This directly impact the social, economic and administrative life of our people in Western
By ULUTAH GINA
Solomon Star, Gizo
A lawyer and Munda resident has called on the Secretariat of the Western Provincial Government to improve public access and awareness of provincial ordinances approved between 2022 and 2025.
Edward Biku told Solomon Star in an interview that provincial ordinances are important legal instruments that guide social, economic and administrative matters within the province, and the public must be properly informed about these laws for them to be effective.
“Provincial ordinances are important governance tools that directly impact the social, economic and administrative life of our people in Western Province,” Mr Biku said.
He said one of the major challenges is that while ordinances are being passed, many are not widely communicated or easily accessible to the public, resulting in limited awareness among communities and stakeholders affected by the laws.
“For laws to be effective, they must not only be enacted but also clearly communicated, accessible and understood by the people they are intended to serve,” he said.
Mr Biku added that when people are unaware of existing ordinances or when such laws are not readily accessible, their effectiveness is significantly weakened.
“A fundamental principle of good governance is that laws must be known to the public. If people do not know about these ordinances, then even well-intentioned laws may become irrelevant in practice,” he said.
He suggested that the provincial government consider establishing an official digital platform or website where all provincial ordinances and legal documents can be published and regularly updated for public access.
He also suggested that provincial offices across the province allocate space for small libraries or record archives to store copies of ordinances and legal documents, allowing people without internet access to obtain the information.
“While funding may be a challenge, there is strength in collaboration. The provincial government can work with national government agencies, development partners, educational institutions and civil society organisations to support this initiative,” Mr Biku said.
He said improving access to provincial ordinances would strengthen governance, promote transparency and accountability, and enable the people of Western Province to better understand and engage with the laws that affect their daily lives.
//Ends///
