“THE Government can pursue other loans but NOT the US$100 billion proposal it tries to borrow from an unidentified and questionable source possibly within China.”
This sentiment was expressed by Executive Director of Transparency Solomon Islands Ruth Liloqula during a Talk-Back Show on the national broadcaster, Sunday.
Liloqula said that if it has to, the government must find a loan whose dealings are transparent and from credible sources and not from shady and suspicious characters that more or less bear the hallmark of a scam.
She further added that clouds hang over the USD$100 billion loan proposal, a cynical undertaking that deserves no consideration from day one.
Liloqula further stated that the government also needs to break its silence over the issue and inform the people as to the purpose of the loan.
The outspoken Liloqula encourages the government to look for funds that grow the country and not leaders’ pockets.
She expressed deep disappointment over the fact that not all members of parliament are genuine about committing themselves to investments that work for this nation.
The TSI representative reiterated that some people are opportunistic, targeting soft spots in our constitution to enrich themselves at the expense of the mass.
She added that these are the very people our country must be vigilant against.
In response to the question that the Minister of Finance has acted within the bounds of the Public Financial Management Act (PFMA) (part 8 of PFMA: Government Borrowing), Liloqula said that such powers does not make his actions right.
She added that the sovereignty of this nation belongs to the people and it is incumbent on the Finance minister to do the right thing by and for the people and not to enter into questionable dealings that would have negative generational impacts.
“The proposed loan is far beyond our capacity to finance and it would be irresponsible of the Minister of Finance to pursue,” she said.
“What is wrong with us is the fact that our leaders are looking outside of the country to grow the economy,” she added.
She said that we have the resources that if harnessed properly could earn and grow this country exponentially.
By SAMSON SADE
