THE OUR Party-led Democratic Coalition Government for Advancement (DCGA) disagrees with the big moves by the ‘Opposition Coalition’ which is known as the Coalition for Accountability, Reform and Empowerment (CARE).
CARE has promised that should it form the next government after the National General Election (NGE) on April 17, it will give a 15 percent salary rise across the board to public servants, teachers and police across.
It also promised to cut salaries of Members of Parliament.
OUR Party Parliamentary Wing Leader and Caretaker Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare told West Makira People about CARE’s intentions when he launched OUR Party’s manifesto at Marou Bay in Arosi II of West Makira Constituency in Makira-Ulawa Province on March 12.
He said the moves by CARE are wishful thinking and big political talk that defy the reality of the country’s affordability to deliver.
Sogavare said they are mere political talks to lure votes on the polling day.
He said no government in the past 20 years had made any significant increases to the salaries of public servants, teachers and police, except the governments ‘’I led with the latest Coat of Living Allowances (COLA) of 3 percent award to the Public Service and Teaching Service in the 2024 Budget and became effective on January 1, 2024.”
Sogavare said CARE also plans to cut salaries of MPs which demonstrates how ignorant it is about the processes of government and the roles of independent commissions in the structure of “our Government System”.”
He said the setting and decision-making process on the salaries and terms of conditions of MPs are the responsibility of the Parliamentary Entitlements Commission (PEC) and not a ruling political government.
Sogavare said CARE is trying to say “MPs are highly paid and that DCGA set the levels and benefits.”
By George Atkin
West Makira Journalist
