Member of the Western Provincial Assembly (MPA) for Ward 16, Dunde/Nusa Roviana, Hon. Jeff Wickham, has welcomed the appointment of a new Legal Specialist to the Western Provincial Government (WPG), describing it as a long-overdue development that will strengthen governance and legal compliance across the province.
Hon. Wickham, who made the remarks during last week’s Western Provincial Assembly meeting in Gizo, said the position had been proposed in the WPG’s governance framework years ago but had never materialized until now.
“This is a step forward for the Western Provincial Government. It’s been a long time coming — previous governments had this position in their proposed rule book but couldn’t secure a qualified person at the time,” Hon. Wickham told the Assembly.
The newly appointed Legal Specialist, who is an expatriate assigned through the ACCRA Coalition, will also assist in the review of the Provincial Government Act (PGA) 1997, which is expected to undergo major amendments in the coming years.
Hon. Wickham said the 1997 Act has become “more harmful than progressive” for the nine provincial governments, calling for comprehensive reforms to address long-standing governance gaps and legal inconsistencies.
According to the Provincial Government Act 1997, the Legal Specialist — sometimes referred to as a Legal Officer or Provincial Legal Advisor — plays a vital role in supporting the Provincial Executive and Assembly on all legal and legislative matters.
The officer’s duties include advising on provincial laws, drafting and reviewing ordinances and by-laws, and ensuring they are consistent with the Constitution and national laws.
The specialist will also assist in legal training, administrative compliance, and representation in coordination with the Attorney General’s Chambers when required.
Wickham said he is confident the appointment will help the province operate within clear legal boundaries, improve transparency, and enhance the implementation of policies and by-laws.
“This appointment is not just about compliance; it’s about building stronger, more accountable provincial institutions,” Wickham added.
The newly appointed Western Provincial Government (WPG) Legal Advisor is Andrew Meioko, from Temotu and Malaita Provinces.
He holds a Bachelor of Law and a Professional Diploma in Legal Practice, both from the University of the South Pacific.
Andrew is currently serving with the Western Provincial Government under the Provincial Assembly Office. ‘
He previously served as Principal Magistrate at the Western District Magistrate Court and as Principal Legal Officer at the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, where he was posted in Gizo, Western Province.
The Legal Specialist has already begun work with the Western Provincial Government and is expected to contribute significantly to the upcoming review and reform of the Provincial Government Act 1997.
By ULUTAH GINA
Solomon Star, Gizo
