Solomon's opposition leader criticises gov't rural development proposed funding allocation

The Solomon Islands Leader of Opposition, Manasseh Sogavare has described the Coalition for National Unity and Rural Advancement (CNURA) Government’s proposed 80-million dollars allocation for rural development as a slap to its rural advancement policy.

Deputy Prime Minister, Fred Fono announced the proposed rural development package when opening a meeting of the Isabel Development Company trustees last week.

Responding to the announcement, Mr Sogavare says the proposed package was a mockery of the government’s commitment to advance development in rural Solomon Islands.

He says the proposed package was a big reduction to his former Grand Coalition for Change Government’s proposed rural development package of 150-million.

"When the GCCG formulate the budget, we were talking about allocation 150 million dollars from two sources. One from the Republic of China, they have allocated 50 million dollars every year and we were going to commit the Solomon Islands Government to another 100-million dollars."

Mr Sogavare says the government collects about one billion dollars in revenue each year.

Source: SIBC