Western province has marked its 36th second appointed day with a celebration on Monday at the J.F. Kennedy stadium in Gizo.
The day’s celebration featured parade by the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF), speeches from guests and entertainment.
Groups that participated in the parade involved members of the Gizo RSIPF officers, Plastic Wise group, Safenet and a number of groups.
The celebration was graced with the presence of guest of honour and Minister of Provincial Government and Institutional Strengthening Commins Aston Mewa representing the national government.
The theme for the day was; ‘Good Governance, a prerequisite to progressive development.’
Western Province Premier David Gina in his keynote address said this year marks the 36th anniversary of Western as a province.
“In retrospect as a province; certainly we have come quite a long way.
“If the province were to be a person, thirty six years is certainly old and an age where a person should by now be self reliant and to be able to fend for his/her own family. Whether that is the real situation that the province finds itself in now or not, it’s anybody’s guess.
“But I do think we are not there as yet,’’ he said.
In his keynote address Minister Mewa has thanked and acknowledged the Western Provincial government and the people of Western province in commemorating its second appointed day 36th years on.
Mr Meva thanked all the provincial workers, nurses, local politicians, teachers, police, community workers, churches leaders other stakeholders for their contribution in developing this province through their hard work.
“You have worked with dignity, commitment and pride in developing this province over the year until today,” he said.
He also thanked and acknowledged all the business houses, companies and foreign investors for their contributions one way or the other in the development of Western province.
He said Western province has played a crucial role in the business activities and development of this nation.
He thanked the premier of Western province and his current government for their support and commitment in ensuring this province shines and stands out in terms of business and infrastructural development.
He said the national government through his Ministry and other governing agency will continue to work with your government what is necessary and important for the development of our province.
“As demonstrated for the past 36 years, the national government has provided technical assistance and resources to cater for your human resources need and development needs and making policy decisions and encouraging economic participation and corporation growth for this advancement of this province and the country as a whole,’’ Mr Meva said.
The celebration ended with entertainments.
Western province executive members, staff, officers of Western Provincial Assembly, members of the public, local residents, business houses and other stakeholders witnessed the event.
Western province currently hosts the country’s second international port and international airport.
It is also one of the leading provinces in terms of tourism activities.
BY ULUTAH GINA
In Gizo
