Legal Consultants for formulation of Provincial Ordinances with Ministry officials during their induction. (L-R) Mr. Clifton Ruele Meleu, Mr. John Tebolo, PS for MPGIS Dr. Derek Futaiasi, Mr. David Lidimani, CTA-PGSP/PM-IEDCR Momodou Lamin Sawaneh, Chief Legal Officer for MPGIS David Hiri, and Ms. Haa Hazel Hauirae
Provincial Governments in Solomon Islands Strengthened by New Legal and Policy Consultancy Initiative
HONIARA, SOLOMON ISLANDS, 6th August 2026 – The Ministry of Provincial Government and Institutional Strengthening (MPGIS), in partnership with United Nations Children’s Educational Fund (UNICEF), has engaged four expert legal consultants to support Solomon Islands’ Provincial Governments in developing and formulating effective provincial ordinances. This initiative aims to enhance local governance and service delivery across all nine provinces.
The consultants will provide targeted assistance over three months, working closely with provincial administrations to review, draft, and strengthen ordinances that are legally sound, policy-aligned, and responsive to community needs. The four consultants have been contracted for a period (average) 100 days each focusing on their assigned provinces.
Provincial Governments derive their authority to create ordinances from the Constitution and the Provincial Government Act 1997. However, many provinces face challenges with limited legal drafting capacity, outdated laws, and gaps in regulatory frameworks. These issues have hindered effective governance and the delivery of essential services.
Recognizing these challenges, the MPGIS, supported by UNICEF, has prioritized strengthening legislative functions at the provincial level. The consultancy will help provinces identify policy priorities, conduct thorough reviews of existing ordinances, facilitate inclusive stakeholder consultations, and prepare comprehensive policy papers to guide law-making.
Consultants will collaborate with the Attorney-General’s Chambers Legislative Drafting Division to ensure ordinances comply with constitutional and national legal standards, human rights obligations, and customary law considerations. They will also support provincial governments in presenting proposed ordinances to assemblies for informed decision-making and endorsement.
This initiative is a critical step towards improving regulatory clarity, accountability, and service delivery at the sub-national level. It aligns with Solomon Islands’ broader decentralization and public sector reform agendas, aiming to empower local governments to govern more effectively and respond better to the unique needs of their communities.
Permanent Secretary for MPGIS, Dr. Derek Futaiasi stated, “Strengthening the legislative capacity of our provinces is essential for fostering transparent, accountable, and responsive governance. This partnership with UNICEF and the engagement of skilled consultants will help ensure that provincial laws are robust, relevant, and serve the people well.”
With these efforts, Solomon Islands is advancing towards more adaptive and coherent provincial governance frameworks that support sustainable development and community well-being across the nation. END///