[Published on Thursday, March 5, 2026]
BY BEN BILUA
Gizo
CONCERNS are mounting over the balance of power between the national government and provincial administrations, with critics arguing that existing laws continue to centralise authority at the expense of meaningful decentralisation.
In his post on Facebook, Mr. Edward Biku II has raised strong concerns about the shift from the Provincial Government Act 1981 to the Provincial Government Act 1997.
He said the transition is a fundamental change that altered the governance structure of the Solomon Islands.
According to Biku, the 1997 Act consolidated power back to the central government, significantly limiting provincial autonomy.
He argues that the 1981 framework recognised the importance of decentralisation and provided provinces with meaningful authority to govern their local affairs.
Biku said the existing provincial laws require ministerial assent before taking effect.
He said provincial finances are largely dependent on discretionary grants from the central government, and provincial governments may be suspended on what critics describe as broad and undefined grounds.
“This is not federalism. It is administrative decentralisation under central control,” Biku said.
He said the country must be serious about promoting national unity and long-term political stability.
Biku is advocating for a modern reform agenda that would include constitutional entrenchment of provincial powers, a guaranteed revenue-sharing formula, and a clear division of responsibilities between national and provincial governments.
He said judicial safeguards to prevent political suspension of provincial governments, as well as the establishment of independent electoral and boundary bodies must be addressed.
“Federal transition is not about weakening the nation.
“It is about strengthening it through shared sovereignty and accountable governance,” Biku said.
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