By Georgina Maka’a
Prime Minister Matthew Wale has offered an unreserved apology to the people of Guadalcanal for failing to attend the province’s 42nd Second Appointed Day celebrations on Monday in Honiara.
And he acknowledged that he had misjudged the depth of feeling surrounding his absence.
The apology, delivered on the floor of Parliament, follows criticism from Guadalcanal Premier Willie Atu, who earlier this week expressed disappointment over Wale’s decision not to attend the celebrations held in Honiara.
Premier Atu said the event was deliberately staged in the capital to allow the Prime Minister to be present, describing his attendance as an important gesture of respect to Guadalcanal Province and its people.
Responding in Parliament, Wale stressed that his absence was not politically motivated and explained that he believed the Government would be adequately represented by Deputy Prime Minister Francis Sade and the Minister for Provincial Government Alfred Lazarus Rimah.
Both Sade and Rimah are from Guadalcanal..
“Since both the Minister for Provincial Government and the Deputy Prime Minister were going to be present, I decided, after some discussion with them, that this was adequate representation of the Government,” Wale said.
“I obviously, Mr Speaker, misjudged the feelings of some in this matter, and I therefore unreservedly apologise.”
The Prime Minister then offered a heartfelt apology directly to the people of Guadalcanal.
“I truly am very sorry. I offer that apology without qualification because Guadalcanal is the province on whose land this Parliament sits, and its feelings are owed respect, not management.”
His remarks marked a rare public apology by a sitting Solomon Islands Prime Minister over a political decision.
And it drew immediate praises from many Solomon Islanders, particularly Guadalcanal people, who took to social media to commend Wale for acknowledging his mistake and taking personal responsibility.
Many described the apology as an act of humility, saying it reflected respect for Guadalcanal and demonstrated accountable leadership.
While expressing regret, Wale also appealed for his absence to be viewed in perspective, noting that the demands of office would not always allow him to attend every provincial celebration.
“This is because the measure of a government’s regard for a province is not the seating chart of a single day. It is what the government does for that province across every day that follows,” he said.
The prime minister also used the opportunity to respond to key issues raised by Premier Atu during Monday’s celebrations, assuring Guadalcanal leaders that both the province’s long-standing push for state government and its call for a provincial hospital are priorities under the GREAT Coalition Government.
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