PG2023 FINANCIAL AND PUBLIC SERVICES COMMITTEE DEVELOPS WORKPLAN
The Government Services Integration Committee (GSIC) Ministerial Officials in Cluster Group 8 on Financial Services/Public and State Services for the Pacific Games 2023, met for the first time yesterday morning (Wednesday 8 March 2021), in the Office of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, to discuss their proposed work plan and activities for the upcoming Pacific Games 2023.
A Statement from the GSIC Secretariat in the Office of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, stated that the Ministries who met yesterday afternoon were from the Cluster Group 8 Ministries, which included the Ministry of Public Service, Ministry of Mines Energy and Rural Electrification, Ministry of Foreign Affairs & External Trade, Honiara City Council, National Hosting Authority (NHA), and the Office of the Prime Minister and Cabinet.
The Statement stated that these Ministries deals with Financial and Funding of the Pacific Games 2023, liaison with Donor community, Public Service and manpower planning and deployment, State Owned Enterprises and Utility Service Providers and Business Community involvement.
“As Solomon Islands will be hosting the Pacific Games 2023, the Committee noted the financial support to hosting the games from the Solomon Islands Government and Donor community, such as the Peoples Republic of China, Indonesia and Papua New Guinea Governments, and would welcome Donor community support to the Solomon Islands Government in hosting the Games. This is the first time for Solomon Islands to host such big event and such support of all stakeholders is important”, according to the GSIC Secretariat.
“During the group meeting yesterday morning, officials identified gaps and activities that will need to be support”, added GSIC statement.
The Ministry of Public Service informed the meeting of their intention and plans in providing and deployment of Public Service work force and other resources required to support the various activities in the Games, and this will require discussions between the National Government, National Hosting Authority and the Games Organizing Committee. As such, advanced planning is necessary to look at the various options to carry out these activities.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and External Trade informed the meeting that they will need Protocol and Liaison Officers who will support and be deployed to the Games, and such will need a pool of Solomon Islanders to choose from and train for Protocol and Liaison work during the Games.
An issue that was discussed also was the need to train Protocol and Liaison workers in French Language, given the fact that there are French-speaking contingents in the Pacific Games. This will be taken up with the Government, National Hosting Authority (NHA) and Games Organizing Committee (GOC).
The role of State Owned Enterprises (SOEs) and Utility Providers such as power and Solomon Power and Solomon Water also discussed and to see their level of their preparedness and capacity to provide during the Pacific Games 2023, as there will be demand and increase for these services.
The Ministry of Mines, Energy and Rural Electrification informed the meeting that will be working closely with these two important SOEs to ensure that we are prepared and have the necessary infrastructure and developments in place for these services, come 2023 Pacific Games.
The role of the Business Houses and Community in Honiara was also discussed and how they could improve on their services and outlook during the Games. The Committee and HCC are looking at plans and arrangements to engage with the general Business Houses and Community in Honiara and to improve on their services to the public.
“As Solomon Islands will be hosting thousands of visitors to the Games in 2023, we must ensure that our Business Houses and Community are ready and fully engaged to support the Games”, according to the GSIC statement.
“It is therefore important that early discussions with relevant Government Ministries and Responsible Authorities are held so that advance planning and thinking is in place so that we take a whole of Government approach in hosting the Pacific Games 2023”, says GSIC statement.
Meanwhile, the GSIC Secretariat in the Office of the Prime Minister Cabinet noted the progress of work done to date by these Ministries and their plans, and called on the support and understanding of Business Houses and Community in Honiara and the public to support the work of these Government Ministries as they embarked on their important tasks in preparing for the Games.
The Cluster Group 8 Ministries are part of the eleven Cluster Groups where Ministries have been assigned to different functions and responsibilities to perform and support the Games Organizing Committee, the National Hosting Authority, and the Government to successfully host and deliver the Pacific Games in 2023.
GCU Press