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Governance

Choiseul Province Consults on Federalism in Honiara

By Fredrick Kusu

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CBA and Choiseul Provincial Executive

The Office of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (OPMC) Federalism Cost-Benefit Analysis Team met with the Choiseul Provincial Executive at Pacific Crown Hotel on Monday, 16 June 2026.

Led by Deputy Secretary to Cabinet Ms. Florence Joel and facilitated by consultant Mr. Peter Forau, the team discussed the Comparative Cost-Benefit Analysis of the current Unitary System versus a proposed Federal System.

Premier Pitakaka thanked the team for direct engagement with his Executive on this important subject. He said federalism is a key national issue and provinces need accurate data to make informed decisions.

“Choiseul Province is committed to ensuring any future governance arrangement delivers real benefits for our people and fixes problems in the current system,” he said.

The Premier noted the unitary system has delivered results but has serious weaknesses. Solomon Islands must consider strengthening it or moving to a federal model, he said.

Choiseul’s priorities are clear: return of alienated land, stronger provincial economic development, and better resource governance of fisheries, forestry, and minerals.

He added that more analysis is needed on key indicators. Robust evidence will be critical when the Constituent Assembly and National Parliament decide Solomon Islands’ future governance structure.

Premier Pitakaka thanked Ms. Joel and Constitutional Reform Unit Director Mr. Philip Houlia for organizing the consultation.

OPMC’s Federal CBA consultations with provinces continue to gather stakeholder views for the national debate.

[end]

GCU statement

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