By Eliza Kukutu
Billy Veo
By Simon Tavake
State government was among the key issues raised by the Western Provincial Government during a courtesy visit by Prime Minister Hon. Matthew Wale to the Western Provincial Executive in Gizo on this morning.
Speaking on behalf of the provincial government, Western Province Premier Hon. Billy Veo said improving service delivery for the people remains the government’s top priority.
Premier Veo stressed that achieving state government status is viewed by the province as the best pathway toward delivering better and more equitable services to its people.
“I must admit that adequate services are what I want for the people. I have served alongside our pioneer leaders in the province, and one of the reasons we wanted to break away is because of services for the people,” Premier Veo said.
“We wanted what belongs to us to be returned so that services can be properly delivered to our people.”
Premier Veo highlighted several long-standing issues which, he said, have contributed to development challenges in the province due to what he described as unfair distribution of development services.
He pointed to a proposed Australian-supported road project in Western Province as an example.
“The Australian Government, through its High Commission Office in the country, wanted to assist us in building a 19-kilometre tar-sealed road from Gizo to the western end of the island, where we have development aspirations, including tourism,” he said.
“We have already submitted the proposal and completed the full scoping for the project, but until today we are still waiting on the government. That is what we mean by standing on our own.”
Premier Veo also revealed that his government is pursuing the return of all Perpetual Estate (PE) titles as part of its preparations toward eventual statehood.
He said previous attempts to process the PE transfers under former governments had remained unresolved.
Despite these concerns, Premier Veo and his executive used the occasion to reassure the GREAT Government of their continued cooperation on the matter.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Wale announced that his government is considering the creation of three new provinces through the subdivision of Western, Malaita and Guadalcanal provinces.
“This is a move we believe will help improve the distribution of resources and development services,” Prime Minister Wale said.
“There are no ill intentions behind this initiative. Rather, it is about ensuring more voices are represented in governance across the country.”
The Prime Minister said the proposal would soon be brought before Cabinet by the Minister for Provincial Government for endorsement before work formally begins.
He added that the creation of additional provinces would also involve the establishment of new constituencies and parliamentary seats.
Prime Minister Wale noted that more than 20 years have passed since the last constituency review, despite constitutional provisions requiring reviews every 10 years.
He also confirmed that a meeting with all provincial premiers will be held later to gather their views on the proposal.
Prime Minister Wale is currently in Western Province accompanied by a delegation of seven ministers, government officials, National Disaster Council representatives, and the Australian High Commissioner to Solomon Islands His Excellency Jeff Roach
The visit is part of the government’s reassurance tour to communities affected by Cyclone Maila earlier this year.
The delegation began its visit in Choiseul Province yesterday, where the Prime Minister paid a courtesy call on the Choiseul Provincial Premier and executive before visiting Saqigae Community.
A Guard of Honour was held at Gizo Police Station on this morning before the Prime Minister met with Premier Veo and the Western Provincial Executive at the new Western Provincial Youth Centre.
The delegation later travelled aboard Patrol Boat Gizo to Irrigila Community in North Vella La Vella for the final leg of the visit, after earlier visiting Keara Community in South Ranongga.
Ends///
