THE Government plans to pull down the Prime Minister’s official residence at Vavaya Ridge and rebuild it before Manasseh Sogavare can move in.
Mr Sogavare will, in the meantime, remain at his private residence at Lungga, east of Honiara, while work on the official residence is being carried out
The prime minister’s press secretary Deli Oso said the residence is too old and not fit for Mr Sogavare to move in.
“Mr Sogavare will have to live in his private home at Lungga for some time until the rebuilding work is done,” Mrs Oso said.
“The government’s intention is to pull down the house and build a new official residence on the same ground,” she added.
Under the Parliamentary Entitlement Regulation (PER) regulation 33, the Prime Minister shall not pay rent when staying at the official residence.
However, in this case the PM resides at his private residence, he will be accorded the rental privilege between $9,000 to $15,000.
Acting Clerk to Parliament, Florence Naesol said this rental is same for the ministers, Leader of Opposition, Leader of Independent, Speaker, Deputy Speaker and chairmen of Parliamentary Standing Committees.
Mrs Naesol said normally after four years, the PM’s official residence undergoes renovation before the new Prime Minister can move in.
By EDDIE OSIFELO
