PM Manele discloses cost of four official visits overseas

By Alfred Pagepitu

A total of $2,111,181.50 was used to finance Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele’s recent official visits overseas.

Prime Minister Manele revealed the figure in parliament when asked by the Leader of Opposition, Hon. Mathew Wale on the funding arrangements of the visits.

He said four official visits were made so far to Australia, China, Japan and Tonga. 

Each trip comprised advisors and security personnel.

The visit to Australia totaled up to $369,821.27.

“This amount includes $123,389.30 for airfares, $97,416.97 for payday allowances, and $149,015.00 for special impress expenses.”

The combined expenses for the trips to China and Japan amounts to $1,272,179.18.

“This total breaks down into $547,444.15 for airfares, $308,371.50 for payday allowances, and $421,853.14 for special impress costs.”

Manele highlighted that the People’s Republic of China (PRC) provided support for internal costs, thereby reducing the overall expense for the Solomon Islands Government (SIG).

He confirmed that SIG covered all expenses for the delegation’s participation in the Japan Pacific Leaders’ Meeting, which totaled up to $469,181.05.

“This included $145,029.10 for airfares, $105,185.19 for payday allowances, and $218,966.76) for special imprest.”

 The Prime Minister maintained that the four overseas trips to date are enormous and far outweigh the cost of previous trips.

He explained that the outcomes of the visits to Australia, China, and Japan have reaffirmed the bilateral relations between the Solomon Islands and the three countries, which he believed will result in increased government assistance coming to the Solomon Islands.

Meanwhile, Hon. Mathew Wale, acknowledged the Prime Minister’s informative response regarding his recent overseas trips since being elected.

ENDS///