BY SAMIE WAIKORI
AUKI
PREMIER of Malaita province has pleaded with the provincial assembly to support and pass the 2019/2020 provincial budget.
Daniel Suidani in his address to officially open the full assembly’s first meeting yesterday, said they need to pass the budget to move on with the programmes of the province.
He said it was understandable that the election of the speaker, the premier and the executive was not done easily.
“This is due to the financial difficulties facing the province at the time of our election on June 12, 2019.
“This has contributed to the slow start of the first full assembly meeting for 2019.
“And this is not enough, the new government has to organize quickly within matter of 14 days to come up with a budget for the financial year 2019/2020.
“We have no choice but must work to comply with the provincial financial timeframe given that the province is currently operating under a contingency warrant,” Suidani said.
He stressed that presented with this serious issue it is not easily said than done.
Suidani pointed out that it is critical for the full assembly to support the passage of the budget without further delays.
“Let us put our own political interest and difference away and quickly pass the budget for the interest of service delivery for our people.
“As this budget does not belong to my government, but it belongs to the people of Malaita Province.
“A budget that requires continuity of services, and so I believe we will not allow ourselves to be fooled by any narrow minded political agenda.
“Because the moment we do that we are only digging our own graves and not serving the good of our people,” he said.
On that note the premier sees it important as he called for unity and cooperation amongst the full assembly.
“Whatever we as a government and assembly strive to achieve, bear in mind to put the interest of our people first.
“In doing so, let us not be weary but steadfast in what we do if our decisions and actions holds our people at heart.
“Let us not allow ourselves to be used to serve the interest that will not build Malaita province,” he said.
