13 Jun 2005

Solomon's Governor General urges country to address

12:25 pm on 13 June 2005

The Solomon Island's Governor General, Sir Nathaniel Waena, has urged the country to address what he describes as the "gloomy issues" to ensure the Solomon's achieves lasting unity and peace.

Speaking during Queen's Birthday celebrations, Sir Nathaniel said the future sustainability and lasting national unity and peace lay squarely on how the country addressed these issues.

He said they include population growth, the high level of illiteracy, unemployment and the alarming level of destruction of the country's natural forests.

Sir Nathaniel said the other important issue was the lack of capacity and preparedness to effectively use grant aid funds from both bi-lateral and multi-lateral sources.