PRIME MINISTER Manasseh Sogavare has vowed to clash head-on with the parliamentary opposition on the floor of parliament.
Prime Minister Sogavare says he is reserving his counter response to all the allegations the parliamentary opposition group have levelled against him until parliament resumes its meeting this week.
In an exclusive interview with Solomon Star, Mr Sogavare said only on the floor of parliament is the right avenue for the Prime Minister to launch his counter defence and attack against so many criticisms made against him and the Government.
Prime Minister Sogavare said these following requests by the print media seeking his response to criticisms and allegations of corrupt practices levelled against him by the leader of opposition and other members of the opposition camp.
Mr Sogavare said he felt the right avenue to debate matters of national interest is on the floor of parliament.
As such he prefers to wait until parliament resumes its session this week before he defuses his counter response explosive.
He said the floor of Parliament with its parliamentary privileges is the right avenue to unleash the hidden information the public are entitled to know, that is why I rather wait for the right time and the right place to retaliate in response.
The Prime Minister said the Opposition group is trying its best to use the media to sway public opinion and to destabilise the Democratic Coalition for Change (DCCG) Government.
“My government has made its firm decision not to sway to prey by the opposition political tactics of trying to lure government MPs.
Prime Minister Sogavare said Ministers and the backbenchers cannot switch their allegiance anymore because this Government vows to put the nation’s interest first to deliver the billion dollar budget for 2016.
“This nation expects government to bring down the much talked about developments to the rural populace and the nation at large
East Choiseul MP Sogavare said DCC Government is committed to implement its policy statement on national projects that have been earmarked to provinces such as Malaita, Western and Temotu.
“Let me assure the people of Solomon Islands that of next year onwards we will deliver what we have promised when the DCCG was born last December 2014,” he said.
Meanwhile Special Secretary to Prime Minister Andrew Donua Muaki said DCC Government does not expect any shift in its parliamentary numerical numbers now or in the future.
DCC Government confident of its numerical strength and is looking forward to the passage of the 2016 National Budget with ease.
“This is the priority for the government at this stage. We want teachers, nurses, police officers and all government workers to return next January with the confidence that the government has appropriated funds for their salaries and entitlement benefits.
“We suggest all our leaders to leave politics aside and drive their efforts and energy towards the 2016 National Budget. They can talk politics later but not at the expense of ordinary Solomon Islanders,” he said.
By ELLIOT DAWEA
