MAJOR policy changes have been foreshadowed in the wake of the recent revolt by politicians within the ruling GNUT coalition, insiders have revealed.
As well, sources have revealed that the Solomon Islands People First Party is engaged in secret talks through a third party for a reconciliation with the Opposition over the Motion of No Confidence (MNOC) debacle.
Some 16 senior ministers and backbench members signed the 10-point Memorandum of Demands (MoD) on 23 December 2024, demanding among other things that Prime Minister (PM) Jeremiah Manele reshuffle certain senior ministers from their current portfolios.
One of the major policy changes is to address the cement price war within the Hardware industry where old and new Chinese are pitching against each other.
To end the price war, the Government said it would abolish the Preferred Supplier Arrangement (PSA).
Instead, hardware suppliers will bid through the Central Tender Board (CTB), a move already acknowledged by one businessman as the most effective and fair way to handle the business.
“I like the move. It is very good on the part of government to do that,” the businessman said.
It is unknown when the new change will come into force. Some 69 hardware businesses were accorded the PSA status.
Changes are expected in other areas as well.
These include terminating the Mustard Seed Health Insurance for Members of Parliament (MP). It will not be renewed after the agreement lapsed in March this year.
Terminating it now would be costly, according to Prime Minister Manele.
“Colleagues, the Mustard Seed Program will end in March 2025 and will not be renewed. Terminating the Agreement now may require the Government to spend money or may lead to commencement of legal proceedings against the Government so it is advisable to allow the contract come to an end in March,” Mr. Manele told MPs in his written response.
It is not clear whether a new health insurance scheme would be established for MPs.
One other potential change is that Leroy Wharf – a private entity – will be reviewed because of security concerns.
“There seems to be internal conflict among those operating suffrage wharf, including the owner of Leroy Wharf. In this instance, the government must carefully evaluate and make decisions that are fair and promote trade facilitation.
“In this context, elevating a privately owned port to international status needs to be carefully reconsidered, as it poses a threat to our national security. Solomon Ports is operating effectively both in Honiara and Noro, and its international port status must be protected and preserved. Other privately owned ports, can only be designated as suffrage, subject to assessment by Customs and Excise,” Prime Minister Manele said in response to the 10-point demands.
Meanwhile, the internal bickering appears to be continuing.
Following last Tuesday’s Caucus meeting, a group consisting of the disgruntled politicians met for dinner at a restaurant in the Henderson area.
Some eight MPs including ministers alleged agreed to resign from the GNUT coalition within 48 hours. Others would follow.
At the same time, an official with leaning towards the Western Province, was allegedly tasked to hold secret talks with the Opposition with a view to establishing a reconciliation between Opposition leader and MP for Small Malaita on one side and the Parliamentary leader of People First Party on the other.
It is not clear how far the discussions have gone.
The Opposition has dismissed the arrangement, saying what is happening was created by Government MPs, not the Opposition’s.
“We came into the picture only because we thought they were genuine. As it turned out, they were not. Let them sort the problem amongst themselves.”
By Alfred Sasako
