MUP PREMIER AND TEAM MEET WITH PM MANELE
Prime Minister Honorable Jeremiah Manele MP has received a courtesy call from members of the Makira Ulawa Provincial Government led by Premier Honorable Stanley Siapu over the weekend.
The Siapu led executive took the opportunity to raise a number of matters for the consideration of PM Manele.
High on the agenda was the recommendation for the government to consider increasing the Provincial Grants and other entitlements for Provincial Members (MPA).
Premier Siapu reiterated that it has become somewhat burdensome to entertain people who seek assistance of various kinds to MPAs.
The Premier suggested that it is high time that government to consider increasing the ward entitlements to MPAs.
Also on the Makira Provincial Government’s agenda is the plan to carry out a provincial wide awareness program on the state government system.
Premier Siapu seeks funding support to carry out the proposed awareness program citing that it is important for people of Makira to understand state government system and the manner in which it works.
The Premier also seek the update on the revenue sharing legislation which will give more funding autonomy for Provinces- Makira Ulawa Province included.
Premier Stanley Siapu further updated the Prime Minister of a new Makira Ulawa Province Think Tank group based in Honiara who are assisting the Provincial Government with advice and recommendations of ways forward for the Province and its people.
Premier Siapu said the group is taking the lead in the discourse on the state government system and currently the Think Tank group has engaged with Makiran academics both in country and abroad.
In response, Prime Minister Manele assured the Premier and his executive of the coordinating effort which Prime Minister Office (PMO) will employ to work with the Ministry of Provincial Government and Institutional Strengthening (MPGIS) to look into the MPAs salary, ward grants and other entitlements.
The Prime Minister also echoed that since Provincial Governments are closer to the people, the strain of meeting demands of the people is therefore strongly felt by MPAs.
On funding support for the state government system awareness, PM Manele assured that PMO will coordinate with MPGIS to look into the matter.
The Prime Minister expounded on the state government system, citing the need for Provinces to take stock of its manpower in critical areas of law and order, health, education and employment opportunities as well. PM Manele further added that Provinces must ensure they have industries that can prop up social services such as security and health.
PM Manele underscored that these are areas that MUP need to look into in the course of meeting with other stakeholders on the matter of statehood.
The Prime Minister further assured Premier Siapu and executive that the Revenue Sharing Bill is in the process of being finalized.
Adding that the bill is important to allow for equal distribution of resources to Provinces.
The Prime Minister also encouraged the Siapu led executive to consider having a sister relationship with other cities.
Pm Manele underscored that such interstate relationship can encourage tangible development for the Province.
The Makira Ulawa Provincial Government (MPG) executive will return to Kirakira on Wednesday this week after a weeklong of meeting with various stakeholders in Honiara.
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