Dear Editor – I read with surprise that the ministry responsible for reconciling the Solomon Islands has now taken over the role of securing land for Public service officers.
As the news items lines go on, one will wonder whether the government offices are still alright or some amendments has now open doors for “do as you wish” in any portfolio mandate that you are in.
The article exposed by the MNURP purchasing land asset has drawn some questions on the specific portfolio mandates excised and the photograph become a living proof of the likes that may be reflected to be categorically nonsense to the interest of this unreconciled country.
Perhaps too old to be wise on the fabrics of the west minister system that Solomon Islands has adopted, and hence former Auditor General has disqualified on the retirement 55 years grounds as constitutional post holder of one has committed crime against the state, otherwise MNURP article is a corruption in its highest disguise.
The following opinions might put the points as to why the above statements are made.
Firstly, remember the budget for each ministerial portfolio is passed in National parliament and becomes a legislation of parliament in its self; and is guided and regulated by the national Finance and Auditors act.
Affiliating to that fact, each ministry has its allowances through its budget by approvals to expend on the policies aligned to portfolio mandates.
In this case where on earth has MNURP mandated to deal in lands and housing matters, when the staff are public service officers whom may subject to transfer anytime as and when required to post out to other SIG offices.
May be it is an interesting to hear whether cabinet approvals have been granted MNURP to purchase land asset to transfer the mandate to MNURP to expend funds on the functions of lands & housing portfolio.
In fact further elaborations can be attributed to this factor and this is why the system established mandated portfolio Ministries with responsibilities, function and specific obligations. I reckon those who care so much on corruption see the points in this perspective.
Secondly is the question on the engagement of a government office in a commercial undertaking or participation.
It would seem that those two very experienced and senior countrymen have exposed their lack of respect to the essence of appropriate governance system and further indulge a constitutional doubt on dealings that brought Government office to participate in commercial proceedings, a public tender.
ICSI is a statutory entity as well as commercial organ and its activities pose business entity interest which does not allow government office to participate openly with tax payers money as would be possible in business circle, or is there cabinet paper allowing public office to proceed as such. What a bluff! Ethic issues are still outstanding and MNURP is gambling with tax monies.
The above two opinions are perhaps adequate to raise my point in bringing this matte and the caretaker Government should see to such situation where lack of proper procedures are practiced at the highest constitutional posts in the country.
As for government offices, I think this example created by ignorance of MNURP is a classics situation where we should take note of and should mean liaise welfare matter to public service office, Lands, rentals and housing matters to ministry of housing and lands and reconciliation matters to MNURP.
In fact it does not stop anyone to make consultations on issues on common cause as reflected by the intentions of MNURP land purchase but if it is not procedural then it is corruption, if you want to make tie houses system then deal with appropriate government office but not engaging in public commercial processes.
Remember we have boundaries and not to gamble with tax payers monies to buy fixed assets. Be careful not to wear MID’s construction shoes!
To the CER of national reconciliation constitutional post, may be you are lucky because by the time new government comes, this issue is long gone, if not the PAC will grill you for gambling in Public with tax payers money.
This is SL. History on SIG office participating with fellow citizens on public tender process. Lelebet government too yah like winnim citizens blo hem lo tender ya. May be SIPEY and public service office are also doing the same.
Oh I forgot, can caretaker government see to this and may be the Attorney General’s Chamber need to explain why the MNURP is reconciling the office working environment than going to Malaita Province or resolving ethic issues.
National elections are at hand and stop grabbing spare lands too.
Sorry if I offend anyone but I think something is terribly officially wrong in the very comprehensive west minister system we have.
Walter Neal
White River
