THE past two years in office has not been easy for Alliance for Change, Alignment and Rural Economic Advancement (ACAREA) regime after assuming power to lead the Western Provincial Government (WPG).
That’s according to the Provincial Premier Billy Veo in his opening address at the Full Assembly meeting on Monday at the provincial capital.
At the sometime he appeals to all the provincial leaders to work together and progress the province.
This week’s seating is to conduct mid-term review of the 2024-2025 budget.
The meeting is currently convened at the Imagination Island, off Gizo.
In his opening address, Premier Veo said, the ACAREA Government has assumed leadership for the Western Province in early 2023 and it has been more than 1 year now since they have been in office.
“Things have not been plain sailing I must admit, but this is to be expected if we understand how bureaucracies work, not forgetting the fluidity of Solomon Islands politics with potential influences at the national level.”
He stressed that there are other elements as well, hard at work, and who are trying to derail the ACAREA Government’s policy direction perhaps with the intention of undermining its progress and ensuring they do not succeed.
“The recent National General Elections, the formation of a new Government Coalition, the recent amendments to sections 61 of the Constitution to pave the way for our Constituent Assembly, which the National Government is yet to action as per set time frame, and not to mention petty politics within our ranks, including other matters, have created obstacles and a need to re-strategize in order to progress our policy intentions.
“The politicization of our revised ACAREA/DCGA Communique which is yet to be signed, including the ACAREA PE Transfer policy have also proven to be challenges,” he said.
But as a government, Premier Veo said, they will not rest on their laurels but will continue to work hard, seek guidance and look at other possible options whereby they can be able to move ahead with these intentions.
After highlighting some of the policies activities and current programs being undertaken by the ACAREA government he took time to remind all the Members of the Provincial Assembly (MPAs) that they have an important role to work together to move the province forward.
“As leaders, we have a collective responsibility to bring this province forward.”
He said although there may be differences amongst the leaders, they should worther together in progressing the province.
“I know we may have different agendas, different political affiliations, differing views as well as priorities as to how we think Western Province should be progressed.
“We need to understand many of these things just do not happen or materialise overnight.
“But the government is working hard, talking to stakeholders and continuously exploring opportunities to realise these important development plans.
“We can only achieve our greater goals and objectives for the province if we can put our differences aside and work together as responsible leaders,” he said.
He told MPAs that as leaders they should prioritise the people of the province and their well-beings.
“Our leadership responsibilities should be people focused. Let us not dwell on our personal differences, preferences or partisan politics which will only serve to stagnate our province,” he said.
By MOFFAT MAMU
