SI opposition leader says government is for the people

Solomon Islands Opposition Leader Manasseh Sogavare says the national government is the institution that exists for the people.

The government, as was with previous governments, has been submitted with demands from the Guadalcanal, Malaita and Choiseul Provinces.

Other issues that are before Cabinet are the compensation demands of licensed gun owners and rehabilitation packages for former militants.

Speaking in response to the question if the government is directly responsible for demands it is facing from provinces and individual groups, the Opposition Leader says demands and issues are raised to the government to address, whether or not they are involved or responsible.

Mr Sogavare says the only authority that anyone can raise any issue with is the government.

He says although some demands and issues raised may seem unreasonable for the government to address, he encourages the government to maintain a continuous dialogue with the concerned provinces and parties.

"I would encourage the government to continue to talk to them, in fact I made that point on the floor of parliament and advise the government do not stop talking. Call these people who put those demands up and continue to talk to them. Stay in dialogue. Then they will see that yes, the government is serious about looking at this issue".

Source: SIBC