MALAITA premier Peter Ramohia has unveiled his province’s Second Appointed Day theme ahead of the August 15 celebrations.
“Embarking on community governance and customary land reform as strategy for sustainable development of Malaita Province” is the theme.
A few weeks ago, the public raised questions about what could be the theme for this year’s celebration and now Mr Ramohia comes out publicly to declare it.
“Yes the focus is on community governance and customary land reform,” Mr Ramohia said.
He added that these are strategies for sustainable development of Malaita province and are key pillars of Community Governance model currently pursued by Malaita Alliance for Reform and Transformation(MART) government.
“We have the national government and the provincial government.
“Area Council system was shelved, we have a missing link, this is Community Government or the third level of governance.”
Mr Ramohia said that MART government believes this missing link is one of the reasons for what we are currently experiencing in our communities, wards, constituencies, regions and province today especially in terms of social problems, law and order and disrespect to our traditional authorities.
“Customary land reform is necessary for anchoring customary land ownership title in the tribe; availing land for development; and allowing customary land owners to participate in development on their land.”
He added that for Malaita Province to develop and engage in meaningful economic activities and has peaceful communities, this third level of government (including traditional governance) and customary land reform are necessary interventions.
By LESLEY SANGA
