HONIARA, SOLOMON ISLANDS, 8TH AUGUST 2026 – The Ministry of Provincial Government and Institutional Strengthening (MPGIS) has reaffirmed the GREAT Coalition Government’s commitment to strengthening provincial governance through a landmark review of the Provincial Government Act 1997 (PGA 1997), a critical reform initiative aimed at modernizing the country’s provincial government system and improving service delivery to communities across the nation.
Speaking in Parliament last week, Minister for the MPGIS, Hon. Lazarus Rina, said the review lies at the center of the Government’s broader reform agenda to strengthen provincial governance, enhance accountability, and equip provincial governments with the tools needed to respond effectively to current and future development challenges.
The Minister noted that the review of the provincial government system has remained largely dormant for many years, limiting the ability of provinces to adapt to changing governance demands and emerging national priorities.
However, under the decisive leadership and political commitment of the GREAT Coalition Government, the review is now moving forward with renewed focus and strategic direction.
“The reform will be guided by a clear and strategic two-stage approach. In the immediate term, transitional amendments to the existing Act will be advanced for Cabinet consideration to address urgent operational gaps and improve functionality within provincial administrations,” Hon. Rina said.
He explained that while short-term amendments will deliver immediate improvements, the MPGIS will also undertake a broader and more comprehensive review of the Provincial Government Act (PGA) 1997 to establish a modern legislative and policy framework for provincial governance.
The second phase of the reform will involve an extensive review of legislation, policies, research, governance experiences and international best practices. The process will be designed to ensure that provincial governance arrangements reflect contemporary realities, emerging challenges and the aspirations of provincial governments and communities throughout the Solomon Islands.
“This approach ensures both immediate improvements and long-term transformation, enabling provincial governments to operate with greater clarity, accountability and effectiveness,” the Minister stated.
To support the review, MPGIS will establish a dedicated Provincial Government Act Review Task Force to oversee the entire process. The Ministry (MPGIS) is currently seeking a qualified consultant to undertake a comprehensive desk review that will examine the implementation and performance of the PGA 1997 since its enactment.
The review will draw from a broad range of sources, including legislation, government policies, parliamentary and provincial records, academic research, evaluation reports and international best practices in decentralized governance.
The consultant’s work will include assessing the origins and legislative intent of the Act, analysing implementation outcomes, identifying recurring challenges and institutional gaps, and comparing the current framework with relevant national, regional and international governance models. The review will also identify reform options and provide evidence-based recommendations to guide the Task Force and inform the development of a new policy framework.
As part of the assignment, the consultant will produce a synthesis report outlining key findings, knowledge gaps and recommendations to support the next phase of reform. The assignment is expected to be completed within 50 working days over a three-month period, with regular reporting to the Task Force Chairperson and Secretariat.
Minister Rinah emphasized that the review represents a significant opportunity to strengthen the foundations of provincial governance and ensure that provincial governments are better positioned to meet the evolving needs of their people.
“This reform marks a significant step toward building stronger, more responsive provincial institutions that are better equipped to deliver services and improve the lives of Solomon Islanders throughout the provinces,” he said.
The review of the PGA 1997 forms part of the GREAT Coalition Government’s commitment to promoting effective governance, strengthening institutions and supporting sustainable development at the provincial level.
