The Government of National Unity and Transformation (GNUT) has spent over $2.1 million on Prime Minister (PM) Jeremiah Manele’s four overseas trips since he took office in May of this year.
PM Manele has made official trips to:
- Australia (June 23–29)
- People’s Republic of China (July 8–17)
- Tokyo, Japan, for the Pacific Alliance Leaders Summit (July 16–20)
- The 53rd Pacific Islands Forum in Tonga (August 26–30).
The trip to Australia cost over $369,000, covering airfares, per diem allowances, and special imprests.
The China and Japan trips cost taxpayers $1.2 million, as the delegation included 14 government ministers, four Members of Parliament, and senior officials from the Office of the Prime Minister and Cabinet.
While most of the delegation returned home after the China trip, PM Manele led a smaller delegation to Japan.
The trip to the Pacific Islands Forum in Tonga cost over $469,000.
These figures were confirmed by PM Manele in response to Opposition Leader Matthew Wale’s questions in Parliament this week.
Despite the significant expenses, PM Manele stated that the short, medium, and long-term benefits to Solomon Islands from these trips far outweigh the costs.
According to him, the visits have strengthened bilateral relations with Australia, China, and Japan, which is expected to result in increased development assistance for the Solomon Islands on multiple levels.
Key outcomes of the trips:
Australia:
- Driving economic growth and job creation in Solomon Islands.
- Australian investment in critical infrastructure, including the privatization of Bina Harbour.
- Strengthening the Labour Mobility Scheme to engage more Solomon Islanders.
- Expanding the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force from 1,500 officers to 3,000, and ultimately to 5,000 over the next decade.
- Supporting efforts to eliminate malaria in the Solomon Islands by 2030.
- Assistance in hosting the 54th Pacific Islands Forum in 2025.
- Providing funding to build the first state residence for the Prime Minister and preparation for residences for the Speaker and Chief Justice.
- Designing a joint complex for the Prime Minister’s Office and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and External Trade.
China:
- Confirmation of $170 million in grants for projects, including the tar-sealing of Auki road.
- Establishment of a sister relationship between Western Province and Fujian Province.
- Signing of a friendship agreement between Isabel Province and Shandong Province, which has already resulted in Shandong providing small boats and scholarships to Isabel students.
Japan:
- Signing of a $120 million contract with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), Kitano Construction, and the Solomon Islands Government to improve Kilu’ufi Hospital in Malaita Province.
- Discussions on developing the Bina Harbour project in Malaita.
Tonga:
Strengthened Solomon Islands’ presence in the regional family, addressing issues such as security, Pacific Islands Forum membership, and the decolonization of New Caledonia.
