The colour guide stood at attention as the Western Provincial flag is raised
MPGIS Minister Hails Western Province’s Entrepreneurship, Innovative, and Creative Spirit
Minister for the Ministry of Provincial Government and Institutional Strengthening, Hon. Wayne Osopo K Ghemu, thanked and congratulated the Western Provincial Executive, Western Provincial Administration, and the people of Western Province on the commemoration of their 41st Second Appointed Day Anniversary at JFK Stadium in Gizo on December 9, 2024.
Figure 1: The Hon. Wayne Osopo K Ghemu Minister for the MPGIS delivering his keynote address during Western Province 41st Second Appointed Day Anniversary at JFK Stadium in Gizo on 9th December 2024
Speaking on the theme, “Entrepreneurship, Innovation, and Creativity as Rooted in the Culture of Western Province,” Hon. Ghemu emphasised the relevance of the theme and underscored its significance in the culture of Western Province. He commended the province for its entrepreneurial spirit, resilience, and commitment to excellence, unity, and collaboration among the people to foster development and progress, encouraging everyone to continue working together for a brighter future.
“Today, we celebrate the theme that resonates deeply with the essence of our province. Entrepreneurship, innovation, and creativity are deeply rooted in our traditions and culture. These elements have always been a part of our identity, shaping the way we live, work, and interact with the world”, he stated.
Hon. Ghemu highlighted the significance of tuna industry, where Soltuna in Noro, a major private-sector employer, providing jobs to over 1,800 workers, 64% of whom are women, and a significant contributor to the Solomon Islands economy, accounting for 18% of the national GDP.
Figure 2: Minister Ghemu inspecting a guide of honour formed by RSIPF and Correctional Services officers at JFK Stadium during Western Province 41st Second Appointed Day at Gizo
The Minister highlighted the dedication of the government to supporting and nurturing the Western Province entrepreneurial spirit through the provision of necessary resources, training, and infrastructure. He commended Western Province for progress under the Provincial Capacity Development Fund (PCDF) in delivering climate change-resilient infrastructure projects whilst expressing regret at the province’s inability to meet the minimum qualifying conditions (MQCs) of the PCDF in the last two PCDF assessment thus losing a significant amount of funds, which is now delaying development progress.
The MPGIS Minister expressed confidence that the Hon. Premier and his executive will make efforts to put the province back on track to secure the province’s qualification to annual PCDF.
The PCDF has been a valuable program supporting infrastructure and climate change resilience projects in the Western Province. The Province has made significant progress in delivering 381 infrastructure projects costing SBD50.04 million since 2008. These projects have included improvements to water management systems, climate change-resilient building designs, coastal protection measures, as well as investments in education and health sectors.
He also highlighted SIG’s recent launching of the Local Climate Adaptive Living Facility (LoCAL) funded by the United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) to the tune of SBD128 million in addition to SBD193 million of the Integrated Economic Development and Community Resilience (IEDCR) funded by the World Bank as opportune performance-based grant funding that Western province cannot afford to lose.
Western Province was one of the strong performers in the MQCs of the PCDF, a funding mechanism of the Provincial Governance Strengthening Programme (PGSP) that is based at MPGIS. When Malaita, Renbel, and Guadalcanal were failing MCs in 2012, 2013, and 2014, most of the resources of PCDF were being paid to Western Province, which made Western to deliver the highest number of PCDF-funded projects. It is only with the new regime’s decision that Western Province started to slide back, whilst Malaita, Renbel, and Guadalcanal Provinces are now bouncing back. Now that the PCDF annual allocation is being upscaled by donor funding once more, it is imperative that the Provincial Assembly and the Provincial Secretary of Western Province find a formula to qualify not to continue to lose about SBD8 million per annum to provinces that are willing to comply.
