Latest news with #ConstituencyDevelopmentFund
Scoop
19-07-2025
- Business
- Scoop
East Malaita Constituency Retires 2024 CDF, Submits 2025 Annual Work Plan
The East Malaita Constituency (EMC) has formally submitted its 2024 Constituency Development Fund (CDF) Expenditure Report to the Ministry of Rural Development (MRD), demonstrating a commitment to transparency, accountability, and compliance with the reporting obligations outlined in Section 29 of the CDF Act 2023. The submitted report details the disbursement of about $3.88 million in CDF funds allocated to each constituency for the 2024 financial year. The presentation was made by the Member of Parliament for EMC, Honourable Manasseh Maelanga. During the submission, Hon. Maelanga also presented the constituency's 2025 Annual Work Plan (AWP), which outlines community development programs and initiatives aimed at improving livelihoods and fostering sustainable growth within the constituency. Representing the MRD, PS John Misite'e acknowledged the submission as a positive step forward. He emphasized that the Ministry remains committed to implementing the CDF legislation and providing guidance to ensure proper administration of constituency programs within this legal framework. PS Misite'e highlighted the importance of annual reports, including financial expenditure reports, as critical documents for organizational accountability and transparency, especially when public resources are involved. 'These reports reinforce transparency and demonstrate accountability in the use of public funds,' he said. He also commended Hon. Maelanga and his constituency officers for their diligent efforts in fulfilling their reporting obligations. He also thanked other constituencies that have already submitted their 2024 CDF reports. PS Misite'e called on remaining constituencies to submit their reports by July 31st, reiterating the urgency and importance of compliance. 'I urge all constituencies to come forward with their reports soon,' he emphasized. Hon. Maelanga, on behalf of the people of East Malaita and his constituency officers, expressed his happiness in submitting the report and pledged ongoing support to the MRD to ensure annual compliance with legal reporting requirements. He noted that most of the EMC 2024 budget was allocated to road infrastructure, education support, medical assistance, administration, and other sectors vital to community development. Hon. Maelanga reaffirmed EMC's commitment to its mandate and continued support and purpose to collaborate with MRD, other government agencies, and stakeholders to implement effective development initiatives that will improve the livelihoods of his constituents. He extended heartfelt gratitude to the Ministry, his constituency officers, stakeholders, communities, and all supporters of development initiatives undertaken under his leadership. The CDF Act 2023 was passed by Parliament on December 22, 2023, and came into effect on January 5, 2024. This legislation makes it clear that any offences committed by recipients of the CDF after this commencement date are subject to penalties. Penalties apply to constituents, Members of Parliament, and public officers who commit offences such as: Misappropriates any funds or assets from the fund; or Advances materials and cash from a supplier without prior approval from the responsible ministry; or Fraudulently converts project assets or materials to his own use or to the use of some other person; or Deliberately victimises non-voters by excluding them from receiving Constituency Development Funds projects and funds without justifiable grounds; or Assists or causes a person to misappropriate or apply the funds otherwise than in the manner provided in this Act and Regulations. With the new CDF legislation in place, it is the collective responsibility of all stakeholders to adhere to the law, ensuring proper use of funds and avoiding legal penalties. We should view this legislation not as a threat but as a guide to conduct and accountability in managing development funds or public resources. The primary purposes of the CDF Act 2023 are: To strengthen good governance; To ensure improved and effective delivery mechanisms of the Constituency Development Funds and To promote equal and inclusive participation of all Solomon Islanders in development. Constituents and the public are encouraged to consult their respective constituency offices should they need to get more information about how their constituency offices implement their Constituency Development Program (CDP). Constituency Development Program is a national programme of the Solomon Islands Government (SIG) administered by the Ministry of Rural Development (MRD). It is implemented by the 50 constituencies in the country purposely to improve the socio-economic livelihoods of Solomon Islanders.
