More than 100 public servants, teachers and employees of State-Owned enterprises have been seconded to support the workforce within the Sol2023 Games Organizing Committee for the period of six months starting 17 July 2023.
On Friday 14th July, a briefing and commissioning ceremony and dedication service was held at the Solomon Islands Institute of Sports as part of the induction process for the secondees.
The seconded officers comprise of 94 Public Servants, 25 Teachers and 6 SOE staff who will join GOC as from Monday 17 July 2023.
Pastor Ellison Barko delivering a powerful dedication prayer for the seconded officers and all who were present at the commissioning service
Speaking on behalf of the Ministry of Education and Human Resources Development (MEHRD) Deputy Permanent Secretary Mr. James Bosamata recognised the value and importance of participating in this secondment exercise. The permanent Secretary said the MEHRD is pleased to provide the support to the Sol2023 workforce.
Mr Bosamata revealed that 25 teachers are representing the Ministry, their respective Education authorities and schools. These teachers have been selected from nine education authorities within the country. He added that the decision to pull teachers from the schools to join the secondment exercise was rather challenging.
“With schools closing early for the games, upcoming school examinations moved up, it has been quite challenging for our schools to respond to the call by the office of the Prime Minister. However, recognizing that this is a national event for a national cause, we have to plan in a way that we accommodate this request. Regardless of the challenges, the Ministry of Education is pleased to provide the support to achieve the best outcome for our games,” Mr. Bosamata said.
In addition, Secretary to Cabinet Mr. Nego Sisiolo confirmed that this secondment exercise is a cabinet decision and bears a higher level calling to the public service workforce pool to come and serve not just the government but the people of this nation.
Mr. Sisiolo also acknowledged the response from permanent secretaries in collaborating with the request by the OPMC to contribute members of their Ministry to support the Sol2023 Games workforce.
Seconded public officers and senior government officials wave as they conclude the commissioning service
The secretary to cabinet revealed that all seconded officers will be serving in this once in a lifetime national project and it is the desire of the government to see they are properly recognized for their contribution.
“I like to affirm that the government will ensure delayed gratification and as management these officers will be deployed for a period of six months and when they return their period of service will be recognized and will be noted in the history books as well,” Mr. Sisiolo said.
Mr. Sisiolo then reminded the seconded officers that whatever experiences and disciplinary conduct they have acquired from their previous workplaces must also be practiced during their deployment with the Games Organising Committee workforce. He added that this commissioning ceremony marks the day in which the seconded officers are being ushered to the care and guidance of the games organizing committee.
Meanwhile Secretary to Prime Minister and Chair of the Sol2023 National Hosting Authority (NHA) Dr. Jimmie Rodgers in his remarks, said the secondment exercise is not about public servants participating but rather an opportunity to uplift the workforce. The NHA Chair then made reference to the Theme of the 2023 Pacific Games which reads “Challenge, Celebrate, unite” and called on the secondees to embrace the messages and make the best of their deployment period.
Seconded Officers going through the induction program before senior government officials last week
“This year we are hosting one of the biggest events ever, and if one can only reflect on a smaller but significant event such as the 12th Festival of Pacific Arts, which we also hosted, you will realize a lot of fond memories still exist to this day. Let us replicate this and help market our country to the world with maximum legacy benefits,” The NHA Chair said.
The NHA Chair told the secondees that Sol2023 workforce is manned by qualified and experienced people from different respects and that itself gives justification and assurance that the games will be delivered successfully. The leadership role within the Games organizing Committee itself is manned by a person with broad and very intricate knowledge of previous Pacific Games in the region and came highly recommended by the Pacific Games Council.
Dr. Rodgers then reminded the gathering that the games is already less than 120 days and that all secondees are expected to be ready to join the huge workforce that will deliver the games successfully and be the pride and joy of this nation.
“I urge all the secondees to go forth and make your country proud by joining the GOC next week. The country is behind you and the government will ensure that we recognize your contribution and sacrifices that you have made,” The NHA Chair said.
Following the induction ceremony of the secondees, a very moving dedication prayer was delivered by Reverend Pastor Ellison Barko as part of the commissioning.
ENDS///
GOC statement