Page 14 - IB FEB 2018

Politics

continuation of the controversial constitu-
ency development fund (CDF), which he
said would be included in the 2018 budget
and future national budgets due to its
popularity.
“Given its preference amongst the elec-
torates there is every reason to believe
that CDF will continue to be a feature of
SI annual budgets.”
He further revealed that his government
has not made any budget allocation for
compensation payout to the ex-combat-
ants in the country’s 14 years of ethnic
tension.
Discussing his relations with his pre-
decessor Sogavare who is also his deputy
and Finance Minister, PM Houenipwela
Rick Hou with his deputy and Finance Minister Sogavare to his right. Photo: File
said they enjoyed a cordial working rela-
Budget is PM Hou’s priority tions.
“We consult regularly not only on
matters of finance and the economy but
also on other issues. Mr Sogavare is not
Former banker “This budget will be realistic, we will only only the Finance Minister – he is also my
deputy, so I have to keep that in mind.”
spend what we earn.” Also a priority is a
new anti corruption bill, which his new Giving an insight on his new job, the
promises cuts government is determined to bring to MP for Small Malaita said he was grate-
the floor of parliament as soon as it is
ful to the support by a solid coalition of
cleared by the bills and legislation com- four political parties with his own party
in government mittee through its public hearings. The of eleven members.
bill was first introduced in parliament by
He said that in his previous work as
spending the previous government of Manasseh Governor of the Central Bank of Solomon
Sogavare but he was forced to withdraw it
Islands, the rules of the game were very
clear and that he said shaped his approach
following pressures from his own caucus
and supporters. to decision making.
In an exclusive interview with this He believes that his background in
magazine, the Prime Minister said he leadership and executive management
was confident that government finances would come in handy at this new job of
have come under control. “Besides, with leading his nation and where the rules are
the firm management by the Honourable not so clear.
Minister of Finance, within two months “It is helpful to have strong negotiation
By Mereseini Marau-Totoka revenue collections have been good and skills, while at the same time one has to
for the first time the government has been remember that in a democracy such as
TWO months in the hottest seat of Solo- able to pay up all its normal creditors and ours, one has to learn the art of compro-
mon Islands politics, Prime Minister Rick outstanding payments. “ mise,” he said.
Houenipwela is already geared up to steer- Former Prime Minister Manasseh So- Asked by Islands Business about his
ing his country to a new direction with the gavare is the Finance Minister and also Government’s position on West Papua, PM
passing of his government’s 2018 National Deputy Prime Minister. Houenipwela said Houenipwela said that it was an important
Budget as his foremost priority. revenue collections have picked up so well policy matter which his new government
Focused on his new calling, the former that by the end of last year, the Customs has yet to take a position on.
central banker has listed a few priorities Department alone had collected for the In replacing Sogavare last November,
that he needed to address urgently in this first time $1 billion (US$128.857m) in he automatically assumes the position of
new year. Topping the list is the passing of revenue. chair of the Melanesian Spearhead Group,
the 2018 National Budget, which he hopes “This is a significant milestone in Solo- a sub-regional grouping of Melanesian na-
to do in next month’s sitting of parliament. mon Islands Customs revenue collection tions that are Solomon Islands, Vanuatu,
As the head of government, PM history. I believe we have instilled stability Fiji, Papua New Guinea and the Kanaki’s
Houenipwela’s other priorities for this and confidence in the community which political grouping in French-controlled
year include stablising his country’s is impacting positively on the business New Caledonia, the FLNKS.
political and fiscal situations as well as and donor community. This confidence Houenipwela said his priority would
implementing the government’s selected will have further positive impacts on the be to hand the chairmanship of MSG to
priority infrastructure projects. economy this year and in the medium his Papua New Guinea counterpart Peter
Expect the 2018 budget to be lower than term.” O’Neill this month.
those of the previous years, he promised. Another issue he highlighted was the r mememarau@gmail.com

14 Islands Business, February 2018