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HONIARA City Council (HCC) has finally launched its website on Wednesday which will put them on the tip of everyone’s finger tips to access information they need from council.
During the launching yesterday, City Clerk Charles Kelly who spoke on behalf of the Mayor described the launch as a historical milestone for council.
Kelly said the mayor and himself are the proudest men to have achieved such as a great development during their time in office with the support of a great and hardworking council staff who have work tirelessly to achieve one of council’s key goals.
“Our intention is to make the people know what Honiara City Council (HCC) is doing and how people can avail of its services,” Kelly said.
He said it’s an invitation to allow people to participate in the local governance.
Adding this will open up council to promote the values of accountability and transparency in governance.
Kelly said whilst having a website has its advantages, it would also be risky on the other hand like opening up council to unfounded criticisms, malicious vandalisms and hacking.
However Kelly said apart of these risks, council has resolved to ensure it is accessible, more transparent, accountable and most of all bringing the government closer to its people it serve.
Transparency Solomon Islands (TSI) described the website launch as bringing the government closer to the people.
TSI Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Daniel Fenua said there is nothing important than citizens getting access to information that deemed necessary for them.
“When information is not available people will remain in the dark, they won’t have an informed choice or understand why a particular decision is made,” Fenua said.
Fenua stressed that this website launched signals a very strong message to other institutions to do the same particularly the government ministries which have failed to provide the information much need by the people.
Talking in support and praise of such achievement was Forum Solomon Islands International CEO Ben Afuga who stressed that having a website is more than just a mere ICT.
Adding information equals knowledge and knowledge equals power.
Meanwhile the Clerk has thanked all those who have contributed towards the launch of the website.
He made special mentioned of NZ Aid for their generous support since 2005 in supporting council in its development aspirations.
The website has a total of 98 webpages that have just nearly all the information the public would want to know.
It covers all the divisions of council, their functions, the services provided, ordinances and all the necessary information the public would need.
By DANIEL NAMOSUAIA