MID ANNOUNCED DEMOLITION OF RED HOUSE

The Ministry of Infrastructure Development (MID) has finally announced the demolition of the much debated official Prime Minister’s residence, The Red House.

The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Infrastructure Development, Henry Murray, says the Red House is currently unfit to be used by any top leader.

Mr. Murray says his Ministry is anxious about the decision as Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare has been repeatedly accused by anti-government groups in recent weeks for not residing in the Red House at Vavaya Ridge in Central Honiara.

Mr. Murray adds the building will be demolished for reconstruction as soon as the Speaker is being relocated.

Meanwhile, Mr. Murray says, the Government, through the Ministry of Infrastructure Development has approved a plan to relocate and build a new official residence for the Prime Minister.

He says the Ministry is optimistic the Prime Minister’s official residence will be built at a site adjacent to the Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA) headquarters overlooking Honiara City and across the Iron Bottom Sound waters.

Mr Murray adds his officials are currently finalising tender documents for the Geotech Survey of the site to identify its soil structure to determine a suitable design for the residence.