THE Western Provincial Government still owes some of the local suppliers and service providers through provision of goods and services on the height of COVID-19 outbreak in the country last year.
This was revealed by the former Western Provincial Secretary (PS) who is now a duly elected Member of the Provincial Assembly (MPA) Jeffery Wickham.
He made the comments during the first assembly meeting in Gizo more than a week ago.
Mr Wickham was a member of the Provincial Disaster Operating Committee (PDOC) at the time to oversee the COVID-19 operations early last year.
During that period Western Province had recorded a number of COVID-19 cases transmitted from Honiara.
As a result, some of the COVID-19 patients have been accommodated at a number of quarantine centres in Gizo and Nusatupe.
With limited funds at the time, the disaster committee had to seek support through the provision of goods and services from some of local suppliers and service providers in Gizo.
However, some of these suppliers are yet to be cleared in terms of the outstanding bills, it was revealed.
“Its good that we ask in time of trouble but we fail to pay up.
“Therefore, we must look at settling the bills,” he said.
Deputy Premier and Finance Minister Calrick Runimetu in his response said the province will take note of the issue.
It was also revealed some of the outboard motor and vehicle operators are still being owed with large sums of money.
The government at that period was under the leadership of former premier David Gina.
Christian Mesepitu took over as premier and the assembly came to its natural death in June 2022.
For six months until December, Western Province was operating under a caretaker administration.
And because of that many more suppliers and contractors have also been owed for providing services to the province last year.
By MOFFAT MAMU
Solomon Star, Gizo
