THE key lesson that Solomon Islands should learn from the COVID-19 pandemic is that we must build our resilience.
Minister of Environment, Climate Change, Disaster Management and Meteorology (MECDM) Hon Titus Fika said we must build our resilience to withstand and cope with setbacks and shocks such as pandemics and on-going threats such as climate change, tropical cyclones and geological hazards.
Minister Fika highlighted this during his 2021 Appropriation Bill 2021 debate speech in Parliament this week.
Mr Fika said building internal resilience should include expanding the base of the economy, and shifting it away from industries and modalities that are highly destructive to the environment that increases our vulnerability.
“Strategize and identify our opportunities for sustainable growth using our largest natural resource, and source of other natural resources, our 1.5 million square kilometres of ocean space. Embrace E-commerce and E -Governance to reduce our environmental footprint and provide services to the rest of our people cost-effectively,” he said.
He said it should also include;
Minister Fika said in the past 12 months, a lot had been said about COVID.
He said there have been debates, regulations, orders, speculations, accusations, rebuttals, contradictions, rumours and misinformation because of the measures taken to achieve the policy goals of the DCGA Government to protect the country from COVID-19 and to keep the economy afloat.
Mr Fika said that besides the clear public health benefits of the measures taken by the Government with the support of partners, it is clear that democracy is well and truly alive in this country.
“Despite the many negative impacts of COVID-19, it has also afforded us the opportunity to see the benefits of working together in partnership for the good of all during this pandemic,” he said.
Minister Fika also applauded all frontline agencies for continuing their service in keeping our nation safe and avoiding community transmission.
GCU Press