PRIME Minister Hon. Matthew Wale and his Cabinet Ministers today held high-level talks with Western Province Premier Hon. Billy Veo and his Executive, strengthening ties and reinforcing the government’s commitment to both reform and disaster recovery.
Welcoming the Prime Minister and his delegation, Premier Veo acknowledged the significance of the visit describing it as timely and important for the province.
He assured the Prime Minister that his government and the people of Western Province stand firmly behind the GREAT Coalition.
“We are encouraged by your maiden speech outside Parliament and it gives us confidence that real change is coming,” Premier Veo said.
The Premier reiterated his Executive’s full support for the government’s reform agenda and expressed optimism about the direction of national leadership.
He also raised concerns over the widespread damage caused by Cyclone Maila, noting that several parts of the province have been severely affected.
Premier Veo thanked the Prime Minister for visiting the province to witness first-hand the scale of destruction.
In response, Prime Minister Wale stressed that the recovery phase is critical and must be handled with urgency, integrity, and accountability.
Reaffirming a message he delivered in Choiseul, the Prime Minister assured the province that the government will stand with them.
“The government will not forget you,” Prime Minister Wale said.
He acknowledged past shortcomings in disaster response and made it clear that his government will take a different approach.
“We must eliminate the kind of response where people exploit disaster funds at the expense of victims. There must be a clean, transparent approach,” he stated.
The meeting also covered key priorities of the GREAT Coalition, with both leaders discussing development concerns and pathways to ensure better service delivery and governance in Western Province.
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