Solomon Islands: Ministry To Review Provincial Govt Act

Ministry To Review Provincial Government Act

The Minister of Provincial Government and Institutional Strengthening (PGIS) has announced intentions to review the Provincial Government Act.

Minister Walter Folotalu made the announcement Monday this week at the start of a weeklong intensive workshop for five Provincial Speakers and Clerks in Honiara.
The Workshop engages Speakers and Clerks of the Provincial Assemblies of Rennell & Bellona, Temotu, Isabel, Central Islands and Guadalcanal Provincial Governments.

Minister Folotalu said the Provincial Government Act was last updated in 1997 and seems to be overtaken by events.

“The Ministry of Provincial Government and Institutional Strengthening is intending to carry out a review of the Provincial Government Act. This process shall involve a lot of consultations with the Provincial Authorities and National Parliament for expertise advice and support,” Hon. Folotalu said.

Ministerial Officials will advise on a suitable date for the review.

On the Provincial Assemblies, Minister Folotalu said there is also a need for modernization to go beyond the Provincial Government Standing Orders.

The attachment workshop is aimed at improving the understanding of the way businesses are conducted in the Provincial Assemblies.

“This is not only vital in sustaining our very democratic institutions but also essential for its modernization process,” Hon. Folotalu said.

The Ministry of Provincial Government and Institutional Strengthening is fully aware of some of the challenges that the Provincial Assemblies face and the workshop will help officials find solutions to address those challenges.

The Ministry through its PGSP project has made sufficient provisions for continuous capacity building of Provincial Government elected members and their administrations until 2013. For elected executive members, the capacity building initiative is designed not only to formulate policies but also to oversee the implementation of local development policies and programs.

ENDS

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