THE Ministry of Rural Development (MRD) has officially launched its new Corporate Plan, which outlines 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 on Tuesday 29 July, the MRD Minister Daniel Waneoroa highlighted the government’s commitment to implementing innovative policies and collaborative efforts to ensure equitable progress, and reaffirmed the ministry’s dedication to transforming rural communities into vibrant hubs of prosperity.
He said despite the late completion of this important document, mainly due to the movement of the permanent secretaries to and from MRD, he was satisfied that the process had now concluded as of Tuesday 29 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.”
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
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.
Minister Waneoroa 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), who also attended the event, congratulated the MRD Minister Waneoroa, Permanent Secretary Misite’e and staff 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.
The Deputy Policy Secretary from the Office of the Prime Minister & Cabinet (OPMC) John Kabolo also attended the launching event.
– MRD
