WESTERN Province Premier Billy Veo has confirmed that the ongoing review of the Provincial Government Act (PGA) of 1997 could offer a pathway towards greater provincial autonomy in the Western Province and Solomon Islands as a whole.
The Western Provincial Government (WPG) has already submitted its report to the Ministry of Provincial Government and Institutional Strengthening (MPGIS), with the review expected to be tabled in the first quarter of this year.
“In the first quarter this year, they will table the review of the PGA 1997 Acts, and we are closely eyeing what progress will be made,” Premier Veo said during an interview with the Solomon Star this week.
He acknowledged that the defeat of the Constituent Assembly Meeting Amendment Bill 2024 has shifted the focus towards alternative avenues for increased provincial autonomy.
“So, if the first one is not working like the defeat of the Constituent Assembly Amendment Bill, we have chances to push for and pave the way for the federal state whilst the review of the PGA 1997 Acts is in progress,” he explained.
Premier Veo emphasised the existence of two parallel policy tracks – one of which focuses on establishing a Constituent Assembly and the other on reviewing the PGA 1997.
He added that the PGA review now presents a crucial opportunity to advance greater provincial autonomy in light of the setback faced by the Constituent Assembly Amendment Bill.
The Bill, which required a majority of 37 votes, garnered only 36 votes out of 50 MPs. While 31 out of 36 GNUT members supported the Bill, two abstained and three voted against it. Notably, 14 MPs were absent during the vote.
The Bill aimed to extend the deadline for the Constituent Assembly’s convening from 31 December 2024 to 31 December 2026.
It also proposed the increase of the assembly’s membership from 80 to 100 members.
The Constituent Assembly is tasked with consulting on a potential transition from the current unitary system of government inherited from Great Britain to a federal system for the country.
Provinces like Western, Guadalcanal and Isabel are eagerly waiting to push for the federal state government system and are closely monitoring national legislators on how they deal with or treat the issue.
By ULUTAH GINA
Solomon Star, Gizo
