Speaking at the 27th Second Appointed Day at Afio, South Malaita, last Thursday, Mr Irosaea said:
"For the last 25 years Bina Harbour Development has not seen any progress whatsoever; Aluta remains where it was 15 years ago; Waisisi Oil Palm Development and Suava Fisheries Centre Development are relatively new comers which are heading down the same road Bina and Auluta have travelled."
He said: "Lack of development over the years and many failed promises from successive national governments must make us conclude that Malaita should not expect much from the SIG and all Malaitans take on the responsibility of developing and shaping the destiny of the province.
"We have existed as a province for 27 years and during this period Malaita leaders; National, Provincial and Communal had not influenced the future of the province and its people.
"We have to change this scenario to one that the future is influenced by policies of our provincial government and decisions made by national, tribal and communal leaders.
"For us to influence the future of Malaita Province we need visionary leaders who clearly understand what is needed to improve the standard of living in the Province and motivate communities to achieve such vision," he said.
Mr Irosaea said: "It is very important that we as a people have a good understanding of what we need for improving our lives.
"Without this understanding, we will remain confused as to which direction we would take to achieve success in Malaita Province.
"For the last three decades we have relied on outsiders to tell us what to do in development and we have achieved very little.
"We have come a long way as a nation and as a province and the experience gained over the years must be lessons for now and the future," he said.
Mr Irosaea said one important lesson learned from the last three decades is lack of cooperation among leaders of the province which resulted in non achievement in development programmes.
"For this reason I call on all leaders of Malaita- community leaders, church leaders, chiefs, Assembly members and Parliamentarians; from this year on all leaders should focus on the needs of the community and work cooperatively to achieve it.
"It is especially important that National Parliament members and Provincial Assembly members are linked and cooperate to develop the communities they are jointly responsible for.
"The days of 'Glory seeking' developments are over," he said.
By EDDIE OSIFELO
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