Dear Editor – In the current lobbying frenzy to form a new government, high and important positions are being offered to office bearers and executives of political parties in the negotiations.
The Speaker is one such position being prostituted about.
No doubt there would be others. This is not good for the country.
Firstly it does not guarantee that the people being offered for these positions in this manner are the best people for the jobs in terms of quality of service.
Secondly it is at best, favouritism, at worst nepotism.
Both are negatives which the country should avoid as it starts a new government on a clean slate.
Lastly it would be a sad beginning of the efforts by the country to develop political parties to ensure the integrity of leaders and political stability.
We are starting off on a potentially corrupt basis.
To ensure that the country receives the best services from those holding these positions, they ought to be offered meritiously, that is based on merit.
This is the best way qualified Solomon Islanders can be identified to provide the best service in these positions for their country.
If we always rely on political party executives and as political appointees, the country would end up with the same old and stale people with no improvement to the service.
They appear to be the same people who are riding the political waves for their own benefits with little or no regard for the country.
They tend to dominate these things and normally rotate them amongst themselves at the expense of the country.
Opportunities in government and public life ought to be availed to all citizens on merit, equal, and fair basis.
It should never be the preserve of a few privileged on the basis of political affiliations as in the current situation.
Additionally, opportunities should never be bargaining chips.
The country is developing its political party system partly to address the chronic problems of political instability and lack of integrity especially in national leadership circles.
The nature of the current lobbying to form the new government is such that if anything, it is starting a new government off on fertile ground for corruption.
For one thing, the involvement of big money and businesses would lead to these businesses and individuals in return to seek favours from the new government.
It is the same self-service attitude evident among certain government leaders that is now showing through the hierarchy of the political party system the country is trying to develop.
As soon as these parties form a governing coalition, the self servicing will simply continue unabated and the country would be back to square one all over again.
Gabriel Taloikwai
Honiara