Roundtable Review of the Road Transport Act concluded in Honiara
Honiara, Solomon Islands — A roundtable conference was held yesterday between key stakeholders to discuss the ongoing review of the Road Transport Act (Cap.131), an important piece of national legislation that governs road safety, traffic regulations, and vehicle licensing in Solomon Islands.
The event was co-chaired by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Police, National Security and Correctional Services (MPNSCS), Ms. Karen Galokale, and the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Infrastructure Development, Mr. Allan Lilia. The conference provided a platform for open discussions on the current state of the Road Transport Act and its relevance to present-day challenges, with a focus on enhancing the safety, efficiency, and regulation of road transport in the country.
The meeting included members of the Road Transport Board, key government officials, and representatives from the Australia Solomon Islands Partnership for Justice (ASIPJ), which has provided financial and technical support for the review process. Legal Policy Specialist Ms. Joanna Kenilorea-Hanu also presented the findings of the ongoing review of the Act and highlighted key areas for improvement, including the need for updated enforcement measures, regulatory clarity for emerging transport sectors, and provisions for new technologies in road monitoring and traffic management.
Speaking at the opening of the conference, the Permanent Secretary for MPNSCS stressed the importance of the review, noting that the Road Transport Act had not undergone significant changes since 2009. She emphasized that with increasing urbanization, emerging traffic concerns, and evolving road safety issues, it is essential that the legislation be modernized to meet the current and future needs of Solomon Islands.
“The Road Transport Act is a critical piece of legislation for maintaining public safety and order on our roads. This review is crucial to ensuring that it is fit for purpose and able to address the diverse challenges we face in road transport,” said Ms. Galokale.
The roundtable provided the Road Transport Board with the opportunity to deliberate on policy matters related to road transport and to provide guidance on critical areas for reform. The discussions focused on enhancing the regulatory framework, addressing emerging issues such as informal transport sectors, and improving enforcement measures to reduce road accidents and enhance public safety.
In addition to the ongoing review process, the conference served as a platform for establishing the relationship between the Legal Policy Specialist and the Road Transport Board, enabling more effective collaboration moving forward. The outcomes of the discussions will be incorporated into a consultation report to inform the final review of the Road Transport Act, which is expected to be completed later this year. Hence, this is the start of the consultation process that will also involve many other important stakeholders.
The Ministry of Police, National Security and Correctional Services, in partnership with the Ministry of Infrastructure Development, remains committed to ensuring that the revised Road Transport Act reflects the needs of all Solomon Islanders, providing a safer and more efficient road transport system.
Ends///