By Georgina Maka’a
Opposition Leader Manasseh Sogavare has put the Government on notice, declaring it will be judged not by the promises in the Speech from the Throne but by its ability to deliver.
Closing his response in Parliament yesterday to the Speech from the throne, Sogavare embraced the national motto, “To Lead Is to Serve,” saying the Opposition would hold the Government to the standards it had set for itself.
“We accept that motto without reservation,” he said.
“We will hold this Government to the standard the Speech itself has set—not the eloquence of its promises, but the discipline of its delivery.”
Mr Sogavare said the Opposition would closely scrutinise several key commitments outlined in the Government’s programme, delivered in the speech, which includes the Bina tuna processing project, the planned phase-out of round log exports by 2032, reforms to the mining sector, five customary land Bills, public service modernisation and preparations for Solomon Islands’ Golden Jubilee in 2028.
He said the Golden Jubilee belongs “not to any Government but to every Solomon Islander from Shortland to Anuta.”
Responding to the strong backing for the GREAT Government and its ambitious promises, he said the Opposition will be vigilant and act as “the alternative Government of this country.”
“We will scrutinise carefully. We will improve where we can. We will support what deserves support. And where the national interest requires it, we will oppose firmly, publicly, and on the record of this Chamber.” Sogavare stated on the floor of Parliament.
The opposition leader stressed that the Opposition’s position is firm, and the Government is “respectfully” placed on notice.
“We will not support the legislation of consumption taxes on the ordinary citizens of this country while the largest resource extractors continue to negotiate their positions in private.”
“We will not support treaty-level commitments entered into on behalf of this nation without the informed consent of the Members whom the people of Solomon Islands have elected.
“We will not support any amendment to the Constitution of Solomon Islands whose purpose or effect is to place the survival of a Government beyond the reach of this Parliament and, through this Parliament, beyond the reach of the people,” he stressed..
While thanking the Governor-General for carrying out his constitutional duty in delivering the Speech, Mr Sogavare stated the Opposition is keeping its own position on the Government’s overall programme.
