Honourable Minister for the Ministry of Rural Development, Daniel Waneoroa (center), Permanent Secretary of MRD, John Misite’e (right), and Secretary of the Resource Sector, Thomas Bebeu (left), front row, flanked by MRD staff and representatives from the OPMC, raise their hands in celebration of the significant achievement.
THE Ministry of Rural Development (MRD) has officially launched its new Corporate Plan, Tuesday last week, outlining the strategic priorities that will guide its development program initiatives over the next three years (2024–2027).
The plan emphasizes sustainable development, empowerment for self-sufficiency, and inclusive growth, aiming to foster economic resilience and improve livelihood opportunities across rural communities.
Delivering his keynote address to formally launched the important policy document, Honourable Minister of MRD, Daniel Waneoroa highlighted the government’s commitment to implementing innovative policies and collaborative efforts to ensure equitable progress, reaffirming MRD’s dedication to transforming rural communities into vibrant hubs of prosperity.
He stated that, despite the late completion of this important document, mainly due to the movement of the permanent secretaries to and from the Ministry, he was satisfied that the process had now concluded as of Tuesday (29th July 2025).
The direction and foundation of the MRD’s Corporate Plan 2024–2027 are based on the ministry’s new vision, which is: “Empowering all Solomon Islanders for self-sufficiency, improved livelihoods, and sustainable development.”
Hon. Minister Waneoroa said, “Understanding this vision is important, as empowerment for self-sufficiency of livelihoods and sustainable development of our people and communities is built on the premise that we, as a Ministry, partly have the responsibility for the resources and capacities that can influence and bring transformation to the lives of our rural people and communities.”
He added, “Understanding our corporate vision enlightens us to the immense responsibility of ensuring that our roles and responsibilities are aligned and implemented under the guidance of this strategic plan.”
The Corporate Plan focuses on the following key objectives and policy reforms:
- Supporting the enforcement of the Constituency Development Fund Act 2023 (CDF Act 2023)
- Strengthening financial compliance and audits of the MRD and the 50 constituency offices
- Strengthening institutions and systems in monitoring and evaluation
- Improving and strengthening the reporting mechanisms of the CDF and the Constituency Development Program (CDP)
- Building capacities of CDCs and Constituency Officers
- Development of the Constituency Development Growth Centre Policy
- Implementation of the CDF Act 2023 regulations and oversight of governance mechanisms for CDP
- Resource mobilization for rural development programs
Hon. Minister Waneoroa further emphasized that, while the MRD’s implementation is focused at the Ministry level, this Corporate Plan is directly linked to the Solomon Islands Development Strategy 2016–2035 (SINDS; 2016–2035) and the GNUT Government policy priorities for rural development.
“…our work plans for 2025–26 must align with these primary policy documents to enable us to measure our successes and report on them.”
He also took the opportunity to encourage the Permanent Secretary and staff to embrace the new vision and move forward with the implementation of the strategy.
“Let us work to provide an enabling environment where rural and disadvantaged communities can actively engage sustainably in socio-economic initiatives that elevate their standard of living.”
“The Ministry of Rural Development (MRD) Corporate Plan 2024–2027 sets out a renewed direction and guides the Ministry to plan, prioritize, and implement its programs toward realizing its long-term goals,” he said.
The Hon. Minister also acknowledged Permanent Secretary John Niroa Misite’e, his executive team, and the rest of the ministry staff for their great teamwork in formulating the policy document.
Meanwhile, Policy Secretary Resource Sector (PSRS) Thomas Bebeu from the Office of the Prime Minister & Cabinet (OPMC) congratulated the Minister, Permanent Secretary, and staff of MRD for this significant achievement.
He stated that such accomplishments are not easy, as they involve facing numerous challenges and requiring considerable effort.
Mr. Bebeu also recognized the strong leadership of Permanent Secretary Misite’e and the support from all staff in the formulation of this important policy document, which sets a strategic direction for the ministry’s program implementation to strengthen and empower rural communities.
Joining the Hon. Minister, Permanent Secretary, Heads of Divisions, and MRD staff during the soft launching were Policy Secretary Resource Sector Thomas Bebeu and Deputy Policy Secretary John Kabolo from the Office of the Prime Minister & Cabinet (OPMC).
MRD PRESS
