Motion No. 8, which was scheduled to be moved by the Leader of the Official Opposition, Hon. Matthew Wale, during today’s sitting, has been deferred to the December sitting of Parliament. The motion pertains to the audit report of the Economic Stimulus Package (ESP), a matter that has generated considerable public debate.
On 4th November, Prime Minister Hon. Jeremiah Manele had moved a motion of special adjournment to today, Friday 15th November, in order to allow the Leader of the Opposition to present Motion No. 8 on this important issue, during a private members’ day. The intention was for Parliament to resolve into a Committee of the Whole House to consider the audit report. However, the motion was not moved as expected, as the Leader of the Opposition did not proceed to introduce the motion under his name, thereby preventing Parliament from debating the matter today.
In light of this, Prime Minister Manele moved a subsequent motion of special adjournment, proposing that Parliament adjourn today and reconvene on Monday, 2nd December 2024.
“I understand from the Leader of the Opposition that the Parliamentary House Committee has decided to defer consideration of the ESP audit report, as the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) intends to further examine the report,” the Prime Minister informed the House.
Additionally, several reports related to the ESP audit were presented to Parliament this morning by the Minister for Finance and Treasury, Hon. Manasseh Sogavare. The Prime Minister noted that these reports require further deliberation. “As a government, we are committed to carefully considering these significant reports, ensuring that both sides of the House have an opportunity to contribute to the discussion and for our people to hear from all perspectives,” the Prime Minister stated.
Furthermore, the Prime Minister emphasized that another key reason for adjourning Parliament until 2nd December is to provide adequate time for the Public Accounts Committee to conduct its inquiry into the 2025 budget and to prepare its report.
Hon. Rick Houenipwela, Chair of the Parliamentary House Committee and Member for Small Malaita, was the only member of the Opposition to speak on the motion. He expressed his support for the Prime Minister’s reasons for deferring the sitting to December. Hon. Houenipwela highlighted that the Public Accounts Committee needed two weeks to conduct its inquiry into the 2025 Appropriation Bill.
Reports presented to Parliament this morning by the Minister of Finance and Treasury Hon. Manasseh Sogavare include;
• The Economic Stimulus Package: Gender and Social Inclusion of the Solomon
Islands COVID-19 Preparedness and Response Program (CPRP) and the
Economic Stimulus Package (ESP).
(National Parliament Paper No. 20(1) of 2024).
• The Economic Stimulus Package: COVID-19 Preparedness and Response Plan
Performance Summary Report.
(National Parliament Paper No. 20(2) of 2024).
• The Economic Stimulus Package Evaluation: Report on Churches.
(National Parliament Paper No. 20(3) of 2024).
• The Economic Stimulus Package Evaluation: Report on Schools.
(National Parliament Paper No. 20(4) of 2024).
• The Economic Stimulus Package Evaluation: Report on Provincial
Government.
(National Parliament Paper No. 20(5) of 2024).
• The Economic Stimulus Package Evaluation: Report on Value Chain of Export
Commodities.
(National Parliament Paper No. 20(6) of 2024).
• The Economic Stimulus Package: Report on Constituencies.
(National Parliament Paper No. 20(7) of 2024).
• The Economic Stimulus Package: COVID-19 Household Survey Results
Solomon Islands.
(National Parliament Paper No. 20(8) of 2024).
• The Impact of Economic Stimulus Package Support on State-Owned
Enterprises in the Solomon Islands.
(National Parliament Paper No. 20(9) of 2024).
• The Economic Stimulus Package: Survey Results & Impact Evaluation.
(National Parliament Paper No. 20(10) of 2024).
The motion of special adjournment to 2nd December was supported by members of both sides of the House, with the understanding that this would allow time for both the PAC’s inquiries and the necessary deliberations on the ESP audit report.
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– NPSI (NPO media)
