BY JOHN HOUANIHAU
THE candidates contesting the national parliamentary seat in the Solomon Islands 2024 joint elections on April 17 are urged to uphold the nation’s motto, “To Lead is to Serve,” and prioritize the people’s well-being and interests.
In an interview with SUNDAY ISLES, Paul Gegere, a teacher from Ngella Constituency in Central Islands Province, urges the national election candidates to adhere to the country’s constitution if elected to parliament.
“The national motto serves as a reminder to those who want to be in power and have a responsibility to lead with integrity and to prioritize the needs of the nation,” he said. “It is crucial for the leaders of the Solomon Islands to heed this call to action and to govern with transparency, accountability, and respect for the rule of law.”
Paul from Mboromole village said the economic instability in the country has raised concerns about the leadership’s commitment to serving the people of the Solomon Islands and acting in their best interests.
“By upholding the national motto, they can demonstrate their commitment to serving the people and working towards a brighter future for all citizens.
“The people of the Solomon Islands deserve leaders who will uphold the values in the national motto and work tirelessly to improve the lives of all citizens.
“It is essential for the leaders to heed this call and make decisions that prioritize the well-being and interests of the nation above all else,” he expressed.
He said the challenges faced by our societies today stem from leaders who prioritize their own interests over serving the people.
“In terms of our incoming leaders, they must abide by the motto of this country: ‘to lead is to serve’. The slogan is significant, and by not following it, we will end up nowhere.
The teacher believes that the Solomon Islands’ progress will only be achieved if leaders follow the national motto.
“They must know that they Members of Parliament (MPs) do not take the seat just for nothing. We elect them to represent us because God also sees. God is also involved in political power for the good of man. So someone who is going up there must be a godly person.
“You cannot rule a government without the help of God. You must be a godly person because you cannot love people if you do not love God, and without God, we will not succeed. The government is progressing in the watchful eyes of God,’’ he said.
He stressed the importance of being faithful, helpful, and having a heart for the people they elected to represent in parliament.
“For example, empowering the people with economic-driven activities like implementing initiatives that people will engage in to generate income and support themselves and the community. Invest in tourism. Home stays, etc.
“By doing what your leaders have been elected for, you will have a great positive impact from the top to the grassroots level. But this is not the case. Citizens are struggling on their own while the government is going another way,’’ he said.
He expressed his desire for a new government after the 2024 joint election that would work together in unity.
“Never mind whether the opposition or government side, they must work together. The whole nation depends on the decisions of the government of the day, and at the end of the day, the decisions have a great impact on people’s lives.
“We don’t have an interest in disrespecting each other in parliament by fighting for power and neglecting their mandates as representatives of the people,’’ he said.
