MEMBERS of the Western Provincial Assembly (MPA) have voiced their grievance at the Western Provincial Planning Office for failure to comply with the requirements of the Policy Blueprint on Ward Development Committees (WDC).
The grievance was articulated in a press statement released by the Chairman of the Non-executive Members MPA for Ward 7 (Vonunu) Rence Sore.
As a result, the Chairpersons of 26 Ward Development Committees gathered in Gizo last week to discuss matters that have been shrouded in secrecy, known only to the Planning Division and Provincial Secretary of the Western Provincial Government (WPG).
The meeting had raised concerns as it appeared to be in direct violation of Section 11.3 of the Policy Blueprint on Participatory Planning and WDC for Western Province.
These requirements, which outlined a structured process for the establishment of WDCs, are not being adhered to by the Planning Division and the Provincial Secretary (PS).
The Policy Blueprint requirements include:
- Confirmation of WDC member names by communities, following the guidelines in Section 11 of the Policy Blueprint, with support from the Planning Division;
- Submission of WDC member names by communities to the Planning Division of the Western Provincial Government;
- Planning Division’s submission of WDC member names to the Provincial Secretary for onward submission to the Provincial Executive for endorsement;
- Presentation of the WDC member names by the Provincial Executive at the next Assembly meeting; and
- Approval of the WDC members by the Assembly, completing the legislative process.
According to Mr Sore, the Western Province MPAs are now raising concerns that these requirements are being selectively implemented by the Planning Division and the Provincial Secretary.
Sore alleged that the Planning Division, under the leadership of the Provincial Secretary, is undermining the mandated role of the Provincial Executive to endorse WDC memberships and moreover, undermining the functions of the Provincial Assembly to approve WDC memberships.
“With the Provincial Executive meeting scheduled for October 9 and the Assembly sitting on November 6, 2023, it is evident that the endorsement and approval of WDC members, not to mention the ongoing meeting of WDC Chairpersons in Gizo today (October 6, 2023), do not align with the requirements of the Policy Blueprint.
“The legislative process for approving WDC members remains incomplete, and accusations are being made that the Planning Division and the Provincial Secretary are cutting corners to hide their non-performance,” he said.
“In reality, the Policy Blueprint on Participatory Planning and Ward Development Committees for Western Province is not being followed diligently, with Planning Division and the Provincial Secretary failing to adhere to its details.
“As a result, Provincial Assembly Members are contemplating the possibility of rejecting any budget review that includes ward development projects proposed by the unlawfully established WDCs that have not been endorsed by the Provincial Executive or approved by the Provincial Assembly,” he further added.
Meanwhile, the controversy surrounding the establishment of WDCs intensifies, casting doubt on the legitimacy of their actions and the adherence to established policies.
The MPAs are determined to ensure that due process is followed in the formation and approval of these committees in the best interest of the province and its communities.
By ULUTAH GINA
Solomon Star, Gizo
