PM responses with fire
PM responses with fire
The political uncertainty closes the sixth day with fire. Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare has came out firing with both barrels at his critics, assuring the people that he is innocent of the accusations. The ammunition come in a paid addressed to the nation being broadcast on the national radio, SIBC.
Former Finance Minister
In the statement Mr Sogavare maintains that the Ministers and MPs that have resigned from his government were mislead by the former Finance Minister Gordon Darcy Lilo to cover up for dubious dealing and mismanagement of public money. The PM claims that the former Finance Minister never consulted the Cabinet when used the country's revenue reserve to pay for Solomon Islands students’ fees in Papua New Guinea Institutions. This was because PNG withheld their assistance when the Mr Lilo cancelled their 5th Freedom Right, without any consultations. Other actions by Mr Lilo involved the purchases of government vehicles at about 12 million Solomon Islands and funds for for rehabilitation of the April tsunami stricken areas of the Western and Choiseul province.
Guadalcanal Demands
In the statement the Prime Minister re-iterates that the importance of the "bona-fide demands of the people of Guadalcanal." He continues to put emphasis on this because the ethnic unrest which has resulted from past injustices has became an vital reference point in the history of Solomon Islands. The social unrest has brought about a new era for the Solomons, to find a new direction for the country or states.
Some thing new and but long overdue is the establishment of Tandai Land Trust Board. This Board would address the concerns of the original landowners of Honiara land. A a legislative framework is being drawn up to deal with financial benefit to the original landowners of Honiara and other crown land where, because of their strategic nature, excluded from the policy to return them to the original landowners.
RAMSI
Prime Minister Sogavare has also assured Solomon Islanders about the safety and security of the people. He says the government is committed during the development and rehabilitation phase of the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force to continue to work very closely with the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands.
Opposition Statement
The Prime Minister responded to what he described as a 9-point defamatory statement issued by the opposition office, in the Solomon Star newspaper. He defended government decisions and actions on the issues raised by the the Opposition. Some of the issues includes the paying of a foreign lawyer to put the 666 questions out to the Australian Government relating to Attorney General Julian Moti and the payment of $300,000 paid to Hon Charles Dausabea.
He said he is seeking legal advise on the Opposition statement. Mr Sogavare statement can be viewed on http://www.pmc.gov.sb/.
MyBlog comments
Whilst Prime Minister Sogavare has released the statement to the public, it may take time to really sink in. It will also take time for people to crasp the reality of the situation. Most supporters of both the Sogavare-led government and the Opposition will remain unconvinced by the party they oppose, while a minority will may have a change of heart over the six days of war of words by the two groups.
Meanwhile, the situation remains uncertain, and the perception by many Solomon Islanders is that substantial amounts of money will decide the number game by the Government and Opposition. Whether this perception is true or where the money comes from is anybody's guess.
MyBlog ends this post with a port of the PM's statement, "The battle belongs to God and I am confident that he will take us through as he always did in the past. This political battle will be won on truth and justice not telling lies and the making of defamatory statements.
Have a happy and blessed weekend.
The political uncertainty closes the sixth day with fire. Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare has came out firing with both barrels at his critics, assuring the people that he is innocent of the accusations. The ammunition come in a paid addressed to the nation being broadcast on the national radio, SIBC.
Former Finance Minister
In the statement Mr Sogavare maintains that the Ministers and MPs that have resigned from his government were mislead by the former Finance Minister Gordon Darcy Lilo to cover up for dubious dealing and mismanagement of public money. The PM claims that the former Finance Minister never consulted the Cabinet when used the country's revenue reserve to pay for Solomon Islands students’ fees in Papua New Guinea Institutions. This was because PNG withheld their assistance when the Mr Lilo cancelled their 5th Freedom Right, without any consultations. Other actions by Mr Lilo involved the purchases of government vehicles at about 12 million Solomon Islands and funds for for rehabilitation of the April tsunami stricken areas of the Western and Choiseul province.
Guadalcanal Demands
In the statement the Prime Minister re-iterates that the importance of the "bona-fide demands of the people of Guadalcanal." He continues to put emphasis on this because the ethnic unrest which has resulted from past injustices has became an vital reference point in the history of Solomon Islands. The social unrest has brought about a new era for the Solomons, to find a new direction for the country or states.
Some thing new and but long overdue is the establishment of Tandai Land Trust Board. This Board would address the concerns of the original landowners of Honiara land. A a legislative framework is being drawn up to deal with financial benefit to the original landowners of Honiara and other crown land where, because of their strategic nature, excluded from the policy to return them to the original landowners.
RAMSI
Prime Minister Sogavare has also assured Solomon Islanders about the safety and security of the people. He says the government is committed during the development and rehabilitation phase of the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force to continue to work very closely with the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands.
Opposition Statement
The Prime Minister responded to what he described as a 9-point defamatory statement issued by the opposition office, in the Solomon Star newspaper. He defended government decisions and actions on the issues raised by the the Opposition. Some of the issues includes the paying of a foreign lawyer to put the 666 questions out to the Australian Government relating to Attorney General Julian Moti and the payment of $300,000 paid to Hon Charles Dausabea.
He said he is seeking legal advise on the Opposition statement. Mr Sogavare statement can be viewed on http://www.pmc.gov.sb/.
MyBlog comments
Whilst Prime Minister Sogavare has released the statement to the public, it may take time to really sink in. It will also take time for people to crasp the reality of the situation. Most supporters of both the Sogavare-led government and the Opposition will remain unconvinced by the party they oppose, while a minority will may have a change of heart over the six days of war of words by the two groups.
Meanwhile, the situation remains uncertain, and the perception by many Solomon Islanders is that substantial amounts of money will decide the number game by the Government and Opposition. Whether this perception is true or where the money comes from is anybody's guess.
MyBlog ends this post with a port of the PM's statement, "The battle belongs to God and I am confident that he will take us through as he always did in the past. This political battle will be won on truth and justice not telling lies and the making of defamatory statements.
Have a happy and blessed weekend.
posted by Myblog | 11:02 pm
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