From the Minister Hon. Jeremiah Manele MP and Madam Manele, Permanent Secretary Mr. Collin Beck and Madam Beck, and all staff members of the Ministry wishes to extend our best wishes and season’s greetings to:
The Governor General, His Excellency Sir David Vunagi and Lady Vunagi, the Prime Minister Honourable Manasseh Sogavare and Madam Sogavare, the Speaker of the National Parliament Honourable Patteson Oti and Madam Oti, the Chief Justice His Lordship Albert Palmer and Lady Palmer, the Honourable Deputy Prime Minister Manasseh Maelanga and all Honourable Cabinet Ministers. The Leader of Opposition Honourable Matthew Wale, the Leader of the Independent Group Honourable Dean Kuku. The Dean of the Diplomatic Corps and all Heads of the Diplomatic Missions in Honiara, all Members of the National Parliament, Heads of International and Regional Organizations, Members of the Consular Corps, all Constitutional Post Holders, Mayor of Honiara City Council, all Premiers of our Provinces, Heads of our various Religious Denominations, all Public Servants, All Members of the Solomons International Assistance Force, Heads of our Private Sector and Business Houses, our Communities and Village Chiefs and Elders, our Citizens and Diaspora Communities overseas, and all our good People of Solomon Islands.
This year 2021 has presented us with both opportunities and challenges. We have endeavoured to keep COVID-19 from our communities and maintain our Happy Isles COVID-Free Status. Thanks to all our front liners who have sacrificed their efforts for this course. We look forward to celebrate this festive season in an open and free environment, get to visit our villages, homes and reunite with our loved ones.
We have thrived on circumstances both great and small, despite our closed borders. Home grown Innovation and creativity have surfaced. Our people became resilient against the threat posed by climate change and extreme weather patterns. Elevating our country’s success rests on our shoulders. We acknowledged that development have progressed in our rural areas, thanks to our people who have taken ownership in this process. Despite more than 80% of our people living in our rural communities, your contribution in building our country’s economy is evident, we thank you deeply.
To our leaders in all works of life, we recognize your sterling leadership in advancing our nation building. To our development partners, and investors, we honour you for your noble commitments in supporting our country’s progress. We evolve in trying times, where new challenges come in various dimensions. Our cooperation and solidarity has brought us this far. May our partnerships grow from strength to strength in the years to come.
May this Christmas bring more joy, peace and healing to our nation. May this Christmas allow our hearts to reflect on our country’s unity and uniqueness. May this Christmas permit us to appreciate our diversity and put God at the centre of our oneness. May this Christmas avail us this utmost moment to pray for forgiveness and depart our differences for a better new year 2022.
God has been our refuge, our strength, our help in ages past and our hope for years to come. Lest we forget- we are one people, one country, one flag, one family, one children, one destiny and one faith in God.
Merry Christmas and a prosperous Happy New Year 2022.
May God bless Solomon Islands from shore to shore.