BY SAMIE WAIKORI
The Minister for Foreign Affairs and External Trade, Peter Shanel Agovaka says the country is still waiting for official statement from the US Trump’s administration on the “90 days pause” of its foreign aid worldwide.
The Minister, joined by his colleague minister for National Planning (MNPDAC), Rexon Ramofafia made the statement, when responding to questions asked by Opposition Leader, Matthew Wale and colleague MPs from the side, on the impact of the paused US aid on the country, during the question-and-answer session in parliament yesterday.
The ministers expressed remorse, admitted that all the USAID donated and funded projects in the country were affected by the US foreign policy.
Major among them is the Millenium Challenge Cooperation (MCC) and the US25 million funded SCALE project in Malaita province.
Ramofafia said they are the programs that are directly affected by the policy. They were implemented by NGOs and reported to the ministry, especially the MCC.
The 5-years SCALE project which supposed to lapse this year, 2025 and the US foreign policy provides no clear direction on whether it will renew. So far, the SCALE project had supported natural resources management programs in Malaita, however, a number of infrastructure projects proposed for the province will be affected by the policy.
The only US project that continues in the country is the UXO, which comes under the Halo foundation. The project deals with removing World War II (WWII) ordinances that still remain high in parts of the country, especially in Guadalcanal and Western provinces.
Agovaka also emphasized that subsequent to the policy, US Aid offices in the country, even across Pacific region have closed. Responsible bodies in the region are working with the Trump administration to reviewing aid to the region.
The Minister emphasized there are number of US aided projects being implemented in the country, and will keep talking to the Trump administration.
“There are projects implemented and we must ensure these projects are fully completed and not just half-cooked,” he said.
Agovaka assured GNUT’s resolute commitment to keep talking to US government on the matter, while they are waiting for official feedback on the 90 days paused, issued by Trump administration in an executive order to put on hold all US foreign aid.
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