Western Province marked its big day on Wednesday – 11th December in Gizo.
The Western Day proper is normally on 7th December, but this year it was shifted to 11th December to accommodate the schedule of the key guests and on a weekday.
The official program commenced with a parade from the Provincial Administration Headquarters marching through to the field.
Premier Billy Veo, in his remarks, highlighted pressing issues facing the province and called on the national government to facilitate interventions to make it realistic.
Specifically, Premier Veo requested:
- Signing of a communique to outline priorities and areas of support between the two governments.
- The statehood agenda is making progress, which includes the transition process and the implementation of the Constituent Assembly.
- Review and revision of the Provincial Government Act (PGA) 1997 and revenue-sharing policy.
- Assessment of PCDF funding to ensure fair and sustainable allocation.
- Infrastructure development, including airport projects, road upgrades, and water supply improvements.
- Transfer of Perpetual Estates under the Commissioner of Lands to the Western Provincial Assembly.
The long-time politician emphasized that these issues are crucial for the development and well-being of Western Province citizens and urged the national government to prioritize these matters.
Minister of Provincial Government Minister Wayne Ghemu applauds the province for choosing a very befitting theme for this year’s celebration: ‘Entrepreneurship, Innovation, Creativity Rooted in Our Culture for the Advancement of Western Province Future.’.
He emphasized the importance of entrepreneurship, innovation, and creativity, which are deeply rooted in the province’s culture and traditions.
He highlighted the province’s entrepreneurial spirit, citing examples of successful businesses and job creation.
“As a government, we are dedicated to supporting and nurturing this entrepreneurial spirit, providing the necessary resources, training, and infrastructure to help our local businesses thrive.”
The Ranonga Simbo Constituency Parliament representative remarked that the national government recognizes the difficulties Western Province is facing and is committed to supporting their efforts.
“…a lot of progress has so far been made by Western Province in the last years since the introduction of the Provincial Capacity Development Fund. Under the Provincial Capacity Development Fund (PCDF), we have made significant progress in delivering infrastructure projects that enhance our resilience to climate change. Western Province has successfully completed 381 projects, totaling SBD$50.04 million. These projects have included improvements in water management systems, climate-resilient building designs, and coastal protection measures, in addition to education and health sector projects.”
However, he noted that delays in accessing development funds have hindered progress. He urged the provincial government to review its decisions to ensure that it meets the minimum conditions to access these funds.
Minister Ghemu also highlighted the importance of the tuna industry in the province, which contributes significantly to the national economy.
“The tuna industry, led by companies like SolTuna, is a significant part of this contribution, accounting for 18% of the national GDP. This industry not only supports our economy but also provides employment to thousands of Solomon Islanders.
SolTuna, based in Noro, Western Province, employs over 1,800 workers, with 64% of them being women. This makes SolTuna a significant private-sector employer in the Solomon Islands. As the largest fishery in the country, it not only supports the national GDP but also provides employment opportunities, helping to boost the local economy.
He further praised SolTuna for its commitment to sustainable practices and fair trade in the region.
On a policy level, Minister Ghemu mentioned that his ministry is working closely with the government to resume revenue-sharing discussions and increase fiscal autonomy for provincial governments. He also mentioned that work has begun on reviewing the Provincial Government Act 1997, with a draft bill expected to be tabled by the second quarter of 2025.
The celebrations was a vibrant and lively one that brought together people from diverse ethnic and island backgrounds to share in entertainment and Thanksgiving festivities.
The celebrations will conclude today with an evening Christmas carol program at JFK Stadium.
- GCU
