|
In the 38 years the Cook Islands has been in control of its own destiny it has made some landmark developments.
But the country has also “messed up” in that time, says Prime Minister Dr Robert Woonton.
Opening the two-day National Development Forum at the National Auditorium on Tuesday, the prime minister said the Cook Islands was still suffering from the impact of events during the mid-1990s, when the country had almost gone bankrupt.
The country had virtually hit rock bottom and the government of the time had been forced to do some serious thinking before taking drastic steps to save the Cook Islands, Dr Woonton said.
“The steps that were taken at that time have impacted on the country and the community. We are still reeling from the effects of the events of the mid-90s.”
The fact that the Cook Islands was in debt to its friends and neighbours had restrained the country from developing in a more natural fashion, he added.
“That debt is still hanging over us. It has tied our hands and restricted the development we have dreamed of.”
The prime minister said he was aware that the dream of most people was that they would be able to share the Cook Islands’ resources equally. That applied to both the development of the economy and social development.
However the country had to take stock of what had happened in the past and Dr Woonton admitted that politicians had not always done a good job.
“We have also messed up.”
The prime minister called on forum participants to state their honest views and rise above their different political and religious beliefs.
“You must put them aside for the mana Cook Islands.”
As members of the global village Cook Islanders faced challenging questions each day on issues such as whether the country was delivering the kind of education that will benefit it in the future, Dr Woonton said.
“I am asking you to work together as a nation to ensure that not only 20 years from now, but further into the future, that we will be able to walk around the Pacific and hold our heads high.”
The prime minister emphasised that the national development plan that would eventually be produced would be the peoples’ roadmap for the future of their country – and would be owned by them.
“I am proud that you have responded to the call from government to help,” he said.
“There is no magic wand that we can wave. It means honest hard work to restore the integrity and pride of the people of the Cook Islands.”
The prime minister assured participants that while his government was in control of the country it would always recognise the peoples’ roadmap for the future.
“I sincerely hope that those who come later will continue carrying the same firebrand and make us proud to be Cook Islanders.”
|
