Govt’s strong commitment to deliver 2023 Games lauded
THE Pacific Games Council (PGC) has commended the Government for its strong commitment in ensuring Solomon Islands delivers the Pacific Games in 2023.
A statement from the Prime Minister Press Secretariat said, Pacific Games Council President Vidhya Lakhan and his CEO Andrew Minoque highlighted this when they met with the Prime Minister at the Office of the Prime Minister & Cabinet (OPMC) yesterday.
Mr Lakhan also assured the Prime Minister of the Council’s support and the ongoing work with NOCSI and the Home Affairs Ministry.
He also informed the Prime Minister that the Council is expected to formulate an agreement to draw up a timeframe and tasks on what is expected to happen this year and leading up to 2023.
“The critical years are this year and next year and we are on track,” Mr Lakhan said.
The Games CEO Minoque said Solomon Islands can make history as the first country apart from the seven pacific countries that have hosted the Games in recent years.
Prime Minister Houenipwela in response has assured the PGC President and CEO that the whole nation is throwing its full support for the Games in 2023.
“I can assure you that my Government and if I am correct the Opposition and Independent Groups are fully supportive of this Games and are eager to see it happen. The challenge is we must do the right thing,” he said.
The Prime Minister also insisted that the time-frames be formulated in time so that it can also be submitted to the Government so that it can push everyone involved to get down to business.
Houenipwela also informed the PGC leaders that as part of the Government’s plan they are looking at upgrading existing facilities which can later be handed over to institutions in the country to manage.
“The whole idea is to build what we can manage and sustain after the 2023 Games. We do not want to build white elephants which will end up being unsustainable,” the Prime Minister said.
Both Mr Lakhan and Mr Minoque have agreed with the sentiments shared with the Prime Minister that it is wise to build infrastructures that can be sustained in future.
Meanwhile, the Prime Minister has also informed the PGC leaders that starting this year until 2023 the Government will be putting aside budget allocation for preparations towards the Games.
The Prime Minister also acknowledged that the Government, NOCSI and all partners involved must work together to get things off the ground as soon as possible.
