THE Member of Parliament (MP) for Gizo/Kolombagara Constituency, Lanelle Tanagada has been commended for her decision to forfeit the scholarship she previously awarded to her husband Jimson Tanagada under the provisions provided for under her Constituency Education Scholarship Awards.
One of the women advocator working at the National Council of Women in Solomon Islands (NCW), Casper Joseph Fa’asala has congratulated Mrs Tanagada for her action after several calls have been made, one of which is the transparency Solomon Islands (TSI).
In acknowledging the Tanagada Fa’asala said her action have set a new precedent for all other MPs to do the same.
He said since the Leadership Code Commission (LCC) has taken this seriously including the TSI, they should also investigate other MPs who might done the same to their immediate or close family members as it mounts to conflict of interest.
“It would be of national interest if the Leadership Code Commission (LCC) could take an investigation on all Scholarships provided for each of the other 49 MPs, to check whether any of them also awarded scholarships for their own and immediate daughters, sons, uncles and cousins and to advice for their nullifications as well,” he said.
He said Mrs Tanagada’s recent action speaks well of her having a maturity in her leadership with integrity.
Attempts to get confirmation from Tanagada was not successful but Sol Business magazine in its online page have confirmed that Tanagada has revoked the scholarship from her husband
Earlier on after the news of the scholarship award to her husband was published in the local media, TSI has called on the MP to do the right thing and revoke the scholarship award.
TSI in one of its lengthy statement about the issue in the paper stated by doing that she would be respected whilst also maintaining her integrity as what she has just did.
“TSI would like to see women get elected into parliament, but more importantly women leaders who have fire in their bellies and heart for the development of all Solomon Islanders and not just themselves, women leaders who know when to draw the line,” the statement.
By IAN M.KAUKUI
