THE Lord Mayor of Honiara City Council (HCC), Councilor Eddie Kasuteé Siapu paid a courtesy visit to the Minister of Home Affairs, Isikeli Vave Jr at the Ministry of Home Affairs yesterday.
Their discussions focused on the appointment of the Standing Committee of the Honiara City Council.
Lord Mayor Siapu took the opportunity to officially congratulate Minister Vave on his recent election victory and subsequent appointment as the Minister of the Ministry of Home Affairs.
He emphasized the significance of the Ministry of Home Affairs and stated that Minister Vave’s appointment reflects the high level of confidence that Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele has in him despite his young age.
Lord Mayor Siapu also highlighted the HCC Legal office having already submitted the necessary instruments to the Ministry of Home Affairs and that is awaiting approval from the ministry so these instruments could be gazetted.
He also highlighted HCC’s willingness to consider the views of Minister Vave on these appointments.
Lord Mayor Siapu also highlighted HCC’s submission of priority projects and activities that it wants the Ministry of Home Affairs as its mother ministry to take up to the Government of National Unity and Transformation (GNUT) for inclusion in the Social Sector in its 100-Days program.
These priority projects and activities are:
- Review of Honiara City Act 1999. The Council wants to see a major review of the Honiara City Act 1999. This is very important to make the Council more proactive, meaningful, and responsive to the demands of the increasing population of Honiara;
- Finalization and implementation of the HCC Financial Management Ordinance. The last Council has passed or approved the Financial Management Ordinance. HCC needs to submit this to the Office of the Minister of Home Affairs for final approval for gazette before its implementation;
- Development of a new cemetery for Honiara City. Obviously, this cannot be achieved or completed within 100 days. As such, the Ministry of Home Affairs is requested to take off from where the work stopped in 2022. The proposed Cemetery Master Plan will require close collaboration with the Ministry of Lands and Housing; and
- Continued implementation of the Honiara City Act Amendment 1999 Amendment 2 of 2023. This amendment strengthens the HCC Law Enforcement Division. There is a need to resource the Law Enforcement Division with new vehicles and other equipment so that it can carry out its functions more effectively. The support of the national government is required here.
Lord Mayor Siapu explained that as HCC goes beyond GNUT’s 100-Day program, as part of the review of the Honiara City Act 1999, it will again request the good office of the Minister of Home Affairs to take on board the salary and entitlements of Councilors.
He said as the Ministry of Provincial Government and Institutional Strengthening (MPGIS) is responsible for the salary and entitlements of Members of Provincial Assemblies, HCC is requesting the Ministry of Home Affairs to be responsible for the salaries and entitlements of Councilors.
Lord Mayor Siapu said this will free up HCC funds for service delivery.
He said his administration will continue to engage with the Minister’s Office for the development and growth of Honiara City.
“The Council is facing mounting challenges in terms of funding and service delivery. However, we continue to provide and deliver services using the limited resources we have available, said the City Mayor,” Lord Mayor Siapu added.
Home Affairs Permanent Secretary Jeffrey Sade, City Clerk Justus Denni and Deputy City Clerk Jefferson Patovaki were also present during the discussions.
(HCC/SOLSTAR)
