#suidani

Malaita Premier Suidani has called the Central government to immediately double the provincial grants for all Provinces beginning in early 2022. Suidani made this call in response to the announcement by PM Sogavare that the timeline was set for federal state system. “We have all heard this statement before. In fact in 2016, Sogavare signed the Honiara Communique with the nine premiers, for the federal system of government. But 5 years later and with many sweet promises there is zero progress on. This must not happen again.” Suidani emphasised the autonomy or federal system is no easy task, and that provinces need to build up capacity immediately.  “Provinces need immediate increase in capacity. This needs funding. This needs to start now.  “I call on the Central government to immediately double the 2021 service grants and then also implement revenue sharing with the provinces.” “All the provinces need immediate double in budget in first quarter 2022, and also implementation of a revenue sharing formula in second quarter of 2022.” “We also need donor support for developing our systems, especially from other federal and decentralised countries like USA and Australia.”  “Also the UN has been very helpful in developing the federal constitution and should also be seen as having a big role in preparing the future autonomous states of Solomon Islands.” Suidani says the excuse of limited money should not be used. “MPs have been getting more and more money at the expense of the provinces and the ministries. This trend is getting worse and worse. If there is true commitment to a new system, the funds need to be given direct to the provinces and future states. There should be no delay or budget excuses.” Read the full article

Leader of the Opposition Hon. Mathew Wale calls on national leaders not to meddle with Provincial Government issues for their own Interests and those of their cronies, and calls on national leaders to respect decisions made by provincial governments. “With the recent failed attempt to topple Premier Suidani, we now have a pending Motion of No Confidence looming against the Premier of Guadalcanal Province. Who knows what other province is lined up. “Regrettably the common denominator in all these cases is, dissatisfaction by foreign interests with political decisions or positions taken by provincial governments. What is even more disconcerting is, national leaders are being used by these foreign loggers against our provincial governments. This is very bad leadership and these actions only serve to further undermine the trust and confidence our people in their national leaders. “Information on hand clearly suggest that the pending Motion of No Confidence against the Premier of Guadalcanal Hon. Francis Sade is directly connected to a recent decision taken not to issue a business license to SINO Capital in respect of the company’s logging operations in East Central Guadalcanal. “Guadalcanal Province has the right under law to review and refuse grant of any business license to any investor found to be conducting business contrary to provincial ordinances and there are legal avenues for dealing with any grievance arising,” says Hon Wale. Read the full article

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