I will increase PCDF: Sogavare
Prime minister Manasseh Sogavare has promised that he will increase the development fund (PCDF) for all provinces.
He announced on Tuesday this week that under his leadership, the provincial capacity development fund (PCDF) will be increased as part of his government’s redirection policy.
Mr Sogavare made the assurance in Tulagi in the presence of provincial premiers attending the Central Islands Second Appointed Day.
He adds that his government is going back to the drawing board to ensure the PCDF is more effective in service delivery to address developmental issues faced by provincial governments.
Sogavare said the PCDF funding will be increased in two stages – details of which will come out later.
The Prime Minister acknowledged that the many issues raised by provincial premiers are true but these issues have not come about due to lack of resources and funding.
Sogavare admitted that as a country we have lost our way since establishing the provincial government system – it was a right thing to actively devolve powers down to the provincial governments.
He, however, pointed out that the devolution of powers – supposed to mean power to go down and it must go with resources, funding, labour and infrastructure development.
“That was how it was organised right from the beginning,” Sogavare highlighted.
“Throughout the journey as a country, we have re-centralised power back to the central government to the detriment of the provincial governments who are in charge of the needs of the 85 percent of the people of Solomon Islands.”
Sogavare maintained that the real issue is not the restructuring of government system to address these many issues but a system that can deliver services, which can subsequently address all the issues raised by the premiers.
He added that it is about a system that does not centralise power and not one that continues to entertain power.
–GOVERNMENT COMMUNICATION UNIT
