GUADALCANAL Provincial Secretary James Taeburi has been given powers to run the province.
This was after the Minister of Provincial Government and Institutional Strengthening (MPGIS) Silas Tausinga ordered the transfer of functions and powers from the Guadalcanal Provincial Executive to the Provincial Secretary.
Permanent Secretary of Provincial Governments Stanley Dick Pirione said the Government has taken the measure to attenuate the current political situation facing the Guadalcanal Province Government.
He also explained that the decision was reached in light of the disaster which has affected many parts of Guadalcanal and the urgent need to get relief assistance to affected areas.
Mr Tausinga has made the order by virtue of section 47 of the Provincial Government Act (1997) which was published in a Gazette entitled “Guadalcanal Provincial Government (Emergency Response and transfer of power) Order 2014”.
The Order was enforced as result of recent developments which include:
- A High court injunction on 28th of March 2014 prohibiting the speaker of the Guadalcanal Provincial Assembly to convene any assembly meetings until further notice.
- The political impasse in the Province, resulting in the destabilization of the normal operations of the province.
- The statutory breach of section 38 of the Provincial Government Act (1997) by not passing an Appropriation Ordinance by 31st of March 2014. This had resulted in the Province not having a provincial budget for 2014/15, which could mean disruption of basic services to the general populace in Guadalcanal province.
- The recent flooding in Guadalcanal province which aggravate further, the inability of the Provincial Government to financially engage promptly in disaster relief programs. The Province has sadly and unfortunately being handicapped to respond to the need of its people.
The Ministerial Order allows the Provincial Secretary to prepare an Appropriation Order, sign warrants and disburse funds from the Provincial Budget.
At the moment, the most urgent need is to ensure that funds are available for relief efforts.
The Order also mandated the Provincial Secretary to act and make decisions that promotes, encourages and benefits the interest of the people of Guadalcanal.
The Order also authorised the Provincial Secretary not to receive any instruction from any of the members of the Guadalcanal Provincial Assembly unless deemed appropriate.
Furthermore, the order assigned and equipped the Provincial Secretary, the power to employ, suspend, dismiss or take any appropriate action in respect of direct employees and/or contractors and to control and have in his possession, all provincial Assets.
The Provincial secretary implements this order under the oversight of the Permanent Secretary of the MPGIS.
The Order does not in any way, validates any perceived ‘dissolution’ of the Guadalcanal Provincial Assembly.
The order only takes away some functions and powers on a temporary basis in light of current circumstances/events, but does not dissolve the provincial Assembly.
The Order is effective as of 8th April 2014 and valid only until such time the High Court makes a ruling on the convening of the Guadalcanal Provincial Assembly meeting, and that the Minister rescinds the Order.
