BY BARNABAS MANEBONA
Central Provincial Government for Change and Rural Advancement (G4CRA) Policy Statement alongside with its integrated policy statement and strategic implementation framework 2022 – 2026 is launched.
Premier of Central Islands Province (CIP) Hon Polycarp Galaigu during the launching at Tulaghi’s Multipurpose Hall introduced to dignitaries the new Executive Government key priority areas within their ruling regime.
The Premier said with continuous support from core officials, specialists, the Provincial Governance Strengthening Program and the Ministry of Provincial Government and Institutional Strengthening (MPGIS), he is confident these priority areas will yield favourable outcomes.
This is especially through collective efforts to improve on service delivery to the people of CIP in a more transparent, effective and efficient manner.
“First and foremost, I wish to acknowledge ‘God Almighty’ in whose hand I commit this Policy Statement and Policy Implementation Framework 2022 – 2026,” said Galaigu.
“It is my great pleasure and honour to take this opportunity on behalf of the Executive Government of Central Province and its workforce to convey our acknowledgement to you all in entrusting us as leaders to lead this Province. And, to believe in us to sail MV Central Province into the challenging waters during this 11th Assembly.
“As the Premier of our beloved Central Province I must also acknowledge the trust and confidence the Members of the Assembly and my executive government Ministers have in me for putting me as the Leader of this regime.”
On the other hand, there are however limitations and recurring shortfalls within the local governing machinery according to Mr Galaigu that must also be addressed, ensuring progress in a more transparent manner with local capacity and ability to sustain.
“To ensure a clear process in achieving our goals and objectives, we must focus on processes, institutional arrangements, relevant legal instruments and human capital as the basis for progress,” said Galaigu.
“We will encounter challenges as we segment our approaches on multi fronts within a short time frame, but as leaders, it is our responsibility to find immediate solution to each and every emerging challenge in order to make a difference.
“Our regime should be different from those that existed before us, as we had been elected against a lot of expectations, which we are all determined to fulfil. Thus, to achieve these goals we have resorted to draw up this policy as our guideline and roadmap as we address the many shortfalls that have been hindrances to progress and proper governing functions due to a number of issues inclusive human factors contrary to progress in any organizational setting.
“This was the missing apparatus in the last decades that has led to adhoc and short term planning which results in the situation we are in today.
“In order to achieve our initial objectives outlined for each sector, a broader Central Provincial policy is designed setting, proper footing with associated strategic development plans for a consistent roadmap administering Provincial development programs into the future. Policies are mere ideals that can only be realized with commitments from all communities of society.”
CIP’s Premier said the biggest challenge faced by the current regime and administration is the minimal revenue sources available versus accruing commitments which they must collectively improvise means to improve on local revenue strengthening and mobilization.
“Hence, since the selling out of the Provincial 20 percent shares in RIPEL, the province was left only with business Hawker Licenses and Property Rates as the basis of local revenue.
The Revenue base was narrow and highly unstable. It cannot be trusted annually hence the need to prioritize the sectors for development Investor dialogue in the Manufacturing, [downstream processing], in the tourism, fisheries and agriculture is our paramount redirection policy,” said Galaigu.
“The Government for Change and Rural Advancement have a conviction that developments must be originated from rural areas or communities in order to have a strong, vibrant economy and a prosperous Province.
“With these initial activities, this regime hopes to pave the way forward through the creation of a broader policy statement, translations and related ordnances guiding the implementation of target priorities through the Policy Implementation Framework program.
Mr Galaigu acknowledges preceding regimes and administrations for their efforts and achievements over the years on various functions with regards to Provincial mandate.
The Premier assures his government will continue on from where they have left with the sole objective of serving communities and societies with commitments.
“In addition, I wish to heartily place on record the intent and plea of the Executive Government (G4CRA) to the Provincial Heads of Divisions, supporting sectors, NGOs, stakeholders, development partners and all MPAs [Members of Provincial Assembly] for dedication, devotedness and commitment in our collective efforts. Ensuring transparent, effective and efficient service delivery to the people we represent with the current insufficient resources at our disposal,” said Galaigu.
“Finally, as the Government in charge in delivering the services of our Central Islands Province, the upholding of our Government Vision, Mission, Guiding Principals is our paramount task in order to archive our sole objectives.
“This will be the beginning of a process that I expect you all mandated leaders and official’s cooperation, realizing new initiatives with more efforts for better outcomes.
“The population expects nothing short of dedication and commitment in strategizing to stir, stimulate and direct our beloved province to its future destiny, a vibrant, united and economically prosperous Central Islands Province.”
Invited guests during the launching included local Chiefs, community leaders and people of CIP, Church leaders, State Owned Enterprises (SOE’s) and its workforce, the Speaker and Clerk to the Assembly, the Executive Government of G4CRA, Members of the Provincial Assembly, Provincial Accountable Officer, Provincial Secretary (PS) and Heads of Departments (HOD’s) along with their Staff.
Taking place during the launching also was the signing of the Tulaghi ‘Number One House Project’. Its Contractor reported is ‘Exodus Company’.
The Ministry of Culture and Tourism being the funder witnessed the $3.9M signing between Exodus Company and the PS of CPG.
Featured Image: Launching of the Central Provincial Government for Change and Rural Advancement (G4CRA) Policy Statement alongside with its integrated policy statement and strategic implementation framework 2022 – 2026 at Tulaghi. PHOTOS SUPPLIED
