MANELE THANKS PIF STATES

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OPPOSITION Leader Honorable Jeremiah Manele has conveyed his gratitude to the 15 member states of the Pacific Islands Forum that makes up RAMSI.

In his statement in Parliament Tuesday this week, Mr Manele took time to acknowledge the contribution of the 15 member states of the Pacific Islands Forum.
“Tagio tumas Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Fiji, Vanuatu, Samoa, Tonga, Niue, Marshall Islands, FSM, Palau, Nauru, Tuvalu, Kiribati, and Cook Islands for helping us through RAMSI,” he said.

The Opposition Leader also commended in particular the lead role played by Australia and New Zealand.
“I thank the Australian Government and its people for the huge financial contribution of 2.8 billion dollars towards RAMSI. The Parliamentary Opposition is also grateful for Australia’s ongoing bilateral assistance towards other sectors such as education and health in Solomon Islands,” he said.
The Parliamentary Opposition Leader also paid tribute to the six RAMSI personnel who tragically lost their lives while serving RAMSI and representing their countries.

Mr Manele also saluted the former Pacific Islands Secretary General Greg Urwin and former RAMSI Special Coordinator Graeme Wilson, both of whom have passed away.
“I had the privilege of meeting and interacting with them in my former life as a Permanent Secretary. Both were indeed very dedicated and committed to the cause of rebuilding Solomon Islands.    I also commend other RAMSI Special Coordinators and personnel for their firm commitment to building peace in Solomon Islands,” he told Parliament.

Meanwhile, whilst welcoming the 2003-2017 RAMSI Report, Mr Manele recommended that an additional section could have been included in the report that captures the voices of our people especially our children, youths, women, our chiefs and elders on their personal perspective of RAMSI and how this regional intervention have impacted on their lives.
“I am sure our people will have a lot of good memories about RAMSI that should be documented,” he said.


ENDS//

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