PM MANELE CALLS ON CONSTITUENCIES TO PRIORITIZE COMMUNITY-LEVEL BENEFICIARIES IN RSDP

The Honourable Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele has issued an earnest reminder to all constituencies receiving their project allocations under the Rural Sustainable Development Program (RSDP) to prioritize community-level beneficiaries.

Hon. Prime Minister Manele was speaking at the launch of the RSDP’s second phase in Honiara on the 26 November 2025.

He emphasized the importance of supporting local communities through the effective use of resources offered by the program.

The Prime Minister urged all recipients and implementers, namely the 50 constituencies, to ensure that the people at the community level are the true beneficiaries of the program.

In his keynote address, Hon. Prime Minister Manele stated, “To the constituencies that will be receiving their projects today and those that will follow in the coming days, let me remind us all to continue supporting our communities with these resources and to ensure that our people at the community level throughout the Solomon Islands are true beneficiaries of this program.

“I personally appeal to you all to use your projects well and look after them to benefit the communities,” he pleaded.

Hon. Prime Minister Manele further said that the launch marked another milestone achievement by the Government of the People’s Republic of China and the Government of Solomon Islands.

He emphasized that the second phase represents a continuation of the commitment by the Government of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) and its people towards sustainable development and the empowerment of our rural communities to build a better future for the people of Solomon Islands.

The RSDP initial phase one started in 2023 and has been instrumental in improving the lives of many people both in rural and urban communities, providing access to important rural community infrastructure, increasing opportunities for local-level socio-economic development, and improving community livelihoods across all sectors.

The program is funded by the Government of the People’s Republic of China (PRC), with a commitment of over SBD 80 million (USD 10 million) in grants, and is being implemented by the Ministry of Rural Development through the 50 constituencies.

Members of Parliament, government officials and guests at the launch.

Many sub-projects funded under RSDP were categorized as small community infrastructure projects, such as community halls and rest houses, marine and fisheries-related projects, land transportation, water-sanitation infrastructure, renewable energy, and others.

The partnership initiative between the Government of the People’s Republic of China and the Government of Solomon Islands underscores the government’s ongoing commitment to fostering sustainable development and improving the livelihoods of Solomon Islanders through community-driven projects. The partnership is also a testament to the MOU signed between the PRC and SIG in 2019 regarding the PRC’s support for rural development.

The program is strictly proposal-based, with MRD coordinating its implementation in partnership with the Chinese Embassy in Honiara to ensure that project applications align with the Global Development Initiative of PRC, including the Belt and Road Initiative and the SIG National Development Strategy (NDS), 2016-2035.

The project proposal submissions adhere strictly to the China International Development Cooperation Agency (CIDCA) application format, and submissions have already been received and assessed earlier this year.

The program intends to focus on the high number of rural-based Solomon islanders living in remote rural areas within the 50 constituencies, including the underdeveloped urban and semi-urban areas in the Country.

The thematic areas of priority under RSDP are social and economic infrastructures, including income-generating projects and those proposals addressing improvement of livelihood, food security, and climate-change related interventions.

The Ministry will conduct robust monitoring during the implementation stage to ensure projects are properly undertaken with communities and processes are accountable and transparently executed.

MRD, together with PRC, will monitor and report on the completion of all projects under this program.

PRC will continue to support rural development initiatives in the Solomon Islands through this established partnership program (RSDP) with SIG through MRD.

Honourable Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele, Honourable Minister for Rural Development Daniel Waneoroa, and the Charge’ d’Affairs H.E. Yang Jie (left) of the Chinese Embassy in the Solomon Islands cut the ribbon to officially launch the RSDP Phase 2 implementation.

(L-R) Hon. Minister for Health Dr Paul Bosawai, MRD Permanent Secretary John Misite’e, and MRD Director of Governance Noel Matea.

The Honourable Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele, Honourable Minister for Rural Development Daniel Waneoroa, and the Charge’ d’Affairs H.E. Yang Jie of the Chinese Embassy in the Solomon Islands (left) shaking hands shortly after the ribbon-cutting ritual to officially launch the RSDP’s phase 2 implementation.

– MRD Press