BY ELTON LONARATHA JNR
THE National Hosting Authority (NHA) is in the final stages of winding down its operations following the successful conclusion of the Pacific Games 2023.
NHA Executive Director revealed to SunSPORTS that their primary focus is to ensure that all operations are completed without leaving any outstanding debts.
“We are currently progressing with audit reports,” the Executive Director said. “Most staff members have departed, leaving a few Secretariat Staff to oversee the final report preparations. However, we still maintain the Legacy team, which will be handed over to the National Sports Council (NSC) in the third quarter, coinciding with the completion of our reports.”
He emphasized the importance of concluding all remaining matters before the NHA signs off. “We need to properly finalize contracts, Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs), and sponsorship agreements. We are committed to not leaving any debts behind.”
The NHA is yet to conduct the final phase handover of the Pacific Games 2023 (PG23) facilities to the NSC and the National Olympic Committee of the Solomon Islands (NOCSI) through the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).
Earlier this year, the first phase of the handover was completed, including the distribution of vehicles to new owners.
In May, the former Prime Minister and Minister for the Pacific Games 2023, Manasseh Sogavare, handed over seven facilities built for the games to the NSC and NOCSI through the MHA.
Shortly thereafter, the newly elected Prime Minister, Jeremiah Manele, distributed 20 Tata buses donated by the Government of India to 11 recipients, primarily government ministries and institutions, including an Anglican Church of Melanesia College.
At the same event, Manele announced the distribution of 43 vehicles donated by the Government of Korea and 16 vehicles purchased by the NHA to 17 recipients, mainly government ministries.
NHA Chairperson, Dr. Jimmy Rodgers, confirmed that the majority of payments to contractors involved in the successful hosting of the PG23 have been settled, with only a few payments pending.
He assured that the issues faced during the hosting of the Festival of Pacific Arts (FOPA) in 2012 would not be repeated.
“We have already settled 99% of these payments, and we are proud of this achievement. NHA is ensuring that we leave no debt behind,” Rodgers stated.
He added that efforts are being made to settle the remaining payments with available funds before finalizing the audit report.
The completion of the audit report will be marked by one more handover ceremony, after which the report will be presented to Parliament.
With the NHA nearing the end of its operations, it aims to leave a lasting legacy while ensuring a debt-free conclusion to its duties.
The Pacific Games 2023 facilities yet to be handed over include Solomon Islands National Institute of Sports (SINIS), Multipurpose Hall at East End Sports Park and Sports Legacy House Administration at the Sport City.
The first seven facilities that were successfully handed over are National Stadium (10,000 seats), National Aquatic Center, National Tennis Center, Friendship Hall, East End Sports Park at KGVI, Hockey Field at KGVI and the Iumi Water Sports Park at DC Park
