BY BEN BILUA
GIZO
Western Province has recorded an impressive score of 69 out of 100 in the 2025 Provincial Capacity Development Fund (PCDF) Assessment, surpassing Isabel Province’s 62/100 and securing the top rank in this year’s evaluation.
In an email to the media, Provincial Secretary Patrick Toiraena attributed the success to a strong commitment from the current administration led by Premier Billy Veo.
He noted that the Western Provincial Government (WPG) demonstrated political will by producing financial statements for the Western Provincial Investment Corporation (WPIC), subjecting them to external audit, and consolidating them with the WPG’s own accounts for submission to the Auditor-General’s Office.
Toiraena said the current Western Provincial Government has put everything on the table for the assessment unlike past governments.
He praised efforts of the provincial Planning, Administration, and Finance/Treasury teams for ensuring compliance in WPG’s financial management.
Toiraena gives credit to the Planning Division’s adaptability and capacity to multi-task, despite staff shortage.
“I am extremely proud and pleased with the outcome. The hard work and dedication of the WPG team, led by the WPG Executive management team, and of course the ACAREA executive government,” he said.
This remarkable performance marks a significant turnaround for Western Province. In March 2025, the province was disqualified from the PCDF program due to failure to meet minimum requirements, particularly regarding audited WPIC statements.
The province’s ability to pivot from that setback to become the top performer underscores both institutional improvements and strong leadership resolve.
The PCDF Assessment, administered annually, evaluates provincial governments’ capacity in public financial management, governance, and compliance, a factor that directly influences eligibility for performance-based grants.
Western Province’s newfound status as the highest-scoring province in 2025 signals not only effective governance but also renewed optimism for sustained development across the country.
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