by Ednal Palmer

“Donors need to stop messing with our systems and processes.”

That was the blunt warning from Chairman of the Bills and Legislation Committee (BLC), Mathew Wale, after revelations that the Ministry of Women, Youth, Children, and Family Affairs has been accepting donor-funded staff appointments outside of official government processes.

During this week’s hearings on the Public Service Bill 2025, Permanent Secretaries were invited to give submissions. 

Permanent Secretary Cedric Alependava admitted that his Ministry currently employs staff whose positions and salaries are financed directly by development partners and NGOs, bypassing government establishment and recruitment channels.

Alependava defended the practice, citing budget shortfalls:
 “Our Ministry doesn’t have the funds for certain posts. Development partners stepped in to support work on the Child and Family Welfare Act, the Family Protection Act, and violence against women initiatives. But our problem is how to govern them and discipline them.”

Pressed by the Committee on whether these employees were recruited through Public Service processes, Alependava conceded they were not.
 “They are not appointed or funded by the Public Service, but they operate under the Public Service code of conduct. So when it comes to discipline, it’s difficult,” he explained, suggesting the Bill could include provisions to address the issue.

Wale rejected the idea outright.
 “It’s a big no-no. Tell those donors to stop messing up our system. If they want to help, pay the money through the government. Let the government appoint according to our processes. Donors bypassing our system is ruining this country,” he said.

The BLC chair argued that development partners must work within Solomon Islands’ governance framework, even if problems like corruption or mismanagement exist.
 “We are a sovereign country. If they want to build our capacity, they must build it within our systems. Not set up parallel arrangements. We cannot amend our laws to cater for their idiosyncrasies,” Wale insisted.

He urged the Ministry to take corrective measures and enforce proper funding channels.
 “We’re building a nation here, not cowboy outposts. This is not a matter for the Bill—it’s an issue you must rectify with them.”