The Premier of Western Province, Hon. Billy Veo while declaring the 44th anniversary of Western Day, appealed for profound reflection on leadership and a renewed commitment to achieving “Inclusive Development through Community Partnership,” the theme of this year’s celebration.
Speaking to a large gathering in Seghe sub-station in Marovo, Premier Veo began his address by challenging leaders and citizens alike with a powerful quote from the late Pope Francis: “Every man, every woman who has to take up the service of government, must ask themselves two questions: ‘
“Do I love my people in order to serve them better? Am I humble and do I listen to everybody, to diverse opinions in order to choose the best path?
“If you do not ask those two questions, your governance will not be good,” he quoted.
“As leaders, I challenge us to reflect on the quote… and continue to ask ourselves those two questions,” he stated.
Premier Veo highlighted ongoing infrastructure efforts but expressed deep frustration over the pace of progress and the centralized nature of project management.
He also raised a number of key projects and concerns.
Solomon Water Gizo: Drilling is scheduled for next year on six identified sites (Miles 2, 3, and 6).
The Premier urged the National Government to prioritize this “long-overdue issue of Gizo water” for resolution and appropriate intervention.
Gizo Road: The road in Gizo is nearing completion, yet the existing portion remains in a “derelict state.”
The provincial government has allocated a “very minimal budget” for temporary fixes, but the Premier emphasized that major roads are a national, non-devolved function, he said.
Gizo Wharf: The wharf is in “serious need of repair and maintenance, he said.
Premier Veo stated he saw allocations for infrastructure in the SIG development budget but “fail[s] to see any of the repairs and maintenance to roads, wharves and other important economic infrastructures.
“These are the issues which continue to bug us as provincial governments… and, in many ways, prompt us to seek the national government’s understanding in devolving more powers to provincial governments and the introduction of the revenue scheme so that we can cater for and prioritize these service gaps,” Veo added.
The premier affirmed that achieving a greater degree of self-autonomy and powers for all Provincial Governments remains the ultimate goal.
PGA Review: The Western Provincial Government (WPG) facilitated the Provincial Government Act (PGA) 1997 Review in July 2025.
However, WPG expressed disappointment that key issues like devolution of powers and the revenue-sharing scheme were not sufficiently covered.
The Premier called on the Ministry of Provincial Government and Cabinet to set up a taskforce or committee to look primarily at the submission and work on a revised Bill no later than 2026.
“We see this as an important step towards our ultimate goal of attaining Statehood in the not too distant future,” he noted.
The premier also outlined foundational planning exercises crucial to evidence-based development:
“Ward Profile Validation: WPG successfully concluded the exercise, describing it as a “true bottom-up approach” that reflects the rural populace’s needs, facilitated by the Ministry of Provincial Government and Institutional Strengthening (MPGIS) and IEDCR” he said.
He added, WP 10-year Strategic Plan (2026-2035): The Ward Profile exercise will inform this comprehensive plan, which will be validated in Gizo together with Provincial members and later endorsed by the Western Province Executive.
The premier concluded by emphasizing that the celebration’s theme, ‘Inclusive Development through Community Partnership,’ can only be truly achieved by working together, and he reiterated a key fiscal reform proposal.
He urged the government to seriously consider funneling a “certain percentage” of the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) through Ward Development Committees (WDC) to ensure “more tangible developments” subject to strict accountability frameworks.
Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele with other senior Government Officials including Premier of Isabel with his executive members, Premier of Choiseul Province with his delegation, Central Province Premier and Deputy Premier of Guadalcanal Province where amongst the guests invited by Premier Veo for the ceremony.
The program ended with gifts presentation, feasting, dancing with Our Telekom promotion team hosting a special promotion for the people of Seghe.
By ULUTAH GINA
Solomon Star, Gizo
