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Leading figures ::
Manasseh Sogavare, Patteson Oti, Francis Zama, Peter Shanel, Japhet Waipora, Bernard Ghiro, Isaac Inoke, Leslie Boseto.
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Status ::
Launched on 16 January 2010, OUR Party is a revitalised political grouping led by two time former Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare (who led the Social Credit Party from 2006-2010). Sogavare’s political grouping has a new name and revised policy platform to contest the 2010 general elections. A poll taken in March 2010 in East Honiara, indicated that Manasseh Sogavare was the preferred candidate for prime minister. OUR Party has launched its party platform in all provincial areas and is seeking to capture a broad voter base by running candidates in most of the seats.
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Links ::
OUR Party is made up of loyal supporters of Manasseh Sogavare who were part of his Grand Coalition for Change Government (GCCG) before joining the former prime minister in opposition following his ousting in a motion of no confidence in December 2007. OUR Party secretary general, Patteson Oti, who was Foreign Minister under Prime Minister Sogavare, contested the parliamentary vote to replace Mr Sogavare, which was won by Derek Sikua. The party’s constitution states that it is opposed to affiliating with any political, religious or welfare organisations or groups, however will entertain forming a coalition with parties with similar objectives in the event it does not secure sufficient numbers to form a government in its own right.
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Parliamentary seats ::
As a new party formed to contest the 2010 elections, the party held no seats in the last parliament although the party includes 8 members of the opposition in the last parliament: Manasseh Sogavare, Patteson Oti, Francis Zama, Peter Shanel, Japhet Waipora, Bernard Ghiro, Isaac Inoke, Leslie Boseto.
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Policies and outlook ::
Under the motto ‘Lead to Empower for Prosperity’, the party’s platform for the 2010 election contains a comprehensive policy agenda. Approached in the context of ‘Getting the 2010 – 2014 Focus Right’ the narrative builds on the philosophy of the ‘bottom up approach’ – bringing development to the rural areas. The following is a selection of the key policy commitments detailed in the party’s Constitution and Framework Policy:
- Adopt a ‘selective engagement’ approach in the conduct of the country’s foreign relations.
- Put in place a long-term (multi-decade) national development plan.
- Advocate ethical leadership and enact a Code of Conduct Bill for Members of Parliament and a Political Parties Bill to address corruption at the national level.
- Pursue a peace and reconciliation process based on decentralisation of development to address to the possible negative aspects of adopting a state government system in the country.
- Continue to actively monitor the progress of the recovery process and the restoration program of RAMSI.
- Pursue constitutional reform to move governance and decision-making to the people while simultaneously promoting ‘diversity in unity’ to consolidate national unity.
- Rebuild and strengthen the public service machinery, and downsize the public service.
- Review and reduce tax rates as well as the current tight fiscal and monetary policies.
- Pursue the policy of government direct intervention in the private sector by investing public funds in strategic sectors such as Tourism, Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry.
- Bring in legislation to establish a Special Economic Zone strategy to enable quality investors to invest in major projects in these sectors in the rural areas.
- Invest $250 million over a period of 4 years in the tourism sector.
- Facilitate and support the development of Oil Palm projects on Malaita, Choiseul, Western and Makira Provinces with the involvement of foreign investors and resource owners.
- Enact the current draft Forestry Bill.
- Invest $200 million over 4 years in the fishery sector to build export facilitating infrastructure.
- Progress work on establishing fishing and fish processing companies at Suava Bay, Malaita, and at Tenaru on Guadalcanal.
- Facilitate Gold Ridge Mining Ltd to start mining operations by 2010.
- Review the Minerals and Mining Act.
- Establish an Industrial and Modernization Fund (IMF) to help Solomon Islanders enter key business.
- Special tax incentives will be given, where appropriate, to businesses involved in manufacturing and processing especially those in the exporting industries.
- Develop sporting infrastructures and facilities in all the provinces.
- Enact appropriate Laws and regulations to protect and safeguard the unique indigenous music of Solomon Islands.
- Build an additional international airport capable of taking on large planes to the size of a Boeing 747 in a central location.
- Upgrade the Honiara International Airport, all provincial airfields and build new ones in strategic locations.
- Provide affordable electricity in all provinces using renewable energy sources (hydro, solar, wind) and to provide budgetary support for the purpose, including progressing the Tina Hydro Project.
- Provide educational and training opportunities, including special need education, as a right to all citizens, with special recognition to gender balance.
- Pursue the TVET (Technical, Vocational, Education and Training) and progress the establishment of the fourth USP Campus in Solomon Islands.
- Establish free-trade zones.
- Enact legislation to promote fair trading practices.
- Enact the National Planning Legislation.
- Adequately resource the Police Force.
- Legislate for the recognition of the authority of Chiefs and other traditional leaders for the administration of justice over custom matters at the local level.
- Adequately resource the Law Reform Commission to enhance justice sector reforms.
- Enact appropriate legislation and regulations to guide and facilitate the exploration and exploitation of minerals, oil and natural gas.
- Introduce legislation that recognises tribes as traditional institutes that own land rather than individuals.
- Pursue the implementation of the National Women’s Policy.
- Review and develop a new National Youth Policy.
- Establish a National Youth Corps.
- Review relevant laws to improve the censorship of films, videos and filter the intrusion of foreign influences that threaten the Christian way of life.
- Enact legislation to ban smoking in government buildings as well as in public places and transport.
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History ::
Founded by two time former Prime Minister, Manasseh Sogavare and his political colleagues on 16 January 2010. Mr Sogavare was the sixth Prime Minister of the Solomon Islands from 2000 to 2001 and again from 2006 to 2007. On both occasions his rise to the top job was surrounded by great political upheaval. Having served as Finance Minister in the government led by Bartholomew Ulufa’alu, Mr Sogavare had a falling out with his prime minister in 1998 and went on to become the leader of the opposition following the passing of the late Solomon Mamaloni in January 2000. In June of that year Mr Sogavare was elected as Prime Minister after Ulufa’alu was captured by rebels and forced to resign. He served as prime minister until the general election in December 2001, in which his party won three seats. In May 2006, Mr Sogavare was again elected prime minister, this time following the short-lived premiership of Snyder Rini, which had resulted in the Honiara riots. Mr Sogavare has served in the national parliament as the member for East Choiseul since 1997. In the last parliament he served as the leader of the opposition following his ousting as Prime Minister in a motion of no confidence in December 2007. Mr Sogavare has previously (re)founded and led the People’s Progressive Party (2001-2006 drawing on the name of the party first led by the late Solomon Mamaloni between 1973 and 1975 – Mamaloni’s PPP ceased to exist after merging with the Rural Alliance to form what is now People’s Alliance Party in 1977) and the Social Credit Party (2006-2010). As Prime Minister in 2006 he formed a six party ‘Grand Coalition for Change’ government.
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Contact details ::
P.O. Box: 1347,
Honiara, Solomon Islands
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Sources
The Constitution of Our Party Trust Board (INC), 2009
The Policy Framework of Our Party Trust Board (INC), 2009
“Will Sogavare be the next PM”? Solomon Star 19 March 2010.
