BY BEN BILUA
Gizo

PREMIER of Western Province, Billy Veo says the recently completed Ward Profile and Ten-Year Development Strategy validation exercise reaffirms the vision and efforts of past provincial leaders in moving Western Province closer to achieving statehood.

Speaking during the closing ceremony of the workshop in Gizo, he described the validation process as a “step closer for Western Province to become a state.”

He said the Ten-Year Development Strategy and Ward Profiles represent not just a planning document, but a testament to the province’s continued progress in development and service delivery.

“The pioneers of the ‘State for Western Province’ agenda set the direction and understanding for the present generation, and I acknowledge our young political leaders who continue to carry this flag,” Veo said.

He said the drive then was about empowering provinces and improving services for people – reflecting on his own involvement in earlier discussions on statehood.

“I was one among the leaders who discussed the issue of statehood back in our days. What we wanted was power and services. Now, we are able to identify areas that need to be strengthened to improve services and development. So, for me, our correspondents are now validated,” Veo added.

He calls on the Ministry of Provincial Government and Institutional Strengthening (MPGIS) to finalise the strategy promptly so that Western Provincial Government (WPG) can endorse the document during its first assembly meeting in 2026.

Veo said the Ten-Year Development Strategy will serve as a guiding framework for Western Province’s development aspirations and improved service delivery over the next decade once completed and endorsed.

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