Danny Philip threatens to demolish NCRA; PM
untroubled
FORMER Prime Minister Danny Philip has
threatened to mastermind a massive walkout of the National Coalition for Rural
Advancement (NCRA) over what he described as ‘serious differences’ over NCRA
policies.
Mr Philip threatened to quit following what he labelled as a ‘serious fissure’ within the Lilo led regime.
Mr Philip’s decision came about following Prime Minister Lilo’s move to abolish the National Bureau for Social and Economic Reform (NBSER).
Mr Philip said the decision was pathetic, far-fetched and short-sighted.
“Apart from being the one single institutional restructuring that the NCRA Government had formed when it came into power in 2010, the Bureau remains the cornerstone of the NCRA Government’s policy laboratory for its fundamental reform agenda,” the former Prime Minister said.
“Yes, I agree that the Bureau needs some changes in areas such as the appointment of expert local personnel, political appointees, some cost cutting and a bit of internal administrative restructuring. But the way it is being done is highly regrettable.”
He accused Prime Minister Lilo of having no vision thus, putting an end to what he described as the only institution that links the “institutional government” to the governing of the people of Solomon Islands.
Mr Philip said the Bureau has been established to research into Fundamental Reform Policies of the NCRA government.
Therefore, he said its output cannot be quantified in the short term or only through rural development project modules.
“Fundamental Reforms is about the governing of real people and not just about institutions,” Mr Philip said.
“For this reason, I must warn Prime Minister Lilo to refrain from operating an “impressive government” designed to mislead the public through window dressing cost-cutting measures such as cutting off mobile phones held by government officers and reinstating them only within a matter of days.
In this instance, I wish to say that I am contemplating leaving the NCRA Government led by Prime Minister Lilo on grounds of policy disagreement. The way the Prime Minister is doing things is about how he wants people to see him more than investing his time and efforts in running the business of the country.
If the trend continues it is my fear that the Prime Minister Lilo will spend more time and money on “hedging” himself to remain in power than on the affairs of the nation.”
It is understood Mr Philip who still has grudges against Mr Lilo following his downfall November last year was planning revenge against the finance minister he sacked but eventually took his throne.
Prime Minister Gordon Darcy Lilo in an interview with the Solomon Star last night was clearly furious over Mr Philip’s remarks calling on him to stop feeding the public with liars.
Mr Lilo said his government is serious and the decision to abolish the Bureau was a Cabinet decision and not his own.
“All members of NCRA agreed to abolish the Bureau with no regrets because it produces monster’s that does no good to the country,” the Prime Minister said.
“The Bureau was taking the country into a pit hole because it is running on the expense of the rural population. I don’t want to be part of less expertise individuals who are trying to manipulate the Government system for their own good.”
Prime Minister Lilo said an example of fundamental reform Mr Philip was boasting about was the slashing of all post-paid phones of Government workers last year.
He explained to date only constitutional post holders, ministers and permanent secretaries have access to post-paid phones and no-one else.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Lilo welcomed Mr Philip’s decision to walkout of his Government.
However, he said he was confident none of his ministers would be tagging along with Mr Philip because only a fool could do so after all the mess he put NCRA through which resulted in his downfall.
See Mr Philip’s view point on page 13 for more detailed views on his disagreements with Prime Minister Lilo. A respond by the Prime Minister will be published Monday next week.
By DOUGLAS MARAU
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