WESTERN Province began its 2017 Ward Profiling Validation Workshop yesterday at the Western United Church Hall in Gizo Town.

The Consultant for ward profiling looking after Western, Makira and Choiseul Provinces under the Ministry of Provincial Government Mr Joe Rausi is the Workshop Consultant for the four-day meeting.

Western Province Premier Wayne Maepio, during his opening speech to officially open the workshop yesterday, said the programme must be complete within this week as it is vital that participants must help the provincial executive to be on development track.

“May I convey my sincere appreciation and encourage you all too please keep up the good work as my government wants to speed up projects so that we will continue forward with other provincial plans,” said the Premier.

He reminded participants that they are the cream and bases of Western province and most importantly, they are the representatives of their wards.

“We the government and good people of Western Province are here today in this very important workshop that requires input and participation in order to produce the outputs.

“I have all the trust and confidence in you my good participants in which we can contribute positively and accurately for the outcome of this strategic planning.

“If others can do it, why not Western Province, so let us go for it as I call on all of us with our minds, thoughts and hearts to carry out this important activity for the whole province,” added the Premier.

On behalf of the government and the good people of Western Province, the Honourable Premier after his speech took the honour to officially open the 2017 Ward Profiling Validation Workshop.

Workshop Consultant Mr Joe Rausi during his introduction at the workshop also reminded participants that he needed their full cooperation during this week because they were actually the ones who carried out the ground work in their wards.

26 representatives of the Wards of Western Province, MPAs, NGOs, Government Divisions and other representatives of sectors are in Gizo Town this week to take part in the Ward Profiling meeting.