Solomon Islands Prime Minister Hon Manasseh Sogavare on touchdown at Nusatupe welcomed by the Western Province Premier Hon Wayne Maepioh for the sustaining peace and accelerating development dialogue in Western Province this week. Photo by PAGEPITU ALFRED

PRIME Minister Manasseh Sogavare has arrived in Gizo for dialogue on “Sustaining Peace and Accelerating Development in Western Province”.

The objective of the dialogue is to ascertain local solutions and commitments to uphold peace that are owned by the leaders and people of the province and the national Government of the country.

It is also an opportunity to identify, examine and discuss the development challenges and economic potentials of the province.

Issues to be discussed are on tourism, security issues, anti-corruption and resourcing peace and development.

Key issues emanating from this dialogue will be presented at the national dialogue to be convened coming June in Honiara.

The Western Provincial Government, the Ministry of National Unity, Reconciliation and Peace (MNURP) with support from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) through the United Nations Peace Building Fund (UNPBF) are organising this dialogue.

On a brief welcome note, the Western Province Premier Hon Wayne Maepioh said that he is very happy for the dialogue to take place starting today and elaborated that the dialogue is timely as they will be talking about peace when there is currently no problem occurring.

“Let us move forward from where we are right now as I am looking forward on what leaders and stakeholders will be discussing within these two days focusing on sustaining peace and accelerating development in Western Province,” said the Premier.