BY BEN BILUA
Gizo
A “Ward Profiling Workshop” is currently underway in Gizo, Western Province.
The week-long workshop brings together provincial members, Ward Development Committees, Provincial administration officers and other stakeholders.
Speaking during the opening of the Workshop, Premier of Western Province, Billy Veo expressed his gratitude saying the workshop is not just another item or checklist event, but a milestone of Western Province and it’s journey towards better governance and smarter development.
He said ward profiles are more than just documents but a testament that reflect the need of people, their challenges, their strength and their hope for the future.
Veo stressed that it is important to verify, validate and understand the document before it becomes a legal document for the province.
“This is why your presence here today is so important. Your insights and leadership will ensure that the profiles are not only accurate but meaningful.
“As the Premier of Western Province, I am proud to see such commitment and diverse group gathering here today – leaders from all 26 wards, our executive team, technical officers and development partners, united by shared purpose; to strengthen the foundation of our Provincial planning through accurate, inclusive and community driven data”, he said.
Veo acknowledged IEDCR, the Ministry of Provincial Government and donor partners for facilitating the important workshop.
In his presentation, IEDCR Consultant, Adrian Toni said the primary objective of the workshop is to solicit feedbacks, refine the document and ensure the data is accurate, relevant and well socialised.
He explained that the workshop is part of a five years strategic development plan developed for the nine provinces.
Toni said three consultants have been engaged to validate, synthesis the data and then draft a five-year plan based on data collected by Ward Support Officers.
He encourages Provincial Leaders and Ward Development officers to take the workshop seriously so that the profiles are not just piece of documents.
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