THE Western Provincial Government (WPG) has revealed a plan to reinstate Noro Township’s Council status, which holds the promise of reshaping its administrative framework.
Noro, currently managed by the Ministry of Home Affairs of the Solomon Islands Government (SIG), is set to return to governance under the WPG in its restored status as a council.
For decades, Noro has been integral to Soltuna’s operations, following disputes that arose in Malaita.
Established initially by Soltai under Japanese management, Soltuna’s move to Noro was welcomed by the Western Province, marking a significant shift in the region’s economic landscape.
Since its establishment in Noro, Soltuna gradually contributed to the town’s development, which has been overseen by the Ministry of Home Affairs. The ministry has handled civic development and revenue collection, including land fees and contributions from over 2,000 workers employed by Soltuna.
At the Western Provincial Assembly meeting on Imagination Island near Gizo, Member of the Provincial Assembly (MPA) for Ward 2 Simbo, Gideon Tuke introduced a motion aimed at elevating Noro Town, the only recognised “Tuna Town” in the country to a new governance status.
“Through this motion, I seek to provide Noro Town with an opportunity for enhanced governance,” MPA Tuke stated.
He reflected on Noro’s historical context, saying that when the national government and Soltai Management discussed relocating the cannery from Tulagi in the late 1970s and early 1980s, Noro was not the initial choice.
West Are’Are and Bina Harbour were preferred sites, but due to disputes, Noro became the viable option, attracting Japanese investors.
“As we are approaching a Federal/State arrangement, we must ensure our infrastructure meets international standards to draw investors and tourists to our emerging Western Autonomous Government,” he emphasised.
MPA Tuke highlighted that Noro now boasts the second international seaport and second international airport in Solomon Islands, establishing itself as a hub of vibrant economic development.
MPA Tuke advocated for Noro to receive legislative powers to manage its affairs as a municipality, questioning, “What is so unreasonable about that?”
He stressed the necessity of upgrading Noro’s status by applying for a warrant from the Minister of Home Affairs to establish a Noro Town Council or Noro Municipal Authority.
“It is crucial in our push towards the Federal/State arrangement to consider upgrading the status of Noro by invoking an application to the Minister of Home Affairs under Clause (3) and (4) of the Local Government CAP 117 for a Warrant to establish the Noro Town Council or the Noro Municipal Authority in the next 12 to 24 months.
“Noro has justified itself as a metropolitan town and have offered us the provisions for internationally renowned facilities, and as such, it is only fair that this Assembly support the initiative to give Noro a new status so that it can generate its own revenue as well as secure development assistance directly from donors and investors for its development programs,’’ he said.
“Noro’s expansion and improvement in its development proposals can only be justified and secured an entity if we give it a new status.
“That is the secret of our struggle for developing Noro. Noro can only have better roads, highways, sports facilities, community recreational facilities, restaurants and tourism facilities, major shopping malls and the likes once it is given the mandate to run its own affairs, collect and manage its own revenues and prepare its own budget for the development of its jurisdiction.”
“Noro has proven itself as a metropolitan town with internationally recognised facilities,” MPA Tuke said and urged the Assembly’s support for this initiative to enable the town to generate its own revenue and secure development assistance.
He pointed out that to enhance infrastructure, recreational facilities, and shopping amenities, Noro must gain the authority to manage its own affairs and finances.
He called on the Premier Billy Veo to engage visionary leaders and resource personnel to advance these initiatives, criticising the current provincial workforce’s capacity to meet the province’s ambitious goals.
MPA Tuke underscored the significance of this motion, describing the establishment of the Noro Town Council or Noro Municipal Authority as a long-overdue action.
“If any significant decision is made by this Assembly during our term, it should be to unanimously endorse this motion to grant Noro Township a new legislative status, thereby reinforcing our call for statehood,” he said.
By ULUTAH GINA
Solomon Star, Gizo
