As the Ministry of Provincial Government and Institutional Strengthening continues to serialize the number of projects delivered by respective provincial governments, this week the focus is shifted to the hardworking province of Isabel where 61 PCDF projects have been completed and handed over to the communities at a total cost of SBD8.3m creating 669 jobs within the communities. The provincial assembly of Isabel has also approved and initiated another 12 projects costing SBD3 million some of which are nearing completion. The province expects to hand over the 12 projects before the close of this fiscal year.

It must be noted here that every province has a well-established Provincial Tender Board and Provincial Technical Evaluation Committee that are in charge of the evaluation and awarding of contracts for PCDF funded projects. The board and TEC members are continuously being trained by the Ministry with its PGSP technical support based in the MPGIS. Isabel like other provinces is also rolling out the participatory planning framework approved by the Cabinet in 2012 for the nine provincial governments. Ward Development Committees with the support of their members are coordinating with the Provincial Planning and Development Committees in identifying projects for executive and assembly approval. Recent independent assessment of the nine provinces indicates that there is less political interference in the award of contracts to bidders. Efforts are being made to strengthen provincial planning institutions to facilitate citizen participation in local development management decision making processes.

What is even more amazing is that Isabel is amongst the first set of provincial governments that have started to comply with the audit requirement of disclosing related party transactions and disclosure of conflict of interest in procurement and other areas in line with the international Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS). All this goes to facilitate the institutionalisation of planning processes and strengthening accountability of public funds. Continuous training of provincial officers and politicians on the international best practices including IPSAS continues in provinces with the objective of strengthening accountability institutions and enhanced transparency. Being an important audit requirement, all public institutions in Solomon Islands are supposed to comply with this important accountability provisions of IPSAS 20, something that is being re-emphasized by the Office of the Auditor General. Isabel, Temotu and Central Island Provinces have taken the lead in this important disclosure requirements of our audit institution. As capacitating provinces to ensure compliance to the standard continues, we may see many more provinces disclosing conflict of interest and related party transactions on the face of their financial statements in the coming years.

The attached tables show that in addition to administration sector projects, Isabel spent most of its PCDF resources on health sectors representing 22% of the total expenditure. The construction of new clinics in Hoffi, Vulavu and Koisisi, and the rehabilitation of Kmaga, Guguha and Kolomola clinics have all increased access to health services within the communities. These clinics have labour rooms, waiting rooms and small outpatients. Communities in these locations who used to travel far to seek medical attention do not have to do that anymore.

With most of its footpaths and bridges destroyed by heavy rains and flooding, it is not surprising that a lot of attention is being paid to feeder roads and infrastructure in Isabel Province. The completion of six projects in this area has not only linked the communities to health centres and schools but also to important markets and promotion of inter-community activities.

For more details on Isabel PCDF funded projects, kindly contact Isabel Province Planning Division in Buala.