PERMANENT Secretary of the Ministry of Rural Development (MRD), Dr Samson Viulu has been reshuffled to the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock, sources revealed.
The reason for his reshuffle is unknown, but sources suggest that the Government for National Unity and Transformation (GNUT) made the decision following pressure from coalition members whose constituencies did not receive the China-funded $80 million (US$10 million) Rural Sustainable Development Program (RSDP).
Earlier this week, Opposition Leader Mathew Wale criticized the MRD’s preparedness for the requirements of the CDF Act 2023.
He expressed concern about the unclear timeline for funding to reach constituencies.
“At the current rate, it might be August before constituency activities commence, at the earliest. The MRD had all of the first four months of 2024 to prepare. This is disappointing,” he said.
Wale also accused Dr Viulu of politicizing the PRC RSDP funding for 2023, claiming that he abused his authority over the funds.
“I will be making a referral to the Public Service Commission regarding his political activities over the PRC RSDP. This is the first PS to take such liberties at the ministry, which is of great concern. Although PSs have a right to their own political inclinations, the public service cannot serve all Solomon Islanders if a PS uses his office for political activities,” he said.
Dr Viulu will be replaced by Lottie Vaisekavea, the current PS of the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAL), who was appointed in October 2022.
Vaisekavea hails from Nukukaisi village, Central Makira, Makira Ulawa Province, and has served as the Program Manager of the Rural Development Program (RDP) for the past 14 years.
He holds a Master’s Degree in Agriculture Science, specializing in Agronomy and Extension from the University of Reading, England, and a diploma in Agriculture from the University of the South Pacific.
Dr Viulu was appointed as PS of MRD on June 17, 2022.
He played a key role in driving the new Constituency Development Fund (CDF) Act, which was passed last year.
Dr Viulu’s career began as a Livestock Officer in the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock before furthering his studies in Japan, where he earned an MSc and PhD in Agricultural Science.
He worked in various institutes in Japan before joining USP in Suva, Fiji, as a research fellow in 2016. In 2019, he joined the Office of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (OPMC) as the Policy Secretary for the Productive Sector, overseeing seven ministries.
Dr Viulu holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Agriculture from USP, Samoa, and both a Master’s of Science and a Doctorate in Agriculture Science from Gifu University in Japan.
By EDDIE OSIFELO
Solomon Star, Honiara
