To the Head of State our Governor General Sir. David Vunagi, Head of our National Government Prime Minister Hon. Manasseh Sogavare, Deputy Prime Minister Hon. Manasseh Maelanga, Speakers of the National Parliament Patteson Oti, Chief Justices of Solomon Islands Sir Albert Rocky Palmer, Hon. Ministers of the Government, Hon. Members of the Opposition Party, Heads and Members of Diplomatic Missions, Regional and International Political, Social and Economic Development Partners, All Constitutional Post Holders, Members of our Provincial Assembly, Honiara City Council Members, SICA and SIFGA Church Leaders, Non-Government Organizations, Media, Community Traditional Leaders, Women, Youth, Children, Farmers, Fisherman, Sick Patients in our Hospitals and rural Clinics, People Living With Disability, Correctional Service of Solomon Islands Senior Management and Executive Members, Commandants, Directors, Ranks and Files, Inmates in Honiara and Provincial Correctional Centres, Visiting Guests, National Citizens throughout our Country and Abroad.
As the Commissioner of Correctional Service of Solomon Islands, may I take this time to prominently thank God for our 44th independence celebration since 7th July 1978. Since becoming an independent nation from the British protectorate, we have journeyed through numerous political, social and economic challenges and difficulties. In the midst of what we went through, we have obtained peace, stability, hope, providence and guidance from our regional and international stakeholders through bilateral partnerships. In addition to that, I would like to sincerely acknowledge and thank each of you for your prayers, consent and support to the Correctional Service over the years since the colonial period, through the independence and transitional care and support services to our inmates as citizens of our beloved nation Solomon Islands.
In our national independence celebration may we be encouraged to reflect on the political, social and economic situation and more especially the recent global pandemic and social unrest within the last three years. As a Christian nation, we have gone through the Easter season of the death and resurrection of our one and only Saviour Jesus Christ and the Pentecost festival where God sent the Holy Spirit to strengthen us believers to triumph over challenges and difficulties we are faced with, through our trust in Him.
Let us be reminded of the scripture Proverbs 14:34, and I quote, “Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people,” end of quote. By the grace of God, may this independence anniversary be filled with joy, peace and progress as we make our way forward and especially when our inmates are given a second chance in life and make good citizens of our beloved nation in this globalized world
May God bless our Solomon Islands from shore to shore.
Thank you.
From: Commissioner Gabriel Manelusi (BEM, SIM)
Correctional Service of Solomon Islands