North Malaita MP disputes threat to RAMSI

Solomon Islands Leader of the Independent Group and MP for North Malaita, Daniel Kwanairara, has expressed concern over recent statements by Prime Minister over the removal of the Australian component of RAMSI.

Mr Kwanairara said the statements by Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare are now impacting negatively on the business community - both foreign investors and local business owners.

"Some business houses are closing down and if this state of insecurity continues unabated, a return to the days of crisis is possible,” Mr Kwanairara said.
He said over the past weeks the continuous discussions of RAMSI’s future in the local and overseas media has caused much instability and feeling of insecurity in the minds of the business owners. Foreigners are now worried that their investment may not be safe once the Australian component of RAMSI is removed."

"A positive and secure political climate is the prerequisite for the promotion of investment by foreigners and nationals,” Mr Kwanairara said.

He said the government and RAMSI need a vantage point of maturity to see the relationship through “new pair of glasses”. He added that this paradigm shift would see the executive government take proactive stance by initiating and setting the agenda for RAMSI and that this agenda form the basis for an annual round-table meeting, with RAMSI stakeholders and the national government through the Facilitation Act.

“I believe matters of contention or disagreement could be worked-out diplomatically instead of taking a confrontational strategy,” the leader said.

Mr Kwanairara said the diplomatic stand-off between Solomon Islands and Australia could be solved in a similar manner to enable Solomon Islands go on with rebuilding, reconstruction, peace-building and strengthening the economy for the sake of the rural masses.

Source: Solomon Star