BY BEN BILUA
Gizo
PREMIER of Western Province, Billy Veo, has called on Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele to urgently consider the Perpetual Estate (PE) application submitted by the Western Provincial Assembly to the Ministry of Provincial Government and Institutional Strengthening (MPGIS).
Speaking during the Western Province celebrations this week, Veo said his government has been waiting for a response from MPGIS since the submission was lodged, despite fulfilling all necessary requirements.
He stressed that the province has established proper frameworks and administrative structures—free from political interference—to manage all provincial lands once the transfer of Perpetual Estate titles is approved.
“One of my government’s key priorities ever since assuming office in 2023 is for the transfer of all Perpetual Estate in Western Province to the Premier, on behalf of the Western Provincial Assembly.
“We invested quite a substantial number of resources into this policy priority, and to date there appears to be a bottleneck at the ministerial level. Our submission to be brought before Cabinet is still with the Ministry of Provincial Government and Institutional Strengthening. We are still waiting for an outcome on that submission,” Veo said.
He added that Western Province is prepared to take full responsibility for land administration and management, ensuring due diligence, transparency, and proper governance without undue political influence.
Veo urged the national government to clearly communicate whether it will endorse the province’s application or not.
In response, Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele acknowledged the Western Provincial Government’s intention and reaffirmed that the matter is under review.
“I acknowledge the efforts of the current Western Provincial Government led by Premier Billy Veo concerning its intention to transfer Perpetual Estate to the Premier on behalf of the Western Provincial Assembly,” he said.
Manele further confirmed that MPGIS is now working with the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Survey to relook at the issue.
“I also note that Cabinet has previously decided on this critical priority,” he said.
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