THE Western Provincial Executive and Provincial Caucus are in Honiara on a ‘mysterious trip’, it was revealed.
Speaking to Solomon Star Gizo yesterday, Chairman of the Non-Executive Committee of the Western Provincial Assembly, Rence Sore said the premier flew to Honiara on Monday, whilst Members of his Executive and the Caucus flew earlier.
The MPA for Ward 7 said, however, the purpose of the trip is not known to the entire Provincial Assembly, let alone the people of Western Province.
He said it is definitely not a courtesy visit to the National Government because the Premier and his Executive already paid such visit to the Prime Minister and Cabinet Ministers in February this year.
“It is definitely not to complete the Induction Programme for the induction was prematurely terminated mid last month.
“So the purpose of the trip is a mystery. It remains unknown to the entire Western Provincial Assembly and the people of Western Province,” he added.
Mr Sore said the Non-Executive Committee of the Western Provincial Assembly deem the trip can only be meaningful if the Premier and his delegation present the following issues to the National Government for a frank discussion:
- State Government – Consistent with
DCGA Policy, the Provincial Executive must demand that Western Province become the State of Western Solomons on 7 December 2024;
- Provincial Government Act 1997 – Consistent with popular demand, the National Government must review the PGA 1997 in the current sitting of the National Parliament; and
- Revenue Sharing Formula – in light of State Government and PGA Review, the National Government must legislate a justifiable revenue-sharing formulae for the provinces/states.
Mr Sore said it is the desire of the people of Western Province that the National Government facilitate the State of the Western Solomons on 7 December 2024 as approved by the Western Provincial Assembly in its January 2023 Meeting.
He said the Premier and his Executive ought to be reminded that these issues are central to the fight for more autonomy by the past and present people of Western Province.
“If these pressing issues are not the agenda of the trip to Honiara by the Premier and his Executive and Provincial Caucus then we, the Non-Executive Members and of the Western Provincial Assembly, are of the view that it is a waste of resources and tax-payers money,” Mr Sore said.
By ULUTAH GINA
Solomon Star Gizo
