Policy Planning Unit to be established in Prime Minister and Cabinet's Office to spearhead its BUA policy

By Deli Oso, Press Secretary to the PM

The Solomon Islands Cabinet has approved the establishment of a Policy Planning Unit in the Office of the Prime Minister and Cabinet to process and closely monitor the implementation of a National Integrated Development Plan of the government, Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare announced yesterday.

Mr Sogavare said the creation of the new unit emphasized the government’s unwavering commitment to achieve its development objectives through the ‘Bottom-Up Approach’.

He said the National Integrated Development Plan would be supported by the work programme of the Constituency Development Offices and harmonised with activities and tasks of Constituency Development officers.

Mr Sogavare said Dr John Roughan who has been the Secretary to the Prime Minister has taken up a new position as Rural Development Advisor in the Policy Planning Unit.

He said Dr Roughan stood out as having the required level of knowledge, skills and experiences to make a difference with the implementation of the government’s rural development policies.

“The Grand Coalition for Change Government policy on Rural Development under the auspices of our Bottom-Up Approach has received widespread support in the country.

“The expectation of everyone in the country is enormous and the onus is on the government to deliver as expected. At the end of our four year term, our success will by deliverables of rural development.”

The Prime Minister said he and his cabinet have every trust and confidence that Dr Roughan’s relevant knowledge, skills and experiences with the Solomon Islands Development Trust would be valuable in his new assignment.

The Secretary to the Prime Minister’s post is taken up by Rence Sore. Mr Sore has been the Deputy Secretary to the Prime Minister since the Grand Coalition for Change Government came into power last year.

The postings were endorsed by the Public Service Tuesday.