Wednesday, November 08, 2006

Solomon Islands Over Governed?

Solomon Islands Governing System
Solomon Islands had over the years tried to put in place a governing system that would be suitable for its people. Prior to its independence in 1978 its leaders including Parliamentarians, Solomon Islands came up with the National Constitution which had guided the development of the country.

Since independence people have been sceptic about how they would benefit under the new Constitution. The Parliamentary Opposition then led by the member of Parliament Bartholomew Ulufa'alu boycotted the signing of the Independent Order. Western Province which then also included Choiseul was another doubter. It boycotted the celebration of the country's independence July 1978. Despite those shortcomings among others, Solomon Islands had persevere to this day.

Solomon Islands had seen the Provincial Government Act implemented, creating Provincial Governments. People have had different views of the system. Has it failed the people or had the people failed to implement the system? In December people in six province will go to the polls to elect members to their Provincial Assemblies.

Federal Government System
This system had been in the minds of Solomon Islanders for many years. Various reports have also been made on the system. The majority of the provinces have supported and continue to support the adoption of the system. Whether the people really understand the system is another matter. But one of the reasons why they wanted the system is because of the unfair distribution of resources. They wanted to have more say and control over their resources. The Provinces want to govern themselves.

The present government is continuing the process to finalise the Federal Government Draft, and hopefully a Bill will be tabled in Parliament in 2007.

Solomon Islands Managers
The Provincial Government and Rural Development Minister, Japhet Waipora, in the recent Parliament meeting gave his view on the country being over-governed. He said Solomon Islands has 229 managers to manage its affairs. These 229 are the elected politicians.

Guadalcanal -- 8 MP, 21 PAM, - 29 elected politicians.
Malaita -- 14 MP, 33 PAM, - 47 elected politicians.
Western -- 9 MP, 26 PAM, -- 35 elected members.
Choiseul -- 3 MP, 14 PAM, -- 17 elected members.
Isabel -- 3 MP, 16 PAM, -- 19 elected members.
Makira/Ulawa - 4 MP, -- 20 PAM, -- 24 elected members.
Central -- 2 MP, 10 PAM, -- 12 elected members.
Temotu -- 3 MP, 17 PAM, -- 20 elected politicians.
Rennell Belona -- 1 MP, 10 PAM, -- 11 elected politicians.
Honiara -- 3 MP, -- 12 Council members,- 15 elected members.

This is 50 Members of Parliament(MP) and 179 Provincial Assembly Members(PAM), a total of 229 elected politicians. Minister Waipora said, in his humble view, for a country that has about 500,000 people, he thinks Solomon Islands is over-governed.

How does a federal system of government fare in relation to the elected politicians and its efficiency to deliver the services to the people? May be the answer lies within you, as an individual. What do you think??

Happy surfing in cyberspace.

Joe

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