Government through the Ministry of Rural Development (MRD) is conducting a desk review of the Constituency Development Funds Act 2023 to improve governance and efficiency in the constituency development program.
Minister for Rural Development, Hon. Danial Waneoroa, announced this in Parliament while responding to the Speech from the Throne last week, saying the review, underway since the start of the year – has identified key areas requiring legislative change.
“MRD’s primary focus is to improve our CDF legislative framework, ensuring efficiency in the constituency development program and that the program is fit-for-purpose,” the Minister said.
He said the review also aims to strengthen accountability for public funds used through the CDF.
“While MRD has seen notable improvements in this area, there is room for further improvement, including strengthening reporting mechanisms for Constituency Offices,” he said.
Minister Waneoroa added that the overall governance structure of the program also needs attention, with a specific review planned for the functions and roles of Constituency Development Committees (CDCs).
“This may need to be undertaken to improve how these structures function within the constituency development program, and perhaps other rural development programs in Solomon Islands,” he said.
Turning to planning, the Minister stressed its importance to any development program.
“MRD will work towards creating a planning guideline for the constituency development program, ensuring communities’ development needs are identified and, most importantly, resourced through the CDF,” he said.
“This process must begin at the community level – demonstrating community-led prioritisation and empowerment in rural development. I believe it is now time to facilitate an environment for rural communities to participate more actively in our development planning processes.”
