BY SAMIE WAIKORI
Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele has met with provincial premiers and their representatives to discuss the Provincial Government Act 1997, with a shared preference emerging for an overall review of the legislation.
The meeting was requested by provincial leaders to consider whether to proceed with targeted amendments or undertake a broader review of the Act. Following discussions, premiers agreed that a comprehensive review would be the preferred option.
Prime Minister Manele said that for nearly a decade, efforts have focused on making quick fixes and addressing specific legislative gaps in the Act. However, he noted that it took almost ten years for the draft amendments to be prepared.
He said the option of conducting a full review of the Act was discussed with the premiers, and this was where their preference lay.
The Prime Minister had met with the then Minister for Provincial Government, Wayne Ghemu and his team to brief them on the views expressed by the premiers during the meeting.
As a result, Manele said a policy paper will be submitted to cabinet, noting that any shift from amendments to a full review would require a change in policy.
“Whether you go for the quick fixes, which is the current position, or move towards a broader review, that may take another ten years,” Manele said.
On the issue of federalism, Manele said premiers understood that work on the Provincial Government Act would continue as part of the broader transition towards a federal system.
He said this process aims to strengthen provincial capacity and improve resource readiness.
The Prime Minister recalls that in the past five to ten years, some provinces had indicated they wanted to move to a federal system immediately, which he said reflected a lack of understanding of the required processes.
However, he said discussions during the recent meeting showed that premiers and their representatives now have a clearer understanding of federalism and the steps involved.
Manele said the key interest expressed by premiers during the meeting was the review of the current Provincial Government Act.
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I cannot reconcile how the PM, after meeting with the premiers to discuss the outdated Provincial Act, resolved to remove Wayne Ghemu, the Minister of Provincial Government, a lawyer by profession.