By Alice Campbell
British High Commissioner to Solomon Islands, HE Paul Turner met with the Guadalcanal Provincial Government last week to discuss the current Review of the Provincial Government Act and proposals for greater devolution of responsibilities to the provincial level.
HE Paul Turner held discussions with Provincial Premier William Atu who has been at the forefront of the debate on central and provincial government responsibilities.
Mr Turner said it was important to get the balance right so that Government was still able to oversee strategic issues whilst Provincial Government could be more responsive to the citizens’ needs in their immediate areas.
Turner conceded it was not easy to get the balance right and said the UK itself had been on its own journey on devolution for many years with more powers being given to assemblies in Scotland and Wales.
But he said in the end it was important to have a functioning local government as this was key to efficient delivery of services and to improving people’s lives.
All the premiers were called to a meeting with the Ministry of Provincial Government and Institutional Strengthening (MPGIS) last August to discuss the new Provincial Government (Amendment) Bill 2025.
Premiers collectively made a submission to MPGIS on their thoughts of the new Bill, including for a push for more powers to regulate economic activities – particularly forestry and mining – as well as operationalising of a new Revenue Sharing Scheme.
Such a scheme is seen as the foundation for a more equitable financial decentralisation.
The debate continues but Turner said the UK was happy to play a role in working with the Ministry and Provinces to work through different options.
Given its dispersed geography, he said he saw a functioning provincial government as one of the crucial issues for Solomons in ensuring democracy is seen as working for everyone.
Photo: Supplied
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