Scoop
07-06-2025
- Business
- Scoop
East Makira Constituency Delivers Livelihood Assistance To Empower Rural Communities
Press Release – Solomon Islands Ministry of Rural Development This initiative underscores the governments ongoing commitment to uplifting rural communities and fostering sustainable development, especially in EMC under the leadership of the Member of Parliament and Minister for Agriculture and Livestock, Honourable … The East Makira Constituency (EMC) office has successfully delivered the remaining Constituency Development Fund (CDF)-funded livelihood assistance and projects to recipients across EMC. This initiative underscores the government's ongoing commitment to uplifting rural communities and fostering sustainable development, especially in EMC under the leadership of the Member of Parliament and Minister for Agriculture and Livestock, Honourable Franklyn Derek Wasi. From May 21st to 25th, 2025, EMC Constituency Development Officer (CDO) Mr. Timan Tauni facilitated the distribution of these vital projects to beneficiaries in their respective communities. The assistance is part of a larger $3.7 million livelihood support program delivered to communities and churches in East Makira Constituency earlier this year. Key highlights of the livelihood assistance include: Solar Energy for Vulnerable Groups: A total of 227 solar sets were distributed, with 114 sets allocated to Ward 12 and 113 sets to Ward 17. Priority was given to older adults, widows, and people living with disabilities, ensuring they have access to reliable lighting. 'Solar lights are transformative for rural communities. They enhance safety, improve health, and enable economic activities after dark, all while being environmentally sustainable,' Mr. Tauni explained. Boosting Fisheries and Transportation: Four fishing boats equipped with outboard motor engines (OBMs) were provided to support local fisheries. A transportation project and a fuel depot project were also delivered to address logistical challenges in the region. Edward Kwasi, a fishery project recipient from Santa Catalina Island, shared, 'This OBM will help my family expand our fishing business, meet school fees, and improve our livelihoods. Fishing is our way of life, and this support is a dream come true.' Fuel Depot for Reliable Energy Access: Mr. Chris Wago, a fuel depot recipient from Natorara Village (Ward 17), emphasised the project's importance: 'Fuel shortages have long hindered our fishermen. This depot will ensure a steady supply, support local businesses, and help families like mine thrive.' All recipients signed the 'Recipient Agreement' under Section 19 of the new CDF Act 2023, formalising their commitment to maintain and utilise the projects for their intended purposes. Mr. Tauni urged beneficiaries to safeguard these assets, stating, 'The sustainability of these initiatives lies in your hands. They are not just for personal benefit but for the broader development of East Makira.' Meanwhile, recipients expressed deep appreciation to the national government through EMC Office and Honourable Franklyn Derek Wasi for their unwavering support. 'These projects are more than just assistance—they are opportunities to uplift our families, communities, and the entire constituency,' remarked one beneficiary. The CDF program, facilitated by the Ministry of Rural Development (MRD), continues to drive social and economic progress in rural Solomon Islands by funding income-generating projects, infrastructure, and essential services.
Scoop
07-06-2025
- Business
- Scoop
East Makira Constituency Delivers Livelihood Assistance To Empower Rural Communities
The East Makira Constituency (EMC) office has successfully delivered the remaining Constituency Development Fund (CDF)-funded livelihood assistance and projects to recipients across EMC. This initiative underscores the government's ongoing commitment to uplifting rural communities and fostering sustainable development, especially in EMC under the leadership of the Member of Parliament and Minister for Agriculture and Livestock, Honourable Franklyn Derek Wasi. From May 21st to 25th, 2025, EMC Constituency Development Officer (CDO) Mr. Timan Tauni facilitated the distribution of these vital projects to beneficiaries in their respective communities. The assistance is part of a larger $3.7 million livelihood support program delivered to communities and churches in East Makira Constituency earlier this year. Key highlights of the livelihood assistance include: Solar Energy for Vulnerable Groups: A total of 227 solar sets were distributed, with 114 sets allocated to Ward 12 and 113 sets to Ward 17. Priority was given to older adults, widows, and people living with disabilities, ensuring they have access to reliable lighting. "Solar lights are transformative for rural communities. They enhance safety, improve health, and enable economic activities after dark, all while being environmentally sustainable," Mr. Tauni explained. Boosting Fisheries and Transportation: Four fishing boats equipped with outboard motor engines (OBMs) were provided to support local fisheries. A transportation project and a fuel depot project were also delivered to address logistical challenges in the region. Edward Kwasi, a fishery project recipient from Santa Catalina Island, shared, "This OBM will help my family expand our fishing business, meet school fees, and improve our livelihoods. Fishing is our way of life, and this support is a dream come true." Fuel Depot for Reliable Energy Access: Mr. Chris Wago, a fuel depot recipient from Natorara Village (Ward 17), emphasised the project's importance: "Fuel shortages have long hindered our fishermen. This depot will ensure a steady supply, support local businesses, and help families like mine thrive." All recipients signed the 'Recipient Agreement' under Section 19 of the new CDF Act 2023, formalising their commitment to maintain and utilise the projects for their intended purposes. Mr. Tauni urged beneficiaries to safeguard these assets, stating, "The sustainability of these initiatives lies in your hands. They are not just for personal benefit but for the broader development of East Makira." Meanwhile, recipients expressed deep appreciation to the national government through EMC Office and Honourable Franklyn Derek Wasi for their unwavering support. "These projects are more than just assistance—they are opportunities to uplift our families, communities, and the entire constituency," remarked one beneficiary. The CDF program, facilitated by the Ministry of Rural Development (MRD), continues to drive social and economic progress in rural Solomon Islands by funding income-generating projects, infrastructure, and essential services.
