A Nation Of Villages

Not the least, a shaken and substantially weakened national government has to continue to figure out ways to service their villagers with normal social services: education, health, transport, communications, etc. To make things even more difficult, from 1998 to 2003 the nation suffered serious social unrest. Had not the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands (RAMSI) intervened in mid-2003, the nation could well have fallen off the world's radar screen.

Fortunately, the last two years of Australian, New Zealand, Fijian and other Pacific Island nations' police and military personnel gave the Solomons breathing space to get its house back in order. High profile court cases saw the jailing of militant leaders for murder, intimidation, major theft and other serious crimes. These trials continue and soon to be in the dock are a former prime minister, a sitting member of Parliament and a host of others who face long prison terms for their corrupt practices during the period of social unrest.

Our independence year in 1978 saw the Solomons nation start off well. No war wounds to heal, no debt burden to any of the big three-IMF, World Bank or ADB. In fact our bank balances were healthy. More importantly, however, we boasted a vibrant, hard working and determined people. What ever happened to us in less than 20 years?

Yes, in the early 1980s, commodity prices for cash crops of cocoa, copra, fish and timber started to slide. This was just at the very time the nation was trying to carve a place for itself in world affairs. But probably more fundamental to understanding our slow sinking, the nation-really its leaders-never accepted the reality that the country is "a nation of villages." Leadership convinced itself that it was a governing body residing in the nation's one and only city, Honiara. National government after government saw themselves as and acted more like a mother country having nine colonies to serve its own interests.

At independence village people fondly hoped that rural lives would become gradually a bit less harsh, healthier, more informed and that they would witness a rise in living standards. Rather, over a 20-year period-1978-1998-the quality of village living became more physical, received fewer social services and the hope for the basic life receded. These factors are central to understanding the failure of this country's experiment with nation building.

The Solomons is currently enjoying a second birth. Overseas personnel in the form of police, military, public servants and special advisors allow our own public servants to reconnect with the work that is required from them. Certainly the millions of aid from Australia, New Zealand, Japan, European Union, and Taiwan is a critical boost to sustaining our financial health. Other Pacific nations-Fiji, Vanuatu, Samoa and Tonga-want us to succeed. None want us to fail.

But politicians, decision makers and our political elite must decide once and for all that it is the village which is central and core to our future. The well-being, care and security of the more than 80 percent of the country that resides in villages must be the focus of investment and national concern.

In 2003, for instance, before RAMSI landed on our shores, it was the village sector, as the director of the Solomons Central Bank claimed, which jump started the economy from negative growth to 5.8 percent annual growth. Villagers are not merely consumers and voters but more importantly the resource owners-of land, trees, rivers, reefs and fishing grounds. They in fact own 91 percent of the nation's physical assets. In the Solomon Islands, villagers in a real sense are the nation.

The writer is a well-known commentator and a long-time resident of the Solomon Islands.