The leader of the opposition, former Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare, made this statement last week during the sine die motion.
He said the government of Prime Minister Derek Sikua’s frequent overseas trips cannot be justified given the lack of finance to prop up basic services in the country.
Sogavare said overseas trips taken by the minister of agriculture and livestock to Australia and the minister of foreign affairs visit to Taipei are unnecessary especially “when we need every dollar of revenue to finance services.”
In addition, the government’s intention to rent Melanesian Haus at $200,000 a month for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is unwise in light of the looming world economic crises, said Sogavare.
“It would be cheaper if government consider buying a land or using available crown land to build a permanent office for the ministry,” he said.
Island Sun understands that similar view was made in media by Public Solicitor Rodgers Tovusia when the government made public its intention to rent Iron Bottom Sound Hotel’s newly completed building complex, Melanesian Haus.
Sogavare said the government needs to control it expenditures, adding tha the 2009 budget was already under pressure from day one.
He justified his claim by referring to projects like rural livelihood and agricultural and fisheries that were approved for funding in 2008 but were carried forward for this year’s budget.
Further, the government’s budget for National Provident Fund contributions for teachers is $16 million under budget, said Sogavare.
