THE decision by the Minister of Provincial Government Institutional Strengthening (MPGIS) to dissolve both the Choiseul and Western Provincial Executive six months ago was a wrong decision.
The National Government has admitted its wrong doing to dissolve Western Provincial Executive on June 13th which has been described as null and void.
Initial reports said that MPGIS is currently working on that matter to resolve the mistake after making the poor decision.
As a result, this left Western Province had to endure six months of lack of a provisional government and leadership.
Given the situation; the province has suffered for six months.
As a result of the decision taken by Minister Rollen Seleso business houses and people of the Western Province have suffered the consequences by the decision.
Seleso after issuing the order gave directives for both administration of the province to step in and take lead in the provincial business.
Following the order of the Gazette WP Executive led by the Provincial Speaker, Adrian Gizo also raised question to the MPGIS regarding the legality of the decision.
Although correspondence from both parties went back and forth, the issue remain silent with the MPGIS.
According to reports, a revised gazette order was published on Wednesday.
After months of review the MPGIS with the help of the Attorney General found out that there were faults and part of the gazette order was null and void.
On Friday Seleso confirmed to Speaker Gina that the decision was unprecedented and so the revised gazette will be made to avoid mistakes and misinterpretation for future circumstances.
According to the revised gazette order, it will allow the executive government led by Mesepitu to act as caretaker until the new government formalized next year.
This means former Premier Christian Mesepitu will perform his duty as a caretaker premier until the new government is formed on January 4th 2023.
While all the former executives will be compensated meaning backdated all their entitlement since the government was dissolved in June.
Speaking to the Solomon Star Gizo, Western Provincial Speaker Gina said the former executives will carry out their role as the day of the election is already fixed which is on 14th December next week Wednesday.
“In fact the whole gazette order was not revoked but only allows WP Executive to reinstate and perform their duty as caretaker,” Mr Gina said.
Meanwhile, many people in the public also questioned whether the current election is proper and legal and this issue needs legal intervention.
By ULUTAH GINA
Solomon Star, Gizo
