The Solomon Islands’ Government of National Unity and Transformation (GNUT) plans to reintroduce the Constitutional Amendment Constituent Assembly Sitting Bill in Parliament, which aims to extend the convening date of the Constituent Assembly from December 31, 2024, to December 31, 2026. This bill previously failed to pass in parliament last year due to not securing the necessary majority votes for a constitutional amendment.
Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele expressed his hope on Monday for bipartisan support from all members of parliament, including the Opposition and the Independent Group. He emphasized the government’s commitment to reforming the state system through the Constituent Assembly process. The Prime Minister indicated that the government is reviewing the Bill’s Annexation Committee Report and is keen to finalize the bill for tabling in early 2025.
Manele noted that the previous attempts to pass the bill were thwarted by the absence of certain MPs during critical voting, which he found disappointing, especially from provinces that had advocated for state governance. Despite the challenges faced, the government convened a meeting for the Constituent Assembly on December 30, 2024, attended by all provincial premiers and other key figures.
The proposed Constituent Assembly will consist of 80 members, including parliamentarians, provincial representatives, officials from local government, and various civil society representatives. Manele also mentioned that a review of the Provincial Government Act (PGA) is underway, which is intended to significantly enhance the delegation of powers to provincial governments and establish better revenue-sharing modalities.
He affirmed that the amendments could be implemented as an early step towards a state government system. The review of the PGA will also touch upon the Provincial Capacity Development Fund (PCDF), which has seen successful implementation of numerous provincial projects over the past 16 years but needs refreshing in line with evolving national contexts.
These developments signal a proactive approach by the Solomon Islands government in enhancing local governance and addressing longstanding demands for autonomy. The ongoing discussions regarding constitutional reform may ultimately lead to a more empowered provincial governance structure that aligns with the aspirations of the citizens, offering a hopeful path toward more effective service delivery and representation.
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