More details on hefty bill revealed
THE GOVERNMENT insists the 2.5 million bill incurred by Prime Minister’s delegation to the recent United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York is worth spending.
Secretary to Prime Minister Dr Jimmy Rodgers made this stance in light of further details have emerged about accommodation costs for members of the Prime Minister’s delegation.
He told local media in a press a conference yesterday that from government perspective the trip is worth spending on the fact that we got all the agendas brought up at global level.
He said in terms of personal relationship and harmonization with US and Australia this is the first time. The Prime Minister has meet with US President and Australia Prime Minister.
There are also personal connections that underpin relationship that we need to follow up.
“So it is worth spending,” Dr Rodgers said
He assures that the fund comes under Prime Minister Office will be retired through OPMC while part of funding comes from the government ministries will be retired through the Ministry of Finance.
He also assures that the fund comes from South Pacific Forum Fisheries Agency (SPFFA) will be retired through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Permanent Secretary of Foreign Affairs Collin Beck also added that the cost of the trip is small compared to its benefit.
He explains that there are number of mandatory events where heads of government are required to attend.
One of it is the Pacific Islands Forums meeting. The second largest is the Melanesia Spearhead Group meeting. On the global level UN General Assembly is where world leaders congregate every years where the Prime Minister always attend.
He said in the recent UN General Assembly more than 190 countries participated where they established cooperation, seeking peace and discussed mutual understanding on global issues.
“This is a platform where leaders talk to each other and try to have great understanding on global issues.
“When we look at development cooperation with international community the cost is small,” he said.
Further details have emerged about accommodation costs for members of the Prime Minister’s Delegation to and from the recent United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) meeting in New York.
Solomon Star has obtained details of the types of hotels used, daily rates for each hotel in Australia, New York, and the Pacific Leaders’ Summit with President Joe Biden in Washington DC and a five-day transit in Singapore.
Members of the 12-member delegation are listed as:
Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare and Madam Emmy Sogavare;
Dr. Jimmy Rodgers (Secretary to Prime Minister or SPM)
Mr. Gilbert John Osmond Muria (Attorney General)
Albert Kabui & Hollingsworth Avui
Mr. Leni Dalavera & Walter Diamana
Ipo Kabwere & Fred Toliliu
Hon Lily Maefia & Suzie Wale
The 12-member delegation that travelled with Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare spent a total of seven nights at the Royal Albert Hotel in Brisbane on the way to New York, according to the document.
The cost per room is USD500 a night per person.
According to the document titled, Budget Proposal for Accommodation and Other charges for the seven nights in Brisbane totaled USD24, 500 or SBD$230, 696.69.
In New York, the 12-member delegation including Prime Minister Sogavare and his spouse, Emmy Sogavare, spent nine (9) nights at the Westin Hotel costing USD31, 500 or the equivalent of SBD263, 598.33.
In Washington DC, the delegation spent five nights at the Hotel Washington at the total cost of USD17, 500 or SBD146, 443.52, according to the documents.
On its return, the delegation flew back via Singapore where members spent five (5) nights at the Hilton Orchard – one of the top hotels in Singapore. The bill for this was USD17, 500 or SBD164,783.43, according to the documents.
It is unclear why the transit took almost a week for the delegation to spend in Singapore.
Other charges totalling USD25, 000 or SBD235, 404.90 were also listed.
These charges listed three Official Functions costing USD12, 000 or SBD112, 994.35, four Transit Expenses at USD8, 000 or SBD75, 329.57 and five gifts costed at USD5, 000 or SBD47, 080.98.
Travel and per diems for the 12-member delegation were met by the Honiara-based South Pacific Forum Fisheries Agency (SPFFA), according to a Memorandum dated 5th September 2022.
The Memo was written by Secretary to Prime Minister (SPM), Dr Jimmy Rodgers who wrote, “With regards the delegation under Office of Prime Minister and Cabinet (OPMC), FFA has agreed to meet the total costs for airfares and per diems.”
“SIG will only meet the cost for accommodations, and other provisions, including hosting official dinners, transit and local transportation costs and gifts.
“The contribution by the FFA has reduced the cost to SIG from an estimated 2.5 million dollars to $943, 265.60 – a savings of $1.56 million,” Dr. Rodgers said.
In addition, the delegation requested an additional USD18, 000 for accommodation, claiming the cost of the hotels had gone up because of late payment.
A Payment Voucher raised for the payment shows the USD16, 000 was made under Ministry/Department Reference No. PMOCAB584/22, according to the documents Solomon Star has obtained.
BY CHARLES KADAMANA & ALFRED SASAKO
