Western Province Premier Hon. Billy Veo says the availability of data and information is important for planning in any government in their quest to provide services.
He highlighted this when he officially opened the Ward Profile Validation Workshop in Gizo Western Province on Monday.
He appealed to participants to approach the week with “open-mindedness, curiosity, and collaboration.”
The workshop brings together Members of the Provincial Assembly (MPAs), Executive members, Heads of Divisions, Ward Development Committees (WDC) chairpersons, technical officers, civil society representatives, and development partners to validate the 26 ward profiles compiled during last year’s Ward Profiling exercise.
In his remarks, Premier Veo underscored the critical role of data-driven decision-making, quoting British mathematician and entrepreneur Clive Humby: “Data is the new oil.”
“Just like oil transformed the 20th century, data is driving the 21st. But like oil, data needs refining — analysis, context, and application — to have true value and meaning for usage,” Premier Veo said.
He said the primary goal of the workshop is to strengthen the foundation of provincial planning through accurate, inclusive, and community-owned data that truly reflects the needs and priorities of the people.
The Premier noted that the last comprehensive ward profile exercise was conducted in 2013, with validation delayed until around 2015/2016, highlighting a major gap in data updates and utilization.
“It is important to note that data is only data, information is only information — unless it is updated, analysed, and treated, it will not have any value. Doing so in a timely manner is also critically important,” he emphasized.
Premier Veo described the workshop as a turning point in the province’s development journey, signaling a shift toward evidence-based decision-making to ensure that every ward — no matter how remote — is “seen, heard, and included” in the province’s development plans.
Veo acknowledged the Provincial Planning Office for its leadership in coordinating the profiling process and thanked the Integrated Economic Development and Community Resilience (IEDCR) program through the Ministry of Provincial Government and Institutional Strengthening (MPGIS) for its support.
He also recognized the New Zealand Volunteers Overseas (VSA) program for providing technical expertise in data analysis.
“These profiles are more than just documents. They are reflections of our people — their challenges, their strengths, and their hopes for the future. But data alone is not enough. It must be verified, understood, and owned by the very communities it represents,” Premier Veo stated.
He encouraged participants to think critically about what the data reveals — from gaps in service delivery and infrastructure to opportunities for targeted development and investment.
Premer Veo emphasized that the validation process is not an end in itself but a crucial step toward updating the Western Provincial Strategic Development Plan, which will guide future decisions and resource allocations.
“The decisions made here this week will shape the direction of our province for years to come,” he said.
BY ULUTAH GINA
Solomon Star Gizo