Figure 3: Minister for MPGIS, Hon. Wayne Ghemu (MP) and the Premier for Western Province, Hon. Billy Veo (MPA) cutting the 41st Second Appointed Day Anniversary Cake as the Hon. Ramraka Talasasa, Speaker for Western Provincial Assembly looks on
Minister Ghemu informed the Premier, Hon. Billy Veo (MPA), and distinguished guests of his intention of expediting the revenue-sharing scheme and the review of the Provincial Government Act 1997. The Minister noted that the PGA 1997 discussions have been going on for 11 years with little progress. The Minister assured the Premier that the proposed revenue sharing scheme would increase the fiscal autonomy of the provinces. He reiterated his commitment to expedite the review of the Provincial Government Act 1997 and hopefully to table it in parliament by the second or third quarter of 2025.
Earlier, the Premier, Hon. Billy Veo (MPA), thanked the Minister for MPGIS, Hon. Wayne Osopo K Ghemu (MP), and his delegation, New Zealand High Commissioner, H.E. Mr. Jonathan Schwass, the DFAT Political Councillor, Mr. Cameroon Dangara, and other invited guests for gracing the important occasion with their attendance.
In his keynote speech, Premier Veo raised the issues facing Western Province, from lack of progress on the stalled statehood agenda, delay in the review of the Provincial Government Act (PGA) 1997 and the revenue-sharing bill, concerns with the PCDF assessment process, poor shipping services, and infrastructure challenges like bad roads and water supply issues in Gizo.
“I urge the national government to look into these issues and provide firm decisive actions to address them for the development and advancement of Western Province,” Premier Veo urged.
Hon. Veo highlighted the province’s desire to transfer Perpetual Estates to the Western Provincial Assembly and the need to prioritize rural development, particularly supporting farmers and small businesses with the Commodity Export Marketing Authority (CEMA) proposed intervention, which he lamented is yet to be materialised.
Figure 4: The Hon. Billy Veo, Premier for Western Province delivering his keynote address during the 41st Second Appointed Day Anniversary at JFK Stadium on 9th December, 2024
Western Province attained its Second Appointed Day on December 7th, 1983. This year, 2024, the Province marks its 41st Second Appointed Day Anniversary on December 9th since the 7th of December falls on a weekend. The celebration was dubbed one of the biggest, and most successful events, as preparations were done in anticipation of the Hon. Prime Minister’s attendance, who unfortunately could not make it due to competing official commitments in the eleventh hour.
The MPGIS delegation to the ceremony included the Permanent Secretary of MPGIS, Dr. Derek Futaiasi, the Chief Technical Advisor of PGSP and IEDCR PM, Momodou Lamin Sawaneh, the Human Resource Manager of MPGIS, Ms Paurina Galo, the Executive Secretary of the Minister, Suzie Iro, the Communication Officer of PGSP, Mr Baddley Nukumuna and the IEDCR National Engineer, Mr Alfy Davies.
Figure 5: Some of the Members of the Provincial Assembly for Western Province
Figure 6: The Hon. Ramraka Talasasa, Speaker for Western Provincial Assembly
Figure 7: Permanent Secretary for the MPGIS, Dr. Derek Futaiasi receiving gifts presented by the Hon. Ramraka Talasasa, the Speaker for Western Provincial Assembly
Figure 8: Pr. Venon of the SDA Church in Gizo offering a prayer for the occasion and the Provincial flag
Figure 9: Some of the members of the local organising committee pose for a shot with the Western Province 41st Second Appointed Day Anniversary cake
Figure 10: Members of the United Church Choir singing a welcome song for the invited guests
Figure 11: A march-past of a platoon of the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force based in Gizo
Figure 12: A march-past by a platoon of Correctional Services Officers based in Gizo
Figure 13: A traditional warriors group escorting gifts for the invited guests
Figure 14: Gizo Pathfinders as usual were part of the cerebration
Figure 15: Gizo nurses during the parade to mark Western Province Day
Figure 16: Gifts were presented to the invited guests