certificate in Tropical Forestry from the Solomon Islands College of Higher Education (SICHE).
During his career with MFR, Mr Raomae held a number of senior positions, including Chief Forest Officer in 2011, Director Forest development & Reforestation in 2012 and most recently, Deputy Commissioner Forest Development & Reforestation for a period of 10 years.
PS Raomae took his Oath of Allegiance and Oath of Office to His Majesty’s Government vowing to serve to the best of his ability with dignity during his term in office.
“I am humbled to gain the trust and confidence of the Government to take up this new post and I look forward to serving to the best of ability in delivering what is expected of me,” Raomae said after his swearing-in ceremony.
The Acting Governor General Oti congratulated the new Permanent Secretary and wished him well in his service to the country.
