BY IRWIN ANGIKI
The Renbel provincial government calls on the national government and opposition coalition to quickly resolve the political impasse.
As the situation prolongs, the provincial government is likewise feeling the pinch.
Deputy Premier Collin Tesu’atai says the ongoing political impasse is affecting national government’s service to his provincial government, which in turn is delaying their work.
“Whatever the two sides are going through in this political impasse, but our concern is that it is affecting and impacting our work directly,” Mr Tesuatai said.
“Ministry officers cannot deal with our issues saying it is because of the current political impasse. Government ministers are absent when we pay courtesy visits due to this political impasse. Basically it seems the government machinery is shut down to us because of this political impasse,” he said.
Tesuatai made example of the province’s struggling health and medical sector which they had been struggling to seek assistance from the ministry.
“The ministry officials tell us nothing can be done yet regarding the issues we raised because they only have an acting minister and also point to the current political impasse,” Tesu’atai said.
Rennell and Bellona provincial government is new, sworn in in January this year following a motion of no-confidence on the former premier.
The new government’s courtesy call programme on the national government was cut short by the onset of the political impasse in mid-March.
“Courtesy calls are important in that it is when we dialogue with minister, the decision maker of the ministry, and we share our challenges which fall under the mandate of that ministry and the minister let’s us know how the province can be helped. And, with this, we plan our activities and programmes accordingly,” Tesu’atai said.
“But, when we pay courtesy visit and the minister and permanent secretary are absent, or even a supervising permanent secretary from a different ministry is the only one available to meet us, then all the discussions end up in limbo because things are still pending decision from the minister or permanent secretary.”
Rennell and Bellona province is facing huge problems with its education, health and medical services. Fisheries, agriculture and the extractive industries are also posing challenges.
The new government, under Premier Eric Sau’eha is facing the difficult task of addressing the province’s challenges and problems in the remaining two years.
Delays which the provincial government is experiencing with national government is a blow to plans to improve services on the two islands.
“Government and Opposition, please resolve this issue quickly. We must voice our concern because we are directly affected. Reality is the province moves when the national government moves. When the national government is stuck, the provinces are stuck too,” Tesu’atai said.
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