WEST AND CENTRAL KWARA’AE CONSTITUENTS LEARN ABOUT CDF ACT 2023 PROVISIONS

Constituents of the West Kwara’ae and Central Kwara’ae Constituencies in Malaita Province have learned about the legal provisions of the Constituency Development Funds (CDF) Act 2023.

This followed a series of community awareness program on the CDF Act conducted by officers from the Ministry of Rural Development (MRD), in collaboration with the two constituency offices, from 15 to 26 October 2026.

Participants included chiefs, church leaders, community leaders & elders, persons with disabilities, women, youths, children, and other constituents.

Sessions were held at the constituency’s communities and main centres including Dala community, Tiuni, Fouabu, Anamose, Gwaunaoa, Buma, Gwailiki in West Kwara’ae and Kilusakwalo, Fiu, Namobaula, Kwalo, and Ngadefiu communities in Central Kwara’ae.

Presentations were delivered on the CDF Act 2023, followed by interactive discussions that allowed participants to ask questions, express concerns, and share their experiences regarding constituency development programs.

The awareness team also used the opportunity to document community feedback from the sessions to inform future policy implementation and improve service delivery under the CDF framework.

MRD Principal Research & Development Officer Kejoa Para, who led the awareness team, said the program was a great success, with close to 400 people from both constituencies participating.

“Everybody was delighted and expressed support for this CDF Act and the reforms undertaken by the ministry,” Mr Kejoa said.

Part of the community members who attended the awareness program at Gwaunaoa community in Ward 3, West Kwara’ae constituency.

The sessions covered key provisions of the Act, including the appointment and roles of constituency officers, the constituency development plan, signatories to constituency bank accounts, constituency assets and reporting, and offences and penalties.

It also formed part of the Ministry’s ongoing efforts to educate rural communities on the provisions, objectives, and implementation mechanisms of the CDF Act 2023, while promoting greater transparency, accountability, and public participation in constituency development programs and initiatives.

“The sessions were informative and interactive. Participants were able to ask questions and discuss openly with MRD on areas where they wanted clarification, which helped resolve many misunderstandings about the Act and how it is applied,” Mr Para added.

Community leaders from two constituencies thanked MRD for the awareness program.

They said that sharing such information on the new CDF legislation is important to ensure constituents have a good understanding on the new provisions in the CDF Act.

They described the new legislation as a beacon of hope for the constituency development as it pursues its development aspirations for the benefit of rural people.

Participants also commended the Act for its inclusivity, noting that it ensures women, youth, and persons with disabilities are part of the development process.

“This CDF Act will allow the unfortunate in our communities to be part of our development plans and processes. We also hope that more women will take an active part in the constituency development process.

“This new legislation is a way forward, as it paves the way for us constituents to work together with MRD, through our constituency office and under the leadership of our MPs, for the development of our constituencies,” constituents remarked.

On behalf of MRD, Mr Para expressed appreciation to the Members of Parliament for both constituencies, and her constituency officers for their support to the awareness.

He also thanked the chiefs, community leaders, constituents, and everyone involved for their contributions to the program’s success.

He said such awareness programs do more than providing accurate information about the new Act adding they also help communities understand their roles and responsibilities under the legislation.

The awareness is part of the Ministry’s ongoing work to educate the public on the new CDF law, and MRD will continue similar sessions in other constituencies and communities across the country.

The CDF Act 2023 was passed by Parliament on 22 December 2023 and came into effect on 5 January 2024. Its purposes are to strengthen good governance, ensure improved and effective delivery of Constituency Development Funds, and promote equal and inclusive participation of all Solomon Islanders in development.

Some of the community members who attended a session on the CDF Act awareness at Namobaula community, Ward 2, Central Kwara’ae Constituency.

Part of the members of Gwailiki community in Ward 3, West Kwara’ae Constituency who attended the awareness session at their community.

MRD staff and team during preparation for an awareness session on the CDF Act at Kilusakwalo community, Central Kwara’ae constituency.

– MRD Press