LEADER of Opposition, Matthew Wale, has described the Prime Minister’s ‘drop in the ocean’ cost-benefit statement as outrageously insensitive.
Mr Wale said this response deviated from the genuine concerns raised, namely, the lie his office told that the China trip was fully funded by China and consequently, taxpayers are footing the cost of the huge travelling delegation.
The Opposition Leader said the Prime Minister’s deflective response was quite surprising considering the current economic crisis faced in the country.
“It might be just a drop in the ocean for the Prime Minister but it is a great deal for struggling Solomon Islanders who wake up every day trying to fend for themselves and their families,” he said.
“People are returning home sick because of the lack of supplies and medicines at our hospital and clinics. There are local businesses barely operating under the heavy tax burdens. So, forgive me for calling this response insensitive, but spending tax-payers money in our current state is a great deal for citizens of our country,” the Opposition Leader said.
“The best he could have done was explain the role of each of the members of the travelling delegation and why it was necessary for such a huge delegation to travel. After all, he is running a nation that belongs to the people and not a private business,” the Opposition Leader added.
The Opposition Leader added that the Sogavare regime has landed the government in a very difficult cashflow situation that the government could not pay for services.
He said the Prime Minister is now blaming donor partners for his irresponsible negligence.
“Donors are not responsible for government services. It is happening because of his negligence for selling Solomon Islands for 30 pieces of silver,” he said.
Mr Wale said the Prime Minister has made Solomon Islands a laughing stock in the region.
Meanwhile, the Leader of Opposition also described the explanation given by the Secretary to Prime Minister that China could not cover the Honiara-Brisbane return trip because of difficulties accessing the Solomon Airlines website as ‘quite astounding.’
“I find it hard to understand the fact that a country with the technological caliber as China could not access the Solomon Airlines website. This is difficult to fathom.” he said.
The Opposition Leader reiterated that the Prime Minister’s Office needs to clarify why an imprest totaling $238, 134.88 was also paid to an imprest-holder who did not travel with the delegation.
“Why was this concern not clarified? The imprest was signed by SPM and approved by [the Ministry of] Finance knowing very well that his officer did not travel with the delegation and bypassed financial management procedures?” Mr Wale questioned.
The Opposition Leader said this is a serious financial malpractice.
– Opposition Press
