THE Prime Minister, Manasseh Sogavare has told a visiting Australian Government official that Solomon Islands’ strength is people are together.

And he said every possible effort must be taken to ensure Solomon Islanders are together in their strife for advancing their country into the future.

Mr Sogavare said more than a decade ago the country’s strength was tampered with by ethnic conflicts which resulted in government and its people going down their knees.

But now there is law and order and the Police Force has regained people’s confidence, PM Sogavare urges resource owners to develop their resources, adding the Government sees there is a need to distribute development nationally.

He said since 2000, different governments concentrated their development efforts on the warring provinces of Malaita and Guadalcanal.

Mr Sogavare told the visiting Deputy Secretary of Australia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Penny Williams that the youth population should be encouraged to help with the country’s development especially in the booming tourism industry.

By George Atkin,

Research Officer (Media Liaison) Caucus for OMPC Press