The Star
04-06-2025
- Business
- The Star
Feature: Kenyan youth embrace digital skills amid growing gig economy
NAIROBI, June 4 (Xinhua) -- Sitting on a plastic chair at an information and communications technology (ICT) center in Ndhiwa town, about 366 km from Nairobi, Kenya's capital, Jackline Juma's fingers move swiftly as she taps on the computer keyboard. The 19-year-old high school graduate occasionally glances at the computer screen to check for errors before continuing to type. "I came to this center for training after completing Form Four in 2024 so that I can gain digital skills to use in life," Juma said. She said that without acquiring these skills, she would struggle to advance her education, find a job, or even communicate effectively. Juma is one of many young people in rural areas who visit such centers across the East African nation daily, eager to acquire new skills that can help them benefit from the growing opportunities in the gig economy. At the centers, the youth immerse themselves in various digital literacy programs, ranging from basic computer skills to more advanced ones such as coding, online entrepreneurship, data entry, virtual assistance, app and web development, and graphic design. The skills they are acquiring are helping them explore new career paths in the gig economy, including freelancing, digital content creation, virtual assistance, online surveys, transcription, and data entry. Kevin Aroka, manager of the ICT center, said the free training offered under the government-run Ajira Digital Program is equipping young people with essential digital skills. "Many youth now know that traditional employment opportunities have shrunk and are therefore exploring digital careers such as transcribing, content creation, and data entry," he said. The training, Aroka added, not only enhances their digital literacy but also prepares them for the expanding gig economy. Besides the courses that help the youth earn money online, Aroka said they also teach financial literacy and online work safety. He said that there are three other such centers in Ndhiwa, each training at least 50 students every three months. "Here in Kosewe, we have trained about 3,394 young people; in Kobodo, 1,930; in Ratanga, 2,851; and in Pala, 900. This has been over about two years, and many of them are now earning from the gig economy," he said, noting that the training is supported by the area's Constituency Development Fund. According to Aroka, one of the notable jobs completed by the center's digital skills graduates was transcribing documents for the Judiciary. "The learners were earning up to 25,000 shillings (about 193 U.S. dollars) a month from the work. This encouraged many others to enroll in the program, and now a good number are earning from online jobs," he said. The training program is one of the Kenyan government's job creation initiatives. So far, the government has established over 400 ICT centers across the country, providing training in online work opportunities, including freelancing and digital marketing, to over 500,000 people, according to John Tanui, principal secretary of the State Department for ICT and Digital Economy. Kenyan President William Ruto said recently that his government is using digital technology and innovation to create jobs and address the unemployment challenge in the country, where 30 percent of young people are jobless. The goal, he said, is to create a community of digital workers across Kenya, making it easier for global firms to hire young people in the country. According to the Mastercard Foundation, some 1.2 million Kenyan workers, most of whom operate informally, are employed in the gig economy, which is estimated to be worth 109 million dollars annually. For Brighton Odhiambo, one of the trainees, the future of work in Kenya, as in many parts of the world, is online. He said he plans to learn as many digital skills as possible so he can become versatile and earn a good income from the gig economy.
