Japhet Waipora has praised the country's top provincial leaders, including the Honiara City Mayor, for their determination to improve government service to provinces.
Closing the annual premiers' conference at Kiakoe Lake Resort in East Rennell on Friday, Mr Waipora said he was pleased to note that the summit has united provincial leaders with one voice to actively pursue development and service delivery to all provinces.Eight premiers including the Honiara City Major with exception from two premiers signed a communiqué on Saturday. The communiqué will become a public document as soon as the premiers of Temotu and Rennell Bellona provinces sign the communiqué.
He said the present national government's rural development policy is aiming at decentralizing development across the country and the summit was an opportunity for provincial leaders to express and discuss their views on rural development according their individual needs.
"I noted with appreciation that the issues discussed were important for the future of the country," he said. "The outcome was very positive and the government is prepared to respond to the resolutions reached after the summit," Mr Waipora said.
The Minister joined Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare to officially open the conference last Tuesday in East Rennell's World Heritage Lake Tegano.
Mr Waipora spent five days in East Rennell where he met top leaders of the province including premier Solly Tengemoana. He returned to Honiara together with the premiers and senior government officials.