DEAR EDITOR, generally, public properties are those amenities that the public has access to and that it belongs equally to the members of the society.

There are numerous properties that have been established by the government or the NGOs and private entities, through various sectors of the government.

These services are purposely to be enjoyed by the general public.

Although we may fully understand the purpose and usage of such goods and services, we still lack the care and concern for the protection of such properties especially here in Honiara.

The newly built road rails, footpaths and bridges are few of the many facilities that we take for granted.

There is always the misconception that it does not belong to anyone and therefore gives rise to the no-care-attitude towards the public properties where the commonly used phrase is, “ino blo daddy blo u fo u warim”.

In fact, it’s everybody’s business to care for public properties. Not only because it is paid for by tax payers money, but it resembles our living environment.

If we look after these facilities, in return they’ll take care of our needs for the services we require of them.

Therefore, the public should take ownership in looking after these properties.

Reagan Pitabelama

DEAR EDITOR, as a citizen of Solomon Islands, I respectfully request all our Honorable Members of Parliament of the fifty constituencies to provide RCDF report of each constituency for this four year term.

It has been a concern for most constituents that there is no evidence of tangible developments in their constituencies.

They expect infrastructures such as proper roads, bridges, wharves including sanitation ie. toilets and water supplies plus other economic generating activities in their constituencies because they think funds received in the four year term are sufficient for these developments.

Providing RCDF reports from the fifty members of parliament is transparency and would clear many doubts.

As well, it is their right to know how and where these funds have been spent.

I once again urge all our Honorable Members of the Parliament to disclose reports of the constituency development funds received in the four year term to the people.

This is a call for transparency and accountability.

Yours sincerely,

Nickson Sariki

DEAR EDITOR, all Solomon Islanders know that every after four years, we are given a chance to vote new leaders into the big house, to represent every single citizens within each constituency, and by this, I mean every single individuals, whether voters or non-voters.

However, upon winning the election and being granted a position within the parliament chamber, some leaders can only serve the interests of their voters and family members whilst ignoring the needs and wants of those that do not vote for them.

This has become a common trend every time after the national election is over and the question I want to pose here is, how will this year’s intending candidates aim to change for the betterment of our people?

Will our people continue to vote for people who only serve themselves when they become someone up there?

Will this year’s election be any different from national general elections from the past years?

Most importantly, will intending candidates display clean way of campaigning to win the majority of votes without secretly distributing money, bags of rice, sheets of cooper roofing, tanks, and you name it during the ‘devil’s night’?

I am hoping this year’s national general election will be a whole different from the past years and our future new leaders will put into mind and heart the national motto of our beloved country, “to lead is to serve’ and do away with the ‘to lead is to self-serve’.

Sincerely

Patricia Kolaoi

Emalus Campus, USP