The Ministry of Communication and Aviation on Friday 31st May, 2024 organised a farewell and welcome reception to farewell the Ministry’s outgoing Minister, Honourable Peter Shanel Agovaka and Permanent Secretary, Moses Virivolomo and to officially welcome its new Minister, Honourable Fredrick Kologeto and Permanent Secretary, Alwyn Danitofea.
The occasion was held purposely to have the new Minister, Hon. Kologeto introducing himself to the Staff of MCA and also for the Ministry to convey acknowledgement and appreciation for the great work, commitment and leadership that the outgoing Minister, Hon. Peter Shanel and Permanent Secretary, Mr. Virivolomo respectively rendered to the Ministry of Communication and Aviation over the last eight years or so. The staff of MCA used the occasion to also formally congratulate Mr. Danitofea, who formerly was the Director for the Ministry’s Communication Division taking up his new role as Permanent Secretary.
The highlights of the program were the speeches delivered by the outgoing Minister and Permanent Secretary as well as the new Minister and Permanent Secretary.
The New Permanent Secretary, Mr Danitofea in his welcome remarks highlighted that he is looking forward to contributing to MCA’s ongoing initiatives and exploring new opportunities for growth and development. He added that one of his priorities is to ensure that milestones and goals of development programs the Ministry has in its corporate plan and its divisions annual work plans must be achieved.
In conveying his introductory speech, Minister Kologeto emphasized that being the new Minister for the Ministry of Communication and Aviation, he is eager to begin working with the talented team at the Ministry. “I’am looking forward to working together with MCA’s Staff and Staff of other government bodies supervised by MCA to enhance the Communication and Aviation sectors ensuring progress and innovation in those two sectors of our country.” The new Minister said. He then thanked the former Minister and Permanent Secretary for the great leadership they have dedicated to the Ministry.
Delivering his farewell speech, outgoing Minister, Hon. Peter Shanel expressed that it has been an honour serving as the Minister of Communication and Aviation for the past nine years. Hon. Shanel stated, “I stood tall and proud of the achievements attained by the Ministry of Communication and Aviation under my leadership as Minister and I’am confident that the new Minister, Permanent Secretary and Staff of the Ministry will continue to build on the successes achieved and moving forward MCA’s development plans and programmes.” The former Minister sincerely thanked all the development partners and agencies for their vast contributions to both the Communication and Aviation Sectors in the Solomon Islands. He finally, acknowledged and thanked the staff of MCA for the immense cooperation and support given to him during his term as MCA’s Minister.
Mr. Moses Virivolomo, the outgoing Permanent Secretary also echoed similar sentiments. In his farewell address, Mr. Virivolomo specified that working with the dedicated staff of MCA has been a rewarding experience. “I am grateful for the overwhelming support and collaboration you offered me over the years when I’am your Permanent Secretary and I encouraged you the Staff of MCA to continuously render the same support and commitment to the Ministry’s new leadership by actively engaging in implementing the development programs that would improve and bring new changes into the country’s Communication and Aviation sectors,” said the outgoing Permanent Secretary. He further added that MCA is a leading Ministry of some major government projects and there are companies working as contractors to support the government with these projects. He therefore, encouraged the Staff of MCA to work closely and work hand in hand with those Project contractors. He then wished the new leadership all the best as they have now taken on the responsibility to lead and guide the Ministry of Communication and Aviation moving forward.
In their tenure in office as Minister and Permanent Secretary respectively, the outgoing Minister and Permanent Secretary were highly commended for leading the Ministry of Communication and Aviation in achieving some major projects and new developments in both the Communication and Aviation sectors. These includes;
Communication Sector:
- The Solomon Islands National Broadband Infrastructure Project (SINBIP).
- Establishment of the Solomon Tower Limited (STL) State Owned Enterprise.
- The National Postcode and National Addressing Development Project.
- The Telecommunications Act Amendment Bill 2020 an Amendment to the 2009 Telecommunication Act which is the Principal Act to obligate all telecommunication operators providing SIM cards to register their SIM cards used in Solomon Islands. This amendment has been enacted hence the two SIM Card providers in the country, OUR Telekom Ltd and BeMobile Company currently are registering details of users when purchasing SIM Cards from them.
Aviation Sector:
- Establishment of the Solomon Islands Airport Corporation Limited (SIACL) State Owned Enterprise.
- The New International Departure Terminal at the Henderson International Airport.
- The Munda International Airport Terminal Building and Runway Overlay Project.
The program was graced with the presence of his Excellency, the New Zealand High Commission High Commissioner to Solomon Islands, Mr. Jonathan Schwass, and guests from statutory bodies, project contractors and other stakeholders affiliated and working in partnership with the Ministry of Communication and Aviation to provide government services to the people of Solomon Islands.
The program also featured a ceremonial handover through cutting of the farewell and welcome cakes and presentation of gifts by the new Minister and Permanent Secretary to the outgoing Minister and Permanent Secretary, symbolizing a smooth transition of leadership for the Ministry.
The outgoing Minister and Permanent Secretary were also presented with gifts as token of appreciation from the Staff of MCA and representatives of the agencies and affiliated partners attending the event. This is to show gratitude for the achievements, good leadership and great work done by Hon. Peter Shanel and Mr. Moses Virivolomo.
Former Minister Honourable Peter Shanel under the GNUT Government is the newly appointed Minister for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and External Trade (MFAET) and is the current Member of Parliament for Central Guadalcanal Constituency. Whilst, Honourable Fredrick Kologeto successfully retain his Parliamentary seat for South Vella La Vella Constituency and under the former DCGA Government was the former Minister for the Ministry of Public Service (MPS) and the Ministry of Commerce, Industries, Labour and Immigration (MCILI) and has been appointed to be the new Minister for the Ministry of Communication and Aviation under the current GNUT Government.
The program concluded with a farewell and welcome song sang by the Staff of MCA to say thank you and farewell to the outgoing Minister Hon. Peter Shanel and outgoing Permanent Secretary Mr. Moses Virivolomo and welcome the new Minister Hon. Fredrick Kologeto and the new Permanent Secretary, Mr. Alwyn Danitofea.
The event was hosted successfully at the Lokol Fusion Café at the School of Tourism and Hospitality of the Solomon Islands National University (SINU), Kukum Campus.
