THE oldest and longest surviving political party, the Peoples Alliance Party (PAP), had taken its election campaign to Isabel Province.
PAP launched its 2010 national election platform policy document at Honiara Hotel on 22 April 2010.
Last week, former prime minister and party campaign manager Sir Allan Kemakeza travelled to the village of Thithiro, near provincial capital, Buala, to unveil the party's policies to the villagers.
This happened while Our Party led by former Opposition Leader, Manasseh Sogavare was promoting his party's manifestos at provincial capital Buala.
According to PAP press release, Sir Allan in his keynote address thanked the people of Isabel for their long standing affiliation with their party since its inception 30 years ago.
He reminded the people that throughout its political history, Isabel Province and national leaders have always been associated with PAP through their solid support as advocators of PAP philosophies.
Sir Allan said unlike other new political parties in the country that sprank up from nowhere on the eve of this year's National Election, PAP has maintained its credibility as a stable group of men and women who believe in serving their fellow men and women and their nation.
He said with their strong believe and conviction of the principle of a united and strong Solomon Islands, PAP had proved its worth by serving as a solid group intact till now even when going through good and bad times.
Meanwhile, Sir Allan also highlighted major policy changes the party wants to introduce if it comes to power after the National General Election this year.
Sir Allan said the party wants to see development spread across the country.
He said rather than merely making up lip service political statement of promises, PAP's new leadership will be more practical in its endeavour to redirect allocation of a major portion of the National Budget to the rural areas.
Sir Allan said this new shift in the Party policy initiative will see a big slice in the present 96 percent of the national budget spent in and around Honiara going down to the provinces.
"PAP wants to rid off the political mentality of centralisation of development to that of decentralisation. The concept of centralisation of development which was introduced to us by our former colonial masters before independence has proved unsuitable for a country naturally separated by its geographical features of many scattered islands by vast waters of ocean."
Sir Allan said PAP wants to establish a Development Council in all Provinces to be responsible for planning and determining priority development in their own respective provinces.
The Development Council which will be made up of all National MPs in each province, members of the Provincial Executive, representatives of chiefs, women and youth groups will have the final jurisdiction to allocate funds accordingly.
Sir Allan pointed out that the Development Council will be assisted by technical and professional advisers from all sectors of the public service.
He also explained that unlike now, PAP's new policy initiative to provincial budgets will become priority to be included in the national budget.
The PAP Campaign Manager said other funding that currently goes through Members of Parliament will be redirected to the Development Council.
He said the system will be legislated by an Act of Parliament to ensure transparency and accountability as good governance.
It was reported a large crowd turned up to hear PAP's launching.
Sir Allan was also given a hero's welcome by traditional warriors upon arrival for the ceremony.
During the ceremony, PAP paid tribute to its founders namely former Prime Minister late Solomon Mamaloni, later Peter Salaka, late Sir David Kausimae and late Father Leslie Fugui.
Other pioneers who are still active today included Kamilo Teke and Ataban Tropa.
By EDDIE OSIFELO
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