PM Manele pledges support for Central Province development at 44th Appointed Day in Tulagi.
The national government has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting development in Central Province, following a meeting between Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele and Premier Kenneth Sogapari during the province’s 44th Second Appointed Day celebrations in Tulagi.
Prime Minister Manele was joined by the Minister for Provincial Government and Institutional Strengthening, Wayne Ghemu, and expressed appreciation for the warm invitation and hospitality from the provincial leadership and people of Central Province.
In his address, Premier Sogapari called on the Government of National Unity and Transformation (GNUT) to recognize the historical role of Central Province in the formation of the Solomon Islands. He appealed for increased investment that would help restore the economic vitality of Tulagi and the province more broadly.
“We ask the Government to consider at least one major investment in Central Province as a token of appreciation for its foundational contribution to national governance and economic activity since independence in 1978,” Premier Sogapari said.
He also highlighted long-standing issues such as limited revenue and infrastructure gaps and emphasized the importance of policy alignment and cooperation between national and provincial governments to enable balanced and sustainable development.
Responding to the Premier’s remarks, Prime Minister Manele acknowledged the development challenges faced by many provinces, including Central Province, and said these would require strategic and inclusive planning.
“It is not easy to address the many development challenges across all our provinces, especially with the geographical spread of our country,” the Prime Minister said. “But this should not be an excuse. Rather, it calls for a more strategic and inclusive approach to development.”
The Prime Minister noted several ongoing and planned government initiatives in Central Province, including:
- The completed refurbishment of Tulagi Wharf and Hospital
- Scoping work for the Tulagi ring road, with tendering expected soon
- Reopening of Yandina and Anuha airstrips
- An assessment for a new airstrip in Belulu
He reaffirmed the government’s intention to work closely with the province to ensure these priorities are carried out in alignment with the national development
SOURCE: PMO PRESS RELEASE
