WE WILL SETTLE THE DEBT INCURRED: PREMIER RAMOHIA
Malaita Premier Peter Chanel Ramohia. Photo credit: OPMC.
Malaita Premier Hon. Peter Chanel Ramohia has assured, his government will pay off the $8 million debt incurred by past provincial governments.
Mr Ramohia who recently survived a vote of confidence said the Ministry of Provincial Government and Institutional Strengthening has provided his government three options to resolve the debts.
But he says his executive has rejected the options and opted to address the issue head on.
“We have a plan in place and that plan will be in certain areas which we will take on board. We call for the period the time from this time until June next year for us to work on our plan which will look at improving our revenue here, controlling our expenditure, spending according to budget only a really tight schedule and tight control expense. And we are also working on capacity building in our treasury.”
Meanwhile, the Premier adds his government has recruited a new Financial Advisor for the task and will soon recruit a Volunteer Revenue officer and Legal Advisor.
“Very soon we will take in a volunteer from Australia who will work on the revenue side. The other area we will look at recruiting a legal advisor for the province. Currently, we do not have one but since last year the Ministry put out an advertisement two times for a legal advisor position which is a position for the province. Unfortunately, no one applied for it but if anyone is interested in working as a legal advisor for Malaita Province, submit it. The Provincial Government will try its best to look at it.”