Western Provincial Premier expresses support for new Solomon Airlines board

By Deli Oso, Press Secretary to the PM

Solomons' Western Province Premier, Alex Lokopio supports the government’s appointment of a new board for the Solomon Airlines.

Mr Lokopio announced his backing for the move aimed at reviving the financially troubled state-owned enterprise and improving its performance from Munda, Western Province yesterday.

He agreed with the Finance Minister, Gordon Darcy Lilo’s statement when announcing the new board that people of high caliber and the expertise to resolve the plight of the national airline had been appointed.

“The Western Province is a tourist destination and therefore it is not in the best interest of the Western Province to see the Solomon Airlines fail.

“In this regard the appointment of the new board for Solomon Airlines consisting of our professional and distinguished statesmen like Rick Hou, Tony Hughes, Austin Holmes, Billy Titiulu and Gideon Zoloveke Jr. is timely and a step in the right direction,” the Western Province Premier said.

Mr Lokopio is in Munda attending talks with the people there and representatives of the Department of Civil Aviation on the proposed upgrading of the Munda Airfield into an international airport.

He also stressed the importance of upgrading other airfields in the Western Province due to the importance the province places on tourism.