Page 33 - IB FEB 2018

Indepth

Destined for servitude

AT the helm of Solomon Islands politics, ary schooling was in church ran schools would take the position. In fact a day
Rick Houenipwela became the country’s 17th except 3 years at KGVI School – which is before the election I knew I would poll
Prime Minister. He came into power after his a government school. Tertiary education more ballots than our number of 30 mem-
predecessor Manasseh Sogavare was voted was in PNG and Australia. My background bers – which I told a news conference the
out. This change in leadership came barely a is in accounting and economics. Following previous day. And as it turned out, if not
a few years in the private sector, I spent
for the spoiled vote, I would have won 34
year to go before the country’s next election 25 years at the Central Bank, and then ballots not 33.
scheduled for 2019. He spoke to Mereseini at the World Bank HQ until 2010 when
Marau-Totoka about his new appointment. I got elected to represent Small Malaita IB: Now almost one month to the day
Constituency in Parliament. you became PM, what can you say
IB: How are you settling in as Prime about the state of public finances
Minister of Solomon Islands? and the general state of the economy
IB: If you can take us to the events
PM HOUENIPWELA: Very well. I am sup- that preceded your nomination to of Solomon Islands?
ported by a solid collation of four politi- the position of PM after the fall of PM HOUENIPWELA: I can confidently
cal parties with my own party of eleven PM Sogavare’s government on 6 say that government finances have come
members. November, when did you realise that under control. Besides, with the firm man-
you can be the PM? agement by the Hon Minister of Finance,
IB: Were you expecting this Mr Prime within two months revenue collections
Minister, that one day you will be- PM HOUENIPWELA: After the fall of So- have been good and for the first time the
come the leader of Solomon Islands? gavare, the only political party that came government has been able to pay up on all
out with a candidate was my own party
PM HOUENIPWELA: Yes indeed - when I – the Democratic Alliance Party (DAP). its normal creditors and outstanding pay-
was elected into Parliament I look forward And this was common knowledge in the ments. In fact the revenue collections have
to the opportunity to serve my country in two camps, at Honiara Hotel (Opposi- picked so well that by the end of the year,
that capacity one day, although I did not tion group) and the Heritage Park Hotel Customs department alone have achieved
think it would (happen) in my second (Sogavare-led group). It was obvious to $1 billion. This is a significant milestone
term. the Heritage Park Hotel camp that no other in Solomon Islands Customs revenue col-
lection history. More generally I believe
option was workable except with my group
IB: You made a name for yourself if they were to retain the government. So we have instilled stability and confidence
as a bold and shrewd manager of they offered us the position of Prime Min- in the community which is impacting
public finances during your term ister, which we accepted. At that moment positively on the business and donor com-
as Governor of the Central Bank of I knew I munity. This confidence will have further
Solomon Islands. Should we expect positive impacts on the economy this year
a similar kind of legacy during your and in the medium term.
term as PM?
IB: Now to a regional issue, what
PM HOUENIPWELA: In my previous is your priority about the MSG?
(professional) work, the rules of the game
were very clear, which have shaped my PM HOUNIPWELA: My priority
approach to decision-making. And indeed now is to hand the chairmanship to
I believe my background in leadership PNG in February this year. Among
and in executive management are two urgent matters before the mem-
(important) credentials I brought to this bers is to approve the operational
job. However, on the political playing field budget for 2018.
the rules are not very clear: it is helpful
to have strong negotiation skills, while IB: Mr Sogavare was also
at the same time one has to remember a champion for the people
that in a democracy such as ours, one of West Papua. Do you hope
has to learn the art of compromise. to continue in this role?
PM Hounipwela: This is an
IB: Can you share with our readers important policy matter which
your background Mr PM, growing up the new government has yet to
I believe in Malaita, your schooling conclude.
days and your family?
r mememarau@gmail.com
PM HOUENIPWELA: I come from Malaita;
and the eldest of nine children. My own
family: 4 children who are now adults. Solomon Islands
Most of my primary and second- Prime Minister Rick
Houenipwela