The Choiseul Provincial Government has congratulated the Member of Parliament for East Choiseul Hon Manasseh Sogavare for his election victory as Prime Minister of Solomon Islands.
When paying a courtesy call on the Prime Minister last week, a Choiseul Provincial Government delegation led by the Deputy Premier Hon Alpha Kimata said, “On behalf of the Premier and people of Choiseul Province, I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate you for your election as Prime Minister of Solomon Islands for the third time.
“We are so proud that a son of Choiseul is at the political leadership helm of our nation and pray that God will keep and guide you during your tenure in office.”
Further to the congratulatory remarks, the Deputy Premier and his delegation discussed with the Prime Minister their desire to see the National Government and the Choiseul Provincial Government jointly implement national projects for Choiseul Province and ensuring an annual review of the progress of implementation.
They said, such an approach will guarantee the completion of projects within their specified timeframe.
The delegation also suggested the possibility of amending of the Terms and Conditions of Members of Provincial Assemblies to ensure MPAs are held accountable for ward grants just as Members of Parliament should be held accountable for constituency development funds.
They said, if MPs and MPAs of Choiseul Province work together in putting their allocated funds for the development of their constituencies and wards, the province would see a marked improvement in development.
In reply, the Mr Sogavare thanked the delegation for its complimentary remarks and assured them that he will continue to make them proud in the discharge of his mandate to the nation.
On the idea of Choiseul MPs and MPAs working together to address development in their province, the Prime Minister said this is a new initiative that he is looking at formalising and his report on this prospect will eventually reach the Premier for consideration.
Hon Sogavare also commended Choiseul Province for pitching its record on governance, financial management and accountability very high and urged it to maintain this positive standing.
Other issues the Choiseul Provincial delegation raised in their discussions with the Prime Minister included the Choiseul Provincial Township Project, Sasamunga Airport Project, a $2.5-Million funding promised by the previous NCRA Government for a fuel depot in Taro and the Choiseul Bay Secondary School Expansion Project.
The Prime Minister assured them that he will revisit these issues to see how far the previous government has gone in addressing them so his Democratic Coalition for Change government can pick up from there.